RacsO Ledger

"The Headless Woman" was Vero. She was going home from a trip with her relatives (or friends, not sure here), then while she was driving, with radio playing, her phone rang. While trying to reach for her phone, her focus on the road went off. She hit something, or someone? She was shaken, guilty and concerned. Did she really killed someone? Or was it just a dog?

The story and the premise was simple. The movie were series of events succeeding the accident and how Vero would react to the circumstances and events facing her. It seems blank. It seems meaningless but there was something dread underneath that haunts me. I was really stuck, and mesmerized with its simple haunting beauty. I too felt the guilt. I was concerned what really happened.

It was deceptively simple. What I think the movie was doing was trying to unearth our fears as much as Vero unearthed hers. You don't fully understand what is happening to her, yet in the end, we all become Vero.

A+

"An Education" is a coming of age story of Jenny and how she found the meaning, the use of education for her life, the very hard way. No she did not result to prostitution or anything close to that. What happened was that she fell mad in love with a smooth talking playboy almost twice her superior. She was a brilliant student, a straight A student in fact. But things changed when she met David, the guy I was describing sentences ago. He showed her everything that she wanted: music, movies, books, Paris, France. David was also able to control her uptight father.

She later found out that David was not the David she thought he was. But I am not going to tell you that. That kinda is a given though. In the trailer.

The film was centered on Jenny, played charmingly and wittily by Carey Mulligan. I can see now where the buzz is coming from including the numerous best actress citations. It was really a career making performance! Other than her I think that the rest of the cast was top notch. Alfred Molina gave a great uptight father performance. Rosamund Pike as the 60's doltish blonde girl. Peter Sarsgaard as David, was good, but I kinda was expecting something more. But among the ensemble cast and besides Mulligan, I also loved Emma Thompson cameo-ish performance. Before seeing it I knew she was in it, I was waiting for her, and she was perfect for the role. I was soooo expecting that she would have more screen time. Also, a co-teacher in the movie Olivia Williams whom you might have known from "Dollhouse" (probably one of the best series this year) was also superb in the movie.

Other than the superb performances, the movie felt a little vacant and commonplace. It was an interesting see to find out what would happen to Jenny and how far along would she go with David. But at times I felt uninterested with what is happening. I have not read the book but if the movie was based or faithful to the book, I think the book may be boring. Good but boring. I was hoping for more but it did not go that many places for me.

B-

You can see my predictions at the right. But I am going to post my thoughts...

Best Picture and Best Director
I have a strong feeling that this year will be one of those years when the director and picture winners will be different. "The Hurt Locker" seems like the critical darling and it is a war drama to boot, it seems like a very likely winner but I think they may go light this year with "Up in the Air", it is also a critical fave so I see these two movies going head to head. As for the director race, I feel that this is Bigelow's to lose, and that would be monumental because she will be the very first woman to win (Which somewhat stings because Campion should have won that in 1993).

But we can not count out "Avatar" a movie that I predict will be going to be big, and will be the populist choice. "Inglourious Basterds" looks like a more solid contender that it was months ago. Will we see another Quentin movie back in the race? Looks like it.

Lead Performances
The best actor race seems like a three way race to me with George Clooney leading the pack. He is an academy favorite, and he might land another win ending this decade. But Jeff Bridges and Colin Firth can snag this easily them being overdue for a win (or nom for Firth).

As for the actress race, It seems like a three way race too. But I think that Meryl Streep has the edge because she is long long way overdue. That said, Carey Mulligan is the critics fave, I love her too. Sibide may pose as a threat too. But I feel that the two young girls may suffer the they-are-too-young-to-win notion. Sandra Bullock. What the fuck? I have seen "The Blind Side" but I do not see anything Oscar-y about it.

Supporting Performances
All I can say now is that Waltz (Inglourious Basterds) and Mo'Nique (Precious) are the clear front runners and winners. But I would love to see some upsets especially in the supporting actress race.

I was pretty intrigued with how this movie got nods in this year's Annie so that made me very very curious to see it. "The Secret of Kells" about a boy who wants so much to explore the world and stretch his knowledge and put all his thoughts in a book. The movie was a wonderful splash of color, it was like looking through a kaleidoscope. It was highly imaginative and stunningly beautiful. Sadly, the story was not as gripping as I hoped it would be. I feel that it got so caught up building the visuals that it lacked thrill. It was fun, but I was bored. Nevertheless, it was a good watch.

B-

So after almost a decade long waiting for the next movie by James Cameron, last week I was able to get to see his new film "Avatar". A tree hugging message movie slash love story dressed as a science fiction action movie. And I must say, welcome back James Cameron!

