Chargenda

The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo

2010-04-05T07:22:00.000-07:00

I read this book a while back, but I just bought the sequel last week. Now, I am not much of a myster guy, but I was hooked pretty quick on this book. It is the story of a recently disgraced journalist in Sweden who gets sucked into investigating an old missing persons case by a millionarre. The family who he is looking into is big and complicated and wealthy and old...and confusing at first to keep their Swedish names in order. A female computer hacker gets sucked into the whole thing.

Anyway, crazy stuff happens, the mystery gets solved, and I get super excited to read the other two books from Stieg Larsson who passed away before the US release of these books. Good stuff!

Grade: A

2010 most anticipated movies list

2010-02-18T07:39:00.000-08:00

The Social Network (October 15) – Directed by David Fincher. Jesse Eisenberg, Justin Timberlake, Max Minghella. Movie about Facebook founders.

Rabbit Hole (TBD) – Nicole Kidman and Aaron Eckhart directed by John Cameron Mitchell who did Hedwig and the Angry Inch. I predict great things! Also Sandra Oh, Dianne Wiest. Wow!

Alice in Wonderland (March 5) – Tim Burton, Johnny Depp…you have all seen the previews.
Green Hornet (December 22) – Michel Gondry. Seth Rogen in what will be an off-the-wall take on a super hero movie.

The Kids Are All Right – Starring Julianne Moore and Anette Benning as two lesbians bringing up their sons. I keep hoping that Julianne Moore stops making crap and has a huge come-back! A Sundance hit.

Please Give (April 23) – Nicole Holofcener (Lovely & Amazing) starring Catherine Keener.
Clash of the Titans (March 26) – I loved this old movie! I can’t wait to see Sam Worthington and Liam Neeson tackle it!

Inception (July 16) – Christopher Nolan directs - Leonardo DiCaprio, Marion Cotillard and Ellen Page in this sci-fi movie. Also starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Michael Caine, Tom Hardy, Cillian Murphy, Ken Watanabe, and Tom Berenger.
Black Swan – Darren Aronofsky directs – Natalie Portman, Winona Ryder and Mila Kunis. Interesting cast and a story about a verteran ballet dancer.
Somewhere (TBD) – Sofia Coppola directs – Stephen Dorff, about a guy living at a hotel in Hollywood. That’s all I know.
Chloe - Atom Egoyan’s new movie (The Sweet Hereafter), erotic thriller stars Julianne Moore as a doctor who tests her husband’s fidelity by hiring a young woman (Amanda Seyfried) to seduce him.
The Tempest (TBD) – Julie Taymor directs Helen Mirren as “Prospera” in this Shakespeare classic.

Date Night (April 9) – Tina Fey and Steve Carrell comedy.

Shutter Island (February 19) – Leonardo DiCaprio, Martin Scorsese. Some are already saying they can see why this release was delayed.
Howl (TBD) – James Franco as beat poet Alan Ginsberg. Mary-Louise Parker, David Strathairn, Jon Hamm and Jeff Daniels also star.

Never Let Me Go (TBD) – Based on the novel about something sinister going on at a British boarding school, and penned by Danny Boyle, it could be good. I didn’t like the book I can see it making a pretty good movie. Kiera Knighly, Carrey Mulligan.

Footloose (June 18) – Chace Crawford in this musical remake.,

I Love You Phillip Morris (March 26) – Jim Carrey in a gay storyline…should be interesting.
Biutiful – Alejandro Gonzalez Innaratu’s movie staring Javier Bardem about a guy’s shady dealings who gets involved with a cop friend.
Tron Legacy (December 17) – The Daft Punk score is really the reason that I think this could be a fun movie.
Green Zone (March 12) – Paul Greengrass, Amy Ryan, Matt Damon. Iraq movie.
The Tree of Life (TBD) – Directed by Terrence Malick. Brad Pitt and Sean Penn.
Nightmare on Elm Street (April 30) – Here is hoping that this horror remake is a hit. Yeah, they usually aren’t, but I remember being terrified by these movies when I was younger.
Love and Other Drugs - (Nov. 24) - stars Jake Gyllenhaal and Anne Hathaway. It marks the first comedy for director Edward Zwick since 1986’s About Last Night….
Greenberg (March 12) – Noah Baumbach – Ben Stiller. I like Noah Baumbach, but not a big Stiller fan. Just will have to wait and see.

The Ghost Writer – Roman Polanksi directs Ewan McGregor, Pierce Brosnan, Kim Cattrell in this thriller about a man hired to pen the memoirs of a British prime minister, and the secrets he uncovers whilst writing it.
Robin Hood (May 14) – Cate Blanchett and Russell Crowe. Ridley Scott. Not too excited by the idea or concept. Just excited about Cate.

Test 1-2-3

2010-02-17T08:58:00.000-08:00

If I started to write on here again would anyone who used to read it notice?

2009 Oscar Predictions - Year in Advance

2008-03-05T08:17:00.000-08:00

Best Picture:

Revolutionary Road
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Australia
Blindness
Milk

Other Chances:
Changeling
The Reader
Doubt
Synecdoche, New York
Brothers
Frost/Nixon
Defiance
Body of Lies
Appaloosa
Burn After Reading

Best Director:

Sam Mendes – Revolutionary Road
Baz Luhrman – Australia
David Fincher – The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Fernando Meirelles – Blindness
Gus Van Sant – Milk

Other Chances:
Clint Eastwood – Changeling
Jim Sheridan – Brothers
Stephen Daldry – The Reader
John Patrick Shanley - Doubt
Ron Howard – Frost/Nixon
Charlie Kaufman – Synecdoche, New York
Joe Wright – The Soloist
Ed Harris – Appaloosa
Coen Brothers – Burn After Reading
Ridley Scott – Body of Lies

Best Actor

Sean Penn – Milk
Leonardo DiCaprio – Revolutionary Road
Frank Langella – Frost/Nixon
Benecio Del Toro – The Argentine
Brad Pitt – The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Other Chances:
Hugh Jackman – Australia
Ralph Fiennes – The Reader
Eric Bana – The Time Traveller’s Wife
Sam Rockwell – Choke
Jamie Foxx – The Soloist
Jake Gyllenhall – Brothers
Leonardo DiCaprio – Body of Lies

Best Actress:

Kate Winslett – Revolutionary Road
Nicole Kidman – Australia
Julianne Moore – Blindness
Meryl Streep – Doubt
Rachel McAdams – The Time Traveller’s Wife

Other Choices:
Angelina Jolie – Changeling'

Keira Knightly – The Duchess

Penelope Cruz - Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Meryl Streep – Mama Mia
Natalie Portman – Brothers
Emily Blunt – The Young Victoria

Best Supporting Actress

Cate Blanchett – The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Amy Adams - Doubt
Anjelica Houston – Choke
Kate Winslett – The Reader
Kathy Bates – Revolutionary Road

Other Chances:
Sandra Oh – Blindness
Amy Ryan – Changeling
Catherine Keener – The Soloist
Tilda Swinton – The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Catherine Keener – Synedoche, New York or Soloist
Frances McDormand – Burn After Reading
Scarlett Johansson - Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Samantha Morton - Synecdoche, New York
Dianne Weist - Synecdoche, New York
Raches Weisz – My Blueberry Nights

Best Supporting Actor

Josh Brolin – Milk
Heath Ledger – The Dark Knight
Mark Ruffalo – Blindness
Emille Hirsch – Milk
Michael Sheen – Frost/Nixon

Other Choices:
Gael Garcia Bernal – Blindness
Philip Seymour Hoffman – Doubt
James Franco – Milk
David Strathairn – My Blueberry Nights
Tobey Maguire – Brothers
Michael Shannon – Revolutionary Road
Russell Crow – Body of Lies
Robert Downy Jr. – The Soloist

21 Most Antipicated Movies of 2008

2008-01-23T11:54:00.000-08:00

Blindness (August) - Fernando Mierrelles (Constant Gardner, City of God) directs this cast that has me all a-twitter. Julianne Moore, Mark Ruffalo, Sandra Oh, Danny Glover, Gael Garcia Bernal star in the movie based on the Jose Saragamo story of a town that all suddenly becomes blind.

