Jay-Z Leads the Grammy Nominations with Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, Justin Timberlake, and Kendrick Lamar not far Behind, Timberlake and Jigga Man Jay-Z basically snubbed from Major Categories-Jealousy?

Wow, the Grammy Awards did not like the 20/20 Experience at all, prior to tonights Grammy Nomination Live concert, music journalist, and award prognosticators had Justin Timberlake as the star of the show with the most nominations, but at the actual concert he only received one nomination live, and was shut out of every major category.

The stars of the night were Macklemore and Ryan Lewis who opened the show with their first hit song "Thrift Shop" they received 3 nominations in the 4 major categories including Song of the Year for "Same Love," Best New Artist and Album of the Year.  Macklemore and Ryan Lewis have the most nominations in the major categorie.

I would say the Album of the Year category had the most surprises without Timberlake and Bruno Mars.  The predictable nominees were Taylor Swift's Red, Daft Punk's Random Access Memories, and Macklemore and Ryan Lewis' The Heist.  The two bigger surprises were Kendrick Lamar's Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City, and Sara Bareilles' The Blessed Unrest.  Lamar is only a surprise because they rarely nominate a rap album in this category let alone two albums, and that spot seemed to be for The Heist.  Bareilles' nomination was more like "wow the Grammy Awards do pay attention to great singer/songwriters who aren't as mainstream."  This list of nominees is actually pretty great even without Timberlake.  Ironically Bareilles was not nominated in her genre album category, but Timberlake and Bruno Mars who was also snubbed were, NARAS needs to examine their voting structure.

While artists like Justin Timberlake and Jay-Z were shut out of the "major" categories they each scored tons of nominations, Timberlake scored 3 in the Pop Categories, one in the R&B category, and three in the rap category collaborating with Jay-Z, technically four because he is on Jay-Z's album and would win if it won rap album, bringing his nomination tally up to 8.  Jay-Z has 9 nominations I counted, but is also credited on The Great Gatsby Album which recieved two nominations, the nominees are not listed under the album, but if true that would bring his total nominations to 11, but of course only an Album of the Year nominations working with Kendrick Lamar.  Why does NARAS refuse to nominate his material in the general category?

Overall there were some nice surprises, but some real head scratchers.  I can't wait for the judging committees to listen to Sara Bareilles' "Brave" next to Katy Perry's "Roar"proving once and for all the better song.

Album of the Year
Sara Bareilles-The Blessed Unrest
Daft Punk-Random Access Memories
Kendrick Lamar-Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City
Macklemore and Ryan Lewis-The Heist
Taylor Swift-Red

Record of the Year
Daft Punk-Get Lucky
Imagine Dragons-Radioactive
Lorde-Royals
Bruno Mars-Locked out of Heaven
Robin Thicke featuring T.I. and Pharell Williams-Blurred Lines

Song of the Year
Pink featuring Nate Russ-Just Give Me a Reason
Bruno Mars-Locked out of Heaven
Katy Perry-Roar
Lorde-Royals
Macklemore and Ryan Lewis-Same Love

Best New Artist
James Blake
Kendrick Lamar
Macklemore and Ryan Lewis
Kacey Musgraves
Ed Sheeran

Best Pop Solo Performance
Sara Bareilles-Brave
Lorde-Royals
Bruno Mars-When I was Your Man
Katy Perry-Roar
Justin Timberlake-Mirrors

Pop Collaboration by a Duo or Group
Daft Punk featuring pharell-Get Lucky
P!nk featuring Nate Russ-Just Give Me a Reason
Rihanna featuring Mikky Ekko-Stay
Robin Thick featuring featuring Pharell and T.I.-Blurred Lines
Justin Timberlake featuring Jay-Z-Suit and Tie

Best Pop Album
Lana Del Rey-Paradise
Lorde-Heroin
Bruno Mars-Unorthodox Jukebox
Robin Thicke-Blurred Lines
Justin Timberlake-The Complete 20/20 Experience

Best Country Album
Jason Aldean-Night Train
Tim McGraw-Two Lanes of Freedom
Kacey Musgraves-Same Trailer Different Park
Blake Shelton-Based on a True Story
Taylor Swift-Red

See the full list here:

http://www.grammy.com/nominees

2013 Entertainers of the Year

Entertainment Weekly has done this list for years, and I try to create my own list without looking at their list, and I do not know their list sans Sandra Bullock as the "Entertainer of the Year" because the cover was everywhere on twitter.  With that said I have to agree with her as Entertainer of the Year, and here is the rest of my list.

