Movie Pick of the Week!

Wide Release: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Most already have seen the interesting trailers for this film with a very peculiar plot line and for those reasons I pick it as the must see film this week.

Limited Release: Waltz With Bashir
At first thought my pick would have been Revolutionary Road. However after watching the trailer for this film I don't see how you can't be intrigued by it. Directed by Ari Folman, this film is shown as an animated documentary. Hard to grasp at first, but watch the trailer and I'm pretty sure you'll be just as excited for it as I am!

Trailer

Book Pick of the Week!

Voluntary Madness by Norah Vincent is a nonfiction account of her pretending to be seriously depressed to enter into a mental rehabilitation facility.  This is her second book where she pushes the envelope to see the truth behind what it feels like to be in someone else's shoes.  In her first book Self-Made Man, she went undercover as a man and speculated the differences in  behavior from others around her toward the new identity.  Check this Girl, Interrupted book out for a true story that will change your mind about "loony bins" forever.

Golden Globe Nominees

The nominees were announced today, one month before, the Golden Globe Awards Ceremony is scheduled with a few surprises and some well bet on films.

Here are some categories:

Best Movie, drama

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Frost/Nixon                                                  

The Reader

Revolutionary Road

Slumdog Millionaire

The Visitor

Actress, drama

Anne Hathaway, Rachel Getting Married

Angelina Jolie, Changeling

Meryl Streep, Doubt

Kristin Scott Thomas, I've Loved You So Long

Kate Winslet, Revolutionary Road

Actor, drama

Leonardo DiCaprio, Revolutionary Road

Frank Langella, Frost/Nixon

Sean Penn, Milk

Brad Pitt, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler

Best movie, comedy or musical

Burn After Reading

Happy-Go-Lucky

In Bruges

Mamma Mia!

Vicky Cristina Barcelona

Actress, comedy or musical

Rebecca Hall, Vicky Cristina Barcelona

Sally Hawkins, Happy-Go-Lucky

Frances McDormand, Burn After Reading

Meryl Streep, Mamma Mia!

Emma Thompson, Last Chance Harvey

Actor, comedy or musical

Javier Bardem, Vicky Cristina Barcelona

Colin Farrell, In Bruges

James Franco, Pineapple Express

Brendan Gleeson, In Bruges

Dustin Hoffman, Last Chance Harvey

Director

Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire

Stephen Daldry, The Reader

David Fincher, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Ron Howard, Frost/Nixon

Sam Mendes, Revolutionary Road

Screenplay

Simon Beaufoy, Slumdog Millionaire

David Hare, The Reader

Peter Morgan, Frost/Nixon

Eric Roth, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

John Patrick Shanley, Doubt

For a full list of the nominees: CLICK HERE!

Uh Oh! SAG strike could be close

SAG will distribute voting ballots to paid up members of the organization on Friday, January 2nd. The ballots will be due back for count on the 23rd. If 75% of the members vote yes to the strike then we might be on the verge of seeing some picketing. The SAG board of directors have to announce the strike before anyone does any actual picketing but if the union feels that they have not recieved what they wanted from their new contract then the announcement may very well be made. SAG is the last Hollywood union without a new deal and members have been working without a contract since June. Lets hope they are happy with their new contract or get what they want or our future films in pre/production might not get too far off the ground for awhile...not to mention what will happen to our tv viewing...I dont want to but I'll say it....More reality TV! GASP!

New York Film Circle Critics Awards

After the West coast critics announced their picks for the best in film this year, the East coast has followed with their choices as well. Among the winners were Milk for Best Film with Sean Penn recieving the award for Best Actor in the lead role of the film. Best Actress and Director went to Sally Hawkins and Mike Leigh for Happy-Go-Lucky. Quite exciting as the Oscar Nom annoucements are right around the corner!

Book Pick of the Week!

This weeks book pick is How to Talk to Girls and comes from first time nine year old author Alec Greven of Colorado.  The story is too cute to pass up!  Apparently Greven wrote the book as a $3 pamphlet that he sold in school to troubled, nervous young boys that needed help with the ladies.  Greven thus spread his many wisdoms which included points like these:

• Comb your hair and don't wear sweat pants.
  
• Control your hyperness (cut down on sugar if necessary).
  
• A crush is like a love disease that can drive you mad.
  
• It is easy to spot pretty girls because they have big earrings, fancy dresses and all the jewelry, but they are like cars that need a lot of oil.

