SAG-ing

The third big race in the Hollywood triple crown of accolades flashed across TV screens last night - The SAG Awards. These trophies are presented by the union that represents all actors working on screens in the US. The nice thing about these awards is that they are colleaugue-based. The actors nominate and vote on the actors. Television and film are rewarded. And, following on the heels of the Golden Globes, some choices are confirmed and some new talents recognized as the yellow brick road to Oscar is paved. Some comments on last night's telecast:

America Ferrera looking absolutel gorgeous in green as she presents with Forest Whittaker and under from his somewhat creepy banter she manages to maintain her composure. Then she wins for Best Comedy Actress and takes my prize for Best Dressed.

Brits continue to do a great job of kissing US industry ass.

Jeremy Piven shows up cleaner and classier than he has been in ages which is nice to see. Too bad "Entourage" loses to Betty (again!)

If I was Leo DiCaprio, I would be getting pissed that Eddie Murphy keeps stealing my supporting actor award!

I find myself tearing up a bit as Julie Andrews is awarded a Life Achievement trophy. She is wonderful and she was rocking the sophistication in a jewelled shrug over black satin. Noone will be like here ever!

Chandra Wilson wins for "Grey's Anatomy" pointed out that the actors realize who is bringing real depth to the show unlike the Globes' PR noms for Ellen and Patrick.

"Grey's Anatomy" wins Best Drama Ensemble. Eric Dane brings the hotness! And then Ellen Pompeo takes the mic in her black, space-age grecian dress and shows how HORRIBLE a public speaker she is while trying to remember absent co-stars to thank and brining even MORE attention to the political absence of Isaiah Washington.

Jennifer Hudson moves the glamour quotient up a notch using some of that "confidence" earned at the Golden Globes. Her sparkly, low-cut gown makes her a shooting star that really glitters.

Reese Witherspoon looking the least dull we have seen her in ages.

WTF? has happened to Rachel McAdams?

Forest Whitaker and Helen Mirren continue to both pull Philip Seymour Hoffman's from last year running straight to Oscar.

Little Miss Sunshine take a surprising win for Best Film Ensemble. And I still haven't seen it.

Catch and Release - movie review

I am not a big fan of Jennifer Garner. Ever since she "stole" Ben away to build a perfect family she has been on the hate list. Before that she was just another generic starlet trying to leverage her television audience into a cimetic career. Admittedly she had secured small roles in big films (Pearl Harbor, Catch me if You Can, Daredevil - ok, not so small) prior to her "Alias" success but it was not until the teen dream box office of 13 Going on 30 that anyone felt she could carry a film. And that was only two years ago! So now we get Catch and Release.


Still, with all of that I had to see the film because winter is usually a wasteland for romantic films and every gal needs a good romcom sometimes. Luckily, the film is not a complete disappointment. Here's the catch: a man dies JUST before his wedding leaving behind his fiance, his firends and a secret past. An interesting concept that still feels overly contrived. Garner plays Gray Wheeler (hello, fake name alert!) - the grieving fiancee who must move in with her dead man's buddies because she can't afford the future they had planned before his demise. This setup puts her in the path of Kevin Smith (now on the receiving end of the favours in his relationship with an Affleck) as the quirky friend who writes quotes on herbal tea boxes; Sam Jaeger (ummm, yummy) as the firend with his own unrequited crush on her, and Timothy Olyphant (ummm, yummier) as the playboy best friend that noone takes seriously. Enter her ex-fiance's ex-girl (Juliet Lewis in all her herbal0nfused and whacked-out glory) and their "maybe" child and you have the makings of film about self-discovery. Right?

If all that sounds confusing the release is found in the performances themselves. Garner proves herself to be charming in the celluloid sense This is important since a failure to like her would ruin the experience. The film moves between some genuine moments of 30-year-olds in transition. Jaeger's confession is heart breaking. Smith's bonding with the child is sweet. And the development of Garner from "the girlfriend" to herself is achieved with ease. But the stand out is truly Olyphant who finally moves out of his slimier roles to a true romantic lead, I don't know when it happens but I dare anyone to not fall for his 5 o'clock chadowed Fritz. I dare you! And although his story arc with Garner is pure movie mojo you can't help but cheer for them. At the end of the day you could catch a worse film than this one. It offers the romcom release expected but not much more.

