The provincial newspaper, The Guardian, had a Sally Cole penned write-up on the theatrical year in review. Not one word was given to The Guild, which had a pretty busy year, theatrically speaking.
We all know that any article that even mentions theatre is a rarity for The Guardian (especially since Laurie Murphy has moved away), so perhaps I shouldn't complain. ( I can only assume that the fax that had some bantam-A Souris hockey scores didn't get received, so they had some extra room). But to have an article allege itself to be a year-end wrap-up of the theatrical year, and then to not even mention the Guild, well, that's pretty shoddy.
Either that, or the piece was only supposed to honour those who advertise more in The Guardian than those who do not. Honestly, I don't know if Anne & Gilbert or Victoria Playhouse did much Guardian advertising, or even if the Guild did, so that may be a totally unjustified assertion on my part.
Anyway, for next summer's Sketch22 show, I'm going to write a sketch that contains a hockey game, played on stage. Maybe that way, the Guardian will pay attention to the fact that actual theatre actually happens at the Guild.
And Jack McAndrew, don't even think about stealing this little blog piece and passing it off as your own.
Sunday, December 31
Boo! To The Guardian
Boo! To The Guardian
The provincial newspaper, The Guardian, had a Sally Cole penned write-up on the theatrical year in review. Not one word was given to The Guild, which had a pretty busy year, theatrically speaking.
We all know that any article that even mentions theatre is a rarity for The Guardian (especially since Laurie Murphy has moved away), so perhaps I shouldn't complain. ( I can only assume that the fax that had some bantam-A Souris hockey scores didn't get received, so they had some extra room). But to have an article allege itself to be a year-end wrap-up of the theatrical year, and then to not even mention the Guild, well, that's pretty shoddy.
Either that, or the piece was only supposed to honour those who advertise more in The Guardian than those who do not. Honestly, I don't know if Anne & Gilbert or Victoria Playhouse did much Guardian advertising, or even if the Guild did, so that may be a totally unjustified assertion on my part.
Anyway, for next summer's Sketch22 show, I'm going to write a sketch that contains a hockey game, played on stage. Maybe that way, the Guardian will pay attention to the fact that actual theatre actually happens at the Guild.
And Jack McAndrew, don't even think about stealing this little blog piece and passing it off as your own.
Thursday, December 14
Rob's Golden Globe Picks
Best Motion Picture – Drama
Babel, Bobby, The Departed, Little Children, The Queen
I've seen 3 of 5 of these movies. I didn't see Bobby or Little Children, so can't comment on them, other than through other people's buzz. I really enjoyed The Queen
as a biopic and as an insight to that bizarre world, but not so much as
a movie. Any awards it wins should only be actor awards. Both The Departed and Babel were excellent movies, I thought, both deserving. I'd give my Golden Globe award to Babel,
however, simply because of its international flavour. I think GG
members will follow my lead, although I won't be surprised or
disappointed if The Departed wins.
Best Actress, Motion Picture – Drama
Penelpe Cruz-Volver, Judi Dench-Notes on a Scandal, Maggie Gyllenhaal-Sherrybaby, Helen Mirren-The Queen, Kate Winslet-Little Children
Of these movies, I've only seen The Queen.
I hear great things about Maggie Gyllenhaal, but I think Mirren will
win. Since I haven't seen the other performances, I can't really say
she deserves it. But for her performance alone, she deserves it.
Best Actor, Motion Picture – Drama
Leonardo DiCaprio-Blood Diamond, Leonardo DiCaprio-The Departed, Peter O’Toole-Venus, Will Smith-The Pursuit of Happyness, Forest Whitaker-The Last King of Scotland
I hope Will Smith doesn't win, based solely on the trailer for the
film. I wonder if DiCaprio will split his own votes? I thought he was
great in The Departed and would be glad to see him win for it.
Best Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical
Borat: CLoAfmBGNoK, The Devil Wears Prada, Dreamgirls, Little Miss Sunshine, Thank You For Smoking
Sadly, I haven't yet seen any of these movies. I suspect Borat will win, based on the overwhelming gushing everyone heaps on it. Little Miss Sunshine may
be the one to take it away from Borat though. Heard good things about
Prada, too And about Smoking as well, but I didn't realise it was a
comedy (or musical). Favourite to win has to be Borat.
Best Actress, Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical
Annette Bening-Running With Scissors, Toni Collette-Little Miss Sunshine, Beyonce Knowles-Dreamgirls, Meryl Streep-The Devil Wears Prada, Renee Zellweger-Miss Potter
Guess I need to go see more movies. Haven't seen any of these, but
based solely on what I hear, Bening will win. I suspect it's a race
between her and Streep.
