RANDOM THOUGHTS:
What is up with Paula’s Madonna gloves?
The judges must have figured out that they were driving everyone crazy, because they were relatively quiet tonight! As a matter of fact, the show seemed to be a downer tonight… what is the deal???
Songs from the year they were born…
RAMIELE: 1987. Can’t believe she was born when I was getting ready to graduate from High School! How freaking’ old am I? “ALONE” didn’t seem to fit her voice. Didn’t like the way she personalized the song. She does have good control of that enormous voice!
JASON: 1987??? Again?? Someone shoot me. I’m ready to see Jason bust out and do something new & different. I thought Simon was funny when he said he could see Jason playing outside a train station! I kind-of can, too! He is really cute in a John Travolta-meets-Bob Marley kind of way. He needs to step up the wardrobe.
SYESHA: I am now officially in a time warp. I remember really great music in 1987, but I’m not hearing any of it tonight!!! Where’s the JOURNEY? CHICAGO? WHITNEY? She was good, but I agree with Simon. She has so much more to offer than singing – she needs to relocate to Hollywood and find an agent!!
CHIKEZE: 1985. Sounded like a weak Luther Vandross tonight. He’s growing on me, and KUDOS to his stylist. I think this is the best he’s ever looked! He could be in trouble.
BROOKE: 1983! These are my songs! The POLICE! Oh, wait… it’s the geriatric version of the song! Bad idea to try to be a girl STING. She messed up at the beginning. Good for her for correcting it. Funny that she is one of the oldest but silliest (immature) contestants.
MICHAEL: 1978. WE WILL ROCK YOU is the song of that year!! FINALLY he broke out of his mold!! Most energized performance of the night!!! LOVED IT!!!
CARLY: 1983. Unfortunately, to me, she sounded just like the original. I can’t decide if I’m more interested in her tat or her singing. Did you see her hubby? What a freak show.
DAVID: 1990. Dear God. Sounded a little too Broadway tonight!!! I didn’t like it, but I think he’s safe.
KRISTY: 1984. God Bless the USA? God bless. This had the potential to be very country fair-ish. Simon thought she was clever. I agree.
DAVID C: 1982. Interesting take on Michael Jackson. HUGE risk, HUGE pay off. Brilliant. He’s moving up on my list. Right to the top. What an awesome way to end the show!!!
TOP 3: DAVID COOK!!!! I have no others that came close. I guess Kristy and Michael. Can’t believe Kristy is in my top 3. Don’t you just see that David is in a different league???
BOTTOM 3: RAMIELE, CHIKEZE, DAVID A.
GOING HOME: This was more difficult than I thought. First of all, I am erasing the possibility of a Kristy Lee Cook shock elimination, since I doubt America will let her go after singing “God Bless the U.S.A.” That has got to be the most strategic song choice ever made on American Idol. Also, they gave her one of the pimp spots again towards the end safely sandwiched between the 2 Davids, so I think she is safe. So now I have three choices: Ramiele, Syesha and Chikezie.
Syesha sang well and did her baby cry so she’s safe. We now choose between Ramiele and Chikezie…
It could go either way actually with Chikezie having an advantage, but with everything being almost equal, I’ve decided to side with Simon. He gave a bit more positive feedback on Ramiele and I think the results will follow his lead. If Ramiele goes home, then Simon would have been wrong twice this season, the first time when he called Alaina Whitaker “the dark horse”, and having her eliminated the next day.
They will probably put Jason Castro in the Bottom 3 just to wake him up a bit.
So my pick for elimination tonight is Chikezie.
If last night was it for the season, David Cook would be the winner. He rocks.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
HERE WE GO!
Welcome to the official launch of my blog! I've wanted to do this for so long! I hope to make this a good mix of everyday stuff from Casa Widner and also my own commentary on different things, mostly television shows, I suspect. For now, just a little update on life here:
Ross: Eleven years old and acting every bit the 'tween!! He loves LEGOS, Star Wars, his Wii, playing the piano (okay, not really, but he wants to play in the band next year so he has to endure a year of piano), reading, and eating at IHOP. He is a great friend and a super big brother!
