My Movie-Watching Weekend -- Some Pre-Oscar Observations.......

(By the way, that's not me or my kids -- just some random movie-lovers for ya..............
although that's exactly what they'd be doin' if I made 'em go see The Last King of Scotland with me!)



Hey there everyone.............

Hope you all had a good weekend.

I was a busy girl.

Two weeks to go until the Academy Awards, so I continued my personal quest to see all of the nominated pictures, actors and actresses (in the 6 main catagories).

There are a total of 16 films spread over the nominations for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor/Actress and Best Supporting Actor/Actress.

Luckily, by the time the nominations were announced.....I had already seen many of the flicks.

This weekend, I got 3 more of them in:

Friday- The Last King of Scotland- Forest Whitaker
(nominated for Best Actor)
Saturday - Volver - Penelope Cruz
(nominated for Best Actress)
Sunday - Venus - Peter O'Toole
(nominated for Best Actor)

In this post, I thought I would include some cool new portraits of some of the nominees. The pix are taken from Sunday's New York Times Magazine. It had a photo gallery of some of the "Great Performers in Film" from this past year. I just thought they were kinda neat.

Now, back to the movies that I saw this weekend............

I must say, both Forest and Peter are great. Penelope is good too, I just don't think it is a Best Actress performance (I think she must have a lot of friends in the Academy that nominated her).

Forest is the front-runner, and has won most of the other awards leading up to the Oscars. However, if anyone could steal it at the last minute......I think it would be Peter O'Toole.

Peter has never won an Oscar, but he was nominated 7 times between 1963 and 1983. This year's nomination brings the total to 8.

The Academy did give O'Toole an honorary Oscar in 2003, but at the time it was offered, he initially turned it down. He said he was "still in the game, and might win the lovely bugger outright."

He might just do that.....but he's gonna have to get past the Forest first.

A little sidenote -- Peter O'Toole is in one of my favorite movies......My Favorite Year.

My friend JJ (aka: "The Girl In The Red Bubble Dress") turned me on to this little gem --


It's a great comedy from 1982, about the early days of live television, a young Jewish comedy writer and the chaos that ensues when the writer has to "chaperone" the guest on his TV show.....a swashbuckling, hard-drinking British movie star played by O'Toole. He received one of his nominations for this role.

The best scene is when the writer brings the movie star home to have dinner with his wacky Jewish relatives. It's classic. I highly recommend it.

If you ask me, Peter O'Toole could pull an upset this year
(but alas, it's highly unlikely).

Venus is a very sweet movie. O'Toole plays an aged British theatre actor, somewhat sickly and frail.....but still full of spunk. He meets and develops a friendship/crush on the young
(twenty-something) grand-niece of a pal of his.

He is funny, sad, touching, cheeky and his eyes still sparkle. It's a small movie, but a great role. I really loved it, and him.

On the other hand, Forest's performance as Idi Amin in The Last King of Scotland is far from funny, touching or cheeky. He is truly scary, fierce, intense and very sweaty. He is awesome though....and that's why he's been takin' home so many awards lately.


The movie is very violent, and there are a few scenes that made me close my eyes (tight!) and plug my ears.

Just givin' a warning for you squeamish ones out there..............

Anyways, I think Forest will probably win (and he does deserve it), but I have a soft spot for Peter. We'll have to wait and see how the Academy feels. I think they really like both guys..... Forest has also been kickin' around a long time......so I think it will be a close race.

Volver was OK..........it's in Spanish with subtitles. The story is a little wacky, but that is to be expected with a Pedro Almodovar flick. Penelope is beautiful -- I don't think that there is a single scene where she doesn't look gorgeous.


And just so you know, she's looks great while dealing with a lot.

Let's see.....she's got dead parents, a bad husband, a dead husband, a sick aunt, a dead aunt, a troubled daughter, 2 jobs, a sick friend, then Mom reappears....it goes on and on.

And Penelope never stops looking good.

I just don't know how she does it.

(I do know she was smart enough to escape from the crazy
Cruise-Fest.....good thinkin' there chickie. Not even keepin' your same last name (Cruz=Cruise) was worth that trip to
L. Ron Hubbard Land! )

Well, that's all of my pre-Oscar observations for now..........I have to go back to the movies.

I only have 5 more flicks to see before my quest is finished.

It's a tough job.....but somebody's gotta do it!

Oh yeah........here are some more of the actor portraits from yesterday's New York Times Magazine...............