The Lovely Bones (TBA – could be 09) – Peter Jackson will direct this literary blockbuster’s adaptation. Saoirse Ronan, Rachel Weisz, Mark Wahlberg, Stanley Tucci, Susan Sarandon

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (November) - David Fincher directs Cate Blanchett and Brad Pitt in this retelling of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s story about a man who starts aging backwards. Tilda Swinton also is in this.

The Time Travellers Wife (June) – Eric Bana and Rachel McAdams bring this story to the screen. Please let it be fun and good and not some summer sappy romantic fluff thing.

Mamma Mia (July) – Meryl Streep is the lead in Mamma Mia. Need I say more!

Australia (September) - Baz Luhrman’s epic with Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman.

Where the Wild Things Are (October) – Spike Jonez directs Paul Dano, Forest Whitaker, James Gandolfini, Catherine O’Hara, Lauren Ambrose and Catherine Keener in this childrens’ story favorite. Screenplay was written by hip lit guy, David Eggers.

The Reader (December) - In postwar Germany, a young man’s decades-long obsession with an older woman runs headlong into a war crimes trial, where he learns an awful truth. Kate Winslet, Ralph Fiennes, Directed by Stephen Daldry

The Dark Knight (July) – RIP Heath, RIP….

The Fantastic Mr. Fox (November) - I could see a Wes Anderson come-back with this animated film based on the Roald Dahl story. Cate Blanchett, George Clooney, Bill Murray and Anjelica Houston all do voice-overs.

Revolutionary Road (December) - Sam Mendes directs Kate Winlset and Leonardo DiCaprio (together again), also has Kathy Bates. A young couple living in a Connecticut suburb during the mid-1950s struggle to come to terms with their personal problems while trying to raise their two children. Bring on the Oscars!

Doubt (December) - Playwright John Patrick Shanley tries his hand at directing his original work with all-star cast Philip Seymour Hoffman, Meryl Streep, Viola Davis, and Amy Adams.

Spring Breakdown (March?) – Despite being held off from 2007, I still might love this. Amy Poehler and Parker Posey together?!

Baby Mamma (April) – More Amy Poehler! A successful, single businesswoman who dreams of having a baby discovers she is infertile and hires a working class woman to be her unlikely surrogate. Amy Poehler, Tina Fey.

The Chronicles of Narnia – Prince Caspien (May) – I loved the books growning up and sort of dug the first movie. Bring on number two…

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (May) – Yo Shia, take it highah!

He’s Just Not that Into You (August) – Based on the book, this Baltimore set movie has a great line up of stars. Ginnefer Goodwin (who I love from Big Love), Jennifer Aniston, Jennifer Connolly, Scarlett Johnanson, Drew Barrymore, Ben Affleck and Wilson Cruz.

The Box (TBA) – Richard Kelly, who directed Donnie Darko tells this story staring James Marsden and Cameron Diaz about a couple who discover a box that when opened gives them wealth, but also kills.

The Argentine/Guerrera (TBA) - Benecio Del Torro. Directed by Steven Soderbergh. Story of Che Guerrera

Silence (TBA) - Martin Scorsese directs this castless movies. No clue about any details, but I like Scorsese again after The Departed.

Body of Lies (October) – Ridley Scott directs Leonardo DiCaprio and Russell Crowe. Get ready for a lot of Leo next year.

Headed to Dubai!

2007-10-25T14:08:00.000-07:00

I am headed to Dubai tomorrow.

Bitches who flip their hair onto me on the train

2007-10-04T14:46:00.001-07:00

If one more woman gets onto a crowded train and stand behind me and keeps flipping her hair and flinging it over her shoulder, I might lose it and cut the bitch. Every damn day some girls nasty hair ends up on my arm or on my bare skin, and I cant' take it any more.

flipping hair on busy trains: F

2008 Year in Advace Oscar Predictions

2007-03-12T14:25:00.000-07:00

Best Picture:
The Golden Age
Charlie Wilson’s War
Reservation Road
There Will Be Blood
I’m Not There

Other chances, in order:
My Blueberry Nights
Rendition
The Kite Runner
In the Valley of Elah
Lust, Caution
No Country for Old Men
Eastern Promises
Sweeney Todd
American Gangster
Michael Clayton

Best Director
Shekhar Kapur – The Golden Age
Mike Nichols – Charlie Wilson’s War
Terry George – Reservation Road
Todd Haynes – I’m Not There
PT Anderson – There Will Be Blood

Kar Wai Wong - My Blueberry Nights
Marc Forster – The Kite Runner
Ang Lee – Lust, Caution
Gavin Hood – Rendition
The Coen Borthers - No Country for Old Men
David Conenberg, Eastern Promises
Tim Burton - Sweeney Todd
Paul Haggis – In the Valley of Elah

Best Actor:
Tom Hanks – Charlie Wilson’s War
Tommy Lee Jones – No Country for Old Men or In the Valley of Elah
Joaquin Phoenix – Reservation Road
Daniel Day Lewis - There Will Be Blood
Khalid Abdalia – The Kite Runner

George Clooney – Michael Clayton
Jake Gyllenhall - Rendition
Denzel Washington – American Gangster
Johnny Depp – Sweeney Todd
Viggo Mortensen – Eastern Promises

Best Actress
Cate Blanchett, The Golden Age
Jennifer Connolly – Reservation Road
Norah Jones - My Blueberry Nights
Joan Chen – Lust, Caution
Evan Rachel Wood – Across the Universe

Meryl Streep – Evening or Lions for Lambs
Reese Witherspoon – Rendition
Kiera Knightly – Atonement
Julia Roberts – Charlie Wilson’s War
Naomi Watts – Eastern Promises

Best Supporting Actor
Mark Ruffalo - Reservation Road
Clive Owen – The Golden Age
Ed Harris - My Blueberry Nights
Philip Seymour Hoffman – Charlie Wilson’s War
Adrien Brody – I’m Not There

Woody Harrelson – No Country for Old Men
Javier Bardem – No Country for Old Men
Christian Bale – I’m Not There
Paul Dano – There Will Be Blood
Jude Law – My Blueberry Nights
Peter Saarsgaard - Rendition
Tom Wilkinson - Michael Clayton
James Franco – In the Valley of Elah
Geoffrey Rush – The Golden Age
David Strathairn – My Blueberry Nights

Best Supporting Actress
Julia Roberts – Charlie Wilson’s War
Amy Adams - Charlie Wilson’s War
Cate Blanchett – I’m Not There
Samantha Morton - The Golden Age
Natalie Portman - My Blueberry Nights

Venessa Redgrave – Evening or Atonement
Tilda Swinton, Michael Clayton
Helena Bonham Carter – Sweeney Todd
Julianne Moore – I’m Not There
Rachel Weisz – My Blueberry Nights
Meryl Streep – Rendition
Toni Colette – Evening
Claire Daines – Evening
Charlize Theron – In the Valley of Elah

RIP Meff

2007-03-08T08:26:00.000-08:00

This isn't really a picture of my kitty, but close enough.

Meff, my cat of 10 years, died at the age of 16 on Sunday. It was sad stuff.

You and your thumbs will be missed Meffers!

Grade: A for his life, F for dying on me.

# 1 - The Golden Age

2007-02-27T12:06:00.000-08:00

The Golden Age (October 5)
Cate Blanchett, Geoffrey Rush and Clive Owen star in the sequel to Elizabeth, one of my favorite movies ever. Also stars Samantha Morton and Shekhar Kapur once again directs. This gives the Oscars a chance to give Cate the award for a role she should have won for the first time around. I am peeing my pants with excitement over this one! Cate deserves spots in my number 1 and 2 movies.

# 2 - I'm Not There

2007-02-27T12:04:00.002-08:00

I’m Not There (TBA)
Todd Haynes directs Cate Blanchett, Christian Bale, Julianne Moore, Heath Ledger, Richard Gere and Adrian Brody, each who play Bob Dylan. No joke. How cool is this project? Couldn't be a more amazing cast and a more amazing direct. This will either sink or soar, who knows which...

Oh, and this is Cate Blachett herself in this photo.

# 3 - Charlie Wilson's War

2007-02-27T12:04:00.001-08:00

Charlie Wilson’s War (Dec 25)
Director Mike Nichols works with Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, Philip Seymor Hoffman, Emily Blunt and Amy Adams in this true story about the congressman from Texas and his shady deals with Afghanistan.