Now not only has this fourth grader received a six figure publishing deal with HarperCollins but a movie deal is in talks as well!  Not bad for the fourth grade.

Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards!

The LA Film Critics Association announced their picks for this year's best of the best in the film industry and their choice for top flick was non other than family friendly WALL-E.  Best Actor and Actress were Sean Penn for Milk and Sally Hawkins for Happy-Go-Lucky and Danny Boyle took away Best Director for Slumdog Millionaire.  

Re-Release of the Dark Knight in Theaters!

January 23rd 2009: the day after the 2009 Oscar Nominees are announced.  Also the day that The Dark Knight is being re-released in theaters!  The film is $77 million short of beating Titanic in its number one grossing movie of all time spot and Warner Bros. believes it can surpass the $600 million domestic record when they re-release the film.  Even if The Dark Knight does not get a nominee for best picture, actor, or director, which I believe is very unlikely that one of the three categories, plus some will have it as a contender, it will probably reel in fans from this summer for a winter viewing plus some....so the chances of it beating the record seem pretty high to me!

National Board of Review Awards

Last year the National Board of Review announced that the Best Film recipient was No Country For Old Men. A few months later that same film won Best Picture at the Oscars. Could this year have the same event occur? The NBR picked Slumdog Millionaire as its Best Film this year and after having seen the film I definitely believe in its strong possibility of an Oscar.

Other winners included Clint Eastwood for Gran Torino and Anne Hathaway for Rachel Getting Married for Best Actor and Actress. David Fincher took best director for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Now the anticipation comes of Oscar nominees and the follow up of the big night winnners!

Full List of Winners!

Book Pick of the Week!

Do Gentlemen Really Prefer Blondes?: Bodies, Behavior, and Brains--The Science Behind Sex, Love, and Attraction by Jena Pincott sounds not only fun but interesting. A book about human behavior written in a witty way...check it out!

Movies you don't mind crying to...

I love lists of things and countdowns, and apparently EW does too. They listed the 50 biggest tearjerkers with explanations, pictures, and all! Although Steel Magnolias and Kramer vs Kramer make my top 10, go arrange your own with a look at their list of sobfests you don't mind having a box of tissues for.

1-25

25-50

Smartest People on TV

EW announced their list of smartest people on tv, and on the very top is Family Guy and American Dad creator Seth Macfarlane. In second is 30 Rock's Tina Fey and in third Nancy Tellem, CBS Paramount Network Entertainment Chief. Macfarlane earned his top spot because of his over billion dollar earnings through his Family Guy franchise, making him not only well paid, but the highest paid writer on TV. Congrats to all the Smarties!

2009 Grammy Nominees

Lil Wayne is leading this year with the most nominations than any other artist: 8; while Coldplay is right behind them with 7. Rounding the curb of most nominated are Jay-Z, Kanye West, and Ne-Yo with 6. It really is anybody's ball game though, because there could be one big winner or spatterings for each of the artists nominated! Tune in on Sunday, February 8th, 2009 on CBS at 8 to see how it all goes down.

Complete List of Nominees

Film Pick of the Week

Let Them Chirp Awhile is out this week in limited release, but if its playing somewhere near you then I definitely recommend it on your viewing list for this weekend.

Directed by Jonathan Blitstein and starring Justin Rice, Brendan Sexton III, Laura Breckenridge, Pepper Binkley, Zach Galligan.

Synopsis:
The film follows three twentysomething artists as they juggle their careers, relationships and emotions in New York City.

Trailer

10 Predictions for Best Picture Oscar

MSNBC decided to let their film critic decide the ten possibles for this year's best picture, so while we wait for the nominees, and also wait to see some of these yet to be released films, here's the list to ponder over:

1. Che (US title)/Guerilla; Director Steven Soderbergh; Starring: Demian Bichir, Rodrigo Santoro, Benicio Del Toro (IMDB Profile) Release Date: Jan 9, 2009
   
