Thursday, May 2, 2013
Heeeeeere's Summer! (Midnight Movie Edition)
This was written yesterday so I had the appropriate time to get all my thoughts out. You're welcome.
As I sit here writing this, in approximately 24 hours, I will be starting my personal Summer Movie Season which from here on will be referred to in future blogs as SMS for short. As I have been counting down towards the starting line, thoughts about myself, the movies themselves, the theater that I inhabit like a second home, and the friends that join/mock me in my endeavors deserve an explanation. I feel compelled to explain the complex nature of my movie-going experience and, because you find my neurosis entertaining on some level and I like to express my opinions to the world, you now have the immense pleasure of hearing some of them.
(This is like my version of a thesis, hence the verbiage and hoity-toity attitude. You'll survive.)
First and foremost, I know many of you are thinking, "Hey Kate, how do you keep track of all the movies that you want to see?" and if you weren't, well shame on you for failing the most basic requirements of reading my blog. (To agree with everything I say and always wanting my opinion. Duh.) Well readers, I'm glad you asked! My fellow movie-going partners and I were waiting for a movie to start a couple months back and we went through a list of all the movies slated to come out in the year 2013. From that we made a list of all the movies we (or at times, one of us) was interested in seeing. (If you are interested in what my list consists of, just ask!) Quite simple, even you can do it!
You all know that I like to get to places early. (Understatement of the century, I know.) Well, I'll explain that a little bit. I have some mild OCD tendencies and one of those tendencies is being early, to most events. There is the occasional time where I am late or not as on time as I'd like to be but for the most part you can always count on me to be somewhere early. I began, as most of you know, with the last Harry Potter movie and from there has taken on a life of it's own. I am known at my movie theater, mostly by name if not by sight by most of the employees. (They did hire a bunch of new people so I now have to train them and get them to help me out with insider scoop but it's all part of the fun.) For most people the movie starts only minutes before the actual film hits the screen; for me, depending on the popularity of the movie, the waiting time begins 24 hours or more beforehand.
Earlier today, I felt the familiar clutch in the chest that signals a midnight movie premiere. I begin planning my getting to the theater, what I need to bring, who I need to remind about the movie, and other miscellaneous thoughts that zoom through my already crowded mind. On days where it is essential for me to get there as early as possible, I can usually leave work early. This take the pressure off of my chest, and yes I do mean the literal pressure of the early of a panic attack that I make a lesser deal by calling it anxiety. I know most of you are now actually concerned for my well-being. 'Kate, this is not normal. You really need to get on some kind of medication or relaxer for that.' Relax, guys. I'm used it. You know that it actually benefits you for me to get there early. So you never actually do anything about it anyways. You're forgiven.
When I can't leave early from work, a whole new level of anxiety takes over. Part pride, part crazy, part OCD, and part for the fun of it, I love to be first in line. Scratch that; love isn't a strong enough word for the pulsing desire that runs through my veins as I drive to the theater. (Get your head out of the gutter Jake. Sheesh.) My pulse races as I park and like an old pro of the theater executing a costume change, I whip out of my car all the while grabbing my essentials and power-walking like it's an Olympic event. ( I think it might actually be, and if not it one day might be.) I throw open the door and walk a righteous purpose to the second set of doors and get my first glimpse of the waiting area: empty. Triumph, and still some agitation, wash over me as the attendant rips my ticket and I finally breathe an easy breath as I claim the first spot in line.
Now I know I have lost most of you; you truly think I am insane. Honestly? I don't care. I am passionate about the movies and the movie-going experience. Too often we find ourselves with a careless attitude towards something that we once had a fierce passion for and now are lacking.
At this point in the experience, I may or may not be joined by some of my friends. Some are newer than others, some come because they enjoy the movies, some come because they enjoy the overall experience, and some come because I ask them. I am known for making friends at the most random of occasions but I can easily say that some of the friendships that have been forged by attending the movies the way I do has truly allowed me to meet some of my favorite people. I am so glad that some people share my movie-crazy.
Depending on the movie event, several things may happen next: I may get some solitary time and do some reading, writing, or just general relaxing before the (often non-existent) horde of amateurs show up in line. Sometimes I make a t-shirt that is dedicated to the movie itself, and since my amazingly traced Mockingjay Pin for The Hunger Games, I have been determined to one-up the previous design. Some succeed, some fail epically. If I have company we may watch previous movies in the series, look at timely magazines, talk about the next midnight movie, and just generally fangirl out. It's the greatest.
