My Globe Scores

Motion pictures

Picture, Drama: "Babel," "Bobby," "The Departed," "Little Children," "The Queen"
Score: 3/5

Actress, Drama: Penelope Cruz, "Volver"; Judi Dench, "Notes on a Scandal"; Maggie Gyllenhaal, "Sherrybaby"; Helen Mirren, "The Queen"; Kate Winslet, "Little Children"
Score: 4/5

Actor, Drama: Leonardo DiCaprio, "Blood Diamond"; Leonardo DiCaprio, "The Departed"; Peter O'Toole, "Venus"; Will Smith, "The Pursuit of Happyness"; Forest Whitaker, "The Last King of Scotland"
Score: 4/5

Picture, Musical or Comedy: Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan," "The Devil Wears Prada," "Dreamgirls," "Little Miss Sunshine," "Thank You for Smoking"
Score: 4/5

Actress, Musical or Comedy: Annette Bening, "Running With Scissors"; Toni Collette, "Little Miss Sunshine"; Beyonce Knowles, "Dreamgirls"; Meryl Streep, "The Devil Wears Prada"; Renee Zellweger, "Miss Potter"
Score: 4/5

Actor, Musical or Comedy: Sacha Baron Cohen, "Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan"; Johnny Depp, "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest"; Aaron Eckhart, "Thank You for Smoking"; Chiwetel Ejiofor, "Kinky Boots"; Will Ferrell, "Stranger than Fiction"
Score: 4/5

Supporting Actress: Adriana Barraza, "Babel"; Cate Blanchett, "Notes on a Scandal"; Emily Blunt, "The Devil Wears Prada"; Jennifer Hudson, "Dreamgirls"; Rinko Kikuchi, "Babel"
Score: 4/5

Supporting Actor: Ben Affleck, "Hollywoodland"; Eddie Murphy, "Dreamgirls"; Jack Nicholson, "The Departed"; Brad Pitt, "Babel"; Mark Wahlberg, "The Departed"
Score: 3/5

Director: Clint Eastwood, "Flags of Our Fathers"; Clint Eastwood, "Letters from Iwo Jima"; Steven Frears, "The Queen"; Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, "Babel"; Martin Scorsese, "The Departed"
Score: 4/5

Screenplay: Guillermo Arriaga, "Babel"; Todd Field and Tom Perrotta, "Little Children"; Patrick Marber, "Notes on a Scandal"; William Monahan, "The Departed"; Peter Morgan, "The Queen"
Score: 3/5

Foreign Language: "Apocalypto," USA; "Letters from Iwo Jima," USA/Japan; "The Lives of Others," Germany; "Pan's Labyrinth," Mexico; "Volver" Spain
Score: 3/5

Animated Film: "Cars," "Happy Feet," "Monster House"

Original Score: Alexandre Desplat, "The Painted Veil"; Clint Mansell, "The Fountain"; Gustavo Santaolalla, "Babel"; Carlo Siliotto, "Nomad"; Hans Zimmer, "The Da Vinci Code"
Score: 2/5

Original Song: "A Father's Way" from "The Pursuit of Happyness"; "Listen" from "Dreamgirls"; "Never Gonna Break My Faith" from "Bobby"; "The Song of the Heart" from "Happy Feet"; "Try Not to Remember" from "Home of the Brave"
Score: 1/5

Television

Series, Drama: "24," Fox; "Big Love," HBO; "Grey's Anatomy," ABC; "Heroes," NBC; "Lost," ABC
Score: 3/5

Actress, Drama: Patricia Arquette, "Medium"; Edie Falco, "The Sopranos"; Evangeline Lilly, "Lost"; Ellen Pompeo, "Grey's Anatomy"; Kyra Sedgwick, "The Closer"
Score: 2/5

Actor, Drama: Patrick Dempsey, "Grey's Anatomy"; Michael C. Hall, "Dexter"; Hugh Laurie, "House"; Bill Paxton, "Big Love"; Kiefer Sutherland, "24"
Score: 3/5

Series, Musical or Comedy: "Desperate Housewives," ABC; "Entourage," HBO; "The Office," NBC; "Ugly Betty," ABC; "Weeds," Showtime
Score: 3/5

Actress, Musical or Comedy: Marcia Cross, "Desperate Housewives"; America Ferrera, "Ugly Betty"; Felicity Huffman, "Desperate Housewives"; Julia Louis-Dreyfus, "The New Adventures of Old Christine"; Mary-Louise Parker, "Weeds"
Score: 3/5

Actor, Musical or Comedy: Alec Baldwin, "30 Rock"; Zach Braff, "Scrubs"; Steve Carrell, "The Office"; Jason Lee, "My Name is Earl"; Tony Shalhoub, "Monk"
Score: 4/5

Supporting Actress, Series, Miniseries or Movie: Emily Blunt, "Gideon's Daughter"; Toni Collette, "Tsunami, The Aftermath"; Katherine Heigl, "Grey's Anatomy"; Sarah Paulson, "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip"; Elizabeth Perkins, "Weeds"
Score: 2/5

Supporting Actor, Series, Miniseries or Movie: Thomas Haden Church, "Broken Trail"; Jeremy Irons, "Elizabeth I"; Justin Kirk, "Weeds"; Masi Oka, "Heroes"; Jeremy Piven, "Entourage"
Score: 2/5

Golden Globe Dark Horses

Since I can't sleep (could it be GG anticipation...no.) I decided to make a list of possible spoilers or dark horses to the Golden Globes announced tomorrow morning.

Best Motion Picture – Drama
Half Nelson
Letters from Iwo Jima
Children of Men
Bobby
Little Children

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture-Drama
Maggie Gyllenhaal - Sherrybaby

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture-Drama
Matt Damon and/or Leonardo DiCaprio - The Departed

Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy
A Prairie Home Companion
For Your Consideration

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture-Comedy or Musical
Anne Hathaway - The Devil Wears Prada
Kate Winslet - The Holiday

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture-Comedy or Musical
Greg Kinnear - Little Miss Sunshine
Steve Carrell - Little Miss Sunshine

Best Performance by an Actress In A Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
Cate Blanchett – Babel
Shareeka Epps - Half Nelson

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
Mark Wahlberg – The Departed
Jackie Earle Haley - Little Children
Ben Affleck - Hollywoodland

Best Foreign Language Film
Letters from Iwo Jima

Best Director – Motion Picture
Pedro Almodovar - Volver
Robert Altman - A Prairie Home Companion
Paul Greengrass - United 93

Best Screenplay – Motion Picture
Zach Helm - Stranger than Fiction
Jason Reitman - Thank You for Smoking

Best Original Score – Motion Picture
Philip Glass - The Illusionist
Philip Glass - Notes on a Scandal

Best Original Song – Motion Picture
Prince - The Song of the Heart, Happy Feet
Tim McGraw - My Little Girl, Flicka

Best Television Show – Drama
Lost
House
Battlestar Galactica

Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series – Drama
Kristen Bell - Veronica Mars
Edie Falco - The Sopranos
Amanda Peet - Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip

Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series – Drama
Matthew Fox - Lost
Edward James Olmos - Battlestar Galactica
Matthew Perry - Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip
Patrick Dempsey - Grey's Anatomy

Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy
Desperate Housewives
30 Rock
How I Met Your Mother
Entourage

Best Performance by an Actress In A Television Series – Musical Or Comedy
Felicity Huffman - Desperate Housewives
Teri Hatcher - Desperate Housewives
Julia Louis-Dreyfus - The New Adventures of Old Christine

Best Performance by an Actor In A Television Series - Musical Or Comedy
James Spader - Boston Legal
Tracy Morgan - 30 Rock
James Roday - Psych
Tony Shaloub - Monk

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Jenna Fischer - The Office
Chandra Wilson - Grey's Anatomy
Sarah Paulson - Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mine-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Rainn Wilson - The Office
John Krasinski - The Office

Dreamgirls Make it Worth It

The question on everybody who has any vested interest in film’s mind is whether or not Dreamgirls really lives up to the hype. Arguably the most talked about, especially in terms of the impending awards season, film of the year…I’ll be the first to say that the film does live up to the hype. It’s a fun, carefree, decade-spanning, toe tapping ditty filled musical from Bill Condon. The number of Hollywood veterans that join them grounds the fresh young cast.
That being said, do I think that Dreamgirls is really Best Picture worthy? No. It fails in all the same respects that Bill Condon and Rob Marshall’s Chicago did. The musical numbers, though catchy and fantastically performed, just don’t seem to jive with the majority of the picture. The diagetic songs work like a dream, but it’s when the cast members begin to perform their respective subjective songs that the film kind of putters. Unfortunately for me and everyone at the advanced screening, a fire alarm went off right in the middle of scene-stealer, Jennifer Hudson’s performance of “And I’m Telling You, I’m Not Going.” In spite of this, the five-minute clip secured her as a lock in the Best Supporting Actress category. As the outspoken Effie, Hudson, is altogether pleasurable and heartbreaking. Also delivering a performance worthy of Oscar consideration and show stopping is Eddie Murphy as the indescribably funny and tragic. There’s a moment in the beginning of the film when his character is first revealed to the audience that just makes the audience bust out laughing. I can’t say if it’s his smile or hair or a combination of both, but Murphy is absolutely perfect for the character. Likewise, his rap boogie breakdown in the second act of the film is amazing and puts him on the same level as Hudson. Unfortunately for Beyonce Knowles, who plays Deena Jones, a majority of her above average performance is completely overshadowed by Hudson. That isn’t to say that Knowles doesn’t share some fantastic moments. Her performance of “Listen” is another high point of the film.
As I said before, the film seems to lose some energy at some points. This could be a result of my distaste for musicals, but it just doesn’t seem to work as well on screen as it seems it should. I think it’s less the fault of the film and more the fault of Condon, who seems to be unsure of himself. This seems sort of strange considering Condon’s track record. Looking at the larger picture, Dreamgirls is a much better entry to the modern film musical than Chicago. The musical numbers do work better here than they did for Chicago, but can often be awkward and forced rather than natural.
This is definitely a picture you don’t want to miss on the big screen. The sound, spectacle and fantastic performances are all worth paying 8 bucks for. If you can get wrapped up in the rather narrow story, which gradually becomes broader and broader as the film drives home, then I think you will leave the theater unbelievable happy. The problem lies in convincing the people who won’t be able to buy into the story that the film is beyond decent.

