Captain America: The First Avenger (3 out of 5 stars)
Directed by: Joe Johnston (The Rocketeer, Jumanji, and October Sky)
Written by: Christopher Markus, Steven McFeely
Starring: Chris Evans, Hayley Atwell, Tommy Lee Jones, Stanley Tucci, and Hugo Weaving
In the most recent comic book adaptation we have "America's most patriotic hero" Captain America. The story starts with the discovery of Captain America's shield in the ice and then a flashback America during World War II. While hoping to join the military a scrawny Steve Rogers is constantly rejected because of he is not "fit" to be a soldier like his best friend whom he calls 'Bucky.' Dr. Abraham Erskine (Stanley Tucci) sees how much pluck Rogers has and offers him an opportunity to enlist with the help what is known as the "super soldier serum" The serum helps Rogers to become the famous Captain America, who becomes almost super human. The main villain is Johann Schmidt (Red Skull) played by the amazing Hugo Weaving who is attempting to manipulate the power of Odin in order to create a powerful object to take over the world with Nazi based organization of Hydra.
Captain America is not the best comic book film, but Johnston does a great job turning this into action packed adventure with a lot of good laughs mixed in. I was not convinced Evan was going to be capable of handling the role, but they played to his strengths and he handled the role aptly. The real stand out of this film, was Tommy Lee Jones. Jones is a terrific actor and his mix of wit and cantankerousness make this film more entertaining. The visuals and the art direction were well crafted and made it feel like an old comic book come to life.
At moments Captain America is often too invincible, and his invulnerability can be off putting. Yet the one thing that remains is that his heart is true and he remains faithful to his character. The film aims to build up to create the new Avengers film which will be released in summer 2012, and this film helps to build the arsenal. I think this film is more fun popcorn fair than serious social commentary like Iron Man was, but I think fun popcorn fair was the best way for this film to become successful.
It was announced today that musician Amy Winehouse passed away. The cause of her death is unknown at this moment, and I know without watching the news media or reading the blogs everyone will talk about or assume her death was an overdose. This may be true, but I want to pay tribute to the wonderful music Ms. Winehouse left behind.
In 2008 Winehouse was nominated for 6 Grammy awards and won five of them, including Record of the Year (Rehab), Song of the Year (Rehab), and Best New Artist, three of the highest honors a musician can win; she was nominated for Album of the Year as well for Back to Black. This is one of my favorite CDs, and I think of the best CDs of the 2000s. Winehouse had soul and an incredible knack for creating beautifully written music.
Everyone has been hoping for a follow up CD to this body of work, but her drug and alcohol use had prevented her from working. Winehouse will always be remembered as an artist who died before her time; she was a troubled soul but her music leaves a haunting imprint on me.
I must admit that as a young child I used to watch All My Children with my grandmother, and when I heard this year that it would end I was pretty sad. Daytime dramas are a huge cultural part of television history. More on the demise of this genre later, the real story is that All My Children may pay homage to one of the "best" cliffhangers in television history, Dynasty. At the end of the season five there was an attack at a wedding, gunfire, and a pile of bodies left on the floor. At the start of season 6, 60 million people tuned in to find out who lived and who died in the "massacre."
1-Dallas/The Simpsons (Who Shot....) In Dallas the patriarch of the Ewing family was shot. This story had everyone buzzing the whole summer after the event happened. Everyone had a motive, and the guessing game began, this is the most famous television cliffhanger. I put the Simpson's in this category because they followed with a parody of this a few years later with someone shooting Mr. Burns. This parody was hilarious and ended with fans playing the guessing game all the summer.
2-Alias (It's Been how Long?)- Sydney Bristow finds out her roomate Francie was killed and replace with an agent; she fights the agent and gets knocked out. When Sydney wakes up she find out that years have passed. I was blown away. What would happen next?! Well Vaughn ended getting married during the time, and my least favorite season, season 3 happened.
3-Buffy the Vampire Slayer (Did she Really Die?) In what was my favorite season of Buffy (except for the incarnation of Michelle Trachtenberg) at the end of the season Buffy sacrifices herself to save her sister from "the big bad." Being a sci-fi show everyone knew she would be back, but this also was the limbo between Buffy moving from the WB to the UPN, so everyone was wondering what changes would happen.
4-Friends (The One with all the Cliffhangers) Friends did a pretty good job with their cliffhangers, but I think the best one was the end of season seven. Monica and Chandlier are getting married, and everyone thinks Monica is pregnant. Cut to after the "I Do's" and Monica claims she isn't pregnant. Who is the father?! I think most fans assumed it would be Ross, but they still shocked us with this revelation that created an Emmy winning season 8.