Chloe: Seven years old. loves her American Girl doll, gymnastics, any kind of art work, school, and her friends. She has a sweet disposition (for now) and is a delight!
Emmy: Almost 3. She is at that "I can do it myself" phase, except she really can't. She loves Dora, being outside, riding her trike, and her brother & sister.
Joe is in Israel this week with our Sunday school class, and from what I've seen and read on the trip blog, he's having a fabulous time! We have a busy week here at home, and we will cap it off with a trip to Ft. Worth to see High School Musical on Ice! Look for pictures very soon!
Ross: Eleven years old and acting every bit the 'tween!! He loves LEGOS, Star Wars, his Wii, playing the piano (okay, not really, but he wants to play in the band next year so he has to endure a year of piano), reading, and eating at IHOP. He is a great friend and a super big brother!
Chloe: Seven years old. loves her American Girl doll, gymnastics, any kind of art work, school, and her friends. She has a sweet disposition (for now) and is a delight!
Emmy: Almost 3. She is at that "I can do it myself" phase, except she really can't. She loves Dora, being outside, riding her trike, and her brother & sister.
Joe is in Israel this week with our Sunday school class, and from what I've seen and read on the trip blog, he's having a fabulous time! We have a busy week here at home, and we will cap it off with a trip to Ft. Worth to see High School Musical on Ice! Look for pictures very soon!
Saturday, December 15, 2007
EARLY OSCAR PICKS!
Early Oscar Picks
I realize the Oscars are a full 5 months away. I think the movies that open between now & year’s end will be the most likely contenders to take home golden statues (with the exception of Waitress – Kari Russell is really good in that little film). Read on for my current favorites for Oscar. At the bottom is a list of independent films that have a shot at Oscar. Happy watching, and as TO says, “Getcha popcorn ready!”
Kate
WE OWN THE NIGHT
Joaquin Phoenix, Mark Wahlberg & Eva Mendes
SYNOPSIS: Joaquin Phoenix and Mark Wahlberg star as two brothers taking on the Russian mob to protect their father, the chief of police.
WHY I LIKE THIS ONE: It sounds like a tight story line, lots of conflicts & family drama, but I picked this one because of JOAQUIN PHOENIX. I think he should have won a couple years ago for starring as Johnny Cash in Walk the Line (but Philip Seymour Hoffman won for Capote that year), so this just might be his year and the movie to push him over the edge. He is a diversified actor with a wide repertoire.
ELIZABETH: THE GOLDEN AGE
Cate Blanchett & Clive Owen
SYNOPSIS: Cate Blanchett reprises her role as the 16th century Queen, whose rule is challenged by neighboring nations and royal intrigue.
WHY I LIKE THIS ONE: The academy LOVES period pieces, and the first Elizabeth scored nominations for actress (Cate), cinematography, and costume design. I think Cate could win like Helen Mirren did last year for The Queen (which is a GREAT rental is you haven’t seen it!).
GONE, BABY, GONE
Casey Affleck, Morgan Freeman, Ed Harris
Directed by Ben Affleck
SYNOPSIS: Two young private detectives are hired to take a closer look at the mysterious disappearance of a little girl and soon discover that nothing is what it seems. Ultimately, they will have to risk everything -- their relationship, their sanity, and even their lives -- to find a little girl-lost.
WHY I LIKE THIS ONE: Ben Affleck proved he could write a script with Good Will Hunting. I want to see if he can direct. Plus, I love Morgan Freeman and Ed Harris. The story line sounds dark, which is the only reason I might not see this one. By the way, this movie has the highest ratings among real critics of any of the ones I’ve chosen.
THINGS WE LOST IN THE FIRE
Halle Berry, Benicio Del Toro
SYNOPSIS: Halle Berry stars as a widow trying to rebuild her life, forging an unlikely relationship with her husband's childhood best friend.
WHY I LIKE IT: Sounds like another great story line. Del Toro (Traffic is another great rental if you’ve never seen it) will most likely be an Oscar contender for this movie. I have to see it to decide if the Oscar should go to Joaquin or him!