I know you all thought the anxiety ended once I got in line; wrong! It starts up again as the time to enter the theater draws near. Usually we have some idea of when they will let us into the theater; sometimes it's because I'm psychic (or I just have been to so many movies that I know when the previous movie ends and how long the theater takes to be cleaned) or because the wonderful theater workers tell us. As that time approaches, the line is usually starting to get antsy and walk in front of the designated area. I gently (or sometimes quite frighteningly) explain that the lines starts behind us and the other people milling in the designated area that is ROPED OFF. This is what I don't get: if you see a group of people waiting behind a roped off area, what makes you think that you get to just walk in front of them and go in before? I don't care if you are elderly, injured, or just plain filled with a sense of entitlement: GO TO THE BACK OF THE LINE!! There is movie theater etiquette and you make me look and feel like a stupid person when I have to explain this to you.
Now that you know to never cross me when I am in a line, I'll get back to the point. The anticipation of the attendant coming over and lifting the rope fills me with another round of anxiety. I have only made one mistake in my storied history of line waiting (Rookie Mistake!!) and I am lucky enough that my movie theater workers know the importance of me getting into the theater first. Once the rope is lifted, I move like The Flash. This is a superhero reference in case you didn't understand. Maybe Tasmanian Devil is more appropriate and relatable. I digress. Our group of movie goers have permanent dibs on a specific section (that I am not going to tell you in case any of you decide that it would be hilarious to see the look of horror on my face if you took them) and I speedily walk (read: sometimes am forced to run) to them and flip up the arms rest like my life depended on it. And in that moment: it does. Once all the seats have been accounted for and counted through twice, I secure my middle seat (dead center with the screen of course) and sit down and watch the rest of the attendees stroll in and claim the lame leftover seats.
And the end game begins, we wait. The anticipation of the movie is at it's highest once I am in the physical seat and now I can move with ease about the theater. I usually take a stroll and peruse upcoming movie posters, go the bathroom, or just get up and walk around to ease the remaining adrenaline. As the clock ticks closer to start time, a healthy excitement replaces the early anxiety. The screen goes black. As the previews roll across the screen, I can sometimes be seen leaning forward to fully experience the trailers as if I were physically there. This can be said for the actual movie as well, depending on the scene.
Now that you have had a play by play description of a normal midnight movie premiere event for myself and my friends, you may understand my crazy a bit better.
Or you may believe that I am certifiably insane.
You might be right. I guess, we'll never know.
(Unless you get me tested.)
Thursday, April 4, 2013
Born And Raised In South Detroit....
You know that chanting at the beginning of High School Musical 2. Where all the kids are in the classroom, watching the clock tick down until their summer vacation? "Summer. Summer. Summer. Summer. Summer." No? Just me?
Anywho-- the point of that was to describe to you how I am feeling today, and have been feeling since Monday. Tigers' Baseball is back and for the first time, and hopefully not the last, I will be going downtown for Opening Day to see the game in person. And all I hear in my head, is a never ending loop of "Tomorrow. Tomorrow. Tomorrow." What a feeling.
I've always loved sports. I've been playing them since I was able to walk. I played in grade school, played a Varsity sport for three years. I've been watching any and all sports since before I can remember. The Detroit Tigers have always been there, a team that I just inherited because I lived in Michigan, along with the Lions, Pistons, and the Red Wings. I think I loved the Red Wings on my own first because of the Stanley Cups they won when I was younger.
The Tigers were always just there in the background. But my view of them changed when I was at Justin Verlander's first no-hitter... and didn't even know what was going on. It's funny now and kind of sad, but at the time I had no idea why everyone was so happy. Grown men were crying and I was mocking them. We won, and it was a boring game. I realize that I should be shot or banned from future games for even thinking that but what can you expect from a girl who just thought about the Tigers in passing.
After that, the Tigers went on to have an incredible season. I remember watching them make in to the playoffs in my dorm room and I had tears falling as I ran down my hallway yelling, "We're going to the World Series." I think that's when it changed; not because they were finally winning but that I watched history happen.