5-Dynasty/The West Wing (The Massacre Situation)- I hate to lump these two shows into the same category because The West Wing is a far superior show, but both shows handled this very well. In The West Wing, the President's daughter was dating Charlie, who was black and a group of neo Nazis attacked the President and his group as they were coming out of an event. Like in Dynasty, fans were waiting to find out who lived and who died.
I have been bad with my blog this month, between starting a new job, getting to meet and hang out with new people, being bad about keeping touch with friends etc...this has suffered. One of the things I have thought about is how much pop culture I consume (not just film) so I want to make sure I start to cover things that are a part of the different avenues, specifically more music and television. So what better way to move in this direction than to discuss something that involves music television.
While I was on a work retreat, I came back to find that MTV had announced their Video Music Award (VMA) nominations. This has become a yearly tradition for this network since the year I was born 1984. During the eighties into even the very 2000s MTV actually played music videos on a consistent basis. Since the cancellation of Total Request Live and the inception of more shows like Teen Mom, 16 and Pregnant, True Life, endless dating shows etc. MTV has not played music videos much anymore. The only time you can see them is very early in the morning. I hate what this network has become. this network was once the pioneer for launching great music careers, now it launches the career of "celebrities" like Snookie from the Jersey Shore. The VMAs helped launch Madonna, and many other artists to great careers. My rant against MTV could go on forever, like the fact that they control the programming for LOGO (the LGBT channel) and the programming is awful, but I want to focus a little more on the nominations today.
Here is a list of all the nominees (from Perez Hilton) Katy Perry had the most nominations; she is is not the best singer, but this year her videos went above and beyond most, and she deserves many nominations. I think that Firework is one of my favorite videos because it just has a wonderful message. The problem is I since these music videos are on I have to search for them, and predicting the winners or even picking a favorite is difficult.
VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Adele, "Rolling In The Deep"
Tyler, The Creator, "Yonkers"
Katy Perry, "Firework"
Bruno Mars, "Grenade"
Beastie Boys, "Make Some Noise"
After watching these videos I would pick either Katy Perry or the Beastie Boys, but none of these videos had that WOW factor.
BEST FEMALE VIDEO
Adele, "Rolling In The Deep"
Katy Perry, "Firework"
Beyonce, "Run The World (Girls)"
Nicki Minaj, "Super Bass"
Lady Gaga, "Born This Way"
This is always one of the best categories at the VMAs for me. Beyonce's video is fun. Adele's is classic. Gaga is well Gaga, and Nicki Minaj is eh...I would go with Katy Perry's video.
BEST MALE VIDEO
Cee Lo Green, "F*** You"
Eminem feat. Rihanna, "Love The Way You Lie"
Bruno Mars, "Grenade"
Kanye West feat. Rihanna & Kid Cudi, "All Of The Lights"
Justin Bieber, "U Smile"
I like Cee Lo's video hands down, its just fun
BEST HIP HOP VIDEO
Lil Wayne feat. Cory Gunz, "6’7’"
Kanye West feat. Rihanna & Kid Cudi, "All Of The Lights"
Chris Brown feat. Lil Wayne & Busta Rhymes, "Look At Me Now"
Nicki Minaj, "Super Bass"
Lupe Fiasco, "The Show Goes On"
This one goes to Kanye for me, its pretty good!
BEST NEW ARTIST
Foster The People, "Pumped Up Kicks"
Wiz Khalifa, "Black and Yellow"
Tyler, The Creator, "Yonkers"
Big Sean feat. Chris Brown, "My Last"
Kreayshawn, "Gucci Gucci"
With a a video of the year nomination Tyler the creator will most likely win, but the video is not for me
BEST POP VIDEO
Adele, "Rolling In The Deep"
Bruno Mars, "Grenade"
NE-YO, Nayer & Afrojack, "Give Me Everything"
Katy Perry, "Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)"
Britney Spears, "Till The World Ends"
This will be Adele's prize, but I'd like to give it to Britney
BEST ROCK VIDEO
The Black Keys, "Howlin For You"
Foo Fighters, "Walk"
Foster The People, "Pumped Up Kicks"
Mumford & Sons, "The Cave"
Cage The Elephant, "Shake Me Down"
I think Mumford and Sons will win this, there surge of popularity helps
BEST COLLABORATION
Pitbull feat. NE-YO, Nayer & Afrojack, Give Me Everything
Chris Brown feat. Lil Wayne & Busta Rhymes, "Look At Me Now"
Rihanna & Kid Cudi, "All Of The Lights"
Katy Perry feat. Kanye West, "E.T."
Nicki Minaj feat. Drake, "Moment 4 Life"
Another win for Katy Perry, and this video is out there!
