For those who know me, you already know that I am an enormous Hollywood fan. I try to see every film nominated in the "big 6" categories, and I always post my predictions before Oscar night. Here are my picks and comments on this year's actors, films, and directors. Enjoy!!!
It’s Oscar time again, and I am once again blogging my predictions in the top 6 categories! This has been quite a year for Hollywood – the films are darker, shorter (with the exception of Ben Button), and leave the viewers with little reason to have any hope. I guess art does reflect life. On with the picks!!!
Best Actor:
Richard Jenkins, "The Visitor"; Frank Langella, "Frost/Nixon"; Sean Penn, "Milk"; Brad Pitt, "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"; Mickey Rourke, "The Wrestler"
Early on, the buzz was with Frank Langella. I thought he was captivating in his role as Richard Nixon. Unfortunately, he has stiff competition from Mickey Rourke and Sean Penn. You know an actor did a good job when you can’t imagine anyone else in the same role. Mickey Rourke, the washed up has-been in real life makes a stunning comeback with his first big lead in years as, well, a washed up has-been. Of this year’s choices, he is the only actor besides Heath Ledger who successfully managed to make the movie he starred in all about him. That being said, the academy LOVES them some Sean Penn. He stars as Harvey Milk, the camera store owner whose decision to campaign for a place on San Francisco's Board of Supervisors becomes a landmark event within the gay rights movement. And we all know that while actors are nominated for ONE role, they win because of their body of work. But, I am going with Mickey Rourke. If he were reading this, I’d ask him to PLEASE not mention his dogs in his acceptance speech. People already think he’s a weirdo, but are willing to overlook that because of this performance. No need to confirm their suspicions!
Best Actress:
Anne Hathaway, "Rachel Getting Married"; Angelina Jolie, "Changeling"; Melissa Leo, "Frozen River"; Meryl Streep, "Doubt"; Kate Winslet, "The Reader"
This is an amazing category this year. You have the seasoned veteran, Meryl Streep, with quite a body of work (Mamma Mia, Devil Wears Prada) in the last couple years. You have Kate Winslet, currently 0 for 5 in the “Oscar Winner” category. And you have Anne Hathaway, who really earns her acting chops as a very disturbed recovering addict on a weekend stay out of her recovery facility to attend her sister’s eclectic wedding. To me, it pretty much comes down to first-time nominee Anne Hathaway Kate Winslet (currently running 0 for 5). This year’s competition for “Best Actress” pits a fresh face vs. experience, indie vs. studio. Regardless of who gave the best performance, Winslet will probably win because she’s paid her dues while Hathaway is still too wet behind the ears. And, by the way, she is fabulous in The Reader. Another must-see movie.
Best Supporting Actor:
Josh Brolin, "Milk"; Robert Downey Jr., "Tropic Thunder"; Philip Seymour Hoffman, "Doubt"; Heath Ledger, "The Dark Knight"; Michael Shannon, "Revolutionary Road"
All the nominees in this category are super strong this year. But, there is no real contest. Heath Ledger will win, because he plays the scariest villain in comic book history. It is sad that we will not get to see any more performances by this talented actor, but make no mistake – he won’t win because he died. He will win because he was great. PSH in Doubt was also phenomenal –it is hard to decide if he is guilty – but he already has the hardware.
Best Supporting Actress:
Amy Adams, "Doubt"; Penélope Cruz, "Vicky Cristina Barcelona"; Viola Davis, "Doubt"; Taraji P. Henson, "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"; Marisa Tomei, "The Wrestler"
This is the hardest category for me this year. Amy Adams and Viola Davis are incredible in Doubt. Marisa Tomei has received her fair share of buzz for The Wrestler. But, I am going with Penelope Cruz. While the academy doesn’t like Woody Allen much, they do like his work. And, the quirky Vicky Christina Barcelona is said to be among his best. Javier Bardem (winner last year) was also in the film, so it has a strong cast. I’ll let you know if my prediction has any merit as soon as I see the film!
Best Director:
David Finchner: Benjamin Button, Ron Howard: Frost/Nixon, Gus Van Smart: Milk, Stephen Daldry: The Reader, Danny Boyle: Slumdog Millionaire
Danny Boyle is a respectable director. He’s made a handful of decent movies (”Millions,” “The Beach,” “28 Days Later”), but a lot of his work is very hit (”Trainspotting) or miss (”Sunshine”).“Slumdog Millionaire” fits more in the miss column. It seems a shame to award a good filmmaker for one of his not so great movies. This seems to be a tradition at the Academy Awards - two years ago Martin Scorsese won for “The Departed” (a solid film but not his best by a long shot) and last year the Coen brothers took the trophy home for “No Country for Old Men” (again, a commendable effort but minor compared to “Fargo” or “The Big Lebowski”). David Fincher and Gus Van Sant, two capable directors, are also nominated for some of their poorest contributions to cinema: “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” and “Milk.” Maybe it is a testament to how often the academy fails to get it right. After all, they left the likes of Alfred Hitchcock, Luis Bunuel, and Ingmar Bergman completely empty-handed.
