Oscar Winners: How Far Off Was I?
Tonight was the big night, and the winners have been announced. It was altogether uneventful, with the major upset being Precious winning for adapted screenplay over Up in the Air. Yet, overall, things went as planned. Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin were great hosts, and I found most of their jokes to be entertaining. NPH (Neil Patrick Harris) was definitely a highlight, as is Avatar Ben Stiller. So, here are the results and how they compare to my guesses.
Best Short Film, Animated
I said: Wallace and Gromit in a “Matter of Loaf and Death.”
The winner was : Logorama.
Best Documentary, Feature Film
I said: The Cove
The winner was: The Cove
Best Animated Feature
I said: Up
The winner was: Up
Best Visual Effects
I said: Avatar
The winner was: Avatar
Best Original Song
I said: “Almost There” (The Princess and the Frog)
The winner was: “The Weary Kind” (Crazy Heart)
Best Art Direction
I said: Avatar
The winner was: Avatar
Best Editing
I said: The Hurt Locker
The winner was: The Hurt Locker
Best Cinematography
I said: Avatar
The winner was: Avatar
Best Adapted Screenplay
I said: Up in the Air
The winner was: Precious
This was apparently quite the upset, and many people are bitter about this. Not seeing Precious myself… I wouldn’t know. All I do know is that Up in the Air was a beautiful film, and I would have liked to see it go home with at least one Oscar.
Best Original Screenplay
I said: Inglorious Basterds
The winner was: The Hurt Locker
Best Director
I said: Kathryn Bigelow
The winner was: Kathryn Bigelow
Best Supporting Actress
I said: Mo’Nique
The winner was: Mo’Nique
Best Supporting Actor
I said: Christopher Waltz
The winner was: Christopher Waltz
If this one didn’t happen, I would have cried. This was the most deserved Oscar of the night. Funny enough, it was the first one handed out as well.
Best Actress
I said: Sandra Bullock
The winner was: Sandra Bullock
Best Actor
I said: Jeff Bridges
The winner was: Jeff Bridges
Best Picture
I said: Avatar
The winner was: The Hurt Locker
I am very surprised by this one. I got it into my head that The Academy was going more mainstream, and would chose Avatar. I love The Hurt Locker, and feel it is very deserving. Yet, still, I feel like the Best Picture award should be given to a film for not only beauty and style, but for impact. Avatar will be remembered for much longer than The Hurt Locker will.
Out of seventeen predictions, I got 11 right, which is around 65%. Not too shabby…
Oscars – The Winner Might Be….
One of the most entertaining part of the award season is hedging bets on who will win what award. With the biggest and best of awards being handed out tomorrow, the Oscar, all bets are final TONIGHT! This is my call on what will win what tomorrow night.
Best Short Film, Animated - Wallace and Gromit in “A Matter of Loaf and Death.” This is not due to any foreknowledge or buzz, but the fact that I adore Wallace and Gromit. The rest of these guesses won’t be so unfounded. But, the pure, unbridled talent shown by Nick Park should never be denied. 
Best Documentary, Feature - The Cove. Of all the documentaries, this is one I have heard the most about. Though I have not seen it, the trailer was absolutely captivating. Between that and word of mouth, this has quite a chance at a win.
Best Animated Feature - Up. There is no denying it. Pixar is the favorite through and through. And for good reason. Their heart-warming films have brought families together for more than a decade. Up is no exception.
Best Visual Effects – Avatar. Has any other movie made such a stir in the entertainment industry like Avatar? Sure, there have been complaints. But, the effects were never amongst them. Visually stunning, this film was the marriage of effects and style. Plus, every movie on earth is now being made in 3D.
Best Original Song - Princess and the Frog “Almost There”. This film proved that Disney hand-drawn animation is not a thing of the past. With Randy Newman on board, beautiful music was the result. Though I think either song has a perfect chance, “Almost There” is my personal favorite. Hence, it has my support and my guess.
Best Original Score – Avatar. Avatar, without a doubt, is the crowd pleaser. Due to its large emotional appeal, and powerful ability to relate you to its world and the characters, the score will be given the credit and the Oscar.
Best Art Design – Avatar. Anyone who saw it will agree. It has imagination, and it has visual draw power. It will gain this Oscar as well.