Golden Globe Nomination Predictions

Nominations for the 64th Annual Golden Globes are due in this Thursday. Here is how I think they will go down.

Best Motion Picture – Drama
United 93
Flags of Our Fathers
The Departed
The Queen
Babel

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture-Drama
Helen Mirren – The Queen
Kate Winselt – Little Children
Judi Dench – Notes on a Scandal
Penelope Cruz – Volver
Naomi Watts – The Painted Veil

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture-Drama
Forest Whitaker – The Last King of Scotland
Ryan Gosling – Half Nelson
Will Smith – The Pursuit of Happiness
Leonardo DiCaprio – Blood Diamond
Peter O’Toole – Venus

Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy
Dreamgirls
Little Miss Sunshine
Borat
The Devil Wears Prada
Stranger than Fiction

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture-Comedy or Musical
Abigail Breslin – Little Miss Sunshine
Beyonce Knowles – Dreamgirls
Meryl Streep – The Devil Wears Prada
Renee Zelwegger – Miss Potter
Annette Benning – Running with Scissors

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture-Comedy or Musical
Sacha Baron Cohen – Borat
Aaron Eckhart – Thank You for Smoking
Will Ferrell – Stranger than Fiction
Jamie Foxx – Dreamgirls
Johnny Depp – Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest

Best Performance by an Actress In A Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
Cate Blanchett – Notes on a Scandal
Jennifer Hudson – Dreamgirls
Rinko Kikuchi – Babel
Catherine O’Hara – For Your Consideration
Adriana Barraza – Babel

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
Eddie Murphy – Dreamgirls
Jack Nicholson – The Departed
Brad Pitt – Babel
Djimon Hounsou – Blood Diamond
Alan Arkin – Little Miss Sunshine

Best Foreign Language Film
Volver
Apocalypto
Curse of the Golden Flower
Pan’s Labyrinth
The Lives of Others

Best Director – Motion Picture
Clint Eastwood – Letters from Iwo Jima
Martin Scorsese – The Departed
Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu – Babel
Bill Condon – Dreamgirls
Stephen Frears – The Queen

Best Screenplay – Motion Picture
Peter Morgan – The Queen
Guillermo Arriaga – Babel
Pedro Almodovar – Volver
William Monahan – The Departed
Bill Condon – Dreamgirls

Best Original Score – Motion Picture
Clint Eastwood – Letters from Iwo Jima
Gustavo Santaolalla – Babel
Hans Zimmer – The Da Vinci Code
Howard Shore – The Departed
Alexandre Desplat – The Queen

Best Original Song – Motion Picture
Melissa Etheridge – I Need to Wake Up, An Inconvenient Truth
Beyonce Knowles – Listen, Dreamgirls
Jennifer Hudson – Love You I Do, Dreamgirls
Eddie Murphy – Patience, Dreamgirls
The Dixie Chicks – The Neighbor, Shut Up and Sing

Best Television Show – Drama
24
Brothers & Sisters
Heroes
The Sopranos
Grey’s Anatomy

Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series – Drama
Mariska Hargitay – Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Calista Flockhart – Brothers & Sisters
Kyra Sedgwick – The Closer
Sally Field – Brothers & Sisters
Patricia Arquette – Medium

Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series – Drama
Michael C. Hall – Dexter
Hugh Laurie – House
Kiefer Sutherland – 24
James Woods – Shark
James Gandolfini – The Sopranos

Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy
Weeds
My Name is Earl
The Office
Scrubs
Ugly Betty

Best Performance by an Actress In A Television Series – Musical Or Comedy
Eva Longoria – Desperate Housewives
America Ferarra – Ugly Betty
Mary Louise Parker – Weeds
Marcia Cross – Desperate Housewives
Tina Fey – 30 Rock

Best Performance by an Actor In A Television Series - Musical Or Comedy
Zach Braff – Scrubs
Steve Carell – The Office
Alec Baldwin – 30 Rock
Jason Lee – My Name is Earl
Charlie Sheen – Two and a Half Men

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Sandra Oh – Grey’s Anatomy
Jamie Pressley – My Name is Earl
Elizabeth Perkins – Weeds
Vanessa Williams – Ugly Betty
Katherine Heigl – Grey’s Anatomy

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mine-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Jeremy Piven – Entourage
Forrest Whitaker – The Shield
Masi Oka – Heroes
Gregory Itzin – 24
Steven Weber – Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip

Favorite Albums of 2006

Film Favorites
Television Favorites
within the next few weeks.

The Science of Mediocrity

All the aspects of low-budget romantic cinema that made Michel Gondry’s “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” so compelling are likewise found in his latest, “The Science of Sleep.”
What’s missing are the powerful characters and dreamy, ethereal quality storytelling, which is ironic considering the actual content of the film are dreams.
Gael García Bernal (“Y tu mamá también,” “The Motorcycle Diaries”) stars as Stéphane, a Peter Pan like figure that seems to have never grown up. He moves back to his mother’s house in Paris after his father’s death, living a majority of his life through dreams he has while sleeping in his racecar sheet lined twin bed. Stuck in a dead end job at a calendar company that he is sure his mother lied to him about in order to get him back home, Stéphane stumbles in and out of his stylish, metaphorical dreams.
Shortly after moving in he meets his neighbor, the dowdy and drab Stéphanie (Charlotte Gainsbourg; “Jane Eyre,” “21 Grams”). While he is originally smitten with her friend, he sparks a connection with Stéphanie through his dreams and waking life.
The dream sequences are impressive, in a faux artsy stylish way. Most of the dreams look like poorly done student films, aiming for bizarre cliché over any sort of substance or meaning.
Bernal carries a majority of the picture, tormented by having to deal with discerning dreams and reality, perhaps grounding the overly odd Gondry styling. Gainsbourg lacks any sort of dynamisms and ultimately suffers not only under the direction of Gondry, but Bernal as well.
The film, as a whole, feels hurried, sloppy and by the film’s end completely unmemorable.

People Just Don't Understand

Although it failed to garner any spots on my "Best of the New Fall Season" list, the new Aaron Sorkin genre-bending "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip" is definitely one of the best. Not only is it strongly acted, written and directed; it's ridiculously intelligent, a little too intelligent for most American audiences perhaps? Take last week's episode, for example. One of the major storylines revolved around an elderly gentleman creeping back stage of Studio 60 in order to secure an old photograph of when the Philco Comedy Hour used to broadcast out of the Studio. TV scholars will recognize the obvious references to the Golden Age of television when shows were single sponsored and live. This was also a time when television was sympathetic to the Communist cause in order to maintain their credentials as representing the public interest, convenience and necessity. This old man was trying to obtain a picture of him in the writers room with the other writers before he was brought before HUAC and blacklisted. He makes numerous references to the Hollywood Ten, claiming his name was Bessie Bibberman etc. The average American viewer, like my mother, would have absolutely no idea what these subtle jokes were referring to, even if they did see "Good Night and Good Luck." It's severely smart humor that makes a college education completely worth it.

The Best of the New Fall Season...

Playlist 5/02/2006

Playlist Title: should i strike it?
Show Title: Dr. Funke's 100% Natural Good-Time Family Band Solution by J Henson and
Sufjan Stevens - Prairie Fire That Wanders About
Pixies - Gigantic
The Decemberists - Red Right Ankle
Final Fantasy - This is the Dream of Win & Regine
Kanye West (Feat. Consequence & Cam'Ron) - Gone
Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks - (Do Not Feed The) Oyster
Modest Mouse - Wild Pack of Family Dogs
A.C. Newman - Homemade Bombs in the Afternoon
Neutral Milk Hotel - In The Aeroplane Over the Sea
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Honeybear
The Unicorns - Peach Moon
Mike Doughty - I Hear the Bells
Grandaddy - Jeez Louise
The Zambonis - Hockey Monkey
The National - Cold Girl Fever
Starlight Mints - Sir Prize
Oh No! Oh My! - Skip the Foreplay
Kimfolk - Not My Kind of Sunday
Suburban Kids with Biblical Names - Rent a Wreck
Figurines - Ambush
Phantom Planet - Our House
Gnarls Barkley - Gone Daddy Gone
Pavement - Unfair
Beulah - Don't Forget to Breathe
Belle & Sebastian - Funny Little Frog
Spoon - June's Foreign Spell
Eels - Last Stop: This Town
The Shins - Girl on the Wing
TV On the Radio - Province

The Lowdown on Lohan

Lindsay Lohan became a major Hollywood player in her short 19 years, and hopes to continue her string of success with her latest series of films. Voice was lucky enough to chat with the teen starlet online, as she spoke candidly about her craft, future and her upcoming romantic comedy “Just My Luck.”

The film, which takes place in bustling New York, centers on a career girl and socialite named Ashley Albright (Lohan). “Ashley has got her head on straight and she’s determined, which I think is great,” Lohan said.

She is the luckiest girl in the world, according to the film’s press kit. Jake (Chris Pine, “The Princess Diaries: Royal Engagement”) on the other hand, is a bad luck magnet. Everything changes when the two cross paths and kiss at a masquerade ball, switching their luck.

Unlike Lohan’s recent successes in the teen comedy genre, with films “Mean Girls” and “Freaky Friday,” “Just My Luck” marks an adult turn in the actress’ career.

