A shout-out to my fans!

Today I experienced quite possibly my most rewarding moment yet as a blogger:

I was asked why I hadn't published a post in awhile as its appearance was/is - apparently - hotly anticipated...at least by this one person.

Well break out the HTML (I don't know HTML) and rambling dribble and let's get this party started!

I'm sorry to say that I'm not entirely certain why it has taken me so long to follow up that string of Globe/NFL posts with another. I guess I have been busy. I guess I've had other things on my mind. I guess I just...didn't have anything to say? Do I now? We'll see.

I write this post with the acute (and somewhat painful) awareness that its content will shortly be picked apart (or, at the very least, read) not only by my fandom of one, but also by this creative writing group of which I'm a part, who have all been given this link as my monthly creative submission (as to whether there is, in fact, anything "creative" about my blog postings, I'll leave you - yes, you! - to be the judge).

Why did I submit my blog as creative writing? I would be lying if I didn't admit that I have done so at least in part because I failed to prepare anything else. My cover story (you know, what you tell people instead of the truth), though, suggests that there is something to be gained by exposing a group of creative minds to the world of blogging and allowing them free reign to sound off. What type of writing is blogging? What is required for a blog to be "good"? Do blogs require gimmicks to be successful? Does anyone even care about blogging? Who are blogs written for/to? Is blogging selfish; more selfish than writing in its traditional forms? Is blogging creative, journalistic (as in, of the journal, or, of the newspaper), private, public? So many questions which likely elevate the importance of what I and so many others are doing here to an unrealistic degree, but interesting nonetheless. I think.

I also wonder about (my recent post regarding) the shift in focus from personal to pop cult blog. Has my blog (even in its infancy) become simply the poor (wo)man's version of the EW or EOnline front page? And if so, how lame is that? Who cares what I think about Kate Winslet or Drew Barrymore? Who cares about Kate Winslet or Drew Barrymore more generally?

Evidently there are many questions to be asked and many of the questions asked above all relate to separate (albeit intertwined) issues. Perhaps I will have some answers after meeting with the group and hearing their thoughts and hopefully the topic of blogging will foster good conversation regarding the nature of writing and its reception.

Then again, maybe I'll look like a(n) (ill-prepared) fool.

I will be sure to let you (yes, you!) know.

KATE WINS-let Wins Big: A pair for the queen of the unfulfilled nomination and all that went down at the 66th Annual Golden Globe Awards

First things first: the results.

My head: 11/25 correct
My heart: 13/25 correct

Not bad. Not stellar.

There is so, so much to discuss even if the GGs (that's right, it's now a thing) were relatively unremarkable.

The biggest surprises?

Gabriel Byrne winning for In Treatment.

Colin Farrell delivering an impassioned, almost coherent ACCEPTANCE (that means he won) speech.

Slumdog cleaning up. Okay, perhaps this isn't surprising based on its consistent critical success, but I wasn't as confident that the Globes (even if they are awarded by the Hollywood FOREIGN Press...get it?) would follow through. I was wrong.

And most importantly...

KATE WINSLET, winning not one but TWO statues, making me oh-so-very-happy and oh-so-very-wrong. Kate is quite possibly the only person (or one of only a few) whose double-fisting (wrong word choice?) thrills me (yep, definitely inappropriate). My only concern is how her twice-over victory will hinder Academy voting. Will this make voters wary of sending a nod her way in an attempt to avoid a two-Oscar haul? I hope not.

But this is not yet the time to be discussing Oscars. Instead, let's recap the best and worst of tonight.

The trends:

* Telling the audience to "Shoosh!" (thank you, Ricky Gervais) because they NEVER SHUT UP.
* Thanking your makeup artist. Kate began this trend in the first speech of the night and it was later perpetuated by winners Anna Paquin and Laura Dern.
* Referring to the "Golden Globes" as the "GGs." (In truth, only one person did this, Best Director Danny Boyle. But he seemed to think it was a trend, claiming that that was how "we" affectionately refer to them. He did not elaborate on who, exactly, "we" was.)
* Ambling awkwardly to the stage.

The soundbites:

"...star of Hotel for Dogs, Don Cheadle."
- Mr. Announcer Man rhetorically destroying an impressive career in one fell swoop of an introduction

"Do a Holocaust movie, the awards come."
- Ricky Gervais in an I-told-you-so moment with Kate Winslet, following her win for The Reader

"I still have a cold. It's not the other thing it used to be."
- Collin Farrell (not so) coyly referring to his (former) drug woes


"...hole ripped in the future of cinema."
- Chris Nolan, accepting a posthumous Best Supporting Actor trophy on behalf of Heath Ledger

"...Frank, whose last name I've forgotten..."
- Tom Wilkinson, accepting his award in a meandering and mocking manner

"Curiosity is love; it's ignorance's nemesis."
- Colin Farrell, waxing poetical

"Deal with it, Cate Blanchett!"
- Tracy Morgan: man of the Obama nation, Tina Fey mouthpiece

"As a kid, I had all the Hollywood foreign press action figures."
- Tina Fey accepting for herself this time, with a witty quip apparently c/o Will Arnett

"Hello, we're TV actors."
- Rainn Wilson introducing himself and Blake Lively to a room full of what Ryan Seacrest earlier referred to as the "real stars"

"...all you got is your dog."
- Mickey Rourke continuing with his poignant comebackness after claiming he wasn't much of a public speaker (collectively now, "Awwwwww...")