Enjoy the purty pictures --

Handsome Leo............

Great Cate....................

And Lovely Helen.............................

Have a great day!

It's Friday, Have Some Fab Food For Thought.......

Question of the Day:

If All The World's A Stage, Where Is The Audience Sitting?

What I Wish I Was Wearing Today........

Posh.

Posh Spice.

Victoria.

Mrs. Beckham.

Katie's BFF.


She may look like a wacky alien sometimes..............




But man, do I want that awesome leopard coat!


(I don't know exactly where I would wear it....... Kroger?
Blockbuster? Shoveling snow? )

I just know........ it's FAB!

The top photo with the great coat was taken last night as Miss Thang headed out to dinner at NoBu in London.


(Just thought I should mention here that yes.... I've been to NoBu ......


the one in NYC, this past September.

Didn't see Posh, but I think I may have caught a glimpse of one of the "Queer Eye" guys......such a thrill!)


Oooops, I digress.............

The verdict is still out on whether I like Miss Posh or not.

She always looks so hard and scowly in pictures............





but then again, most of the time I see her it's in paparazzi photos......and ya gotta know, she really hates the paps.

I would just love to see one candid shot of her chowing down at a
Sizzler Buffet --

"Girl, you need to get you some groceries!"

I must admit.......the reason I still haven't decided if she is completely weird and wacky is because I saw a funny clip of her on YouTube.

Posh was being interviewed by these 2 young boys who do some sort of interview show in Britain. Their names are Little Ant and Dec.

(You can watch it yourself, just do a search on YouTube -- Little Ant and Dec . There is a funny one with George Clooney as well.)

Anyways.....they get lots of celebs to come on, and they ask them all sorts of crazy questions.....some of them very adult.

The clip of Posh with these 2 boys was very sweet. She was actually very down-to-earth, funny, self-deprecating, etc. You could totally see a different side to her. You actually like her after watching it.

Go figure.

(I'm not gonna even mention the fact that she has 3 sons named Brooklyn, Romeo and Cruz. We'll have to cover that another time...........)


So.................the verdict is still out on Miss Posh.

We'll wait and see what happens when she and Becks come across the Pond and try to take over the US of A.




She better watch it though......... I've got my eye on that leopard coat!

"Desperately Seeking Oscar".....It's The Nominees Luncheon and Photo Op

So yesterday was the annual Oscar nominees luncheon.




All the gang turns out for this "casual" gathering. They get a nominee certificate, eat some grub, pose with the big gold guy............and check out their competition.

Lunch with Oscar is one hot ticket...........just take a look at some who showed up:



Best Actress shoo-in Helen Mirren: Currently filming a May/December romantic comedy -- "Looking For Mr. Kutcher"



Youngest nominee, Abigail Breslin: Just woke up after partying all night with pal Lindsay Lohan



Best Actor nominee Leonardo DiCaprio: "OK, OK......enough already! I know I'm not gonna win. But remember, I was in the one about the big boat. Ya know...... 'the highest-grossing film in North American box-office history.' That one."




Best Supporting Actor favorite Eddie Murphy: Just back from City Hall after obtaining a restraining order against Scary ( aka "Pregnant" ) Spice.



Best Supporting Actress nominee Jennifer Hudson:
"Yo, B-Yawn-Say......And I Am Telling You.......Uncle Oscar is goin' home with me!"



Yep, the official countdown has begun. Less than 3 weeks away..........I'm gettin' excited!

I'm also tryin' to finish seeing all of the nominated films(in the 6 major catagories, anyway).

I've seen almost all of them. I just saw "The Queen" , "Notes On A Scandal" and "The Painted Veil" ( not nominated this year -- just 'cause I really wanted to) last week.

I really liked them all -- but "The Painted Veil" was my fave of that bunch.




I must say, I can't stop thinking about it.......the characters, the story, the setting.

The fact that I have a serious crush on Edward Norton may also have something to do with it.


It's possible.

Oh well. I guess I'll just continue my Oscar movie-watching quest.

Ya know.........it certainly would be a heck of a lot easier, if little things like "life" wouldn't keep gettin' in the way!

I know, I know...................I'm a geek.

Kathy Griffin For President......or at least "Comedian-in-Chief"

Well, my sister Julie and I went to see Kathy Griffin on Saturday night.


All I can say is.........my face hurt.

We laughed for almost 2 solid hours.