# 4 - There Will be Blood (December)

2007-02-27T12:01:00.000-08:00

There Will Be Blood (December)
PT Anderson directs Daniel Day-Lewis in the movie based on the Upton Sinclair novel, Oil. Also stars Paul Dano from Little Miss Sunshine. Believe it or not this, this is Daniel Day-Lewis on the set in this photo. I smell an Oscar nomination!

# 5 - Zodiac

2007-02-27T11:56:00.000-08:00

Zodiac (March 2)
David Fincher returns with this scary crime drima ala Seven starring Jake Gyllenhall. It comes out this Friday and reviews have been pretty favorable so far.

# 6 - Spring Breakdown

2007-02-27T11:55:00.000-08:00

Spring Breakdown (April 13)
Amy Poehler, Rachel Dratch and Parker Posey try to relive their college years when they go away on Spring Break. I love these three ladies so hard and am way excited about this one. I mean, just looking at this photo makes me giggle bunches.

# 7 - Reservation Road

2007-02-27T11:53:00.000-08:00

Reservation Road (November 9)
Terry George who wrote/directed hotel Rwanda tells this story, starring Joaquin Phoenix, Mark Ruffalo and Jennifer Connoly, about two families whose lives becomes intertwined when the father from one kills the son of the other in a hit-and-run.

#8 - Lust, Caution

2007-02-27T11:52:00.000-08:00

Lust, Caution (September 28)
Ang Lee’s next movie about espionage, set in World War Two Shanghai. That's really all I know about it, but looks like he is going back to the foreign language thing. Oh, and Joan Chen is in this, who I love from Twin Peaks days.

#9 - Lovely Bones

2007-02-26T12:18:00.001-08:00

Lovely Bones (TBA, maybe pushed to 2008)
How can you not be excited about Peter Jackson taking on a more intimate story that still has a bit of a fantasy level to it. This is the story about a 14 year old girl working to solve her own murder.

#10 - My Blueberry Nights

2007-02-26T12:17:00.000-08:00

My Blueberry Nights (TBA)
Kar Wai Wong directs Norah Jones, Jude Law, Natalie Portman, Rachel Weisz, David Straithairnn and Ed Harris in his first English language film. I love the potential for celebrated foreign directors who go all Hollywood, but that often backfires.

#11 - Rendition

2007-02-26T12:15:00.000-08:00

Rendition (End of 2007)
Gavin Hood is another foreign guy crossing over into Hollywood after his Oscar for Tsotsi. Jake Gyllenhal, Reese Withespoon, Meryl Streep and Alan Arkin join the cast of this CIA story. This looks like an amazing cast and the potential for an amazing movie. Lots of Oscar bait!

#12 - Sweeney Todd

2007-02-26T12:14:00.001-08:00

Sweeney Todd (End of 2007)
Tim Burton is so hit or miss these days, but his projects always sound super cool. Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter star, shocker, is this adaptation of the musical. Could be really fun! Sacha Baron Cohen also joins the cast.

#13 Spiderman 3

2007-02-26T12:10:00.000-08:00

Spider Man 3 (May 4)
I don’t need to say much about this. Just hope it rocks as much as 2 did.

#14 - Evening

2007-02-26T12:08:00.000-08:00

Evening (June 15)
Written by Michael Cunningham and starring Meryl Streep as a dying woman and how it is impacting her daughts, Toni Colette and Clair Daines. Patrick Wilson co-stars.

#15 - The Kite Runner

2007-02-22T14:07:00.001-08:00

The Kite Runner (November 2)
Marc Foster (Finding Neverland) takes this wildly popular novel about a man’s return to Afghanastan and turns it into what could be a hit or miss movie and give us a break-out star in Shaun Toab.

#16 - Eastern Promises

2007-02-22T14:04:00.000-08:00

Eastern Promises (Fall 2007)
Viggo Mortenson, Naomi Watts in this David Cronenberg film about organized crime in London.

#17 - In the Valley of Elah

2007-02-22T14:03:00.001-08:00

In the Valley of Elah (September 21)
Directed by Paul Haggis (who wrote/directed Crash and wrote Million Dollar Baby) Stars: Tommy Lee Jones, Charlize Theron, James Franco and Susan Sarandon. A career officer (Jones) investigates the disappearance of his son, an exemplary soldier who went AWOL after his recent return from Iraq. One of a bunch of Iraq wars stories coming up.

#18 - Beowulf

2007-02-22T14:01:00.000-08:00

Beowulf (November 16)
Robert Zemekis directs a crazy long list of stars in this adaptation of the classic British story. Stars: Angelina Jolie, Anthony Hopkins, Ray Winstone, Crispin Glover, Robin Wright Penn, Alison Lohman, John Malkovich and Brendan Gleeson.

#19 - Goya's Ghost

2007-02-22T14:00:00.000-08:00

Goya’s Ghost (Summer 2007)
Javier Bardem and Natalie Portman are in this movie that makes me nervous because it was pushed to 2007 last year. Milos Foreman directs, who I totally love.

#20 - Hounddog

2007-02-21T11:23:00.000-08:00

Hounddog (2007)
Dakota Fanning gets raped in this movie. I love her.

#21 - No Country for Old Men

2007-02-21T11:16:00.000-08:00

No Country for Old Men (TBA)
The Coen brothers direct Tommy Lee Jones and Woody Harrelson in this adaptation of the Cormac McCarthy book. A hunter stumbles upon some dead bodies, a stash of heroin and more than $2 million in cash near the Rio Grande, and that’s the setup for this one. I have always been a Woody Harrelson fan.

#22 - Love in the Time of Cholera

2007-02-21T11:14:00.001-08:00

Love in the Time of Cholera (TBA)
Javier Bardem stars in this movie adaptation directed by Mike Newell (Four Weddings and a Funeral, Harry Potter). Leiv Schreiber and John Leguizmo also star.

#23 - Across the Universe

2007-02-21T11:12:00.000-08:00

Across the Universe (September 28)
Evan Rachel wood stars in this musical romance from director/choreographer Julie Taymor set in the 60’s and set to Beatles songs. I really love Evan Rachel Wood and am excited but skeptical about this movie. I am not a big fan of Taymor's other stuff.

#24 - American Gangster

2007-02-21T11:11:00.000-08:00

American Gangster (November 7)
Ridley Scott directs Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe in this 1970’s crime drama. Looks totally boring to me, but people are talking about it already.

#25 - Michael Clayton

2007-02-21T11:10:00.003-08:00

Michael Clayton (September 14)
George Clooney, Tom Wilkinson and Tilda Swinton are featured in this crime drama about a NYC attorney. Tony Gilroy directs for the first time after writing the Bourne movies.

2007's Most Anticipated Movies

2007-02-21T11:09:00.001-08:00

What you are going to see over the next week or so are my 25 most anticipated movies of 2007. And right after that, my year in advance Oscar picks!

Final Oscar Winner Predictions

2007-02-20T09:06:00.000-08:00

Here it is...my final Oscar winner predictions. Last year I got all but three catagories right, pretty damn good. This year that very likely won't happen. It is a tricky year, which makes for a fun night!

Best Picture - The Departed

Achievement in Directing - Martin Scorsese The Departed

Best Original Screenplay - Little Miss Sunshine

Vote for Best Adapted Screenplay - The Departed

Best Actress - Helen Mirren The Queen

Achievement in Cinematography - Children of Men

Best Actor - Forest Whitaker The Last King of Scotland

Best Film Editing - Babel

Sound Editing - Letters From Iwo Jima

Best Foreign-Language Film - 'Pan's Labyrinth' - Mexico

Best Original Song - 'Listen' - Music by Henry Krieger and Scott Cutler; Lyric by Anne Preven Dreamgirls

Achievement in Sound Mixing - Dreamgirls

Best Original Score - The Queen

Best Art Direction - Pan's Labyrinth

Best Documentary Feature - An Inconvenient Truth

Best Documentary Short - The Blood of Yingzhou District

Best Supporting Actress - Jennifer Hudson Dreamgirls

Best Animated Feature Film - Cars

Achievement in Makeup - Pan's Labyrinth

Achievement in Costume Design - Dreamgirls

Animated Short Film - The Little Matchgirl

Best Live-Action Short Film - West Bank Story

Best Visual Effects - Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest

Best Supporting Actor - Alan Arkin Little Miss Sunshine

Final Oscar Nominee Predictions

2007-01-18T07:27:00.000-08:00

The Oscar nominees are announced a week from today. I work on updating this list about once a month during the year. Here are my final picks for this year!

