Armchair Commentary

2012 Emmys - Just a couple opinions

There is some really great television out there right now. The drama category is rich with content and there are some original and quirky comedies that are allowing truly funny people to strut there stuff. But....I'm not sure the Emmys are really hilighting those things. Even still, great TV and you should probably check out all the nominees and winners here.

Where's the Parks?

Yes, Modern Family is funny. I get it. But watching it towards the end of last season it felt as if it was already becoming stale. Go ahead, boo now if you wish but there's just better work being done. The omission of Parks and Recreation is just wrong. Again, no problem with Eric Stonestreet or Julie Bowen being recognized, they are both great. However, the total ensemble on Parks is unmatched on TV today.

 

Homecoming

OK, I guess the point is to celebrate the excellence and apparently we are to understand that Homeland is the best show on tv. Up for debate of course but congratulations to Damien Lewis. Whether you would have voted for the show or not you can't deny the difficulty of his performance. And Claire Danes, how do you not like Claire Danes? The answer is, you don't not like Claire Danes. I do have to say once again though..where the hell is Sons of Anarchy? I guess I'm in the minority but I think FX tends to get a bit overlooked.

Meth Wins!

With all the false modesty and self congratulations that comes with award shows it's nice to see some real surprise. I think the photo of Aaron Paul kind of sums it up. This was one of the best moments of the night with a guy who you can tell is truly shocked. He's just out of his mind that he's a part of this and it's great to see. I mean look at that face and the embrace with Giancarlo Esposito was just genuine, very cool. Although it does break my heart a bit to not see Peter Dinklage receive another award for his work on Game of Thrones, I can't disagree with the fervor that Breaking Bad has garnered. 

 

Return of the 90's

NIneties superstars Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Kevin Costner back...in...da...house! Nice. Makes me want to listen to some Gin Blossoms or Faith No More. Did you ever think that of the cast of Seinfeld that Elaine would have the most succesful career post show? You did? Liar.And so good to see Costner doing something that receives critical acclaim in this century. OK, I'll give you The Company Men, great movie but not really a Costner vehicle. I'm more concerned with the list of flops prior to that, Swing Vote anyone? Didn't think so.Well done from one of the elder statesmen of Hollywood.

Show idea. Cage Match. Nicolas Cage enters a ring with another actor. They do readings of famous scripts to a celebrity panel of acting judges. The judges vote on who delivers the best audition. Nicolas Cage wins every week. We celebrate his greatness. The end.

 

--Adam

 

 

 

 

Nicholas Stoller, A Brief Note of Appreciation

I suppose that the title of this blog entry would make for a good film title too but the intent is to give an armchair shout out to writer/director Nicholas Stoller. I felt compelled to do this after recently watching The Five-Year Engagment. This is not intended to be a deep, intensive, critical analysis of a dealing with life's issues comedy. It's just a note of thanks to the writer/director of a film of which after I watched it....I just felt good.
The dialogue and situations keep you laughing consistently throughout. The chemistry between Jason Segel and Emily Blunt is fantastic, not in a "oh wow, I bet they're hookin' up on set" kind of way, instead it spotlights a couple actors who show incredible comedic timing and sensibility. You will fall in love with Emily Blunt as I do every time I watch her on screen. Someone that beautiful shouldn't be that talented. The entire cast does justice to the fantasic comedic wrting of Stoller and Segel. Alison Brie is equally fantastic and what I will refer to as the "Sesame Street" scene with Brie and Blunt is gold.

 

For those unfamiliar with Nicholas Stoller, he previously directed Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Get Him to the Greek, also personal favorites. So, clearly there is a trend here. He also collaborated with Segel on The Muppets. Again, awesome. Do yourself a favor and watch his work. Finally, Mr. Stoller, thank you for the laughs. In a cinematic landscape flushed with bad book adaptations and hit or miss superhero movies or just crappy horror shot with a shaky handed digital camera, it's nice to watch a movie where you laught from beginning to end and just simply makes you feel good.

--Adam

One Opinion on the Emmys

The 2012 Emmy Nominations have been announced. Time for couch dwelling, idiot box watchers everywhere to argue far too passionately over who should  and shouldn't be recognized. So, myself being one of those have decided to share my qualified opinions on the matter as well. Qualified you ask? Yes, I'm qualified. I watch TV.

