Real Milwaukee - Oscar Nomination Talk

What did I say on Real Milwaukee this morning? Well here's the video! Take a peek and if you like it make sure you let us know!

Quick Oscar Noms Thoughts

Had a quick stop at Real Milwaukee to make this morning so I apologize for the delay in getting this posted online.

My quick thoughts as this goes live…

-       A lot of love for Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close – and that’s not a bad thing. Other than that, Best Picture looks as many envisioned it would.

-       Best Actor looks to favor George Clooney (and good for him…love love love The Descendants). Demian Bichir surprised, but if you haven’t seen A Better Life do yourself a favor and see it, it’s REALLY a great performance.

-       Best Actress has all the heavyweights there PLUS they included ROONEY MARA!!!! Yes I’m a fan, her performance rocks The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo!

-       Best Supporting Actor surprised me by leaving the ultra cool role for Albert Brooks out of the mix. But then it surprised me with Jonah Hill in the mix. All signs point to Christopher Plummer though.

-       Supporting Actress features lots of surprises. Melissa McCarthy was wonderful in Bridesmaids and the Academy saw that while The Help gets both Jessica Chastain and Octavia Spencer on board. (Could this be Octavia’s Spencer’s night?)

-       Other quick comments…

-       Two animated features that no one in the general public has heard of?

-       Only TWO nominees for Best Song???? (Man or Muppet PLEASE)

-       Documentary Feature Hell and Back Again is ON DVD Today!

-       TWO nominations for John Williams this year…Tintin AND War Horse in the Original Score category.

-       I love the screenplay category – but disappointed nothing for 50/50 or Martha Marcy May Marlene. ECSTATIC that Bridesmaids, Margin Call and A Separation all showed in Original Screenplay AND did you see the list in Adapted Screenplay (a who’s who of some of the best of the year).

Now we wait – until the end of Feb to see who wins – get ye to a theater or DVD player and start catching up on some of the year’s best now!

Get the full list at www.oscar.com and it will be posted here later this evening.

More thoughts will be posted later today!

p

Home Screening Room - Real Steel is a 50/50 bet

This Week’s Big Releases

50/50 – Rated R (Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen, Bryce Dallas Howard)

One of the most underrated movies of 2011, this is a must see. Deals with a tough topic, cancer in a young man, and the life he and his friends lead after diagnosis with humor and a heavy dose of reality in a way like nothing that I can quite remember.

Paranormal Activity 3 – Rated R (Katie Featherston, Sprague Grayden)

© 2011 DreamWorks II Distribution Co., LLC.
All Rights Reserved.

Yep, PA3…need I say more?

Real Steel – Rated PG-13 (Hugh Jackman, Evangeline Lilly, Dakota Goyo)

Another must see from 2011, this truly surprised me. A film about the new sport of boxing that brings a father and son together, Real Steel is more than a new version of Rock ‘em Sock ‘em Robots. It rocks.

Also new this week…

Another Happy Day – Rated R (Ellen Barkin, Kate Bosworth)

Hell and Back Again – Rated NR

The Lie – Rated R (Joshua Leonard, Jess Wexler)

Restless – Rated PG-13 (Mia Wasikowska, Henry Hooper)

Tales of an Ancient Empire – Rated R (Kevin Sorbo, Michael Pare)

The Whistleblower – Rated R (Rachel Weisz, Monica Bellucci) As a police officer working as a peacekeeper in Bosnia she uncovers the corruption beneath the surface.

And Finally

Revenge of the Electric Car – Rated PG-13

A couple years back the doc was Who Killed the Electric Car? And now….it’s time…..the Revenge of the Electric Car.

Check out the trailer below.

Pick of the Week

Man, I love 50/50…one of my favorite films in 2011 (made my top 25 list). And Real Steel was a nice surprise for something that I truly didn’t expect.

Thanks!

Pop Popcorn, Do the Dew, and Bust out the Blu and remember to Save Me A Seat!

A Special Sneak Preview of Man On A Ledge

Hey there,

Just thought I'd share something Summit just sent over -- a peek at the new film Man On A Ledge. Take a look.

Home Screening Room - The Ides of March lead to a Courgeous Abduction

This Week’s Big Releases

Abduction – Rated PG-13 (Taylor Lautner, Alfred Molina)
What happens when you find out your life’s a lie. Taylor Lautner’s Nathan finds out just that and now that he has this knowledge, there are killers searching for him.

Bucky Larson: Born to Be a Star – Rated R (Nick Swardson, Christina Ricci)

When you have two parents that are adult film stars you think that is your legacy. That’s what Bucky believes and he sets out to take the next step.