“It’s a more mature film compared to the ones that I’ve done before,” Lohan said. “It’s more a romantic comedy than I’ve been able to do so far, and it’s nice to have a comedic side to it. It also has my first on-screen relationship.”

The pressure of a first on-screen relationship can be daunting for any young actress, but Lohan said she didn’t mind it.

“It was acting,” Lohan said, laughing. “It’s just pretend.” Director Donald Petrie has helmed a number of actresses in breakout roles including Julia Roberts in “Mystic Pizza” and Kate Hudson in “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days.”

“I loved those movies,” Lohan said. “I love comedy and I really wanted to work with Donald on this film.”

Aside from “Just My Luck,” the superstar has a number of sophisticated roles in major motion pictures in the works. The actress can be seen in the latest film from legendary director Robert Altman (“Nashville,” “Gosford Park”), “A Prairie Home Companion,” and the independent Emilio Estevez (“The Breakfast Club,” “Mighty Ducks”) film, “Bobby.”

Both roles are generating a sizable amount of Oscar buzz.

“A Prairie Home Companion” sees Lohan playing daughter of prominent actress Meryl Streep (“Sophie’s Choice,” “Adaptation”) and working alongside longtime Altman favorite Lily Tomlin (“I Heart Huckabees,” “Short Cuts”). Such weathered veterans may intimidate a fledgling youngster, but Lohan said she learned much from the pros.

“More than discussing acting with [Streep], I observed her,” she said. “I just wanted to get a feel for how [Streep and Tomlin] become their character, how they work with the rest of the cast and crew and other things that I keep to myself.”

“Companion” takes place backstage during the final broadcast of the renowned radio program. Shot in Minnesota, the film gave the idol a chance to escape from big city living.

“I like the opportunity to focus on your craft,” Lohan said. Though she said she thinks the roles are more layered and mature than previous characters she has played, Lohan said she struggles to shed the “teen queen” stereotype.

“I don’t want to lose my teen audience,” she said. “I think it’s important to grow with them rather than ahead of them.”

Aside from acting, the actress has dabbled in modeling and singing. “I’ve been modeling since the age of 3,” she said. “I really appreciate the art of making music, films and such – and sending certain messages, whatever they may be.”

The 19-year-old doesn’t want to stop there.

“I also really love the fashion industry.,” she said. “And I like directing – so who’s to say what I will be involved in next?”

Lohan fans can catch her in “Just My Luck,” in theaters May 12, and “A Prairie Home Companion” will be in select theaters June 9.

As far as the future goes, Lohan said she tries not to get ahead of herself, though she wouldn’t mind garnering a gold statue at some point. “I would like to acquire an Oscar, and I’d like to have my own charity – amongst other things,” she said. “But I like to take every day as it comes.

Playlist 04/25/2006

Playlist Title: it's epic
Show Title: Dr. Funke's 100% Natural Good-Time Family Band Solution by J Henson and
Pavement - Silence Kit
Oh No! Oh My! - Reeks and Seeks
The Spinto Band - Did I Tell You
Animal Collective - We Tigers
Spoon - Metal School
Morrissey - You Have Killed Me
Drive-By Truckers - Daylight
Modest Mouse - Trailer Trash
The Strokes - Reptilia
Ted Leo/Pharmacists - The Great Communicator
The Shins - Kissing the Lipless
Liars - The Other Side of Mt. Heart Attack
Aimee Mann - Save Me (Live at St. Ann's Warehouse)
Franz Ferdinand - Walk Away
Kelly Clarkson - Walk Away
Sufjan Stevens - Romulus
Gnarls Barkley - Who Cares
The Boy Least Likely To - I See Spiders When I Close My Eyes
TV on the Radio - I Was a Lover
Mates of State - Goods (All in Your Head)
Stars - The Vanishing
Kings of Leon - Taper Jean Girl
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Black Tongue
The Streets - Never Went to Church
Band of Horses - Our Swords
Margot and the Nuclear So and So's - Dress Me Like a Clown
Islands - Don't Call Me Whitney, Bobby
The Smashing Pumpkins - Tonight, Tonight
Final Fantasy - Song Song Song

4 Is a Bore...

“Scary Movie 4,” much like its predecessors, is a lesson in sloppy filmmaking.

David Zucker, director of “Scary Movie 3,” returns to the moderately successful series. Zucker, the man behind such comedy classics as “Airplane” and “The Naked Gun,” has sucked out the dirty jokes and sick gags that made the first two movies of the series so humorous.

Anna Faris (“Just Friends,” “Waiting …”) returns as the film’s principle heroine, Cindy Campbell. It’s shocking that Faris still returns to the hackneyed series after proving her adeptness and knack for perfect comedic timing in successful films “Lost in Translation,” “The Hot Chick” and “Brokeback Mountain.”

At the root of “Scary Movie 4” is a muddled mess of mildly successful horror and action films from recent years.

Cindy takes a job helping the elderly Mrs. Norris (Cloris Leachman, “Spanglish,” “The Last Picture Show”) in her cursed home. Her neighbor, Tom Ryan (Craig Bierko, “Cinderella Man,” “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas”), is immediately smitten with her. However, an alien invasion puts their budding romance on the back burner.

Cindy’s failed relationship with George (Simon Rex, “Scary Movie 3”) is explained in a strange, brief and out-of-place parody of the Oscar-winning film “Million Dollar Baby.”

However, this isn’t the only sequence that seems out of place. The send up of M. Night Shyamalan’s lackluster film, “The Village,” seems bizarre. Likewise, the majority of the film lampoons last year’s “War of the Worlds” – hardly scary movies. It’s clear the screenwriters are reaching for fresh material to fill a boring hour-and-a-half of film.

A beacon of hope is found with the return of Brenda Meeks (Regina Hall, “The Honeymooners”). Though her character died in “Scary Movie 3,” she auspiciously surfaces as a reporter covering the alien invasion. Her mysterious reincarnation isn’t so much explained as ignored. It isn’t as if the filmmakers are shooting for creditability.

Her character, oversexed and full of trash talk, is one of the few holdovers from the relatively funny original.

The opening sequence, as with the earlier “Scary Movie” films, elicits the most laughs. Though much of the absurdity was documented in TV trailers, the “Saw” spoof with Dr. Phil McGraw and Shaquille O’Neal is stupid enough to draw a few chuckles.

Despite the talent of the seasoned cast and the endless string of cameos (Molly Shannon, “Superstar;” Michael Madsen, “Reservoir Dogs;” James Earl Jones, “Star Wars”), it seems nothing could rescue this sequel from banality.

Unfortunately for moviegoers, the recent success of “Scary Movie 4” only means another trite sequel is in the works.

Ugh. 'Dead' and Buried.

The latest album from pop diva Pink, titled “I’m Not Dead,” has few memorable tracks and will likely leave listeners wishing she were, in fact, dead.

The opening track and lead single, “Stupid Girls,” has found a comfortable spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and rose to the top downloaded song on iTunes. Essentially an attack on paparazzi bait Paris Hilton and Jessica Simpson, the song seems phony. Unless a listener has selective amnesia, it’s hard to forget Pink’s only huge success was a club anthem called “Get This Party Started” that stupid girls still shake to on crazy Friday nights.

Her lyrics, “Baby if I act like that, flipping my blonde hair back/Push up my bra like that, I don’t wanna be a stupid girl,” seem to ignore that in 2001, she was flipping her hair back and pushing up her bra in the video for “Lady Marmalade.”

The rest of the album follows suit and Pink repeatedly contradicts herself during “I’m Not Dead.”

Her mawkish ballad “Nobody Knows” seems cheap and useless when followed by a track such as “Cuz I Can.” She flaunts her 23-inch black-on-black rims, fast car and diamond-encrusted T-shirts. It’s clear Pink doesn’t think money buys happiness, but it allows her to live a self-proclaimed life of sin and buy swimming pools large enough to hold a listener’s entire home. “Dear Mr. President” is a letter to George W. Bush written by Pink and the Indigo Girls. The song stands out like a sore thumb. Found among inoffensive pop songs and club beats, “Dear Mr. President” doesn’t feel like it belongs on the album. The acoustic-driven song packs a powerful punch, but stands to alienate Bush-backing listeners. She attacks nearly every facet of both Bush and his administration, bringing up the No Child Left Behind Act, gay rights and Bush’s history of drug and alcohol abuse. Midway through the album, listeners will find a bright spot with “Leave Me Alone (I’m Lonely).” The track echoes the sounds of less abrasive rockers Kelly Clarkson and Avril Lavigne.

Pink bites off more than she can chew with her overly sentimental and weepy ballad “Conversations With My 13 Year Old Self.” The intent to make a meaningful statement on adolescence is there, but the rather one-sided conversation falls short.

Pink prefaces the song “I Have Seen the Rain,” a so-called “hidden” track. Her father wrote the lyrics during the Vietnam War and he joins her on acoustic guitar and vocals. Despite good intentions, the entire thing seems out of place – much like “Dear Mr. President.”

Sure, political activism has frequently played a role in past pop music, but Pink presents it in all the wrong ways.

Ultimately, Pink fails at putting much thought into her songwriting and “I’m Not Dead” is another futile attempt by a ’90s pop star to squeeze every last penny from a dying genre.

Playlist 4/11/2006

Playlist Title: i know who you did last summer
Show Title: Dr. Funke's 100% Natural Good-Time Family Band Solution by J Henson
Islands - Rough Gem
Nelly Furtado - Maneater
The Appleseed Cast - Silas' Knife
Rainer Maria - Life of Leisure
Built to Spill - Liar
The Streets - When You Wasn't Famous
Casiotone for the Painfully Alone - I Love Creedence
Neutral Milk Hotel - Where You'll Find Me Now
David Byrne - Tiny Apocalypse
Jon Brion - Ruin My Day
Earlimart - We Drink on the Job
My Morning Jacket - What a Wonderful Man
Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin - YR Broom
Pixies - Wave of Mutilation
Spoon - Small Stakes
Andre 3000 - Dracula's Wedding
The National - Trophy Wife
Malvina Reynolds - Little Boxes
Pavement - Pueblo
Stars - The Woods
Jens Lekman - You Are The Light (By Which I Travel into This and That)
Swearing at Motorists - Anything You Want
The Elected - Did Me Good
TV on the Radio - Dirty Whirl Wind
Okkervil River - Okkervil River Song

Slimy Fun

“Slither” may be the most disgusting, stomach-turning and repulsive film opening in theaters this year.

