Guess Who's Back?

So yea, it has been almost 2 months. I promised myself this wouldn't happen. But it is super easy to break a promise to yourself. I have a number of explanations as to why I stopped for a bit, but considering there are only about 3 people that check this out regularly.... I figure no-one is really that fussed about my explanations (and by explanations, I guess I mean excuses, I just do not like the word excuses....)

First off was the Olympics. Pesky little world event on in my city. Kind of infringes on my personal blogging time...... I was blogging for work, and did put a few of them up on this blog as well. But I clearly can't be completely myself and full of snark on a work blog can I? So I stopped that. But suffice it to say, during the Games, if it wasn't Olympic related, it really wasn't on my radar. I don't really know what went on in Hollyweird during those 2 weeks. I was more interested in Hockey and curling and skating........ so sad really.

After the games I headed to the land of Kangaroos, convicts and vegemite to take care of my momma who had what is technically called a radical nephrectomy. The less terrifying version of that is a kidney removed. Yes, Cancer. Scary as F*ck if I am being honest. Already lost one parent to Cancer when I was a kid. The thought of it happening again terrifies me. But apparently with the Kidney Cancer - assuming it stays in the Kidney - no chemo, no radiation. They just cut the bugger out and send you on your way. Weird right? But unless everyone is a big liar, that is the case with my momma.

The surgery was smack dab in the middle of the Games and went well. I missed the worst of the recovery as I wasn't there until almost a month post-op (ha, I have never had reason to say or write that before...). My brothers were there before. And they didn't kill each other, which is good. I am not being glib. I was actually worried there would be a knock down drag out brawl on the suburban streets of Kingston Tasmania. Thankfully they checked themselves and hid their mutual dislike for each other from our mother.

It was a very low key trip to Australia. Watched a lot of British Procedural Drama on DVD, went through the jewellery (hate doing that), laid claim to a few things I want (or were promised to me by dead relatives), had afternoon tea with my mommas friends, ate a lot of delicious Lamb, met my niece and sister in law who live in Japan with one of my brothers (who I hadn't seen in about 7 years)........

And now I am back. Work is insane at the moment. Technology is not our friend at the moment and is making me contemplate a job at Chapters where I would hopefully not have to deal with the ineptitude of others..... but would have to deal with annoying customers so mebbe I should think of something else to do with my life. Why is there not a well paying job where I get to sit at home and not deal with people? Sigh.

Anyways... these are my explanations. And to be honest, I thought about totally abandoning this altogether. Although only a small number of people that read this, there are apparently a few people who know me in real life who check it out. Which is fine.

Hi if you are out there reading this. How's it going? What's new?

But 99.9% of these people don't know the truth of my life and I had thought this would be a place where I could be me a little more. Completely my own fault as I put this out on Facebook. I know. What am I whining about? I should just say f*ck it and not care right? Maybe.

Anyways, that is me done blathering on like a crazy (crazier) person for now. It is Easter Sunday. If you celebrate it, good for you! I am one of those very very very lapsed Catholics who is now pretty much agnostic (which is very cowardly I know, I should just pick a team and go with it). I am choosing to celebrate by going to the movies. Chloe and maybe Ghost Writer.

Have a great Sunday gentle readers.

XO

Settle the f*ck down Twihards

I find this story equal parts annoying and amusing. Normally I would call bullsh*t on a story like this, but it comes from Deadline Hollywood - a source that is generally pretty spot on. Nikki Finke - love her or hate her - normally gets her stuff right.

According to a report on her site, fans of Kristen Stewart have been bombarding potential buyers of Welcome To The Rileys, pleading with them to purchase the rights to release the film. In an effort to ensure that they are able to see Kristen on screen as a teenage stripper, apparently these fans have gotten a hold of said executives emails and are using twitter, text and email to beg for a distribution deal for this movie. No word yet on whether their efforts have been successful.

Holy mother of crazy. Assuming this is true, and I am going with it being true simply because it is hysterical and disturbing, What the f*ck?? Badgering movie executives to buy a movie because you are a fan of one of the actors in it is one of the most ridiculous things I have ever heard. But I am not surprised. These are the same fans that have been known to write petitions because they don't like the proposed director of Eclipse. The same fans that wrote and delivered a letter to Summit when the very small role of Victoria was recast. Fans that will inundate message boards to defend Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and the Twilight series if someone deigns to say something even remotely disparaging. Some of them are just a little crazy.

