Focus deserves to win Best Picture.

I just decided that I really want Atonement to win this year if only so that Focus Features can finally have its Best Pic prize. Do you all realize that Focus has had not one, not two, but THREE films in recent years with director/screenplay wins that ALL lost Best Picture? WTF!?! Traffic, The Pianist and most recently Brokeback Mountain have all come up just short. 1999, 2002, 2005. Every three years, apparently, they just get SO close. Not to mention all their other films that deserved the top prize (Being John Malkovich, Far From Heaven, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind) and still more that very nearly, or arguably, did (Gosford Park, Lost in Translation). God, I love Focus. I can't believe they didn't win for Brokeback. I'd be so pissed if I were them.

Anyway, please just let them win one for Atonement. Seriously. It's time.

Could Glen Hansard get a globe nod for Once?

Sorry, I've just got golden globes on the brain. Don't know why. I should really be writing my spanish composition.

But doesn't the category look kind of empty? Even if they nominate Depp twice (actually quite likely, I think, for Pirates and Sweeney Todd... and he'll win for the latter if it's any good, which it may not be), and PSH for The Savages (also likely, given the weakness of the field), there are still two spots left. I assume Don Cheadle in Talk to Me would be placed here... but I haven't seen it, so I don't know if it's really a comedy or a musical or a drama, or what... plus, nobody seems to be talking about it, do they? Seth Rogen for Knocked Up is another option... they'll want to find ways to reward the film, but I always thought Heigl was more likely than he... she is hotter right now (just won the emmy, deserved or not), and gives, in my view, the more impressive performance of the two. Plus, she's got the title role (heh).

But really, that's about all the contenders I can think of. I'm sure there are more I'm forgetting. But they couldn't be THAT likely if I've forgotten them. So unless Johnny is double-nommed AND Hoffman is nommed AND Cheadle is nommed AND Rogen is nommed, then Hansard has a very good chance. He'll be on their radar screen if they nominate the film (more than likely, now, given the acclaim and imminent DVD release/campaign). And he does such good acting and singing, plus he wrote all of the songs. I just think a nom for him would be SWEEEEEEEEEET... please let it happen. Pretty please.

p.s. I'm waiting for a few more people to vote before I continue with the next round of WHO'S CUTER?. I know there are some of you out there who still have to do it. So do it already.

Golden Globes - Best Actress

I have some random predictions for the globe Best Actress categories, cause I feel like it.

DRAMA
Halle Berry (Things We Lost in the Fire)
Cate Blanchett (Elizabeth: The Golden Age)
Julie Christie (Away From Her)
Angelina Jolie (A Mighty Heart)
Keira Knightley (Atonement)

CATEGORY...?
Marion Cotillard (La Vie En Rose)
Nicole Kidman (Margot at the Wedding)
Laura Linney (The Savages)

JUST HOW MUCH DO THEY LIKE HER?
Jodie Foster (The Brave One)

Interesting race, this one. I don't really expect it to look much like the oscar list. Of the five I'm choosing, Knightley seems the most "locked" as of now... it's just hard to imagine her not being swept up with her film, especially in such a weak field. But I think Blanchett and Jolie can pretty much count on nods, too. The HFPA loves Jolie, and all her charity stuff is most likely keeping her in their sights. And they love Blanchett, too, and will probably nominate her here even if the academy does not (she won for the first Elizabeth). It remains to be seen how much they'll like Berry or remember Christie, but with a weak field, they seem the most likely to round out the category. I don't think Foster will be in. The Brave One is NOT getting the reviews necessary for an awards run, and perhaps more importantly, is not making much of a dent in the box office. The more likely spoiler, I think, is Cotillard, who MIGHT make a play for this category and not comedy/musical. But if Ray and Walk the Line were placed there, I don't see why this wouldn't be. It's not exactly Dancer in the Dark-level intense with the drama... is it? (I haven't seen it)

The other thing is... who will win this??? I honestly can't see ANY of them going the distance. I'm stumped. Any thoughts? Maybe Blanchett and The Golden Age will impress more than early word suggests. Maybe Atonement will sweep. Maybe Berry will pull a Swank and become the frontrunner... AGAIN. Maybe Christie will become the new Spacek in In the Bedroom. Only time will tell. It just would've been nice if there was some overdue legend in a great role this year... last year had more than its share.