First observation is that like certain political offices, Emmy nominations need term limits. I mean, merit aside, don't you get tired of seeing the same people nominated over and over again? I love Alec Baldwin, I really do. His performance as a rage filled, out of control, abusive father on "The Call to His Daughter" will never be forgotten. OK, that was low, really Alec is best when he's flexing his comedic muscle in movies like Outside Providence. But does he need to be nominated every year. His ego is healthy. This goes for everyone's sweetheart Tina Fey too. Jon Cryer is also very likeable but six nominations for Two and a Half Men? Really, it has a laugh track. Stop it. Charlie Sheen is smart enough to know this show doesn't work without him.

Then there are the shows that were cancelled but the actresses received nominations. Congratulations! Ashley Judd and Kathy Bates, your performance was so strong we decided no one should watch it anymore. It's a clear case of big screen envy. You used to be in movies so clearly your acting is superior to these small screen hacks. Don't get it.

Modern Family, it's a funny show the whole family can watch. Yaaay!! But nominating four men for Best Supporting Actor and two women for Best Supporting Actress is a joke. Maybe there's just a serious lack of good traditional comedy on TV right now. The mainstream just isn't ready for shows that are actually funny like Wilfred. Or maybe recognize that there are four actors on Parks & Recreation, Nick Offerman, Rob Lowe, Aziz Ansari and Chris Pratt, that are deserving.

 

 

Enough of the negativity you say! Alrighty then, let's mention some folks that should be recognized. I realize not everyone loves it but when will Sons of Anarchy get the recognition it deserves. It's Shakespeare on Harleys with guns and sex. It's America. There are a number of brilliant performances in this show that aren't recognized including Charlie Hunnam.

 

 

I know Louie C.K. received a nod for individual honors but it's a shame to not have the show recognized once again in Outstanding Comedy Series. This will all be rectified when I begin constructing life size Louie C.K. statues across the country with gold plaques reading, "The Funniest Man on the Planet". This is a more prestigious title than Emmy winner.

 

 

I would like to recognize the Emmys for getting one unexpected nod right. Bill frickin' Hader! I'm just glad others are noticing. I've come to expect any time this guy comes into frame that my sides will hurt. Just his presence and expressive, built for comedy face, is enough to be entertaining. Cheers Bill and thank you.

 

 

 

And for the softer side. I love NBC's Parenthood. I do, it gets me every single time. I can make it through an episode for 53 minutes without tearin up and then BOOM!, they hit you with the heaviest moment at the end. It's acted superbly, everyone on the cast; kids included do a fantastic job. With vets like Craig T Nelson (Remember Coach?, loved that show too), Bonnie Bedelia, Peter Krause, Lauren Graham, hell even Dax Shepard is great, the sometimes heavy drama is made believable. Congrats to Jason Ritter for his nomination but I think some others are being looked over as well as the show as a whole. How Erika Christensen didn't get recognized for her emotional roller coaster this season is a shame.

 

 

And a few more things you should be watching Justified, Workaholics, The River (Oh, it got cancelled?), Falling Skies and anything with Nicolas Cage. I know he isn't on TV but we can dream can't we. A few more straight to DVD projects and he'll be there soon, don't worry. Weekly Cage.......

 

--Adam

The Surging Popularity of Films Based on Young Adult Books

Films based on young adult novels are hot right now--so hot they're breaking box office records. While a cursory look suggests that young adults have a much larger discretionary income and more autonomy in spending it than ever before and that filmmakers are just capitalizing on that opportunity, the audiences filling the theaters for these young adult films represent a surprisingly diverse age demographic. Why? Because both young adult fiction and films have become much more popular with adults in in the past few years thanks in part to better writing, more universal themes, and cross-genre marketing. The result is a sharing of experience between young adults and adults that translates not only to money at the box office and bookstore, but to a common ground between generations that's filled with promise.

Do we hand the credit to J.K. Rowling and say it all started with the Harry Potter books and films? Or did it really start with films like The Lord of the Rings? How do children's stories like the Lorax and The Borrowers or comics like Tintin fit in to the equation? 