Best Actor, Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical
Sacha Baron Cohen-Borat: CLoAfmBGNoK, Johnny Depp-Pirates of the Caribbean:Dead Man’s Chest, Aaron Eckhart-Thank You For Smoking, Chiwetel Ejiofor-Kinky Boots, Will Ferrell-Stranger Than Fiction
Not having seen the movie, I hope Sacha Baron Cohen doesn't win. Haven't even heard of Kinky Boots. My money is on Johnny Depp.
Best Animated Feature Film
Cars, Happy Feet, Monster House
Best Foreign Language Film
Apocalypto, Letters From Iwo Jima, The Lives of Others, Pan’s Labyrinth, Volver
Apocalypto
is getting good reviews, but it depends, I guess, on how many Jews are
voting in this category. I'll say Gibson gets redeemed and wins.
Adrana Barraza-Babel, Cate Blanchett-Notes on a Scandal, Emily Blunt-The Devil Wears Prada, Jennifer Hudson-Dreamgirls, Rinko Kikuchi-Babel
I will say Rinko Kikuchi will win. She was great. She'll win.
Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture
Ben Affleck-Hollywoodland, Eddie Murphy-Dreamgirls, Jack Nicholson-The Departed, Brad Pitt-Babel, Mark Wahlberg-The Departed
category. One of the monthly magazines is talking up Eddie Murphy's
performance for Oscar buzz. Brad Pitt was very good, but really, other
than a couple of quiet-emoting scenes, his role wasn't that demanding.
Both Wahlberg and Nicholson were very good. Nicholson will win unless
too many people thought his performance was a bit too "Nicholson
hammy". Personally, I thought it was wonderful.
Best Director – Motion Picture
Clint Eastwood-Flags of our Fathers, Clint Eastwood-Letters from Iwo Jima, Stephen Frears-The Queen, Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu-Babel, Martin Scorsese-The Departed
Best Screenplay – Motion Picture
Guillermo Arriaga-Babel, Todd Field & Tom Perrotta-Little Children, Patrick Marber-Notes on a Scandal, William Monahan-The Departed, Peter Morgan-The Queen
Seems like I got a boner for Babel. I suspect it'll win this award.
Best Original Score – Motion Picture
Alexandre Desplat-The Painted Veil, Clint Mansell-The Fountain, Gustavo Santaolalla-Babel, Carlo Siliotto-Nomad, Hans Zimmer-The DaVinci Code
Babel. Oh, why not?
Best Original Song – Motion Picture
“A Father’s Way”- The Pursuit of Happyness (Seal), “Listen”-Dreamgirls (Beyonce), “Never Gonna Break My Faith”-Bobby (Bryan Adams), “The Song of the Heart”-Happy Feet (Prince Rogers Nelson), “Try Not To Remember”-Home of the Brave (Sheryl Crow)
I don't know and, really, don't care about this category. I'll say Seal beats Crow.
Best Television Series – Drama
24, Big Love, Grey’s Anatomy, Heroes, Lost
Based on last year's hype, I'll say Lost wins this one.
Best Actress, Television Series – Drama
Patricia Arquette-Medium, Edie Falco-The Sopranos, Evangeline Lilly-Lost, Ellen Pompeo-Grey’s Anatomy, Kyra Sedgwich-The Closer
Based on that hospital bedside monologue, I give it to Edie Falco.
Best Actor, Television Series – Drama
Patrick Dempsey- Grey’s Anatomy, Michael C. Hall- Dexter, Hugh Laurie- House, Bill Paxton- Big Love, Kiefer Sutherland- 24
As much as I'd like to see Michael C. Hall win, he won't. Hugh Laurie will win. But never discount the love for Kiefer.
Best Television Series – Comedy or Musical
Desperate Housewives, Entourage, The Office, Ugly Betty, Weeds
Hands down. The Office.
Best Actress, Television Series – Comedy or Musical
Marcia Cross- Desperate Housewives, America Ferrera- Ugly Betty, Felicity Huffman- Desperate Housewives, Julia Louis-Dreyfuss- The New Adventures of Old Christine, Mary-Louise Parker- Weeds
You know what I'm really sick of? The Sex in the City girls getting multi-nominated in catetgories like this. Now that they no longer exist, I hate the Desperate Housewives multi-noms. I'll go with Julia, even though I've not seen the show.
Best Actor, Television Series – Comedy or Musical
Alec Baldwin- 30 Rock, Zach Braff- Scrubs, Steve Carrell- The Office, Jason Lee- My Name is Earl, Tony Shalhoub- Monk
Baldwin is good, but too "supporting
character" for this award. Still, they might give it to him. Braff is
too "3 years ago". Steve Carrell is the winner right now. Jason Lee
is too "2 years ago", and Shalhoub is too, what, "10 years ago"? How
long has that show been on? Never saw a minute of it.
Best Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Bleak House, Broken Trail, Elizabeth I, Mrs. Harris, Prime Suspect: The Final Act
Never saw any of them, except Mrs. Harris. I'll say it wins.
