Prediction…..The Historian Now A Major Motion Picture!

The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova_Amazon.ca

The Historian, written by Elizabeth Kostova and a #1 Best Seller, is a book I am currently reading. I can smell a movie coming on! I bet it’s already optioned.

Prediction…..Karen Tabke A New York Times Best Seller!

In Print!

Karen Tabke will reach the New York Times Best Seller List status. Her second novel is phenomenal. Even better than the first, which was a scorcher! Now that’s momentum!

~P.S.~ Yes, I admit it…..reading romance is another one of my guilty pleasures.

I, Lucifer….The Book Soon To Become A Hot Movie!

I, Lucifer_The Book_Amazon.ca

OK, so here is one to read quickly before it’s on the big screen for our viewing pleasure in 2010. Daniel Craig (James Bond and the Devil? Whew! Mr. Craig must be busy!) has been tapped to star as the lead character, Lucifer, who has a shot at redemption.

Daniel Craig_Soon to Be A.K.A. Lucifer_IMDB

This idea vaguely reminds me of the 1934 film Death Takes A Holiday and the movie  Meet Joe Black (which is based somewhat on Death Takes A Holiday, by the way) in as much as that the author takes a well known archetype and lets him experience first hand the human condition. The human vessel, who may or may not be obliging in I, Lucifer the movie version, will be played by none other than actor extraordinaire Ewan McGregor, so already you can’t go wrong.

Lucifer, the greatest fallen angel of all is getting a chance to be welcomed back into the fold, albeit embarrassingly demoted. However so, he still gets his wings back if he succeeds in the trial set before him by the Holy Father above. It’s such a great concept, that a movie simply must be made. Move over Dan Brown! This book sounds truly irreverant and will have all the old ladies mumbling numerous religious entreaties  for the author’s soul for years to come. Oh well, such is the price for art, I guess.

In the book, Lucifer inhabits a writer’s body and so he writes; and with such flair it seems, that he has Hollywood snapping sycophantically at his heels. So, this is like art imitating life, imitating art! Awesome! Glen Duncan must be stoked! I wonder if his anagram namesake Declan Gunn will have a chance to rethink his suicide scheme?

Ewan McGregor_IMDB_ Remember me?

Now, being the Devil, you can just imagine that he does everything that he ever wanted to do to the hilt! Get ready for some sex, drugs and rock and roll. However, will he pass God’s test while he’s having all this taboo fun? You can bet that being the Devil he has some tricks up his sleeves. What they are I can’t wait to find out! Can you?

Meet Joe Black_Amazon.com

~P.S.~ Meet Joe Black was a really good movie, I thought, except one part near the end which held up the movie a wee bit. (Ahem, Anthony!) It was touted as being the movie about Brad Pitt and his hair. (Somewhat true.) Critics both loved it and hated it, but at approximately 3 hours, it is not a movie for the easily bored and those cursed with a short attention span. However, if you love star crossed lovers, time will not be a factor and you will enjoy this wonderful flight of imagination.

81st Annual Academy Awards Oscar Winners

Boo!Boo!Boo! Not a good night for my faves! Oh well, I guess seven out of eighteen isn’t bad.

Hugh Jackman_81st Annual Academy Awards

Hugh was great. I give him an A for effort! I found the collaboration with Beyonce alright, but she is just always stellar.

Beyonce_81st Oscars_IMDB

I always get a kick out of all the secrecy surrounding the show, but they really did a good job this year with all the crystals and despite the minor flub up with the curtain near the start of the show. The most exciting thing? Well,  according to my kindred friend, the best thing about this year’s Oscars were Angelina’s emeralds!

Angie and Brad_81st Oscars Red Carpet_IMDB

I really did enjoy the way they honored each nominee with an accolade from previous Oscar winners. Although, I do wonder what Robert Downey Jr. thought of Cuba Gooding Jr.’s remarks. And, the wonder of the magic of working with Tom Cruise struck again. It seems he’s an Oscar good luck charm for those he collaborates with, however, he himself seems to be under a strange Oscar curse. Congrats Penelope!

Oscar Winners_Kate, Sean, Penelope_IMDB

I don’t know about you, but it seemed to me that Jennifer Aniston was a wee bit nervous, and hyperventilating just a wee bit. MaybeYoutube will have her flared nostrils as she tried not to look in Brangelina’s direction. The show was long as usual, and I know the producers have always worried about the length, but this year the event didn’t seem to drag too much, and I was entertained looking at Angelina’s emeralds. I loved the glamour of the Red Carpet, as usual, there were so many gorgeous people……it really was dazzling.

Natalie Portman_81st Oscars_IMDB

The tribute to Heath Ledger by winning an Oscar brought tears to the house when his family accepted the award on his behalf dedicating it to his daughter Matilda. The Jerry Lewis acceptance speech was short, as were all the acceptance speeches. I think the cut off music cut in maybe once or twice. All in all, a very good show, but again I am biased and have been watching the Oscars since I was eight. I’m contractually obligated to like the show even when they try something new. I guess I have to go see Slumdog Millionaire just to see what all the fuss is about. Check out this link for the winners!

Slumdog Sweeps and Not Everyone Loves A Comeback

Slumdog millionaire_IMDB

Well, the excitement of the Oscars are over for another year and my picks and favorites didn’t do as well as I’d hoped. Slumdog Millionaire SWEPT the Oscars, which is what I expected even though I fervently hoped Ben Button would have done better. I must admit I haven’t seen it though, so as Mr. Jackman says, “I must go rent it!” And I was quite surprised Mickey Rourke didn’t win. I pretty much thought his win was a fait accompli. Perhaps his little performance the night before was the reason for the shut out? Hmmmmm…….Congrats Kate and to all the other winners and good show to all the nominees! Complete listing of winners will be posted tomorrow! Cheers!