COMEDY/MUSICAL
Helena Bonham-Carter (Sweeney Todd)
Marion Cotillard (La Vie En Rose)
Nicole Kidman (Margot at the Wedding)
Laura Linney (The Savages)
Ellen Page (Juno)

TOO MAINSTREAM?
Katherine Heigl (Knocked Up)

TOO SMALL A ROLE?
Nikki Blonsky (Hairspray)

WILL SHE BE RELEASED?
Michelle Pfeiffer (I Could Never Be Your Woman)

Yikes! This category's packed, no? Much harder to predict than drama, I think. Basically, I can't see any of the five I chose being left out, if early word is correct. But I really think Blonsky and/or Heigl will find a way in. The most likely scenario is that some of the five I chose will find a home outside of this category (Cotillard, Kidman, and/or Linney in drama, Bonham-Carter in supporting), but even that is hard to imagine. What do you think, readers?

And who will win this one? My gut is telling me Marion Cotillard or Helena Bonham-Carter, mainly depending on how well Sweeney Todd goes over and whether La Vie En Rose is placed here. Though I suppose Ellen Page in Juno could be bigger than I think...

My apologies for being lax with the Streepathon. It'll be back soon. I'm just so... busy.

WHO'S LEAST HOT? Choose five!

BANA
BEATTY
BELL
BLOOM
CLIFT
COOPER
CRAIG
CROWE
DAMON
DEAN
DIGGS
DILLON
ECKHART
FARRELL
FIENNES
GARCIA BERNAL
GORDON-LEVITT
GOSLING
GRANT
GYLLENHAAL
IGLESIAS
JACKMAN
LAW
LEUNG CHIU WAI
MARSDEN
McGREGOR
NEWMAN
OWEN
PECK
PHOENIX
REYNOLDS
RUDD
STEWART
WAHLBERG
WASHINGTON
WELLING
WILLIS

UPDATE: Oops, I totally forgot Orlando Bloom. Would he have been among your 5 rejects? I just forgot to include him. Damn. But anyway...

All 37 of these men won their matches in round one (for argument's sake, let's assume Tony holds his lead over Quaid). However, there are only 32 spots. What I need for YOU all to do is for for your least favorite 5, from this list, in order of preference. That is to say:

1) your least favorite
2) your second least favorite
3) someone you'd rather keep but have to boot
4) someone you'd REALLY rather keep, but can't
5) ouch, it's painful, but what can you do? no space

Got it? Good. NEXT:

After 5 men are gone, there is ONE spot left. This one will go to one of the losers... and there are many. Some of the most painful cuts from round one include (just off the top of my head): Brad Pitt, Christian Bale, Marlon Brando, Chris Evans, and Johnny Depp... and MANY more. If one of the above five isn't your guy, scroll through the archives and/or the WHO'S CUTER label and find the one you can't live without. Some of these guys REALLY should be competing. Sadly, only one of them will.

Got it? Good. This'll be fun.

WHO'S HOTTER: Tony Leung or Dennis Quaid?

This is it. The final matchup. There is simply no more space. In fact, it's already over-crowded, so there's another little game we're gonna play. But first, who's hotter? Dennis or Tony?

And the winners are...

Bruce Willis (3-2-0)
















Taye Diggs (2-1)



















Denzel Washington (3-2)
















Tom Welling (3-2)



























...and Matt Dillon (4-1)

Wow, I officially make no sense.

I just realized, when comparing my two "open letters" (to Jodie and Lindsay) that the one to Lindsay is much more sympathetic. That's NUTS. She doesn't deserve my tears. What is wrong with me??? Though in fairness to me, the Lindsay one was before her most recent arrest.

Anyway, just consider these "open letters" to really be "open therapy sessions" where Adam exposes his many issues for all to see. Clearly, a piece of me is a filthy addict, and another piece is a semi-closeted 40-year-old film star. Otherwise, I wouldn't have such vehement feelings about said people.

If only this meant another piece of me is a talented actress. Hmmm.

But yeah, you know what else makes no sense? I'm sitting here typing this when I have about a million pieces of HW etc. due tomorrow. Help! I'm going insane! I need sleep.

random gratuitous picture of sexy Clive Owen

...to top off my night. Peace out.

good on Hillary

Here's a very good article on Hillary, Rudy, and Petraeus. Hillary is not usually someone I'm inclined to praise - more often than not, I'm wanting to put my fist through a wall thinking about her being the Democratic nominee - but here, thankfully, she gives me cause to give her props.