Written and directed by James Gunn (“Dawn of the Dead”), the movie works as homage to B-movies “The Toxic Avenger” and “Tromeo and Juliet.” Not only is it sickeningly funny, but it also provides enough jolts to illicit gasps and screams.

The film opens as a small asteroid crashes near the sleeping chief of police, Bill Pardy (Nathan Fillion, “Serenity”) in the small town of Wheelsy. The next day, a local businessman, Grant Grant (Michael Rooker, “JFK”) leaves his sleeping wife Starla (Elizabeth Banks, “The 40 Year Old Virgin,” “Wet Hot American Summer”) to attend a seedy karaoke bar. Grant meets a former acquaintance, Brenda (Brenda James, “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants”), and the two head into the woods for an adulterous encounter. However, Grant’s conscience gets the best of him and he decides to return to his wife.

Before exiting the woods, he discovers a large slug crawling away from the space rock that crashed the previous night. Poking and prodding the slug only leads to trouble for Grant and the rest of the sleepy town. Dogs, cows and other farm animals disappear all over Wheelsy. The uptight and boisterous mayor, Jack MacReady (Gregg Henry, “Gilmore Girls”), sends the police to discover who or what is behind the mysterious dealings. Events turn gory when the team discovers hundreds of slugs that turn residents into acidic, slime-spewing zombies.

“Slither” isn’t for the faint of heart or faint of stomach. Rather than relying on heavy visual effects, the film retains a classic horror movie feel with impressive makeup and animatronics. The makeup department, headed by Monica Huppert (“X2”), does a fantastic job of creating filthy creatures and repugnant creepy crawlers.

The movie also makes ample use of hillbilly culture and mythology. Gunn creates a number of cliched characters with southern roots, but incorporates a humorous and inventive spin. Working on the same level as 2004’s “Shaun of the Dead,” “Slither” pokes fun at horror movies that precede it with quirky freshness. Gunn also takes full advantage of the R rating. There is no holding back with “Slither,” which happily displays dog-eating zombies and possessed children hell-bent on mayhem.

Unfortunately, audiences failed to catch on to the campy fun during opening weekend. The film made a paltry $3.88 million at the domestic box office, according to www.imdb.com.

The film may not appeal to every demographic, but “Slither” guarantees a gory good time at the movies.

Listen, You'll Hear It...

Playlist 4/04/2006

Playlist Title: i'll stop taking ecstacy when you stop being so boring
Show Title: Dr. Funke's 100% Natural Good-Time Family Band Solution by J Henson
Animal Collective - Who Could Wind a Rabbit
The Starlight Mints - Submarine # 3
Gnarls Barkley - Crazy
Dr. Manhattan - Parties Opinion
Okkervil River - Westfall
The Black Keys - Everywhere I Go
Pavement - Kennel District
Mayhew the Traitor - Song 1
Amy Millan - Skinny Boy
The Waxwings - Low Ceiling
Devendra Banhart - Little Boys
The Flaming Lips - Goin' On
Phoenix - Long Distance Call
Broken Social Scene - Anthems for a Seventeen Year Old Girl
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Rich
Jon Brion - I Believe She's Lying
Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin - Anna Lee
Silver Jews - Buckingham Rabbit
Grand Austin - Call Canopy
Band of Horses - The Great Salt Lake
Spoon - Reservations
Bloc Party - Blue Light
Sufjan Stevens - Concerning the UFO Sighting Near Highland, Illinois
Eels - Jeannie's Diary
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - Details of the War
My Morning Jacket - Sweetheart
Built to Spill - Conventional Wisdom
Wolf Parade - I'll Believe in Anything
The National - The Thrilling of Claire

Playlist 3/28/2006

Playlist Title: "somefing for urryone"
Show Title: Dr. Funke's 100% Natural Good-Time Family Band Solution by J Henson
Band of Horses - The Funeral
Tapes 'n Tapes - Jakov's Suite
Wilco - Via Chicago
Art Brut - Emily Kane
The Breeders - Cannonball
Love is All - Used Goods
Sufjan Stevens - Decatur
Nelly Furtado - Promiscuous Girl
Architecture in Helsinki - Scissors Paper Rock
The Walkmen - Little House of Savages
Swearing at Motorists - (It Came) Out of Nowhere
Beck - Guess I'm Doin' Fine
Ted Leo/Pharmacists - Biomusicology
Elliott Smith - Waltz #2
Broken Social Scene - Lover's Spit
Neko Case - Star Witness
Casiotone for the Painfully Alone - New Year's Kiss
The Beta Band - Out-Side
The Strokes - Between Love & Hate
Built to Spill - Girl
Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks - Fractions & Feelings
The Flaming Lips - Mr. Ambulance Driver
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Dudley
The Streets - Empty Cans
Wolf Parade - Shine a Light
The Thermals - How We Know
Ben Folds Five - Jackson Cannery (By Request)

Playlist 3/21/2006

Playlist Title: everyday is ash wednesday!
Show Title: Dr. Funke's 100% Natural Good Time Family Band Solution by J Henson
Animal Collective - The Purple Bottle
Okkervil River - The War Criminal Rises and Speaks
The Streets - Fit But You Know It
Dogs Die in Hot Cars - Godhopping
Drive-By Truckers - The Day John Henry Died
The Strokes - Modern Girls and Old Fashioned Men
Jens Lekman - A Sweet Summer's Night on Hammer Hill
Stars - Romantic Comedy
Talking Heads - Life During Wartime (Live)
Saturday Looks Good to Me - Alcohol
Ted Leo/Pharmacists - Timorous Me
Flaming Lips - The Yeah Yeah Yeah Song
Silver Jews - I'm Getting Back (into Getting Back into You)
The Velvet Underground - After Hours
Architecture in Helsinki - Wishbone
Tapes 'n Tapes - Cowbell
Mates of State - Punchlines
Spoon - Chicago at Night
The National - Driver, Surprise Me
Final Fantasy - Peach, Plum, Pear
Casiotone for the Painfully Alone - Young Shields
TV on the Radio - Mr. Grieves
*Interview with Matt Detzler*
Swearing at Motorists - This Flag Signals Goodbye
The White Stripes - You're Pretty Good Looking (For a Girl)
David Byrne - Glass, Concrete and Stone
Stephen Malkmus - Pencil Rot
The Glad Version - Shenandoah
Daniel Johnston - Mountain Top
Tom Vek - Nothing But Green Lights
The Avalanches - Frontier Psychiatrist
Sleater-Kinney - Burn, Don't Freeze

Playlist 3/07/2006

Playlist Title: crash is for dumb people
Show Title: Dr. Funke's 100% Natural Good Time Family Band Solution by J Henson
Yo La Tengo - Autumn Sweater
Andrew Bird - Skin Is, My
Built to Spill - Goin' Against Your Mind
Pinback - Fortress
Beulah - A Man Like Me
Interpol - NYC
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Cheated Hearts
Bright Eyes/Britt Daniel and Spoon - Let the Distance Keep Us Together
Okkervil River - For Real
Wilco - Theologians
Mirah - Don't Die in Me
Shout Out Louds - Please Please Please
Broken Social Scene - Cause=Time
The Unicorns - Sea Ghost
Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin - House Fire
Pavement - Loretta's Scars
Tapes 'n Tapes - Omaha
Cat Power - Love & Communication
The Streets - Could Well Be In
Idlewild - El Capitan
The National - Lit Up (Parisian Party Version)
Laura Veirs - Icebound Stream
Preston School of Industry - Caught in the Rain
Rogue Wave - You
A.M. Sixty - Your Stuff, My House
Shimmer Kids Underpop Association - Like Candy, Like Poison

"All Bad Art is Sincere" -- 78th Annual Academy Awards

Tami Lane, a Peoria resident and Bradley Alumna, won an Oscar last night for her makeup work in the film "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe."


"Walk the Line" had a poor showing at the award show that would normally jerk-off to big budget biopics. Reese Witherspoon won the Best Actress trophy without making herself ugly ::cough:: Nicole Kidman, Charlize Theron.


George Clooney took the award for Best Supporting Actor in "Syriana." His film "Good Night, and Good Luck" walked away with zero. A travesty. Two (often overlooked) actors took home Best Actor, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Best Supporting Actress, Rachel Weisz, statues.

This is about the moment I threw up...

Nicholson looked more surprised than anyone.






















That's right..."Crash." Best Picture of 2005. The year that brought audiences such great films as "Good Night, and Good Luck," "Capote," "Batman Begins," "The Squid and the Whale," "A History of Violence," "The Constant Gardener," "Match Point," hell even "Brokeback Mountain."

Anything but Crash. The Academy hit a new low last night. Lower than when they gave the statue to "Gladiator."


What Paul Haggis should have said.




















The immediate reaction from the President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences...

Short...but Deep.

Being an avid iTunes shopper, I am constantly looking for interesting things to buy, be it new music or the latest addition of video.

It's this addiction that led me to some new favorites, like the hysterical Showtime series "Weeds."

I recently stumbled upon their latest addition to the vast music store. Magnolia Pictures and Shorts International teamed up to release the five Oscar nominated short films for $1.99 each.

The prospect was immediately appealing because of:
a) my fascination with film
b) the shorts are generally not available to the public--making the awards at the ceremony completely uninteresting to me.

