The OSCAR Post

My predictions for EVERY Oscar that will be handed out tomorrow, as well as my thoughts on some of the biggest races.

WARNING:  I was having some formatting problems while writing this post.  Sorry if it's hard to read or broken up strangely on your screen.

Best Motion Picture

Argo
Amour
Beasts of the Southern Wild
Django Unchained
Les Misérables
Life of Pi
Lincoln
Silver Linings Playbook
Zero Dark Thirty 

WILL WIN: Argo

POSSIBLE SPOILER: Silver Linings Playbook

SHOULD WIN: Silver Linings Playbook

SHOULD HAVE BEEN NOMINATED: Cloud Atlas

SHOULDN'T BE NOMINATED: Les Misérables

THOUGHTS: I think this has been, overall, a great movie year. I actually would be happy with many of the films winning, but if you know me at all, you know Silver Linings Playbook won me over big time. That being said, only Les Mis and Life of Pi are out of place here – the rest all have things that I admired greatly, especially Beasts of the Southern Wild which I didn't expect to get nominated and find as much Oscar love as it did.

Achievement in Directing

Ang Lee, Life of Pi
Benh Zeitlin, Beasts of the Southern Wild
David O. Russell, Silver Linings Playbook
Michael Haneke, Amour
Steven Spielberg, Lincoln

WILL WIN: Ang Lee, Life of Pi

POSSIBLE SPOILER: Steven Spielberg, Lincoln (he's, gasp, an underdog!!)

SHOULD WIN: David O. Russell, Silver Linings Playbook

SHOULD HAVE BEEN NOMINATED: Kathryn Bigelow, Zero Dark Thirty

SHOULDN'T BE NOMINATED: Michael Haneke, Amour

THOUGHTS: Everyone is complaining about a Ben Affleck snub, which is understandable. I was more shocked at Bigelow's omission though, as I thought the direction of Zero Dark Thirty was incredible. In my mind, it was just a little better than Argo so that's why I would say that was the biggest snub. I actually think this is a very strong category, and was thrilled Benh Zeitlin made the cut for such a daring film. He's my second choice – but I'm still pulling for Russell.

Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role

Bradley Cooper, Silver Linings Playbook
Daniel Day-Lewis, Lincoln
Denzel Washington, Flight
Hugh Jackman, Les Misérables
Joaquin Phoenix, The Master

WILL WIN: Daniel Day-Lewis, Lincoln

POSSIBLE SPOILER: No possible spoiler...it's a done deal.

SHOULD WIN: Bradley Cooper, Silver Linings Playbook

SHOULD HAVE BEEN NOMINATED: Jean-Louis Trintignant, Amour

SHOULDN'T BE NOMINATED: Hugh Jackman, Les Miserables

THOUGHTS: Even people who didn't like Lincoln loved DDL. He's going to win. Any other name called on Oscar Sunday would instantly be considered the biggest shock this side of Marisa Tomei. Jackman was a joke, and that is the nicest thing I have to say about his “performance”. Trintignant carried Amour and was even better than his nominated costar, and I think his snub was worse than Affleck's for director.

Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role

Emmanuelle Riva, Amour
Jennifer Lawrence, Silver Linings Playbook
Jessica Chastain, Zero Dark Thirty
Naomi Watts, The Impossible
Quvenzhané Wallis, Beasts of the Southern Wild

WILL WIN: Jennifer Lawrence, Silver Linings Playbook

POSSIBLE SPOILER: Emmanuelle Riva, Amour

SHOULD WIN: Jennifer Lawrence, Silver Linings Playbook

SHOULD HAVE BEEN NOMINATED: This was the perfect five – the best category of the year.