Here's hoping she gives a lot more quotes like this in the coming months:

"Rudy Giuliani is dropping in the polls and is unable to defend his own support for George Bush's failed war. Instead of distorting Senator Clinton's record in the campaign's first attack ad, the Mayor should tell voters why he thinks sticking with the Bush Iraq strategy makes sense. The country wants change and while Hillary Clinton is focused ending the war, Mayor Giuliani is playing politics."

NICE. Go get 'em, tiger. This is the kind of talk that wins elections.

open letter to Jodie Foster

Dear Jodie Foster,

OK, Jodie. Seriously.

What's UP???

I get that you don't care that you're aging. That's great. Wear those crow's feet with pride. I also get that you don't care if you're ever nominated for an oscar again. That's fine. After all, you've already won two. Spread the wealth, I say. I ALSO get that you don't care whether your movies are good. Or whether you're ever IN movies. Or whether that closet you're in is getting a little cramped.

But Jodie... like... do you care about ANYTHING??? I know you care about your wife and kids, but that's not what I'm talking about. I'm talking about the implications of your fame. Your career. The respect you command (or could command). The clout you could be using to better advantage. THERE IS SO MUCH YOU COULD GIVE TO THE WORLD. Do you realize what a great role model you could be? Do you realize what a great actress you are and what kind of movies you could be making if you wanted to?

Here's a thought: If some executive on a film of yours fights with you about inserting a crappy ending, FIRE HIM. Demand that you get your way. Sure, the studios are powerful, but you're JODIE F***ING FOSTER. If they give you shit, just tell them: "I want this movie to be good, and if it's not, I walk." Play a little game of "everybody who's getting paid 10 million bucks for this movie, please stand up." Guess what? It's probably just you.

Maybe I'll give you the benefit of the doubt, and assume that perhaps you've actually done this a few times, i.e. wanted to do a movie, but couldn't do it on the terms of the studio, and maybe that's why you've been in so few movies. But you know what? I don't really think that's true. I think you've really just been sitting around with your wife and kids having fun, being like "whatever, I'm rich"... until once every three or so years, you deign to star in a film if Nicole Kidman drops out of it and they offer you 10 million dollars. I can just see you being all, "sigh, okay, back to work." Yeah, Jodie, life is so hard.

Okay, I'm being harsh. I know. But I'm just sick of this "I'm so above it" vibe you've been sending out lately. 'Cause I really miss seeing you in good movies. Like, maybe even one every year. Do you know how many times I've seen Contact??? I LOVE you in that. Please make something else that good. I'm only saying these things because I love you. In high school, I wanted to BE you. You're just so cool.

But oh yeah, one more thing. Maybe you haven't heard.

Jodie... you are a LESBIAN.

L-E-S-B-I-A-N.

That's what it's called when you have a wife and kids who you provide for. Yeah, you heard me. Need more proof? Look at this:

I rest my case.

Now, maybe it's none of our business... but guess what? We already know. Please don't pretend we don't. It only insults our intelligence. No one's asking you to go all Rosie on us or anything. You don't have to be some kind of Super Lesbian. We just want you to come out and say it. Just talk to the Advocate or something one day and be like: "Yes, it's true, I'm one of you... now let's all just move on." That's all you'd have to say. It's that simple. And then we'd all have SO. MUCH. MORE. RESPECT for you. Seriously.

Maybe you're afraid that being openly lesbian would jeopardize your work - 'cause you know, it's hard for lesbians to get roles as victimized, butch vigilantes - and that might be a valid excuse if you actually worked at all. And by "worked" I mean actually sought out roles that didn't just fall in your lap every few years because Nicole Kidman got skittish. But as it is, I don't think you're that worried about your acting prospects. We both know you have enough money to last you the rest of your life. And that you're not exactly looking to "stretch" and be accepted in a wide range of roles. So no dice. I think you just don't wanna deal with the trouble of it. Coming out, that is. But... come ON.

And again... I love you. Not in a creepy John Hinckley way, just in a devoted fan way. I miss the Clarice Starlings and Ellie Arroways of years past. I just want you to get your sh*t together and start doing something meaningful with your life. If you can't find good roles out there, produce something yourself. If Flora Plum just refuses to come together, start looking into something else. There are lots of films just begging to be directed by someone of your talents.

Please, Jodie. You only live once.

Your fan,

~Adam

Oscar Charts

I've updated my oscar predictions and made them into charts. They're in the same place: down (way WAY down) in the sidebar (maybe I'll move them up, now that the season's starting).

Have any thoughts on the charts? Leave 'em in the comments.