The Love List

Saturday night it was time to use my theatre subscription tickets and take in a performance of"The Love List". A perfect trifle for the upcoming Valentine's Day, this selection was a comedic gem. The story centers on two friends and how they deal with the arrival of the perfect woman! Of course it is more complex and mystical than that but in all the play offers a tummy-tickling look at perfect mates and important attributes. Can you name the Top 10 things you want in someone else? What makes the "perfect" man or woman? And how can you be sure that the things that sound good on paper will not manifest differently in life? Well, if you're as lucky as the guys in the play, at the very least you will still have good friends at the end of the day and sometimes that is all you can know for sure!

Oscar Offerings 2007

The Oscar nominations were announced this morning. I'm not completely sure how I feel about this list of nominees yet. There are some surprises: Ryan Gosling getting a Best Actor nod and Little Miss Sunshine for Best Picture and some givens: Helen Mirren for Best Actress and Babel for Best Picture. It also looks like I will have to bite the bullet and rent Little Miss Sunshine because everyone seems to think it is fabulous (you were right Keir!). The leading actress category is actually a powerhouse for once and the lead actor group showcases the next wave of talent (Peter O'Toole excepted). However, the best races appear to be in the more technical categories - cinematograpy, art direction, costumes - where an interesting mix of films is found. You can find the whole list of nominees here.

Feeling Coltish

Anyone who reads this blog will be aware of my CFL love. Anyone who has had a football conversation with me (usually including some teasing on my behalf about my CFL love) will know that I an not an NFL fan. However, last year I found myself watching the occassional game to fill the void left by the short CFL season. And in the run to the Superbowl I became a bit of a Colts fan. Afterall, I cheer for the Stamps up here so why not another horsey team down there. It is absolutely necessary to have A team to enjoy NFL ball. So I got one.

Then last night a Manning vs. Brady playoff rematch was on and it couldn't have been better. Down by 15 at the half, it was looking like the Colts were going to repeat last year's loss to the Patriots. But then the game REALLY got going and thanks to a solid fourth quarter drive the Colts were able to take the lead. But with a minute left it was highly possible that golden boy Brady could have snatched a win for the Patriots and taken his team to a 4th bowl. This was not to be the case when Marlin Jackson picked off Brady's pass to end the Patriot pattern and start the Colt celebration with 24 seconds left. So now I will definately be watching the Superbowl and, for once, I'm actually going to care who wins.

Skating as Tax Break?

After walking out of the Parade of Champions for the Canadian Figure Skating Championships this evening I asked my mom if she minded that we didn't attend ALL the events on our full-pass tickets. It seems that attendance was down at the Skate Canada event and that organizers were concerned about the profile of skating in Canada. My mom said that she considered the cost of those unused tickets her donation to Skate Canada. And it made me think ... what a great idea.

We should make tickets to Canadian Amateur sport events, in particular those events put on by organizations that provide our Olympians and world athletes, tax-deductable donations. This way, people may be inspired to purchase higher-priced packages to these events thus channelling more funds to support our national athletes as well as giving a break to taxpayers for this support. If we can claim charitable donations to other non-profit organizations and causes then why not do the same for our amateur athletics? Of course this would require a listing of organizations that qualify and a base minimum purchase for a claim but I still think it would be an interesting way to foster support for our champions. And from my point of view, it is a much better tax incentive for the average Canadian then reduced GST points or $100 a month freebies. It's just a thought.

Skate-rrific

This is me and my mom at the Halifax Metro Center where we spent 9.5 hours watching figure skating today. Can you believe that? I think my butt would have gone numb if I wasn't so excited and giving many standing ovations! My mom came to Halifax this week to visit but we planned it around the Canadian Figure Skating Championships. So we have been passing our time at the various skating competitions. To be fair, we have also watched movies, eaten good dinners, and gone shopping but the main focus of the week was (is) the skating.

Today was long because it was the ice dance short, the pair's free and the men's free. All good competitions. We got to see a new Canadian Pairs team crowned (Dube & Davidson who have great chemistry), Jeff Buttle achieved a new all-time score and Emmanuel Sandhu didn't completely embarrass himself. Christopher Mabee revealed himself as the new Kurt Browning and won the crowd completely Dubreil and Lauzon are pure magic on the ice. I could go on and on but that wouldn't be fun as much of it has a "had-to-be-there" quality. Still, I am so happy that my mom and I got to do this together. We are not crazy about skating and, honestly, I can't remember the last time I was on skates but we have always bonded over watching skate competitions. And they are so much better live!