Oscar Winners Predictions/Wish List

Oscar Himself

As the big day approaches, all eyes are turned to Hollywood and we all wonder—just who will be graced with the honor of Oscar? I am no different…..the Oscars is my Superbowl, so everyone will know where I will be Sunday………GLUED to the TV screen watching all the Red Carpet triumphs and blunders and cheering and booing when my faves win or are shamefully dissed.

So, here is my Oscar Winners Predications List. It has long been a  perception that The Globes act as a forerunning harbinger for Oscar aspirations. However true this may be, I have hopes that this year could be different, as darling Nicole Kidman was shut out this year, and long absent pariahs like Mickey Rourke were honored. It just goes to show you never know which way the wind will blow in the town my dearest kindred spirit has dubbed Hollyweird! As you will see, my predictions read as more of a Wish List and most biased opinions ballot instead of educated guesses and hypothetical theories. I humbly beg for your forgiveness and ask that you indulge me, as my brain is frazzled by all the glamour and glitz to come. I am only human afterall. So, here goes…………

Best Actor - Brad Pitt (Though Mickey Rourke will probably find favor once again.)

Talented Taraji P. Henson

Best Actress - Kate Winslet (It’s about time….come on Angie, we’ve all seen this gut wrenching emotion from you a million times…..we have no doubts you are capable. Time to go all Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde on us and play a great VILLAIN!)

Best Supporting Actor - Heath Ledger (He really was the creepiest Joker I’ve ever seen, and Oscar loves to grace thespians posthumously.)

Best Supporting Actress -  Taraji P. Henson (Did you SEE her in Benjamin Button? Amazing! Though Marisa or Penelope could be the fave.)

Best Animated Feature - WALL-E (Hands down!)

Achievement In Art Direction - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (Though The Duchess was an amazing period piece that tantalized the senses, and the Dark Knight was that….dark…..it was good, don’t get me wrong, but Batman can’t win all the time.)

Achievement In Cinematography - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Ben Button_Brad and Cate

(This film was at times so intimate, I got so caught up and swept away by this story….I believed it. Isn’t it this suspension of disbelief a good movie makes? As a character driven film, the characters at times were shown so clearly and heart breakingly beautiful in all their vulnerablity that the poignancy of emotion in this film really resonated for me. Brilliant, beautiful artfully real cinematography.)

Poor, Poor Duchess

Achievement In Costume Design - The Duchess ( I want to say B.B., but I figured I’d give someone else a chance, and you can’t go wrong with a period piece for best in costume. Although, Australia could prove to be the dark horse in this race, but I really can’t say because I haven’t seen the movie yet.

Achievement In Directing - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button ( Lookout for Slumdog Millionaire! This sleeper flick SWEPT the Globes! And I do mean SWEPT!)

Achievement In Film Editing - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (Of course! Though The Dark Knight could be the shoe in.)

Achievement In Makeup - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (Hands down, unbiased truth!)

Best Original Score - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (Again, look out for Slumdog Millionaire! Though WALL-E could surprise us!)

Best Motion Pic of the Year! - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (Unfortunately, the Globes disagreed with my expert opinion and Slumdog Millionaire took home the award for this category. Will Oscar do the same and nod his golden head in their direction as well? Tune in tomorrow, Sunday, February 22, 2009 at 5pm PST/8pm EST to find out!)

Anyways, can you tell B.B. was my most favorite film of the year? It’s 3rd I think currently on my favorite movies of all time list, just behind the LOTR franchise and The Chronicles of Narnia flicks, and just infront of King Kong. Legends of the Fall, Braveheart and Titanic are in there somewhere, too, but that’s another story. Anyhoo, Ben Button has 13 nominations, the most nominations out of any movie this year, so it’s bound to win something! Have fun!

King Kong

~P.S.~ In case you were wondering………

Achievement In Sound Editing - Wanted

Achievement In Sound Mixing - Wanted

Achievement In Visual Effects - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (Ahem!)

Adapted Screenplay - The Reader

Original Screenplay - WALL-E

MIA, B.B., M & M and Oscar! And While We’re At It, He’s Just Not That Into You!

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button_IMDB

Okay, so the scoop is I have been busy. Too busy to blog you ask? Yes. That busy. And lazy. When I blog, I like to have something interesting and hopefully insightful to say. Maybe too much thought goes into my posts (yes), and I am a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to my writing, even my posts (you don’t say?). Oh the pain of it! I do so suffer for my craft, lol! And after watching Benjamin Button, I find myself feeling tongue tied. I have soooooo much to say about this movie, but I’m not ready to say anything yet, for fear I may go on……and on……..and on……(And yes, this flick did remind me of Forrest Gump in a way. Another awesome movie, might I add!). I still can’t believe Marley and Me beat out B.B. on opening day! I know as a culture we like feel good movies, and M & M definitely was entertaining and heartfelt, but will wonders never cease to amaze me!

Marley and Me_IMDB

So, keep watching. Something good is coming your way very soon…..like He’s Just Not That Into You perhaps?……..and then it’s back to the races!

TTFN!

~P.S.~ Have you peeps checked out the Oscar nominations? Who do you think will win? Oscars are coming this way Sunday, February 22nd, 2009 at 5pm PST/8EST! And don’t forget to check out all the Red Carpet hijinks and highlights! This is my Superbowl people!

~P.P.S.~ This is what happens when I wing it, folks.