Write-in votes

I made a joke in the last post about write-in votes for Ed Harris (though really, I was serious). So, speaking of write-ins, if there are any men I've left out so far, please let me know, and I'll consider their inclusion (see who's been competing via the WHO'S CUTER label and/or the archives... it goes way back). Anyone who's nominated and then seconded should land a spot. But there's probably only one week left in the first round, so do it soon! I don't wanna leave out any major hotties.

WHO'S HOTTEST:Ed Harris, Bruce Willis or Billy Zane?

Who says bald men aren't sexy? Bald is beautiful if you're Bruce, Billy or Ed. But not all baldies are created equal. Clearly, some are hotter than others. Which one lights your fire the brightest?

And yes, Harris is now a full-fledged competitor. People seemed really enthusiastic about him, so I added his picture and everything. Astoundingly, he's now tied with Willis for the lead. So, call it a three-way race then. Or maybe just a three-way? Hmmm...

WHO'S HOTTER: Elijah Kelley or Taye Diggs?

Time for the song and dance men! And no, neither of them is Jamie Foxx. They are the ever-smoking Taye Diggs, of Rent and Chicago fame, and Elijah Kelley, the hot new star of Hairspray. Both these men are true triple threats, and astoundingly sexy IMO. Who's your favorite?

WHO'S HOTTER: Denzel Washington or Will Smith?

So I really felt the need to give a nod to all the hot black actors out there, and there are many. Unfortunately, once I started thinking about it, I realized that a lot of them had issues. Jamie Foxx is an arrogant prick, so he joins the ranks of Tom Cruise and others who've been disqualified for personality reasons (shame, though, cause Jamie's so physically attractive). Don Cheadle and Chiwitel Ejiofor are great actors, but aren't that exceptional physically. Handsome, but not exceptional.

But thankfully, I finally had a "DUH" moment, and came up with the perfect pair... along with two lesser-known new actors who are just as hot. The first two are above. Now vote.

WHO'S HOTTER: Tom Welling or Brandon Routh?

Pretty simple: Who's the hotter Superman? Discuss.

WHO'S HOTTER: Brendan Fraser or Matt Dillon?

This contest's theme: Boring, alpha-male white guys who were in Crash. Well, maybe not boring in the pictures above. Matt will always have his 80s days, as Brendan will George of the Jungle.

So, which is hotter? It's your call.

And the winners are...

Mark Wahlberg (6-0)




















Ryan Reynolds (6-2)





















Russell Crowe (5-2)
















...and Paul Rudd (7-2)

The List

This post is an announcement of an upcoming blog project: The List.

Every time I see one of the films on The List of 200 Films I Have to See Before I Graduate, I'm gonna do a little post about the film and my reactions to it. Eventually, there should be 200 posts. They'll include basic information like characters and plot points (so I can refer to them later before the test) along with some subjective opinion and qualitative analysis.

This is mainly a project for me, a way for me to record lots of info and refer to it later, but you're all welcome to read and enjoy the posts, too. If you have strong feelings about a particular film, or anything you'd like to say, please do so in the comments of each post.

My first screening for The List is on monday; I'll have a post up shortly thereafter. Enjoy!

WHO'S HOTTER: Djimon Hounsou or Mark Wahlberg?

Both are former models. Both were nominated for last year's Best Supporting Actor oscar. But only one will have a place in the WHO'S HOTTER tournament. Which one?

WHO'S HOTTER:Chad Michael Murray or Ryan Reynolds?

Battle of the B-list teenage heartthrobs.

I'm not a big fan of either of these two as actors, but they sure do get the juices flowing. Chad has the blonde and tan teenage twink thing DOWN, and Ryan is just really hot in an "adult male with chest hair" kinda way. Plus, Chad was in Freaky Friday. And Ryan dated (or is dating?) Scarlett Johannson. So they've got some cred. But anyway, back to the real question: WHO'S HOTTER?

WHO'S HOTTER: Richard Gere or Russell Crowe?

Who's hotter, the nice guy or the asshole? These two couldn't have more different public personas. But they both share that "hot older man" vibe. Which one do you prefer?

WHO'S CUTER: John Stamos or Paul Rudd?

Nothing much to say about this one. I just think these two look and act fairly similar. But only one is cuter. Which one?

And the winners are...

James Marsden (5-0)



























Aaron Eckhart (4-1)














Anderson Cooper (5-0)

EXTREMELY RANDOM THOUGHT OF THE DAY:The three democratic frontrunners are like neopolitan ice cream.

Sorry if this offends anyone. But I find it funny.