Best Actress in Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Gillian Anderson- Bleak House, Annette Bening- Mrs. Harris, Helen Mirren- Elizabeth I, Helen Mirren- Prime Suspect: The Final Act, Sophe Okonedo- Tsunami, The Aftermath
That Helen Mirren, she sure can act, wha?
She splits her own vote. Annette Bening will have already been awarded
for her Motion Picture award. This one goes to Gillian Anderson. No, I don't believe that either. Helen Mirren wins for, hmm, eenie meenie... Elizabeth I.
Best Actor in Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Andre Braugher- Thief, Robert Duvall- Broken Trail, Michael Ealy- Sleeper Cell: American Terror, Chiwetel Ejiofor- Tsunami, The Aftermath, Ben Kingsley- Mrs.Harris, Bill Nighy- Gideon’s Daughter, Matthew Perry- The Ron Clark Story
Seven nominations in this category?
Really, this one is a total guess. Unlike all the other total guesses
I've made. I'll say Andre Braugher wins. And I don't like Andre
Braugher. He's too serious an actor.
Best Supporting Actress in TV Series, Mini-series or Motion Picture
Emily Blunt- Gideon’s Daughter, Toni Collette- Tsunami the Aftermath, Katherine Heigl- Grey’s Anatomy, Sarah Paulson- Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, Elizabeth Perkins- Weeds
Best Supporting Actor in TV Series, Mini-series or Motion Picture
Thomas Haden Church- Broken Trail, Jeremy Irons- Elizabeth I, Justin Kirk- Weeds, Masi Oka- Heroes, Jeremy Piven- Entourage
It'll be either Jeremy Irons or Jeremy Piven. I'll go with Irons.
Technorati Tags: Golden Globes
Rob's Golden Globe Picks
Best Motion Picture – Drama
Babel, Bobby, The Departed, Little Children, The Queen
I've seen 3 of 5 of these movies. I didn't see Bobby or Little Children, so can't comment on them, other than through other people's buzz. I really enjoyed The Queen
as a biopic and as an insight to that bizarre world, but not so much as
a movie. Any awards it wins should only be actor awards. Both The Departed and Babel were excellent movies, I thought, both deserving. I'd give my Golden Globe award to Babel,
however, simply because of its international flavour. I think GG
members will follow my lead, although I won't be surprised or
disappointed if The Departed wins.
Best Actress, Motion Picture – Drama
Penelpe Cruz-Volver, Judi Dench-Notes on a Scandal, Maggie Gyllenhaal-Sherrybaby, Helen Mirren-The Queen, Kate Winslet-Little Children
Of these movies, I've only seen The Queen.
I hear great things about Maggie Gyllenhaal, but I think Mirren will
win. Since I haven't seen the other performances, I can't really say
she deserves it. But for her performance alone, she deserves it.
Best Actor, Motion Picture – Drama
Leonardo DiCaprio-Blood Diamond, Leonardo DiCaprio-The Departed, Peter O’Toole-Venus, Will Smith-The Pursuit of Happyness, Forest Whitaker-The Last King of Scotland
I hope Will Smith doesn't win, based solely on the trailer for the
film. I wonder if DiCaprio will split his own votes? I thought he was
great in The Departed and would be glad to see him win for it.
Best Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical
Borat: CLoAfmBGNoK, The Devil Wears Prada, Dreamgirls, Little Miss Sunshine, Thank You For Smoking
Sadly, I haven't yet seen any of these movies. I suspect Borat will win, based on the overwhelming gushing everyone heaps on it. Little Miss Sunshine may
be the one to take it away from Borat though. Heard good things about
Prada, too And about Smoking as well, but I didn't realise it was a
comedy (or musical). Favourite to win has to be Borat.
Best Actress, Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical
Annette Bening-Running With Scissors, Toni Collette-Little Miss Sunshine, Beyonce Knowles-Dreamgirls, Meryl Streep-The Devil Wears Prada, Renee Zellweger-Miss Potter
Guess I need to go see more movies. Haven't seen any of these, but
based solely on what I hear, Bening will win. I suspect it's a race
between her and Streep.
Best Actor, Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical
Sacha Baron Cohen-Borat: CLoAfmBGNoK, Johnny Depp-Pirates of the Caribbean:Dead Man’s Chest, Aaron Eckhart-Thank You For Smoking, Chiwetel Ejiofor-Kinky Boots, Will Ferrell-Stranger Than Fiction
Not having seen the movie, I hope Sacha Baron Cohen doesn't win. Haven't even heard of Kinky Boots. My money is on Johnny Depp.
Best Animated Feature Film
Cars, Happy Feet, Monster House
Best Foreign Language Film
Apocalypto, Letters From Iwo Jima, The Lives of Others, Pan’s Labyrinth, Volver
Apocalypto
is getting good reviews, but it depends, I guess, on how many Jews are
voting in this category. I'll say Gibson gets redeemed and wins.
