Emmy Week (2013): HBO Cleans House at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards with Behind the Candelabra, and Boardwalk Empire, Plus Netflix Scores their First Emmy Awards

Once again HBO is the big winner at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards, the television film Behind the Candelabra was the big winner of the night with 8 wins, Boardwalk Empire was the big winner of the night in the drama categories taking home 4 trophies.  The only problem is Empire was widely ignored in the larger categories this year leaving this race wide open once again.

30 Rock took home its first Emmy win in three years winning Outstanding Casting in a Comedy Series, the shows final season could take home many trophies next Sunday, my thought is that Tina Fey could be honored for writing and acting.  Another winner in the casting category was the Netflix series House of Cards, the show claimed the prize for Outstanding Casting in a Drama Series.  Cards took home two Emmy awards, and proved the power of Netflix.

On the acting side of things The Good Wife took home the Outstanding Guest Actress trophy in a Drama series for the second year in a row, last year it was Martha Plimpton this year it was Carrie Preston, both are great recurring characters on the series.  Dan Bucatinsky surprised providing Scandal with its first win, but Bucatinsky is no stranger to the Emmy Awards; he won for the Special Class Program Web Therapy.

The biggest news of the night is that Bob Newhart, who has never won an Emmy, and i repeat has never won an Emmy, won for his guest role on The Big Bang Theory, all I have to say is finally. Oscar winner Melissa Leo won Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for her hilarious guest work on Louie.

One of the other big surprises of the night was that the Outstanding Reality Talk Show Host went to Tim Gunn and Heidi Klum, Klum had been nominated before but never won, this was Gunn's first nomination.  The two were nominated together and won together.