"Avatar" follows the story of Jake Sully as he took the place of his scientist brother to become an avatar driver. He was crippled by war and resorted to take the job because of the pay and he wishes to find out what his brother did pre-death. They were sent to this planet named "Pandora" where they are harvesting some kind of materia that they sell for millions cash per kilo. "Pandora" was inhabited by indigenous creatures called Na'vi who are now hostile because them humans are eating up their planet. Sully was then used by the marines to act as a mole for them, they asked him to befriend the Na'vis, know their culture, their lives, what they want. But Sully went deep in love with the forest and with a native which changed his life 180 degrees.

The story of "Avatar" was common and paper thin. And some of the dialogues especially those of the GI Joe-ish marine commander were kinda cheesy. But then, I did not mind it at all because it worked for its favor. It was a visual masterpiece. I never thought that such beauty could be done via computer. It was such an accomplishment. Besting and topping every effects movie released like ever, the effects were even better than "Lord of the Rings"!

Sam Worthington delivered a great performance, apt, not totally awesome, yet still great. I think Zoe Saldana was perfect for the role. She was having fun, I was feeling it. This is her best outing to date. I wish she would be given more roles to have fun with. Sigourney Weaver could have been better but still memorable nevertheless.

It was a crowded movie. But Cameron knows how to balance everything. It could have stank like "Transformers" but it did not, it soared. Cameron has not lost his touch, I think he got better in time. He ultimately proved that he is the master of action films. Big budget action films. His message came across quite loudly. But he did not preach it. He wants us to find out for ourselves.

It was really worth the wait. I felt like a kid again, amazed, beguiled and mesmerized.

A-

15. 28 Days Later (Directed by Danny Boyle) 14. A Mighty Wind (Directed by Christopher Guest) 13. House of Sand and Fog (Directed by Vadim Perlman) 12. The Company (Directed by Robert Altman) 11. Elephant (Directed by Gus Van Sant)

10. School of Rock
Directed by Richard Linklater
If this movie proved anything to me, it is that Jack Black's crazy antics could work (even though he is not a panda) in a movie. "School of Rock" is one of the year's funniest and most entertaining movies of 2003.

9. Finding Nemo
Directed by Andrew Stanton
"Finding Nemo" is one of Pixar's finests. Though I did not like the final act, it still brought out the kid and me and found myself in awe with them talking fishies. Ellen DeGeneres made her comeback with this film.

8. Thirteen
Directed by Catherine Hardwicke
If you want a movie that you want your teens and pre-teens to see, this is the movie to see. Before Hardwicke made "Twilight" she made "Thirteen", an eye opening coming of age story that serves as a warning to every parents.

7. Raising Victor Vargas
Directed by Peter Sollett
There was a time that I really loved this movie, I still do but I guess I was just caught off guard by its charm and sincerity. Like I said before, it was simply irresistible and you can't help but fall in love with it.

6. Shattered Glass
Directed Billy Ray
I think it was not the purpose of the movie to expose Glass as the fake that he was. Well yeah, he was, but he was also just human and wants to impress every one around him. I personally think that it is one of the sharpest journalism thriller ever made.

5. Triplets of Belleville
Directed by Sylvain Chomet
A movie that needs no words at all to tell a story. "Triplets of Belleville" is an entertaining artwork of a story of a woman's determination to get his grandson back who was kidnapped by the mob to be used as workers for gambling.

4. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Directed by Peter Jackson
The conclusion to the trilogy arguably also is the best in the bunch. Every thing was poured in the last installment, superb action sequences, groundbreaking effects, great storyline, top notch production and a bromance. Truly the bar is set for action/fantasy films.

3. Yossi and Jagger
Directed by Eytan Fox
Many are saying that this is "Brokeback Mountain" lite, well, it kinda feels like it, but hey this one came first. Though what it lacks for the production (because everything looks kinda indie-ish) it makes up for sincerity and honesty, great script and superb acting. It is a love story that will surely touch the hearts of many.

2. Kill Bill Vol. 1
Directed by Quentin Tarantino
Nothing compares to looking at a womn get a revenge after some guys fucked her over sooo bad. A bloody tale of a woman waking up from coma and hunting down and killing all those in connection with her failed murder. Uma Thurman was perfect. It was everything you could as for in an action movie: blood, lengthy fight scenes, blood, swords, anime. Quentin Tarantino never fails to impress.