Since then I've payed more attention and completely fallen in love with "our boys". I have staunchly defended players on the grounds that no city or person should publicly boo their own team at a game. I have seen JV almost throw another no hitter last year. I know more about the game, not as much as some, but much more. I hate certain players from other teams for ruining our chances at winning, and that's not limited to just players. (I'm looking at you Jim Joyce. I'll never forget.)
Win or lose, I'm a fan now. I have multiple "Who's Your Tiger?" players, and I don't care that you're supposed to have just one. JV is my ultimate and I know that one day I'm going to be there and actually paying attention when he throws that perfect game. Why? Because baseball is in all of our blood. It affects us all a bit differently and at certain times. Some people pick hockey or football or basketball over baseball and that's fine. But for most, when you hear that first pitch hit the catcher's glove, you feel home.
I have this dream. My favorite sports movie moment of all time comes from a baseball comedy, Major League. It's "that game", the one that the whole plot of the movie hinges on. The once empty stadium is completely filled to the brim and the feeling of excitement sparks through the TV. Everyone knows what's going to happen and then the music starts playing. "Wild Thing! You make my heart sing. You make everything groovy." And Ricky Vaughn, played by Charlie Sheen in the only role I tolerate him, struts out of the bullpen and onto the field. The crowd... goes... nuts.
What I really want... what I secretly dream will happen... is that the Tigers make it to the World Series and that moment of pure thrilling energy is felt amongst every single person and that feeling is transported to the players. And in that moment, "Wild Thing" comes on and we all sing it.
I guess I could settle for "Don't Stop Believin' ".
Anywho-- the point of that was to describe to you how I am feeling today, and have been feeling since Monday. Tigers' Baseball is back and for the first time, and hopefully not the last, I will be going downtown for Opening Day to see the game in person. And all I hear in my head, is a never ending loop of "Tomorrow. Tomorrow. Tomorrow." What a feeling.
I've always loved sports. I've been playing them since I was able to walk. I played in grade school, played a Varsity sport for three years. I've been watching any and all sports since before I can remember. The Detroit Tigers have always been there, a team that I just inherited because I lived in Michigan, along with the Lions, Pistons, and the Red Wings. I think I loved the Red Wings on my own first because of the Stanley Cups they won when I was younger.
The Tigers were always just there in the background. But my view of them changed when I was at Justin Verlander's first no-hitter... and didn't even know what was going on. It's funny now and kind of sad, but at the time I had no idea why everyone was so happy. Grown men were crying and I was mocking them. We won, and it was a boring game. I realize that I should be shot or banned from future games for even thinking that but what can you expect from a girl who just thought about the Tigers in passing.
After that, the Tigers went on to have an incredible season. I remember watching them make in to the playoffs in my dorm room and I had tears falling as I ran down my hallway yelling, "We're going to the World Series." I think that's when it changed; not because they were finally winning but that I watched history happen.
Since then I've payed more attention and completely fallen in love with "our boys". I have staunchly defended players on the grounds that no city or person should publicly boo their own team at a game. I have seen JV almost throw another no hitter last year. I know more about the game, not as much as some, but much more. I hate certain players from other teams for ruining our chances at winning, and that's not limited to just players. (I'm looking at you Jim Joyce. I'll never forget.)
Win or lose, I'm a fan now. I have multiple "Who's Your Tiger?" players, and I don't care that you're supposed to have just one. JV is my ultimate and I know that one day I'm going to be there and actually paying attention when he throws that perfect game. Why? Because baseball is in all of our blood. It affects us all a bit differently and at certain times. Some people pick hockey or football or basketball over baseball and that's fine. But for most, when you hear that first pitch hit the catcher's glove, you feel home.
I have this dream. My favorite sports movie moment of all time comes from a baseball comedy, Major League. It's "that game", the one that the whole plot of the movie hinges on. The once empty stadium is completely filled to the brim and the feeling of excitement sparks through the TV. Everyone knows what's going to happen and then the music starts playing. "Wild Thing! You make my heart sing. You make everything groovy." And Ricky Vaughn, played by Charlie Sheen in the only role I tolerate him, struts out of the bullpen and onto the field. The crowd... goes... nuts.
What I really want... what I secretly dream will happen... is that the Tigers make it to the World Series and that moment of pure thrilling energy is felt amongst every single person and that feeling is transported to the players. And in that moment, "Wild Thing" comes on and we all sing it.