1-Sandra Bullock-"Box Office Powerhouse/Great Actress"

Bullock made everyone laugh, and maybe cry this year in two of the biggest films of the year, The Heat and Gravity.  Bullock is one of the few actresses working today who can always draw a crowd.  Big studios always seen to want to use men or male oriented themes to make money, but over the years they have been proven wrong by women like Julia Roberts, and Sandra Bullock.  Bullock is a bit different from Roberts; she has had the romantic comedy mode, but Bullock has a charisma to her which is not only like able, but can carry a variety of films.  This year Bullock helped turn the buddy cop film into more than just a guy thing in The Heat.  Bullock showed everyone this is not always a mans game, this was also true with Gravity.  Bullock carries the film or floats through the film on her own two legs.  Sandra Bullock is the entertainer of the year, because she is a box office power house; she is funny, a good actress, and states simply with her presence the power women can and should have in film.

2-Vince Gilligan, and the creative team behind Breaking Bad-"The Men who made Television Magic"

Can you believe this happened?  This was a statement uttered at work every  Monday after an episode of Breaking Bad.  Twitter and Facebook were a buzz talking about a show about to end, and the way it was ending.  Vince Gilligan and the team behind all of the seasons of Breaking Bad crafted a beginning, middle, and end to Walter White, and Co, that some are calling the most flawless from start to finish.  The reason this show had people hooked was because week after was because something "real" and dark was happening on a weekly basis for a man who started at a desperate place.  The entire run of this show was great, but the final season was an edge of your seat ride that may never be matched.  Hell Anthony Hopkin wrote a letter to Bryan Cranston saying it was some the best work he'd ever seen.

3-Justin Timberlake "He Brought Sexy Back with his 20/20 Experience"

Over the last seven years Justin Timberlake has focused more on his acting career, and while his movie has not taken off, his role as a variety performer on Saturday Night Live has been triumphant.  Yet JT is the most successful through his music, with two albums one released in March, the other September, which complete the 20/20 Experience, and sold out concerts all over the country Timberlake has soul, and boy does this guy shine on stage.  The man is unstoppable selling about 3 million albums.  While Timberlake has not done as great at the movies this year he also starred in Runner Runner along side Ben Affleck, and stars in the critical darling Inside Llewyn Davis.  What a guy!

4-Netflix "It's Not TV it's Binge Watching at its Best"

I remember about 7 or 8 years ago when Netflix was all the rage because they would send you DVDs in the mail.  After this novelty wore off the company seemed to be in a little bit of trouble, but this past year marked the biggest turn-around I have seen in a while.  Netflix created a partnership with Disney, and other companies, and now the amount of first run movies and television series on their Instant feature is incredible.  Netflix did not make the list for this fact, Netflix made the list for their original and revitalized programming.  House of Cards was the first, and with Kevin Spacey, Robin Wright, Corey Stoll and Kate Mara this show was an Emmy winner, and all around great series.  Netflix brought back the cancelled series Arrested Development, and fans rejoiced.  Netflix also has partnered with Weeds creator Jenji Kohan on Orange is the New Black, which in my opinion surpassed the buzz on House of Cards.  This service is unstoppable. Every year a network makes my list, well Netflix is not a network, but they have revolutionized the way television series are consumed.

5-Jennifer Lawrence "The Girl on Fire with our Hearts"



Lawrence stole our hearts when she tripped, and stepped up to the podium in February to win her Best Actress.  Jennifer Lawrence is an "every girl" she is honest, upfront, and never seems to let go of herself for Hollywood.  Lawrence has two movies this year, one The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, which on pace to give Iron Man a run for his money at the top of the box office this year.  Films centered around a strong female character rarely do well, and it could be in part because of the popularity of the books, but people who are not fans of the series are showing up to see Lawrence; she is a star on the rise, and great in this film.  Lawrence has already claimed another acting prize just this week for her other film American Hustle, Best Supporting Actress from the New York Film Critics Circle.  While I think Lawrence is a bit miscast in the role she certainly is a presence, and will most likely score her third Oscar nomination at the young age of 23, what a talent!

