Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Ashes to Ashes

Now that we've finished gorging ourselves with pancakes and paczki's and parades, the penitential season of Lent has begun with that big bang known as Ash Wednesday. And for the first time in quite awhile, I opted to pass.

It's not that I'm anti-church. It's not that I dislike somber music. It's not that I'm against self-reflection. In fact, I'm heartily in favor of all those things. Bring it on and give me the whole enchilada of forty days and forty nights woefully sung in the key of d minor. The saddest of all keys.

What I don't like is the smudge. What I don't like is walking in and hearing that I'm lower than a worm and a sinner before I was even born. Wii-Fit games aside, how can it be that I'm an epic failure before I've even started the race? I've decided that I'm tired of King James and his band of merry men jumping the judgmental gun at my expense. Give me a chance to screw up first, please?

Not that it's not going to happen. Of course it is. I'm a walking, talking self-fulfilling prophecy and I'm willing to own my flaws. I even reluctantly accept the entire ashes to ashes and dust to dust premise because I know there's no way of getting out of that one either. But somewhere along the line during Lent it seems there is a disconnect between what we are called to be and what we are being called. Wicked and wretched...party of two.

And even if I did go along with the whole "sinner in my mother's womb" idea, does anyone really think that giving up french fries is going to help? Or candy? Or meat on Friday? Does that sort of sacrifice make me less horrible and more Holy? Is a Jolly Rancher really what's standing in the way of my spiritual journey? Why is a cow my religious scapegoat?

Before you get angry, please let me assure you that I'm not making light of the season of Lent, or of anyone who chooses to participate in any or all of the many and varied rituals. There are an infinite number of paths during this spiritual season, and rest assured, if you are walking with confidence in your journey, then you are exactly where you should be doing what you should be doing.

But as for me, this year I'm passing on the smudge. I'm passing on the wickedness and I'm passing on the wretchedness. I'm passing on the epic failure and being a sinner since before the dawn of time. It's bad enough that I'm a pro at beating myself up and tearing myself down. I don't need Lent double-teaming me and making it worse. There has to be a better path for me.

I rediscovered a short but powerful song by Melissa Etheridge that says it all -

We keep thinking
Life is what it's not
We keep building
this impossible facade

Why do we keep trying
to turn people into Gods

when God Is In The People

If I spend my days full of self-loathing I'll never recognize the wants and needs of others. If I spend my days with my head bowed in shame I'll never see look up to see the love and the humanity in the faces of all those whose lives touch mine. This Lent I don't want to willingly allow any more black marks to mar my existence. I want to spend my time with open eyes and ears and heart rediscovering the hope, beauty and joy that is found in life, in people, and in me.

I think then, I just might discover God.
Smudge-free.

Ashes to Ashes

Now that we've finished gorging ourselves with pancakes and paczki's and parades, the penitential season of Lent has begun with that big bang known as Ash Wednesday. And for the first time in quite awhile, I opted to pass.

It's not that I'm anti-church. It's not that I dislike somber music. It's not that I'm against self-reflection. In fact, I'm heartily in favor of all those things. Bring it on and give me the whole enchilada of forty days and forty nights woefully sung in the key of d minor. The saddest of all keys.

What I don't like is the smudge. What I don't like is walking in and hearing that I'm lower than a worm and a sinner before I was even born. Wii-Fit games aside, how can it be that I'm an epic failure before I've even started the race? I've decided that I'm tired of King James and his band of merry men jumping the judgmental gun at my expense. Give me a chance to screw up first, please?

Not that it's not going to happen. Of course it is. I'm a walking, talking self-fulfilling prophecy and I'm willing to own my flaws. I even reluctantly accept the entire ashes to ashes and dust to dust premise because I know there's no way of getting out of that one either. But somewhere along the line during Lent it seems there is a disconnect between what we are called to be and what we are being called. Wicked and wretched...party of two.

And even if I did go along with the whole "sinner in my mother's womb" idea, does anyone really think that giving up french fries is going to help? Or candy? Or meat on Friday? Does that sort of sacrifice make me less horrible and more Holy? Is a Jolly Rancher really what's standing in the way of my spiritual journey? Why is a cow my religious scapegoat?

