"Fairplay to those who dream..."

The 80th Academy Awards concluded a couple of hours ago, and in a couple more hours, I will be reading innumerable posts about said awards show: winners, highlights, red carpet reports and such. For me, it was an awesome installment of an otherwise tired annual award ceremony. It was still very Hollywood, yet very refreshing (I don't know, it's probably just me, but the the recent conclusion of the writer's strike made this Oscar's special in a way). There were no American winners for any of the acting awards. Tilda Swinton, a Scot, got the nod for Best Supporting Actress; Javier Bardem, a Spaniard, won Best Actor; Marion Cotillard from France won Best Actress and Irish Daniel Day Lewis, unsurprisingly received the Best Actor trophy. I'm not sure if I'm placing unnecessary significance over this turn of events, but it made the show a lot less Hollywood (I know, I've already said that but hello? Cameron Diaz? Again?! and creepy Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus) and more about the celebration of films, or movies (whatever).

One of the highlights for me (I have two) was another Irish winner, or should I say winners: Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova, taking home the golden boy for Best Song, Falling Slowly, from the movie Once. I told myself to write something about this movie. It's one of my favorite movies that came out last year (although I only saw it two weeks ago). I like simple things and nothing can be more simple than a story about a guy and girl who met and made good music together. I don't know what else to say... IT'S FUCKING BRILLIANT! (it's an Irish movie, I think it's OK to say this). Here's them performing "Falling Slowly":

And the other highlight for me is Jon Stewart giving an extra minute or two to Marketa to give her speech, as she was abruptly cut-off by the musicians before she could ever say her thanks. I love you Jon Stewart, you've one-upped Stephen Colbert in my book on this special night.

There was really one thing that I skipped as soon as I saw it on TV, it was this guy. I don't know, it's probably just me, but I don't like Jerry Seinfeld... maybe because I never got really into the nothingness of "Seinfeld" (oh, btw, I don't like Jason Alexander and that guy who got heckled... I'm on the fence with that lady who has a rich dad). It might also be that I got sick from all the Bee Movie shorts they showed on NBC. The downside of skipping that was that I never found out who won Best Animated Film, short or full-length (it also doesn't help tuning in late to the show). Oh well, I'm sure I'll find out in a bit.

Ed's note: So, apparently, it wasn't Jon Stewart who decided to bring Marketa back (it was the producer), nevertheless, I still heart him.

On my Calendar: January 2008

It's the beginning of a new year. I was able to escape the exhausting duty of putting out end-of-year lists and it is such a relief. First of all, I am the only one who reads this blog and listing 2007 favorites will all be for naught; second, I do not think I am capable of putting one together. I enjoy reading end-of-year lists and I greatly admire all the bloggers and writers who coherently express their thoughts on why a movie, a book, or an album make it to their lists and I don't think I am not that confident with my opinions yet.

To kind of make up for that (well, I don't really owe anyone... but myself, I guess), I decided to do a monthly calendar update... just a list of things of what I'm up to for the month, really. So pretty much bore-enducing stuff and a quick peek at how boring my life is.

1) School. I'm back to school again... but this time it's serious, well, I have to be anyway, otherwise that'd be loads of money down the drain. I have three classes, two nights a week, two different institutions of higher learning.

2) Work. I still have two jobs, I am still on the fence if I should keep the second one. It's more of a drain to my resources than it is contributory, so we'll see. I've cut a deal with the regular job so I can leave early for school, they can take it off my pay, that's fine.

3) Extra-Curricular Activities. Volunteer Work - I give two hours of my time to the local SPCA. I help provide some TLC to rabbits and other critters. I love it. I'll post more about it someday.

How sad is my life? Well, I don't know, that's relative. Some people think I don't have one, but I am pretty happy with hit. Granted, I don't really go out much anymore, except for movies and dinner, but I think I'd rather see a movie and try out new spots to eat at than go out and get drunk (I'll go out, once every six months probably). I think I'm getting old.

Anyway, I did see The Kite Runner. I like it, although I can honestly say the book was better. I am still jonesing to see No Country for Old Men. Saw Juno last month, it was great, although the first 15 minutes was kinda Gilmore Girl-ish in the witty banter department. Saw Atonement last month as well, what a beautiful movie! James McAvoy is HOT! The girl who played Briony did such a great job, I'm sure she was channeling Nicole Kidman when filming... you can just feel the iciness. They did a great job adapting the screenplay, so I'd say I like the book and movie equally. On DVD, I have Hard Candy (checking out Ellen Page), saw Nanny McPhee (very cute), saw Transamerica (Felicity H. got robbed!), The Queen (Helen Mirren was good, but the movie was as boring as the Royals), will re-watch Eternal Sunshine..., I still have Kinky Boots, Lives of Others, and Eragon in my stack. I hope I can go through all of them.

Best "thing" of the month (I know, January's not over yet, but I don't think anything can surpass my love for this): THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: PHANTOM HOURGLASS on DS! OMG! It's such a great game. Love it! Love it! Love it! I bought the DS for my mom so she can play the brain games, but I might have to keep it now... sorry nanay! Also, can't wait to try Super Mario Galazy on Wii... heard so many great things about it, I'm sure I can't get past the first stage, but who cares? Mario is now in the effing galaxy! With effing goombas!

Anyway, that's it for January, I think.

WGA vs AMPTP --- Let's get it on!

So what is this Writer's Guild strike we've been hearing so much about? How does it affect me? A regular person like me?

In a nutshell, this strike is causing a lot of TV shows, movies, etc. to halt production and it affects me because I am such a fan of the entertainment industry. I love watching TV and I enjoy going to movies (despite the ridiculous price tag). Movies won't feel the effect right now, but some TV shows are already playing re-runs since the strike started yesterday, November 5.

Late night shows that I love: Letterman, Conan, The Daily Show, The Colbert Report do monologues and satire on current events, so obviously they get hurt by the strike first. I mean, what if Britney accidentally chokes on a burritto while driving on reverse and wiping her windshield on a stuck paparazzo... who would make fun of her? My point exactly.

The other thing that I am nervous about this ongoing strike is The Office. Most producers of the show are writers as well, and three writers also play characters in the show. What happens then? News is, Steve Carrell and Rainn Wilson decline to come in to work because they are also members of the WGA. Greg Daniels joined the picket line, despite his executive producer spot in the show. As of this time, there is only one script that is left unproduced. I don't think that's necessarily good news.

I'm all for the writers receiving residuals on profits made from DVD's and new media, I think it's just fair. What I want is for this strike to end and that the writers and the producers/studios come to a happy agreement. It's a win-win-win situation, writers win, producers/studios win, and most importantly, I win. Besides, who wants to see reality shows taking over my TV. I am already living a reality, a real reality, not a fake, sometimes scripted (I'm talking to you Lauren Conrad!) reality.

For more info on stuff I don't really know much about, please click here.