BEST ART DIRECTION
Adele, "Rolling In The Deep"
Katy Perry, "Firework"
Lady Gaga, "Judas"
Kanye West, "Power"
Death Cab For Cutie, "You Are A Tourist"
BEST CHOREOGRAPHY
Beyonce, "Run The World (Girls)"
Britney Spears, "Till The World Ends"
Lady Gaga, "Judas"
Bruno Mars, "The Lazy Song"
LMFAO feat. Lauren Bennett & GoonRock, "Party Rock Anthem"
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Adele, "Rolling In The Deep"
Beyonce, "Run The World (Girls)"
Eminem feat. Rihanna, "Love The Way You Lie"
Katy Perry, "Teenage Dream"
Thirty Seconds To Mars, "Hurricane"
BEST DIRECTION
Beastie Boys, "Make Some Noise"
Katy Perry feat. Kanye West, "E.T."
Thirty Seconds To Mars, "Hurricane"
Eminem feat. Rihanna, "Love The Way You Lie"
Adele, "Rolling In The Deep"
BEST EDITING
Katy Perry feat. Kanye West, "E.T."
Thirty Seconds To Mars, "Hurricane"
Adele, "Rolling In The Deep"
Kanye West feat. Rihanna & Kid Cudi, "All Of The Lights"
Manchester Orchestra, "Simple Math"
BEST SFX (SPECIAL EFFECTS)
Manchester Orchestra, "Simple Math"
Katy Perry feat. Kanye West, "E.T."
Kanye West, "Power"
Linkin Park, "Waiting For The End"
Chromeo, "Don’t Turn The Lights On"
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 (4 1/2 stars out of 5 stars)
Directed by: David Yates
Written by: Steven Kloves
Starring: Danielle Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Ralph Fiennes, Maggie Smith, Alan Rickman
The film opens as the Deathly Hallows Part 1 ended, Voldemort gains the elder wand, and Harry, Ron, and Hermione are on the beach by Fleur and Bill Weasley's safe house. The rest of the story is for the viewer. The final chapter in this series of films is about the epic battle of Harry vs. Lord Voldemort.
The journey of these films has been interesting. The films have captured the general elements of the books (some better than others) but there have been a lot of plot points and specific things that fan have missed. With four different directors, unlike the Lord of the Rings trilogy there has been no cohesive vision or direction. The smartest move these films did was continue with David Yates for the last four films. Yates got his grove with Half Blood Prince, and then knew how to create the end to this series. The thing I appreciate most about his direction is that you can tell he cares about these characters, the films, and he actually has grown in his art form and become a better director.
I think whether you were a fan of the books, a fan of of the movies and not the books, viewers will be blown away by the climax of this film. Daniel Radcliffe has grown into a stunning actor, and he was brilliant in this film, I dare say he deserves attention in the best actor category at the Academy Awards. The film is a technical marvel, as usual they succeed once again with their score (the brilliant Alexandre Desplat) and cinematography. This film has wonderful art direction, and the best visual effects in any of the eight films. The thing I enjoyed most was the fact that Maggie Smith was used more, and she was just brilliant!!
I was blown away by this film, it was so good it made cry, laugh, gave me chills, and there was satisfaction that the series ended well. As a huge Potter fan I had my bones of contention. Many of the characters the deaths at the end (yes people die, but I will not say who) felt rushed anti-climatic. I loved Alan Rickman, and thought he played Snape flawlessly in all eight films, but felt that he was underused. I am not ah huge fan of Rowling's epilogue from her book, and it felt a touch awkward at the end here but with minor flaws the film left me empty. Empty because I will miss the magical world of Harry Potter, but this film went above and beyond in closing things off at the end.
Drama Categories: Well I predicted the six nominees in this category. I love Dexter, but don't think it
belongs here for this season. I would have replaced it with The Walking Dead or Justified (don't watch Fringe). The Emmy's have nominated shows that have a sciene fiction feel (Lost, The X-Files) but it appears The Walking Dead was too much for them. Justified recieved nominations for all of its actors, but not the show? Does not make much sense, but overall I'd say this category is great. I am for Friday Night Lights, The Good Wife, and Mad Men.
With regards to acting, Hugh Laurie needs to go, his character is more a charicature than developing depth. Mariska I love ya but "You gotta go!" I think it is baffling that Sedgwick was kicked out of the lead actress category the year after she wins. Kathy Bates ia another head scracther she is incredibly batey like James Spader in Boston Legal. Great job with the cast of Justified they deserved their nominations. Michelle Forbes was great in The Killing, and I am glad that a few of the men on The Good Wife made their mark.