1. Lost in Translation
Directed by Sofia Coppola
Sofia Coppola's second venture to films solidifies her position as one of the best female directors of our time, and probably of all time. Her story of alone-ness and the wanting to be with someone was deceptively simple. And the movie still got me questioning about that whisper in the end.

2003 RacsO Awards

Film: Lost in Translation
Director: Sofia Coppola (Lost in Translation)
Actor: Jack Black (School of Rock)
Actress: Jamie Lee Curtis (Freaky Friday)
Supporting Actor: Peter Sarsgaard (Shattered Glass)
Supporting Actress: Holly Hunter (Thirteen)
Original Screenplay: Sofia Coppola (Lost in Translation)
Adapted Screenplay: Peter Jackson, Philippa Boyens, Fran Walsh (The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King)
Cinematography: Harry Savides (Elephant)
Film Editing: Sally Menke (Kill Bill Vol. 1)
Art Direction: David Wasco and Yohei Taneda (Kill Bill Vol. 1)
Original Song: "A Kiss at the End of the Rainbow" (A Mighty Wind)
Original Score: Benoit Charest (Triplets of Belleville)
Costume: Kumiko Ogawa and Catherine Mare Thomas (Kill Bill Vol. 1)
Sound Mixing: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Sound Effects: Kill Bill Vol. 1
Visual Effects: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Make-Up: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

Runners-Up:
15. 8 Mile (Directed by Curtis Hanson), 14. About a Boy (Directed by Chris Weitz), 13. Punch Drunk Love (Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson), 12. The Pianist (Directed by Roman Polanski), 11. About Schmidt (Directed by Alexander Payne)

10. The Piano Teacher
Directed by Michael Haneke
Haneke proves that he is indeed a master of domestic horror. Powerful and tugging, this movie of masochism, revenge was a thrilling emotional ride carried superbly by the wonderful performance by Isabelle Huppert

9. Far From Heaven
Directed by Todd Haynes
Depression was never caught this beautifully on screen. Hayne's 50's homage was a visual treat as it was a beautifully told (and lensed) story of a woman trying to keep her family together, sacrificing her own happiness. Julianne Moore was all aces in this movie.

8. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
Directed by Peter Jackson
The second of the trilogy, "The Two Towers" may have felt tad incomplete, but for me it was the most entertaining and the one that I could watch over and over again.

7. Bowling For Columbine
Directed by Michael Moore
I am with Michael Moore all the way every time, and this time his anger resulted to what could be my favorite documentary of the decade.

6. Road to Perdition
Directed by Sam Mendes
Beautifully serene yet bloody disturbing. Sam Mendes father and son crime drama proved that his win from 1999 was no fluke at all. Superbly acted, glossly polished, and harrowingly hypnotic.

5. The Hours
Directed by Stephen Daldry
There is always that book that is deemed un-adaptable, this is the case for "The Hours", but Daldry and team made it work. The result was an artfully made literary masterwork. Poised with a trifecta of superb performances and toss in great cameos.

4. Late Marriage
Directed by Dover Koshashvili
Sexy sexed up films always could get cheap, but not for this film (and this list's number one). It was a bitingly dark comic movie, original and you really do not know where it is going to take you.

3. Talk to Her
Directed by Pedro Almodovar
Pedro Almodovar's decade opener was an astonishing feat. Highly original and memorable. It was quite and calm and less talky compared to some of Almodovar's films but it packs a big emotional whallop that you can't get it out off you head once the movie is over.

2. Spirited Away
Directed by Hayao Miyazaki
If there is an animated movie released this decade that would make you love 2d animation all over again, this movie is it. Quite possibly the best animated film of the decade. Watching the movie made me think and curious as to how colorful and zany Miyazaki's mind is. This movie is like dream unfolding.

1. Y Tu Mama Tambien
Directed by Alfonso Cuaron
Alfonso Cuaron's road trip drama "Y Tu Mama Tambien" is flocked with pot, profanity, flesh, sex, jokes, lust. Yet in the end you feel your life changed after just one sitting. It was a vivid and meditative road flick that questions friendships, intimacy and relationships among others.