I guess I could settle for "Don't Stop Believin' ".
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
It's Gonna Be Legen- Wait For It....
I have been watching TV for a really long time. My whole life. One of my favorite stories that my parents tell me is how when I would wake up early as a young kid, my dad and I would go out into the living room. He would put The Wizard of Oz on and while he would fall asleep, I would sit and watch with my eyes glued to the television.
If I had to pin point moments of my life where TV had an impact, there are many but one of the stand out ones was watching TGIF and more importantly Boy Meets World. That show holds a special place in my heart and in most hearts of my generation. With the news of a sequel, Girl Meets World, excitement and rabid fan response has taken over the Internet, myself included.
Last night, after an extremely personal and emotional episode of How I Met Your Mother, I was thinking about the two shows and came to a realization: the cast of HIMYM is the grown up counter parts of BMW. I posed this theory at lunch and here is my very educated reasoning:
Barney and Robin are Shawn and Angela. They fight, they bicker, they do this little dance and then they divulge their true feelings. Marshall and Lily are Cory and Topanga. The couple that makes you want to believe in true love and makes you realize you will never have that kind of relationship. And Ted, poor lovelorn Ted. He represents Mr. Feeney and Eric. He can be ridiculous (The red cowboy boots that he is "pulling them off.") and full of wisdom ("Shouldn’t we hold out for that person who… not only tolerates our little quirks… but actually kinda likes them?".) Both shows deal with hilarious situations ( doppelgangers and the boys dressed up like girls) and with tragic life moments (Marshall's dad's death and Mr. Turner's motorcycle accident.) I'm not saying it's a perfect comparison but I could easily see the BMW crew turning into the HIMYM gang.
Again the reason for this comparison was last night's episode of HIMYM, "The Time Travelers". I came into episode excited, mostly because it was a new episode that was going to feature Future Ted and Future Barney in some hilarious way according to the previews. What happened was what will now be known as my favorite episode of the series. Without spoiling the episode, the episode was a love letter to the fans.
The show is heavily based in it's own mythology and that has frustrated many of it's fans. Lots of people would like to know who the titular "mother" is but I for one am more than happy to wait until the show deems it necessary for me to have that information. But like Ted, I too have grown jaded and have less reason to hope that my true love is out there. Every relationship seems like it could be the "one" until it ultimately ends in failure and sadness on one side or another. I am the single in a group of doubles and while they all welcome me with openness, Ted and I both are just in a holding pattern and we are close to despair.
But this is where the show gives us despairing souls, including Ted, some bittersweet hope. In true romance fashion, Ted imagines running to his soon-to-be wife's apartment and gives one of the most heartbreaking, hopefully bittersweet speeches in the history of television. I'm going to have to share it with you so SPOILER ALERT:
“Hi. I’m Ted Mosby,” Narrator Ted imagined himself saying, “and exactly 45 days from now, you and I are going to meet, and we’re going to fall in love and we’re going to get married and we’re going to have two kids. We’re going to love them and each other so much. All that is 45 days away. But I’m here now, I guess, because I want those extra 45 days with you. I want each one of them. If I can’t have them, I’ll take the 45 seconds before your boyfriend shows up and punches me in the face. Because I love you. I’m always going to love you. To the end of my days and beyond.”
I realize that this is television and someone wrote this for a fictional character. I understand that life is not a TV show and that you don't get to have moments where you tell your future self it'll be OK. But... wouldn't it be amazing if you could? Wouldn't it be worth every moment of heartbreak?
As tears fell down from my face during this moment I could help but think, "It's gonna be legend- wait for it...."
If I had to pin point moments of my life where TV had an impact, there are many but one of the stand out ones was watching TGIF and more importantly Boy Meets World. That show holds a special place in my heart and in most hearts of my generation. With the news of a sequel, Girl Meets World, excitement and rabid fan response has taken over the Internet, myself included.