Best Picture:
Dreamgirls
The Departed
Babel
Little Miss Sunshine
The Queen
Runner-Up: United 93
I wish: Little Children

Best Director
Martin Scorsese – The Departed
Alejandro González Iñárritu – Babel
Stephen Frears – The Queen
Bill Condon – Dreamgirls
Clint Eastwood – Letters from Iwo Jima
Runner Up – Paul Greengrass – United 93
I wish: Robert Altman – Prairie Home Companion

Best Actor:
Forest Whitaker - The Last King of Scotland
Leonardo DiCaprio – The Departed
Peter O’Tool - Venus
Will Smith – The Pursuit of Happyiness
Ryan Gosling – Half Nelson
Runner Up: Sacha Baron Cohen - Borat
I wish: Patrick Wilson – Little Children

Best Supporting Actor
Eddie Murphy – Dreamgirls
Brad Pitt – Babel
Jack Nicholson – The Departed
Alan Arkin – Little Miss Sunshine
Jackie Earl Haley – Little Children

Runner-up: Michael Sheen – The Queen
I wish: Mark Wahlberg – The Departed

Best Actress
Hellen Mirren – The Queen
Kate Winslet – Little Children
Meryl Streep – The Devil Wears Prada
Judi Dench – Notes on a Sandal
Penelope Cruz – Volver
Runner-up: Nobody. This group is solid
I wish: Annette Benning had some room in here for running with scissors

Best Supporting Actress:
Jennifer Hudson – Dreamgirls
Adrianna Barraza – Babel
Abigail Breslin – Little Miss Sunshine
Rinko Kulchi - Babel
Cate Blanchett – Notes on a Scandal
Runner-Up: Emily Blunt – The Devil Wear’s Prada
I wish: Meryl Streep – Prairie Home Companion

Best Adapted Screenplay
The Departed
Dreamgirls
Little Children
The Last King of Scotland
Notes on a Sandal
Runner-up: Thank You for Smoking

Best Original Screenplay
The Queen
Little Miss Sunshine
Babel
Volver
United 93
Runner Up: Pan’s Labrynth

A ton of grades...

2007-01-03T11:53:00.000-08:00

I need a slap on the wrist from the blogger Gods... I just don't seem to have as much blogging time. So, a bunch of grades all in one post:

Pan's Labyrinth: B+
Dreamgirls: B
New Year's Eve: A (much better than compared to mine a year ago)
Summer's Eve: B (it still doesn't smell fresh)
My holiday travel woes: F
My new Kitchen Aid mixer: A
The Glass Castle: A Memoir: A
The new zippy my boyfriend got me: A
Not having the Nintendo Wii yet: D
My new gym membership: I (not sure yet)

I need to do some thinking about how I can either change my format or do something to keep me blogging. Ideas?

Cranky Holiday

2006-12-20T13:41:00.000-08:00

I knew my holiday spirits wouldn't hold up. I am officially over the holidays as of today.

I was really excited for them. I love my family, but I am already stressed about heading home. Getting an "agenda" for your vacation isn't too relaxing. And I am going to miss my boyfriend a bunch, whose birthday is on Christmas day.

I feel SO cranky right now!

Grade: F

Coobah

2006-12-20T13:37:00.000-08:00

I checked out this restaurant on Southport. I was concerned because it is billed as being a fusion of Brazil, Mexico, Spain and the Phillipines. A whole lot going on!

But, we got a bunch of appetizers and all tried each others dishes, and all of us loved it!

That's all I have to say...blogging bores me these days...

Grade: B+

December Oscar picks

2006-12-05T11:23:00.000-08:00

Here is what I am thinking will get nominated in each catagory. I limited myself to just one runner-up in each catagory.

Best Picture:
Dreamgirls
The Departed
Babel
Little Miss Sunshine
Little Children
Runner Up: The Queen

Best Director
Martin Scorsese – The Departed
Alejandro González Iñárritu – Babel
Stephen Frears – The Queen
Todd Field – Little Children
Bill Condon – Dreamgirls
Runner-up: Clint Eastwood – Flags of Our Fathers (God, I hope not...)

Best Actor:
Peter O’Tool - Venus
Forest Whitaker - The Last King of Scotland
Leonardo DiCaprio – The Departed
Will Smith – The Pursuit of Happyiness
Ryan Gosling – Half Nelson
Runner-up: Aaron Echart – Thank You for Smoking (I predict some attention and new buzz ahead)

Best Supporting Actor
Eddie Murphy – Dreamgirls
Brad Pitt – Babel
Jack Nicholson – The Departed
Alan Arkin – Little Miss Sunshine
Michael Sheen – The Queen
Runner-up: Jackie Earl Haley – Little Children

Best Actress
Hellen Mirren – The Queen
Kate Winslet – Little Children
Meryl Streep – The Devil Wears Prada
Judi Dench – Notes on a Sandal
Annette Benning – Running With Scissors
Runner-up: Penelope Cruz – Volver

Best Supporting Actress:
Jennifer Hudson – Dreamgirls
Abigail Breslin – Little Miss Sunshine
Rinko Kulchi - Babel
Cate Blanchett – Notes on a Scandal
Maggie Gyllenhall – World Trade Center
Runner-Up: Adrianna Barraza - Babel

Best Adapted Screenplay
The Departed
Dreamgirls
Little Children
Notes on a Sandal
Thank You for Smoking
Runner-Up: Flags of Our Fathers

Best Original Screenplay
Little Miss Sunshine
Babel
The Queen
Volver
A Prairie Home Companion
Runner-Up: Stranger Than Fiction

Quail Egg Ravioli

2006-12-05T10:21:00.000-08:00

I know I already blogged about Schwa. But I can't stop thinking about that amazing quail egg ravioli they had there. A softly cooked quail egg inside that amazingly good pasta, served with some creamy yumminess and white truffles shaved on the top. It is, for sure, the best dish I have ever had. Heaven!

Grade: A+

Volver

2006-12-04T07:23:00.000-08:00

Pedro Almodover's obsession with mothers continues with Volver. Penelope Cruz stars in the movie about a woman, her daughter, her husband and her dead mother.

I movie is light and heavy and funny and a downer all at once. Almodover continues his reign as one of the world's greatest directors, even when taking on something that seems to have a tinge of Hollywood fluff movies to it.

Cruz deserves the attention she is getting, but there is something about her that I just can't latch onto and fall in love with like most people have. She is great in this role, but I can't say I am in her cheering section for an Oscar. But, her sister, that's a different story, I loved the role and the actress who played her.

Grade: B+

Jpod

2006-12-04T07:14:00.000-08:00

As you have heard me say before, Douglas Coupland is my favorite author. He still, but I can't say I love Jpod.

It is the story of a guy and his quirky coworkers at a video game production company. They have a boring office life, but the protagonist, Ethan, has a crazy life outside of work: parents who grow and sell pot, a cheating-ballroom-dancing-attempted-film-star father, shady Chinese business men, heroin addicts and the like. Oh, and don't forget a pivotol role for Coupland himself in his own novel (which seemed trite after seeing Bret Easten Ellis do this in the last novel I finished).

I guess I was let down because it felt like Coupland took a bunch of his past books and mushed them together into some sort of "greatest hits" novel. Take one part Microserfs, one part All Families are Psychotic, one part Shampoo Planet and mix it all together for this novel.

And the pages of random numbers, computer code, useless rambing cultural refernces, etc. didn't help.

As hard as I am coming down on this, I still sort of liked the book. Just because I like Couplands style. I like the cooky scenarios and geek chic characters he creates. But next time I want him to tone it down a little and not throw so much into the pot all at once.

Grade: B-

Running With Scissors

2006-11-29T08:08:00.000-08:00

I saw this movie last night despite some negative reviews. I just love Augusten Burroughs and wanted to see for myself.

I can't say I disagreed with the reviews that I have seen. But, I also can't say I hated the movie. It was awkward and choppy and weird in a lot of places, and didn't seem to have a good flow to it. But, how do you give this book about all these crazy people a good flow?