Golden Globes Gab

Is it just me or were the Golden Globes a bit of a snore tonight? I was quite excited (as usual) to get into my PJs and watch the festivities but by the end of the night I was yawning WAY too much. It didn't help that an overly long tribute - and speech! - for Warren Beatty meant that the remainder of the show was rushed by at a lightening pace. Sorry big winners, you get NO time! Talk to Warren! The other factor may have been my lack of interest in most of the films. For the first time ever I was more exicted about the television nominees than the big screeners. I hadn't seen most of the films. Many of them I had actually avoided when they played at the little theatre down the street. And now they were back to mock me with their "goldenness". Add in the the heavy dose of predictability and this was not a night to remember. But some things to mention include:

Jennifer Hudson securing her supporting actress statue and looking absolutely delicious. A wonderful back slap to the American Idol machine and an obvious lack of thanks to co-star Beyonce.

Justin Timberlake struts on stage with toothpick legs. WAY to thin. Still, his crouched acceptance on Prince's behalf continues my love for his sense of humour.

Tina Fey rocking her own set of globes quite openly.

Grecian gowns all around: Kyra Sedgewick, Salma Hayek, Drew Barrymore, Meryl Streep

The view from the stage where nervous winners had to graciously accept right in front of a table seating Jack Nicholson, Annette Bening, Warren Beatty and Dustin Hoffman.

That one screenshot of Reese Witherspoon where it looked as if all she had worn to the event were her hair extensions.

The baffling praise for Streep in The Devil Wears Prada. But at least she mentioned my wonderful volunteer organization Dress for Success in her speech so I can't complain about that!

Eddie Murphy winning a supporting globe for singing and dancing thus proving the HFPA finds that a better performance than:
- Ben Affleck playing stoic sexual confusion
- Brad Pitt doing scruffy and scared sublimely
- Mark Wahlberg being a no-nonsense cop
or
- Jack Nicholson snorting coke off hookers

Sarah Jessica Parker shows up to prove she really will wear anything in slim gold curtains.

Note to self: rent Gideon's Daughter

The screenwriter for The Queen offers up the first political message of the night with a plea for citizens to press their leaders for change and bring power to the streets as which point he is promptly given the "please wrap up" sign and played off the stage.

Ummm ... just so it's clear - Brits are better actors than Americans: Hugh Laurie, Jeremy Irons, Helen Mirren, Emily Blunt

A win by Ugly Betty shuts out my Entourage boys but you have to be happy for America Ferrera's well-deserved statue. And her eloquence and sincerity put to shame most of the 22-year-olds in the public eye. Only good things ahead for this girl!

The Departed gets its due and if this one doesn't finally give Scorcese and Oscar then I don't know what the Academy wants.

BORAT! (and butt bubbles)

Fractured View

Oh right ... I also broke my laptop over the holidays. I wasn't going to bring it at all but then I thought I would do some of the budget work for my volunteer position (not) or share my photos with people (no time) and since I had a new funky case to carry it in I brought it. And then late one night I closed it on one of my ear phones and left it that way. To my horror my screen opened in a fractured mess (check it to the left) the next day thanks to the pressure of resting on that little ear bud. Damn! So now I am working with HALF a screen and trying to source a cheap LCD panel replacement. As far as computer breakdowns go, it could be MUCH worse but that doesn't make it less annoying or damaging to the pocketbook.

Jennifer Aniston is a Movie Star?!?

Last night the People's Choice Awards were on. They were hosted by Queen Latifah. They were voted on by "the people". I don't watch them (which is saying alot because I will watch the MTV Movie Awards AND the Teens Choice Awards!). This awards show offers a tacky glass back-of-an-alley-trophy-shop prize that celebrates the best in mainstream mediocrity in film, television and music. It is a televised example of what the lowest common denominator of U.S. entertainment consumers enjoy.

Anyway, to prove the point, this year "the people" crowned Jennifer Aniston as Favourite Movie Star Female. Ummm ... when did Jennifer Aniston become a movie star? I mean, she is IN the movies but none of them ever make lotsa millions or bust blocks or are any good. She was in ONE major film of 2006 - The Break-Up - and it is hardly a feat of cinematic glory even for a romantic comedy. I find that Aniston's entire movie career (not be confused with her lovely - but OVER - television career) survives on desperation. Her films are released at times when there is such a void of ANY female-based or feel-good flicks that you are forced to submit. But this does not make one a Movie Star. Goodness. Of course, "the people" do make the distinction between Movie Star and Leading Lady (Cameron Diaz this year) but that's a different blog.