Now, don't mistake me. I am a fan of Kristen Stewart. Look back through previous posts. I think she is a little bit of awesome and have even been known to write a few comments on message boards in defensive of the Stew. I really want to see Welcome to the Rileys. I read the script and think it has potential. What I take issue with is the fact that although the intentions are from a good place, treating the makers, cast and crew of this movie with such disrespect irritates me. WTF were they thinking? That this would make the buyers want to purchase the film? They are turning what is a complicated high level decision into the equivalent of a high school petition to get a new brand of pop in the cafeteria.

XO

First Song from Tim Burton's Alice In Wonderland.

One of my dirty little secrets is a fondness for the music of Avril Lavigne. I know. I am deeply ashamed of this. But musically, she is a'right with me. As a person, I find her pretty much irritating as hell. She is in her mid 20's and still dresses like the punk poser she was as a teenager. And acts like she is five. But whatever, she is not the first singer I have listened too that I wouldn't want to associate with in real life. She is just the one I am probably most ashamed to admit to liking....

Avril Lavigne is contributing to the soundtrack for Tim Burton's ridiculously anticipated Alice in Wonderland. In fact, she is not only contributing to the soundtrack, she has the lead track on said soundtrack. The song "Alice" will be released along with the Soundtrack on March 4th. Other contributors include Franz Ferdinand and All American Rejects.

Thoughts? Obviously this is not the video for the song. It is not bad. It is not great - Avril often yells a little when singing. I am pretty sure it will grow on me....

What do you think? Did Tim Burton completely miss the mark having Avril Lavigne contribute the lead single off this soundtrack? Is he hurting the film? Or to answer a bigger question.... do Soundtrack's even matter anymore? I can't recall the last time a song from a movie has been so huge that everytime you hear it your mind automatically goes to the film??

For me, I gotta say the Aerosmith song from Armaggedon. That was huge. Oh, and I am also sorry for admitting that I liked that song and that movie :( Sh*t, I am totally blowing any musical credibility I ever had with you aren't I? Heh!

XO

Sundance Portraits Make Me Smile and/or Quiver

At the start of this years Sundance Film Festival founder Robert Redford pronounced that this year would see a return to it's roots and that it would again enable unknown filmmakers to find an audience. That declaration remains to be seen and will be debated by much cleverer people than me in the weeks and months to come. I am pretty much here to post pictures of people I like and ridicule posted images of those I don't like. This specific post is more on the love side....

Let's begin with 2 of my absolute fave indie queens. On the left we have the amazing Catherine Keener - a staple at film festivals. One of the most respected working actors around, she never seems allows herself to be sucked in by the Hollyweird bullsh*t. She is with Oliver Platt - her costar in the upcoming film Cyrus. On the right is one hi-larious lady - Parker Posey. She has been in a ton of films, I especially loved her the Christopher Guest movies - Best In Show, Waiting for Guffman, A Mighty Wind. She was also too funny in Scream 3....do not judge my love of the Scream Trilogy. I will fight you on this. Parker was not promoting anything at Sundance this year - she was one of the judges.

Next up is my girl crush Kristen Stewart who is the indisputable Princess of the festival with 2 films showing. The top right picture is with her director Jake Scott and co-star Melissa Leo from Welcome to the Riley's. The other pictures, of course, are with her costar Dakota Fanning as well the totally bad ass Joan Jet and Cherie Currie who Kristen and Dakota are playing in The Runaways. I have already written a ton of stuff about both these films, so won't say anthing further.

I have already posted candid pictures of my new favourite imaginary couple Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams. I love these pictures, although they do make me rather distracted. And I have already had to wipe the drool off of my keyboard once this week... I don;t want to do it again. Their film Blue Valentine is getting good reviews and looks like it will get picked up. Yay!

Cute boys in flannel, dirty jeans and boots are always a good thing in my mind..... Oh James Franco, another many who makes me quiver in my nether regions. Howl was one of the first films screened at the Festival this year and seems to have gotten decent (but not fantastic) reviews. It has a great cast (including the dreamy Jon Hamm, Bob Balaban, Mary Louise Parker & David Strathairn) and a very interesting premise. On the right is the Orlando Bloom - who still makes me quiver - and Juliette Lewis who are costarring in Mark Rufallo's film Sympathy for Delicious about a newly paralysed DJ who seeks out a world of faith healing. Hmmm. Interesting!!