I loved Evan Rachel Wood in it. I didn't love Gwyneth or the fella who played Augusten.

But, I really really loved Annette Benning. I would suggest you go see the movie just for her. She rules the movie and every scene she is in, but not in a over the top sort of way. The woman is just brilliant and best be nominated for an Oscar for this.

Grade: C+ for the movie, A for Annette

Little Children

2006-11-29T08:06:00.000-08:00

You may remember that I reviewed this book before and loved it. So, I was thrilled when I heard it was going to be a movie. Not to mention a little nervous how it would translate to the screen.

I loved it! They really take the tone of the book and bring it to the movie. It was one of the prettiest, most original movies I have seen in a long long time. Kate Winselt, Patrick Wilson and Jennifer Connely are all wonderful in it.

This is for sure going to be at the top of my list for favorite movies of the year. I hope it gains some more momentum and gets nominated for Best Picture.

Grade: A+

Green Zebra

2006-11-29T08:00:00.000-08:00

A couple of weeks back I had an amazing fabulous night at Green Zebra. A friend threw a party for about 15 of us and treated us to tons of drinks and a seven course meal there. It was an amazing party.

Some of the dishes were really great, others not so much. I didn't understand why they would serve a chickpea pancake and then serve a risotto cake right after that. Too much cake going on! But the squash soup, the cheese salad thingy and the risotto cake all tasted really amazing.

The highlight for me were the cocktails. They have some really unique drinks that they create in the restaurant that you can mix with booze, like a dill lemonade, mulled cranberry and a ginger carrot drink that tastes really yummers with vodka.

I want to check it out when they aren't serving to 15 people to see how the food is. We were in a private room upstairs, but the downstaris space is super slick and cool.

Grade: The whole night gets an A, the food gets a B+

Lunar Park

2006-11-26T20:23:00.000-08:00

This is Bret Easton' Ellis' latest endeavor. I am a big fan of his, and have read every book other than American Psycho which I hated and couldnt' get into.

This is the story of Bret Easton Ellis, famous novelist, who movest to burbs and find his house haunted and lots of crazy shit going on around him. But, to understand and follow you have to have some knowledge of his previous works.

If you have read him and like him, a must read, if you haven't or don't, stay away.

This is maybe one of my favs of his, despite some really silly scenarious.

Grade: A-

Schwa

2006-11-26T20:02:00.000-08:00

I am back! Sorry for the absence, I just am up in the air how I feel about blogging. I like that my friends can stay up to date on me, and I like that books, movies, restaurants and experiences get chronicled, but...who knows...just not feeling it...

Anyway, had the best dinner of my life on my anniversary a couple weeks back. We went to Schwa, whose chef was just named one of the best new chefs in Food and Wine magazine. This meant I had to call in September for this November reservation.

I will spare the course by course, but it was a nine course tasting that blew my mind. Some highlights included the quaill egg ravioli, the lobster in lavender foam, the olive and stawberry shortcake dessert and prosciutto with beef consumme.

This place is tiny and the chefs serve as your servers. And it is BYO, which makes the 95 dollar a person pricetage easier to digest.

Call now and book a table. You won't regret it!

Grade: A+

Salt Lake City

2006-11-08T14:50:00.000-08:00

I am headed to Salt Lake City on Friday for a conference until the middle of next week. Never been and not too excited about my visit, other than I have a friend coming to hang out with me.

Anyone been? Suggestions on what to do?

Grade: B+ is my anticipated grade

Moving...again...

2006-11-03T09:51:00.000-08:00

I am moving for the second time in the past four months. It sucks. We will be paying more for about the same amount of space, but the place is super neat.

Grade: C

ADA Cafeteria

2006-11-02T10:54:00.000-08:00

It is time that I reveal this place to the masses. The cafeteria on the second floor of the American Dental Association building is wonderful.

I work in that building to the right of it on Chicago Avenue in the photo. The prices are SO cheap and the food is really good. The best grilled cheese sandwich for just like two something. Today I had a mushroom swiss burger with onion rings and a drink, for six damn dollars! Freshly made and oh so yummers in my tummers...

Grade: A

The Queen

2006-10-31T06:55:00.000-08:00

The Queen is the story of the Queen's reaction to Princess Di's death in 1997. Hellen Mirren really is wonderful in this movie, and can't imagine the Academy not recognizing her. So far, she seems like the best choice for the win.

The feel of the movie is a little bit funny, and I mean that in a good way. Is it a political satire? Is it a heartfelt family drama? Is it political fiction? I left not knowing what to think. I couldn't lump it into any one genre, but that was just fine with me.

I really want to know how the Brits responded to this movie.

So far, Hellen is my top choice to take home the Oscar, but I can't say I want the movie to be nominated for Best Picture, even though I enjoyed it.

Grade: B

Adesso

2006-10-25T08:14:00.000-07:00

Stay away! Adesso is a mess-o.

I checked out this new Boystown Italian spot last night. And it blew. A ton. I had some squash soup that was really good, but that is where it ended. The bf got some mussels to start and they tasted really gross and not fresh and not even well flavored.

For entrees he had some 18 dollar spaghetti and shellfish thingy and I had their burger with an arugula pesto and provolone served with fries with basil aioli. The spaghetti had no flavor, the seafood was all overcooked. And my burger was medium on the inside like I ordered, but the outside tasted like burnt charcoal.

On top of this, the server did something really annoying. He came over and asked my bf to take his fork and knife out of the mussels when he took it away. My bf asked if he could have a plate or napkin to set them on. The waiter said something like "Well, I guess I can just bring you other silverware." That was stupid. Just bring more if you need to.

I won't be back ever and I advise you to stay away. It sucked.

Grade: D

Old Timey Weekend

2006-10-25T08:08:00.000-07:00

I spent 4 nights in Wisconsin with 7 others this past weekend. We rented a small house on a lake in Hustisford, Wisconsin.

Overall, it was a ton of fun and a great time. We drank, talked, played games, rowed around the lake, had a bonfire, cooked, went to a pumpkin patch/apple farmey place and just relaxed.

The only down side was that we didn't get the place we thought we would and we had to cram into a small place. That wasn't too fun.

Grade: A-

The Fountain

2006-10-17T08:22:00.000-07:00

Not only did this movie stink, but the auditorium where it was being shown did as well.

Before I talk about the movie, I need to mention how stinky the theater was. As soon as the movie started, someone started to fart near us. And not just like one or two stinky farts. Every five minutes there was this horrible smell that I have never smelled anything like in my life, but that I imagine being close to the smell of dead babies. And it never stopped. Me and my bf literally had his scarf wrapped around our heads.

But, the movie was a stinker too. Darron Aronofsky, who did Requiem for a Dram and Pi, was there and did a little q&a. But, this story of time travel, eternal life and love, starring Hugh Jackman and Rachel Weisz, went nowhere and was a total dud to me. It wasn't fun, the actors seemed distant and aloof and unsure of what they were supposed to be in the movie.

I loved Requiem for a Dream, a lot, and I love Rachel Weisz, so I thought I might really enjoy this despite some negative reviews out there.

I was pretty bored by it and spent more time trying to figure out who the culprit was in the audience was and why they hadn't left or shit their pants yet.

Grade: D

Babel

2006-10-16T08:13:00.000-07:00

I was able to get a sneak peek at Babel this weekend. The movie doesn't come out until some time in November, but I saw it as part of the Chicago International Film Festival.

I really loved it.

The director of 21 Grams and Ammeres Perros delivers his third movie and this one is more powerful, well-thought out and impactful than either of his previous movies.

This is for sure staying on my Best Picture top 5 list for as long as I can keep it there, and I see it making the cut based on how great it is and how much buzz it is getting.

I don't want to give too much away, but if you trust my taste in movies and such, I urge you to check it out.

But, on another note. The film festival setting sort of bothered me. We were crammed in an auditorium, not a theater. There were annoying film people there. It was sold out. People laugh at weird parts.

And the director was there. Which sounds really cool. But, alas, it wasn't. He was great and I am sure he had wonderful things to say, but the guy asking the questions was such an ass and asked some really terrible stupid questions. So, I couldn't take it and stood up and left.