Adrana Barraza-Babel, Cate Blanchett-Notes on a Scandal, Emily Blunt-The Devil Wears Prada, Jennifer Hudson-Dreamgirls, Rinko Kikuchi-Babel
I will say Rinko Kikuchi will win. She was great. She'll win.
Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture
Ben Affleck-Hollywoodland, Eddie Murphy-Dreamgirls, Jack Nicholson-The Departed, Brad Pitt-Babel, Mark Wahlberg-The Departed
category. One of the monthly magazines is talking up Eddie Murphy's
performance for Oscar buzz. Brad Pitt was very good, but really, other
than a couple of quiet-emoting scenes, his role wasn't that demanding.
Both Wahlberg and Nicholson were very good. Nicholson will win unless
too many people thought his performance was a bit too "Nicholson
hammy". Personally, I thought it was wonderful.
Best Director – Motion Picture
Clint Eastwood-Flags of our Fathers, Clint Eastwood-Letters from Iwo Jima, Stephen Frears-The Queen, Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu-Babel, Martin Scorsese-The Departed
Best Screenplay – Motion Picture
Guillermo Arriaga-Babel, Todd Field & Tom Perrotta-Little Children, Patrick Marber-Notes on a Scandal, William Monahan-The Departed, Peter Morgan-The Queen
Seems like I got a boner for Babel. I suspect it'll win this award.
Best Original Score – Motion Picture
Alexandre Desplat-The Painted Veil, Clint Mansell-The Fountain, Gustavo Santaolalla-Babel, Carlo Siliotto-Nomad, Hans Zimmer-The DaVinci Code
Babel. Oh, why not?
Best Original Song – Motion Picture
“A Father’s Way”- The Pursuit of Happyness (Seal), “Listen”-Dreamgirls (Beyonce), “Never Gonna Break My Faith”-Bobby (Bryan Adams), “The Song of the Heart”-Happy Feet (Prince Rogers Nelson), “Try Not To Remember”-Home of the Brave (Sheryl Crow)
I don't know and, really, don't care about this category. I'll say Seal beats Crow.
Best Television Series – Drama
24, Big Love, Grey’s Anatomy, Heroes, Lost
Based on last year's hype, I'll say Lost wins this one.
Best Actress, Television Series – Drama
Patricia Arquette-Medium, Edie Falco-The Sopranos, Evangeline Lilly-Lost, Ellen Pompeo-Grey’s Anatomy, Kyra Sedgwich-The Closer
Based on that hospital bedside monologue, I give it to Edie Falco.
Best Actor, Television Series – Drama
Patrick Dempsey- Grey’s Anatomy, Michael C. Hall- Dexter, Hugh Laurie- House, Bill Paxton- Big Love, Kiefer Sutherland- 24
As much as I'd like to see Michael C. Hall win, he won't. Hugh Laurie will win. But never discount the love for Kiefer.
Best Television Series – Comedy or Musical
Desperate Housewives, Entourage, The Office, Ugly Betty, Weeds
Hands down. The Office.
Best Actress, Television Series – Comedy or Musical
Marcia Cross- Desperate Housewives, America Ferrera- Ugly Betty, Felicity Huffman- Desperate Housewives, Julia Louis-Dreyfuss- The New Adventures of Old Christine, Mary-Louise Parker- Weeds
You know what I'm really sick of? The Sex in the City girls getting multi-nominated in catetgories like this. Now that they no longer exist, I hate the Desperate Housewives multi-noms. I'll go with Julia, even though I've not seen the show.
Best Actor, Television Series – Comedy or Musical
Alec Baldwin- 30 Rock, Zach Braff- Scrubs, Steve Carrell- The Office, Jason Lee- My Name is Earl, Tony Shalhoub- Monk
Baldwin is good, but too "supporting
character" for this award. Still, they might give it to him. Braff is
too "3 years ago". Steve Carrell is the winner right now. Jason Lee
is too "2 years ago", and Shalhoub is too, what, "10 years ago"? How
long has that show been on? Never saw a minute of it.
Best Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Bleak House, Broken Trail, Elizabeth I, Mrs. Harris, Prime Suspect: The Final Act
Never saw any of them, except Mrs. Harris. I'll say it wins.
Best Actress in Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Gillian Anderson- Bleak House, Annette Bening- Mrs. Harris, Helen Mirren- Elizabeth I, Helen Mirren- Prime Suspect: The Final Act, Sophe Okonedo- Tsunami, The Aftermath
That Helen Mirren, she sure can act, wha?
She splits her own vote. Annette Bening will have already been awarded
for her Motion Picture award. This one goes to Gillian Anderson. No, I don't believe that either. Helen Mirren wins for, hmm, eenie meenie... Elizabeth I.
Best Actor in Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Andre Braugher- Thief, Robert Duvall- Broken Trail, Michael Ealy- Sleeper Cell: American Terror, Chiwetel Ejiofor- Tsunami, The Aftermath, Ben Kingsley- Mrs.Harris, Bill Nighy- Gideon’s Daughter, Matthew Perry- The Ron Clark Story
Seven nominations in this category?