Film: Y Tu Mama Tambien
Director: Alfonso Cuaron (Y Tu Mama Tambien)
Actor: Gael Garcia Bernal (Y Tu Mama Tambien)
Actress: Julianne Moore (Far From Heaven)
Supporting Actor: Andy Serkis (The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers)
Supporting Actress: Meryl Streep (Adaptation)
Original Screenplay: Pedro Almodovar (Talk To Her)
Adapted Screenplay: David Hare (The Hours)
Cinematography: Ed Lachman(Far From Heaven)
Film Editing: Peter Boyle (The Hours)
Art Direction: Mark Friedberg (Far From Heaven)
Costume: Sandy Powell (Far From Heaven)
Original Score: Joe Hisaishi (Spirited Away)
Original Song: "Lose Yourself" (8 Mile)
Visual Effects: The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
Sound Mixing: Road To Perdition
Sound Effects: Spirited Away
Make Up: The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

I think that it has been a trend this year to create movies disguised for kids and then it would turn out to be adult movies. But I think that is not the case for "Where the Wild Things Are". I really do not see it as a children's movie, the lead was a kid and the characters are something out of a child's imagination, but then all of them put together and how the story was told, it was really not for kids at all.

"Where the Wild Things Are" is the story of a disobedient boy named Max. One time his brat-ness reached obnoxious-not-cute level, his mother punished him to go to his room without supper. Sad, depressed and alone, Max ran away. Not only did he physically leave, he left his imagination wander off too, creating a world where everything (at first) was errr wild. His world was inhabited by gigantic mascot looking furry creatures. They were somewhat violent, wild, and somewhat happy-go-lucky. But as things transpired, them creatures got depressed also.

Let me say this before anything else is said, Max Records as Max is a revelation! It is wishful thinking for me to want him to get nominated for best actor in the Oscars. He deserves it more than those in the running. The aversion to kids getting nominated is irritating especially with performances as good as this one. I think that it applies most to male kid actors, girls get nominated once in a while, but boys rarely do.

I love how they decided not to use CGI for the furry wild things. It kinda brings me back to the good ol' "Neverending Story" years. The interaction between the creatures and Max felt more heartfelt and true. Partly because the interacting bodies were both tangible.

The world was created by Max. He was sad. And that was felt with the world he made. The production design/ art work in this movie was impeccable and perfect. The feelings were all caught to screen beautifully. The cinematography was gorgeous.

Spike Jonze has done it again. Making another masterwork. "Where the Wild Things Are" is a heartfelt visual treat that might turn off some kids because of the sad aura, but it will surely tug your hearts.

A

Runners-Up: 15. A Beautiful Mind (Directed by Ron Howard), 14. Memento (Directed by Christopher Nolan) 13. The Others (Directed by Alejandro Amenabar) 12. Donnie Darko (Directed by Richard Kelly) 11. In the Bedroom (Directed by Todd Field)

10. Ghost World
Directed by Terry Zwigoff
Terry Zwigoff's adaptation of teen alienation was the closest I could get to see a Daria movie. Scarlett Johansson and Thora Birch are wonders

9. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
Directed by Peter Jackson
This is the beginning of what could be the most Oscar successful franchise like ever. The first film brought us to Tolkien's world. Pure Magic!

8. Waking Life
Directed by Richard Linklater
Existentialism has never been this interesting and imaginative. "Waking Life" was a man's travel and interaction with people about the meaning of life at the same time determining if he is alive or if he is just dreaming.

7. Gosford Park
Directed by Robert Altman
Robert Altman came back in this decade with guns blazing. "Gosford Park" is a classic whodunnit mystery with everyone talking almost the same time. It was stunningly beautiful and engaging.

6. The Royal Tenenbaums
Directed by Wes Anderson
Family drama need not be uber bleak, you can always count on We Anderson to create a bizarre, comic yet sincere story of a family weird and dysfunctional family.

5. Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Directed by John Cameron Mitchell
This relatively unseen gay musical introduced us a to a young and ingenious filmmaker John Cameron Mitchell. A story of love, betrayal, fame and openness.

4. Werckmeister Harmonies
Directed by Bela Tarr
Loneliness and spirituality was captured in perfection in this meditative and hypnotic feature. "Werckmeister Harmonies" is visual poetry definitive.

3. Mulholland Drive
Directed by David Lynch
Mindfuckery at its finest hours. David Lynch cementing his name in the history books as he has created his own genre of movie, Lynchian. Dream like, haunting and trivial, "Mulholland Drive" is Lynch's personal best for this decade.

2. In the Mood For Love
Directed by Wong Kar-Wai
A story of amorality, lust, love, affairs and loneliness. This wonderfully inter-weaved story was masterfully and artfully crafted by Wong Kar-Wai is a movie that is sure to be in everyone's top ten lists.

1. Moulin Rouge!
Directed by Baz Lurhmann
The decade's best musical. I really need not to say more. Musical heaven! Nicole Kidman! Ewan McGregor! Spectacular! Spectacular!