 

 

The Hunger Games is certainly the most recent example of how insanely popular a young adult film can be and the film's momentum from its record-breaking first couple of weekends doesn't seem likely to slow down anytime soon. Of course, the books of the Hunger Games Trilogy have also been hugely popular with both teens and adults for the last several years. The idea of a dystopian world where kids are dropped into the wilderness and pitted against one another in a fight for survival is nothing new (think William Golding's Lord of the Flies way back in 1954), but the powerful way this story is told, both on the page and screen, absolutely captivates both teens and adults.

 

  

The Twilight Series of novels by Stephenie Meyer were ravenously devoured by the target young adult female audience, but what was a bit more surprising was how appealing these romance novels about vampires, werewolves, and true love were to adult women. Likewise, the first Twilight film was madly popular with women of all ages, fueled by the popularity of the books and some serious hype about the contemporary fascination with vampires and the promise of a tale of first love like no other. New Moon was equally strong as Bella battled a broken heart and came face to face with the Volturi. Eclipse explored a love triangle between Bella, Edward, and Jacob which, if not completely believable in its presentation, was certainly compelling as was Bella's steadfast determination to give up virtually everything for true love. Filmmakers decided to break the final book into two films and Twilight Breaking Dawn Part One deals with the decidedly mature subject of childbirth gone extreme--suddenly what began as a young adult saga has matured into an adult story that's basically unsuitable for all but the oldest end of the young adult market.

 

 

Where does one begin with the eight iconic Harry Potter films that broke box office records and drew huge fans from every conceivable age group? Literally everyone was reading these books--kids, parents, and young adults alike--just as fast as they came off the presses. And how about the block-long lines of people that camped out to see the films at midnight on opening night? Harry Potter was truly a phenomenon unlike any other--one that brought together young and old in a powerful shared experience that created memories that will last a lifetime. 

 

 

 Hugo is another film that bridges the gap between the young adult and adult markets. It's a story of a young orphaned boy struggling to solve a mystery left by his father while simply surviving, but the story transcends the situation into a universally appealing message about hope. Five Oscar awards isn't too shabby for a young adult film!

 

 

Tolkien's classic Lord of the Rings Trilogy took on truly epic proportions in the three Lord of the Rings films that absolutely re-defined the role of animation in live-action films. A young adult book series to be sure, but the films are definitely now considered classics in the adult film genre.

 

 

 

The Secret World of Arrietty is a film based on Mary Norton's The Borrowers--a classic book that's captivated the imaginations of generations of young adults. Sure, the film is rated G and is great for kids, but like many of Miyazaki's best films, it's just as appealing to adults. 

 

 

 

The Adventures of Tintin is based on the classic comic by Herge, but again, the film transcends age barriers and appeals not only to kids and adults with fond childhood memories of Tintin comics, but animation fans of all ages.

 

 

 

 Dr. Seuss' The Lorax may look like a kid's film based on a kid's picture book, but it really deals with the very grown-up subject of environmental preservationism. Of course, the movie throws in a whole new sub-plot about young love as another lure to the young adult market. 

 

Other notable young adult films:

I Am Number Four--A young adult fantasy in which an exile seeks to discover his own heritage and the powers hidden within himself while experiencing his first love.

The Golden Compass--An orphan girl sets out on a perilous journey in search of truth and a lost friend.

The Chronicles of Narnia Series--Adventures of good versus evil that culminate (thus far) in a personal war against the darkness within.

Alice in Wonderland--An adventure tale that celebrates the strength of one young woman.

What's Up Next?

Plenty more young adult novels are coming to the movies in the next year or so including J.R.R. Tolkein's The Hobbit, Lois Lowry's The Giver, Maggie Stiefvater's Shiver, Ally Carter's Heist Society, and Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451. And I hear that Scott Westerfeld's Uglies is also in production!