Really, this one is a total guess. Unlike all the other total guesses
I've made. I'll say Andre Braugher wins. And I don't like Andre
Braugher. He's too serious an actor.
Best Supporting Actress in TV Series, Mini-series or Motion Picture
Emily Blunt- Gideon’s Daughter, Toni Collette- Tsunami the Aftermath, Katherine Heigl- Grey’s Anatomy, Sarah Paulson- Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, Elizabeth Perkins- Weeds
Best Supporting Actor in TV Series, Mini-series or Motion Picture
Thomas Haden Church- Broken Trail, Jeremy Irons- Elizabeth I, Justin Kirk- Weeds, Masi Oka- Heroes, Jeremy Piven- Entourage
It'll be either Jeremy Irons or Jeremy Piven. I'll go with Irons.
Technorati Tags: Golden Globes
Wednesday, December 13
PUUTTTINNN' AHNA RIIIIITTTZZZ!!
Peter Boyle died this week. While he'll likely be remembered by a lot of people as Raymond's surly father in Everybody Loves Raymond, to me and many more, his comedic pinnacle came in the film Young Frankenstein, in the scene where he duets Putting On The Ritz with Gene Wilder onstage before the soon-to-be angry mob. Every time I see that scene in particular, it guarantees a laugh out of me.
Thanks for that, Peter.
PUUTTTINNN' AHNA RIIIIITTTZZZ!!
Peter Boyle died this week. While he'll likely be remembered by a lot of people as Raymond's surly father in Everybody Loves Raymond, to me and many more, his comedic pinnacle came in the film Young Frankenstein, in the scene where he duets Putting On The Ritz with Gene Wilder onstage before the soon-to-be angry mob. Every time I see that scene in particular, it guarantees a laugh out of me.
Thanks for that, Peter.
The Long Awful Bus Ride Home
For some reason, the Charlottetown Transit system is using a smaller bus (less seats) for its busiest run, Confederation Centre to Charlottetown Mall. i don't know why they made the move, but I don't really like the newer (older?) smaller bus.
Anyway, last night, I got on the bus and immediately knew it was going to be unpleasant. A child wailing, in a stroller. I sit at the back of the bus and for the whole of the duration of the trip out to the mall, the child did not stop wailing.
Now, I am a person who can tolerate all kinds of children's crying if it seems to have a valid reason and purpose. Like if the child was obviously in some physical discomfort, I wouldn't begrudge the shrieking. This kid, though, seemed to be doing it to spite its mother. I say "its" because I honestly don't know if it was a boy or a girl. At first, the quality of the tortured screaming seemed to indicate to me that the child was, in fact, in pain. Soon, though, it became clear that the kid was in no pain and was only testing the mother. Upon this realization, my hate for the kid was totally on.
For a while, I sympathized for the mother. Poor, tortured mother unable to handle the emotional blackmail of the child. Soon, though, that sympathy turned to anger. Shame on you for not being able to handle the emotional blackmail of the child. Then I started wondering about the kid. It looked to be rather too big to be in a stroller. Also the kid didn't actually wail any discernible words. Just grunts and shrieks. That made me think maybe the kid was disabled in some way. I began to feel bad for the kid if this was the case. Soon, though, it became clear that the kid was not affected by any disability. Just a selfish, shrieking kid. With an ineffectual, infuriating mother.
The whole experience made me want to get home and hug my son, because I cannot recall him ever acting out in such a way in public. When I got home, I didn't hug him, though, since I pretty much put the whole ugly experience out of my head as soon as I got off the bus.
The Long Awful Bus Ride Home
For some reason, the Charlottetown Transit system is using a smaller bus (less seats) for its busiest run, Confederation Centre to Charlottetown Mall. i don't know why they made the move, but I don't really like the newer (older?) smaller bus.
Anyway, last night, I got on the bus and immediately knew it was going to be unpleasant. A child wailing, in a stroller. I sit at the back of the bus and for the whole of the duration of the trip out to the mall, the child did not stop wailing.
Now, I am a person who can tolerate all kinds of children's crying if it seems to have a valid reason and purpose. Like if the child was obviously in some physical discomfort, I wouldn't begrudge the shrieking. This kid, though, seemed to be doing it to spite its mother. I say "its" because I honestly don't know if it was a boy or a girl. At first, the quality of the tortured screaming seemed to indicate to me that the child was, in fact, in pain. Soon, though, it became clear that the kid was in no pain and was only testing the mother. Upon this realization, my hate for the kid was totally on.