2. The Curios Case of Benjamin Button; Director David Fincher; Starring: Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Tilda Swinton, Elle Fanning (IMDB Profile) Release Date: Dec 25, 2008
3. The Dark Knight; Director Christopher Nolan; Starring: Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhart, Michael Caine, Maggie Gyllenhaul, Gary Oldman (IMDB Profile)
4. Frost/Nixon; Director Ron Howard; Starring: Janneke Arent, Kevin Bacon, Mickie Banyas, Jay Bird, Gene Boyer (IMDB Profile) Release Date: Dec 26, 2008
5. Gran Torino; Director Clint Eastwood; Starring: Clint Eastwood, Geraldine Hughes, John Carroll Lynch, Cory Hardrict (IMDB Profile) Release Date: Jan 16, 2009
6. Milk; Director Gus Van Sant; Starring: Sean Penn, Emile Hirsch, Josh Brolin, Diego Luna, James Franco, Alison Pill (IMDB Profile) Release Date: Dec 5, 2008
7. The Reader; Director Stephen Daldry; Starring: Kate Winslet, Ralph Fiennes, Alexandra Maria Lara (IMDB Profile) Release Date: Jan 9, 2009
8. Revolutionary Road; Director Sam Mendes; Starring: Kathy Bates, John Behlmann, David Campbell, Max Casella, Kristen Connolly (IMDB Profile) Release Date: Jan 15, 2009
9. Slumdog Millionaire; Director Danny Boyle; Starring: Dev Patel, Anil Kapoor, Saurabh Shukla, Freida Pinto (IMDB Profile)
   
10. WALL-E; Director Andrew Stanton; Starring: Ben Burtt, Elissa Knight, Jeff Garlin, Fred Willard, Sigourney Weaver, John Ratzenberger (IMDB Profile)

After all who can say no to those WALL-E eyes?
For the full article!

IFC Media Project

The IFC Media Project debut tonight, a six episode series hosted by Gideon Yago, on IFC. Unfortunately the series premiered to so-so reviews and while it promised to tell the truth behind the news, it apparantly fell short of the intuitive revealtions it promised. Well I will be tuning in, in hopes to change my mind, and if you want to as well check it out next Tuesday from 8-8:30!

Save Pushing Daisies!

ABC wrapped production on this seasons 13 episodes of Pushing Daisies and although all haven't aired yet, the network is waiting to see how the show will do in ratings in the final episodes of the season before they order any more! So sad, since even though this season wasn't as strong as the first, I really enjoy this show and its happy, unique, ways. So to help save the show write a letter to the network and help revive it for another season, o yea and watch it Wednesday at 8 PM on ABC!

ABC
500 S. Buena Vista Street
Burbank, CA 91521-4551

TRL Signs Off Tonight For Good!

Although I have not watched this afterschool video countdown in more than a handful of years, it has been a staple for the MTV network and was one of the few remaining shows that focused on Music Videos. Well tonight the show is going off air with a big special and has invited back alot of big names from past and present including Kanye West, Beyonce, Ludacris, Justin Timberlake, and many many more. It's bittersweet, the end of an era, but also welcome since viewership has slipped continuously through the years. To help remind us of some of the most outrageous moments Entertainment Weekly put together their top 10 moments of TRL history:
TRL

Book Pick of the Week!

The Northern Clemency by Philip Hensher is a book that follows a middle class family living in the outer suburbs of London over three decades. The read becomes fascinating as it follows the extraordinary lives and details of very ordinary people.

Lipstick Jungle & My Own Worst Enemy Canceled

NBC has just announced the cancellation of two of this fall's failing dramas. No news on whether or not the shows will stop immediately or not but no further episodes are being ordered. I never really got into either of the shows but I know from some that Lipstick had its own small following that will surely miss it.

Entertainers of the Year

Entertainment Weekly chose their 25 top entertainers of the year, and although I don't necessarily agree with the order, the individuals on the list have definitely worked hard enough to be there. Check em out: Top 25

Vote Now!

Nooo I'm not over a week overdue. Now that we have voted in the most important election of the year, it's time to vote in the second most important. Yes that's right, the People's Choice Awards! So let your voice be heard because in this election only the popular vote counts. It's up to you to pick the best in movies, music, and television so unless you're anti-pop culture I suggest you go ahead and VOTE!

An Epic Indulgence

If you haven't already seen the 5 minute long commercial trailers on tv and are unaware of this new Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman film than here's the scoop: Australia is the epic movie of the year with seemingly amazing cinematography, a beautiful plotline, and probably a tearful ending. I say this movie is worth seeing just for the feel good, big budget, indulgence factor that reminisces of Gone with the Wind and Casablanca. Plus how can you go wrong with looking at Hugh Jackman for several hours on screen...whether you're a boy or a girl you can appreciate the looks and action! The film opens in theaters November 26th...so get out of the house this Thanksgiving and go enjoy!