So, I downloaded them before I went to bed and awoke the next morning with over an hour of shorts to watch.

The first one I viewed was a short film by Sean Ellis entitled "Cashback." The film focuses on the latenight employees of a British grocery store. The humor is dry and drags a bit, but it was by far my favorite of the five nominated films.

Sean Biggerstaff ("Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets") plays Ben, an English art student. He narrates the work, telling the secrets each employee uses in order to make time pass quicker. The mood remains light until the audience discovers Ben's way of offsetting the banality. He imagines that time stops and then wanders the store looking for beautiful women. He unclothes the women and draws stunning depictions of them. Sure. It sounds weird. It is. But, the British wit and charm are obviously appealing. And the arthouse twist at the end makes the film totally enjoyable. If you're interested in watching the shorts, but working on a limited budget, download "Cashback."

"Our Time is Up," directed by Rob Pearlstein, stars Kevin Pollak ("The Usual Suspects") as a thearapist who finds out he only has 6 weeks to live. Rather than wasting those weeks stuck in his same old routine, he decides to help his patients by telling them exactly what he thinks.

His patients include a man with an obnoxious fear of turtles, an extreme germaphobe, a guy who is absolutely terrified by the dark, a playboy who can't committ and a man unaware of his painfully obvious homosexuality.

It's a cute little story, but it lacks the depth of the other nominated films. It's worth checking out if you have 2 bucks and fifteen minutes to kill.

The Irish short, "Six Shooter" is a tale of irony and depressing circumstances.

Starring Brendan Gleeson ("28 Days Later," "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire") and directed by Martin McDonagh, "Six Shooter" begins with a doctor informing a middle aged man that his wife has passed away. The doctor is busy with another case, however, and must leave Gleeson alone with his wife.

What starts as a bad day only gets worse for the main character. He boards a train to Dublin and meets a brash young man and a depressingly depressed couple.

By the end of the trip, two people are dead and it seems fate brought them together.

"The Last Farm" is a bleak drama about a man coping with his wife's death. The film is short and simple. If you aren't in the mood for agonizing sadness, take a pass on this one.


Fans of the semi-hit Reese Witherspoon and Mark Ruffalo vehicle "Just Like Heaven" will enjoy "The Runaway" (Ausreißer)." What starts out as a cute story about a father and son turns strangely mysterious. Definitely worth watching.

Odds are The Runaway will walk away with the Oscar, however my pick is "Cashback." We'll see this Sunday night at 7 p.m.

Going for the Gold -- Oscar Predictions

Each year, Hollywood’s best and brightest gather in the Kodak Theater hoping to be recognized by The Academy of Arts and Sciences. Some believe the Oscars are nothing more than a glorified popularity contest.

However, receiving an award can make a relative nobody into a major Hollywood player. This year’s nominees offer old favorites and rising stars.

For students entering into a friendly wager, here are Voice’s picks and favorites for the Academy Awards airing at 7 p.m. this Sunday on ABC.

Best Actress in a Supporting Role
Will win: Rachel Weisz, “The Constant Gardener”
Should win: Amy Adams, “Junebug”
Should have been nominated: Maria Bello, “A History of Violence”

Rachel Weisz walked away with a handful of awards for her performance in “The Constant Gardener,” and deservedly so. Weisz plays the role of Tessa Quale, working fearlessly to uncover the secrets of African drug companies. She is the leading contender for the Oscar on Sunday night.

My pick is Amy Adams, who slipped under most viewers’ radars. Adams plays the goofy, pregnant southern belle in the indie hit “Junebug.” She balances quirky comedic timing with dramatic sensibility – a task not easily completed.

Perhaps the Academy’s biggest oversight this year is its lack of nomination for Maria Bello. As the wife of a supposed mobster, Bello gave the best performance of her career and one of the best of the year.

Best Actress in a Leading Role
Will win: Reese Witherspoon, “Walk the Line”
Should win: Reese Witherspoon, “Walk the Line”
Should have been nominated: Laura Linney, “The Squid and the Whale”

Without a doubt, last year belonged to Reese Witherspoon. Portraying the late June Carter-Cash, Witherspoon gave “Walk the Line” heart and soul. Nobody in the category will take the award from her.

The Academy constantly overlooks small independent features such as “The Squid and the Whale.” However, Laura Linney is an Academy favorite. Like Amy Adams in “Junebug,” Linney manages to perfect both the comedic and dramatic as a divorced mother of two. Her performance more than qualifies her for a nomination, especially against some of the lackluster nominees in the category.

Best Actor in a Supporting Role
Will win: Jake Gyllenhaal, “Brokeback Mountain”
Should win: George Clooney, “Syriana”
Should have been nominated: Jeffrey Wright, “Broken Flowers”

This may be the hardest category to predict, as many great performances are competing. Although some argue Jake Gyllenhaal’s performance in “Brokeback Mountain” pales in comparison to Heath Ledger’s, Gyllenhaal shines as cowboy Jack Twist. Gyllenhaal plays Twist as a reckless and outspoken young man in an impossible love.

My personal favorite performance in the category belongs to George Clooney in “Syriana.” Clooney plays CIA agent Bob Barnes and possesses a fiery and fidgety attitude throughout the film. And unlike Gyllenhaal, who suffered in mediocre makeup and a fat suit, Clooney put on 35 pounds for the role. Another indie film under the radar is “Broken Flowers.” The impeccable Jeffrey Wright plays Winston, a mystery-loving music enthusiast. Although it may not be the best performance of the year, Wright deserves recognition for his work as one of the year’s most likeable characters.

Best Actor in a Leading Role
Will win: Philip Seymour Hoffman, “Capote”
Should win: Philip Seymour Hoffman, “Capote”
Should have been nominated: Tommy Lee Jones, “The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada”

Philip Seymour Hoffman is a lock in this category. Playing the title character in “Capote,” Hoffman is perfect. He took the prize for this role in nearly every other award ceremony this year. Receiving the Oscar on Sunday is merely icing on the cake.

Though he won the Cannes Film Festival’s award for Best Actor, Tommy Lee Jones surprisingly failed to earn a nomination from the Academy. Jones not only directs “The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada,” but stars as well. He plays Pete Perkins, a man so devastated by his friend’s death he stops at nothing to honor him. His performance is captivating and heartbreaking.

Best Original Screenplay
Will win: Paul Haggis and Bobby Moresco, “Crash”
Should win: Noah Baumbach, “The Squid and the Whale”
Should have been nominated: Judd Apatow and Steve Carell, “The 40 Year Old Virgin”

“Crash” was my least favorite film of 2005. Everything about the film was third-rate. The performances and characters lacked depth. The story was tired and formulaic. That said, the film will (unfortunately) win an Academy Award for its (awful) screenplay.

Every other screenplay nominated is 10 times more deserving, especially Noah Baumbach’s “The Squid and the Whale.” His semiautobiographical account of growing up in a divorced family, struggling with joint custody and the affections of teenage girls displays the most depth and charm of the nominated films.

However, the Academy snubbed the most charming film of the year with “The 40 Year Old Virgin’s” failure to garner a nod. Arguably the funniest and sweetest film of 2005, Carell and Apatow perfected the art of comedic writing.

Best Adapted Screenplay
Will win: Larry McMurtry & Diana Ossana, “Brokeback Mountain”
Should win: Josh Olson, “A History of Violence”
Should have been nominated: Gill Dennis and James Mangold, “Walk the Line”

A victory for the screenwriters of “Brokeback Mountain” is a sure thing. But Josh Olson’s adaptation of the graphic novel “A History of Violence” is the tightest screenplay of the year. The film twists and turns through a brief 90-minute runtime and constantly keeps the audience guessing.

“Walk the Line” didn’t get quite as much recognition from the Academy as it deserved. The screenplay, by Gill Dennis and director James Mangold, carried the excellent performances and the film itself. Without a nomination for the screenplay, the film was doomed from earning one of the five spots for Best Picture.

Best Director
Will win: Ang Lee, “Brokeback Mountain”
Should win: George Clooney, “Good Night, and Good Luck.”
Should have been nominated: Peter Jackson, “King Kong”

The most bothersome aspect of the Academy Awards is its predictability. Ang Lee is a given. He’ll win an award for his direction of “Brokeback Mountain.”

However, it would be fun if George Clooney took the award for “Good Night, and Good Luck.” He directs the best ensemble cast of the year with amazing precision.

Granted, I wasn’t a huge fan of the “King Kong” remake. But the thing I loved was Peter Jackson’s ability to milk what he could from a lackluster film. Besides, it takes a lot of guts to place a majority of the film in the hands of a computer-generated creature.

Best Picture
Will win: “Brokeback Mountain”
Should win: “Good Night, and Good Luck.”
Should have been nominated: “Walk the Line”

The real race for the Best Picture trophy is between “Brokeback Mountain” and “Crash.” But my choice is the sharp and topical “Good Night, and Good Luck.”

Director George Clooney created a small film packing a powerful punch. David Strathairn stars as famed journalist Edward Murrow. Tackling the ideas prevalent in today’s world, the film is a sociopolitical commentary reaching further than “Brokeback Mountain” and “Crash” combined.

Many seem more deserving than the five movies vying for the trophy Sunday. The most obvious choice is “Walk the Line.” The film is as great a love story as “Brokeback Mountain” and tugs at the heartstrings more than “Munich,” not to mention the nominated performances of Reese Witherspoon and Joaquin Phoenix. The Academy’s failure to nominate the film is one of the greatest slights in the history of Oscar.

Daring Drama

The latest production to grace the Hartmann Center’s stage is the powerful and impressive “Extremities.”

At the center of the brutal drama is Marjorie, played perfectly by senior Tiffany Albers-Lopez. With disheveled hair and smeared makeup, Albers-Lopez commands the stage.