For a while, I sympathized for the mother. Poor, tortured mother unable to handle the emotional blackmail of the child. Soon, though, that sympathy turned to anger. Shame on you for not being able to handle the emotional blackmail of the child. Then I started wondering about the kid. It looked to be rather too big to be in a stroller. Also the kid didn't actually wail any discernible words. Just grunts and shrieks. That made me think maybe the kid was disabled in some way. I began to feel bad for the kid if this was the case. Soon, though, it became clear that the kid was not affected by any disability. Just a selfish, shrieking kid. With an ineffectual, infuriating mother.
The whole experience made me want to get home and hug my son, because I cannot recall him ever acting out in such a way in public. When I got home, I didn't hug him, though, since I pretty much put the whole ugly experience out of my head as soon as I got off the bus.
Tuesday, December 12
Pauley Shore Gets Punched In The Desperate
So, there's a video out there showing Pauley Shore doing his routine in some deep south place. A guy in a cowboy hat comes up on stage and punches him. There are reports that the thing was staged. After looking at the video, which I'm not linking to, I would agree that it was staged.
If it was staged, well, how sad and desperate. If it wasn't staged, how sad and desperate that Pauley Shore is still doing standup.
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Pauley Shore Gets Punched In The Desperate
So, there's a video out there showing Pauley Shore doing his routine in some deep south place. A guy in a cowboy hat comes up on stage and punches him. There are reports that the thing was staged. After looking at the video, which I'm not linking to, I would agree that it was staged.
If it was staged, well, how sad and desperate. If it wasn't staged, how sad and desperate that Pauley Shore is still doing standup.
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Thursday, December 7
PDJ's M-F, U-E Holiday Midterm
Another one of those movie exam things that show up every so often on Sergio Leone and the Infield Fly Rule.
What was the last movie you saw, either in a theater or on DVD, and why?
The last movie I saw was Marebito,a Japanese quasi-horror flick that I didn’t really enjoy. But I saw that on The Movie Network, which is neither a theatre or DVD. So, to answer the question, the last movie I saw, either in a theatre or on DVD, was in a theatre. It was Casino Royale. The why of it is pretty simple: New Bond movie, and new Bond Bond. Itdoesn’t ask if I enjoyed it, but I did, for the most part. Daniel Craigis a very good Bond.
2) Name the cinematographer whose work you most look forward to seeing, and an example of one of his/her finest achievements.
I am assuming this means a current cinematographer whose (new) work I
most look forward to seeing. I’m not really too much into anticipating
the latest from cinematographers, as they pretty much go by
unrecognized by me (but not unappreciated, as I enjoy
interesting/pretty cinematography in movies). However, that last
cinematographer that I remember taking note of was Conrad L. Hall for Road To Perdition.
I thought that was a beautifully shot film. Sadly, he died shortly
after finishing it, so I can’t look forward to new work from him.
Joe Don Baker.
4) Name a moment from a movie that made you gasp (in horror, surprise, revelation…)
The first one that always comes to mind is the grave scene from Carrie.
5) Your favorite movie about the movies.
Robert Altman’s The Player, I guess.
6) Your Favorite Fritz Lang movie.
I don’t believe I’ve ever seen a Fritz Lang movie. And if I did, it didn’t register as a Fritz Lang movie.
I cannot recall.Or, I have not yet been adequately represented in a movie. In all honesty, I see a lot of me in Dexter, the character in the Showtime TVseries Dexter.
8) Carole Bouquet or Angela Molina?
Even after a trip to IMDB, both actresses remain mysteries to me. I'll have to go with Carole Bouquet, though, simply because I see where she was in For Your Eyes Only.
9) Name a movie that redeems the notion of nostalgia as something more than a bankable commodity.
Wow, that's one ofthose questions where you have to read it, like, a bunch of times even to begin to figure out what it means. Does this mean name a movie that conjures up nostalgic thoughts in you, but doesn't seem to be selling you the nostalgia? Name a movie which honestly evokes nostalgia, is that what it means?
Hmm? Does it have to be nostalgia for a period in my past, or can it be nostalgia for a period I didn't experience? I'll say Hope and Glory.
Does Arnold Schwarzenegger in Terminator 2 count? If so, I'll go with that. If not, I'm drawing a blank. I will not say OJ Simpson.
11) Favorite Hal Ashby movie.
Harold and Maude
12) Name the first double feature you’d program for opening night of your own revival theater.
The first feature would be Bonnie & Clyde, followed by Polyester.
13) What’s the name of your revival theater?
The Popcorn Box (even as I was typing it, I started to hate it. Then I began to really likeit. Now, I'm of mixed emotions about it)
14) Humphrey Bogart or Elliot Gould?
Elliot Gould
15) Favorite Robert Stevenson movie.
The Love Bug
16) Describe your favorite moment in a movie that is memorable because of its use of sound.
The animal sounds in Raging Bull when Jake LaMotta is boxing.
17) Pink Flamingoes-- yes or no?
Yes
18) Your favorite movie soundtrack score.
It's cliche, I suppose, but The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
19) Fay Wray or Naomi Watts?
Fay Wray, all the way.