RacsO Awards 2001 Winners

Picture: Moulin Rouge
Director: Baz Lurhmann (Moulin Rouge!)
Actor: Ewan McGregor (Moulin Rouge!)
Actress: Nicole Kidman (Moulin Rouge!)
Supporting Actor: Sir Ian McKellen (The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring)
Supporting Actress: Maggie Smith (Gosford Park)
Adapted Screenplay: John Cameron Mitchell (Hedwig and the Angry Inch)
Original Screenplay: Wong Kar Wai (In the Mood For Love)
Cinematography: Christopher Doyle and Pin Bing Lee (In the Mood for Love)
Film Editing: Mary Sweeney (Mulholland Drive)
Art Direction: Catherine Martin (Moulin Rouge!)
Costume Design: Catherine Martin and Angus Strathie (Moulin Rouge!)
Original Song: "Come What May" (Moulin Rouge!)
Original Score: Clover Gill (Waking Life)
Visual Effects: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
Sound: Mulholland Drive
Sound Effects: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
Make Up: Moulin Rouge!

Best Film: The Hurt Locker
Runner-up: Up in the Air
Best Director: Kathryn Bigelow (The Hurt Locker)
Runner-up: Michael Haneke (The White Ribbon)
Best Actress: Yolande Moreau (Séraphine)
Runner-up: Carey Mulligan (An Education)
Best Actor: Jeff Bridges (Crazy Heart)
Runner-up: Colin Firth (A Single Man)
Best Supporting Actress: Mo’Nique (Precious)
Runner-up: Anna Kendrick (Up in the Air)
Best Supporting Actor: Christoph Waltz (Inglourious Basterds)
Runner-up: Peter Capaldi (In the Loop)
Best Screenplay: Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner (Up in the Air)
Runner-up: Jesse Armstrong, Simon Blackwell, Armando Iannucci and Tony Roche (In the Loop)
Best Animated Feature: Fantastic Mr. Fox
Runner-up: Up
Best Foreign Language Film: Summer Hours
Runner-up: The White Ribbon
Best Cinematography: Christian Berger (The White Ribbon)
Runner-up: Barry Ackroyd (The Hurt Locker)
Best Score: T-Bone Burnett and Stephen Bruton (Crazy Heart)
Runner-up: Alexandre Desplat (Fantastic Mr. Fox)
Best Production Design: Philip Ivey (District 9?
Runner-up: Rick Carter and Robert Stromberg (Avatar)
Best Documentary: The Beaches of Agnès and The Cove (tie)

Soo... Interesting choices.... Battle of husband and wife. Cameron and Bigelow.... Mulligan is a lock. Hurt Locker also. IN the Loop may find itself in the Oscar's loop...

Best Film: Avatar

Top Ten Films of 2009

• Adventureland (Miramax Films)
• Avatar (20th Century Fox)
• Fantastic Mr. Fox (Fox Searchlight)
• The Hurt Locker (Summit Entertainment)
• Inglourious Basterds (The Weinstein Co.)
• The Messenger (Oscilloscope)
• Precious (Lionsgate)
• A Serious Man (Focus Features
• Two Lovers (Magnolia)
• Up (Disney/Pixar)
• Up in the Air (Paramount)

Best Director: Kathryn Bigelow (The Hurt Locker)
Best Actress: Meryl Streep (Julie & Julia)
Best Actor: Jeff Bridges (Crazy Heart)
Best Supporting Actor: Christoph Waltz (Inglourious Basterds)
Best Supporting Actress: Mo’Nique (Precious)
Breakthrough Performer: Christoph Waltz (Inglourious Basterds)
Best Ensemble: In the Loop
Best Foreign Film: The White Ribbon
Best Documentary: The Cove
Best Cinematography: Robert Richardson (Inglourious Basterds)
Best Screenplay: Quentin Tarantino (Inglourious Basterds)
Best Directorial Debut: Marc Webb ((500) Days of Summer)
Best Film Music or Score: Crazy Heart

So I guess "Avatar" is really in. YAY for Sci Fi! YAY for Meryl! Monique and Waltz, both scary monsters in their films, are sweeping!