You can check out the rest of the People's Choice Award winners here if you won't get too depressed by them.

Children of Men - movie review

Who shows us goodness? What defines the future? When do we lose our desire for life? Where do we find faith? What gives the world hope? These are some of the questions pondered in The Children of Men.



Sounds interesting doesn't it. What if I told you that Clive Owen and Julianne Moore were involved in the exploration? What if I told you the discussion unfolds within a dystopian future? What if I told you the package was delivered in the visual wrapping of Alfonso Cuaron? For me, this combination was almost perfect and I could not resist. The opportunity to find an intelligent, beautiful and well-acted film should never be overlookded and the composite elements of Children offers it all. What it doesn't do is deliver ... completely.

The film is bleak and heavy. The setup of the world is not fully articulated and it limits the impact of the rest of the film. And by the nd, although the hope is presented you cannot help but feel depressed by the entire experience. This result is sad because the film could have offered so much more. It almost feels as if it held back on the truly interesting philosophical elements lest they make the audience uncomfortable or confused. I reckon the book was less forgiving in its investigation.

And yet Children of Men is a strong effort. The performances are top-notch (as expected). Michael Caine offers some of the film's best arguments right until his final heartfelt scene. Owen manages his depressed versus determined struggle exceedingly well. And as the involuntary keeper of the world's biggest secret he manages to be heroic in an everyday way that feels appropriate. Finally, the cinematography is wonderfully kinetic and compact. One scene in a moving car is especially brilliant for trapping the audience in the car itself rather then taking an outsider perspective. The decline of civilization is presented with a dark realism that films have recently ignored (or been afraid to tackle considering the current political climate). Cuaron's touches are evident - an abondoned school, birth on a dirty mattress, the foggy sea - and deliver a deliberate mood. And so althought the film did not reach as far into the discussion as I would have liked it does manage to offer an engaging experience nonetheless.

Oh, and the answer to the questions? Children. Think about and you will see the brilliance.

JT Makes Work Fun

First day back at work. After getting delayed in the Toronto airport on the way home and then stuck in the freezing rain at the Halifax airport as well, I slept through my ease-in day and am still fighting my sore throat. The world is moving in slow motion. My goals are to wade through email and organize files as I get ready to do an insane amount of reporting next week!

And then, in the midst of this sluggishness, my co-workers bring some holiday cheer back into the office with this digital short from Justin Timberlake's stint on SNL. Seriously, this is one of the funniest things I have ever seen. And it's not even the lyrics so much as the execution = the clothes, the moves, the 'stache! I love it when stars have a sense of humour and some talent. But with this sketch, Justin has warmed his way into my heart.

"Bumper Friends" 2007

OK ... 2007 has finally arrived. It is here and it got here hella fast if you ask me. Wonderfully, the entry to this year was one of the first times in ages that didn't have a whiff of "letdown" hanging on it. Everything was great. I have to attribute that to being with two of my bestest friends who always make my life fantastic in their presence. It was also the first time I got to see Cindy in over a year - so YAY!

After a couple of weeks of email planning we came up with a general plan for the evening. This was important because without a place-to-go we sometimes end up nowhere and we didn't want that. At the same time, we were not in a rush to be anywhere or do anything in particular. It was planned spontenaity at its best. And it went something like this...

3:30pm - The gals pick me up at the bus station and the first question of the day is presented - "Do we go for beer now? or later? - We went immediately.

6pm - Frozen margarita preparation at Jodi's. A bit of trial and error here but with a Magic Bullet it all works in the end.

8pm - Scumptious meal provided by Jodi - I mean, BBQ steaks on new years! SWEET!

11pm - Finally get our butts out the door in comfy casual dress and with mandatory umbrellas because it was RAINING.

12am - HAPPY NEW YEAR on the TTC. We had decided that we didn't want to be anywhere that would include people kissing each other so the street car seemed like a great place.

1am - After skipping out on our chosen bar (we went to scope out karaoke at the Gladstone hotel - come on! who does karaoke on NYE - we had to go!) we ended up at a cocktail lounge down Queen West that was perfection. I had a candy cane martini that had milk in it and it was divine. Good for my sore throat too!

3:30am - Back on the streetcar with our sneaky beers where the waterworks get a little out of hand!

4am - Chinese food on Spadina. Seriously, what could be better.

5:30am - Finaly crawling into bed. Satisfied. Bring on the rest of the year!