I seriously did think about it

About live blogging the Oscars.

That was right up until I realized that some really funny, and some really stupid people are already doing that. And I'm way more interested in seeing what they have to say. Maybe next year.

Things to watch for:

1. Hugh Jackman. Even Ebert is excited about him. Probably not for the same reasons that I am excited about him, but he is excited. You should get excited too.

2. Montages. Enjoyable sometimes, horrific at others. Last years were better than past years, but they still weren't as good as they could have been.

3. How fast wikipedia pages get updated. I'm not even joking. As soon as they announce the winner, type in the name, and it's already on the page. It's usually updated before the winner has started their acceptance speech. Or better yet, have them all opened in separate tabs, click on the one who wins, refresh the page, and stand in awe.

4. The dresses. They will defy your eye, and several laws of physics. They are also often stunningly beautiful.

5. Men's Suits. There will be some of the most incredible, beautiful suits there. I have always loved men's clothing more than woman's, and tonight is one of the best times to be aware of men's clothing. It's going to be great.

5. Your printable ballot. You're kidding me, you don't have one of these?
Print one for each member of your party, and pass them around before the ceremony. To the right, circle what you think will win, and star what you want to win. There are 24 categories. You get one point if what you wanted to win, won. And two points if you picked the right choice. And yes, what you think will win, and what you want to win can be the same. Person with the highest points at the end of the evening wins nothing. And I mean nothing, no prize, no bragging rights, absolutely nothing. My favorite kind of game.

6. There are hints that they are going to smash all of the songs that are nominated into one huge package. That is probably going to be pretty painful.

7. Hugh Jackman. The host can carry, or drop the show. We know Jackman can host because he successfully hosted the Tonys twice, but let's hope he has enough Oscar in him to make this fun.

8. The length. The shortest recent Oscar ceremony was 3 hours and 15 minutes. Let's see how this one adds up.

Enjoy.
It's finally the most important awards of the year.

Network

Network is a great movie.
It was nominated for 10 Oscars and won 4.
It won Best Actress, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actress, and Screenplay.



Why does Network matter to you?
Because it did something that many of you are hoping will happen this year.
Peter Finch (best actor) was the first and only actor in history to win a posthumous award.



I know this picture is in black and white, and the movie is in color, but this is one of the most powerful scenes in any movie. Ever. Beatrice Straight isn't in this movie for very long, but when she is... This one scene won her the Best Supporting Actress. You have to see it, it's incredible.



I don't have time for plot details, or favorite lines. But I always have time for Roger Ebert.
From his original review, "So the movie's flawed. So it leaves us with loose ends and questions. That finally doesn't bother me, because what it does accomplish is done so well, is seen so sharply, is presented so unforgivingly, that "Network" will outlive a lot of tidier movies"
Yes, you read that right. Roger Ebert just forgave the movie's flaws. How can you not want to see this film?

From his Great Movie review when he is talking about the director, Sidney Lumet, "In "Network," which is rarely thought of as a "director's picture," it is his unobtrusive skill that allows all those different notes and energy levels to exist within the same film. In other hands, the film might have whirled to pieces. In his, it became a touchstone."



I really want to watch this movie now. But I can't, I'm in school.
What's your excuse?

Afternoon Services

I love them. Especially on Super Bowl Sunday.

This is going to be the first Super Bowl that I've seen entirely.
If you can't tell, I'm excited.

I have a lot of food:
Homemade pizza
Various chips/popcorn
Incredible fries/cheese/bacon stuff.

I have my new, big tv hooked up.

I have my cellphone for brother text-messaging.

In short, I have happiness.

I'm not cheering for one over the other (although leaning towards Steelers)
I'm just here to enjoy the game.

I hope you enjoy it too.



One other thing, as of tomorrow it is 221 days until the NFL Kickoff.

Funny Girl

I am always wary about giving/recommending this movie.


Not because it is a bad movie. In fact, it is a very good movie.



This movie deals with one of the profoundest subject matters of all time: a woman loving a man.



Barbra Streisand is genius. This role won her the Best Actress Oscar in 1968.



The movie is long, and it's a musical, meaning that it contains moments that are entirely fast-forwardable. I would, however, recommend not fast-forwarding the first time, you could miss something important.



Even though it's an insanely good movie, I am putting a "Not acceptable for some viewers" label on it.



I know. I know. You're sure that I'm not talking about you. You watch everything, you can handle it, right? Fine. Go against my advice and watch it.



If you can manage to not smile in the horribly chauvinistic "You are Woman, I am Man", and, if everything inside you doesn't feel broken at the end, then, you probably should have taken my advice and not watched this fantastic movie.

They're almost here!

One sweet, blessed month from now, they'll be here.