"Fuck."
- whoever accepted for Slumdog getting "wrapped up" after winning Best Picture

The hits:

* Learning Danny Strong (Buffy alum) wrote Recount
* Laura Linney's unquestionable sincerity
* Colin Farrell's no-joke surprise hit speech of the night
* Robert Downey Jr. pulling a Jack Nicholson, putting on shades halfway through the show
* Cecil B. DeMille winner Steven Spielberg (seriously, the man has directed/produced a helluvalot of iconic stuff)
* Slumdog's exuberant, beaming, astonished, wide-eyed cast and crew

The misses:

* The awkward presentation skills (and equally awkward reception) of the Jo Bros
* Barrymore and Lange's bizarrely staged "mother/daughter" bonding (and seriously, was Drew toasted?)
* The terrifying slightness of Happy-Go-Lucky star and winner, Sally Hawkins. I think she had to put her award down because she literally wasn't strong enough to support its weight. Her genuine awe and elation were endearing. Her waif-like frame was not.
* Renee Zellweger's dress
* Alec Baldwin's first thank you going out to the three people in the audience who laughed at the lame opening joke of his acceptance speech
* Sacha Baron Cohen's jokes. Apparently we are allowed to laugh at Victoria Beckham's diet, but not at Madonna's divorce.

Honestly, I don't want to be crass or cruel to Drew and Sally, but I have to wonder...

That's basically it. If you are curious to know all of the winners a list is available here:
http://www.goldenglobes.org/nominations/

Apparently I am writing a pop culture blog

The other day at work, instead of actually doing work (why on earth would I do that?), my co-worker and I discussed her newly created Lavalife profile and the premise behind sites like Lavalife more generally. I decided it was absurd to suggest (as these sites implicitly do) that a person is the summation of movie preferences and sports they like to watch/play and favourite colours and their pet cats/dogs/newts/potbelly pigs; in short, that you are what you like (and are attracted to a person based on what they like in turn). Absurd, that's what I decided it was; absurd and simply inaccurate.

So I thought about what would end up on my Lavalife profile, were I to create one (note: I have no such intentions) and realized that some of those things (Wonder Boys and anything involving Joss Whedon and NFL football and baseball games and blue and the fact that I've never really "got" the practice of owning domestic animals) actually say more about me than I would be easily willing to admit. In fact, after being introduced once at a party as "the girl who is obsessed with Buffy and Harry Potter," I realized that even those who I would say know me well and know the "real me," see me, to some extent, as the personalized embodiment of...well, the embodiment of my pop culture preferences.

What I'm trying to say (and making a mess of saying it) is, despite, perhaps, my best efforts, it seems I have fallen into writing a pop culture blog. I'm also saying that, perhaps, this would have been difficult to avoid. I took five pages of notes during the Golden Globes tonight...what else could I possibly write about? I mean, it's a blog. I don't think it's meant to effect profound change. At least, this one isn't...and won't. Sorry, kids.

Half right: Three upsets result in unexpected AFC/NFC match-ups

While I sit here delighting in the Golden Globe glow (and lean on easy, obvious alliteration because my attention is divided at best), I thought I would briefly address this weekend's NFL playoff results (and more importantly, my own).

Three for four last weekend declines to two for four this time around. But with three underdog teams taking down the NFL's best records of 2008 including the (fluke) winner of Super Bowl XVII, it wasn't exactly the weekend to be right. In fact, my 50% showing might just be enough to push me into the top 5 of 50 in the all-men-but-me playoff pool of which I'm a part. Hurray for that. I could really use the money.

I will be posting again later to assess the success (whoa) of my other picks from this weekend and comment extensively on everything Golden Globe. I realize now I could've rigged some live-blogging thing, but let's be honest: no one would really be reading it.

These picks are GOLDEN

How many times can a person use "golden" in the title of blog postings leading up to the "Golden" Globes? I'll let you know after I announce the winners.

A brief caveat to the list of picks which follows: I have not yet seen all of the nominated films/performances. I intend to see as many as possible by Oscar time but for now my selections are principally informed by rumour, award recipients thus far (from the plethora of critics' awards already handed out) and good ol' fashioned gut (that's the second time I got to use "gut" in a post...I love it, and Stephen T. Colbert would love it, too).