SHOULDN'T BE NOMINATED: See above

THOUGHTS: I love the Academy when it comes to this category. A very strong case can be made for ALL the nominees here. I saw all of these movies and was moved by all of the performances. I will be excited for any of these ladies, but I'm really pulling for Lawrence because I think this might be the best chance Silver Linings Playbook has at winning any of the awards it's up for – and it deserves to win a bundle. That being said, I also remember saying this past summer after I came out of Beasts of the Southern Wild how cool it would be if Wallis won (she is the youngest nominee in this category EVER), and I don't feel any differently now.

Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role

Alan Arkin, Argo
Christoph Waltz, Django Unchained
Phillip Seymour Hoffman, The Master
Robert De Niro, Silver Linings Playbook
Tommy Lee Jones, Lincoln

WILL WIN: This changes every time I think about it. Right now, I'm leaning towards Tommy Lee Jones for Lincoln

POSSIBLE SPOILER: Anyone but Alan Arkin

SHOULD WIN: Tommy Lee Jones, Lincoln

SHOULD HAVE BEEN NOMINATED: Dwight Henry, Beasts of the Southern Wild

SHOULDN'T BE NOMINATED: Alan Arkin, Argo

THOUGHTS: This is a very strong category, and it's probably the biggest coin toss of any category. I have seen professional critics argue their cases for four of the five (not Arkin), and I like all their arguments. I think it's a crime that Dwight Henry was left out...because I would pick him as the should win. That not being an option, I thought Tommy Lee Jones was incredible and I think he's got it. Lincoln has lost a ton of steam heading into tomorrow, but I think voters may want to honor it somehow, and Jones winning might be the perfect way to do just that.

Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role

Amy Adams, The Master
Anne Hathaway, Les Miserables
Helen Hunt, The Sessions
Jacki Weaver, Silver Linings Playbook
Sally Field, Lincoln

WILL WIN: Sadly Anne Hathaway, Les Miserables

POSSIBLE SPOILER: Sally Field, Lincoln

SHOULD WIN: Helen Hunt, The Sessions

SHOULD HAVE BEEN NOMINATED: Ann Dowd, Compliance

SHOULDN'T BE NOMINATED: Hathaway, Field, Weaver (even though I love her)

THOUGHTS: Where the best actress field was incredibly strong, this group is absolutely terrible. I can't weigh in on Adams as The Master is the only big film of this year's nominees I didn't see, but Field was irritating, Hathway lost some weight and sang bad karaoke, Weaver was very nice but not Oscar-worthy, and Helen Hunt got naked a lot. So I'm giving my imaginary vote to the one that got naked, because she managed to do so much emotionally with her character while wearing so little.

Best Animated Feature Film

Brave
Frankenweenie
ParaNorman
The Pirates! Band of Misfits
Wreck-It Ralph

WILL WIN: Brave

POSSIBLE SPOILER: Wreck-It Ralph

SHOULD WIN: Wreck-It Ralph

SHOULD HAVE BEEN NOMINATED: Don't have any ideas

SHOULDN'T BE NOMINATED: Meh

THOUGHTS: In a year with a weak Pixar outing (Brave), and a crop of good but not great animated films, this one could go to a few of the nominees with no major shock or awe from the audience. Frankenweenie has been coming on strong in the world of buzz lately, but the two way battle of Wreck-It Ralph and Brave probably dominated most ballots, and I think Brave has the ever so slight edge.

Original Screenplay

Amour, Michael Haneke
Django Unchained, Quentin Tarantino
Flight, John Gatins
Moonrise Kingdom, Wes Anderson and Roman Coppola
Zero Dark Thirty, Mark Boal

WILL WIN: Zero Dark Thirty, Mark Boal

SHOULD WIN: Django Unchained, Quentin Tarantino

Adapted Screenplay

Argo, Chris Terrio
Beasts of the Southern Wild, Lucy Alibar and Benh Zeitlin
Life of Pi, David Magee
Lincoln, Tony Kushner
Silver Linings Playbook, David O. Russell