Her show was great and the sold-out audience loved it.

She hit on all of the important topics facing our great nation today..............

Tyra Banks - Fat? ...... Paula Abdul - Drunk? .............
Britney Spears - Skank?

You name a pop culture topic of the moment.....she covered it. And she covered it quite hysterically I might add.

I will say that a lot of her material is somewhat "off-color" ......so I can't repeat it on a family-friendly blog such as this.

On the other hand, If you really want to hear the goodies, call me. I have no qualms repeating it over the phone.

Go figure.

Let's see............

She riffed about the Donald and Rosie O smackdown.



She wondered aloud about Paula Abdul's recent wacky antics.
She kiddingly says she thinks it may be drugs....in fact, more than a few.........



She said, "hmmm, as a foundation, I'd guess......oxycontin."


She said that she's happy Miss Whitney left Bobby ..... ("I think we'll finally get our diva back"),




but she's upset that it means no more crazy episodes of "Being Bobby Brown".......


..........a classic, as far as she's concerned.


She had much to say about Mad Mel Gibson's recent DUI arrest.



She's curious.......How does it go from:

"May I see your license and registration, Sir?"

TO...............

"The Jews are responsible for all of the wars in the world".........?

How exactly did Mel get from point A to point B?"


She also talked about her show on Bravo..........

"Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List."

She was excited to be nominated for an Emmy this year, and walk the red carpet.

Unfortunately, she says she had no way of ever winning.......she was up against, among others..... "The Dog Whisperer" and, as she puts it.........
"the juggernaut that is -- "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition."



As expected, "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" took home the Emmy.

She thinks they had an unfair advantage.

The episode she submitted to the Emmys was about her recent trip to Iraq, entertaining the troops.


According to Kathy, "Extreme Makeover" submitted.......

"an episode where they build a big, new house for some sick kids.....so they can adopt some more sick kids......and then I think they all sang a song."

No contest.

Bottom line.......although I know she doesn't appeal to everyone
(and honestly....who does?), Kathy Griffin works hard and puts on
a very funny show.

Laffin' for 2 hours ain't a bad way to spend a very cold Saturday night.

Thanks, Jules!

Hey.......crackin' on wacky celebs is way better than watchin' some dudes in leotards dance in some silly 'ol contemporary ballet.

Who needs highbrow culture ............when you can laugh and dish
on some real POP culture?

As far as I'm concerned................


no contest.

Thank God It's Friday!

Did you ever see that flick? I have to admit, that is one of the rare movies that slipped by me in the 70's.

Disco was hot, this movie was not.

Don't remember a lot about the plot......but I do know that the awesome Donna Summer makes a cameo in it.....and her hit "Last Dance" is from the film (loved that song....spent hours singing it into my hairbrush in front of the mirror!)

Betcha didn't know that the song "Last Dance" won the Oscar in 1979 for Best Original Song. Now you do.

That's also around the time that I also loved "Enough is Enough"
(No More Tears) .........Donna's awesome duet with Barbara Streisand.



Remember: "It's raining, it's pouring, my lovelife is boring me to tears.....".


Shoot.....I was singin' my little junior high heart out. Those were my Friday nights.

Oh well, enough about that. I'm all grown-up now. (kinda......)

Well, I don't have plans for this Friday night.........but I am excited about Saturday night.

You see.....way back in September, my loving sister Julie got me tickets to a show for my birthday. Well, the show is tomorrow night.

She first tried to trick me -- by putting an information sheet about a contemporary ballet troupe show in an envelope. You know that kind of ballet.....they just wear leotards, prance around the stage to a drumbeat.....
and nobody knows what the heck is going on.



Well......she wrote a note saying, "I know how much you love this sort of thing, for your birthday......I got us tickets for this ballet." She even had a picture of it, seat numbers and everything.

Let's just say -- I did a major Oscar-worthy performance as I read that sheet. Smiling and reading it intently(frantically looking for the words - "April Fools") Luckily.....she didn't leave me hangin' for long..........just when I thought I couldn't continue oohing and aahhing about the ballet, she thankfully pulled out the envelope with the real ticket info.

We are going to see one of my favorite comics, Kathy Griffin, at the Palace Theatre at 8 pm Saturday night.........and I am psyched!


I can't wait to hear all about Kathy's current "Life on the D-list."