Sarah Polley is the Queen of Canada's indy film scene and an Oscar nominee. She is pictures here with her director for the thriller Splice. No specific reason why she is included in this set of pics. I just admire her a lot. Such a young and talented young lady! I adore Naomi Watts. Ever since Brides of Christ and Hey Dad! - which unless you are an Aussie you will have no idea what I am talking about. She is very very very talented. Her movie Mother and Child looks very interesting. Watts plays the daughter of Anette Benning who was given up for adoption by Benning when she was born. It also costars Kerry Washington, Samuel L Jackson, David Morse and Jimmy Smitts. The few reviews I have read are all positive, which is a good! I also just saw on IMDb that Watts is signed on for a remake of The Birds - inspired casting if you ask me!

Last up is a group of Aussie actors who were in town for their crime drama film Animal Kingdom. Guy Pearce is probably the best known of the cast, but was not in Sundance sadly. But Ben Mendelsohn was. I heart him. Very well known and respected in my home and native Australia. Not so much elsewhere. He has had a number of smallish roles in some films, but nothing substantial. He did costar in one of my favourite movies from Australia - The Year My Voice Broke - such a good movie!!! The chick - Jackie Weaver - at the front is best known to me for being married to a very well known personality in Australia (Bert Newton). But she has also done a ton of TV and Film work in Oz. She was actually the one I initially recognised in this picture for some bizarre reason!

All of these shots are from the EW Photo Studio - an annual tradition at Sundance. I am such a fan of these shots and the photographer - Ture Lillegraven. Sundance wraps up over the weekend and then the focus will be on Tuesday's Oscar nominations. I am finally going to see Crazy Heart over the weekend. I may actually write a quick review - it has been a while!

XO

Where's Dawson?

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I spent much of my Sunday catching up on Season 5 of Dawson's Creek. Primarily because I have always had a crush on Joshua Jackson and was reminded of this after watching him cheer on his love when the cast of Inglorious Basterds won best Ensemble. Watching Pacey Whitter be Pacey Whitter got me thinking about the rest of the crew from that show. We all know that Katie Holmes is busy being brainwashed by Tom Cruise and raising the most adorable robot baby ever. Michelle Williams has an extremely successful screen career on the go, an Oscar nomination (for Brokeback Mountain), and a toddler to raise on her own. But Dawson? Where the f*ck is Dawson? He was ostensibly the star of the show - it was named after his character after all. Dawson was played by James van der Beek? Where in the world is James van der Beek? If you have seen him, let me know. You know I once wondered on the Twitter where Frankie Muniz (Malcom in the Middle) was, and I actually found out. He is in Arizona or Texas or somewhere hot. Racing cars and still being really really short.

On a happier and much more panty-dropping note, here is the ah-mazingly hawt and phenomenally talented Ryan Gosling at the Sundance premier of his movie with Michelle Williams. The movie is called Blue Valentine and it spans the rise and fall of a marriage by cross cutting across time periods. It looks kind of like a downer. But I will still see it. How could I not. Amazing and talented actors. And besides, nothing could be as bleak of The Road? Seriously, did you see that movie? Most depressing and bleak movie I have seen in a good long while. I hope that Blue Valentine opens in Vancity. Talent like this needs to be seen on a big screen.

Look at him. Look at her. Look at them. Why have I not thought of this before? This not a coupling I have ever considered. Primarily as I have always secretly hoped against hope that he would get back together with Rachel McAdams. They were the perfect Canadian couple. The were low key when they were together. They are low key while they are apart. And it may still happen. One day. Until then, I would be completely satisfied with a Gosling-Williams pairing. I give them my blessing.

And on a unrelated but even more important note... holy f*ck Mr Gosling. Why do you do this to us? Any picture of you sends my hormones and libido into overdrive. And then you had to go and do this. It's okay girls, I'll give you a minute. No, don't apologise. Go ahead, wipe the drool off the keyboard. Go on, I won't judge you. I am right there with you.

And the one of him with costar Faith Wladyka. Please. Even my cold black heart is melting. I think I may have even felt my ovaries skip a beat. And as anyone who knows me in real life or is a regular reader of this blog is very well aware ---> my womb is permanently closed for business. Oh Ryan Gosling, why you gotta give my momma a wee glimmer of hope that her baby may some day have a baby. Yikes!

XO

Kristen Stewart - The Princess of Sundance?

I find it a little odd to think that a 19 year old girl will likely be the most photographed and talked about star at this year's Sundance Film Festival in Park City Utah. There are Academy award winners, fame whores, Industry heavy hitters galore. But all the photogs, all the reporters... they are all hoping for one thing. Kristen Stewart. Granted, Kristen is in 2 films at Sundance this year. But it is not like that has ever happened before. What is bizarre to me is that from the second she landed by private jet on Friday until she leaves, all eyes will be on her. And considering that Kristen Stewart is as fond of attention as women are of Brazilian's, I am sure this experience will be interesting!