20) Is there a movie that would make you question the judgment and/or taste of a film critic, blogger or friend if you found out they were an advocate of it?
Of course. Lots of movies. Too many to mention here. Anything starring Pauly Shore, for one.
21) Pick a new category for the Oscars and its first deserving winner.
Best ComicPerformance. Does it have to be from the last year? If so, hmm, not alot of comedies jumping out at me. Okay, so I can't think of anydeserving winners from this year, yet (although I'm sure there havebeen good comedic performances), but I do think it deserves to be acategory. Comedic acting needs to be given its props.
22) Favorite Paul Verhoeven movie.
In the same way that I suppose I could be forced to pick a favourite bout of diarrhea, I'd have to pick Showgirls.
23) What is it that you think movies do better than any other art form? Distort the realities of history.
24) Peter Ustinov or Albert Finney?
Albert Finney
25) Favorite movie studio logo, as it appears before a theatrical feature.
I do like the kid fishing off the D in Dreamworks
26) Name the single most important book about the movies for you personally.
Not much into books about the movies.
27) Name the movie that features the best twist ending. (Please note the use of any “spoilers” in your answer.)
Psycho. Only because the twist ending comes so early in the movie.
28) Favorite Francois Truffaut movie.
Am I bad for not knowing if I've ever seen a Truffaut movie?
29) Olivia Hussey or Claire Danes?
Olivia Hussey, please. By default.
30) Your most memorable celebrity encounter.
I have not had a memorable celebrity encounter.
31) When did you first realize that films were directed?
Probably Jaws, when I realized that somebody was responsible for causing me to be so on edge.
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PDJ's M-F, U-E Holiday Midterm
Another one of those movie exam things that show up every so often on Sergio Leone and the Infield Fly Rule.
What was the last movie you saw, either in a theater or on DVD, and why?
The last movie I saw was Marebito,a Japanese quasi-horror flick that I didn’t really enjoy. But I saw that on The Movie Network, which is neither a theatre or DVD. So, to answer the question, the last movie I saw, either in a theatre or on DVD, was in a theatre. It was Casino Royale. The why of it is pretty simple: New Bond movie, and new Bond Bond. Itdoesn’t ask if I enjoyed it, but I did, for the most part. Daniel Craigis a very good Bond.
2) Name the cinematographer whose work you most look forward to seeing, and an example of one of his/her finest achievements.
I am assuming this means a current cinematographer whose (new) work I
most look forward to seeing. I’m not really too much into anticipating
the latest from cinematographers, as they pretty much go by
unrecognized by me (but not unappreciated, as I enjoy
interesting/pretty cinematography in movies). However, that last
cinematographer that I remember taking note of was Conrad L. Hall for Road To Perdition.
I thought that was a beautifully shot film. Sadly, he died shortly
after finishing it, so I can’t look forward to new work from him.
Joe Don Baker.
4) Name a moment from a movie that made you gasp (in horror, surprise, revelation…)
The first one that always comes to mind is the grave scene from Carrie.
5) Your favorite movie about the movies.
Robert Altman’s The Player, I guess.
6) Your Favorite Fritz Lang movie.
I don’t believe I’ve ever seen a Fritz Lang movie. And if I did, it didn’t register as a Fritz Lang movie.
I cannot recall.Or, I have not yet been adequately represented in a movie. In all honesty, I see a lot of me in Dexter, the character in the Showtime TVseries Dexter.
8) Carole Bouquet or Angela Molina?
Even after a trip to IMDB, both actresses remain mysteries to me. I'll have to go with Carole Bouquet, though, simply because I see where she was in For Your Eyes Only.
9) Name a movie that redeems the notion of nostalgia as something more than a bankable commodity.
Wow, that's one ofthose questions where you have to read it, like, a bunch of times even to begin to figure out what it means. Does this mean name a movie that conjures up nostalgic thoughts in you, but doesn't seem to be selling you the nostalgia? Name a movie which honestly evokes nostalgia, is that what it means?
Hmm? Does it have to be nostalgia for a period in my past, or can it be nostalgia for a period I didn't experience? I'll say Hope and Glory.
Does Arnold Schwarzenegger in Terminator 2 count? If so, I'll go with that. If not, I'm drawing a blank. I will not say OJ Simpson.
11) Favorite Hal Ashby movie.
Harold and Maude
12) Name the first double feature you’d program for opening night of your own revival theater.
The first feature would be Bonnie & Clyde, followed by Polyester.
13) What’s the name of your revival theater?
The Popcorn Box (even as I was typing it, I started to hate it. Then I began to really likeit. Now, I'm of mixed emotions about it)
14) Humphrey Bogart or Elliot Gould?
Elliot Gould
15) Favorite Robert Stevenson movie.
The Love Bug
16) Describe your favorite moment in a movie that is memorable because of its use of sound.
The animal sounds in Raging Bull when Jake LaMotta is boxing.