Best Picture: The Hurt Locker
Best Actor: Jeremy Renner (The Hurt Locker)
Best Actress: Meryl Streep (Julie and Julia)
Best Supporting Actor: Christoph Waltz (Inglourious Basterds)
Best Supporting Actress: Mo’Nique (Precious)
Best Director: Kathryn Bigelow (The Hurt Locker)
Best Screenplay: Joel Coen and Ethan Coen (A Serious Man)
Best Cinematography: Barry Ackroyd (The Hurt Locker)
Best Documentary: The Cove
Best Foreign-Language Film: Summer Hours
Best Animated Film: Up
Best Film Editing: Bob Murawski and Chris Innis for The Hurt Locker
Best New Filmmaker: Neill Blomkamp for District 9
Best Ensemble Cast: Precious and Star Trek (tie)
Best Use of Music in a Film: Crazy Heart

... Wow for "The Hurt Locker". I liked the movie and deserves the recognition. I like it better than "Precious". SO I am happy for this. And FINALLY some love for MERYL STREEP. LET HER WIN! DAMMIT!

I think I have completely vocal about how I like it when a movie takes me where I am not initially thinking where it would take me. But that notion does not always apply for every movie. See "Enough" by Jennifer Lopez some years back. I was not aware that it was gonna go Rambo at the end. But that is not the case for Bong Joon-Ho's "Mother".

"Madeo" ("Mother") was a story about a mother who went out all the lengths to find out what acquit her retarded son who was accused of killing a girl. I know the story could have verged to becoming melodramatic. It did not. I was also afraid that it would go all teary eyed and big explosive tear gushing. It did not go there as well. The result was that it felt real. The emotion felt very real and raw. I was dragged into it. I was blown away. I loved how it was sprinkled with humor. The wake most especially. The manic grandma was hilarious. It was heartbreaking and funny at the same time.

Kim Hye-Ja brought this movie altogether. Playing the mother, she was perfect. It was an uptight mother with a dark side. There were times where she could have overplayed it to draw attention but what she did was that she made it more real. It was a strong mama. The fighting kind. The murderous kind. Won Bin was great as well. I remember Robert Downey Jr. in Tropic Thunder and his discussion with Ben Stiller about going totally abnormal. Won Bin was not your typical nutso. It was the reserved and doltish kind. It could have become some missing link in the dumb and dumber movie, but it was not. And you do root for him, and her mother. That he was innocent. Even in the end. You still do.

It is becoming a banner year for foreign films. And "Mother" is an addition to that. And "Mother" makes my top ten writing, all the more difficult.

A+

I HONESTLY THINK THAT "GLEE" HAD THEIR BEST EPISODE LAST NIGHT!

The songs and the performances were phenomenal, the story was well written, the acting were great. Lea Michelle was superb, but I think Jayma Mays was ace last night. It was her show. Matthew Morrison was great also but last week was his episode. Jane Lynch was perfect as usual but she had her best performance 2-3 episodes ago with her special sister. I forgot when.

I really liked the songs last night. No corny ones this time. "And I Am Telling You" by Mercedes was a great way to end the show. But the performance of the night was "Don't Rain on My Parade". Lea Michelle is a blossoming Idina Menzel.

I loved last night's episode. LOVED LOVED LOVED. Absolute love. I have not been this happy since the season ender of "Mad Men" which was also the best episode of its season.

I just wish now that Glee continues its streak. I can't wait for the regionals. But why the fuck is the next episode scheduled for April?!!?!

2009 is almost over and we are entering a new decade. This is too much pressure. To do a lookback on the decade that has been. It has been a great decade for movies, if you do not look back that much on 2005 Oscars. So before I announce the best film of 2009, I will be counting down the best ten films each year starting from 2000.

Runners-Up: 15. Une Liaison Pornagraphique 14. Virgin Suicides 13. Bring It On 12. You Can Count On Me 11. The House of Mirth

10. The Cell
Directed by Tarsem
Tarsem proved to me that he is one heck of a rousing and imaginative director. Mixing waking life with abstract visuals of dreams to nightmares "The Cell" was a beauty to behold. You would not even mind that Jennifer Lopez was in it, because she is normally a bad actress (Gigli anyone?), in fact, she was kinda good in the movie.

9. Best in Show
Directed by Christopher Guest
Foreget Bruno and Borat, Christopher Guest proved that he is the master of mockumentaries. "Best in Show" follows the story of a group of people and their dogs adn their all out desperate quest to win the best in show award. It may not be "Waiting for Guffman" but it was still a very entertaining and superb movie.

8. Wonder Boys
Directed by Curtis Hanson
Michael Douglas was criminally overlooked for his pitch perfect performance in this Curtis Hanson bitingly darkly comic story. Poised with a superb cast, this movie is a very worthy follow up to 1997's Hanson masterpiece "L.A. Confidential".

7. Amores Perros
Directed by Alejandro Gonzales Inarritu
Before Inarritu lost his mojo in "Babel", he made "Amores Perros" , a masterwork story of crime, love and life. Plus it was the movie that got me to notice Gael Garcia Bernal who would turn out to be one of the best actors of the decade.