Australia

Opera on the big screen

Repo! The Genetic Opera that is. Yes the Paris Hilton film, but I think it is worth a viewing and the plot sounds interesting and an enjoyable why not cinematic experience.

IMDB Plots summary is as follows:

In the year 2056 - the not so distant future - an epidemic of organ failures devastates the planet. Out of the tragedy, a savior emerges: GeneCo, a biotech company that offers organ transplants, for a price. Those who miss their payments are scheduled for repossession and hunted by villainous Repo Men. In a world where surgery addicts are hooked on painkilling drugs and murder is sanctioned by law, a sheltered young girl searches for the cure to her own rare disease as well as information about her family's mysterious history. After being sucked into the haunting world of GeneCo, she is unable to turn back, as all of her questions will be answered at the wildly anticipated spectacular event: The Genetic Opera.

Check out the trailer!

Best of the Bond Girls

As the countdown continues, lets embrace a very special aspect of what makes a Bond film a Bond film...the Bond girls. So Time rated their top ten and whether you agree or disagree with their picks, there is one thing that everyone can agree with; the films just wouldn't be the same without these badass babes.
Top 10

January 21st, 2009

The date I am very excited for in the New Year....yes thats right, when Lost returns for its fifth season. As ABC reaches for returning viewers to their fall shows that have been slightly lackluster, the return of this cult followed series is sure to not disappoint in ratings. Grey's Anatomy take note! The premiere will be a two hour event! Start catching up now if you're new to the show because you're sure to become obsesesed and waste numerous hours making predictions and if you're a returning fan, going back and brushing up on past episode details is always a good idea.

Check out free episodes on ABC

Book Pick of the Week!

Salmonella Men on Planet Porno by Yasutaka Tsutsui is a collection of interesting offbeat stories come together for a very enjoyable read! Think Wayside School stories for an adult reader.

James Bond Trivia Challenge

If you're getting antsy for 007 like me then check out EW's trivia challenge to see how much of a Bond fan you really are. I got 140 points :) I recommend trying to beat it...Good Luck! Shaken...not stirred!

In limited release Friday

Slumdog Millionaire is brought to us by director Danny Boyle (Trainspotting).
Summarized as:
"The story of how impoverished Indian teen Jamal Malik became a contestant on the Hindi version of "Who Wants to be A Millionaire?" -- an endeavor made without prize money in mind, rather, an effort to prove his love for his friend Latika, who is an ardent fan of the show."

Check out the trailer and go check it out if its playing near you Friday:
http://www.apple.com/trailers/fox_searchlight/slumdogmillionaire/

Madagascar 2 #1

Dreamworks Madagascar sequel rocked the box office this weekend bringing in $63.5 million.

Here are the rest of the top 10:

2. "Role Models," $19.3 million.
3. "High School Musical 3: Senior Year," $9.3 million. 4. "Changeling," $7.3 million.
5. "Zack and Miri Make a Porno," $6.5 million.
6. "Soul Men," $5.6 million.
7. "Saw V," $4.2 million.
8. "The Haunting of Molly Hartley," $3.5 million.
9. "The Secret Life of Bees," $3.1 million.
10. "Eagle Eye," $2.6 million.

Get excited as Bond is sure to help boost movie attendance even more this weekend!

Stars on the Economic Crisis

Natalie Portman and Rashida Jones explain to Americans what really needs to be done for the economy....well not really but its a funny video thats more cute than haha...check it out
What to do about money stress: by N. Portman and R. Jones

5 Actors who are/aren't now kicking themselves

CNN posted an article about five roles that were make or break deals for actors and who let them get away. It's interesting and eye opening to what some of our favorite movies would've been like if the first choice had agreed to the films. Reading the article is better than a summarization but just as a little hint could you imagine Cary Grant as the first James Bond instead of Sean Connery?

5 million-dollar mistakes by movie stars

Lyricist of the Year- Lil Wayne

Lil Wayne was honored at the BET Awards this past Saturday with the biggest honor of the night Lyricist of the Year...in his mind he already proclaimed himself so but now its in black and white for the rest of the world to see. Congrats! I'm not going to post his many famous lyrics butt if you don't already know what all the fuss is about and would like to read them just click below! Your welcome.