Last night, after an extremely personal and emotional episode of How I Met Your Mother, I was thinking about the two shows and came to a realization: the cast of HIMYM is the grown up counter parts of BMW. I posed this theory at lunch and here is my very educated reasoning:
Barney and Robin are Shawn and Angela. They fight, they bicker, they do this little dance and then they divulge their true feelings. Marshall and Lily are Cory and Topanga. The couple that makes you want to believe in true love and makes you realize you will never have that kind of relationship. And Ted, poor lovelorn Ted. He represents Mr. Feeney and Eric. He can be ridiculous (The red cowboy boots that he is "pulling them off.") and full of wisdom ("Shouldn’t we hold out for that person who… not only tolerates our little quirks… but actually kinda likes them?".) Both shows deal with hilarious situations ( doppelgangers and the boys dressed up like girls) and with tragic life moments (Marshall's dad's death and Mr. Turner's motorcycle accident.) I'm not saying it's a perfect comparison but I could easily see the BMW crew turning into the HIMYM gang.
Again the reason for this comparison was last night's episode of HIMYM, "The Time Travelers". I came into episode excited, mostly because it was a new episode that was going to feature Future Ted and Future Barney in some hilarious way according to the previews. What happened was what will now be known as my favorite episode of the series. Without spoiling the episode, the episode was a love letter to the fans.
The show is heavily based in it's own mythology and that has frustrated many of it's fans. Lots of people would like to know who the titular "mother" is but I for one am more than happy to wait until the show deems it necessary for me to have that information. But like Ted, I too have grown jaded and have less reason to hope that my true love is out there. Every relationship seems like it could be the "one" until it ultimately ends in failure and sadness on one side or another. I am the single in a group of doubles and while they all welcome me with openness, Ted and I both are just in a holding pattern and we are close to despair.
But this is where the show gives us despairing souls, including Ted, some bittersweet hope. In true romance fashion, Ted imagines running to his soon-to-be wife's apartment and gives one of the most heartbreaking, hopefully bittersweet speeches in the history of television. I'm going to have to share it with you so SPOILER ALERT:
“Hi. I’m Ted Mosby,” Narrator Ted imagined himself saying, “and exactly 45 days from now, you and I are going to meet, and we’re going to fall in love and we’re going to get married and we’re going to have two kids. We’re going to love them and each other so much. All that is 45 days away. But I’m here now, I guess, because I want those extra 45 days with you. I want each one of them. If I can’t have them, I’ll take the 45 seconds before your boyfriend shows up and punches me in the face. Because I love you. I’m always going to love you. To the end of my days and beyond.”
I realize that this is television and someone wrote this for a fictional character. I understand that life is not a TV show and that you don't get to have moments where you tell your future self it'll be OK. But... wouldn't it be amazing if you could? Wouldn't it be worth every moment of heartbreak?
As tears fell down from my face during this moment I could help but think, "It's gonna be legend- wait for it...."
Monday, February 25, 2013
The One Where Hugh Jackman Steals My Heart: 2013 Oscars Recap
Argo.
Argo.
Argo.
If you haven't seen this movie yet, shame on you. The masterpiece of Ben Affleck's career (up until this point at least) got the biggest compliment last night at the Academy Awards. Oh by the way, it's not called that anymore. Officially it is just "The Oscars". I disagree with this choice but oh well. I'll live.
I'm going to back and do this show in order:
Opening Monologue- I knew Seth Macfarlane would do a solid job. He's a charming if not self-deprecating person who can sing and dance. I have no problem with his humor (except for Family Guy, I just don't like it.) and I would bring him back on one condition: cut the sketch by about 10 minutes. Just do the song and dance and end with some jokes. We don't need 3 sketches that could easily have been web exclusive content to get people excited about him hosting.
Best Supporting Actor: Don't get me wrong, Christoph Waltz is a genius. I loved his in Inglorious Basterds and he was one of the only things I enjoyed about Django Unchained besides Leonardo DiCaprio, who in my and many other industry vets opinion, was robbed the nomination. I just believe that Tommy Lee Jones of Lincoln and Robert DeNiro of Silver Linings Playbook, showed more range and more emotion than is normal to their roles. DeNiro was my pick for his emotional turn as a helpless father.