Before you get angry, please let me assure you that I'm not making light of the season of Lent, or of anyone who chooses to participate in any or all of the many and varied rituals. There are an infinite number of paths during this spiritual season, and rest assured, if you are walking with confidence in your journey, then you are exactly where you should be doing what you should be doing.

But as for me, this year I'm passing on the smudge. I'm passing on the wickedness and I'm passing on the wretchedness. I'm passing on the epic failure and being a sinner since before the dawn of time. It's bad enough that I'm a pro at beating myself up and tearing myself down. I don't need Lent double-teaming me and making it worse. There has to be a better path for me.

I rediscovered a short but powerful song by Melissa Etheridge that says it all -

We keep thinking
Life is what it's not
We keep building
this impossible facade

Why do we keep trying
to turn people into Gods

when God Is In The People

If I spend my days full of self-loathing I'll never recognize the wants and needs of others. If I spend my days with my head bowed in shame I'll never see look up to see the love and the humanity in the faces of all those whose lives touch mine. This Lent I don't want to willingly allow any more black marks to mar my existence. I want to spend my time with open eyes and ears and heart rediscovering the hope, beauty and joy that is found in life, in people, and in me.

I think then, I just might discover God.
Smudge-free.

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Oscar - Last Three

Best Actress -- I have to admit it's pretty cool to see some of the legends that were past winners stand up on stage and praise the work of tonight's nominees. It's pretty amazing and I LOVE the fact that it's not scripted. Or, maybe, less scripted. Cheers for that.

Anne Hathaway (Rachel Getting Married) - 3
Angelina Jolie (Changeling) - 2
Melissa Leo (Frozen River) - 2
Meryl Streep (Doubt) - 4
Kate Winslet (The Reader) - 7


and the winner is ... Kate Winslet

BSTuna
Copssister
Geek36
GreenTuna
JPowers
Kyara
Odie


Top 3 - After 22

Anne - 13
GramTuna - 13
Kyara - 12
GreenTuna - 11
JPowers - 11



Best Actor -- Another category difficult to call.

Richard Jenkins (The Visitor) - 1
Frank Langella (Frost/Nixon) - 1
Sean Penn (Milk) - 5
Brad Pitt (Benjamin Button) - 3
Mickey Rourke (Wrestler) - 6



and the winner is ... Sean Penn

Geek36
GramTuna
JPowers
Katjam
Donna


Top 3 - Penultimate Position

GramTuna - 14
Anne - 13
JPowers - 12
Kyara - 12




The Big Kahuna -- Best Picture

Benjamin Button (3)
Frost/Nixon (0)
Milk (0)
Reader (2)
Slumdog Millionaire (11)


and the winner is ... Slumdog Millionaire

Anne
Copssister
Geek36
GramTuna
GreenTuna
Jpowers
Katjam
Kyara
Odie
RobdeGreat
Donna





And our final Tally



FIRST PLACE - THE OSCAR GOES TO - GramTuna (15)

SECOND PLACE - Anne (14)

THIRD PLACE - JPowers (13), Kyara (13)

.....AND THE REST......
GreenTuna - 12
Donna - 11
Geek36 - 10
Copssister - 9
KatJam - 9
RobDGreat - 9
Rob - 8
Sherry - 8
BSTuna - 6
TeenTuna - 6

Brittany - 5
Odie - 5

Oscar - Last Three

Best Actress -- I have to admit it's pretty cool to see some of the legends that were past winners stand up on stage and praise the work of tonight's nominees. It's pretty amazing and I LOVE the fact that it's not scripted. Or, maybe, less scripted. Cheers for that.

Anne Hathaway (Rachel Getting Married) - 3
Angelina Jolie (Changeling) - 2
Melissa Leo (Frozen River) - 2
Meryl Streep (Doubt) - 4
Kate Winslet (The Reader) - 7


and the winner is ... Kate Winslet

BSTuna
Copssister
Geek36
GreenTuna
JPowers
Kyara
Odie


Top 3 - After 22

Anne - 13
GramTuna - 13
Kyara - 12
GreenTuna - 11
JPowers - 11



Best Actor -- Another category difficult to call.