RENDITION
Reese Witherspoon, Jake Gyllenhall
SYNOPSIS: Reese Witherspoon is the wife of an Egyptian-born chemical engineer, who is being held by the CIA as a terrorist suspect.
WHY I LIKE IT: This is Reese’s first big movie after Walk The Line. Typically those are train wrecks for the actors. This one has good buzz and sounds like an interesting story. Jake needs to prove he’s more than just a good looking guy with this film. I think he can, I think he will!!!
INDEPENDENT FILMS:
The Jane Austen Book Club
My Kid Could Paint That
Across The Universe (If you LOVE the Beatles, you would enjoy this film… think FANTASIA for grown-ups!)
Lust, Caution (Ang Lee directs)
In The Shadow of the Moon
La Vie En Rose
Once
I realize the Oscars are a full 5 months away. I think the movies that open between now & year’s end will be the most likely contenders to take home golden statues (with the exception of Waitress – Kari Russell is really good in that little film). Read on for my current favorites for Oscar. At the bottom is a list of independent films that have a shot at Oscar. Happy watching, and as TO says, “Getcha popcorn ready!”
Kate
WE OWN THE NIGHT
Joaquin Phoenix, Mark Wahlberg & Eva Mendes
SYNOPSIS: Joaquin Phoenix and Mark Wahlberg star as two brothers taking on the Russian mob to protect their father, the chief of police.
WHY I LIKE THIS ONE: It sounds like a tight story line, lots of conflicts & family drama, but I picked this one because of JOAQUIN PHOENIX. I think he should have won a couple years ago for starring as Johnny Cash in Walk the Line (but Philip Seymour Hoffman won for Capote that year), so this just might be his year and the movie to push him over the edge. He is a diversified actor with a wide repertoire.
ELIZABETH: THE GOLDEN AGE
Cate Blanchett & Clive Owen
SYNOPSIS: Cate Blanchett reprises her role as the 16th century Queen, whose rule is challenged by neighboring nations and royal intrigue.
WHY I LIKE THIS ONE: The academy LOVES period pieces, and the first Elizabeth scored nominations for actress (Cate), cinematography, and costume design. I think Cate could win like Helen Mirren did last year for The Queen (which is a GREAT rental is you haven’t seen it!).
GONE, BABY, GONE
Casey Affleck, Morgan Freeman, Ed Harris
Directed by Ben Affleck
SYNOPSIS: Two young private detectives are hired to take a closer look at the mysterious disappearance of a little girl and soon discover that nothing is what it seems. Ultimately, they will have to risk everything -- their relationship, their sanity, and even their lives -- to find a little girl-lost.
WHY I LIKE THIS ONE: Ben Affleck proved he could write a script with Good Will Hunting. I want to see if he can direct. Plus, I love Morgan Freeman and Ed Harris. The story line sounds dark, which is the only reason I might not see this one. By the way, this movie has the highest ratings among real critics of any of the ones I’ve chosen.
THINGS WE LOST IN THE FIRE
Halle Berry, Benicio Del Toro
SYNOPSIS: Halle Berry stars as a widow trying to rebuild her life, forging an unlikely relationship with her husband's childhood best friend.
WHY I LIKE IT: Sounds like another great story line. Del Toro (Traffic is another great rental if you’ve never seen it) will most likely be an Oscar contender for this movie. I have to see it to decide if the Oscar should go to Joaquin or him!
RENDITION
Reese Witherspoon, Jake Gyllenhall
SYNOPSIS: Reese Witherspoon is the wife of an Egyptian-born chemical engineer, who is being held by the CIA as a terrorist suspect.
WHY I LIKE IT: This is Reese’s first big movie after Walk The Line. Typically those are train wrecks for the actors. This one has good buzz and sounds like an interesting story. Jake needs to prove he’s more than just a good looking guy with this film. I think he can, I think he will!!!
INDEPENDENT FILMS:
The Jane Austen Book Club
My Kid Could Paint That
Across The Universe (If you LOVE the Beatles, you would enjoy this film… think FANTASIA for grown-ups!)
Lust, Caution (Ang Lee directs)
In The Shadow of the Moon
La Vie En Rose
Once
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