The Musical Numbers: I am biased and I freely admit it but the celebration of musicals at the Oscars was phenomenal. Catherine Zeta-Jones nailed every line and every dance move with flawless execution and agility of a woman much younger. You go CTJ. Up next was Jennifer Hudson who showed you why she won her Best Supporting Actress a couple of years ago. Again, why people don't enjoy musicals astounds me. And then came the performance of the night and was anyone surprised that it brought the house down? (Sorry Adele and Babs.) The main cast of Les Miserables stunned and blew the other performances out of our memories and made me wish I could watch these people sing live forever. (I can! Thanks Entertainment Weekly! http://popwatch.ew.com/2013/02/25/oscars-2013-performances/5/ #5) Nothing made my heart swell more than when Aaron Tveit triumphantly strode onstage only to be followed my new favorite Russell Crowe. Say what you will about his singing voice, but this is the moment I fell in love with and the crowd clearly agreed as a single cheer rose up for him alone. I could gush more but you will probably hate me.
Best Supporting Actress: Anne Hathaway is finally the Princess she once played in a Disney movie. Looking very much the demure young woman she is, Anne was the one sure thing about this evening that everybody agreed on.
Best Actor: Ok, Daniel Day Lewis is a genius. I'm not disagreeing with his abilities but I just don't think he was the best compared to the other actors in the category. Personally my choice would have been Hugh Jackman or Bradley Cooper.
Best Actress: This was one of the hardest races in my recent history. Naomi Watts from The Impossible made me feel so many emotions in the span of two hours than most actresses do on a yearly basis. Jessica Chastain was truly gut-wrenching in Zero Dark Thirty but no one compared to Jennifer Lawrence's complete transformation and tour-de-force performance in Silver Linings Playbook.
Best Picture: My past two Saturday's have been spent watching the nine movies nominated for the coveted award. Most of them received a 7 or 8 out of 10. Only two got 10 out of 10's in my book: Silver Linings Playbook and Argo. But Argo delivered on every front: action, comedy, suspense, and I'm gonna get sappy but the American in all of us. (My official rankings of all the movies are as follows: Amour: 4/10 Les Miserables: 8/10 Argo: 10/10 Django Unchained: 6/10Beasts of the Southern Wild: 7/10 Life of Pi: 6/10 Lincoln: 8/10 Silver Linings Playbook: 10/10 Zero Dark Thirty: 7/10)
Most are worthy of the nomination but there are two movies that were not nominated and I believe it was an oversight on the Academy's behalf. The Impossible and Perks of Being A Wallflower deserved to be among those up for the award.
Overall, I picked correctly who I thought was going to win over who I wanted to win. It was a good show, that some people will say was too long, but guess what: this isn't new. Make actual changes next year and maybe start earlier.
All I can really say is that I can't wait until I am up there. I can only hope if I fall on my way to the stage, Hugh Jackman rushes to my aide.
Argo.
Argo.
If you haven't seen this movie yet, shame on you. The masterpiece of Ben Affleck's career (up until this point at least) got the biggest compliment last night at the Academy Awards. Oh by the way, it's not called that anymore. Officially it is just "The Oscars". I disagree with this choice but oh well. I'll live.
I'm going to back and do this show in order:
Opening Monologue- I knew Seth Macfarlane would do a solid job. He's a charming if not self-deprecating person who can sing and dance. I have no problem with his humor (except for Family Guy, I just don't like it.) and I would bring him back on one condition: cut the sketch by about 10 minutes. Just do the song and dance and end with some jokes. We don't need 3 sketches that could easily have been web exclusive content to get people excited about him hosting.
Best Supporting Actor: Don't get me wrong, Christoph Waltz is a genius. I loved his in Inglorious Basterds and he was one of the only things I enjoyed about Django Unchained besides Leonardo DiCaprio, who in my and many other industry vets opinion, was robbed the nomination. I just believe that Tommy Lee Jones of Lincoln and Robert DeNiro of Silver Linings Playbook, showed more range and more emotion than is normal to their roles. DeNiro was my pick for his emotional turn as a helpless father.
The Musical Numbers: I am biased and I freely admit it but the celebration of musicals at the Oscars was phenomenal. Catherine Zeta-Jones nailed every line and every dance move with flawless execution and agility of a woman much younger. You go CTJ. Up next was Jennifer Hudson who showed you why she won her Best Supporting Actress a couple of years ago. Again, why people don't enjoy musicals astounds me. And then came the performance of the night and was anyone surprised that it brought the house down? (Sorry Adele and Babs.) The main cast of Les Miserables stunned and blew the other performances out of our memories and made me wish I could watch these people sing live forever. (I can! Thanks Entertainment Weekly! http://popwatch.ew.com/2013/02/25/oscars-2013-performances/5/ #5) Nothing made my heart swell more than when Aaron Tveit triumphantly strode onstage only to be followed my new favorite Russell Crowe. Say what you will about his singing voice, but this is the moment I fell in love with and the crowd clearly agreed as a single cheer rose up for him alone. I could gush more but you will probably hate me.