Richard Jenkins (The Visitor) - 1
Frank Langella (Frost/Nixon) - 1
Sean Penn (Milk) - 5
Brad Pitt (Benjamin Button) - 3
Mickey Rourke (Wrestler) - 6



and the winner is ... Sean Penn

Geek36
GramTuna
JPowers
Katjam
Donna


Top 3 - Penultimate Position

GramTuna - 14
Anne - 13
JPowers - 12
Kyara - 12




The Big Kahuna -- Best Picture

Benjamin Button (3)
Frost/Nixon (0)
Milk (0)
Reader (2)
Slumdog Millionaire (11)


and the winner is ... Slumdog Millionaire

Anne
Copssister
Geek36
GramTuna
GreenTuna
Jpowers
Katjam
Kyara
Odie
RobdeGreat
Donna





And our final Tally



FIRST PLACE - THE OSCAR GOES TO - GramTuna (15)

SECOND PLACE - Anne (14)

THIRD PLACE - JPowers (13), Kyara (13)

.....AND THE REST......
GreenTuna - 12
Donna - 11
Geek36 - 10
Copssister - 9
KatJam - 9
RobDGreat - 9
Rob - 8
Sherry - 8
BSTuna - 6
TeenTuna - 6

Brittany - 5
Odie - 5

Oscar Oscar Getting Closer

Best Director. If Danny Boyle for Slumdog doesn't win, it will be a HUGE upset.

David Fincher (Benjamin Button) - 1
Ron Howard (Frost/Nixon) - 3
Gus Van Sant (Milk) - 1
Stephen Daldry (Reader) - 0
Danny Boyle (Slumdog) - 11


and the winner is ... Danny Boyle

Anne
Copssister
Geek36
GramTuna
GreenTuna
JPowers
Katjam
Kyara
RobdeGreat
Sherry
Donna



Top 3 -After 21

Anne - 13/21
GramTuna - 13/21

Kyara - 11/21

GreenTuna - 10/21
JPowers - 10/21

Oscar Oscar Getting Closer

Best Director. If Danny Boyle for Slumdog doesn't win, it will be a HUGE upset.

David Fincher (Benjamin Button) - 1
Ron Howard (Frost/Nixon) - 3
Gus Van Sant (Milk) - 1
Stephen Daldry (Reader) - 0
Danny Boyle (Slumdog) - 11


and the winner is ... Danny Boyle

Anne
Copssister
Geek36
GramTuna
GreenTuna
JPowers
Katjam
Kyara
RobdeGreat
Sherry
Donna



Top 3 -After 21

Anne - 13/21
GramTuna - 13/21

Kyara - 11/21

GreenTuna - 10/21
JPowers - 10/21

Oscar Dead Guy Montage

Queen Latifah is classy and looks beautiful on that set.

I have to complain a tiny bit that it's hard to see the screen and the names the way this set is configured. I always wish there was a "bet the last dead guy in the montage" category. My bet is Paul Newman. And of course...I was busy doing something else, so I missed it.

Four categories to go. There is still some room for movement, especially in the Best Actor and Actress categories. Stay tuned....

Oscar Dead Guy Montage

Queen Latifah is classy and looks beautiful on that set.

I have to complain a tiny bit that it's hard to see the screen and the names the way this set is configured. I always wish there was a "bet the last dead guy in the montage" category. My bet is Paul Newman. And of course...I was busy doing something else, so I missed it.

Four categories to go. There is still some room for movement, especially in the Best Actor and Actress categories. Stay tuned....

Oscar Oscar Musical Edition

Best Original Score. I think I lost my mind on this one. The breakdown is

Benjamin Button (1)
Defiance (5)
Milk (2)
Slumdog (8)
WALL-E (0)


and the winner is ... Slumdog

Anne
GramTuna
JPowers
Katjam
Kyara
RobdeGreat
Sherry
Donna



The nominees for Best Song.

Down to Earth (WALL-E) - 5
Jai Ho (Slumdog) - 7
O Saya (Slumdog) - 4


and the winner is ... Jai Ho

Anne
GramTuna
GreenTuna
Katjam
Kyara
Rob
RobdeGreat


Best Foreign Film - The Lone winner for "Departures" (Japan) is Copssister!