Courageous – Rated PG-13 (Alex Kendrick, Kevin Downes)
They’ve taken an oath to protect and serve, but it is nothing compared to fatherhood. It takes everything they have to do the most important part of your life and they will have to come together with each other and God to make it through.

The Ides of March – Rated R (Ryan Gosling, George Clooney, Evan Rachel Wood)

A movie that made my it to #9 on my 2011 Best Films list, The Ides of March is a great film for political junkies of all types. George Clooney directs and lets Ryan Gosling steal the show in this look behind the scenes of a campaign and a scandal that rocks all the camps involved.

Also new this week…
Kevin Hart: Laugh At My Pain – Rated R (Kevin Hart) His 2011 comedy tour.

Killing Bono – Rated R (Ben Barnes, Robert Sheehan)
Yes – it’s that Bono. The story of a young Irish rock band who watches as their school friends become the biggest band in the world (U2).

Undocumented – Not Rated (Scott Mechlowicz)

WWE TLC: Tables, Laddes & Chairs 2011

And Finally

Bombay Beach – Rated NR

Director Alma Har’el delivers a touching and extremely poignant look at a community that is outside of the mainstream. With a solid soundtrack and some amazing tales you can’t help but fall in love with this effort. An incredibly moving and real film, documentary films that want to see life…should see this film!

Check out the trailer below.

Pick of the Week

The Ides of March made my best of 2011, so you can bet that will be here. Also – Good Morning Vietnam has a 25^th Anniversary BluRay out today as well as a new BluRay of Dead Poets Society.

Thanks!

Pop Popcorn, Do the Dew, and Bust out the Blu and remember to Save Me A Seat!

17th Annual Critics' Chice Movie Awards

Did you miss the 17th Annual Critics' Choice Movie Awards??? Well courtesy of VH1 -- you can watch it below...Enjoy!

Get More: 17th Annual Critics' Choice Movie Awards

2012 Critics' Choice Movie Awards - Recap

2012 Critics’ Choice Movie Awards – Recap

So sometimes, the best laid plans don’t work out.

While I had planned to share lots and lots during the show…priorities changed and an under the weather wife and a daughter who needed help with homework and a little snowstorm had me watching, but not commenting.

So here is my quick takes on the awards last night.

- 4 wins for The Artist sets us up a definite front runner for the Best Picture award at the Oscars.

- The Help with 3 solid awards sets the film up as a solid contender in the race.

-  Viola Davis had an extremely touching speech and really showed a good America who she is.

- Christopher Plummer’s win surprised me – really was pulling for Albert Brooks but was happy with Plummer’s win.

- George Clooney is still the man everyone wants to be, and the man every woman wants. I really want to meet him some day. (Plus he’s in the best film of the year).

- Octavia Spencer, was she surprised or what? Good for her!

- Thomas Horn winning in the Best Young Actor category showed youthful innocence in his original response.

- Bridesmaids WAS the Best Comedy released this year.

- Paul Scheer and Rob Huebel were really decent hosts, funny without being mean. (Though that Tree of Life joke, fell a bit flat…)

- Good packages (love the Source Code references in the fictional characters we lost).

- Drive won Best Action Movie – but I STILL insist…although it was a very COOL movie…it was NOT an action film (outside of some scenes).

- Loved the appearance by Statler and Waldorf, classic…though the timing was off on the package.

- Maybe next year we need a best adult film category to sit at the “naked” table. HA!

- Would have loved to have had a little more attention to the tech awards, some of us take it very seriously and would love to see a bit more time to recognize the winners…even if not individually.

- Martin Scorsese is a class act all the way. Well deserving of his award and his nominations.

- Documentary to Scorsese just seems like nothing compared to Shine A Light or some of the other music films he was a part of. I still missed The Interrupters, Senna or some of the other docs in that category.

- What a wonderful and gracious group of stars that were out at the awards.

- I better be smart, and make it to the 18^th Annual Critics’ Choice Movie Awards…next January. See you then!

p

Critics' Choice Movie Awards -- Live tonight

Tonight On VH1 you can find out -- as I do -- who are the winners in each of the categories. What goes on backstage you ask???? Here's a peek...courtesy of the hosts Rob Huebel and Paul Scheer.

Get More: 17th Annual Critics' Choice Movie Awards

8PM ET/PT on VH1 -- TONIGHT, January 12

Critics' Choice Movie Awards - Predictions and Preview Part 3 - The Films

The last of the previews -- here ya go! Tomorrow some things to watch as we get ready for the show.

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
In Darkness
Le Havre
A Separation
The Skin I Live In
Where Do We Go Now

 

One of those categories that is hard to predict in our group. I’m guessing it is between A Separation and The Skin I Live In based on what I know. But what do I know? I DID cast my vote the way of A Separation…if that means anything.