Grade: A

Yoshi's Cafe

2006-10-13T11:04:00.000-07:00

Yoshi's has been around for about 20 years, I think. And in the three years I have been here, I just made it there for the first time last night.

It is a Boystown staple and is some sort of French/Japanese fusion mix. And while I liked it, I didn't enjoy it enough to hurry back any time soon.

See, I love new restaurants, so I have to be pretty wowed to want to venture to a semi-expensive place multiple times.

We were celebrating my bf's new job. Hooray!

We started with a sea scallop starter and a tuna tartar. For entrees we did a wagyua beef brisket and the bf had the rack of lamb. Mine came with pumpkin ravioli and sweet potato puree stuff in this really amazing red wine sauce. The bf's came with this eggplant and goat cheese puree that he didn't like and looked like cat food.

The food was all done really well, but I had a hard time finding one entree that I really wanted both the mail part and the sides that came with it. And I am not picky at all.

It ain't a bad place, just not my fav in Boystown.

Grade: B-

Sunchokes

2006-10-13T11:00:00.000-07:00

I bought these veggies this week from the farmers market. Having heard of them often, I thought I could do something fancy and gourmet with them.

I found a chicken dish, prepared it with my friend Ryan, and it tasted like...nothing! They are bland and boring and I would never make that dish again.

I may try sunchokes again and do like a puree or something, which I have seen in restaurants.

This is one weird veggie. Don't try it at home.

Grade: D

Not posting

2006-10-10T07:37:00.000-07:00

I haven't been posting lately. I am so so sorry, but work has gotten busier and I, frankly, have gotten less exciting. I am so so sorry and hope to be back and feeling the blogging love soon.

Grade: D

Chargenda vs Naivehelga

2006-10-02T09:33:00.000-07:00

I just had a wedding, my stepbrothers, this weekend that I was at and got to see Naivehelga after a couple of years of not seeing one another.

She did pros and cons, so I will do the same.

Pros:
- Seeing Amanda. She looked fabulous and when I did a scan of the wedding party she had my fav dress by far. She looked slammin'
- Seeing my neice who I don't get to see too often.
- Lots of bad wedding dancing to watch
- Seeing most of my family.
- My grandma and grandpa slow dancing together. It was really sweet and probably the last time they will ever do that.
- Did I mention seeing Amanda? That rocked...

Cons:
- The come to Jesus speech during dinner
- My stepmother getting very snippy with me and pissing me offf
- The cash-only bar. I didn't even have any drinks.
- The best man speech which was a plug for his business he owns.
- The long lonely drive to get there.

Grade: C +

Mondays on NBC

2006-09-26T08:34:00.000-07:00

Heroes and Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip don't seem to have a ton in common at first glance, but they are a really great Monday night pairing. They have restored my faith in the hour-long scripted television show (joining Grey's Anatomy) and both are about coming to the rescue.

Heroes is the story of a group around the world who finds themselves having powers or gifts like teleportation, invincibility, the ability to fly. And there are lots of clues and pieces of why this is happening. I have no idea what direction the show is headed in, but I loved the first episode, despite some cheesy stuff. It is X-men at a slower pace and more human interaction and fewer special effects.

And Studio 60 is even better. It is the Aaron Sorkin (West Wing) dramady about two writers brought in by a new studio President to save a failing sketch comedy show. The first two episodes were totally original and exciting yet low-key and not trying to pack too much into the premise but still delivering about 15 really awesome characters.

I love Mondays!

Grade: Studio 60: A
Heroes: A-

Talking to me while I pee in public

2006-09-22T09:29:00.000-07:00

I am a bit pee shy.

So, it is not cool when I am pissing in a public toity and you lean over and say "You know what they say, you don't buy beer, your rent it!"

Don't talk to me!

Grade: D-

Pulling Taffy

2006-09-21T12:39:00.000-07:00

This stream-of-conciousness look at the life of a sort of drug addicted hustler who hops from NYC to Boston to San Fran and Seattle is a really quick read. It was just what I was looking for in-between some more serious books; smutty yet insightful.

I can't say it is the best literature ever, but I am really intrigued by this novel/memoir blur that this young author wrote.

Grade: B

Bistro Campagne

2006-09-21T12:34:00.000-07:00

Last weekend the bf had a craving for escargot, so we went up to Lincoln Square and ate at Bistro Campagne. Yummers in the tummers!

He started out with the escargot and then had some pork dish (I was too into mine to remember) and then I had the roasted chicken entree with pate as an appetizer.

I never ever order chicken at restaurants. Just seems boring, but this roasted chicken with a mushroom ragout and onion frites was to die for. I couldn't get over how good chicken could taste. Fresh, full of more flavor than the best organic chicken I get in the grocery store and moist and jam-packed with flavor the whole way through.

If you are looking for a great French bistro in a great neighborhood, this is the place to be.

Grade: A

Fixture

2006-09-19T09:46:00.000-07:00

Friday night we had dinner with my friend Bruce after his dance performance. We went to his restaurant he works at, called Fixture, which he should be proud to call his place of employment.

I was skeptical about the place and the concept, just because I am not big on the whole "small plates" thing. And even when I walked in, it seemed really hip and nice, but a little too over the top "cool" for me.

But, the food was really great. Bruce ordered and we had samples of lots of things on the menu. Overall, really great, with a couple of favs and a couple I probably wouldn't get again. The cold tempura goat cheese and asparagus roll wasn't doing much for me. And I loved the cheese on the carpaccio plate, but the carpaccio didn't have tons of flavor. But that was just a couple of the many dishes we had. The first salad course of their special bacon menu was amazing, as were the perfectly cooked and powerfully flavored buffalo sliders. As a matter of fact, nearly every hot plate was really great. The short ribs were perfect with the kimchee. And the churros that we had for dessert were one of the yummiest deserts around.

Servers were friendly, the vibe is good, and the owner was so nice and great. Don't miss this hip, yummy spot. Thanks Bruce!

Grade: B+

Yo Mamma Jokes

2006-09-19T09:27:00.000-07:00

I love Yo Mamma jokes. I had forgett then exist until this past Saturday when we started telling them.

Please reply with your best "Yo Mamma" joke.

If you are at a loss, check here: http://www.ahajokes.com/yo_momma_jokes.html

Grade: B (cuz lots of them are really bad)

Survivor: Cook Island

2006-09-13T14:01:00.000-07:00

I haven't watched Survivor for a few years. I just got bored.

But, this season, they are dividing the tribes up by race. A black tribe, white tribe, asian and latino tribe.

I already have my fav for the season, cuz I think he's dreamy: Ben.

Grade: Ben gets an A, Survivor gets a B- because I am still unsure how this will work out.

United 93

2006-09-11T08:20:00.000-07:00

All the reviews were right. This movie is really amazing. It is a simple approach to telling the story of September 11, but talk about an emotional blow. I spent the whole second half of the movie crying.

Despite how moving the movie is, I didn't feel like Paul Greengrass was manipulating my emotions. He just told the story like it is, didn't overdramatize or give a lot of political commentary. It was just like watching events unfold that day, which is actually more terrifying and impactful than watching something that looks like a movie.

This movie is going to be hard to beat as my favorite of the year. But, the best review I read of this movie called it "the best movie ever that I hated," because of how hard it is to watch.

Grade: A+

HB

2006-09-11T07:52:00.000-07:00

I finally checked out HB, the Hearty Boys spot on Halsted. HB is the restaurant from the gay boys who have a show on Food Network.

I had stayed away from this place and not made a visit because the menu just wasn't exciting me too much. But, boy, was I wrong.

My bf took me there on a whim on Saturday night. A super sweet treat and we were really pleased.

He started out with the soft-shell crab on salad of watermelon, feta and mint. I had the pate plate. For entrees, I had the pork loin with a cherry bbq sauce and he had the quail. Then we shared the mini-cupcake flight. A honey lavender, a tagerine and a chocolate caramel.

The meal was overall really great. Wonderful dishes that were unique but still fairly simple. And BYO, to boot!

Thanks, Hearty Boys!

Grade: A-

Project Runway - Week 9

2006-09-08T08:29:00.000-07:00

Sorry. I am a couple of days late. I am just not feeling my blog right now.

Wednesday was bittersweet for me. I was sad to see tattoo-neck win but glad to see that gross crazy horn-dog who gets off on every outfit he makes get the boot.