WILL WIN: Lincoln, Tony Kushner

SHOULD WIN: Silver Linings Playbook, David O. Russell

Best Foreign-Language Film

A Royal Affair (Denmark)
Amour (Austria)
No (Chile)
War Witch (Canada)
Kontiki (Norway)

WILL WIN: Amour (The SUREST bet of the night)

SHOULD WIN: Amour (Although that's the only one I've seen...I've heard GREAT things about NO)

Original Score

Anna Karenina, Dario Marianelli
Argo, Alexandre Desplat
Life of Pi, Mychael Danna
Lincoln, John Williams
Skyfall, Thomas Newman

WILL WIN: Lincoln, John Williams

SHOULD WIN: Cloud Atlas (Not nominated)

Original Song

"Before My Time," J. Ralph; Chasing Ice
"Everybody Needs a Best Friend," Walter Murphy and Seth McFarlane; Ted
"Pi's Lullaby," Mychael Danna and Bombay Jayashri; Life of Pi
"Skyfall," Adele Adkins and Paul Epworth; Skyfall
"Suddenly," Claude-Michel Schönberg, Herbert Kretzmer and Alain Boulil; Les Misérables 

WILL WIN: Skyfall by Adele

SHOULD WIN: Skyfall by Adele (Although wouldn't it be hilarious if Seth McFarlane won!!)

Achievement in Production Design

Anna Karenina
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
Les Misérables
Life of Pi
Lincoln

WILL WIN: Anna Karenina

SHOULD WIN: Cloud Atlas (not nominated)

Achievement in Cinematography

Anna Karenina, Seamus McGarvey
Django Unchained, Robert Richardson
Life of Pi, Claudio Miranda
Lincoln, Janusz Kaminski
Skyfall, Roger Deakins

WILL WIN: Lincoln, Janusz Kaminski

SHOULD WIN: Life of Pi, Claudio Miranda

Achievement in Costume Design

Anna Karenina, Jacqueline Durran
Les Misérables, Paco Delgado
Lincoln, Joanna Johnston
Mirror Mirror, Eiko Ishioka
Snow White and the Huntsman, Colleen Atwood

WILL WIN: Anna Karenina, Jacqueline Durran

SHOULD WIN: Don't care, so long as Les Mis doesn't

Best Documentary Feature

5 Broken Cameras
The Gatekeepers
How to Survive a Plague
The Invisible War
Searching for a Sugar Man

WILL WIN: Searching for Sugar Man

Best Documentary Short Subject

Inocente
Kings Point
Mondays at Racine
Open Heart
Redemption

WILL WIN: Open Heart

Achievement in Film Editing

Argo
Life of Pi
Lincoln
Silver Linings Playbook
Zero Dark Thirty

WILL WIN: Argo

SHOULD WIN: Life of Pi

Achievement in Makeup & Hairstyling

Hitchcock
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
Les Misérables

WILL WIN: The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

SHOULD WIN: Cloud Atlas (shockingly not nominated)

Best Animated Short Film

Adam and Dog
Fresh Guacamole
Head Over Heels
Maggie Simpson in "The Longest Daycare"
Paperman

WILL WIN: Paperman!

SHOULD WIN: Paperman! (I loved this short!)

Best Live-Action Short Film

Asad
Buzkashi Boys
Curfew
Death of a Shadow
Henry

WILL WIN: Curfew

Achievement in Sound Editing

Argo
Django Unchained
Life of Pi
Skyfall
Zero Dark Thirty

WILL WIN: Zero Dark Thirty

Achievement in Sound Mixing

Argo
Les Misérables
Life of Pi
Lincoln
Skyfall

WILL WIN: Les Miserables

Achievement in Visual Effects

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
Life of Pi
Marvel's The Avengers
Prometheus
Snow White and the Huntsman

WILL WIN: Life of Pi

SHOULD WIN: Life of Pi

The Best Movies of 2011 (A Work In Progress)

If you are an avid movie fan, this is the very best time of year.  I had stopped movie blogging for quite some time for a few reasons, some personal, some just related to me seeing so many movies it was becoming too much of a chore.  But I do love sharing my opinions, both of movies I love and hate.  This is the best time of year though because studios start releasing most of their movies geared at winning awards.  It's also the time of year I get extremely frustrated because many of my favorites go unnoticed.  Here is my running list of the best films of 2011.  This post won't be complete until February or so, which is typically when I've seen the majority of the films as they are released slowly - and it often takes months to see them if you don't live in NYC or LA.