Best Editing – The Hurt Locker. The critical darling will have its moment. The Academy Awards will be a battle between The Hurt Locker and Avatar. Yet, in editing, its intricate style and flawless ability, The Hurt Locker will bring it the win.
Best in Cinematography – Avatar. This category really could go either way. Though the cinematography is breathtaking in The Hurt Locker, Avatar won America’s heart, and was a visual playground. I think its popularity will be the clincher.
Best Screenplay Based on a Previous Work - Up in the Air. Firstly, it is well-written, a necessary detail for winning an Oscar. Secondly, this screenplay has been the favorite in many of the other award shows. Thirdly, Jason Reitman gives the best award speeches. His passion is evident even in the vigor with which he runs his hands through his hair. I just hope we get to see him give another one.
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Best Original Screenplay - Inglorious Basterds. I personally think it is a travesty how small a chance this film has at winning Best Picture. This is the year Avatar came out, so Inglorious Basterds will take a back seat. Yet, it will have a small moment in this category. It is so brilliantly ridiculous, it cannot be ignored. Being recognized at other award shows, I hope it will recieve the ultimate recognition of an Oscar.
Best Director – Kathryn Bigelow (The Hurt Locker). This will be The Hurt Locker‘s big moment. This film had such vision and involvement, even to every single shot that was taken. The artistic hand used in this film is evident, and will not be ignored. Bigelow wins the battle of the exes.
Best Supporting Actress - Mo’Nique (Precious) . Her speeches are heart-warming and full of gratitude. She has won time and time again for the part, and will win again tomorrow night. (I do hope Anna Kendrick would win, so ridiculously funny in Up in the Air). 
Best Supporting Actor – Christopher Waltz(Inglorious Basterds). Watch Inglorious Basterds. Then try to imagine anyone else winning. Its pretty hard, right?
Best Actress – Sandra Bullock (The Blindside). This is one that could go either way as well. All the actresses in this category performed brilliantly. It could so easily go towards Meryl Streep (Julie & Julia) or Gabourey Sidibe (Precious). Yet, I believe Sandra Bullock went the extra mile, by connecting to the American audience in such a powerful way, with such a lovable role. For that, she wins the Oscar. 
Best Actor – Jeff Bridges (Crazy Heart). The critics have been raving about this performance for months. He has won at almost all the other award shows. Enough said. 
Best Picture – Avatar. I’ve said it over and over again. This film has had such an impact on American culture and film. It will be shown for years over, and remembered for even longer. Though it might not be the most artistic of the films, it is the most loved. For this, James Cameron, the cast, and the producers deserve the Oscar. 
The Other Academy Awards
Due to our love of film, and frustration of the films left out of the Oscars, a few of my friends and I have organized The Other Academy Awards. The awards (The Tobias) will be announced tomorrow night, either before or after the Oscars. (Yes, every time I type The Tobias, I think of Tobias Funke). These are my personal nominations
Best picture
-Avatar
-500 days of summer
-Hurt Locker
-District 9
-Inglorious Basterds
-Star Trek
-Up in the Air
-Fantastic Mr. Fox
-The Brothers Bloom
-Up
Best Actor
-Sharlto Copley – District 9
Max Records – Where the Wild Things Are
Sam Rockwell – Moon
Jeremy Renner – The Hurt Locker
Zachary Quinto – Star Trek
Best Actress
Zoe Saldana – Avatar
Rachel Weisz – The Brothers Bloom
Meryl Streep – Julie & Julia
Best Supporting Actor
-Christopher Waltz – Inglorious Basterds
-Brad Pitt – Inglorious Basterds
-Zach Galifinakis – The Hangover
-Jackie Earle Haley – Watchmen
-Paul Giamatti – Duplicity
Best Supporting Actress
Anna Kendrick – Up in the Air
Melanie Laurent – Inglorious Basterds
Best Director
James Cameron – Avatar
Spike Jonze – Where the Wild Things Are
Quentin Tarantino – Inglorious Basterds
Jason Reitman – Up in the Air
Neil Blomkamp – District 9
Marc Webb – (500) Days of Summer
Kathryn Bigelow – The Hurt Locker
Ensemble
The Hurt Locker
Star Trek
Inglorious Basterds
The Hangover
Zombieland
Watchmen
Up in the Air
