British Academy Film Awards: A predictor for Oscar hopeful's success?

The British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs) took place this weekend and supposedly it is a good indicator for possible Oscar success. The Hurt Locker and Avatar both went into the BAFTAs with eight nominations, including Best Film and Best Director. Interestingly enough, Hurt Locker director Kathryn Bigelow and Avatar director James Cameron used to be married for a couple years in the early 90's. A bit awkward, huh? Well, Hurt Locker took the Best Director and Best Film awards, meaning Kathryn won the former spouses battle according to the Brits. Even though Avatar has made $2 billion at the box office and has dominated the American film scene, Britain loves an underdog, as last year's Slumdog Millionare won Best Film at the BAFTAs and Best Picture for the Oscars.

There are talks that because of last year's similar nominations that the same could be for this year. However, I disagree. Last year, the biggest competition for Slumdog was The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, which was a great movie but not Oscar Best Picture worthy. There were only 5 nominations last year for the Oscars, while this year they are going back to the old way of 10 nominations. The Brits like an underdog, while most of the time America likes big budget films that tend to dominate every category the Oscars have to offer (Avatar). Surprisingly, Avatar only took two awards at the BAFTAs. They're each going into the Oscars with nine nominations. However, I think at this award show, it'll be the Hurt Locker walking away with two awards, if that.

The only award won that I can guarantee will also be won at the Oscars, that was won at the BAFTAs is Best Supporting Actor, Christoph Walz for Inglourious Basterds (see previous post to learn more about him in this film).

It will be interesting to see the match-up for these two Oscar contenders (Hurt Locker and Avatar). Will it be the small indie film or the box office record breaker? Or, if you want to look at it another way (as the media does), the ex wife or the ex husband?

Oscar pick of the week

The Oscars are just around the corner so I find it worth while for my next couple of posts to have some "Oscar-ness" to it! My Best Picture pick of the week: Inglourious Basterds.
I understand that the possibilites of this movie winning for Best Picture is kind of a long shot, we all know Avatar will sweep the Oscars this year (unfortunately), but I personally thought this film was amazing. The setting, costumes, acting, screen play...etc., you name it it was all extremely well thought out and very creative. It had that Quentin Tarantino twist all his movies possess that makes them fun and enjoyable. Christoph Walz was AMAZING! He had to speak four fluent languages for the movie. FOUR? I am having a hard time learning my second one right now. But he made all four of them look like they're his native language. He was creepy, yet charming at the same time. He won a Golden Globe, which was very well deserved.
The entire cast was top notch. Brad Pitt was hilarious and Melanie Laurent was fascinating.
The only drawbacks to the movie were it was long (152 min.) and there were quite a few subtitles so if you forgot your glasses you were SOL. However, the length and subtitles did not hinder the film--it only enhanced it.
I highly recommend watching this movie before the Oscars if you haven't already--definite must see!

Hollyweird Week 2: Favorite Celebrity Trainwrecks

Alright, well tomorrow I turn 21 (or in less than 8 hrs, but who's counting?). I will most likely be a trainwreck tomorrow, so in honor of my 21st I would like to look back on some of our favorite celebrity trainwrecks.
The Top 5:
(5) PARIS HILTON

Can i just remind everyone the question we've all been thinking since we saw her in those ugly trucker hats back in 2003: "What the hell is she famous for?" NOTHING. She is famous for being famous! And being a drama queen in jail (for a DUI/violating probation) Words of wisdom from Paris: [When being pulled over] Just say, "Thank you, officer. We love the police.”


(4) Mischa Barton

Remember the O.C.? Marissa Cooper? I do! I LOVED that show. That show led to a lot of promise for Mischa as a young actress, however she got in with the "wrong crowd" and was eventually arrested for possesion of marijuana, driving w/o a valid drivers' license and D.U.I. When will young hollywood learn to take cabs?








(3)Britney Spears

She shaved her head in public. Need I say more?















(2) Amy Whinehouse

They tried to make her go to rehab and she said no, no, no...then reluctantly gave in. She was first influenced by hubby Blake Fielder-Civil to use crack and heroin, and since has had an on and off relationship with both Blake and drugs/alcohol. Health scares made her go to rehab, but she looks like she is back to her old druggie ways.


(1) Lindsay Lohan


My absolute favorite celebrity trainwreck!! Where did the sweet(for lack of a better term) girl from Mean Girls go?? She tried rehab THREE times after being arrested for DUI and cocaine possession. She spent a whopping 84 minutes in jail as well. She has completely lost her career. Her most recent appearance has been on The Insider due to her "hoarding" problem. Really? Um, ok. Now a days, you will find her tweeting nonsenses about her ex-lover Samantha Ronson and partying hard on Hollywood blvd with her trashy mother and 16 year old sister.

Hollyweird Week One: The Grammys

For my first post I feel it would be fitting to discuss this past weekend's Grammy awards. I orginally wanted to post a video of Lady Gaga's performance with Elton John, BUT since we saw it in class you all know what took place. First off, I think that performance was AMAZING. I was never a huge Lady Gaga fan, but after watching her with Elton John I am now a big fan. She has true talent behind all the shock value. Not only that, but she is a good person. She is extremely dedicated to her fans, whom she calls her "Little Monsters". In 2009 she dominated the entertainment scene, while causing scenes. Her performances and attire are usually controversial, which makes her so unique. I would truly say she was 2009's Pop Icon of the year. However, the Grammy's obviously disagreed with me. Beyonce won SIX awards. SIX? Three of which were for her song, "Single Ladies". On a side note, does anyone else find it odd that she sings all these songs about being an "Independent Woman" and a "Single Lady" yet she is neither of these? She just converts to whatever the industry wants her to be. The only reason I can think for her winning all those awards was because of her status and power (being married to Jay-Z). I feel that when someone wins that many awards it is more about politics than talent. Don't get me wrong, she is talented. But, not as talented as the other female pop singers out there. Lady Gaga won two awards. Yet she had a bigger year than Beyonce by far. Currently, as for album sales Lady Gaga's is #3, while Beyonce's is #40. Both were released around the same time. Not only that, but Beyonce's performance at the show was less than mediocre.
See for yourself. After watching Lady Gaga's and Beyonce's performances there shouldn't be any doubt that winning at the Grammy's is all about power and politics.