Best Picture:
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Frost/Nixon, Milk, The Reader, Slumdog Millionaire
Slumdog wins because, as Roger Ebert says, “It tells the story of an orphan from the slums of Mumbai who is born into a brutal existence. A petty thief, impostor and survivor, mired in dire poverty, he improvises his way up through the world and remembers everything he has learned.” The movie is almost impossible to watch for the first hour. Danny Boyle captures a realistic depiction of the Indian slums and the conditions some children are born into. But Jameel is a survivor. Even in the direst of situations, he holds on to hope. And in the end, things work out for him.
I wish I was excited about this film winning (like I was with Dreamgirls in 2007), but I’m not. It doesn’t do anything to advance the cause of children’s rights around the world. It doesn’t really inspire people to greatness. It just kind-of shows us how depraved some societies are. Maybe next year, there will be a “feel good” movie I can really get behind. Not this year.
Happy watching!!
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
AMERICAN IDOL 2009
I went into Idol this week with the best of bloggy intentions, but quite frankly trying to write about tonight’s episode was a beating. There were recaps and fake-outs and sing-offs and switcheroos. There was no rickety elevator and no 256 steps. The contestants were in a mansion and everybody sat in some really tricky chairs. I was in a great mood as I watched and the following people made it:
Scott McIntyre (blind guy)
Michael Sarver (oil rig guy)
Anne Marie Boskovich
Jasmine Murray
Danny Gokey (music teacher who lost his wife)
This is when the wheels came off for me.
First, you have the freak show that is Nick Mitchell (the guy who sings in the alter ego’s character). He reminds me of the black guy on Boston Legal who always had to dress up like a female to get his point across. Seriously. He needs mental help. There is NO WAY I would room with him, even if it meant I had to quit the show.
Next, Nathaniel Marshall, who is having an identity crisis of his own, sits and cries and tells us this is what he was “born to do.” I personally think he was born to open with RuPaul. No one is going to pay any money to watch him perform. I wish he knew that. His life story montage was sad and did what it was intended to do – invite us to take pity on him – but I just don’t see him hanging around for long. And it will devastate him when his “end of the road” comes. When he’s asked to sing for the final time on the Idol stage, prepare yourselves for a sobfest, the likes of which we’ve never seen before.
And then I found out that Tatiana made it and I was done. The girl who reminds me of The Love Boat episodes with Charro as the “special guest star” is actually in the TOP FREAKIN’ 36 of AI this year.
I seriously think they need to put Nathaniel & Tatiana in a shared room and see which beauty queen survives. In fact, THAT might be the ONLY reality show I’d watch with these two in it!
It was too much, y’all.
So do you know what I’ve decided to do?
I’ve decided to go to bed.
PS: What was Paula wearing around her neck? She appeared to be trying to keep vampires or some such creatures away! Either that or she just always wants to make sure there is a mirror on hand for last-minute touchups.
Scott McIntyre (blind guy)
Michael Sarver (oil rig guy)
Anne Marie Boskovich
Jasmine Murray
Danny Gokey (music teacher who lost his wife)
This is when the wheels came off for me.
First, you have the freak show that is Nick Mitchell (the guy who sings in the alter ego’s character). He reminds me of the black guy on Boston Legal who always had to dress up like a female to get his point across. Seriously. He needs mental help. There is NO WAY I would room with him, even if it meant I had to quit the show.
Next, Nathaniel Marshall, who is having an identity crisis of his own, sits and cries and tells us this is what he was “born to do.” I personally think he was born to open with RuPaul. No one is going to pay any money to watch him perform. I wish he knew that. His life story montage was sad and did what it was intended to do – invite us to take pity on him – but I just don’t see him hanging around for long. And it will devastate him when his “end of the road” comes. When he’s asked to sing for the final time on the Idol stage, prepare yourselves for a sobfest, the likes of which we’ve never seen before.
And then I found out that Tatiana made it and I was done. The girl who reminds me of The Love Boat episodes with Charro as the “special guest star” is actually in the TOP FREAKIN’ 36 of AI this year.
I seriously think they need to put Nathaniel & Tatiana in a shared room and see which beauty queen survives. In fact, THAT might be the ONLY reality show I’d watch with these two in it!
