I don’t know what I’m more surprised by.  The fact the Walk the Line didn’t get nominated for Best Picture or that only 7 of the 12 Enron jurors have college educations.  Skilling and Lay are screwed.

 

Here’s my first pass at Oscar pic picks.  Technical categories excluded.  And other categories I don’t really care about.

 

PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE:  Joaquin Phoenix will upset Hoffman.  This is Philip’s first nomination and Joaquin did not win for Gladiator and should have.

 

PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE:  Clooney won’t win for director or writer, so he should win here.

 

PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE:  Reese, no question.  We really don’t want a Desperate Housewife with a penis to win an Oscar.

 

PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE:  At least one foreigner must win every year.  This year, it’s Rachel Weisz.

 

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM OF THE YEAR:  Wallace & Gromit, hands down.  These guys have never lost.

 

ACHIEVEMENT IN DIRECTING:  Ang Lee.

 

BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE:  Murderball.  Everyone will be rooting for the Penguins, but the Academy rarely likes to pick the crowd favorite here.

 

BEST MOTION PICTURE OF THE YEAR:  Brokeback Mountain.  Yawn.

 

ADAPTED SCREENPLAY:  Brokeback will win since they will get stiffed in the acting categories.   Although Capote could get the nod here also.

 

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY:  Paul Haggis will get the nod for Crash.  In part, because he also won’t win for Director.

I figured out why Brokeback was boring to me.  I had lunch with Teddi Davis today and it dawned on me after talking to her that there was no character arc in the film.  The characters never change/grow/learn/decide anything.  It's over two hours of watching two men live their tangled lives which really aren't so tangled and never really untangle.  That's why they didn't win the SAG awards and that's why they won't win the Oscar.

 

If you haven't read Larry David's op ed piece on Brokeback, you must.  It's hilarious:  http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/01/02/opinion/eddavid.php

Saw Brokeback Mountain yesterday. I had an expectation that I would be blown away by the beauty of the film. Yada yada yada. I was bored by it. Beautifully acted, beautifully shot. Boring. Like watching two shepherds in a field. Wait...

Anyway, as someone who has spent some time in Wyoming, I feel compelled to defend the state. Brokeback paints a picture of Wyoming as a place where homosexuals are targeted for acts of hatred and violence. Is there some historic record of this I'm not aware of? I mean, other than Matthew Shepherd. (Coincidence with the last name?) I would submit that intolerance is greater in probably every other state. In Wyoming, they value privacy. Wyoming is a state of people who keep to themselves. The expectation is that everyone else should keep to themselves. Wyoming will tolerate anyone as long as they are quiet about what they do. Anyone who makes a spectacle of him or herself and thinks he or she is more important than anyone else is not going to fit in.

Wyoming was the first state to give women the vote. It was also the first state to hang a woman. In Wyoming, everyone is equal. There's a poster you can find up there with a little slogan. A young girl in the 1800s had a diary. In it, the final entry was supposedly: "God bless Wyoming, and keep her free." I can only surmise that the girl was eaten by a bear the next day...

Where are they now...

Here are some updates on what the cast of Seclusion is up to these days as they wait patiently for Seclusion to be released and increase their fame and fortune:

 

Christopher Stapleton is not only starring in a Spike TV pilot with Michael Madsen, he’s one of the writers.  In retrospect, Chris should have shaved his head for our movie and kicked the crap out of somebody…  To see a trailer, visit one of these:

High Bandwidth:  http://www.christopherstapleton.net/upload_user/DeadManTrailerHigh.mov

Medium Bandwidth:  http://www.christopherstapleton.net/upload_user/DeadManTrailerMedium.mov

Low Bandwidth:  http://www.christopherstapleton.net/upload_user/DeadManTrailerLow.mov

 

Jefferson Arca who starred as Mike Donahue (or Mike Richards depending on the draft of the script you read) is now the general manager of a bar.  Lannie’s Clocktower Caberet opens January 27 in the historic D&F Clocktower on the 16th Street Mall here in Denver.  From their website: “Lannie’s is home to Lannie Garrett, Colorado's most versatile chanteuse. This intimate nightclub showcases all of her diverse musical styles, from her swinging Big Band to her hilarious country-western spoof, ‘The Patsy DeCline Show.’”  When you go, tell Jefferson you know me and he’ll give you a free drink.  (You may have to give him $6 to remind him who I am).  Visit http://www.lannies.com for more info.  Oh, and Jefferson is still acting. 

 

The lovely Missy Crider has announced her engagement to Danny Kastner.  Fans of the Apprentice will know Danny as the guy with the guitar from season III.  Best wishes to the happy couple!

Disney loves Pixar

I am so happy that my kids are old enough now that we don't have to see every Disney film that comes out - whether in the theater or on DVD.  In our short tenure, we've had to sit through enough Disney crap.  Other than The Tigger Movie, the Pooh revivals have been disgraceful.  I actually fell asleep during the sequel to Peter Pan.  The straight to DVD stuff has been worse. 

 

The only bright light in animated entertainment has been Pixar.  Down the line, we've enjoyed every single Pixar film.  Now, there are excessive rumors that Pixar and Disney might merge.  Uggg.  http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2006/01/20/BUGLAGQ6FP1.DTL&type=business

 

I hate to say it, but Disney is creatively bankrupt.  There is nothing left.  If Pixar merges with them I fear that they will suck all of their creativity into a morass of dumbed down poppycock.  Just say no, Mr. Jobs.  Please.  For the kids sake.  I understand the desire to get your sequels back.  Disney will probably ruin those.  Find another way.  Don't let your culture be assimilated.

New Year's Resolutions, I have decided, are pointless wastes of time. Not so much because they are quickly abandoned, but because so many people delude themselves into thinking that they are really going to make their life better in the new year. Get over yourself. Your life will not be any better this year just because you will it into being.

Your life will be better if, and only if, you make plans. Make a decision and make a plan. Do something with your life. And quit telling me what you're going to do. Just do it.

The ball has dropped. Another year is upon us. I hope to spend this new year as I spent this year. Taking chances. Spending time with people who take chances. Teaching my kids to take chances.

Find your brilliance.

I've been so overwhelmed this year by the overwhelming support and the generosity of so many of the people in my life. Words can hardly express what I feel. I hope I can return the karma that's been given to me. I hope I can continue the magic.