1.  Win Win - (R) - It's a touching story of a good man who does a bad thing.  Paul Giamatti and Amy Ryan are brilliant, as are the rest of the cast.  It's a feel good movie with smarts, and still my favorite movie of the year.  It's on DVD now.

2.  Another Earth - (PG-13) - I can tell you right now this is a love it or hate it kind of movie.  I loved it.  Everything was so creative, from the script to the cinematography to the score.  And the last ten seconds blew my mind more than any film in a long time.  It's on DVD now.

3.  The Muppets - (PG) - Sure, the plot is paper thin and it's about a group of fabric figures, but no film exuded more joy and fun this year.  It was one of those movies that I didn't want to end.  The soundtrack is exceptional as well.  In theaters now.

4.  The Descendants - (R) - I love films by Alexander Payne, and this one is no different.  What is different is the tone - it's a very depressing little movie, but it's also a very powerful one about family, loss, and love.  It's worth seeing for sure.

5.  Source Code - (PG-13) One thing that I hate about certain thrillers is they often wrap themselves in a mystery so grand, the writers can't figure out how to end them so it ends up with either no ending or a stupid conclusion.  This movie ends perfectly and kept me hooked the entire way.  It's on DVD now.

6.  Midnight in Paris - (PG) - Woody Allen and I haven't seen eye to eye on what a good movie was in a while, but finally he releases his best film since "Match Point".  This is the very simple story of one man who is a romantic in a world (and time) where those around him are not.  I loved it.  On DVD 12/20.

6. 50/50 - (R) - A story about a twenty-something with cancer should not be a feel good film, but I left this movie feeling inspired.  On DVD 1/24.

7.  Take Shelter - (R) - A absolutely great little thriller that will leave you shook.  Takes paranoia to a place few films do, and I loved it.

8.  Hugo - (PG) - I had never read "The Invention of Hugo Cabret" before seeing this movie adaptation.  Some have told me the movie is terrible compared to the book.  While that often is the case, I really have a hard time believing it in this instance, as the story was so heartwarming that it would take a real scrooge not to like it.  It is a little "artsy" for a family movie I guess, but I still found it very impressive.  In theaters now.

9.  The Beaver - (R) - Mel Gibson is one of the most hated people in Hollywood.  But he still is a great actor.  If you can separate the art from the artist, I would urge you to see this Jodie Foster directed (and costarring) film.  When a man sinks so far into depression, his only hope for recovery is a discarded beaver puppet.  It sounds absurd, but it's very well done, I assure you!  On DVD now.

10.  The Tree of Life - (PG-13) - This earns my honor as the film I 'appreciated' most.  It's a work of art - a beautiful work of art.  It's also really long, and with a piece of art, I am not the patient kind of person who can stand too long and look at anything, so this movie did take forever to finish.  It's a real accomplishment though, and I'm very glad I saw it. On DVD now.

11.  Fast Five - (PG-13) - The fourth sequel in a series I wasn't too fond of surprised me more than any other film this year in that I went in thinking I was going to hate it and instead had a blast!  It's like an Ocean's movie with cars, and it's so much fun.  On DVD now.