Welcome the the Riley's is in competition at Sundance. This is the much anticipated K-Stew as a stripper role that was filmed before, during and after the press junket for Twilight back in late 2008. Lurking on some of the boards apparently there are a large number of fans who simply want to see their K-Stew naked. Sorry to disappoint all you skeevy pervs, but from what I have read, it isn't gonna happen. The film premiered yesterday and Kristen and co-star Melissa Leo were on hand to promote promote promote. I have not seen any inkling of James Gandolfini in Park City, so I am assuming that he has opted out of the press duties for this one

The reviews have been mixed. While most have consistently praised the performances, a number of reviewers have found the story to be cliched and lacking in originality. There has also been quite a bit of criticism heaped on Jake Scott's directorial efforts. I have read the script. And I agree that the story of a little girl lost who is saved by a couple who in turn are saved by the little girl lost is a little cliched. But, I am looking forward to seeing Kristen as something other than Bella Swan and for her to show to the world that she is capable of so much more than Twilight. One teeny beef I have with the reviews I have heard is that they are saying that Kristen is trying to "break free" from Bella Swan. Ummm.... no. She made this movie when Twilight was on the cusp of becoming the worldwide crazy insane phenomenon that it is now. I am pretty sure that Welcome to The Riley's does not have a distributor yet. So I don't know when we will get to see it.

Kristen's other movie at Sundance has distribution (yay!) and will be released in North America in March. It is also not part of the competition for Sundance. This is The Runaways - the Rock biopic about the Joan Jett, Cherie Currie band - The Runaways. This film is also very "buzzy" as it features fishnets, drugs, same-sex kissing, booze, rock and roll.... all those fun things that make a film buzz-worthy. Especially when they involve a kiss between Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning.

Although this was touted as a K-Stew film - early reports say that the standout in this is most definitely 15 year old Dakota Fanning. Dakota and Michael Shannon as sleazy manager Kim Fowley are apparently the stand outs in this movie. And before you lynch me, I am not saying that Kristen sucks in any way shape or form. Or that reviewers are saying she sucks. What reviewers are saying is that this is such a departure for Dakota - who has been America's sweetheart for how may years now? - that she becomes so immersed in her role that she is barely recognisable in parts. Even looking at these pictures, she is so grown up! And so pretty! Can't wait to see her strung out, in a fishnet stockings behaving in a decidedly non-Dakota way.

But really, I am sad to say that much of the focus on Kristen at Sundance will not be about the work that she has poured her heart and soul into. I think that most of the bloggers and detractors will be focusing on the number of times that Kristen smiles during interviews, how she doesn't look as polished as the Disney starlets she is constantly compared to, how she doesn't answer interviewers questions with that perfect sound byte. You know, the really important stuff. Gah. To dispel at least one of these things: I have purposefully included as many pics of Kristen looking at least half-way happy. Some are from The Runaways shoot and for those of you not as obsessed as I am: the top left photo is with director Floria Sigismondi

I wonder if Phillip Seymour Hoffman is ever talked about for his Sundance ensembles? Prolly not.

XO

SAG Awards = Golden Globes

The 16th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards were handed out in Hollyweird last night. If you missed it, don't worry yourself. Simply rewatch the Golden Globe Awards and you pretty much have the same awards show. Different outfits, different seating configurations, but everything else was pretty much the same. Yawn. I am getting worried that the Oscars will be a three-peat and I will be bored silly. Ugh. That is not to say the winners did not please me. Some were very well deserved (Mad Men, Glee!, Michael C Hall, Alec Baldwin, Jeff Bridges etc), but some were disheartening. It is as if the member of SAG are recognising and rewarding a body of work as opposed to an actual performance. And some pretty much just pissed me off (see my earlier post regarding Drew Barrymore). For a full list of winners click here.

Starting off with the TV winners, I am perfectly happy with both Glee and Mad Men winning for best comedy and drama ensemble respectively. What I really about the SAG awards is that even the "bit" characters get recognised. Each show typically has a handful of stars, but they all get a statuette and all get to soak it in. Some of the best lines from Glee have come from the blonde cheerleader who is not Quinn. The one in the yellow in the top left picture below. Sorry, haven't learnt her name yet. Soon I will. As for their outfits..... Loved loved loved Diana Aragon in that white number. A little edgier and way less prom like than her previous offerings. Her hair, make-up. All of it. Love. People will be all over Lea Michele's teal number. She will be on best dressed lists. But for me, kinda meh. Not bad, but not great. These are young, hot girls. Hot in the sense that designers are clamouring to dress them. I just wish they would take some risks and veer away from what middle America is comfortable with. And Jane Lynch. Well the woman is a glamazon. She is spectacular.