It was too much, y’all.
So do you know what I’ve decided to do?
I’ve decided to go to bed.
PS: What was Paula wearing around her neck? She appeared to be trying to keep vampires or some such creatures away! Either that or she just always wants to make sure there is a mirror on hand for last-minute touchups.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
25 Random Things About Me!
Well, I posted this on Facebook but thought I'd add it here, too. ENJOY!
1. I am doing this to see if I can actually come up with 25 things!
2. I never, ever skipped a full day of school. Periods (like biology in 10th grade), yes, but not the full day.
3. I wish I had been a little more together in high school. I regret how immature I was at times.
4. I played softball from 3rd - 6th grades and my dad was my coach.
5. I once sang backup for an Elvis impersonator.
6. I am a TV addict! Favorite shows: 24, Greys (until this season), Friday Night Lights, Brothers & Sisters, and TV news shows like Dateline & 20/20, which my husband thinks I need to stop watching.
7. My mom worked, and my dad was my babysitter during the day for the first 4 years of my life.
8. My favorite nail polish color: "You're A Pisa Work" by OPI.
9. Best trip ever: Joe took me to the Golden Globe awards for our 10th anniversary! We stayed at the Beverly Hilton and saw all the stars walk the red carpet! Unbelievable!
10. If I could spend the day with one person, it would be my sister. She's the best! :)
11. I hate to cook and feed my kids frozen food, takeout, or anything out of a can that can be microwaved. Sometimes they get fresh fruit. Mother of the year.
12. I believe that, despite the chaos I sometimes feel, God is still on His throne! :)
13. LaFon Bailey gives me the best highlights and haircuts! I love her!!
14. Nothing is more important to me than my sweet family - Joe, Ross, Chloe & Emmy bring me more joy (and, at times, frustration and angst) than I thought possible!
15. One of my best memories of growing up on Buckeye Lane is Pizza Inn on Friday nights followed by neighborhood hide-and-seek with all the kids while the parents sat in the Armstrong's driveway.
16. My first concert was Duran Duran in 8th grade. I was in love with Simon LeBon!
17. I had an enormous crush on Jon, the blonde guy from CHiPS! Cheryl Armstrong & I used to pretend we were married to Ponch & Jon!
18. Large Diet Coke with extra ice from the Sonic at Legacy & Lebanon makes me very, very happy. My need to stop there in the morning often makes my children late for school!!
19. I hate clutter.
20. I love snow days (even though it leads to the thing I hate in #19).
21. We are moving to Connecticut this summer, and I am looking forward to more of #20!
22. My sister & I once peeked at my Christmas presents at the infamous house on Buckeye Lane. They were hidden in my parents' bathroom in the cabinets above the sink. In the process, we managed to break off a tile from the sink and had to make a mad dash to Perry's Office supply for some Super Glue, using the change we "borrowed" from my dad's dresser. I don't think my parents ever found out!
23. If I could interview one person, it would be Steven Speilberg. Can you imagine what that would be like?
24. I wish I knew where Shari Fox was & what she is up to!
25. I had my first kiss at a party in Houston while visiting my cousin, Peggy. It was at a girl named Christy's house, and the lucky guy was Adrian! :)
1. I am doing this to see if I can actually come up with 25 things!
2. I never, ever skipped a full day of school. Periods (like biology in 10th grade), yes, but not the full day.
3. I wish I had been a little more together in high school. I regret how immature I was at times.
4. I played softball from 3rd - 6th grades and my dad was my coach.
5. I once sang backup for an Elvis impersonator.
6. I am a TV addict! Favorite shows: 24, Greys (until this season), Friday Night Lights, Brothers & Sisters, and TV news shows like Dateline & 20/20, which my husband thinks I need to stop watching.
7. My mom worked, and my dad was my babysitter during the day for the first 4 years of my life.
8. My favorite nail polish color: "You're A Pisa Work" by OPI.
9. Best trip ever: Joe took me to the Golden Globe awards for our 10th anniversary! We stayed at the Beverly Hilton and saw all the stars walk the red carpet! Unbelievable!
10. If I could spend the day with one person, it would be my sister. She's the best! :)
11. I hate to cook and feed my kids frozen food, takeout, or anything out of a can that can be microwaved. Sometimes they get fresh fruit. Mother of the year.
12. I believe that, despite the chaos I sometimes feel, God is still on His throne! :)
13. LaFon Bailey gives me the best highlights and haircuts! I love her!!
14. Nothing is more important to me than my sweet family - Joe, Ross, Chloe & Emmy bring me more joy (and, at times, frustration and angst) than I thought possible!