Leaderboard -- After 20

Anne - 12
GramTuna - 12

Kyara - 10

GreenTuna - 9
JPowers - 9

Rob - 8
Donna - 8

Sherry - 7

Copssister - 6
Geek36 - 6
KatJam - 6
TeenTuna - 6
RobdeGreat - 6

Brittany - 5
BSTuna - 5

Odie - 3

Oscar Oscar Musical Edition

Best Original Score. I think I lost my mind on this one. The breakdown is

Benjamin Button (1)
Defiance (5)
Milk (2)
Slumdog (8)
WALL-E (0)


and the winner is ... Slumdog

Anne
GramTuna
JPowers
Katjam
Kyara
RobdeGreat
Sherry
Donna



The nominees for Best Song.

Down to Earth (WALL-E) - 5
Jai Ho (Slumdog) - 7
O Saya (Slumdog) - 4


and the winner is ... Jai Ho

Anne
GramTuna
GreenTuna
Katjam
Kyara
Rob
RobdeGreat


Best Foreign Film - The Lone winner for "Departures" (Japan) is Copssister!


Leaderboard -- After 20

Anne - 12
GramTuna - 12

Kyara - 10

GreenTuna - 9
JPowers - 9

Rob - 8
Donna - 8

Sherry - 7

Copssister - 6
Geek36 - 6
KatJam - 6
TeenTuna - 6
RobdeGreat - 6

Brittany - 5
BSTuna - 5

Odie - 3

Oscar Oscar A Whole Bunch of Categories Too Fast

Including Film Editing, Sound Editing, Sound Mixing and Visual Effects


Current Leaderboard - After 17

Anne (10)
GramTuna (10)

GreenTuna (8)
JPowers (8)
Kyara (8)

Rob (7)
Donna (7)

Geek36 (6)
TeenTuna (6)
Sherry (6)

Brittany (5)
BSTuna (5)
Copssister (5)

KatJam (4)
RobdeGreat (4)

Odie (3)

Oscar Oscar A Whole Bunch of Categories Too Fast

Including Film Editing, Sound Editing, Sound Mixing and Visual Effects


Current Leaderboard - After 17

Anne (10)
GramTuna (10)

GreenTuna (8)
JPowers (8)
Kyara (8)

Rob (7)
Donna (7)

Geek36 (6)
TeenTuna (6)
Sherry (6)

Brittany (5)
BSTuna (5)
Copssister (5)

KatJam (4)
RobdeGreat (4)

Odie (3)

Oscar Oscar Needs More Cowbell Update

The Category is Supporting Actor. Why is Phillip Seymour Hoffman wearing a black ski hat? He looks like he has plans to knock off a 7-11 after the show.

Our guesses are nearly unanimous (though not entirely) for the late Heath Ledger.

Josh Brolin (1)
Robert Downey Jr. (2)
Philip Seymour Hoffman (2)
Heath Ledger (11)
Michael Shannon (0)


and the winner is ... Heath Ledger

Anne
Brittany
Copssister
Geek36
GramTuna
GreenTuna
JPowers
Katjam
Kyara
Rob
Sherry




And now, Best Documentary. I absolutely love documentaries. Mostly we think Men on Wires should win the Oscar.

Betrayal (0)
Encounters at the End of the World (3)
Garden (2)
Man on Wire (9)
Trouble the Water (2)


and the winner is ... Man on Wire

Anne
Copssister
Geek36
GramTuna
GreenTuna
JPowers
Kyara
TeenTuna
Donna


And Best Documentary Short. The winner is ... Smile Pinki, and let's just cut to the chase because we all guessed wrong except

Brittany



Current Leaderboard

GreenTuna (8)

Anne (7)
GramTuna (7)
JPowers (7)
Kyara (7)

Geek36 (6)

Brittany (5)
Copssister (5)
TeenTuna (5)
Rob (5)
Donna (5)

Katjam (4)
Sherry (4)

BSTuna (3)
Odie (3)

RobdeGreat (2)

Oscar Oscar Needs More Cowbell Update

The Category is Supporting Actor. Why is Phillip Seymour Hoffman wearing a black ski hat? He looks like he has plans to knock off a 7-11 after the show.

Our guesses are nearly unanimous (though not entirely) for the late Heath Ledger.

Josh Brolin (1)
Robert Downey Jr. (2)
Philip Seymour Hoffman (2)
Heath Ledger (11)
Michael Shannon (0)


and the winner is ... Heath Ledger

Anne
Brittany
Copssister
Geek36
GramTuna
GreenTuna
JPowers
Katjam
Kyara
Rob
Sherry




And now, Best Documentary. I absolutely love documentaries. Mostly we think Men on Wires should win the Oscar.