I know most people either love her or hate her........but I love her. I think she is totally hilarious, probably because most of her act is her snarkin' on Hollywood and celebrities. She makes good fun of herself as well. So it's OK as far as I'm concerned.

Have you ever seen her on Larry King?


Priceless.

Hopefully, she'll dish the dirt on some of La-la land's finest............and I'll be able to report back some of the snark to you all.

Well, that's about it for now. Gotta go rest up for my big night out tomorrow night.

I think I'm gonna go grab my hairbrush, some tunes and go find a mirror. Let's sing it Donna!



"Yes it's the last dance......last chance for love................"
(There's also something in there about: "hold me, scold me.....'cause when I'm bad...I'm oh, so bad") -- Personally, I think that's what really sold it for those Oscar voters.

Have a great weekend everyone........I'll fill ya in on all the deets after the show.

Disney's "Desperate Housewives"

"What The Heck?" Wednesday

Hey there Rehab Readers............

I've decided to try something new.

I'm going to try to post a little something everyday......not just the long-winded posts that I tend to do once a week.

Or maybe even a few short posts throughout the day. As I find things that I feel I must pass on to you.

Ya know, with all of the wackiness out there in La-La Land .......there really is plenty of material!

(Sometimes I may send a link to you in an email.......or you can just check the blog yourself to see if anything new is up. It's up to you.)

Soooooo..............

I've decided that today is:

"What The Heck?" Wednesday.

It could also be:

"Why Oh Why?" Wednesday.

Or even:

"What's Up With That?" Wednesday.

But.....I must tell you, I decided against:

"WTF?" Wednesday ..............




.................because I'm a lady, and ladies don't blog like that.

OK. That's settled.

Here is what made me say...... "What The Heck?" today.

What the heck is Nicolas Cage thinking?

I mean.....I know he has a new movie coming out......it's called "Ghost Rider."
(Sure to be on all the Oscar lists come this time next year......)

But why the heck does he feel the need to pay homage.........
(fancy French for: "tribute")
to one of our most beloved actors/Oscar winners?

You know who he is tryin' to look like.......c'mon, just say it.............that's right...........




Hanks......Tom Hanks.

Forrest Gump. Bosom Buddy. Shipwrecked Guy. Guy Who Stars With Meg Ryan Alot. Guy Who Saved Private Ryan. Guy Who Let A Drunk Hairdresser Pick His 'Do For "DaVinci."

Ya know..........that guy.

But Nic.........you're NOT that guy.

I know, I know. You did win an oscar.......... but for playin' a drunk guy.

Hanks is never drunk. I don't even think he drinks, smokes or curses. He's bulletproof, man. He's beloved by all of America.

You, on the other hand, are not.

Let's be honest.

You're pretty much known as:

Guy who's related to Francis Ford Coppola, Guy Who Chose Some Interesting Movie Roles(But Nobody Saw Them), Guy Who Is (Creepily) Obsessed With Elvis Presley, Guy Who Dressed Like Elvis in A Vegas Movie,


Guy Who Then (Creepily)Married Elvis' Daughter(for about 10 min.),



Guy Who Can Truly Act, But Is Now Trying To Get His Career Back On Track......So He Made A Cheesy Movie Called "Ghost Rider" And Is Sportin' Some Really Bad Hair.

Yep.....you're that Guy.

But Nic..........this doesn't mean we don't like you. It just means..........

You ain't no Hanks. We know Hanks.....and you sir, are no Tom Hanks.

So,in the spirit of helpfulness(and because,what the heck....it's Wednesday)
we offer you some advice:

Lose the 'do.

If you really want to be an actor, beloved by all of America like Tom Hanks .......you're gonna have to fix your hair.

Tom realized the error of his ways, and he went back to his real Hanks hair.

So Nic.....go back to a simpler time, a happier time, a more clean-cut time........



No...............not that time..............

No, not that time either.....................



Definitely not that time..............



Yessssssss! That's it! The perfect combination of simpler, happier and clean-cut. And look......you even have a pretty girl on your arm. Nice touch.

Our work is done here my friend.

Wait a minute, wait a minute.

In that picture....I think that's Hanks' girl.

What is this Cage? Not only do you "do the Hanks 'do" ..................
you move in on his woman too?

Sneaky, very sneaky. You're not as dim as we thought Nicky boy.

You're gonna be OK.

Congratulations ........you're definitely on the road to "Hanksville."

Now Meg ........a cute little girl named Shirley and I would like to have a word with you about those curls...............