15. One of my best memories of growing up on Buckeye Lane is Pizza Inn on Friday nights followed by neighborhood hide-and-seek with all the kids while the parents sat in the Armstrong's driveway.
16. My first concert was Duran Duran in 8th grade. I was in love with Simon LeBon!
17. I had an enormous crush on Jon, the blonde guy from CHiPS! Cheryl Armstrong & I used to pretend we were married to Ponch & Jon!
18. Large Diet Coke with extra ice from the Sonic at Legacy & Lebanon makes me very, very happy. My need to stop there in the morning often makes my children late for school!!
19. I hate clutter.
20. I love snow days (even though it leads to the thing I hate in #19).
21. We are moving to Connecticut this summer, and I am looking forward to more of #20!
22. My sister & I once peeked at my Christmas presents at the infamous house on Buckeye Lane. They were hidden in my parents' bathroom in the cabinets above the sink. In the process, we managed to break off a tile from the sink and had to make a mad dash to Perry's Office supply for some Super Glue, using the change we "borrowed" from my dad's dresser. I don't think my parents ever found out!
23. If I could interview one person, it would be Steven Speilberg. Can you imagine what that would be like?
24. I wish I knew where Shari Fox was & what she is up to!
25. I had my first kiss at a party in Houston while visiting my cousin, Peggy. It was at a girl named Christy's house, and the lucky guy was Adrian! :)
Thursday, January 8, 2009
In My Place!
I hit new parenting low today. Here is the replay of that conversation:
Mom: Emmy, what would you like to drink with your dinner?
Emmy: (no response)
Mom: Emmy, did you hear me?
Emmy: Yes, mommy, but my name is “Your Highness.”
Mom: I’m pretty (insert your own favorite word muttered under your breath) sure your name is Emmy.
Emmy: No, it’s not. I’m “Your Highness,” Chloe is “Ma’am,” Ross is the "Prince", and you are the servant girl.
Mom: Actually, I am the MOMMY and you are the GIRL.
Emmy: (Laughing, hysterically) I AM YOUR HIGHNESS.
Mom: (giving up) Okay, Your Highness, what would you like to drink with your dinner?
Emmy: I’ll have what Ma’am is having, but I want mine in the Princess cup, servant girl.
Mom: Are you playing “Cinderella”?
Emmy: No, I’m eating my real dinner with Ma’am and servant girl is cooking again.
Mom: (inaudibly) How true.
At this point, I just sighed and walked away. Your Highness and Ma’am enjoyed their dinner. The servant girl cleaned up the kitchen, “drew” the baths, and washed a couple princesses.
Your Highness is now tucked away in the Royal Bedroom. Ma’am is sleeping in the Prince’s quarters tonight. The servant girl has ironing to do before school tomorrow, so she better shake a leg!
Mom: Emmy, what would you like to drink with your dinner?
Emmy: (no response)
Mom: Emmy, did you hear me?
Emmy: Yes, mommy, but my name is “Your Highness.”
Mom: I’m pretty (insert your own favorite word muttered under your breath) sure your name is Emmy.
Emmy: No, it’s not. I’m “Your Highness,” Chloe is “Ma’am,” Ross is the "Prince", and you are the servant girl.
Mom: Actually, I am the MOMMY and you are the GIRL.
Emmy: (Laughing, hysterically) I AM YOUR HIGHNESS.
Mom: (giving up) Okay, Your Highness, what would you like to drink with your dinner?
Emmy: I’ll have what Ma’am is having, but I want mine in the Princess cup, servant girl.
Mom: Are you playing “Cinderella”?
Emmy: No, I’m eating my real dinner with Ma’am and servant girl is cooking again.
Mom: (inaudibly) How true.
At this point, I just sighed and walked away. Your Highness and Ma’am enjoyed their dinner. The servant girl cleaned up the kitchen, “drew” the baths, and washed a couple princesses.
Your Highness is now tucked away in the Royal Bedroom. Ma’am is sleeping in the Prince’s quarters tonight. The servant girl has ironing to do before school tomorrow, so she better shake a leg!
Thursday, January 1, 2009
New Year, New Beginnings
Happy New Year! I hope you all had a great Christmas and are looking forward to 2009! Our family has celebrated like no other time I can remember. Things that made Christmas 2008 special:
1. Joe was in town for two full weeks, and he worked from home for a few hours on a few days, but other than that, he was just "dad." It was great!
2. Chloe had no gym workouts for the entire break! Thank you, Jesus.
3. Watching Emmy's face Christmas morning. There is nothing like the awestruck wonder of a 3 year old who absolutely believes. I loved it. After changing her wish list as she sat on Santa's lap at the mall, she was thrilled to find the originally requested items under the tree. Again, props to Jesus for that little blessing!