Betrayal (0)
Encounters at the End of the World (3)
Garden (2)
Man on Wire (9)
Trouble the Water (2)


and the winner is ... Man on Wire

Anne
Copssister
Geek36
GramTuna
GreenTuna
JPowers
Kyara
TeenTuna
Donna


And Best Documentary Short. The winner is ... Smile Pinki, and let's just cut to the chase because we all guessed wrong except

Brittany



Current Leaderboard

GreenTuna (8)

Anne (7)
GramTuna (7)
JPowers (7)
Kyara (7)

Geek36 (6)

Brittany (5)
Copssister (5)
TeenTuna (5)
Rob (5)
Donna (5)

Katjam (4)
Sherry (4)

BSTuna (3)
Odie (3)

RobdeGreat (2)

Oscar Oscar Categories nobody knows

Live Action Short. Your Guess is as good as mine...

Auf der Strecke (4)
Manon (3)
New Boy (3)
The Pig (3)
Spielzeugland (Toyland) (3)


and the winner is .... Spielzeugland

GreenTuna
Kyara
Donna




Leaderboard

GreenTuna (6)

Anne (5)
GramTuna (5)
JPowers (5)
Kyara (5)

Geek36 (4)
TeenTuna (4)
Rob (4)
Donna (4)

Brittany (3)
BSTuna (3)
Copssister (3)
Katjam (3)
Odie (3)
Sherry (3)

RobdeGreat (2)

Oscar Oscar Categories nobody knows

Live Action Short. Your Guess is as good as mine...

Auf der Strecke (4)
Manon (3)
New Boy (3)
The Pig (3)
Spielzeugland (Toyland) (3)


and the winner is .... Spielzeugland

GreenTuna
Kyara
Donna




Leaderboard

GreenTuna (6)

Anne (5)
GramTuna (5)
JPowers (5)
Kyara (5)

Geek36 (4)
TeenTuna (4)
Rob (4)
Donna (4)

Brittany (3)
BSTuna (3)
Copssister (3)
Katjam (3)
Odie (3)
Sherry (3)

RobdeGreat (2)

Oscar Oscar Part the Third

The Joaquin Phoenix ripoff is HYSTERICAL.

The category is Cinematography. We favored Buttons, Knights and Millionaires.

Changeling (1)
Benjamin Button (5)
Dark Knight (5)
Reader (0)
Slumdog (6)

and the winner is ... Slumdog Millionaire

Copssister
Geek36
Odie
Rob
RobdeGreat
Donna




Leaderboard

Anne (5)
GramTuna (5)
GreenTuna (5)
JPowers (5)

Geek36 (4)
Kyara (4)
TeenTuna (4)
Rob (4)

Brittany (3)
BSTuna (3)
Copssister (3)
Katjam (3)
Odie (3)
Sherry (3)
Donna (3)

RobdeGreat (2)



And now the scientific and technical awards. Snack break!

Oscar Oscar Part the Third

The Joaquin Phoenix ripoff is HYSTERICAL.

The category is Cinematography. We favored Buttons, Knights and Millionaires.

Changeling (1)
Benjamin Button (5)
Dark Knight (5)
Reader (0)
Slumdog (6)

and the winner is ... Slumdog Millionaire

Copssister
Geek36
Odie
Rob
RobdeGreat
Donna




Leaderboard

Anne (5)
GramTuna (5)
GreenTuna (5)
JPowers (5)

Geek36 (4)
Kyara (4)
TeenTuna (4)
Rob (4)

Brittany (3)
BSTuna (3)
Copssister (3)
Katjam (3)
Odie (3)
Sherry (3)
Donna (3)

RobdeGreat (2)



And now the scientific and technical awards. Snack break!

Oscar Oscar after the break

I sure hope SJP doesn't breathe too deeply because her girls are ready for their close-up, if you catch my drift. The set design to introduce the category of Art Direction is supposed to look all back-stage studio-esque, but really it looks like a craptacular spectacle of lumber.

Our guesses for art direction is all over the map.