I cannot say enough good things about Michael C Hall winning Best Actor for Dexter. Love him and love that he is finally getting some recognition for his work on this show. This season, trying to juggle being a husband, father, serial killer and blood spatter analyst. All while playing the most amazing game of cat and mouse ever with John Lithgow's Trinity Killer. Gah. Amazing. And for all the cynics out there, I am fairly certain that voting closed before the announcement of his battle with Hodgkin's Lymphoma. And although they did not win any awards, it is nice to see Anna Paquin and her fiance with the crappy hair - Stephen Moyer - out looking good. Love Anna's outfit - everything is good. Even the shoes (unlike last week) were acceptable. And Jon Hamm... well, because he can wear a beard better than most. Sigh.

I know I am not alone in saying that it would be amazing to see Meryl and Tina Fey in something together. A guest role on 30 Rock perhaps? Oh the amazingness. The amazingness know no bounds. If that were to happen, I think there would be peeing involved. Me peeing, not them. Peeing myself with the utter excitement and joy at this collaboration. You know you want it. And I wonder if that is how it is done. Tina and Meryl chat at an awards show and...bam..... 30 Rock. The women of Nine made an impressive showing last night. I am undecided about Nicole Kidman's dress, but I loved her hair. The loose, perfectly unstyled curls = fantastic. And I think it is darker, right? She has a great film coming out soon - Rabbit Hole. Well, I don't actually know if the film is great, but I saw the play and it gutted me. So f*cking devastating. I hope the movie is good. And apparently white is the new Little Black Dress. Marion Colltiard looked flawless no?

For the first and probably last time, Kate Hudson is getting 3 pictures in a post on my wee blog. She looked flipping amazing. White Pucci gown, fantastic hair, make-up, styling. This look was popular last night, but no-one did it as well as Kate. High neckline, backless. Amazingness. And in white. No words. I threw in a pic of JT and her because I had a thought. Have they ever dated? That would be a fun couple right? But do you think she is a little too Cammie D. for him? Hmph.

I am spending this Sunday holed up in my apartment watching Season 5 of Dawson's Creek. Not for Dawson. Never for Dawson. It is all about Pacey. Has always been and will always be about Pacey. Joshua Jackson is so good in this role. and I like to think that is how he is in real life to a certain extent. Check him out last night supporting his girlfriend (fiance?) Diane Krueger who won for best ensemble as one of the Inglorious Basterds. I read somewhere that she does her own make up for Award Shows. I kinda hate her as a result of that. Not really. I do absolutely love the dress. The colour is bold and unusual, but she can pull it off. Loved it. Love them. Remember when I saw him at the Skytrain station? If I am ever having a bad day, I think of that and it makes it just a little less crappy to be me....

I am christening these lovely ladies the "maybe next time trio." Although all three of them gave amazing performances this year in An Education, Up in The Air and Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire respectively. And this Award Season all three have been completely overshadowed by other performances. It is kind of sad really. Anna Kendrick was phenomenal in Up in The Air and Carey Mulligan in An Education was revelatory, as was Gabourey Sidibe in Precious. Damn you Mo'Nique! Damn you Sandra Bullock. As to how they looked....cause that is really what this is all about right? Carey looked fantastic, Anna looked good, and Gaby looked great. Carey is in my top five for the night. Most definitely. I can't wait to see what she will wear to the Oscars. She is not afraid to take a risk.

The best part of Sandra Bullock last night was her speech for Betty White. And the best part of that speech was Betty White coming up on stage and groping Sandy. Actually, the best part was Betty talking about all the men in the room she has f*cked. Followed closely by George Clooney calling Betty a bobcat in the sack at the end of the night. Love George. Always love George.

I know I am going to burn in Hell even harder for saying that Sandra Bullock winning again irritated the heck out of me. Don't hate me. I like Sandy. She is perfectly sweet and actually kinda funny. She is a competent actress. For that role? Against that competition? Srsly? What the? No no no! And she is probably going to win the Oscar. Ugh. I thought these awards were about one role, not recognising a body of work. This is what they are doing with Sandy, much like they did with Julia Roberts in Erin Brokovitch. And it sucks for those who are nominated against her? How can they compete with the Sandra Bullock machine? They can't. And this, my friends, is why these award shows are bullsh*t.

Sigh. This will not stop me from watching though. And even yelling at the TV a few times. It makes me happy.

XO