6. Dancer in the Dark
Directed by Lars Von Trier
Musicals are a rare treat nowadays, there hardly are any unlike back in the days, then in comes Lars Von Trier creating what could be the most different looking and feeling musicals ever made. "Dancer in the Dark" was a heartbreaking tale of a mother's love and it got me crying for a long time.

5. Requiem for a Dream
Directed by Darren Aronofsky
Personally, one of the most harrowing and scariest movie of all time. There are lots of films about drugs and its effect and no one told the story as scary and as haunting as Darren Aronofsky's "Requiem for a Dream".

4. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
Directed by Ang Lee
I am quite a sucker for martial arts film and watching "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" was a utter treat. It set the bar so high for martial arts films. It was beautiful, graceful and highly entertaining. Ang Lee returned to his roots and created a masterpiece.

3. Erin Brockovich
Directed by Stephen Soderbergh
"Traffic" was good drama but it was in "Erin Brockovich" that I felt that Soderbergh really is one of the master directors of our time. He hardly goes Hollywood, yet this Hollywood venture with Julia Roberts' powerhouse performance was every bit worth it.

2. Beau Travail
Directed by Claire Denis
Adapting does not really have to mean that you have to follow everything that was in your source material. Claire Denis' "Beau Travail" was the perfect example for that. The movie was serene at times yet it was evocative, memorable and totally hypnotizing.

1. Almost Famous
Directed by Cameron Crowe
Probably one of the most fun movies ever created. I can watch this movie regularly and not get fed up with it. The story of an aspiring writer who got sucked in the life of rock and roll during the flower power era, "Almost Famous" boasts superb acting across the board, a really original story, not nutso, not out of this world.

Film: Almost Famous
Director: Darren Aronofsky (Requiem for a Dream)
Actor: Jamie Bell (Billy Elliot)
Actress: Julia Roberts (Erin Brockovich)
Supporting Actor: Gael Garcia Bernal (Amores Perros)
Supporting Actress: Frances McDormand (Almost Famous)
Adapted Screenplay: Beau Travail
Original Screenplay: Almost Famous
Cinematography: Beau Travail
Film Editing: Requiem for a Dream
Art Direction: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
Visual Effects: The Cell
Make Up: The Cell
Costume: Almost Famous
Original Score: Requiem for a Dream
Original Song: "I've Seen it All" (Dancer in the Dark)
Sound Effects Editing: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
Sound Mixing: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon


Next up 2001!

I have been wanting to write something about "The White Ribbon" but I do feel that the movie needs a better writer than I am. I am no writer. Fuck no. First and foremost, I LOVE the movie. Movie experience have been really great for me this year, the peak of the year for me was when I saw "Samson and Delilah", now I am in a whole new high after watching "The White Ribbon". I will try to the best I can to make something out of this write up. My problem is that, I can not put into words what I want to say. If that makes any sense. Anyway.

"The White Ribbon" was about this small little town. There is something wrong with this town. On picture, the town looks like a serene and safe place to live but au contraire, it is the exact opposite. The town has secret. And very violent ones at that. But I do not wish to get deep in to that.

Telling the story of the movie will just lead me to ask myself questions, questions to what happened and who did what, who killed who, what was their motive. Trying to answer the questions I make will lead me to question my answer and it becomes a cycle. Think "Rashomon". No one really even knew what really happened. Who did what. Who was lying and who was telling the truth. The same case applies with "The White Ribbon".

I think that it was not the main goal of the movie to engage people to act as investigators, well, doing so is a plus, but I think it was more concerned telling how things could be left unexplainable. More so, how everything can be so innocent yet evil lurks behind. What about them kids? I think they have their stories to tell, but they were sooo innocent looking. Did the kids really beat up the 'special' kid? Are the kids in the story also the kids from "Children of the Corn" only they are discreet killers?

I have nothing but love for Michael Haneke even though at times his films feel like patience testers. "Cache" was filled with focused stares on a house. Who would want to watch footage like cuts? Yet the movie was creepy and highly terrifying in a way. "The White Ribbon" was series of interaction of people in the town. Haneke provided us with a narrator, but he did not aid in solving anything. He was just a guide, he just narrates. Or was he? Haneke continues to prove that thrill and horror need not be in zombies or any evil looking creatures from hell. Everyday life is scary. He pointed that out. People are scary. The evil in people is scarier than any demon.