Best Supporting Actress: Anne Hathaway is finally the Princess she once played in a Disney movie. Looking very much the demure young woman she is, Anne was the one sure thing about this evening that everybody agreed on.
Best Actor: Ok, Daniel Day Lewis is a genius. I'm not disagreeing with his abilities but I just don't think he was the best compared to the other actors in the category. Personally my choice would have been Hugh Jackman or Bradley Cooper.
Best Actress: This was one of the hardest races in my recent history. Naomi Watts from The Impossible made me feel so many emotions in the span of two hours than most actresses do on a yearly basis. Jessica Chastain was truly gut-wrenching in Zero Dark Thirty but no one compared to Jennifer Lawrence's complete transformation and tour-de-force performance in Silver Linings Playbook.
Best Picture: My past two Saturday's have been spent watching the nine movies nominated for the coveted award. Most of them received a 7 or 8 out of 10. Only two got 10 out of 10's in my book: Silver Linings Playbook and Argo. But Argo delivered on every front: action, comedy, suspense, and I'm gonna get sappy but the American in all of us. (My official rankings of all the movies are as follows: Amour: 4/10 Les Miserables: 8/10 Argo: 10/10 Django Unchained: 6/10Beasts of the Southern Wild: 7/10 Life of Pi: 6/10 Lincoln: 8/10 Silver Linings Playbook: 10/10 Zero Dark Thirty: 7/10)
Most are worthy of the nomination but there are two movies that were not nominated and I believe it was an oversight on the Academy's behalf. The Impossible and Perks of Being A Wallflower deserved to be among those up for the award.
Overall, I picked correctly who I thought was going to win over who I wanted to win. It was a good show, that some people will say was too long, but guess what: this isn't new. Make actual changes next year and maybe start earlier.
All I can really say is that I can't wait until I am up there. I can only hope if I fall on my way to the stage, Hugh Jackman rushes to my aide.
Friday, February 1, 2013
Relationship Status: It's Complicated
I'M BACK!!!!!!
Sorry it took me so long but I just didn't have the motivation or the ideas for a good solid entry to entertain you with my witty analysis and commentary. You know you missed me.
Since today is the beginning of February and we have all been attacked by the commercialism that is the dreaded, I'm mean awesome, holiday that is Valentine's Day I thought I would do a two part series about two of the things I love most in this world. YAY! Just kidding. If you have read my blog before you know I have a great outlook on the day (see: Valentine Schmalentine). I love the idea of Valentine's Day... but not currently because I am single. I do not subscribe to the notion of 'Singles' Awareness Day'. No, you are alone. Accept it and be angry and self-indulge in desserts and wine like the rest of us. But I digress.
Today's blog is dedicated to the one solid relationship I've had for the past 7 year: Facebook.
Laugh and mock all you will but Facebook loves me. And I love it right back.
I didn't even get into FB until right before college. One of my best friends signed me up two days before I embarked on the great adventure that was college. Since then I have surpassed any and all who claim to be Facebooker's in my devotion and my ability to navigate it's site. I don't think a single person who knows me (via FB or real life, because yes, there is a difference) would deny that statement.
Why do I love FB so much? It has never let me down. Ok, there were a few bumps in the road: changing the format for the greater good, updating privacy codes, and other minor adjustments that like all relationships take some time to get used to. But for the most part, FB and I have had a harmonious time. I even tried to be clever and be in a relationship with Facebook. It didn't work out.
Facebook allows me to keep in touch with legions of friends that had I not been able to be "friends" with on the site, I would have lost contact with years ago. It allows me to develop deeper friendships with people who I may have been a passing acquaintance in person, but online I see strings and connections that bring us closer.
Another reason I love FB deals with the more evil side of my personality: stalking. I have been called the Queen of Facebook because of my ability to discover, snoop, and in general be privy to others lives and the ability to hunt and track down these tawdry tidbits of scoop and scandal make me an invaluable 'friend'.