And finally a normal challenge where we get to see some normal dresses.

Grade: B+

Erwin

2006-09-05T08:55:00.000-07:00

I went to this place over a week ago and forgot to blog about it. This is on Halsted south of Belmont. The food was done well, and gets raves from a lot of regulars. But, nothing really stood out as memorable or innovative.

The decor was a bit odd. The mural around around the walls threw me off. And the clientele was pretty old. But, if you have meat and potatoe loving parents from out of town this place is the place to go.

I had a pork chop just because that is supposidely their best-known dish. It was a really good pork chop, but just a really normal pork chop.

Grade: B+

Janie makes the final four

2006-09-01T11:41:00.000-07:00

Yes, this really is Janelle from BB7. She is SO f'ing hot, I wanna bang her!

On top of her slammin' bod, Janie also is amazing in the show: she does great at competitions, she has somehow managed to go from being enemy number one in the house pretty much the whole season to being in the final four.

I hope that her and Will do it hard before the show's end and they show it.

I think I have a crush on a buxom blonde woman. Is that weird?

Grade: A+

Drunken Karaoke

2006-09-01T07:56:00.000-07:00

I got wastedzies last night and ended up at a dyke bar singing Laid by James and It's the End of the World As We Know It. And I don't feel fine this morning.

Melzies sang These Boots are Made for Walking, her karaoke solo debut and the bf sang The Rose by Bette Midler (I wish I were kidding) and The One I Love by R.E.M.

We were all so bad....it rocked.

And that is a photo of Mr. Michael Stipe above.

Grade: Our karaoke performances: C-
My hangover: F
The McDonalds breakfast sammy: B+
Getting drunk and arguing with my bf about nothing: F
The night overall: A (I know that isn't really the average of the grades above, but whatevs)

Project Runway - Week 8

2006-08-31T07:57:00.000-07:00

I want to first state that I am not a big Angela fan at all. I wasn't upset to see her go, but...

KAYNE'S OUTFIT WAS THE WORST PIECE OF TACKY EMBARASSING SHIT I HAVE EVER SEEN ON THIS SHOW.

Oh, and I totally called it at the start of the show that they were going to desing for themselves and travel someplace, just based on the preview.

My friend Ryan is right, I am tired of these gimmicks, I want them to just have to do a really nice cotoure dress.

Grade: B

Gilette Mach 3

2006-08-30T09:49:00.000-07:00

I have been using this razo for years, since they came out. Lately there has been a notable difference in the quality of the razor. It stays sharp for less time. I assume they started to make these cheaper to focus on their newer better razors; the ones with about 30 blades.

Well, Gilette, I am onto you. I am not the only one who has noticed your shitty quality razors, for the same jacked-up price.

Tomorrow, when I buy razors, I am getting a new brand! Power to the People!

Grade: F

The Sluts

2006-08-29T12:29:00.000-07:00

This is not a book for the faint of heart. It is the story, told via message boards and review sites, of a possibly underage twink hustler who possibly wants someone to fuck him and murder him, or possibly not.

In Cooper's book nothing is for certain, but what might be happening is a lot to take. Old gay guys who are into this story being told of murder, snuff films, extreme S&M and the like. There aren't too many likeable people or stories being told here, and this isn't something that you really wanna sit in the park and read, but still a good book.

But, I want to find a gay novel that is full of sex and totally hot and dirty, which I thought this was just from quick hearing about it. Any suggestions on that?

Oh, and dont' totally discredit this sort of gimmicky book, it won this year's Lambda Literary Award for fiction.

Grade: B

Galveston

2006-08-29T08:40:00.000-07:00

We headed to Galveston during one of our days in Houston, and my first impressions was: super trashy, and I can't lie, there is that element to it, but I ended up having a ton of fun there.

We had some fresh seafood at this restaurnt that is soon going to become a Hooters. Not the best meal, but not bad and always fun to eat seafood on the ocean. Then we did a drive-by of the historic homes district. A ton of amazing awesome houses.

But, the fun started when we got way drunk at the bar that sits on the ocean and watched their drag show. We were trashed by the end and the bf was dancing with all the drag queens, and we made friends with some lesbian couple who we followed to a dance bar, where we all danced our asses off and met a ton of lesbines, who all stayed out later than 10pm, the traditional lesbian curfew.

Grade: A-

Houston

2006-08-29T08:26:00.000-07:00

I made my first visit to Houston this weekend. I have to admit that I didn't explore the city too much at all. But, from what I did see, it was the south for sure. You had to drive everywhere, everyone had SUV's and I saw my fair share of "hicks," even at the gay bars.

But, the gay area was pretty sizeable and the neighborhood was really unique, with the bars tucked in among homes along residential streets. The gay scene was pretty diverse and they seemed to have a bunch of places, each with its own attitude and clientele. If you are into bars that smell like poo and the guys stare at you and are sort of lude, then check out the Montrose Mining Company!

I had a nice, relaxing weekend, but was glad to be back in Chicago.

I was really hoping to have some Texas BBQ and didn't think I would get a chance to. I had to settle for bbq from Pappa's, a chain in Texas that has an outpost in the airport, and I was impressed for airport food. It was some damn fine meat.

We were visiting friends, so I am sure that I will probably visit again at some point, and I can explore a bit more then.

Grade: B

ANTM - Cycle Yuck

2006-08-24T07:59:00.000-07:00

This batch of girls looks like Tyra just grabbed the first group of bitches who walked into her studio to watch her show one day. These girls is fugly!

I can't wait! It's way better when there are lots of really insecure ugly girls!

Grade: B

Project Runway - Week 7

2006-08-24T07:27:00.000-07:00

Last night's show was a super cute challenge, and I loved seeing everyone's mother. But, the fact that they allowed slim sisters on the show instead of an aunt or older female in their lives was a scam, I thought.

Random thoughts:

Uli was ripped off. She should have won that challenge. Michael's was great, too, but he had a great model to work with.
Message to Jeffrey: "You don't talk that way to anyone's Mamma. Period. Oh, and your outfit looked like complete trash."
I really hate Vincent, but he was much better this episode. I liked that he made the comment about how you have to learn to design for real women, and he is usually a pretty good sport. But, he still is fucking nuts.
Laura: You need to wow me next week or you are going to get bumped down on my list, if you don't get booted.
Kayne just bores me. The next day I always forget that he even exists.
Oh, and for you Robert lovers out there: He was a good guy, but he was getting called out for boring stuff every single week, and just couldn't do anything super exciting.

Grade: A-

Jet Skiing

2006-08-22T12:22:00.000-07:00

I am back from Michigan today. Had a good trip, but super swamped now with work stuff and getting caught up.

I am off again to Houston on Friday.

But, the highlight of the weekend for me was jet skiing. I do it every time I make it up to my parent's place on the lake in Michigan, and I love it. I feel like such a bad-ass on those things. My bf loves them a little less and vowed to never go on again because I went too fast and whipped him around a bit too much, he wanted me to stay at like 30 mph, and I kept getting close to 60.

Oh, and I went with my 7-year-old niece and she drove by herself for half the time. It was fun to let a 7-year-old take you out on a jet ski.

Grade: A

Summer Vacay

2006-08-15T07:47:00.000-07:00

I am headed to Michigan this coming weekend. I leave Thursday and doing some family visiting. My bf is meeting the other folks, Dad and stepmom.

So, I am going to take this time to take a blogging vacation. I just need a little breather to get my inspiration back.

This is a picture from the future of my bf and I at the beach this weekend.

Grade: B (not an A cuz I will miss y'all)

You are Not the One

2006-08-15T07:42:00.000-07:00

This is a book of short stories by a young gay author, and I really enjoyed it. I don't think most of the stories will stay with me for a while, but the writing was fresh, quirky and fun.

One is the story of a woman who decides she needs to find a gay friend. Another tells of a man who gets involved with an escort while his wife is out of town. Another about a man who is milking disability payments for all they are worth.

Fun stuff and a recommended read. I am interested to see what else McIntyre can produce, and hope he goes uphill from here.

Grade: B

Gay Bloggers Chicago

2006-08-15T07:38:00.000-07:00

So, the event happened on Saturday. It was good time. We had about 16 people show up, but there were a handfull of no-shows. Losers!