So what's so important about the rise in popularity of young adult films? Authors of young adult fiction are selling more copies of their books than ever before and filmmakers are breaking records for money grossed at the theaters--that certainly helps the economy. But in my mind, an equally important result is that young adults and adults are finding a common ground through entertainment--their shared experiences reading these books and watching the films are forging a connection between generations and opening avenues of communication that might not otherwise exist. Does that mean that your teen is going to suddenly confide their deepest, darkest secrets and insecurities to you on the drive home from the theater? Or that your newly-on-his-own 20-something will call you up to solicit advice about his personal life? Probably not, but you never know where a conversation about Harry's complicated relationships with his classmates and teachers, Bella's struggle to choose between Edward and Jacob and then live with the far-reaching consequences of her decision, or Katniss' determination to survive without losing her own sense of humanity might lead.

 

--Tami Horiuchi

A Recap of The Hunger Games World Premiere

As a longtime fan of the books who may (cough, cough) have watched the trailer obsessively, I’ve been waiting for March 23^rd like a little kid waits for Christmas. 

So when I learned I’d be going to the Hunger Games movie’s worldwide premiere a few weeks ago I just about stopped breathing--momentarily. Then I started talking about the books even more than I already was, much to the annoyance of my family, friends, and co-workers.

As I’m sure you know now from all the media coverage, last night was the night, although the excitement actually started a day earlier when hundreds camped out for one of 400 tickets inside the Nokia Theater in L.A. By the time I arrived at 3 p.m. yesterday, a new pack of Hunger Games fans were already lined up across the street. The crowd was electric as they waved around copies of the book or their homemade signs designed to capture the eyes of the arriving celebs.

After a few very brief glimpses of Josh Hutcherson (great smile!), Jennifer Lawrence (absolutely stunning!), and Liam Hemsworth (so tall!) I headed inside to relieve my eardrums, which stung from the shrieks of the crowd. Greeted with Hunger Games-branded popcorn boxes and commemorative cups I finally arrived at my seat in time to hear Gary Ross, the director, talk about how it took a long time to get to this night. Admitting the movie was at times difficult to make due to rain, bears and even snakes, Ross went on to thank The Hunger Games author Suzanne Collins for “trusting me with your book.” Amid cheers of “We love you, Gale!” and “Peeta!” Ross went on to introduce the main stars—last but not least of which was Jennifer Lawrence, who gracefully handled a few tripping mishaps in her shimmering gold dress, which made us all think she really is the girl on fire. “I don’t know where she [Lawrence] came from,” Ross said, “But I thank God for her every day.” On stage together Hutcherson, Hemsworth, and Lawrence waved at the seated guests and finally The Hunger Games began.

So what to say about the movie so many of us have been anticipating? Well, first off, it’s awesome. Really awesome, actually. Ross captures the stark, gritty atmosphere of the starving districts and, in contrast, makes the thriving Capitol with its wealthy, entertainment hungry residents sparkle. Speaking of sparkling, the acting is superb all around and Lawrence, especially, brings Collins’ strong and determined Katniss Everdeen to life. Like the books, the Hunger Games movie will captivate your imagination and keep you glued to your seat. Oh and word to the wise, bring a tissue.

From the roar of applause when the credits rolled I’d venture to guess many of last night’s attendees agree, catapulting The Hunger Games from the page and big screen to a full-fledged cultural event. Fingers crossed Catching Fire comes out in the not-too-distant future. I have a feeling a lot of us will be waiting for it.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to go read the entire trilogy all over again. --Jessica Schein

Our Valentine's Crushes

It's Valentine's Day (in case you haven't noticed), so I decided to have a little fun at the office. Asking our Movies & TV editors who their dream Valentine's Day date would be, I got some typical responses (Ryan Reynolds, Mila Kunis) and then some unexpected ones (Samuel L Jackson?!). See below and let us know...who is your dream Valentine? --Amanda

Michael Fassbender: This was called the “Year of Gosling,” but I think 2011 should be better known as the “Year of Fassbender.”  Whether he’s hunting down Nazis (for the 2^nd time!) and bringing some massive heat to Magneto, hiding a crazy arsonist wife in the walls of his castle as the hottest Rochester is history, treating hysteria and developing psychoanalysis as Carl Jung, or battling sex addiction (in plenty of shockingly un-sexy nude scenes), Fassbender is the new thinking-girl’s heartthrob.