To celebrate this glorious time of our lives, all of the movie recommendations for the next month will have won one of the "Big 5" Oscars. (Picture, Director, Actor, Actress, or Screenplay)
I say all of the move recommendations, but because of school you might actually only get one or two. For your sake, I hope there are more than that, but I am not promising. You should take this month and use it to catch up on all the great movies that you've been missing so you too can be there, February 22nd, at the Kodak Theatre, waiting for the awards to be announced.

And Hugh Jackman.

Mostly Hugh Jackman.

Two Open Letters

Everyone gets to write open letters this time of year, and I was feeling slightly jealous.


Dear President Bush,
I have never loved you. However, I think I should also note that I have never hated you. I do not totally blame you for this war, our gas crisis, our economic crisis, global warming, bad health care, and everything else that is wrong in this world.
You in no way deserve all of that blame.
I cannot lie. The whole Texas cowboy thing definitely annoyed me at times, but that has nothing to do with you. In fact, most of the South annoys me at times.
Yes, I would have wanted to change some of your decisions, but in perfect honesty eight years ago, I was 11. I would give a lot to be able to change some of my decisions from then until now. You and I are alike in that we both don't believe in constantly thinking about which of those decisions we would change. Frankly, it's a waste of time, and mental peace. I know that I chose some wrong truths to believe, did some very stupid things, and hurt some people that I love. (Just look at all we have in common) I would love to go back and be able to change those wrongs. Unfortunately, I am a (slightly) logical person, and knowing that I can't change them makes me not want to go back and pin down when each specific decision was made. Unfortunately, I am a (slightly) analytical person, which means I want to go back and pin down each decision so I know which decisions not to make in the future. Don't be bullheaded about defending your decisions, but don't constantly fret over every single one either. There is not enough Zoloft that will compensate if you do either of those things heavily.
Moving on will be weird, but you're going to do fine. You'll disappear from the public eye for awhile, and then reappear stronger than ever, with more wit and wisdom then we originally credited you for (like Bill Clinton). And no matter what anyone says, you held the world's hardest job for 8 years. Relax. In about 2 years, everyone will put your presidency into perspective and will realize that you were not the world's worst president; you were just in the running for awhile. Take a deep breath, it's all over now.

Dear President Obama,
I'm going to level with you, so listen carefully. I foresee us as having issues in the future. You are a fake intellectual, and that really annoys me (see "Pithy sayings vs. Fake intelligent remarks"). I listen to you when you talk, and I like the pretty words, I like the voice tone, I like the feeling I get, but unfortunately for our relationship, I know how easy and fleeting that like is. I grew up in a family of intellectuals, so I know that it's not what you say that matters, it's how you say it. You know that you can say whatever you want as long as you make it sound more intelligent then the other person. That wasn't exactly tough for you because you were arguing against John McCain, Hillary Clinton, Sarah Palin.
However, in the continued interest of leveling with you, I am interested to see what you're going to do. If anyone has an open road ahead of them, its you. You have the Senate, the House of Representatives (I could have just said Congress, but I'm listing for effect), and the White House. On top of that, the media is willing to lay down and die for you. Maureen Dowd will probably defend you until her dying day (you lucky dog, you), and the American People are pulling for you. You have it all. Now, we want it all. You have promised us Utopia, and we have given you the tools that you need to make us Utopia. We're going to expect a return on that payment pretty soon.
I feel sorry for you. You having it all. When you chose "change" as your word for you campaign, I thought that was your best campaign choice ever (seconded only by your campaign music). Everyone is unhappy with their life in some way, and when you promised a vague (and don't you ever argue that it's not vague. Ever.) change, everyone's mind immediately jumped to the things in their life that they want changed. You were promising that. You have promised change to people in ways that you have no intention of ever changing. That word was marketing genius. I don't want to be you when those people begin to realize what the difference between your change and their change is. No, I really don't envy you that.
But, I said I was going to level with you, and I am. Mr. President, I'm pulling for you. I don't know why, I know it won't make a difference, but I'm pulling for you. I'm not hoping for you to fail, I'm not hoping for you to give up, I'm not hoping for you to back track on your promises, I don't want any of that. I'm hoping for myself. I'm hoping that I am cynical, I'm hoping that I am jaded, I'm hoping that you prove me wrong. Please, prove me wrong.


The best of luck to both of you,
Joanna

She's Back...as liberal as ever

And the world breathes a sigh of relief.

Maureen Dowd has returned from her month+some long vacation.

I realize she has now been back for a little over a week, but now I am reassured that she is back, and not just hoping that I dreamed it.

Her 3 latest columns have not been spectacular, but they've been her, and that is all that matters.

I can't wait to see what she writes about the inauguration.