The Dan Awards 2011

THE DAN AWARDS - 2011

For those of you that don't know, every year for the past six or seven years, the day before my birthday I reveal my picks for the best and worst things in the previous year of my life. There are some odd categories, there are some odd winners and, for that matter, odd losers. Categories come and go as I see fit, and I make no apologies for any award or diss that is distributed - these are the Dan Awards, and if you don't like them, I really don't care. So if you choose to keep reading, know that these awards might mention you. You might not like what you see, but that is what the comment section is for. If you happen to win an award, feel free to leave an acceptance speech in the comments as well. If Kanye West has anything to say, at least he cannot interrupt you, but he can post whatever he wants if he disagrees with my choice in any category. And for what it's worth, I don't like Taylor Swift either. (This is almost exactly the same intro as the 2009 awards, but it still fits here so I'm not going to change it.)

This thing is also chock-full of spelling and grammar errors. I wrote it early and in the AM, most of it, so I don't care. You can correct me if you want, but I won't change anything.

THE BEGINNING

Welcome to the 2011 Dan Awards. If I was to choose a host for this show, that honor would go to the first recipient of a Dan Award:

Dan Award for Person Who I Would Most Like to Host This Show:

Amy Poehler - Tina Fey has won this award the past two years, so it's time to give her a break and throw this to an almost equally talented comic force. Parks and Recreation has gone from crap to AMAZING from season one until now, in it's fourth season, and her Leslie Knope character is priceless. I actually want the host to be Knope. But since this is a low budget awards show, you get me anyhow.

THE ENTERTAINMENT ONES

As an avid movie fan, I feel it only appropriate to next reveal my favorite movie that I watched in the past year of my life (note that all the awards are from things that happened from September 27th, 2010 - September 26th, 2010). There were many great contenders, but....

Dan Award for Movie That Totally Rocked This Past Year:

Win Win - It was so close! It was between this, and 127 Hours. If I think about it too long I will change my mind back. Another Earth would also be a close third. Win Win balances being a sweet movie with an original story that hinges on the performances. Fortunately, Paul Giamatti, Amy Ryan, and a bunch of others turn in their very best, making Win Win live up to its name.

Dan Award for Movie That I Hated the Most This Past Year:

Little Fockers - It was between this and Skyline. Skyline I knew was going to be bad – it was – and it was no fun either – why I hated it. But LF should have been good. BETTER anyways. There was so much wasted talent that the only thing it will win is this award.

Dan Award for Best SCRIPTED Television Show:

I LOVE 30 Rock, and it has won for as long as I can remember - and it wins again. Hands down. There isn't a smarter, more consistent comedy on the air now. There was this medical study done that said if you are looking forward to a comedy show at night, your whole day at work is better. Thursdays are the best day for that then. Their live episode last fall was genius, and while it's become more and more crazy, I love every minute. I must say, The Good Wife and Modern Family were both contenders.

Dan Award for Best REALITY Television Show:

The Amazing Race lost the Emmy only one time out of like nine or ten (to Top Chef), but it never has, and most likely never will, lose the Dan Award. If you haven't watched this show yet, you're absolutely missing the very best hour on television period. If you think you hate reality tv, you haven't watched this yet. I dare you to watch a season of this and not love it. I actually get more excited about this show than I should – I mean, I always order dinner for the first and last episodes of every season to have my own personal viewing party.

Dan Award for Most Promising New Show of This Fall:

While I really enjoyed the new show Two Broke Girls, I would have to say the show that shows the MOST PROMISE is Up All Night. The first two episodes were very solid – not brilliant – but solid. I love the characters, especially the self-help TV guru played by Maya Rudolph (who I almost always call Maya Angelou). And it doesn't hurt it's from SNL and 30 Rock producer Lorne Michaels.

Dan Award for Television Show That Was So Bad I Wouldn't Watch More Than One Episode:

While Whitney sucked, Cummings likability will get me to watch one more episode. I won't however watch the horrible reality show Take the Money and Run again. Bertram Van Munster, my hero (co-creator of Amazing Race) directed and co-produced this dreadful little misfire where contestants are supposed to hide a briefcase and then get arrested while investigators search for it. The premise is fun – but the execution is laughable.