I did not like when this movie won in Cannes because Huppert was the lead juror, Huppert being a part of Haneke's filmography. But I am sorry I ever doubted this movie. It truly is a winner. A haunting and thought provoking wonder. Sometimes if you do not know how to answer, all you can do is live with it.

A+

p.s. I feel like I went in circles. Sorry.

"Taking Woodstock" is a movie about the infamous 1969 Woodstock concert. But it was not really about the concert, it was more of bunch of stories woven together via a somewhat uptight, wanting to break free, son of a hotel owner. It was the story of how the woodstock event came about, the million stories of people that attended the show, the lives touched and messed by the event.

I really am surprised that this movie received a lukewarm review. Many are saying that Ang Lee peaked in 2005 with "Brokeback Mountain" and never got back on track. I do not believe so. I think that he still is one of the best directors of our time. "Lust, Caution" was a superb follow up. I also think that "Taking Woodstock" is a worthy follow up to the two movies. I am one of the few that actually, really liked the movie. I loved it in fact.

I would not even call it as an Ang Lee minor. It may not reach the heights of "Brokeback Mountain" or even "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" but still the movie holds it own. The main foal of hte movie, for me, was that it was made to let you and make you feel as if you were there with them, along with them hippies, crackheads, potheads, music aficionados. And the movie was successful in doing so. Lee is a master of that, bringing you inside his films. The first parts of his movie welcomes you to the surrounding then draws you in, then lets you be part of the ride up until the end. And "Taking Woodstock" was no exception.

The cast were on the top of their game. Demitri Martin was an able lead. It felt as though he kinda underplayed it much that the character is not that likable. But that said, he peaked in the middle towards the end. Imelda Staunton was superb as always. But there was some kind of disconnect, but nevertheless great. Liev Schreiber was a joy to watch and definitely knows how to scene steal. Jonathan Groff was brooding with sex appeal and charisma, and there were times that felt that he was shining on screen. But my two favorite performances were from Mamie Gummer and Henry Goodman. Gummer, Meryl Streep's daughter, was like a character snatched from the Woodstock years. She was believable, great and I see a bright future ahead of her. The best in show was Henry Goodman playing the father of Martin. He was the polar opposite of Staunton and they were complimentary. Despite Martin taking the lead, I think that Goodman kinda was the glue that hold them together.

Anyway. I really enjoyed watching the movie. I do think it is one of the year's bests. A hippie joyride, colorful, alive and therapeutic.

A-

Best British Independent Film: Moon
Best Director: Andrea Arnold (Fish Tank)
Best Actor: Tom Hardy (Bronson)
Best Actress: Carey Mulligan (An Education)
Best Supporting Actor: John Henshaw (Looking for Eric)
Best Supporting Actress: Anne-Marie Duff (Nowhere Boy)
Best Screenplay: Jesse Armstrong, Simon Blackwell, Armando Iannucci and Tony Roche (In the Loop)
Best Foreign Film: Let the Right One In
Best Documentary: “ugabe and the White African
Douglas Hickox Award (Best Debut Director): Duncan Jones (Moon)
Most Promising Newcomer: Katie Jarvis (Fish Tank)
Best Technical Achievement: Greig Fraser (Bright Star)
Best Achievement in Production: Bunny and the Bull
Raindance Award: Down Terrace
Best British Short: Sam Taylor-Wood (Love You More)
Richard Harris Award (Outstanding Contribution to British Film): Daniel Day-Lewis
Variety Award: Sir Michael Caine
Special Jury Prize: Baz Bamigboye

... I really loved Tom Hardy in "Bronson" but the movie not so much, so I am really loving this win here. Mulligan is on fire. "Moon" should gain momentum so that it will go to the Oscars. I am crossing my fingers....

Best Film: Up in the Air
Best Actor: George Clooney (Up in the Air)
Best Actress: Carey Mulligan (An Education)
Best Supporting Actor: Christoph Waltz (Inglourious Basterds)
Best Supporting Actress: Mo’Nique (Precious)
Best Director: Kathryn Bigelow (The Hurt Locker)
Best Adapted Screenplay: Up in the Air
Best Original Screenplay: Inglourious Basterds
Best Breakthrough Performance: Gabourey Sidibe
Best Ensemble: The Hurt Locker
Best Animated Film: Up
Best Foreign Film: Sin Nombre
Best Art Direction: Nine
Best Documentary: Food, Inc.

...Looks like "Up in the Air" is gunning for the win. I want to watch it NOW! Sigh... Anyways. Glad to see Waltz nabbing that win and also that screenplay win for Inglourious Basterds. And will this be the start of the Mo'Nique sweep? We'll see...