Photo by Jedediah Baker
I’ve read that they are building condos here.
Where is the public outcry? Personally I don’t care what they do with the building as long as they leave the art in tact.
It’s sunny on St. Paddy’s Day.
The only downfall is there is no George Street and none of the bars or pubs play ANY Irish music. At least not the dozen or so I passed last night.
One of people we are temporarily staying with in Toronto received a Dan Aykroyd autographed bottle of Crystal Skull Vodka.
By Phil Hogan
For most of 2010, I thought we were witnessing the true end of quality filmmaking in Hollywood. The Summer Season, which runs from the beginning of May through Labour Day weekend, saw the release of an endless stream of mind-numbing , bloated “blockbusters” and unfunny comedies the likes of which may never be seen again. There were so many in fact that every single weekend offered two or three new choices bigger and louder than the last. Audience attendance was down, and though many in the industry attribute this to the rise of downloading and piracy, I think it was simply a case of audience fatigue and wariness.
And then, in the fall and winter, it all shifted. I actually think the impetus for this shift was the result of two major occurrences in the spring: The Hurt Locker won Best Picture at the Oscars andClash of the Titans was transferred to 3D at the last minute. Avatar, the highest grossing film in history, was the odds on favourite to win since it was adored by audiences and critics alike. Yet it lost out to the lowest grossing Best Picture winner ever. More people saw Avatar each day for its first two months than The Hurt Locker did in its entire theatrical run. This is all significant because after the Oscars, The Hurt Locker found a very willing audience on video, and people took note that critically praised independent films weren’t all pretentious art house fair. The impact of this can now be seen at the box office, where most of the nominees from the end of the year have not only out grossed the majority of last year’s nominees, but many of the supposed blockbusters of this past summer as well. I would place Black Swan, The Fighter and The King’s Speech in the same independent spirit category as The Hurt Locker, and yet they will have all made over $100 million by the time they leave theatres.
The second event – the disastrous 3D conversion of The Clash of the Titans – was both the direct result of the success of Avatar and the start of audiences feeling that sometimes less is more. Most 3D films released in the wake of Avatar were not shot that way, and while I firmly believe that it is the way most will be shot and screened in the future, few need to be. Interestingly, of the 10 Best Picture Nominees this year only Toy Story 3 was in 3D. By the end of the year converted 3D films were coming and going weekly without much success, while audiences sought out traditional, quality films on the advice of critics and word of mouth.
Which brings us to this year’s Oscars. I won’t go into great length about each nominee, but I will suggest who I think should win versus who will win. In some cases they match. In others they don’t and explanations will follow. Let’s begin…
BEST PICTURE:
Should Win: Inception Will Win: The King’s Speech
While I loved both films for very different reasons, I think Inception had more of what a truly great film can offer these days – the perfect blending of ingenuity, creativity and awe-inspiring ideas with great writing, direction and performances. Without a Direction nominee, it doesn’t stand a chance, however. So, I’ll be happy with The King’s Speech taking the award, especially in a field so strong as this one, because it is a throwback to the type of film we rarely see succeed anymore and I believe Hollywood recognizes they have awarded very dark films the top honour most of the past 5 years.The Social Network is the favourite going in (having won most of the major awards up to now), and it is a great film, but like its main character, it is cold and sealed off. In any other year True Grit, The Social Network and Inception easily would have won.
BEST DIRECTOR:
Should Win: David Fincher Will Win: Tom Hooper
David Fincher
Both directors managed to turn unlikely subjects and unlikable characters into fascinating films that explore the many sides of human nature and the importance of friendship in people’s lives. Hooper’s visual style of almost exclusive wide lenses to show isolation in master shots and human imperfection in close-ups is marvellously subtle. Fincher is a brilliant craftsman whose vision is so singular that he is able to use a Rashomon storytelling technique so effortlessly, you never feel the shift in perspective throughout. Hooper will win because his film will win and he was clearly instrumental in that. Fincher won’t win because he, like his films, is admired for his technical prowess but has a love/hate relationship amongst his peers.
BEST ACTOR:
Should Win: Colin Firth Will Win: Colin Firth
Firth is astounding in his portrayal of King George VI – angry, funny, frustrated and caring – a performance that both fascinates and earns the admiration of an audience. His closest competition, Jesse Eisenberg, is equally mesmerizing, but in the end we respect the performance while never warming to it. This has won awards before (think Daniel Day-Lewis), but usually in the supporting category. And against Colin Firth this year, no one really has a chance.