Original Screenplay
-(500) Days of Summer
-Inglorious Basterds
-The Hurt Locker
Adapted Screenplay
-Up in the Air
-Fantastic Mr. Fox
-District 9
-Star Trek
-Coraline
Art Direction
-Avatar
-Sherlock Holmes
-Where the Wild things Are
-Inglorious Basterds
-The Brothers Bloom
-Nine
-Fantastic Mr. Fox
-Coraline
Best Animated Picture
-Coraline
-Princess and the Frog
-Up
-Fantastic Mr. Fox
-Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs
Best Voicework
-Anna Faris – (Sam) Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs
-Anika Noni Rose – (Tiana) The Princess and the Frog
-Bob Peterson – (Dug) Up
-George Clooney – (Mr. Fox) Fantastic Mr. Fox
-Jason Schwartzman – (Ash) Fantastic Mr. Fox
-Eric Anderson – (Kristofferson) Fantastic Mr. Fox
-Seth Rogen – (Bob) Monsters vs. Aliens
-Paul Dano – (Alexander) Where the Wild Things Are
Best Score
-Hans Zimmer – Sherlock Holmes
-Ennio Morricone – Inglorious Basterds
-Michael Giacchino – Up
Costume Design
- Sherlock Holmes
-The Brothers Bloom
-Inglorious Basterds
Best Visual Affects
-Avatar
-District 9
-Star Trek
-Where the Wild Things Are
Best Cinematography
-Avatar
-Where the Wild Things Are
-Inglorious Basterds
-Fantastic Mr. Fox
-The Hurt Locker
-Star Trek
Best Chemistry
-Zooey Deschanel and Joseph Gordon-Levitt – (500) Days of Summer
-Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law – Sherlock Holmes
-Anna Kendrick and George Clooney – Up In the Air
-Adrien Brody and Mark Ruffalo – The Brothers Bloom
-Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto – Star Trek
Break Out Performance
-Sharlto Copley – District 9
-Zach Galifianakis – The Hangover
-Max Records – Where the While Things Are
-Melanie Laurent – Inglorious Basterds
Best Soundtrack
-500 days of summer
-Up in the Air
-New Moon
-Fantastic Mr. Fox
Best Cameo
-Owen Wilson – Fantastic Mr. Fox
-Mike Meyers – Inglorious Basterds
-Bill Murray – Zombieland
-Ralph Fiennes – The Hurt Locker
- Guy Pierce – The Hurt Locker
Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief – Review
Nowadays, film companies have been trying to get a piece of the success found in movies like Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings. Yet, most have failed with attempts like the Golden Compass. You would think that the man who is responsible for the first two Harry Potter movies, Chris Columbus, would be the best choice Sadly, Percy Jackson falls into the failed category as well. Now, I’m a fan of the books, and was really pulling for this movie. Yet, this film acts as an example of producers and writers having no idea of what is important to keep from a book, and what to change.
Percy Jackson (Logan Lerman) is just an average boy. He is bored with school, struggles with dyslexia, ADHD, and a mother (Catherine Keener) who is married to a jerk (who is not his father). He blows off steam with his best friend Grover (Brandon T. Jackson) and by sitting underwater for long periods of time. Yet, when his teacher turns out to be a harpy (literally), he learns the truth: he is a demi-god, the son of Poseiden. Plus, the entire mythical world thinks he stole Zeus’s lightning. So, with Grover, and Annabeth (Alexandra Daddario), a girl from Camp Half-blood, they go on a quest to find the lightning bolt and save Percy’s mom from Hades (Steve Coogan).
Rule of thumb, do not mess with your female protagonist. She is who the little girls relate to, and who they come to see. In the book, Annabeth is described blonde, individualistic, and Percy’s age. Alexandra Daddario is a beautiful, talented girl. I have been quite a fan of her role as Kate on White Collar. But, who thought she, at 23, should play opposite a 17 year old boy? Though I believe she’s talented, the age difference is obvious, to a point of uncomfortableness. And again, while she is beautiful, she looks exactly like Percy himself! They have the same dark hair, same height, and same bright blue eyes. She looks like his older sister, not his love interest, which killed their chemistry. Lastly, Annabeth is supposed to be a sort of foil for Percy; someone who challenges and pushes him. Yet, instead, she falls for him quickly, and they make eyes at each other for the last two-thirds of the movie. It changes the relationship, and in turn, changes the entire story. I can understand changing a character, but the essence of the original character was completely missing.