Following a wasp sting on the front porch, Marjorie douses the bug with insecticide and burns the creature in an ashtray. Not long after the wasp attack, another creature ready to hurt Marjorie appears on the porch. A young man enters the house and claims to be looking for a friend named Joe. The man, who has an eerie saunter and obvious sexual motives, is portrayed by fantastic Joseph Majestic. Marjorie tells him no man named Joe lives in the house and her nonexistent husband will be downstairs shortly. It becomes clear to Marjorie the man plans to harm her. With a few sudden moves, the man overpowers Marjorie.

But it’s not long before Marjorie turns the tables on the assailant. She plays along with his sick fantasies before blindfolding, gagging and knocking him unconscious.

Fight choreographer George H. Brown makes ample use of the actors’ talents and the excellent stage and props designed by Erich Keil. The two actors wrestle on stage with extension chords, pillows and a fireplace poker. As the intensity continues, Majestic and Albers-Lopez fall deeper into their characters. Majestic, in particular, proves his skill as an actor. He has a seemingly innate ability to make the audience laugh one minute and absolutely hate him the next.

But Albers-Lopez carries the majority of the emotion. She is strong and resilient, even in the face of her attacker. After the physical sparring ceases, verbal combat continues. The man taunts and teases Marjorie until she snaps.

At the crescendo of the drama, Marjorie’s roommates return to the ravaged home and traumatized victims. The two roommates, Paige Miller-Morand and Jenn Fliehler, provide a sense of comic relief and a welcome reprieve from the tense wordplay.

Miller-Morand is fantastically funny and altogether heartbreaking as Patricia. She wavers between compassionate and disbelieving, as Marjorie relays the events of the day. Wanting to believe her friend and roommate proves to be a much larger struggle than one would imagine.

Fliehler, on the other hand, is forgettable as Terry. Her performance lacks the intensity of the other three actors. It’s as if the action of the play surrounds her without involving her.

The production is filled with edgy twists and turns, carefully constructed by scribe William Mastrosimone and orchestrated on Bradley’s stage by director Steve Snyder.

The timeliness of the work is stressed in the dramaturgical and director’s notes. The scope is wider than an attempted rape and its aftermath. The play explores the overall effects of violence. “Extremities” is a highly effective and formidable drama – a must-see.

Playlist 2/28/2006

Playlist Title: more like alexander the so-so
Show Title: Dr. Funke's 100% Natural Good Time Family Band Solution by J Henson
Andrew Bird - Candy Shop
Beck - Girl
The Greenhornes - There is an End
The Hold Steady - The Swish
Old Canes - Taxi on Vermont
The Elected - Not Going Home
Belle & Sebastian - White Collar Boy
The Notwist - Chemicals
The White Stripes - Girl You Have No Faith in Medicine
Love is All - Turn The Radio Off
Built to Spill - Distopian Dream Girl
The Cloud Room - Hey Now Now
The Decemberists - Billy Liar
Saturday Looks Good to Me - Dialtone
Pixies - Debaser
Spoon - The Beast and Dragon, Adored
Elliott Smith - Son of Sam
M.I.A. - 10 Dollar
Old Crow Medicine Show - Wagon Wheel
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - Upon This Tidal Wave of Young Blood
The Minus 5 - With a Gun
Film School - He's A Deep Deep Lake
Pavement - Shady Lane
Art Brut - Moving to L.A.
Steve Earle - Rich Man's War
Broken Social Scene - Major Label Debut (Fast)
The Arcade Fire - No Cars Go
The National - Mr. November

Unstoppable.

The third film in a series typically suffers from creative complications and over-the-top theatrics – “Final Destination 3,” however, breaks the mold.

James Wong, a producer of “The X-Files” and director of the original “Final Destination,” returns to direct the second sequel in the lucrative series. Like the previous films, “Final Destination 3” begins with a forewarning of a horrible accident. The senior class of McKinley High School has rented a local amusement park for the night.

Wendy (Mary Elizabeth Winstead, “Sky High”), a young photographer, is documenting the event for the yearbook.

She has an eerily realistic premonition of a rollercoaster crash, killing everyone on board. Wendy and her best friend’s boyfriend, Kevin (Ryan Merriman, “The Ring Two”), leave the ride with several classmates. Minutes later, the ride plunges to the ground and sets off a chain of events meant to kill all the survivors.

Unbeknownst to her, Wendy’s photos are the clues to the discovery and prevention of her and her classmate’s deaths.

Granted, the film doesn’t stray far from the plot of the preceding films, but the scares remain fresh.

The latest string of PG-13 horror movies, “Boogeyman” and “When a Stranger Calls,” left audiences only wanting more – more violence, more scares, more shocks and more carnage. “Final Destination 3” delivers.

The days of suggestive violence, perfected by Alfred Hitchcock and John Carpenter, are gone. The film holds nothing back. “Destination” unabashedly exhibits the most gruesome and ridiculous deaths seen in film. From tanning booth combustion to nail gun lacerations, Wong and co-screenwriter Glen Morgan (“Willard”) leave nothing to the imagination.

The movie is thrilling because, unlike most teen horror films, it contains no masked lunatic or chainsaw wielding psycho. Death is a force with which to be reckoned. Although the students do their best to avoid their demise, solving each intricate clue isn’t a simple task.

Despite the ludicrous humor and shockingly amusing brutality, the film is no masterpiece. It won’t be nominated for Academy Awards or make the critics’ top-10 lists, but it is a decent way to spend an hour and a half. Characters are altogether forgettable, and rightfully so. Most of them play off of tired stereotypes – the ditzy blonde cheerleader, the creepy skeptical goth, the pompous loudmouth jock and the obligatory snotty underclassmen. Lacking emotional ties to the cast, the senseless deaths and massive body count are inconsequential.

Regardless of the goofiness and leaky story, “Final Destination 3” is a terrifyingly entertaining film.

Playlist 2/21/2006

Playlist Title: i wouldn't take a dump in an olive garden
Show Title: Dr. Funke's 100% Natural Good Time Family Band Solution by J Henson
Belle & Sebastian - The Blues are Still Blue
The Boy Least Likely To - Hugging My Grudge
The White Stripes - Apple Blossom
The Thrills - Don't Steal Our Sun
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Let Me Know
The Strokes - Razorblade
A.C. Newman - On the Table
Rilo Kiley - A Better Son/Daughter
The Black Keys - Heavy Soul
Feist - Mushaboom (Postal Service Remix)
Spoon - Merchants of Soul
Built to Spill - Car
Phoenix - Too Young (Zoot Woman Remix)
Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin - Pangea
Beulah - A Good Man is Easy to Kill
Rogue Wave - Everyday
Art Brut - Good Weekend
Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks - Animal Midnight
The Walkmen - Thinking of a Dream
Antony and the Johnsons - Hope There's Someone
Sufjan Stevens - The Tallest Man, The Broadest Shoulders
Ted Leo & The Pharmacists - Tell Balgeary, Balgury Is Dead
Badly Drawn Boy - The Shining
The Unicorns - Jellybones
The Streets - Weak Become Heroes
William Shatner (feat. Henry Rollins) - I Can't Get Behind That
Love is All - Untitled

A Love That Will Never Grow Old...

Forbidden love is often explored through film, but Ang Lee’s “Brokeback Mountain” breaks new ground by presenting the illicit affair of two male Wyoming ranch hands.

Based on a short story by E. Annie Proulx, the film was recently nominated for eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

The film opens during the early ‘60s in a rural town. Ennis Del Mar (Heath Ledger, “10 Things I Hate About You”) and Jack Twist (Jake Gyllenhaal, “Donnie Darko”) stand quietly outside a ranch owner’s trailer hoping to acquire summer employment. The two are given positions as sheep herders on Brokeback Mountain.

The men bond over canned beans and family histories. Like many Bradley students, Jack and Ennis turn to alcohol as the monotony and deplorable living conditions set in. Given time and desperation, the two discover a profound love. As quickly as they discover their sexuality, they realize the necessity of restraining desire when returning to society at summer’s end.

Ennis becomes close-mouthed and distant. He marries Alma (Michelle Williams, “Dawson’s Creek”) and starts a family. Haunted by the past and struggling with his sexuality, Ledger shatters his teen heartthrob reputation with his heartbreaking portrayal of Ennis.

Jack, on the other hand, finds romance at the rodeo. Lureen (Anne Hathaway, “The Princess Diaries”) is a rodeo princess. She catches Jack’s eye and the couple soon marries.

Despite the two men embarking on separate paths, they never forget the summer they spent on Brokeback. Years later, Jack writes to Ennis and a rendezvous on Brokeback Mountain becomes an annual occurrence.

The love between the men is not devoid of obstacles. Jack desires for the two men to begin a life together, but Ennis can’t ignore the adversity the relationship may generate.

The social mores and attitudes of rural Wyoming hinder the men’s expression of love. Much of Ledger’s powerful scenes are largely without dialogue. The inner anguish he expresses speaks louder than words.

Although the film generated negative press from the religious right, it is an amazingly profound tale of the power and prevention of forbidden love. Director Ang Lee (“Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” “The Ice Storm”) deserves to walk away with an Academy Award for “Brokeback.” Not since Francis Ford Coppola’s “The Godfather” has a director explored the talents of a young group of actors with such amazing perfection. Lee creates a canvas upon which four capable performers are permitted to display their craft.

Furthermore, the backdrop of the film is as stunning as the story itself. Although filmed in Canada and New Mexico, the cinematography by Rodrigo Prieto (“Alexander,” “21 Grams”) is breathtaking.

“Brokeback” would lose a portion of its commanding effect without the striking score by Gustavo Santaolalla. The film’s theme became immediately recognizable in its unrelenting parodies.

In spite of the quality of the film, audiences are split on its content. The substance of the film is not a political statement or attack on Americana; “Brokeback Mountain” is a testament to the forces driving people together and the overwhelming power of love.