 

 

 

 

Reese Witherspoon: "Legally Blonde", "Sweet Home Alabama", "Walk the Line"- even "Four Christmases"...seriously, what is she not cute in?

 

 

 

 

 

John Krasinski: The man I want in  my office not just on Valentine's Day, but every day of the year!

 

 

 

 

Samuel L Jackson: Stole my heart at a young age in "Pulp Fiction" and "Jackie Brown", solidified that love by owning the force in "Star Wars". If I had to be stuck on a plane with a bunch of snakes, I would definitely want him by my side.

 

 

Mila Kunis: I would be more than "Friends with Benefits" with Mila Kunis. I just love her dry, witty humor and fun personality. Oh yeah, and she is gorgeous.

 

 

 

 

 

Chris Hemsworth & Chris Evans: I would go to an amusement park with these super-hunks.  Thor would win me a giant stuffed bear by beating the strong man game, and Captain America can plow through the flocks of annoying park-goers with his super-shield—no lines!

 

 

 

 

James Franco in "The Broken Tower": In his directorial debut, James Franco plays tortured artist Hart Crane in The Broken Tower.  The hunky director-star can read me poetry for Valentine’s Day—or any day.

 

 

 

 

 

Zooey Deschanel: The New Girl can act, sing, and make me laugh! She is the ultimate catch.

 

Ryan Reynolds: After watching him in "The Proposal", I knew I wanted to be more than "Just Friends".

 

 

 

 

 

Rider Strong: If I could go back in time, my 11 yr-old self would LOVE a Valentine’s day date with Rider Strong.

 

 

 

 

 

Andrew Garfield: More than just “liked” him in "The Social Network"- I wouldn’t mind being more than just Facebook Friends!

 

 

 

 

 

Ryan Gosling: He is the sexiest politician and actually has a heart in "The Ides of March", I would happily get his coffee any day!

 

 

 

 

 

Emma Stone: Emma Stone would be the perfect Valentine because not only can she kick zombie butt, she could write about it and look hot the whole time.

 

 

 

 

 

Alexander Skarsgard/Eric Northam: I would be willing to spend all of eternity with Eric Northam even if it meant bartending at Fangtasia every night. If that can't happen, then I suppose one romantic date with Alexander Skarsgard will have to do.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rachel McAdams: Blonde, brunette, or pink- Rachel would be the ultimate Valentine. I would happily let her be a Mean Girl, read her the story of our life, or happily help her recover from a car accident induced coma.

And the Nominees Are....

The nominees for the 84th Annual Academy Awards have been out for a few days now so we've all had time to stew and gain some perspective. I can describe the nominations and this whole year in film in terms that my once favorite English teacher told me never to do, as "interesting". As a group it just doesn't seem like a stellar year. This year we've got nine nominees. Apparently Oscar got an editor because it's really getting clipped back from the last two year's ten choices. Go back to five, I beg you Oscar. Where's the tradition? That's what you're all about right?

Some of us have always attached too much significance to both the nominees and the winners as if it validates our personal taste in the art of cinema. I can remember jumping up and cheering for a Braveheart win back in 1995, or screaming profanities at my TV when Driving Miss Daisy beat Dead Poet's Society in 1989. This year there doesn't seem to be much of a favorite with The Golden Globes and SAG Awards differing on their best movies. There is definitely not a lurking dominant force like Titanic. We shall see who picks up momentum as we get closer to the red carpet.

Best Picture

From Woody to a silent film to a horse. Does anyone else think maybe War Horse wouldn't be here if it didn't have Spielberg's name on it? It's quite a mix of films this year. Will it be the feel good favorite with The Help or Alexander Payne's The Descendants? It's a wide open field so far but the front runner may be the return of the silent film. The Artist just seems to be the kind of movie the Academy likes and picking up steam with its Golden Globe success.

The Ides of March may have been the most talked about "snub" but I'd like to mention another film that should have been considered. Warrior is an excellent film. The acting buy Tom Hardy, Joel Edgerton and Nick Nolte, who was nominated in a supporting role, is brilliant. It's a more raw, indie feeling version of The Fighter and that may be the reason it didn't get more love. Do yourself a favor and watch it.