This film had a stellar cast. Sometimes it helped, sometimes it didn’t. Rosario Dawson as Persephone and Steve Coogan as Hades were great. They were light, funny, added new twists onto the characters, and were just enjoyable to watch. But then you get Uma Thurman as Medusa, and you want to scratch your eyes out. Medusa is such a rich character to explore; the ultimate victim who turned evil. Yet, Thurman played her flatly, as a one-dimensional character. It was just disappointing. Logan Lerman himself wasn’t too shabby. Though occasionally cheesy, his performance was funny and relatable. He was a smart choice for Percy, and I think he has quite a future for himself. Brandon T. Jackson, as Grover, was the strong comic relief. Though corny, his jokes were fun, and he helped keep the pace upbeat.
The writing was subpar. It was the sort of writing that makes you look at your friends and go “huh?” Yet, in that sense, it was so far off it made the film more enjoyable. One of my favorite moments is when Poseiden (Kevin Mckidd) looks at Percy and says, at the emotional climax, “I know I can’t see you, but I will always be there, in your thoughts, and in your dreams.” Equally creepy and hilarious.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians had its occasional moments. I will be the first to admit that I laughed occasionally. But, overall, the success of this film is not in the film itself, but as a perfect example how NOT to convert a book into a movie.
Little Fockers Set Report!!!
There are some days when you walk around a pretty garden. There are other days, when you walk around a pretty garden and stumble upon a movie set.
This was my luck on December 30th. Imagine my surprise to find the sign below on a large lawn, accompanied with a few visually striking, yellow tents. For the past two months, Little Fockers, sequel to Meet the Parents and Meet the Fockers, has been filming a very large scene at the Huntington Library and Botanical Gardens.
The set was designed to appear very whimsical. Due to rain, many of the structures were covered with blue tarps, so they were partially obscured. Over the large, sprawling lawn were three yellow and white striped tents. Around these tents were large bamboo structures, decorated with colorful flags printed with images of Buddha. The theme seemed to be oriental/exotic. But, the most interesting features were the large, topiary elephants with golden eyes. They loomed above at around 8 feet high, and stood guarding what appeared to be the entrance. Past the set, cranes were set up for cameras and lights. Also, large white tents for the cast and crew were set up with lights.
Luckily, a few people connected to the film were able to share, so I was able to gather a bit of information about the film. Warning, some spoilers lie ahead. We were informed that much had been taken down, including a bounce house, ball pit, a spit to roast a pig, and a large stage.
Of the plot, we were told the following:
- No Dustin Hoffman. Sad, but true.
- The tents are for a carnival-theme birthday party is thrown by Kevin Rawley (Owen Wilson) for the twin children of Greg and Pam Focker (Ben Stiller and Teri Polo). This is due to Kevin’s desire to “out-do” Greg.
- The party has hundreds of extras, including flame throwers.
- Rawley (Owen Wilson) performs on the stage for the kids, partaking in acrobatics. In the process, he hurts himself.
- Jack Byrnes (Robert De Niro) and Greg Focker (Ben Stiller) end up in a huge fight, beginning in the ball pit, and ending with Greg hitting Jack repeatedly with the head of the roasted pig.
Overall, a grand set up for a hopefully comedic scene. It has all the possibilities of humor. Yet, it does seem that it is trying possibly too hard. Nothing ruins comedy more than striving.
Lastly, as we walked through the set, we were given a sneak peak under one of the tarps. In the entrance way, between the two large, topiary elephants, were two giant plastic heads of the twins. Both were around six to seven feet long, and absolutely terrifying. For the life of me, I have no idea why children would like such a thing. I, personally, would have run away in terror. But, they do leave the impression of extravagance, which is supposedly the goal of the party. So, in that, they are successful.
Big Bang Theory: SPOILER ALERT!
I am sharing this because it is one of the most fantastic things I have ever seen. So, be warned, this is a bit of a spoiler alert. We have been told that Christine Baranski was returning as Leonard’s mother. What that entails, was unknown until this article surfaced. So, look and enjoy!
Spielberg’s Next Project Info: News on Tintin
Spielberg hasn’t had a big film since Indiana Jones 4, because he has been working overtime on Tintin: Secret of the Unicorn. Using new performance-capturing technology, it promises to be a unique experience. Variety released this article on the film, which is heading into post-production. I will see just about anything created by the teamwork of Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson. (producer). 