ORDER OF EMMYS BESTOWED AT CREATIVE ARTS  

Casting for a Drama Series: "House of Cards"
Casting for a Mini/Movie: "Behind the Candelabra"
Animated Program: "South Park"
Guest Actress in a Comedy Series: Melissa Leo ("Louie")
Short-Format Animated Program: "Disney Mickey Mouse Croissant de Triomphe"
Children’s Program: "Nick News with Linda Ellerbee"
Achievement in Animation: (6 honorees announced earlier) "Adventure Time," "Disney Mickey Mouse Croissant deTriomphe," "Disney Mickey Mouse Croissant deTriomphe," "Disney TRON: Uprising," "Dragons: Riders of Berk," "The Simpsons"
Art Direction for Multi-Camera Series: "Master Chef"
Art Direction for Variety or Nonfiction Programming (Tie): Olymphic Games, "Saturday Night Live"
Art Direction for a Mini or Movie: "Behind the Candelabra"
Art Direction for a Single-Camera Series: "Boardwalk Empire"
Stunt Coordination for a Comedy Series or a Variety Program: "Supah Ninjas"
Stunt Coordination for Drama series, Movie or Mini: "Revolution"
Picture Editing for Reality Programming: "Deadliest Catch"
Picture Editing for Nonfiction Programming: "Mea Maxima Calpa: Silence in the House of God"
Single-Camera Picture Editing for a Drama Series: "Breaking Bad" ("Gliding Over All")
Single-Camera Picture Editing for a Comedy Series: "The Office" finale
Multi-Camera Picture Editing for a Comedy Series: "How I Met Your Mother"
Single Camera Picture Editing for a Mini or Movie: "Behind the Candelabra"
Picture editing for Short-Form Segments and Variety Specials: "Daily Show"
Hairstyling for a Mini or Movie: "Behind the Candelabra:
Hairstyling for a Multi-Camera Series or Special: "Saturday Night Live"
Hairstyling for a Single-Camera Series: "Boardwalk Empire"
Guest Actor in a Drama Series: Dan Bucatinsky ("Scandal")
Sound Mixing for a Variety Series or Special: Grammy Awards
Sound Mixing for Nonfiction Programming: "History of the Eagles"
Sound Mixing for a Comedy or Drama Series (One Hour): "Boardwalk Empire"
Sound Mixing for a Miniseries or Movie: "Behind the Candelabra"
Sound Mixing for a Comedy or Drama Series (Half Hour) and Animation: "Nurse Jackie"
Prosthetic Makeup for a Series, Miniseries, Movie or a Special: "Behind the Candelabra"
Makeup for a Miniseries or a Movie (Non-Prosthetic): "Behind the Candelabra"
Makeup for a Single-Camera Series (Non--Prosthetic): "Game of Thrones"
Makeup for a Multi-Camera Series or Special (Non-Prosthetic): "Saturday Night Live"
Sound Editing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special: "American Horror Story: Asylum"
Sound Editing for a Nonfiction Programming (Single or Multi-Camera): "Men Who Built America"
Sound Editing for a Series: "Boardwalk Empire"
Special Visual Effects: "Game of Thrones"
Special Visual Effects in a Supporting Role: "Banshee"
Voice-Over Performance: Lily Tomlin, "An Apology to Elephants"
Costumes for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special: "Behind the Candelabra"
Costumes for a Series: "The Borgias"
Costumes for a Variety Program or a Special: Grammy Awards, "Portlandia," "Men Who Built America" (juried award)
Music Direction: Tony Awards
Music Composition for a Series (Original Dramatic Score): "Downton Abbey"
Music Composition for a Miniseries or a Special (Original Dramatic Score): "World Without End"
Original Music and Lyrics: Tony Awards
Original Main Title Theme Music: "Da Vinci's Demons"
Main Title Design: "Da Vinci's Demons"
Outstanding Commercial: "Inspired," Canon
Guest Actor in a Comedy Series: Bob Newhart, "The Big Bang Theory"
Cinematography for Reality Programming: "The Deadliest Catch"
Cinematography for a Single-Camera Series: "House of Cards"
Cinematography for a Miniseries or Movie: "Top of the Lake"
Cinematography for a Nonfiction Programming: "Anthony Boudain: Parts Unknown"
Guest Actress in a Drama Series: Carrie Preston, "The Good Wife"
Direction for Nonfiction Programming: "American Masters"
Writing for Nonfiction Programming: "Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God"
Exceptional Merit in Documentary Filmmaking: "Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God"
Documentary or Nonfiction Special: "Manhunt: Inside Story of the Hunt for Bin Laden"
Documentary or Nonfiction Series (Tie): "American Masters," "Inside the Actor's Studio"
Informational Series or Special: "Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown"
Special Class Programs: Tony Awards
Special Class Programs - Short Format Live-Action Entertainment Programs: "Children's Hospital"
Special Class - Short-Format Nonfiction Programs: "Remembering 9/11"
Interactive Program: "Night of Too Many Stars"
Creative Achievement in Interactive Media: Original Interactive Program: "Lizzie Bennet Diaries"
Cinematography for a Multi-Camera Series: "How I Met Your Mother"
Technical Direction, Camerawork, Video Control for a Series: "The Big Bang Theory"
Technical Direction, Camerawork, Video Control for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special: Tony Awards
Lighting Design/Lighting Direction for a Variety Series: "The Voice"
Lighting Design/Lighting Direction for a Variety Special: Super Bowl Halftime Show
Directoring for a Variety Special: "Kennedy Center Honors"
Writing for a Variety Special: "Louis C.K.: Oh, My God"
Variety Special: "Kennedy Center Honors"
Reality Host: Heidi Klum, Tim Gunn
Reality Program: "Undercover Boss"

Who Will Win at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards (2013) ?

While the Emmy Awards are set to take place just a little over a week from now, on September 22nd, the Creative Arts Emmy Award ceremony is held one week earlier on September 15th.  This ceremony is where most of the tech categories, and background players get rewarded.  These awards have categories like art direction, editing, casting, but are broken down by type of series, drama, comedy, variety, and mini-series/movie.  This ceremony also has some acting/performing/hosting awards as well, like the guest acting categories, and even Outstanding Reality Host was bumped to this ceremony for the first time this year.

Last year shows like Game of Thrones, Boardwalk Empire, and Hatfield's and McCoys cleaned up at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards.  These shows winning in categories like visual effects, cinematography, art direction, and more is not surprising considering their larger scale production design.  At the actual Primetime Emmy Awards one week later, Modern Family, and Homeland were the big winners.  While the Creative Art Emmy nomination have an impact on who eventual wins the "bigger" categories it will be interesting to see who wins this year, and how these impact the other ceremony.

Here are the nominees in the "bigger" categories at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards (from imdb.com)

Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series

Mad Men: Harry Hamlin (American Movie Classics (AMC))
For playing "Jim Cutler".