Best Actor

What?! No Hugh Jackman in Real Steel, no Shia LaBeauf for Transformers: Dark of the Moon? Oh, wait that's the best actor alongside a robot category. It's easy to confuse. Again, no clear favorite in this category but if I had to pick one it would be Jean Dujardin of The Artist. But don't underestimate the power of the Clooney. Big snub here was Michael Fassbender for the film Shame but that's not too surprisng for those of us who seen Oscar snub a "controversial" film before.

Best Actress

What's that you say? Meryl Streep is nominated? Get out! Well, it's nice to see that up and comer get some recognition. Just fresh into the game and already people are noticing. Really though, Streep is the best but she could have three minutes of screen time in The Zookeeper Part 2 and she'd get nominated. It's just ridiculous. Very strong year for women's roles including the amazing success of Bridesmaids but mark this on your ballot. Viola Davis is going to win for her role in The Help. It's gotta happen. Its feel good, its tears and its everything we've come to expect from this category.

 

I could keep going through all the categories all the way down to sound editing (C'mon Transformers!) but I'll spare us all the debate of whether the winner of best film should match the winner of best director. But here's the biggest shocker that will happen at this year's Oscars.....Christopher Plummer will win Best Supporting Actor for Beginners. OK, not a shocker but ink it into your ballot.

I would also like to remind the Academy that one Nic Cage was in five eligible films this year. Hello? Academy.....five movies and you couldn't recognize old Nic for his brilliance. Have you seen Seeking Justice? No? Me either.

 

 

 --Adam

 

 

 

 

Now Showing: Amazon Studios Movies in the Making

Imagine that you could see a movie before it gets made, and tell the filmmakers what you think of it (Tweak that ending! Cut the sidekick! More chase scenes!). Now quit imagining, and check out the Amazon Studios “test movies” that just debuted on Amazon Instant Video and Prime Instant Video, where they are available to download and stream at no charge.

A test movie is a visual rough draft of a script. Live action? Animated? It’s all good: The key is that it allows movie fans from around the world to see a story in its early stages and share their thoughts on how that story should be made into a full-on feature film (or whether it even should be made into a full-on feature film) — before millions of dollars get spent.

The test movies premiering at Amazon.com are the best that Amazon Studios has to offer: Finalists for its $1 million Annual Award (winners to be announced on Feb. 7) and work created by specially selected filmmakers. Take a look! We’d love to know what you think.

• 12 Princesses (can a farmboy in love survive the royal sisters’ secret?)
• The Alchemist Agenda (treasure hunters find a deadly formula in a Nazi sub)
• Evolver (criminals battle a seemingly indestructible and ever-changing enemy)
• I Think My Facebook Friend is Dead (a geek in shining armor gets his chance to shine)
• The Nevsky Prospect (a photojournalist searching for her father finds trouble)
• Sky Pirates (can a barnstormer keep Hitler’s army from becoming invincible?)
• The Temple (mercenaries face the ultimate evil)
• Velvet Elvis (a singer struggles with the demands of his career and his calling — demon hunting)
• Touching Blue (a woman with a painful gift helps the FBI track a killer)

The 69th Golden Globes - What Went Down

The 69th Golden Globes have happened; click here for the full list of winners, including which ones you can order on DVD, Blu-ray, or Amazon Instant Video; the others you can sign up to be notified whenever they become available to pre-order. Meanwhile, check out some opnions on last night's ceremony.

Everyone will talk about the heart warming success of the The Help, or on a bigger scale the strength of important and sometimes hilarious roles for women, Bridesmaids. Of course one has to mention the definition of acting class and brilliance with the incomparable Morgan Freeman. These are the deserved themes of the evening but here are a few other, smaller moments that supplied an overall flat night with some memories.

Classy Christopher

    

Christopher Plummer. Kudos to this gentleman being recoginzed for his role in The Beginners. Although there is a whole new generation of leading men from George Clooney to Leo and Pitt, there is just something about that classic generation of Hollywood that will never be matched again. There is definitely some old school Tinseltown glamour in thanking your bartender in an acceptance speech.