Playlist 2/14/2006

Playlist Title: i wish i knew how to quit you....
Show Title: Dr. Funke's 100% Natural Good Time Family Band Solution by J Henson

Outkast - Happy Valentines Day
Jenny Lewis with the Watson Twins - You Are What You Love
Stars - Elevator Love Letter
Beulah - Popular Mechanics for Lovers
Pavement - Summer Babe (Live)
Fruit Bats - When U Love Somebody
Magnetic Fields - Love is Like a Bottle of Gin
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Maps
Devendra Banhart - Chinese Children
The Beatles - She Loves You
Talking Heads - Love--> Building On Fire
Captain and Tenille - Love Will Keep Us Together (...for Brian)
Lou Reed - Satellite of Love
The Rapture - Love is All
The Cure - The Lovecats
Dogs Die in Hot Cars - I Love You 'Cause I Have To
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - Is This Love?
The Elected - It Was Love
Eels - Love of the Loveless
The Black Keys - Have Love, Will Travel
Rogue Wave - Publish My Love
Bloc Party - This Modern Love
Prince - I Wanna Be Your Lover
The Cloud Room - O My Love
My Morning Jacket - Why Don't You Love Me?
The Futureheads - Hounds of Love
Pixies - La La Love You
The Brian Jonestown Massacre - This is Why You Love Me
Brendan Benson - Alternative to Love
Ben Lee - Love Song
Wilco - I'm Always in Love
The Concretes - You Can't Hurry Love
Iron & Wine - Love and Some Verses
Drive-by Truckers - Feb. 14

The End Crowns All...

Cineplex Politics

As war, wiretapping and gas prices linger in Americans’ minds, politically charged films are flooding theaters and acquiring countless honors. The Academy Award nominations, announced last week, were the latest to shine a light on recent political movies.

Historically, the amalgamation of politics and film has led to high acclaim. Stanley Kubrick’s 1964 satire, “Dr. Strangelove,” openly scoffed at existing political policies. The film earned numerous awards. But in post-Sept. 11 America, criticism of current policies can be confused with anti-American sentiments.

Steven Spielberg’s controversial “Munich” received a surprise Best Picture nomination. Support for the film began to wane as the politics behind the movie polarized viewers and critics. The film focuses on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict following the 1972 Olympic massacre of 11 Israeli athletes.

Despite documenting events taking place nearly 34 years ago, the issues in “Munich” remain pertinent. Many viewers have connected the Israeli hunt for Palestinian terrorists to the pursuit of terrorists today, arguing the hunting and destruction of enemies makes the hunter a terrorist as well. Spielberg has never been one to stray from controversy. However, the latest vocal Hollywood incendiary is the star of recent political potboilers, George Clooney.

Clooney stars in director Stephen Gaghan’s latest film, “Syriana,” dealing with the world’s dependency on oil. Gaghan highlights the influence of corruption and malfeasance in the oil trade through interweaving storylines.

The film has come under fire from conservative groups for expressing an anti-American attitude. The filmmakers have repeatedly stressed that the film disregards political parties and looks at the issue objectively. President Bush underscored America’s “addiction” with oil last week in the State of the Union Address.

The rabble-rouser, Clooney, did not stop with “Syriana.” He served as director, co-writer and star of the Red Scare-themed “Good Night, and Good Luck.”

The film examines the notorious on-air battles between Communist witch hunter, Joe McCarthy, and the do-gooder journalist, Edward R. Murrow. The correlations between the Communist scare and prevailing terrorist threats are astonishing. Again, in spite of its fair share of conservative cynics, the film has earned tremendous accolades. The work remains small in scope throughout and packs a powerful punch.

Murrow, played by Academy Award nominee David Strathairn, delivers several embattled orations against the reckless abandonment of liberties. The timing for a film of this nature is ideal, as debate over President Bush’s imposed wiretappings comes to a boil. Major complaints against the film have been directed at the historical accuracy. It seems some critics concentrate on details rather than the big picture.

While Hollywood is continually accused of swinging to the left, both liberals and conservatives have found fault with romantic drama “The Constant Gardener.”

Most critics hailed “The Constant Gardener” as one of the best films of the year. A select few panned the film, arguing it served no purpose other than propaganda. In reality, the film spotlights an ill-fated romance developing against a backdrop of drug company corruption in Africa.

The dilemma with politically inspired film is friction between the film and audience. Viewers tend to skip the trip to the theater if their ideals differ from the filmmakers’.

Furthermore, the widespread political apathy in America and, to the same extent, on Bradley’s campus, produce viewers favoring Hollywood riffraff over penetrating films. Although film has proven itself a powerful medium, audiences continue to travel in droves to movies the caliber of “Big Momma’s House 2.”

There is a sense of irony in political and critical complaint with the new breed of radical filmmaking. Politicians and critics have commonly agreed that contemporary film is nothing more than trash or fluff. It seems that as the art transforms, more detractors arise.

Until a balance is reached between Hollywood litter, “Big Momma’s House,” and Hollywood brilliance, “Munich,” America is destined to debate.

Playlist 2/07/06

Playlist Title: wang chung (or i'll kick your ass)
Show Title: Dr. Funke's 100% Natural Good Time Family Band Solution by J Henson

Air - The Vagabond
Tom Vek - C-C (You Set the Fire in Me)
Yo La Tengo - Today is the Day
Wilderness - Marginal Over
Stars - Ageless Beauty
New Buffalo - I've Got You & You've Got Me (Song of Contentment)
I Love You But I've Chosen Darkness - When You Go Out
The Black Keys - The Lengths
Devendra Banhart - Korean Dogwood
Okkervil River - The Latest Toughs
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Maps
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Gold Lion
Ambulance LTD. - Stay Where You Are
Neutral Milk Hotel - Song Against Sex
The National - Murder Me Rachael (Live)
Everybody Uh Oh - S/T
My Morning Jacket - Tonight I Wanna Celebrate With You
The Sleepy Jackson - Good Dancers
Wilco - Jesus, Etc.
Grandaddy - El Caminos in the West
The Microphones - I Felt Your Shape
The Gerbils - Is She Fiona?
Spoon - Paper Tiger
Pavement - Stop Breathin'
Stars - One More Night
Thomas Lowery - Occasional Syndrome of My Attic Son
The Decemberists - Los Angeles, I'm Yours

Bursting the Release Date "Bubble"

It’s no surprise Hollywood theorists are thinking outside the box when it comes to release tactics.

Last year’s box office totals dropped $400 million, according to Nielsen Entertainment Data, Inc.

One idea stirring up controversy is the multi-format release of “Bubble.” Academy Award-winning director Steven Soderbergh wrote, produced and directed the low-budget, independent film.

Soderbergh’s film choices have swayed between unconventional indies and big budget smashes, “Sex, Lies and Videotape” and “Ocean’s Eleven,” respectively.

“Bubble” first generated press when Soderbergh reported he would cast nonprofessional actors and film on location in rural Ohio. The $1.6 million film was shot in a mere three weeks on digital video. Centered at a doll factory in a small Ohio town, “Bubble” has generated a handful of favorable reviews.

This kind of film is by no means groundbreaking. Since “Clerks” and “The Blair Witch Project,” filmmakers have consistently capitalized on independent films with lower budgets. Small films released independently often hit a high note with college students.

Sophomore civil engineering major Kyle Michaelsen said he enjoys the occasional indie film.

“I really like some of the independent comedies of the last few years,” Michaelsen said. “The movie ‘Super Troopers’ was hysterical and didn’t need a big star to sell it.”

The revolutionary aspect to the latest Steven Soderbergh experience is not only the content, but its release strategy.

The film was released on a paltry 32 screens last Friday. That same night, cable network HDNet broadcast the film twice. Tuesday, the film was released on DVD, available in all retail stores and Landmark Theaters. This innovative strategy has stirred controversy among many theaters. Fearing a greater decline in attendance, many theaters stressed their refusal to show the film.

Despite this small setback, DVD sales are higher than expected. This may be because audiences, including Bradley students, would rather watch a DVD in the comfort of his or her residence.

“Of course I would rather rent the movie,” Michaelsen said. “Renting it would be so much cheaper and more logical as a college student.”

Freshman elementary education major Nicole Schmidt said she shared similar sentiments.

“Well, I don’t have a car on campus,” Schmidt said. “But I do have a Blockbuster card. For me, it would just be a lot easier.” There has been talk about minimizing the timeframe between theatrical and DVD releases.

However, some students aren’t interested in renting films if the same movie is in theaters.

Freshman AEP major Lisa Sireci said she would prefer to make the trip to the theater.

“It’s a completely different experience,” Sireci said. “Seeing the film on a big screen with amazing sound is important.”

The results of Steven Soderbergh’s latest experiment aren’t fully available. Time will tell if multi-format releasing does indeed sell. “Bubble” is in stores and playing in limited release at Landmark Theaters.

What's Worth Watching?

After studying is finished and the books are put away, many Bradley students turn on the TV hoping to discover a new favorite program.

The latest round of midseason replacements has settled in among old favorites. While some shows have found success, others have found nothing but disappointment.

NBC’s “The Book of Daniel” and ABC’s “Emily’s Reasons Why Not” received the ax before viewers caught on.

As more muck infiltrates the airwaves, it’s become increasingly difficult to discern the shows worth watching.

Sunday nights are generally spent relaxing after a busy weekend. What better way to spend Sunday than with a group of surgical interns? The subject matter of ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy” is genuinely compelling and, at times, comical. The second season of the surprise hit has gathered several nominations and wins from critic groups. By mixing the gripping drama of “E.R.” with the off-the-wall goofiness of “Scrubs,” an interesting balance is found.

“Grey’s Anatomy” is a refreshing departure from the series of crime-centric shows currently saturating TV. This Sunday, watch the hospital members’ lives threatened by the arrival of a new patient. “Grey’s Anatomy” airs at 9 p.m. Sundays on ABC.