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Mad Men: Robert Morse (American Movie Classics (AMC))
For playing "Bert Cooper".

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The Good Wife: Michael J. Fox (Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS))
For playing "Louis Canning".

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The Good Wife: Nathan Lane (Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS))
For playing "Clarke Hayden".

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Scandal: Dan Bucatinsky (American Broadcasting Company (ABC))
For playing "James Novak".

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Homeland: Rupert Friend (Showtime Networks)
For playing "Peter Quinn".

So who wins?  I am honestly terrible at predicting the guest acting categories, I only one out four last year, Jimmy Fallon in Guest Comedy Actor, so I am going to go against my gut.  At the moment my gut tells me I should go with Nathan Lane, so I am going to going against the grain, not pick him and go with last year's double nominee michael J. Fox; he is back on the scene with a big way, and has never won for recurring guest role on this show.  My spoiler is Dan Bucatinsky from Scandal, either way you slice it this is a weak category.

Will Win: Michael J. Fox-The Good Wife

Spoiler: Dan Bucatinsky-Scandal

 Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series

Saturday Night Live: Louis C.K. (National Broadcasting Company (NBC))
For playing "Various Characters". For episode "Louis C.K./Fun".

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Saturday Night Live: Justin Timberlake (National Broadcasting Company (NBC))
For playing "Various Characters". For episode "Justin Timberlake".

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30 Rock: Will Forte (National Broadcasting Company (NBC))
For playing "Paul L'astnamé". For episode "My Whole Life Is Thunder".

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Modern Family: Nathan Lane (American Broadcasting Company (ABC))
For playing "Pepper Saltzman". For episode "A Slight at the Opera".

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The Big Bang Theory: Bob Newhart (Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS))
For playing "Arthur Jeffries and Professor Proton". For episode "The Proton Resurgence".

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Nurse Jackie: Bobby Cannavale (Showtime Networks)
For playing "Mike Cruz".

My gut here says go with the veteran comedic actor who has never won an Emmy before, Bob Newhart, but as you read above my gut gets me in trouble.  Timberlake has won for Saturday Night Live before, and his episode is great.  While SNL player tend to have the advantage because of the length of their tape, Newhart is a legend.  My gut is telling me Newhart, but I am going to pick Justin Timberlake to win once again.

Will Win: Justin Timberlake-Saturday Night Live

Spoiler-Bob Newhart-The Big Bang Theory

Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series

Shameless: Joan Cusack (Showtime Networks)
For playing "Sheila Jackson".

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Mad Men: Linda Cardellini (American Movie Classics (AMC))
For playing "Sylvia Rosen".

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The Americans: Margo Martindale (FX Network)
For playing "Claudia".

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The Good Wife: Carrie Preston (Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS))
For playing "Elsbeth Tascioni".

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Game of Thrones: Diana Rigg (Home Box Office (HBO))
For playing "Lady Olenna Tyrell".

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The Newsroom: Jane Fonda (Home Box Office (HBO))
For playing "Leona Lansing".

This is another place where my heart, and head say go with the legend, Jane Fonda; she is a double Oscar winner.  Easy pick, right? Wrong, The Good Wife spoiler Martha Plimpton is proof that you do not need to be an Oscar winner to do well in this category.  Fact, and while my gut says Fonda, I can't help but television voters have been working with Preston more, and she will score a win here.

Will Win: Carrie Preston-The Good Wife 

Spoiler: Jane Fonda-The Newsroom

Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series

Saturday Night Live: Melissa McCarthy (National Broadcasting Company (NBC))
For playing "Various Characters". For episode "Melissa McCarthy/Phoenix".

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Saturday Night Live: Kristen Wiig (National Broadcasting Company (NBC))
For playing "Various Characters".

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30 Rock: Elaine Stritch (National Broadcasting Company (NBC))
For playing "Colleen Donaghy". For episode "My Whole Life Is Thunder".

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Glee: Dot Jones (Fox Network)
For playing "Shannon Beiste".

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Louie: Melissa Leo (FX Network)
For playing "Laurie". For episode "Telling Jokes/Set Up".

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Enlightened: Molly Shannon (Home Box Office (HBO))
For playing "Eileen Foliente".

This is another place where I think this is down between two women, one from Saturday Night Live, Kristin Wiig, and Melissa Leo from Louie.  How much are voters going to fall in love with Louie, and this Oscar winner, not much.  I am going with my gut on this one Kristin Wiig finally takes home an Emmy Award for this show.