 

 

 

Good for Joey

Maybe it was just me but it just felt good to see Matt LeBlanc up there receiving an award for Episodes. Not because I was rooting one way or the other but because I thought it was the most geniune and humble moment of the night. LeBlanc was authentic, truly nervous and suprised and it was heart warming.

Pure Harmony

    

It was just the moment that put a big smile on your face. Husband and wife William H. Macy and Felicity Huffman harmonizing a little ditty while presenting. How can you not like these two?

 

 

 

These "Talkies" Are Going to Kill the Movie Biz

I guess we were all wrong about this whole "sound" thing. It appears that the real darlingn of last year and this year's awards circuit might be The Artist. It's time to face reality if you're a big movie and award show fan. You are going to have to watch a silent (mostly) film. It's already won best movie at the Critic's Choice and now Best Comedy or Musical at the Golden Globes. It could shock at the Oscars.

Just Shut Up!

Madonna, you are just....obnoxious. We get it, you directed a movie. Good for you. You were sure to remind us of that in you boring and awkward speech as you uttered "My Movie" countless times. Guess what, nobody saw it and your movie career is still the source of punchlines not praise.

Best David Bowie Impersonation

      And the winner is........Tilda Swinton. Brilliant actress and I'm sure when the movie is made about the life and times of David Bowie  she will play the role and probably receive a Golden Globe.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Table We Most Want to Sit At

Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, William H. Macy and Felicity Huffman? Yes, please. While Tina Fey's photobomb was one of the most gif worthy moments of the night, we can only imagine the champagne buzz chatter emmenating from that table. As Liz Lemon would say, "I want to go to there."

--Adam & Megan

Best of 2011 in Art House & International

From tense thrillers to tuneful documentaries, literary adaptations to windswept westerns, this year's art house DVDs covered every emotion. Characters with trouble expressing their feelings paid the highest price, while happier fates awaited the more forthright protagonists.

1. Fish Tank (The Criterion Collection)

Oscar-winning filmmaker Andrea Arnold took her intimate technique to a whole new level with the riveting follow-up to Red Road, in which newcomer Katie Jarvis tangles with a dangerously seductive Michael Fassbender.

2. Drive

Every bit as gripping as Thief and American Gigolo, Denmark's Nicolas Winding Refn’s 1980s-style noir made an electrifying mark on Hollywood, distinguished by a super-cool antihero and an unsettling synthesizer score.

3. Poetry
A sweet-natured grandmother with a fading memory (the luminous Yun Jung-hee) fulfills her artistic destiny in Lee Chang-dong's heartbreaking and lyrical tale, winner of the best screenplay award at the Cannes Film Festival.

4. Meek's Cutoff
Always attuned to the unique rhythms of nature, Kelly Reichardt's meditative take on the western feels more enigmatic than most, even if the period details always look right, resulting in a beautiful vision of harsh times.

5. Jane Eyre 
Charlotte Brontë's Victorian romance is no stranger to the silver screen, but Cary Fukunaga's skillfully mounted adaptation represents one of the most affecting, on account of a steely Mia Wasikowska and a smoldering Michael Fassbender.

6. Beginners
For this delicate drama, Thumbsucker director Mike Mills drew from his own experience in depicting an artist (Ewan McGregor) navigating a new relationship while mourning his father (Christopher Plummer), who came out late in life.

7. Win Win
In Tom McCarthy's funny and touching film, an unexpected house guest (Alex Shaffer) shakes up the life of a suburban couple (Paul Giamatti and Amy Ryan) doing their best to make ends meet in the face of an unsympathetic economy.

8. Cave of Forgotten Dreams
Contemplative and reflective, Cave of Forgotten Dreams confirms Werner Herzog as one of the finest and most original chroniclers of the natural world, going below the ground to document the oldest paintings known to man.

9. Weekend
Much as in Richard Linklater's Before Sunrise, Andrew Haigh’s second feature captures the indelible experience of meeting someone new and feeling an instant connection. It’s all the more touching for feeling so true.

10. Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of a Tribe Called Quest 
In his assured directorial debut, actor Michael Rapaport documents the ups and downs of influential hip-hop troupe A Tribe Called Quest, particularly the rocky relationship between rappers Q-Tip and Phife Dog.

--Kathy Fennessy