SHOULD WIN: A Separation

WILL WIN: The Skin I Live In

BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
Buck
Cave of Forgotten Dreams
George Harrison: Living in the Material World
Page One: Inside the New York Times
Project Nim
Undefeated

The documentary category is missing my two favorites of the year, so I’m going to be honest…SHOULD WIN is The Interrupters, hands down. The film, unfortunately, was not shortlisted by the Academy also didn’t actively campaign for our award, but anyone who has seen it agrees with me. Was also a big fan of Senna which fell short of our list as well. This is a category that is hard to predict in our group. Everyone should have seen all of these films and for me I really liked Page One, but I’m a media junkie so that could have something to do with it.

SHOULD WIN: The Interrupters (hands down…but…it’s not here) or Senna (but, it’s not here either)

WILL WIN: ????? (I really have NO IDEA)

BEST ACTION MOVIE
Drive
Fast Five
Hanna
Rise of the Planet of the Apes
Super 8

Action Movie is one of those categories that is unique at the CCMA’s. Really weird the nominees that are here as the group seems to miss some of the big titles of the year, action wise. Drive IS a great film but Drive is NOT an action movie in my mind. Fast Five is pure unadulterated action fun. Hanna is another that I probably wouldn’t call action. Rise of the Planet of the Apes has a real chance here and Super 8 has some amazing action sequences from the summer. I think the best action film of the year isn’t here, Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol. For whatever reason, Paramount didn’t screen it before our deadlines. I really think it would have made it and MIGHT have won this award. Out of this batch, the love seems to be there, critically, for Rise of the Planet of the Apes DESPITE a very late campaign on it.

SHOULD WIN: Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol (or in this case Rise of the Planet of the Apes)

WILL WIN: Rise of the Planet of the Apes

BEST COMEDY
Bridesmaids
Crazy, Stupid, Love
Horrible Bosses
Midnight in Paris
The Muppets

Another category that should be awarded more often is Best Comedy. It’s one of the hardest things to do well. The reason most of the WORST of the year come from comedy ranks is…when you miss it you REALLY miss it. All these movies are funny in their own right but it seems like the race will come down to Bridesmaids, Midnight in Paris and The Muppets. The odds on favorite is Bridesmaids, the adult, original and funny film that stole the summer. Midnight in Paris has the Woody Allen factor going for it. Lastly, The Muppets could surprise, if anything would here. I have to believe that Bridesmaids will get the nod here though.

SHOULD WIN: Bridesmaids

WILL WIN: Bridesmaids

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE
The Adventures of Tintin
Arthur Christmas
Kung Fu Panda 2
Puss in Boots
Rango

For the first year in recent memory we don’t have the Pixar film to say this is a lock. The category could truly go ANY way. There is support for each of these films in the category. The Adventures of Tintin brings motion capture to the category and an adventure plot. Arthur Christmas is a new Christmas classic that surprised. Kung Fu Panda 2 revisits characters we really like as does Puss in Boots. Rango was a spaghetti western – animated style. I have a feeling, and it’s just a feeling that The Adventures of Tintin prevails.

SHOULD WIN: The Adventures of Tintin, Arthur Christmas

WILL WIN: The Adventures of Tintin

BEST DIRECTOR
Stephen Daldry – “Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close”
Michel Hazanavicius – “The Artist”
Alexander Payne – “The Descendants”
Nicolas Winding Refn – “Drive”
Martin Scorsese – “Hugo”
Steven Spielberg – “War Horse”

Ok, getting down to it now…not much more to discuss on some of the best directors of the year. I wouldn’t be surprised here if the race is about Hazanavicius versus Payne and Scorsese. If Hazanavicius wins, The Artist WILL win picture as well. I’m could see the surprise with Martin Scorsese walking away a winner for not only a great film, but the incorporation of 3D in his film like no one in years. (But I think some members didn’t get out to experience the film as the campaigning felt muted…just a hunch). And to me, The Descendants is the best film of the year, so I would personally lean towards Alexander Payne.

SHOULD WIN: Alexander Payne

WILL WIN: Michel Hazanavicius

BEST PICTURE

The Artist
The Descendants
Drive
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close
The Help
Hugo
Midnight in Paris
Moneyball
The Tree of Life
War Horse

Wow, with this list and our group it is interesting to see where we go. I’m guessing this will be the first of a series of lovefests for The Artist, but I would be happy to be wrong. It’s a pretty standard list. We’ll see on Thursday night, January 12 on VH1.

SHOULD WIN: The Descendants

WILL WIN: The Descendants OR The Help OR The Artist OR ?????

Bottom line, I can’t wait for the awards. I can’t remember a recent year when there were this many major categories up for grabs. It could be a surprising night at the Critics’ Choice Movie Awards.