Missing out: Katey Segal, John Noble, and the men of Boardwalk Empire (I am sorry folks these are the realistic ones for me)
Comedy Categories: The Office should be gone, and replaced with either Raising Hope or Community. The problem with both those shows is that they fit into categories that the Emmy's tend to shy away from. Raising Hope fits in with the that blue collar comedy that never fairs well (I am being polite with my language). Raising Hope fits the trend to My Name is Earl, and Roseanne, they will nominate the actors just not the show, because they are not middle class blue collar, but poor blue collar. Community fits into the extreme qurik factor. Even Arrested Development was not a huge Emmy magnet, it won the outstanding comedy series award only once and never won an acting award. Community would have replace Glee for me. Glee was just all over the place this year, and does not deserve to be here.
The lead races for comedy actor and actress are the best they have been in a while. I am very proud of the Emmy voters for doing a good job here. I know many will be "surprised" by Melissa McCarthy, but she was announcing and had Bridesmaids on her side, and she deserves this. Good for Modern Family getting all six actors nominated. The supporting categories are boring otherwise. I do not think Lynch deserves to be nominated for Glee this year. Jon Cryer? Really?! I guess they wanted to give him a token for having to work with Charlie Sheen. My other pet peeve is that SNL actors are nominated in these categories, they should not be here!
Missing out: Joel McHale, Danny Puddi, Nick Offerman, Courtney Cox (she never had a shot), Toni Collette, Neil Patrick Harris,and Rob Lowe.
Overall the nominees are moving in the right direction and this is pretty good list!
Outstanding Drama Series
Boardwalk Empire
Dexter
Game of Thrones
Friday Night Lights
The Good Wife
Mad Men
6 for 6: This was an easy category to predict
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
Steve Buscemi-Boardwalk Empire
Kyle Chandler-Friday Night Lights
Michael C. Hall-Dexter
John Hamm-Mad Men
Hugh Laurie-House
William H. Macy-Shameless x-Timothy Olyphant
5 for 6: I am glad they went with Timothy Olyphant instead of of Williams H. Macy
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
Connie Britton-Friday Night Lights
Mariska Hargitay-Law & Order: SVU
Julianna Marguilles-The Good Wife
Elisabeth Moss-Mad Men
Katey Segal-Sons of Anarchy x-Mirelle Enos-The Killing
Kyra Sedgwick-The Closer x- Kathy Bates-Harry's Law
4 for 6: Giving Sedgwick the award last year was their way of pushing her away apparently. Kathy Bates is a terrible nominee (should have predicted her). Mirelle Enos got in from The Killing too.
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
Andre Braugher-Men of a Certain Age
Josh Charles-The Good Wife
Alan Cumming-The Good Wife
Peter Dinklage-Game of Thrones
Michael Shannon-Boardwalk Empire x-Walter Goggins-Justified
John Slattery-Mad Men
5 for 6-I am shocked that none of the men from Boardwalk Empire got in here, maybe vote splitting prevented that. Goggins is a great actor and pick.
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
Christine Baranski-The Good Wife
Christina Hendricks-Mad Men
Michelle Forbes-The Killing
Sharon Gless-Burn Notice x-Margo Martindale-Justified
Kelly McDonald-Boardwalk Empire
Archie Panjabi-The Good Wife
5 for 6-I thought Gless would be back but they went the smart route and picked Margo Martindale from Justified
Outstanding Comedy Series
The Big Bang Theory
Glee
Modern Family
The Office
Parks and Recreation
30 Rock
6 for 6: No shockers here, but The Office will be gone next year!
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
Alec Baldwin-30 Rock
Steve Carrell-The Office
Joel McHale-Community x-Louis CK-Louie
Matthew Morrison-Glee-Matthew LeBlanc-Episodes
Rob Lowe-Parks and Recreation-Johnny Galecki-The Big Bang Theory
Jim Parsons-The Big Bang Theory
3 for 6 : My worst category, but one of the best. I was close to putting down Galecki and Louie CK but changed my mind at the last minute
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
Toni Collette-The United States of Tara x-Martha Plimpton-Raising Hope
Edie Falco-Nurse Jackie
Tina Fey-30 Rock
Laura Linney-The Big C
Melissa McCarthy-Mike and Molly
Amy Poehler-Parks and Recreation
5 for 6: Martha Plimpton made it in here, shocked they bumped in a former winner in the category. I predicted McCarthy because her role in Bridesmaids got her this nomination.
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
Ty Burrell-Modern Family
Chris Colfer-Glee
Jesse Tyler Ferguson-Modern Family
Ed O'Neil-Modern Family
Nick Offerman-Parks and Recreation x-Jon Cryer-Two and a Half Men
Eric Stonestreet-Modern Family
5 for 6: I knew all the MF men would make it after last year. I just did not realize what a hard on they had for Jon Cryer on that terrible show (maybe they felt bad he had to work with Sheen).
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Julie Bowen-Modern Family
Jane Krakowski-30 Rock
Jane Lynch-Glee
Sofia Vergera-Modern Family
Betty White-Hot in Cleveland
Kristin Wiig-Saturday Night Live