It was a little awkward at first, but then people got comfy and started to chit-chat. And then I got drunk, so that was nice.

Thanks for organizing this with me, Alan!

Grade: A-

Big Brother redoing the HOH competition

2006-08-11T11:18:00.000-07:00

The Big Brother house is heating up. There was a big scandal after last night's show. You could see Howie getting really mad and telling Julie he had buzzed in during the competition.

Well, after the show aired, they announced they would be re-doing the competition. Ha! Take that Erika. And Janelle won. Again! I love her so much, even though she won't make it and isn't catching on to the deceit from the people she thinks she can trust.

It was also SO sad to see Kaysar when he found about James betraying him. Awww...you can come cry on my shoulder Kaysar.

It is getting nasty in the house right now. Noboyd likes anyone currenly and they are all losing it.

Grade: A

Project Runway - Week 5

2006-08-10T08:01:00.000-07:00

I loved last nights competition. Some of the designers nailed it and also really presented their own style.

Bradley was the first designer I was really sad to see go since the show started. I loved his obscure comments during the interviews with him.

And I was SO excited to see Michael win. Loved his outfit. Just what I needed to bump him to the top of my list. And we finally got to hear him talk some more. He is so sweet and level-headed.

Laura, you need to step it up girl and at least make it in the top three for something!

I should have guessed that Angela would start doing better. They always seem to have someone who seems like a dud and starts to get better as the weeks go on. Is she this season's Kara?

I really loved last nights episode, probably my fav so far. I feel like some things are falling into place now.

Grade: A+

RJ Grunts

2006-08-08T13:48:00.000-07:00

A recent episode of Popular prompted my bf and I to have an intense salad bar craving.

When I was a kid I used to love and go to the salad bar. There was something exciting about the idea of choosing your own items. What power!

I still love salad bars to this day and had been to RJ Grunts a while back before I moved here.

I was sort of let down by the toppings (no sunflower seeds?! no hard boiled egg?!), but overall it was a decent experience.

What made the experience even better was when the manager came over and thanked us and said he heard that my bf had never been before to their establishment, so he wanted us to have a free dessert of a chocolate chip cookie bar topped with ice cream and hot fudge. Just to say thanks and that he hoped we would come back. Awww....

Grade: B+

The Fabulous Janes

2006-08-08T13:35:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Mike Reed for his photos he took during Market Days.

For those who don't know, Market Days, is like Pride, except that there is no parade and no politics involved. We just get drunk in the street all day.

Oh, and there is music. So, I was wandering around and stumbled on this band, the Fabulous Janes. And the most fabulous part was this boy in the band. He was so hot and cute and had amazing stage presence. He was wearing this black skirt with that hat and made some really hot facial expressions and got super into the his rocker cover-band routines.

Grade: A

Little Miss Sunshine

2006-08-07T09:27:00.000-07:00

I knew from the previews that I would like this movie, but I was surprised by just how much I loved it.

I loves me some movies about quirky families, and this one tops even the best of them. A family with a whole lot of tension heads across several states in a yellow VW bus to make it to a pageant for young Olive.

A genius script, great story and some amazing performances. I would love to see Colette or any of this exciting ensemble cast get an Oscar nomination, but I think the best it can hope for is a Best Original Screenplay nomination.

Grade: A

A Long Way Down

2006-08-06T18:36:00.000-07:00

I just finished A Long Way Down and it took me a while to get through it.

Nick Horby's book is about four people who are planning to kill themselves and all run into each other and decide to hold off for just a bit. It's a fun premise and not a bad book, but just wasn't as gripping as I thought it could be. The four really different characters just didn't do much for me, and I wasn't feeling too much sympathy for their struggles.

I really like Horby and loved About A Boy and How to Be Good. I plan to keep following his career and reading his books, but a few more strikes and you may be out Nicky.

Grade: C+

Gay Bloggers: Chicago

2006-08-04T09:10:00.000-07:00

Just one week to the Gay bloggers event. Can't wait! Are you coming?

Hope to see you at Cocktail next Saturday afternoon if you have a blog and like dick.

Grade: A

My BF as the next Miss Universe

2006-08-03T14:02:00.000-07:00

He fainted backstage right after this photo was taken.

Grade: A

Project Runway - Week 4

2006-08-03T13:38:00.000-07:00

We finally got to see last night who the culprit was that got the boot prematurely. And it was who everyone suspected.

I really hate the group challenges. See, you end up doing a great job on your sketch and you become a team leader. That puts a big target on you, because one of the team leaders usually gets the boot. The team challenges just don't seem fair.

I am begging you Heidi: Please, Please, get rid of Vincent!

Oh, and this week Allison gets a boost on my fav list, pushing Michael down. He needs to show something great if he wants to stay on the top of my list.

Grade: B

Capital Grille

2006-08-02T13:18:00.000-07:00

I had a work dinner here on Saturday night. The environment is nice, and other seemed to really like it.

But, my steak was overdone and chewey. Like a steak I could have had in lots of restaurants. Not bad, but I demand a damn fine steak if I am hitting up a steakhouse.

Grade: C-

Kitty Litter Sifting Pan

2006-08-02T12:52:00.000-07:00

I saw this thing in the store and thought "Wow, this thing is awesome and going to revolutionize the way I deal with my cat's shit!"

It didn't.

Grade: F

Anyone remember this WB show from 1999 that only lasted two seasons?

I do and just started to rent them on Netflix. I forgot how much I love the show, and my bf is super into it now.

The premise is lame and so overdone. A high school dramady about two groups of kids the popular and the not-so-popular.

You have Brooke, the popular blond cheerleader at school who gets great grades and tries to be good, her best friend, Nicole, who is a totaly bitch, Marie Cherrie, the new girl who is rich and popular and a little crazy (my personal fav on the show), Josh, the quarterback who is dating Brooke, and Sugar Daddy, Josh's fat best friend who is part of cool crew.

The not-so-popular bunch is Sam, the pretty girl who hates Brooke and ends up having to deal with her in and out of school, Lilly, the activist, Carmen, the overweight girl who dreams of being a cheerleader and Harrison, their friend who has had a crush on Brooke for years.

I know it sounds SO corny, but the writing is really fresh and there are tons of really funny moments. Some episodes are hit or miss, but I promise that you will get hooked if you give it a try.

Grade: A

Wicked

2006-07-31T11:22:00.000-07:00

I finally saw Wicked this past weekend. It has been in Chicago for a long time and keeps selling out. And I had a chance to see it for free this weekend.

Don't get me wrong. It wasn't terrible. And I loved seeing a big musical production, which I haven't been to in way too long. A couple of main characters were really wonderful, too, but...

There were far too many duets and solos with Elphie and Glinda. I mean, I totally get tht you two are so different and yet friends and all that. Let's move on.
For the story being told I felt like it could have been a little more over the top. Bigger musical numbers, more dancing, some more layers to the story, etc.
Theaters are just too big these days. I know that they are trying to make money and it is expensive to do, but when I was near the front of the balcony, and even from there it was just so far away and detached for me.
The show drags in so many places. We know where it is headed.
The songs in the show don't tell the story. They act as a response to story a lot of the time. X happens to Y character and then they sing about it. Instead of X happening while Y is singing about it.
The jokes and gags are just too corny for me. I love puns, but come on...

Grade: C-

www.myheritage.com

2006-07-28T13:42:00.000-07:00

I heard about this site where you submit one of your photos and based on that they tell you what celebrities your face looks the most like.

In order, here are my matches:

1. Hugh Jackman
2. Brittany Murphy
3. Howard Dean

Also on the list of who I sort of resemble: Carson Daley and Katherine Hepburn.

So dumb.

Grade: D-

Chilli Mac's

2006-07-28T12:47:00.000-07:00

The past couple of weeks I have ended up having drinks at Chilli Mac's. Anyone who knows the place might be surprised. It is just a divey little counter-service joint. But, they are close to my bf's and have outside seats.

The food isn't great. The main element is chilli, a few different varieties, that you can get on spaghetti with onions, cheese, beans, etc. Or on hot dogs, taco salads or other items. It tears your stomach up.

But, what I love are the blue frozen margaritas. I am not sure what flavor they are, but they are bright blue and yummers.

Grade: B+