Changeling (2)
Benjamin Button (4)
Dark Knight (5)
Duchess (2)
Revolutionary Road (3)


and the winner is ... Benjamin Button

Anne
Katjam
Rob
Sherry



The companion oscar is for Costume design. We have guesses in all 5, but the majority feel that a costume drama darn well better win for costume design.

Australia (4)
Benjamin Button (2)
Duchess (8)
Milk (1)
Revolutionary Road (3)

and the winner is ... The Duchess

Anne
Brittany
GramTuna
GreenTuna
JP
TeenTuna
Odie
Rob


and the nomination for Best MakeUp. We couldn't decide if we should reward curiosity or darkness.

Benjamin Button (7)
Dark Knight (7)
Hellboy II (2)

and the winner is...Benjamin Button

Anne
Copssister
Geek36
GramTuna
GreenTuna
Kyara
Sherry


I'm not sure about these motion picture yearbooks. Mostly I look at the film clips and I'm glad I missed them.

Current Scoreboard

Anne (5)
GramTuna (5)
GreenTuna (5)
Julie (5)

TeenTuna (4)
Kyara (4)

Brittany (3)
BSTuna (3)
Geek36 (3)
Katjam (3)
Rob (3)
Sherry (3)

Donna (2)
Copssister (2)
Odie (2)

RobedeGreat (1)

Oscar Oscar after the break

I sure hope SJP doesn't breathe too deeply because her girls are ready for their close-up, if you catch my drift. The set design to introduce the category of Art Direction is supposed to look all back-stage studio-esque, but really it looks like a craptacular spectacle of lumber.

Our guesses for art direction is all over the map.

Changeling (2)
Benjamin Button (4)
Dark Knight (5)
Duchess (2)
Revolutionary Road (3)


and the winner is ... Benjamin Button

Anne
Katjam
Rob
Sherry



The companion oscar is for Costume design. We have guesses in all 5, but the majority feel that a costume drama darn well better win for costume design.

Australia (4)
Benjamin Button (2)
Duchess (8)
Milk (1)
Revolutionary Road (3)

and the winner is ... The Duchess

Anne
Brittany
GramTuna
GreenTuna
JP
TeenTuna
Odie
Rob


and the nomination for Best MakeUp. We couldn't decide if we should reward curiosity or darkness.

Benjamin Button (7)
Dark Knight (7)
Hellboy II (2)

and the winner is...Benjamin Button

Anne
Copssister
Geek36
GramTuna
GreenTuna
Kyara
Sherry


I'm not sure about these motion picture yearbooks. Mostly I look at the film clips and I'm glad I missed them.

Current Scoreboard

Anne (5)
GramTuna (5)
GreenTuna (5)
Julie (5)

TeenTuna (4)
Kyara (4)

Brittany (3)
BSTuna (3)
Geek36 (3)
Katjam (3)
Rob (3)
Sherry (3)

Donna (2)
Copssister (2)
Odie (2)

RobedeGreat (1)

Oscar Opening

OK. Hugh Jackman. Trying to do a funny Billy Crystal musical opening.

*crickets*

Well, if only.

Hugh Jackman just told Mickey Rourke that he looked great. Hugh Jackman now gets the Oscar for biggest liar.

Well, this is an interesting amalgamation of past winners of Best Supporting Actresses. Our Oscar picks are across the boards, with ballots cast for all five:

Amy Adams (3)
Penelope Cruz (5)
Viola Davis (2)
Taraji P. Henson (4)
Marisa Tomei (1)

......And the winner is....Penelope Cruz

Brittany
BSTuna
GreenTuna
JP
Catjam



Best Original Screenplay...We didn't love either Frozen River or Happy-Go Lucky.

Frozen River (0)
Happy-Go-Lucky (0)
In Bruges (4)
Milke (8)
WALL-E (4)

And the winner is.....Milk

Brittany
BSTuna
Geek36
GramTuna
JP
Katjam
Rob
Sherry



And for Best Adapted Screenplay, we had doubt in Doubt, but otherwise,

Benjamin Button (4)
Doubt (0)
Frost/Nixon (2)
Reader (2)
Slumdog (8)

and the winner is...Slumdog Millionaire

Anne
GramTuna
GreenTuna
JP
Kyara
Melanie
RobdGreat
Donna


Best animated film. Jennifer Aniston and Jack Black are presenting. That has to be embarrassing, but I'm not entirely sure for which person.