I love taking pictures. My reputation precedes me and because of that I currently have just under 4000 pictures uploaded on the site. I am only tagged in 1828 of them but that doesn't mean I'm not in more. This avenue to share, comment, and like moments from my life is invaluable to me. I can share my favorite experiences with loved ones across the country or world in a matter of minutes.
You may have gleaned that I like TV and movies from my past blogs. If you haven't... you should probably get something checked out, ok? I'm worried about you. FB allows me to share all these quotes that need an escape from my brain. And while others post about what they are doing that day or their thoughts, my status' tend to have themes (a celeb's birthday, movie premiere, how I'm feeling that day, a certain TV show is ending, etc.) and I get as much pleasure out of thinking of the quotes as I hope people who read them do. My tendency to post every three/four hours is a bi-product of my OCD and while I try to monitor how much I post, that goes better some days than on others. I have often told people that if they wish to not be attacked by my posts, feel free to unsubscribe. If you are unsure of how to do that, I can help you.
All in all, I love Facebook. It is my addiction in every possible way. It has led to hilarious moments, shocking discoveries, heartfelt conversations, some romantic advances, and tons of gossip. I wouldn't have it any other way.
Stay tuned next week for the second blog in the Valentine's Day series!!
Sorry it took me so long but I just didn't have the motivation or the ideas for a good solid entry to entertain you with my witty analysis and commentary. You know you missed me.
Since today is the beginning of February and we have all been attacked by the commercialism that is the dreaded, I'm mean awesome, holiday that is Valentine's Day I thought I would do a two part series about two of the things I love most in this world. YAY! Just kidding. If you have read my blog before you know I have a great outlook on the day (see: Valentine Schmalentine). I love the idea of Valentine's Day... but not currently because I am single. I do not subscribe to the notion of 'Singles' Awareness Day'. No, you are alone. Accept it and be angry and self-indulge in desserts and wine like the rest of us. But I digress.
Today's blog is dedicated to the one solid relationship I've had for the past 7 year: Facebook.
Laugh and mock all you will but Facebook loves me. And I love it right back.
I didn't even get into FB until right before college. One of my best friends signed me up two days before I embarked on the great adventure that was college. Since then I have surpassed any and all who claim to be Facebooker's in my devotion and my ability to navigate it's site. I don't think a single person who knows me (via FB or real life, because yes, there is a difference) would deny that statement.
Why do I love FB so much? It has never let me down. Ok, there were a few bumps in the road: changing the format for the greater good, updating privacy codes, and other minor adjustments that like all relationships take some time to get used to. But for the most part, FB and I have had a harmonious time. I even tried to be clever and be in a relationship with Facebook. It didn't work out.
Facebook allows me to keep in touch with legions of friends that had I not been able to be "friends" with on the site, I would have lost contact with years ago. It allows me to develop deeper friendships with people who I may have been a passing acquaintance in person, but online I see strings and connections that bring us closer.
Another reason I love FB deals with the more evil side of my personality: stalking. I have been called the Queen of Facebook because of my ability to discover, snoop, and in general be privy to others lives and the ability to hunt and track down these tawdry tidbits of scoop and scandal make me an invaluable 'friend'.
I love taking pictures. My reputation precedes me and because of that I currently have just under 4000 pictures uploaded on the site. I am only tagged in 1828 of them but that doesn't mean I'm not in more. This avenue to share, comment, and like moments from my life is invaluable to me. I can share my favorite experiences with loved ones across the country or world in a matter of minutes.
You may have gleaned that I like TV and movies from my past blogs. If you haven't... you should probably get something checked out, ok? I'm worried about you. FB allows me to share all these quotes that need an escape from my brain. And while others post about what they are doing that day or their thoughts, my status' tend to have themes (a celeb's birthday, movie premiere, how I'm feeling that day, a certain TV show is ending, etc.) and I get as much pleasure out of thinking of the quotes as I hope people who read them do. My tendency to post every three/four hours is a bi-product of my OCD and while I try to monitor how much I post, that goes better some days than on others. I have often told people that if they wish to not be attacked by my posts, feel free to unsubscribe. If you are unsure of how to do that, I can help you.
All in all, I love Facebook. It is my addiction in every possible way. It has led to hilarious moments, shocking discoveries, heartfelt conversations, some romantic advances, and tons of gossip. I wouldn't have it any other way.
Stay tuned next week for the second blog in the Valentine's Day series!!
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