BEST ACTRESS:
Should Win: Annette Bening & Natalie Portman Will Win: Natalie Portman
I think it is entirely likely we could see our first tie for this award since Katherine Hepburn and Barbra Streisand shared it in 1968. Both performances are career ones, but of all the nominees, only Portman’s was widely seen by an audience. Bening has been close before and she is very well liked and respected amongst her peers. Combined with the fact she only sporadically acts anymore, her chances have increased this year for a performance she may never top. Portman, while respected and liked as well, is young and has a long career ahead. In the end, however, I think Portman will eek this one out in the closest vote in history just on the strength of the scene in Black Swan where she tells her mom over the phone she got the part. It was the single greatest acting moment I’ve seen in a long time from anyone and I’m sure it will stand out in voter’s minds as well
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR:
Should Win: Christian Bale Will Win: Christian Bale
The only thing that could stop Bale from winning is if Geoffrey Rush, who has won before, gets swept up in the massive support for The King’s Speech. Otherwise, it’s a done deal. Bale gives a standout performance in a career loaded with them. Like Mark Ruffalo, it’s amazing he has never been nominated before. Jeremy Renner was fantastic in The Town, but oddly, the film received no other awards support. John Hawkes is the dark horse here. I’ve been rooting for him since he stood out so strongly in The Perfect Storm ten years ago.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS:
Should Win: Jackie Weaver Will Win: Helena Bonham Carter
Here’s the toughest one to call. Jackie Weaver is a force of nature in Animal Kingdom – a character so vile yet fascinating you wait in anticipation for every scene she’s in. Watching it, I was reminded of Hannibal Lecter in Silence of the Lambs, and here, she displays the same sort of ruthless charisma with limited screen time. If you haven’t seen it, do so. I think Helena Bonham Carter will win however because she has a vast body of work over the last 20 years, is always willing to play second fiddle in films in which she could easily be the lead and, despite being easily recognizable, effortlessly gets inside her characters skin. The Academy has a tradition of rewarding young performers with this award (Tatum O’Neal, Anna Paquin, Marisa Tomei, etc.) and in any other year, this probably would have held true for Haliee Stansfeld. As for Amy Adams (who will win an Oscar in the not too distant future no doubt) and Melissa Leo (who almost won 2 years ago) they have the misfortune of being in the same film, which will probably cancel each other out.
ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY:
Should Win: Inception Will Win: The King’s Speech
For sheer originality and vision, Inception deserves this award. But this is the year of The King’s Speech and it’s eloquent, touching and surprisingly funny script balances great dialogue with strong characterization from start to finish.
ADAPTED SCREENPLAY:
Should Win: The Social Network Will Win: The Social Network
Aaron Sorkin has proven a master storyteller since A Few Good Men almost 20 years ago and no one can write fast, complicated dialogue that flows naturally like he does. The structure and depth of The Social Network is a work of genius, showing us many sides of the same story without passing judgment on its subject. That’s left to us. This is a strong field, and adaptation is incredibly difficult to get right. As for Toy Story 3, I’m still scratching my head as to how it landed in this category. I love it, but “Adapted” screenplay because it is a sequel, is pushing the limits of the definition.
ANIMATED FEATURE:
Should Win: Toy Story 3 Will Win: Toy Story 3
How to Train Your Dragon was fun and touching and skilfully made, but it doesn’t come close to the emotional depth on display in Toy Story 3. The fact that the Pixar film is the third in an incredible series of films, makes its consistency all the more impressive. It also contains the single most harrowing , heart-wrenching scene I saw all year.
CINEMATOGRAPHY: The Social Network
MAKEUP: Barney’s Version
ART DIRECTION: The King’s Speech
VISUAL EFFECTS: Inception
COSTUME DESIGN: Alice In Wonderland
FILM EDITING: The Social Network
SOUND MIXING: Inception
SOUND EDITING: Inception
ORIGINAL SCORE: The King’s Speech
ORIGINAL SONG: “I See The Light” – Tangled
DOCUMENTARY FEATURE: Inside Job
FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM: Biutiful
In a few days I will be moving away from this great province. Here are the things I will miss the most.
Zip-lining over Steady Brook Falls
Trail Systems
This is something almost everyone in this province takes for granted. We have some of the most beautiful trails in the world. I never ever came close to completing the East Coast Trail despite my fancy map.
Addendum: It should go without saying that I will miss my friends, family, and family dog. Those items rank higher than this list can go.
Edit: Eversweet Margarine was the old number 9 until I learned Eversweet Margerine is available in Toronto.
By now many people are panicking as they review the new astrological signs, a change that came about when astronomers in Minnesota released news of the stars having shifted over the years.
The debate rages on about whether you have new zodiac sign or if old system is still valid.
The part of the debate that is seemingly getting overlooked is the fact that if you accept the new zodiac wheel, you were probably never the sign you thought you were.
Take me for example. I am a Cancer. With the new zodiac I am a Gemini. But if I believe in the new alignments then I was always a Gemini. The stars didn’t move over night. The Earth’s wobble and changed the position of the stars to us gradually over thousands of years. The constellation in the sun when I was born was always Gemini.
The funny thing is people are actually getting upset about it. Like they are finding out they were actually born Muslim or some other religion and they refuse the switch.
Glad I never got one of those Crab tattoos.
The new zodiacs are as follows:
Capricorn: Jan. 20 -- Feb. 16
Aquarius: Feb. 16 -- March 11
Pisces: March 11- April 18
Aries: April 18- May 13
Taurus: May 13- June 21
Gemini: June 21- July 20
Cancer: July 20- Aug. 10
Leo: Aug. 10- Sept. 16
Virgo: Sept. 16- Oct. 30
Libra: Oct. 30- Nov. 23
Scorpio: Nov. 23- Nov. 29
Ophiuchus: Nov. 29- Dec. 17
Sagittarius: Dec. 17- Jan. 20
What will this mean for the Battlestar Galactica Series? I’m sensing a remake.
Many astrologists are cautioning people to calm as this will not change anything and they will be sticking with the old zodiacs.
I for one welcome our new Ophiuchus.
From Zap2It: Ophiuchus, new Zodiac sign dates and your real astrological sign
After becoming hottest YouTube stars over the past couple days Ted Williams, the Golden Radio Voice guy, went from being homeless to getting a home and a job overnight.
The Cleveland Cavaliers hired him to become a voice-over guy. They also bought his house for him.
Listen to the job offer from the Cavaliers live on the radio:
From Fanhouse: Ted Williams, Homeless Internet Sensation Offered Job by Cavaliers
Also see WeWantTedWillliams.