Although are there are bets for all three films, WALL-E is clearly the front runner in the Oscar Pool.

Bolt (1)
Kung-Fu Panda (4)
WALL-E (11)


and the winner is...WALL-E

Anne
BSTuna
Copssister
Geek36
GramTuna
GreenTuna
JP
Katjam
Melanie
Odie
Donna


And, best animated short...

Maison en Petits Cubes (2)
Lavatory-Lovestory (4)
Oktapodi (4)
Presto (3)
This Way Up (3)


and the winner is....La Maison en Petits Cubes

Kyara
Melanie



And the leader board thus far:

Julie - 4
BSTuna - 3
GramTuna - 3
GreenTuna - 3
Kyara - 3
TeenTuna - 3
Anne - 2
Brittany - 2
Geek36 - 2
Katjam - 2
Donna - 2
Copssister - 1
Odie - 1
Rob - 1
RobdeGreat - 1
Sherry - 1

Oscar Opening

OK. Hugh Jackman. Trying to do a funny Billy Crystal musical opening.

*crickets*

Well, if only.

Hugh Jackman just told Mickey Rourke that he looked great. Hugh Jackman now gets the Oscar for biggest liar.

Well, this is an interesting amalgamation of past winners of Best Supporting Actresses. Our Oscar picks are across the boards, with ballots cast for all five:

Amy Adams (3)
Penelope Cruz (5)
Viola Davis (2)
Taraji P. Henson (4)
Marisa Tomei (1)

......And the winner is....Penelope Cruz

Brittany
BSTuna
GreenTuna
JP
Catjam



Best Original Screenplay...We didn't love either Frozen River or Happy-Go Lucky.

Frozen River (0)
Happy-Go-Lucky (0)
In Bruges (4)
Milke (8)
WALL-E (4)

And the winner is.....Milk

Brittany
BSTuna
Geek36
GramTuna
JP
Katjam
Rob
Sherry



And for Best Adapted Screenplay, we had doubt in Doubt, but otherwise,

Benjamin Button (4)
Doubt (0)
Frost/Nixon (2)
Reader (2)
Slumdog (8)

and the winner is...Slumdog Millionaire

Anne
GramTuna
GreenTuna
JP
Kyara
Melanie
RobdGreat
Donna


Best animated film. Jennifer Aniston and Jack Black are presenting. That has to be embarrassing, but I'm not entirely sure for which person.

Although are there are bets for all three films, WALL-E is clearly the front runner in the Oscar Pool.

Bolt (1)
Kung-Fu Panda (4)
WALL-E (11)


and the winner is...WALL-E

Anne
BSTuna
Copssister
Geek36
GramTuna
GreenTuna
JP
Katjam
Melanie
Odie
Donna


And, best animated short...

Maison en Petits Cubes (2)
Lavatory-Lovestory (4)
Oktapodi (4)
Presto (3)
This Way Up (3)


and the winner is....La Maison en Petits Cubes

Kyara
Melanie



And the leader board thus far:

Julie - 4
BSTuna - 3
GramTuna - 3
GreenTuna - 3
Kyara - 3
TeenTuna - 3
Anne - 2
Brittany - 2
Geek36 - 2
Katjam - 2
Donna - 2
Copssister - 1
Odie - 1
Rob - 1
RobdeGreat - 1
Sherry - 1

Oscar Oscar!

The accounting offices of Tuna, Tuna and Tuna (also known as Me, Myself and I) have tabulated the Oscar ballots and grabbed some dinner in anticipation of the big night. I haven't seen much of the pregame show, but I am VERY happy to see Tim Gunn calling the shots.

It just occurred to me that I have NO idea who is hosting the Oscars. I think this isn't a good sign.

HAHAHAHA -- They just played a bit of Monty Python's The Meaning of Life with the pirate accounts as the real accounts walked the carpet. CLASSY>

Meryl Streep is wearing steel gray. Don't know that I love it.

Penelope Cruz looks nice. Her dress is a vintage 60-year old dress. Very nice...and different.

Richard Jenkins in a movie nobody saw (I did, though, and it was very good), whom many people will remember as the first dead guy in Six Feet Under.

Jack Black. Why are they talking to him?