6-Tom Hanks "How Tom got his Groove Back"



For most of the 2000s Tom Hanks has been more of a behind the scenes guy, sure he took on roles in the Dan Brown adapted films, and Charlie Wilson's War, but Castaway was his last "great" role way back in 2000.  Since this time Hanks was producer extraordinaire. This year two roles seem to be knocking people out of the water, critics and audiences are saying he is "back."  In Captain Phillips the last five minutes will break your heart, Hanks has never been better, and the film made 100 million domestic, and incredible feat for an adult drama.  Look out for Tom Hanks as Walt Disney in Saving Mr. Banks; he is getting a lot of buzz for this role from early screenings.  With both of these roles he may even be a double nominee at the Oscars this year.

7-Matthew McConaughey "Pretty Boy turned Go to Actor"



While Tom Hanks got his groove back Matthew McConaughey started to find his last year with Magic Mike, Bernie, Killer Joe, and The Paperboy.  McConaughey was a great in each one of those films.  This year McConaughey has only two performances but they are the best of his career.  McConaughey takes more of a supporting role in the Jeff Nichols film Mud where he plays a man looking to get the love of his life back.  McConaughey's acting within this film is so natural, but brazen its fun to see him play vulnerable; he does it well.  McConaughey's other role is bit showier, but boy is it jaw dropping.  In Dallas Buyers Club McConaughey lost tons of weight to play a man diagnosed with AIDs; he was a bigot, a kind of bad guy, but he fights hard to survive, and this performance is the most raw performance of his career.

8-Macklemore and Ryan Lewis "Music with a Message Never Sounded Better"



While this group has been met with a myriad of emotions, I think what they have done for music this year is great. They have three massive hits on the charts "Thrift Shop" "Can't Hold Us" and "Same Love."  This duo who avoided major labels is proof that the music game can, and should be done in a less corporate way.  There is something to be said for the way they sky rocketed to success, and the way they have incorporated meaningful messages into their music.  I think rap has started to go back to including deeper meaning into their music, but I like the message these two men present, and I think they are proof in the "Cinderella story" effect of entertainment.

9-Michelle and Robert King "Saviors of  Quality Network Television"



If you are not watching The Good Wife, or if you have never seen an episode its time to go back to the beginning and play catch-up.  The ensemble acting which goes on within this show is like a perfect well oiled machine, and they were almost picked, but the credit has to go with the shows creators, who write and direct for the show, Michelle and Robert King.  The way they have constructed the humor and drama within the show reminds of the way this was done on The West Wing.  There is something special about a show that can take the "procedural" of weekly cases, intertwine them to the emotional wellness of the cast, and never make you feel as though the story is forced.  The Kings are my favorite duo working today, they know how to build genuine non soapy drama, their is a humanity to this show, and they proven that networks can step up their game.  They have in fact just look at the slate of this year's new dramas on network television.  This credit is largely due to this show.

10-Allison Janney-"The Queen of Scene Stealing"



Allison Janney has made a name for herself and to many as CJ Cregg from The West Wing, but prior to this role she was one of the great character actresses who would show up in small roles, and steal scenes, see 10 Things I Hate About You, or Primary Colors and tell me I am wrong.  Janney is at it again this year in both films and television.  This summer she starred in the indie film The Way Way Back where she played a hilariously obnoxious neighbor, Janney's lines stole most of the film proving her comedic genius. Janney is also stealing the show Mom on a weekly basis as Bonnie a grandmother, mother, and recovering alcohol and drug addict.  Janney's timing is perfect, and she makes this show better week after week.  Janney is not just about the laughs her recurring guest role on Masters of Sex has provided a richer context to show, and the development of a woman's sexual awakening in the 1960s.  This woman is a chameleon, and its hard to ignore her greatness.

My Thanksgiving List for Movies, Television, and Music (2013)

There are obvious things I am thankful for, like friends, family, and the lot.  There are also things I am thankful in the world of movies, music, television, and beyond, which I would like to share with you as well.  So here we go!

Movies

More Diversity on the Big Screen!