Dan Award for Best CD That I Purchased Legally:

First of all, I never download or rip music I haven't paid for. So that being said, my most satisfying CD purchase of the last year is an easy choice. Doo-Wops and Hooligans from the incredible Bruno Mars. He is one of the best new singers to emerge in a long time, and his CD boasts one hit after another.

Dan Award for Song of the Year:

This took some serious thought, and the winner ends up at “Shine the Light” by Sugarland. It's such a moving song about friendship and being there for people. Basically for me it's sort of a “I wish I had someone like that” song that makes me kind of sad when I hear it, but it's so good.

Dan Award for Best Concert That I Attended:

The winner is Brandon Flowers - his show at the House of Blues in Boston was incredible, and proved he could successfully break off from leading my favorite group The Killers to put together a solid CD.

Dan Award for Worst Show I Paid Money For:

I love Daniel Tosh - but when he came to Boston, and I paid $75 bucks, he let me down in a big way.  He mocked Christianity - but the bigger offense to the masses was that he wasn't very funny.  I can take a religious joke now and then - we're a funny people - but I cannot take being bored when spending so much money.

Dan Award for Celebrity Who Annoyed Me the Most (aka Dr. Phil Award):

Oh there are so many! I actually enjoyed watching the Charlie Sheen thing pan out, so he doesn't win. Each member of the cast of Jersey Shore could be contenders, but they aren't THAT bad. I don't allow politicians in this category. So with that said, the winner is Lady Gaga. She (He? It?) is everywhere. She (He? It?) isn't horrible, but she (He? It?) is unavoidable. I am not a fan, so this is a bad thing. And the antics and costumes she wears to make headlines are pathetic. As someone who works with youth, I also hated her performance of “The Edge of Glory” where she acted out a suicide. And the song “Judas” is pathetic – including her release of it during Holy Week. Fortunately, Adele is kicking her Kermit clad butt on the CD chart.

Dan Award for Best Book He Actually Finished As Opposed to the Eleven Others He Started and Still Plans to Finish But Knows Deep Down He Probably Never Will (This is Kind of Like the Book Equivalent of Watching the Television Show 'Lost'):

I am now a Hunger Games freak, and this is the year it all started. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins was the second entry, and IMHO (which is all that matters at the Dan Awards, TYVM), was the strongest of the three. Usually middle books (who I am kidding, I mean middle movies) are the weakest as they really just connect the beginning to the end, but here Collins shifts the story in a better direction and creates some very interesting conflict. Loved it.

THE BUSINESS/WEB ONES

These are a little more rapid fire for the most part.

Dan Award for Best Fast Food Restaurant: Panera Bread (good place for a vegetarian)

Dan Award for Best Dine-In Restaurant: On the Border (best Mexican)

Dan Award for Best Appetizer: Remy's Nachos (Boston Harbor Location ONLY)

Dan Award for Best Guilty Pleasure Eating: Denny's (I love it, and I don't even get drunk before I go.)

Dan Award for Best New Beverage Flavor: Vitamin Water Zero Blood Orange and Mixed Berry (that's one drink, with a long name – I made this category up just to give it something it's that good. But only when cold. Really cold.).

Dan Award for Best Product I Discovered: Vinylmation – they are 3' and 9' inch collectable Mickey Mouse molds painted to represent hundreds of different things and characters. My collection has begun!

Dan Award for Store That I Still Continue To Hate Despite Often Going In: (tie) Yankee Candle and Lowes

Dan Award for Best Online Store: Duh, Amazon.com

Dan Award for Worst Online Site I Visit Every Day: EW.com – the ads are maddening! I subscribe to the magazine so I should get an ad-free website to visit.

Dan Award for Best Social Media Site: Despite being very annoying and changing every month, Facebook still wins.