As a result, I will spare the who will win/who should win arrangement as I am really in no position to answer the latter. How about a who will win/who I would like to see win solely based on how much I like the person/people involved division? I like it.

Best Motion Picture - Drama
Who Will Win: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Who I Would Like to See Win: Revolutionary Road or Slumdog Millionaire

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama
Who Will Win: Anne Hathway, Rachel Getting Married (see previous post)
Who I Would Like to See Win: Kate Winslet, Revolutionary Road

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama
Who Will Win: Sean Penn, Milk
Who I Would Like to See Win: Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler or Leonardo DiCaprio, Revolutionary Road

Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy
Who Will Win: Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Who I Would Like to See Win: Vicky Cristina Barcelona

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy
Who Will Win: Sally Hawkins, Happy-Go-Lucky
Who I Would Like to See Win: Emma Thompson, Last Chance Harvey

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy
Who Will Win: Dustin Hoffman, Last Chance Harvey
Who I Would Like to See Win: Hoffman or James Franco, Pineapple Express

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
Who Will Win: TIE - Marisa Tomei, The Wrestler and Penélope Cruz - Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Who I Would Like to See Win: Kate Winslet, The Reader

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
Who Will Win: Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight
Who I Would Like to See Win: Ledger (Is there anyone who wouldn't?)

Best Animated Feature Film
Who Will Win: Wall-E
Who I Would Like to See Win: Wall-E

Best Foreign Language Film
Who Will Win: Il y a longtemps que je t'aime (France)
Who I Would Like to See Win: Il y a longtemps que je t'aime (France)

Best Director - Motion Picture
Who Will Win: Ron Howard, Frost/Nixon
Who I Would Like to See Win: Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire or Sam Mendes, Revolutionary Road

Best Screenplay - Motion Picture
Who Will Win: John Patrick Shanley, Doubt
Who I Would Like to See Win: Simon Beaufoy, Slumdog Millionaire

Best Original Score - Motion Picture
Who Will Win: Alexandre Despiat, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Who I Would Like to See Win: Alexandre Despiat, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Best Original Song - Motion Picture
Who Will Win: Bruce Springsteen, "The Wrestler"
Who I Would Like to See Win: Bruce Springsteen, "The Wrestler"

Best Television Series - Drama
Who Will Win: Mad Men
Who I Would Like to See Win: True Blood

Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Drama
Who Will Win: Anna Paquin, True Blood
Who I Would Like to See Win: Anna Paquin, True Blood

Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Drama
Who Will Win: Jon Hamm, Mad Men
Who I Would Like to See Win: Hugh Laurie, House

Best Television Series - Musical or Comedy
Who Will Win: 30 Rock
Who I Would Like to See Win: The Office

Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy
Who Will Win: Tina Fey, 30 Rock
Who I Would Like to See Win: Fey

Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy
Who Will Win: Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock
Who I Would Like to See Win: Steve Carell, The Office

Best Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Who Will Win: Recount
Who I Would Like to See Win: Recount

Best Performance by an Actress in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Who Will Win: Shirley MacLaine, Coco Chanel
Who I Would Like to See Win: Susan Sarandon, Bernard and Doris

Best Performance by an Actor in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Who Will Win: Paul Giamatti, John Adams
Who I Would Like to See Win: Kevin Spacey, Recount

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Who Will Win: Dianne Wiest, In Treatment
Who I Would Like to See Win: Laura Dern, Recount

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Who Will Win: Neil Patrick Harris, How I Met Your Mother
Who I Would Like to See Win: Harris

Some notes:
* Kate Winslet - much to my dismay and contrary to my previous comment (see Why I will be watching the Golden Globes this Sunday) - is likely to be shut out
* The director who should win is probably not even nominated
* The Best Acress in Television Series - Drama is really a battle of the hot TV newbies: January Jones vs. Anna Paquin
* The lead television acting categories could very likely result in two sweeps (Jones and Hamm for Mad Men and Fey and Baldwin for 30 Rock)
* Jeremy Piven's reign as Supporting Actor could (and should) come to an end this year...God love him, but it's NPH's turn
* The collective acting nominees in the Mini-Series/TV movie categories are all such heavyweights let's be honest- it's really a toss-up as to who will win
* Toughest calls? Sean Penn vs. Mickey Rourke for best actor and the Cruz/Tomei/Winslet split for supporting actress

Golden giveaway?

Whoops! The HFPA may have announced one winner a little too early.

http://blogs.reuters.com/fanfare/2009/01/09/anne-hathaway-wins-golden-globe-for-speculation/

The second most important set of picks I will make for this weekend

In case anyone cares, here are my picks for this weekend's (NFL) divisional playoff games:

Arizona @ Carolina
My pick: Carolina
Why? Carolina's numbers show they should dominate and what worked last week for the Cards against Atlanta won't prove as successful against the Panthers.