Sandra Bullock carried a 250 million dollar film, basically by herself this year with Gravity. I can't remember a female ever doing that on her own throughout the years I have watched film.

Then this has also been a great year for black cinema with Fruitvale Station, Lee Daniels' The Butler, 12 Years a Slave, The Best Man Holiday, and black Nativity.

This has been inspiring, and I am beyond thankful studios have finally realized the power in exploring diverse stories.

Better Adult Dramas

The quality of films this year is astonishing, I have seen so many great "adult dramas"ranging from Captain Phillips to Dallas Buyers Club, and more.  Adults stopped going to the movies, but they stopped because studios seemed to forget about them as a group.  Big surprise movies "adults" would see with an R rating are succeeding again, and studios are creating more and more, bravo!

Television 

Better new Fall comedies and dramas

Sleepy Hollow, Brooklyn-99, The Crazy Ones, Trophy Wife The Blacklist are just a few.  These are great shows, and its been a while since network television  has produced such fun creative new television in this large of a number.

The Good Wife

Week after week this show astonishes me with the writing, directing, acting, and beyond.  The show is in its fifth season, and has never faltered (well maybe with Kalinda's husband).  This year a game changing event has made this must see television and is the smartest television show on the air.

Breaking Bad 

The best show on the air, is closely followed by the best show, which just ended its run, and that's Breaking Bad.  Vince Gilligan and co. created a true arc, a series, which had a beginning middle, and end which felt connected like he knew what was going on the whole time.  Who does that when they create a series?  Intelligent people have a plan.  Bad's cast was just perfect, this was one of, if not the best final seasons of a show ever.

Music

Justin Timberlake

I am beyond happy he returned to music; he is the most talented performer/musicians in the mainstream at the moment, and he knows how to create an "Experience."  Loved both albums just wish I got to see him live with Jay-Z.

American Music Award (AMA) Predictions

If I am not mistaken, Katy Perry is opening and Miley Cyrus is closing this lackluster night of music.  The Grammy Awards are the "prestigious"music award, although their nominees rarely match a critical reflection on music, they are in fact the worst with regard to this out of the EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Tony). The American Music Awards are I would argue even less meaningly the a MTV Video Music Award, but there should be some interesting moments.  The AMA winners are based in sales and popularity, its the musical version of the People's "Choice." So who will win?

Favorite Female Artist, Pop or Rock
Pink
Rihanna
Taylor Swift

Will Win: Taylor Swift; she was the big seller of this past year, and is a fan favorite.

Favorite Male Artist, Soul/R&B
Miguel
Robin Thicke
Justin Timberlake

Will Win: Justin had not one but two albums, and both were popular he has this in a walk

New Artist of the Year
Florida Georgia Line
Ariana Grande
Imagine Dragons
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
Phillip Phillips

Will Win: Tough call, a lot of these artists have solid single and record sales, I am going to say Macklemore and Ryan take this, but watch out for Imagine Dragons and Phillip Phillips

Single of the Year
"Cruise" by Florida Georgia Line, featuring Nelly
"Thrift Shop" by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, featuring Wanz
"Blurred Lines" by Robin Thicke, featuring Pharrell and T.I.

Will Win: Blurred Lines, easy!

Artist of the Year  
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
Bruno Mars
Rihanna
Taylor Swift
Justin Timberlake

Will Win: This is between Swift and Timberlake, I think Justin Timberlake has the edge.

Favorite Male Artist, Pop/Rock
Bruno Mars
Robin Thicke
Justin Timberlake

Will Win:Justing Timberlake 

Favorite Band, Duo or Group, Pop/Rock
Imagine Dragons
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
One Direction 

Will Win: One Direction 

Favorite Album, Pop/Rock
One Direction/Take Me Home
Taylor Swift/Red
Justin Timberlake/The 20/20 Experience

Will Win: Justin Timberlake

Favorite Male Artist, Country
Luke Bryan
Hunter Hayes
Blake Shelton

Will Win: Blake Shelton

Favorite Female Artist, Country
Miranda Lambert
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood

Will Win: Taylor Swift

Favorite Band, Duo or Group, Country
The Band Perry
Florida Georgia Line
Lady Antebellum

Will Win: Lady Antebellum

Favorite Album, Country
Luke Bryan/Crash My Party
Florida Georgia Line/Here’s To The Good Times
Taylor Swift/Red