THE PERSONAL ONES

Dan Award for Best Accomplishment of My 27th Year:

This was a pretty slow year. A couple of years ago the award here was me getting on a national reality show. Before that meeting President Obama (before he won) and hitting a low weight were contenders. This year I can barely think of one. So I guess there isn't one this year. (CROWD GASPS). I mean, I guess I could say seeing like 130 movies in theaters in one year is an accomplishment, although that may be more a sign of an illness so I don't know.

Dan Award for Best Vacation Moment:

Back at the end of May, beginning of June I went to Florida for a week. The time was mostly just okay – family tension – ugh – nearly ruined the trip. But a lunch with my former boss at my university library/friend and another great friend almost single-handedly (sp?) salvaged the trip. So the winners here are Grace Veach and Lora King. Thank you for being great friends.

Dan Award for Best New Friend:

My DVR won this last year, and since I cannot give it to that again, I will have to say no winner here. There is a contender (a person) in the works, but it's too early to say.

Dan Award for Kindest Unexpected Gesture From a Friend:

I will have to say the staff at Shrewsbury Youth and Family Services for kicking in and getting me a birthday present. It was not called for, not expected, and so touching. If you have any extra money and want a good organization to throw it to, they should get it – they do great social work with so little. Also, I just got a card birthday card in the mail from Megan from I Survived a Japanese Game Show – didn't expect it and it was SOOOOO nice and surprising.

Dan Award for Friend Who, Out of Nowhere, Was a Jerk:

So I retired this award last year, as I don't like negativity (LOL, well, I'm trying not to like it). This year I had to bring it back though - there had to be a winner. Normally I have no problem calling someone out, but here I do. So this will remain a mystery...but the recipient probably knows who they are....and they are probably reading this....BUM BUM BUUUUUM.

Dan Award for Most Uplifting Friend (aka The Lora King Award):

Everybody in the world needs a Lora King in their life. I met her in college, and she is one of the only people I still talk to almost every few weeks. She is an incredible person, and even when she's going through crap in her life, she is always more concerned what's going on in the lives of others. She is truly a blessing.

Dan Award for Friend of the Year:

She's won this award many times, and again, she defends her title. Lora King, as mentioned above, is one of the kindest and most caring people one will ever meet. She is hilarious and genuine and well, if you don't know her, you should. If you do know her, and don't think she's amazing, you are probably an idiot.

Closing 27th Year Remarks:

As my birthday is on September 27^th, I always thought in some superstitious way that my 27^th year would be my best. Well, I got strep throat three times, and a viral infection. Had a bunch of other stuff occur that I won't discuss here. And basically hated much of the past year. If this is my best, that's really depressing.

Looking to 28:

Well, it won't be worse than 27. Most likely. Hopefully. Is anyone still reading this? I feel like writing a swear just to check, but I think I have a web-stalker or two out there who I don't want to offend. Hi both of you! How are your cats? And with that, we now rejoin your local news.

My Time as an Extra on the Set of Ted

It seems like every post I start out apologizing for how bad I've been with blogging lately.  Between being crazy busy at work, having strep twice, and dealing with a lot of other stuff in the past month, blogging fell way down the priority list.  I did recently have a neat movie going experience which I will start here, and have you finish reading about on my friend's site if you're so inclined.  Enjoy!

My Time as an Extra on the Set of Ted
by Dan Barbour

I won’t be walking down read carpets any time soon, but when the movie Ted hits theaters next year, I am going to proudly state that I’m in it. And I won’t be lying. As in most films, the upcoming vulgar teddy-bear movie starring Mark Wahlberg and directed by Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane needed background actors (more commonly known as ‘extras’) for a concert scene at the Hatch Shell in Boston. Extras are people who don’t have lines in a movie, but are seen doing something around the primary actors/action in a scene. Say you’re watching a movie where the lead characters are eating dinner at a restaurant, the extras here would be those dining at the other tables. It’s a simple yet important factor in creating a realistic environment in a movie.    Continue reading by clicking here.