Marissa Tomei. Hmmm. Don't love the dress. The skirt is so huge looks like she could power-buff a gymnasium in no time flat.

Oh no. one of the inspirations for the director of this show was old Busby Berkley movies. This does NOT bode well.

OK. Fasten your seat belts. It's going to be a bumpy ride.

Oscar Oscar!

The accounting offices of Tuna, Tuna and Tuna (also known as Me, Myself and I) have tabulated the Oscar ballots and grabbed some dinner in anticipation of the big night. I haven't seen much of the pregame show, but I am VERY happy to see Tim Gunn calling the shots.

It just occurred to me that I have NO idea who is hosting the Oscars. I think this isn't a good sign.

HAHAHAHA -- They just played a bit of Monty Python's The Meaning of Life with the pirate accounts as the real accounts walked the carpet. CLASSY>

Meryl Streep is wearing steel gray. Don't know that I love it.

Penelope Cruz looks nice. Her dress is a vintage 60-year old dress. Very nice...and different.

Richard Jenkins in a movie nobody saw (I did, though, and it was very good), whom many people will remember as the first dead guy in Six Feet Under.

Jack Black. Why are they talking to him?

Marissa Tomei. Hmmm. Don't love the dress. The skirt is so huge looks like she could power-buff a gymnasium in no time flat.

Oh no. one of the inspirations for the director of this show was old Busby Berkley movies. This does NOT bode well.

OK. Fasten your seat belts. It's going to be a bumpy ride.

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Oscar! Oscar!



VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE
Now! Now! Now!
Please?


OK, I'm running this a little close to the wire, but there are still a bunch of days (5) until Oscar 2009 (February 22nd) . So click on the the LINK and VOTE. As always, having seen any of these films is often no help whatsoever, as I believe last year's winner (*cough*GramTuna*) saw maybe two or three, and the large majority of those were cartoons.

SO GO VOTE!


We're betting ALL Oscar categories except those scientific ones that are awarded earlier by whichever starlet drew the short straw. You don't have to vote for each one, but no vote will mean no points if you happen to guess right.

This year there might be a prize. But I'm not saying if there will be or not, partly because I haven't decided and partly because if there IS a prize and you only join in BECAUSE there is a prize, then it would be all "pay to play" and recent events have shown us all just how BAD that is for your career.

Did I mention you should VOTE?


Check back on Sunday night, as live Oscar blogging will be all the rage.

Oscar! Oscar!



VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE
Now! Now! Now!
Please?


OK, I'm running this a little close to the wire, but there are still a bunch of days (5) until Oscar 2009 (February 22nd) . So click on the the LINK and VOTE. As always, having seen any of these films is often no help whatsoever, as I believe last year's winner (*cough*GramTuna*) saw maybe two or three, and the large majority of those were cartoons.

SO GO VOTE!


We're betting ALL Oscar categories except those scientific ones that are awarded earlier by whichever starlet drew the short straw. You don't have to vote for each one, but no vote will mean no points if you happen to guess right.

This year there might be a prize. But I'm not saying if there will be or not, partly because I haven't decided and partly because if there IS a prize and you only join in BECAUSE there is a prize, then it would be all "pay to play" and recent events have shown us all just how BAD that is for your career.

Did I mention you should VOTE?


Check back on Sunday night, as live Oscar blogging will be all the rage.

Wednesday, February 04, 2009

I Might As Well Get This Out of the Way Now

And then January was over.

Holy calendar, Batman. Things have been CRAZY over here. There was January and snow and freezing cold and someone thinks we live in Siberia and rehearsals and teaching and work and teenagers and DRAMA and more snow and freezing cold and world premieres in Detroit and "Careful! Winter Driving Conditions" signs and school musical auditions and dentists and more freezing and cold, an upcoming Oscar pool and one very uncooperative groundhog.

That about brings you up to date.

I Might As Well Get This Out of the Way Now

And then January was over.

Holy calendar, Batman. Things have been CRAZY over here. There was January and snow and freezing cold and someone thinks we live in Siberia and rehearsals and teaching and work and teenagers and DRAMA and more snow and freezing cold and world premieres in Detroit and "Careful! Winter Driving Conditions" signs and school musical auditions and dentists and more freezing and cold, an upcoming Oscar pool and one very uncooperative groundhog.

That about brings you up to date.