Will Win: Taylor Swift

Favorite Artist, Rap/Hip-Hop 
Jay Z
Lil Wayne
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

Will Win: Macklemore and Ryan Lewis

Favorite Album, Rap/Hip-Hop
Jay Z/Magna Carta…Holy Grail
Kendrick Lamar/good kid, m.A.A.d city
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis/The Heist

Will Win: The Heist

Favorite Female Artist, Soul/R&B
Ciara
Alicia Keys
Rihanna

Will Win: Rihanna 

Favorite Album, Soul/R&B
Rihanna/Unapologetic
Robin Thicke/Blurred Lines
Justin Timberlake/The 20/20 Experience

Will Win: Justin Timberlake 

Favorite Artist, Alternative Rock
Imagine Dragons
The Lumineers
Mumford & Sons

Favorite Artist, Adult Contemporary
Maroon 5
Bruno Mars
P!nk

Will Win: Bruno Mars

American Music Awards (AMA) Nominees Announced-Justin Timberlake, and Taylor Swift, Lead the Pack!

Maybe Vanity Fair is right, Timberlake should stick to music.  The American Music Awards (AMAs) announced their nominees today.  These awards are based more on popularity, and are more like the VMAs, but watch out for some of these names to do well at the Grammy Awards this year.

ARTIST OF THE YEAR

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
Bruno Mars
Rihanna
Taylor Swift
Justin Timberlake

NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR PRESENTED BY KOHL’S

Florida Georgia Line
Ariana Grande
Imagine Dragons
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
Phillip Phillps

SINGLE OF THE YEAR

Florida Georgia Line Featuring Nelly/Cruise
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Featuring Wanz/Thrift Shop
Robin Thicke Featuring Pharrell & T.I./Blurred Lines

FAVORITE MALE ARTIST – POP/ROCK

Bruno Mars
Robin Thicke
Justin Timberlake

FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST – POP/ROCK

P!nk
Rihanna
Taylor Swift

FAVORITE BAND, DUO OR GROUP – POP/ROCK

Imagine Dragons
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
One Direction

FAVORITE ALBUM – POP/ROCK

One Direction/Take Me Home
Taylor Swift/Red
Justin Timberlake/The 20/20 Experience

FAVORITE MALE ARTIST – COUNTRY

Luke Bryan
Hunter Hayes
Blake Shelton

FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST – COUNTRY

Miranda Lambert
Taylor Swift

Carrie Underwood

FAVORITE BAND, DUO or GROUP - COUNTRY

The Band Perry
Florida Georgia Line
Lady Antebellum

FAVORITE ALBUM - COUNTRY

Luke Bryan/Crash My Party
Florida Georgia Line/Here’s To The Good Times
Taylor Swift/Red

FAVORITE ARTIST – RAP/HIP-HOP

Jay Z
Lil Wayne
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

FAVORITE ALBUM – RAP/HIP-HOP

Jay Z/Magna Carta…Holy Grail
Kendrick Lamar/good kid, m.A.A.d city
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis/The Heist

FAVORITE MALE ARTIST – SOUL/R&B

Miguel
Robin Thicke
Justin Timberlake

FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST – SOUL/R&B

Ciara
Alicia Keys
Rihanna

FAVORITE ALBUM – SOUL/R&B

Rihanna/Unapologetic

Robin Thicke/Blurred Lines
Justin Timberlake/The 20/20 Experience

FAVORITE ARTIST - ALTERNATIVE ROCK

Imagine Dragons
The Lumineers
Mumford & Sons

FAVORITE ARTIST - ADULT CONTEMPORARY

Maroon 5
Bruno Mars
P!nk

FAVORITE ARTIST - LATIN

Marc Anthony
Prince Royce
Romeo Santos

FAVORITE ARTIST - CONTEMPORARY INSPIRATIONAL

tobyMac
Chris Tomlin
Matthew West

FAVORITE ARTIST - ELECTRONIC DANCE MUSIC (EDM)

Avicii
Daft Punk
Calvin Harris
Zedd

TOP SOUNDTRACK

The Great Gatsby: Music From Baz Luhrmann’s Film
Les Miserables
Pitch Perfect