4. Ross read 2 instruction manuals, cover to cover, and was able to build the entire Lego Star Destroyer BY HIMSELF.
5. Celebrating with family at the Gaylord Texan the Saturday night before Christmas. Fun, fun, fun. Yummy food, lots to do, and beautiful surroundings. LOVED it.
6. Celebrating in Temple with Ginger & her family the weekend after Christmas. The kids had a great time together, and so did the grownups!
That is pretty much the wrap-up of Widner Christmas 2008. We look forward to the blessings of the New Year!!!
1. Joe was in town for two full weeks, and he worked from home for a few hours on a few days, but other than that, he was just "dad." It was great!
2. Chloe had no gym workouts for the entire break! Thank you, Jesus.
3. Watching Emmy's face Christmas morning. There is nothing like the awestruck wonder of a 3 year old who absolutely believes. I loved it. After changing her wish list as she sat on Santa's lap at the mall, she was thrilled to find the originally requested items under the tree. Again, props to Jesus for that little blessing!
4. Ross read 2 instruction manuals, cover to cover, and was able to build the entire Lego Star Destroyer BY HIMSELF.
5. Celebrating with family at the Gaylord Texan the Saturday night before Christmas. Fun, fun, fun. Yummy food, lots to do, and beautiful surroundings. LOVED it.
6. Celebrating in Temple with Ginger & her family the weekend after Christmas. The kids had a great time together, and so did the grownups!
That is pretty much the wrap-up of Widner Christmas 2008. We look forward to the blessings of the New Year!!!
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
OPEN HOUSE 2008
MERRY CHRISTMAS 2008! WELCOME TO OUR HOME!!!
We have a large Christmas tree in our dining room... I joke that the room looks full only at Christmas time because we don't have any furniture in that room, other than the piano!!!
Our entryway table has my two favorite holiday decorations on it. I got the first one at Sample House a couple years ago. You might not be able to read it, but it has John 3:16 down the front of Mary's robe. How appropriate as we celebrate this season!
This next one, the Liberty Angel, was given to me by a friend the Christmas after 9/11. I used it as my tree topper for several years, but recently retired her so that we could see her up close!
Our downstairs living area has another tree - the "kid tree" - with all the colored lights and every decoration they have made over the years in preschool , Sunday school, and elementary school. It is amazing that an entire second tree could be filled with such treasures!!!
Our mantle, in the same room with the kids tree, is decorated with more of my favorites - crosses (they stay out all year), an angel, and this really cool Christmas tree I found on clearance last year at a specialty store here in Frisco. The stockinge are hung with Mom & Dad first, and then the 3 munchkins.
This is a music box from Macy's in New York. It is hard to see the detail, but it has several of the floats from the Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2003 in it. And, of course, the snow globe does actually "snow." LOVE it!
I am not much of a "collector," but at Christmas, I love decorating with snowflakes (probably because you NEVER see them in Texas!!) and manger scenes. Joe made a trip to Israel earlier this year, and he brought this beautiful olive wood manger scene back for us to enjoy.
The year Emmy was born, I decided I wanted something to commemorate the first Christmas with all three of our sweet children. So, I took them to a paint your own pottery place and stamped thier hands on a plate. I am not crafty, but I did manage to turn their handprints into Santas!!! I can't believe that was 3 years ago... my, how they've grown!!!
2005
Ross: 2008
Chloe 2008
Emmy 2008
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.
When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
Friday, December 12, 2008
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
Moms earn their angel wings during the Christmas season, I am sure. The Christmas card photo and letter, presents for everyone, decorating the house and the yard, cookie exchanges, school parties, church parties, neighborhood parties, parties for hubby's work, old friends parties, etc., definitely require an element of organization and prioritization that other seasons just don't demand.
One thing that really puts me in the holiday spirit is watching school aged kids perform at their Christmas concerts. There is nothing more nostalgic to me than hearing old favorite songs being sung by children! This season, I was privileged enough to attend two. Our 11 year old, Ross, sang with the 6th grade choir at this week's chapel at school. Ross is our child of few words, so he mentioned this casually to me on the night before the performance (thankfully, his choir teacher had already sent an email). He requested that I go and video the whole shebang for his dad, who was in NYC this week. They did a beautiful job! Here is one song for you:
Our 3 year old, Emmy, had a "Christmas show" at her preschool last night. Now, when you watch this video, you will very clearly see the difference in the 3 enthusiastic year olds and the calm, cool, collected 6th graders!! You just can't help but smile when you watch and hear this old favorite!!!
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