Oscar Night

It's the best night of the year for Hollywood, and for those of us that follow the movies. But I think we are ready to go beyond this year. 

Having been through the Film Independent Spirit awards yesterday and now getting ready for the big night...some final thoughts and final picks.

I didn't write a full column on picks and misses this year -- but there are some that have to be mentioned.

Let's make a quick PICKS list.

Best Picture

Will Win - The Artist

Should Win - The Descendants

Wish it Was Nominated - The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo

Best Director

Will Win - Michel Hazanavicius, The Artist

Should Win - Alexander Payne, The Descendants

Wish He Was Nominated - David Fincher, The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo

Best Actor

Will Win - George Clooney, The Descendants

Should Win - George Clooney, The Descendants

Wish He Was Nominated - Michael Shannon, Take Shelter or Ryan Gosling, The Ides of March or Drive

Best Actress

Will Win - Viola Davis, The Help

Should Win - Rooney Mara, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo OR Viola Davis, The Help

Wish She Was Nominated - Charlize Theron, Young Adult

Best Supporting Actress

Will Win - Octavia Spencer, The Help

Should Win - Octavia Spencer, The Help

Wish She Was Nominated - Shailene Woodley, The Descendants

Best Supporting Actor

Will Win - Christopher Plummer, Beginners

Should Win - Christopher Plummer, Beginners

Wish He Was Nominated - Albert Brooks, Drive AND Patton Oswalt, Young Adult

And on the other categories...

Random thoughts -- 

Really Really Really -- have I made it clear....Really -- missing The Interrupters in the Documentary category, but expecting a Paradise Lost 3 win. 

Disappointed in the lack of Best song nominees -- but hopeful for Muppet or a Man.

Really seeing a lot of individuals that I LIKE in the crowd...and that is cool.

Wondering if Billy Crystal will be what the Academy has been lacking.

Wondering if the show comes in on schedule.

Sacha Baron Cohen...

What else???

The ceremony is coming soon -- who is your favorite?

More during the show.

2012 Critics' Choice Movie Awards - Recap

2012 Critics’ Choice Movie Awards – Recap

So sometimes, the best laid plans don’t work out.

While I had planned to share lots and lots during the show…priorities changed and an under the weather wife and a daughter who needed help with homework and a little snowstorm had me watching, but not commenting.

So here is my quick takes on the awards last night.

- 4 wins for The Artist sets us up a definite front runner for the Best Picture award at the Oscars.

- The Help with 3 solid awards sets the film up as a solid contender in the race.

-  Viola Davis had an extremely touching speech and really showed a good America who she is.

- Christopher Plummer’s win surprised me – really was pulling for Albert Brooks but was happy with Plummer’s win.

- George Clooney is still the man everyone wants to be, and the man every woman wants. I really want to meet him some day. (Plus he’s in the best film of the year).

- Octavia Spencer, was she surprised or what? Good for her!

- Thomas Horn winning in the Best Young Actor category showed youthful innocence in his original response.

- Bridesmaids WAS the Best Comedy released this year.

- Paul Scheer and Rob Huebel were really decent hosts, funny without being mean. (Though that Tree of Life joke, fell a bit flat…)

- Good packages (love the Source Code references in the fictional characters we lost).

- Drive won Best Action Movie – but I STILL insist…although it was a very COOL movie…it was NOT an action film (outside of some scenes).

- Loved the appearance by Statler and Waldorf, classic…though the timing was off on the package.

- Maybe next year we need a best adult film category to sit at the “naked” table. HA!

- Would have loved to have had a little more attention to the tech awards, some of us take it very seriously and would love to see a bit more time to recognize the winners…even if not individually.

- Martin Scorsese is a class act all the way. Well deserving of his award and his nominations.

- Documentary to Scorsese just seems like nothing compared to Shine A Light or some of the other music films he was a part of. I still missed The Interrupters, Senna or some of the other docs in that category.

- What a wonderful and gracious group of stars that were out at the awards.

- I better be smart, and make it to the 18^thAnnual Critics’ Choice Movie Awards…next January. See you then!

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Home Screening Room - Cowboys, Aliens and The Help

This Week’s Big Releases

Cowboys and Aliens – Rated PG-13 (Daniel Craig, Harrison Ford, Olivia Wilde)

Who couldn’t enjoy cowboys in a movie with aliens? The premise is there, the team is there and everything sounds so like a lot of fun. It’s a solid movie, but it does fall a touch short of expectations. That said…I’d still pick it up and take a peek. READ THE FULL THEATRICAL REVIEW

The Debt – Rated R (Sam Worthington, Helen Mirren)

The retired members of the Mossad are back to relive one of their biggest missions ever. Can you imagine Helen Mirren playing the role. Yep I knew you could.

The Hangover Part II – Rated R (Bradley Cooper, Zach Galifianakis, Ed Helms)

It’s The Hangover…in Thailand! The sequel brings the characters you like back together for another wild night. READ THE FULL THEATRICAL REVIEW

The Help – Rated PG-13 (Emma Stone, Viola Davis)

Undoubtedly to soon have a spot on many critics’ top lists of 2011 releases, this is one of those films that many will see. In 1960s Mississippi there are some rules that needed to change.  

Mr. Popper’s Penguins – Rated PG (Jim Carrey, Carla Gugino)

Jim Carrey and penguins … YES!!! In an apartment how can you raise penguins? Jim Carrey can.

Also new this week…

Big Love: The Complete Fifth Season
Biggest Loser: At Home Challenge
Cake Boss: Season 4, Volume 1
A Christmas Wedding Tail – Rated PG (Jennie Garth, Brad Rowe, Tom Arnold)
Law and Order: The Ninth Year
Spongebob Squarepants: The Complete Seventh Season
UFC 135

And Finally

The St. Louis Cardinals: 2011 World Series Champions

The World Series champion dvd is finally available and this one pains me as a Milwaukee Brewers fan…but for the St. Louis faithful…this is your moment, pick up the official video of the series win over the Texas Rangers in a thrilling seven games.

Pick of the Week

To purely blow out the Blu-ray player – I say Cowboys & Aliens will put your system to the test. The Hangover 2 will be one of the films that is rewatchable as a comedy, though there are better comedies out there.

Thanks!

Pop Popcorn, Do the Dew, and Bust out the Blu and remember to Save Me A Seat!