17) Pink Flamingoes-- yes or no?
Yes
18) Your favorite movie soundtrack score.
It's cliche, I suppose, but The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
19) Fay Wray or Naomi Watts?
Fay Wray, all the way.
20) Is there a movie that would make you question the judgment and/or taste of a film critic, blogger or friend if you found out they were an advocate of it?
Of course. Lots of movies. Too many to mention here. Anything starring Pauly Shore, for one.
21) Pick a new category for the Oscars and its first deserving winner.
Best ComicPerformance. Does it have to be from the last year? If so, hmm, not alot of comedies jumping out at me. Okay, so I can't think of anydeserving winners from this year, yet (although I'm sure there havebeen good comedic performances), but I do think it deserves to be acategory. Comedic acting needs to be given its props.
22) Favorite Paul Verhoeven movie.
In the same way that I suppose I could be forced to pick a favourite bout of diarrhea, I'd have to pick Showgirls.
23) What is it that you think movies do better than any other art form? Distort the realities of history.
24) Peter Ustinov or Albert Finney?
Albert Finney
25) Favorite movie studio logo, as it appears before a theatrical feature.
I do like the kid fishing off the D in Dreamworks
26) Name the single most important book about the movies for you personally.
Not much into books about the movies.
27) Name the movie that features the best twist ending. (Please note the use of any “spoilers” in your answer.)
Psycho. Only because the twist ending comes so early in the movie.
28) Favorite Francois Truffaut movie.
Am I bad for not knowing if I've ever seen a Truffaut movie?
29) Olivia Hussey or Claire Danes?
Olivia Hussey, please. By default.
30) Your most memorable celebrity encounter.
I have not had a memorable celebrity encounter.
31) When did you first realize that films were directed?
Probably Jaws, when I realized that somebody was responsible for causing me to be so on edge.
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The Weekly NFL Picks Update
Well, the NFL season is firmly into its "if Team A wins three of their last four while Team B gets arrested in Mexico for indecent exposure, and as long Team C doesn't cannibalize itself in a plane crash in the Andes, Team D has a slight chance of securing a Wild Card Spot" period, and it's time to check in with my little NFL Picks contest.
Never before have I sucked more in making my picks each week. I am an abysmal 85-107, which is 44.3%. I could, theoretically, do better by flipping a coin.
Here are the current standings, with 4 regular season and all the playoff weeks/games still to come:
Graham the Conqueror is on top with the only 50%+ score: 99-93 (51.6%)
Next is the always near the top reverseflash with 92-100 (47.9%)
spragger2002 & Jim Simmonds are tied for third with 90-102 (46.9%)
RFTT1985 started out strong this season, but fell down the standings to 89-103 (46.3%)
Yours Truly, annekenstein, is at the bottom of the barrel, with a paltry 85-107 (44.3%)
And it's not just a couple of bad weeks which have done me in. Every week, I've sucked in my picks. Except, I think, two weeks ago when I got something like 9-6.
My Dolphins have had a remarkably frustrating season, too, by the way. A 1-6 start to the season doomed them to any realistic chance of making the playoffs. They're currently 5-7 and can only hope to play spoiler for others from here on out (even though they are not yet mathematically eliminated from playoff contention).
The Weekly NFL Picks Update
Well, the NFL season is firmly into its "if Team A wins three of their last four while Team B gets arrested in Mexico for indecent exposure, and as long Team C doesn't cannibalize itself in a plane crash in the Andes, Team D has a slight chance of securing a Wild Card Spot" period, and it's time to check in with my little NFL Picks contest.
Never before have I sucked more in making my picks each week. I am an abysmal 85-107, which is 44.3%. I could, theoretically, do better by flipping a coin.
Here are the current standings, with 4 regular season and all the playoff weeks/games still to come:
Graham the Conqueror is on top with the only 50%+ score: 99-93 (51.6%)
Next is the always near the top reverseflash with 92-100 (47.9%)
spragger2002 & Jim Simmonds are tied for third with 90-102 (46.9%)
RFTT1985 started out strong this season, but fell down the standings to 89-103 (46.3%)
Yours Truly, annekenstein, is at the bottom of the barrel, with a paltry 85-107 (44.3%)
And it's not just a couple of bad weeks which have done me in. Every week, I've sucked in my picks. Except, I think, two weeks ago when I got something like 9-6.
My Dolphins have had a remarkably frustrating season, too, by the way. A 1-6 start to the season doomed them to any realistic chance of making the playoffs. They're currently 5-7 and can only hope to play spoiler for others from here on out (even though they are not yet mathematically eliminated from playoff contention).
Tuesday, December 5
Santa Made Me Shit Bricks!!
Here is a great gallery of some pics of kids with Santa. Some of those Santa's would make me cry too.
Santa Made Me Shit Bricks!!
Here is a great gallery of some pics of kids with Santa. Some of those Santa's would make me cry too.