Lyrics of the Year

Max Payne now #1

As predicted below Chihuahua couldn't withstand Payne but who can blame the pup? Here are this weeks box office numbers:

1. Max Payne $18 Mill
2. Beverly Hills Chihuahua $11.2
3. The Secret Life of Bees $11.1
4. W. $10.6
5. Eagle Eye $7.3
6. Body of Lies $6.9
7. Quarantine $6.3
8. Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist $3.9
9. Sex Drive $3.6
10. Nights in Rodanthe $2.7

Looks like even a funny poster isn't enough to help silly comedies like Sex Drive bring in audiences, but at least it made it on the Top 10 list.

Chihuahua 3 weeks in a row?....probably not

So Beverly Hills Chihuahua is getting pretty comfortable at the #1 spot now for two weeks but it is unlikely that it will stay there much longer. Here are the films opening up this weekend that are sure to topple it right down:

1. Max Payne
2. The Secret Life of Bees
3. W.
4. Sex Drive
5. What Just Happened

I put them in the order of my recommendation, Enjoy!

An Adult Muppet Movie on its Way....

So it sounds like its going to be pornographic, but that's not exactly what Jim Henson co. is going for. Apparently they are creating a movie called Happytime Murders, a murder mystery film with the muppets that isn't for children...think Who Framed Roger Rabbit....how will it turn out? Well I grew up loving the muppets so I for one am welcoming it, plus Miss Piggy always was a bit too raunchy for children in my opinion. More news is sure to come!

Book Pick of the Week!

The Blank Slate: The Modern Denial of Human Nature

By: Steven Pinker

The back cover of this book describes it as "one of the world's leading experts on language and the mind, explores the idea of human nature and its moral, emotional, and political colorings." A bestseller and overall enjoyable read!

Less than a month away!

The latest James Bond film Quantum of Solace is coming out Nov. 14th...which means for all us major Bond fans the countdown can begin! Very excited, plus the latest Bond girl is Eastern European which makes this film even hotter!

Top 10 in the Box Office

I guessed it! Beverly Hills Chihuahua was the big money movie of the weekend. Here's the full list of the top ten movies for the weekend that just passed:

1. Beverly Hills Chihuahua
2. Eagle Eye
3. Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist
4. Nights in Rodanthe
5. Appaloosa
6. Lakeview Terrace
7. Burn After Reading
8. Fireproof
9. An American Carol
10. Religulous

Coming out this Friday: Quarantine (scary movie about a disease flick), Body of Lies (new Leo Dicaprio/Russell Crowe; directed by Ridley Scott flick), and my two picks that are only out on limited release: Happy-go-Lucky and RocknRolla Guy Ritchie's new film.

Book Pick of the Week!

Described in the November issue of Vanity Fair as "a sensual and exquisitely written novel about dramatically attractive characters in a world of spies and love in pre-World War II Europe," The Spies of Warsaw sounds like an exciting and fun read, so go pick up a copy and enjoy! ...and while you're at it pick up the new issue of Vanity Fair there are some great articles about the economy, Jackie O, and Amy Adams.

The Best 25 Movie Soundtracks

EW has put together their list of 25 Best Movie Soundtracks...and although I can't say I have heard or agree with all, there are definitely over a handful I agree everyone should checkout! I think you can guess what their #1 pick was!

http://www.ew.com/ew/gallery/0,,20213971,00.html

The country's going to the dogs...Literally!

The big movie of the weekend seems to be Beverly Hills Chihuahua although it's only Saturday so there's still time for others to catch up. I say go for it, there's nothing like a little fun canine action to lighten the mood from other wise dark subjects that are all around. This is definitely my movie pic of the week!

Not to get political or anything...

Ok so again I'm not trying to persuade everyone which way to vote, but this fake trailer from College Humor about a Sarah Palin Disney movie is too hilarious of a parody to pass up. Enjoy!
http://www.collegehumor.com/video:1831461

In case you're going through Office withdrawal....

So last night was the infamous Vice Presidential debate...which meant one thing for me- No new Office episode. Needless to say I sat through it to educate myself further in the candidates, but I felt an emptiness all night, which could only be filled by one person. Jim Halpert. I think many others did too and in honor of the man that is known as Jim, Entertainment Weekly has put together a list of Jim's best pranks.

Check em outtt:
http://www.ew.com/ew/gallery/0,,20190268,00.html

Filth and Wisdom

In this film the very fun band Gogol Bordello decide that you can't be good and make it in this world. In Madonna's own directorial debut raunchiness and comedy come together in what seems to be a promising fun film. The film debuted in the US at the Provincetown International Film Festival back in June and is expected to be released October 17th. Check out the trailer:

http://www.apple.com/trailers/independent/filthandwisdom/