A return to class after the weekend can trigger severe stress.

Unfortunately, Fox’s “24” offers no reprieve from stress. The program is picking up steam as the nonstop season continues. Screen Actor’s Guild award winner Keifer Sutherland is Jack Bauer, who is at the center of the counterterrorism thriller. Despite five brutal seasons, Bauer attempts to thwart terrorist group’s use of weaponized nerve gas this season.

Don’t miss a minute of the action as “24” airs at 7 p.m. Mondays on Fox. Tuesday nights offer a break from surgical drama and terrorism. CBS has brought TV favorite Tom Cavanagh back to primetime. The former star of “Ed” plays Tom in “Love Monkey,” a dramedy about an artist rep from an independent music label.

The show has a lot of heart and is grounded by Cavanagh’s genuine charm. Not only does he sign some of the hottest new acts, he grapples with his proclivity to his friend and the flirtations of an eye-catching receptionist.

Don’t miss “Love Monkey” at 9 p.m. Tuesdays on CBS.

Wednesday nights offer two great programs, which unfortunately air at the same time.

“Veronica Mars” on UPN and ABC’s “Lost” are arguably the two best written programs of the past few years.

Producers for both shows have emphasized the merits of the rival programs. With “Lost” available for download on iTunes for a mere $1.99, I recommend viewers turn to “Veronica Mars.”

The show features Kristen Bell. Besides being cute as a button, Bell walks with a tone of sophistication. She plays the title character as she helps her father solve the mysteries of the swanky and crooked residents of Neptune, California.

Channeling the spirit of TV hit “Twin Peaks,” the show plays like an intelligent “O.C.” The inhabitants of Neptune are ruthlessly sinful and Veronica aims to catch them in their wrongdoing.

“Veronica Mars” solves the case at 8 p.m. Wednesdays on UPN.

Fans of the BBC’s “The Office” were skeptical when NBC announced an American produced version was in the works.

NBC’s “The Office,” starring Steve Carell as the inept boss, has proven doubters wrong.

As one of the freshest and funniest comedies on TV, it’s no surprise that Carell recently picked up a Golden Globe for his performance. The personnel of Dunder-Miflin deal with Carell’s racist, sexist and bigoted comments in this documentary-style program.

Love blossoms between several employees and, with the obnoxious Dwight, brownnosing doesn’t always pay.

Watch “The Office” at 8:30 p.m. Thursdays on NBC.

Friday nights generally don’t provide a great environment for primetime hits.

Most students would rather head to parties than settle down to watch their TV.

This Friday, however, Fox is presenting the last of this season’s “Arrested Development” run. The critical hit has yet to find an audience, but the network is hesitant to give up the program.

The madcap comedy ends the third season on a high note. Somehow a member of the family winds up in an Iraqi prison due to a risky magic act. Tune in at 7:00 p.m. Friday to Fox.

Despite the number of flops this season, there are more than enough decent TV shows to keep Bradley students glued to their sets.

Playlist 1/31/2006

Playlist Title: back to s(COOL!)
Show Title: Dr. Funke's 100% Natural Good Time Family Band Solution by J Henson

Broken Social Scene - Ibi Dreams of Pavement (A Better Day)
Antony & the Johnsons with Lou Reed - Fistful of Love
The Flaming Lips - The W.A.N.D.
Louque - Art
Spoon - Lines in the Suit
Ella Fitzgerald - The Lady is a Tramp
Blur - End of a Century
Elliott Smith - In the Lost & Found (Honky Bach)
LCD Soundsystem - Tribulations
Silver Jews - Punks in the Beerlight
The National - You've Done it Again Virginia
Animal Collective - Turn into Something
Built to Spill - Twin Falls
Emiliana Torrini - Heartstopper
The New Pornographers - Three or Four
Seu Jorge - Starman
The Dandy Warhols - We Used to be Friends
The Brian Jonestown Massacre - Not if you were the Last Dandy on Earth
Casiotone for the Painfully Alone - Hey Eleanor
The Elected - Fireflies in a Steel Mill
Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks - Jennifer & the Ess-Dog
Cat Power - Lived in Bars
The Streets - Lets Push Things Forward
The White Stripes - Your Southern Can is Mine
Franz Ferdinand - Eleanor Put Your Boots On
Architecture in Helsinki - Wishbone
The Dismemberment Plan - The City
Feist - Leisure Suite
Art Brut - Bad Weekend

SAG...

Threw this together a few days ago. Might as well p(izz)ost it.

Screen Actors Guild Award Predictions

Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series
Will Win: Desparate Housewives
Should Win: Arrested Development
Should Have Been Nominated: The Office

So I guess Desparate Housewives is essentially unstoppable, although I could see SAG giving the award to Everybody Loves Raymond simply because it's the final season. What happened to the love for Arrested Development? The show is still a critical success, but it seems that everyone is jumping ship on it. As far as an ensemble cast in a comedy goes, the cast of the Office is much more deserving than My Name is Earl (although My Name is Earl is comical, the majority of the shows success lies in Jason Lee). I stick with Desparate Housewives on winning this one.

Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series
Will Win: Lost
Should Win: Lost
Should Have Been Nominated: Veronica Mars

Like Desparate Housewives, Lost is the TV Drama to beat. Grey's Anatomy could sneak up on them but I really think Lost will take it. I didn't even know The West Wing was still on the air. Nobody watches the Closer. Six Feet Under is too offbeat (see Arrested Development). Veronica Mars is a critical success, surprised it didn't make the cut.

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series
Will Win: Felicity Huffman, Desparate Housewives
Should Win: Mary Louise Parker, Weeds
Should Have Been Nominated: Cheryl Hines, Curb Your Enthusiasm

I really find it hard to grasp how Felicity Huffman always stands out at these awards shows. If SAG is nominating females in comedy series Longoria and Teri Hatcher make more sense than Huffman. But history is on her side. After her surprise Emmy win, she's been unstoppable. Cheryl Hines is nominated too infrequently considering how great she is in Curb Your Enthusiasm. Playing opposite Larry David is a challenge in itself and she does it with charm and wit.

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series
Will Win: Jason Lee, My Name is Earl
Should Win: Larry David, Curb Your Enthusiasm
Should Have Been Nominated: Rainn Wilson, The Office

SAG will most likely give the newcomer his due. His role on My Name is Earl is clever and deserving. Larry David has been so consistent on Curb Your Enthusiasm, yet it generally seems to be overlooked. I think Rainn Wilson should get some credit for playing the off-the-wall Dwight on The Office. Since the series is picking up critically and ratings-wise, I could see it garnering more nominations in the future.

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series
Will Win: Geena Davis, Commander in Chief
Should Win: Sandra Oh, Grey's Anatomy
Should Have Been Nominated: Emilie de Ravin, Lost; Maggie Grace, Lost; Kristen Bell, Veronica Mars

Geena Davis made a comeback and SAG will give her the award. Sandra Oh could be the surprise of the night though. She was charming and surprising at the Golden Globes, making her the likely competition. Emilie de Ravin is so great on Lost, and sort of an unknown. I think it would be cool to see her get a nomination at some point, though it is highly unlikely. Likewise, Maggie Grace blew me out of the water in her final episode. Who woulda thought the star of The Fog could pull off such an intense farewell?

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series
Will Win: Hugh Laurie, House
Should Win: Patrick Dempsey, Grey's Anatomy
Should Have Been Nominated: Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Lost

I guess I'm sort of confused why Grey's Anatomy gets put up in the drama category but Desparate Housewives doesn't. Laurie will take the award, although I could see Ian McShane walking away with it. Alda is a favorite, but I doubt he will be able to stop House. Mr. Eko is a great character played to perfection by Akinnuoye-Agbaje. Perhaps he will get a nod next year.

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role
Will Win: Michelle Williams, Brokeback Mountain
Should Win: Catherine Keener, Capote
Should Have Been Nominated: Maria Bello, A History of Violence

Although Rachel Weisz walked away with the Globe for her role in The Constant Gardener, I think the success of Brokeback Mountain will bring votes to Williams. Probably just me wanting Keener to win because I have always loved her but she's a longshot. Bello's role in A History of Violence deserves more attention than half of the nominees.

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role
Will Win: Matt Dillon, Crash
Should Win: George Clooney, Syriana
Should Have Been Nominated: Jeffrey Wright, Broken Flowers (or Syriana)

Tough call on this category, everyone nominated seems to have some force behind them. Two nominees from Crash could hurt Dillon's chances but I think (like Geena Davis) it's a comeback of sorts and SAG will recognize it. Everyone loves Crash anyway. Clooney deserves the award. Gyllenhaal's performance in Brokeback Mountain is overshadowed by Ledger's. Don't count out Giamatti either, He's held consistent with nominations and Hollywood loves him. Jeffrey Wright had an incredible year. His performance in Broken Flowers no doubt deserves some sort of recognition.

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role
Will Win: Reese Witherspoon, Walk the Line
Should Win: Reese Witherspoon, Walk the Line
Should Have Been Nominated: Laura Linney, The Squid and the Whale

It's Reese for this one with Felicity Huffman proving the only viable competition. Hollywood loves Witherspoon and her performance is more than deserving. If Huffman wins for Housewives then she likely won't beat out Reese.

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role
Will Win: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Capote
Should Win: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Capote
Should Have Been Nominated: Christian Bale, Batman Begins

Hoffman definitely deserves the award but isn't a lock. Don't be surprised if Ledger sneaks in.

Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
Will Win: Brokeback Mountain
Should Win: Good Night, and Good Luck.
Should Have Been Nominated: Broken Flowers; The Squid and the Whale

Brokeback is pretty much a given. I would love to see Good Night and Good Luck take it or Capote for that matter. Crash has more a chance than I'd like. Broken Flowers and The Squid and the Whale were two great ensemble pieces where every member of the cast was in top form.