Philly @ New York
My Pick: Philly
Why? Because picking one long shot is a good idea. Because Philly is on fire. Because momentum worked for New York last year. And because no Manning will see the Super Bowl this year.

Baltimore @ Tennessee
My Pick: Tennessee
Why? Although the Titans had a rocky finish to an unexpectedly tremendous season, expect them to win when it counts against the just-above-the-curve Ravens. Also, unless his name is Tom Brady, a rookie QB turns as green as the field in a tough playoff match-up. (And take a second look at this game defensively, because it's much closer than you think.)

San Diego @ Pittsburgh
My Pick: Pittsburgh
Why? With the greatest hesitation of any of my four picks, I'm siding with the strong, consistent season over the meandering one. Expect Pittsburgh to squeak out a win on Philip Rivers turnovers.

How I fared last week: Three for four, with my only mis-pick coming at the hands of He-Who-I-Hate-Most, Peyton Manning. Should've went with my gut (see Philly @ New York, above).

Why I will be watching the Golden Globes this Sunday

I have to admit: I'm a bit of an awards season nut. I read dozens of predictions, tune into the pre-shows, watch every lame joke and head-to-toe shot of red carpet coverage and refuse to miss even a second of the most important telecasts (Globes, Emmys, SAGs, Oscars).

And friends, this hallowed time is upon us once again.

Now, I'm discriminating. For instance, last night I watched approximately 11.5 minutes (or so) of The People's Choice Awards before recognizing that this was not a wise way to spend my time. (That being said, a quick shout-out to People's Choice winner Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog!) Why watch the pre-announced (to the winners, anyways) results of fan internet voting (the voice of the people!) when I could frustrate myself over the often antiquated, campaign-rigged, painfully traditional selections of the rich and powerful elite? I mean, part of the fun of award shows is the unavoidable collision of prestige with pretentiousness!

My personal favourite award show is The Golden Globes. Nominated and voted for by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (whoever they are), the Globes is quite possibly the perfect award show for the following reasons:

1) You get as much of and usually as impressive a red carpet selection as you do at the Oscars without the ominousness of OSCAR hanging over everyone's heads.

2) The Globes is like two award shows for the price of one. Because it celebrates achievement in both film AND television, I get to spend yet another evening with ALL of the people with whom I already spend most of my time.

In fact, it's like THREE award shows in one: recognition of excellence in television, films that have been and will continue to be acknowledged at a plethora of award shows (also known as "dramas") and films whose only prior recognition was at the Teen Choice Awards (also known as "comedies").

3) The awkwardly arranged, circular tables make for good television. Some people crane their necks, others turn their chairs right around. Others still don't bother to watch the stage at all, busy doing other things. Which brings me to my next point...

4) Everyone is hammered. Honestly, the Globes promises at least one, if not several sloshed-out, slurred speeches. The party doesn't begin after the handing out of awards, it totally begins before, and continues throughout the show. Haven't you ever wondered why an unprecedented number of winners missed their glory moment at the Globes because they were in the washroom? It's called breaking the seal...TOO EARLY.

5) For the most part, you don't have to put up with any extra crap. No host, no skits, no songs (or limited, nominated film related songs). Just award after award presented and accepted by toasted, glamorous people.

I could probably go on but I think I've made my point. However, since I seem to be into lists lately, how about five more reasons to watch this year's Globe ceremony:

1) The Globes, for all intents and purposes, were cancelled last year due to the Writers' Strike. Expect this year to make up for it on all fronts.

2) With two nominations in two categories, Kate Winslet is bound to win something. If she doesn't, let the rebellion begin. This should also be the most important stop on the Kate-Winslet-is-bound-to-win-something Road to the Oscars (where she will - FINALLY! - take home a statue...or the Academy will have me to contend with).

3) In all likelihood, we will get to see the first televised presentation of a posthumous award to Heath Ledger for The Dark Knight. We will also get to see who will accept on his behalf.

4) Even though Ledger will emerge victorious, take the opportunity to revel in his co-nominees, a list which includes Robert Downey Jr. in blackface and Tom Cruise in a fatsuit.

5) I like to think of True Blood as an homage to Anna Paquin's breasts. I don't see why the Globes should be any different.

I was going to make #5 a 'What else would you be watching?'-type point, but sadly even my interests are divided this Sunday between Globes fever and NFL playoffs.

But wait-San Diego at Pittsburgh will be over by the time the actual ceremony begins. So there, you have no excuse.

***

As a final list to my list of lists, I promise to post my picks before Sunday at 6.

(There's an unintentional, elaborate rhyme in there somewhere.)

http://www.goldenglobes.org/