Will Win: Kirsten Wiig-Saturday Night Live

Spoiler: Melissa Leo-Louie

Outstanding Reality Show Host

American Idol: Ryan Seacrest

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Betty White's Off Their Rockers: Betty White

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Dancing with the Stars: Tom Bergeron

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Project Runway: Heidi Klum, Tim Gunn

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So You Think You Can Dance: Cat Deeley

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The Taste: Anthony Bourdain

Last year I predicted Bergeron, and he won, I am going to stick with this repeat winner, but I think Anthony Bourdain could be a spoiler.

Will Win: Tom Bergeron-Dancing with the Stars, Spoiler-Anthony Bourdain-The Taste 

Gravity is one of the Most Awe Inspiring Film Experiences Ever

Gravity (5 out of 5 Stars)

Directed by Alfonso Cuaron (Y Tu Mama Tambien, Children of Men)

Written by Alfonso Cuaron (Y Tu Mama Tambien) and Jonas Cuaron (The Year of the Nail)

Starring: Sandra Bullock and George Clooney

After seeing the brief trailer for Gravity many times, I knew there was something special about this film.  I had heard the buzz from Venice, and Toronto, but still did not want to read a review, watch the second trailer, or even read a simple plot summary.  This was one of the films I was most excited to see this year, and I wanted to go without any context, the same way I viewed Pacific Rim, and this was a smart course of action on both accounts.

Without giving too much away, Gravity centers around two characters a medical engineer, Dr. Ryan Stone (Bullock) and an astronaut Matt Kowalski (Clooney) who are working on a project, but an accident causes things to go drastically wrong.  After the accident the two struggle to survive out in the middle of space.

One of the beautiful aspects of this film is the simplistic nature of the plot, but the magnitude with which the the story is told.  Most of the credit for the vision of this film belongs to esteemed director Alfonso Cuaron.  Cuaron's genius has brought many different films to life on the big screen, from the small character driven road trip Y Tu Mama Tambien, to what is widely regarded by Potter fans as the best film, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, and the post apocalyptic Children of Men which centers on the lack of fertility, and the potential for the first successful birth.  Cuaron creates a style all of his own; he is precise, and this film is proof that through this breathtaking experience there are still advances to be made in within film.

The film was shot in 3-D and while I hate this technology this is one of the most, if not the most powerful use of this technology.  The 3-D never felt like a gimmick nor did you feel as though Cuaron through both his direction and fantastic editing were trying to manipulate, but rather add to the sumptuous visual experience of this film.  Cuaron's work as both the director and editor on this film enhance the emotionally raw, and suspenseful nature of this film, which defies the odds.

The technical aspects of this film, make many other films out there look like child's play.  While Cuaron's vision, and direction are at the center, Emmanuel Lubezki's cinematography rivals the brilliant work he did with Terrence Malick's Tree of Life.  Lubezki has worked with Cuaron on all of his films, but Potter, and together this duo have combined to form some of the best visual experiences of the last 15 years.  Lubezki's work on Gravity should be studied, never duplicated, admired and be proof of the power cinematography has within a film.  The cinematography combined with the visual effects packs a punch in this film that will not be forgotten.

Along with the all of these elements the film's score by Steven Price sets the musical tone, fantastically creating moments where you sit on the edge of your seat as the intensity builds to a fevered frenzy.  Price recently did the score for the Simon Pegg/Edgar Wright film The World's End, but he is relatively new to the world of music composition within film, this will change.

While Gravity is mostly about the visual effects, there is something to be said about the performances, especially Bullock.  While I have never doubted Ms. Bullock's comedic timing, and she has proved her dramatic chops, in Crash, not in her Academy Award winning performance in The Blind Side, I did not expect this from her.  Bullock is great in this role and she helps sell the loneliness of the experience, the panic, the urgency, she makes you gasp for air as she does, because the film takes your breath away.

Gravity is a special film, and is one of the most awe inspiring film experiences I ever.  The film has both a visual and emotional impact that will have a lasting impact on audiences, and film auteurs for years to come.

Fall 2013 TV Preview: Most Anticipated Returning Shows

I would say that during this time, most people pay attention to the new shows coming out, and while there is an excitement/build up for returning shows its almost never the same.  Part of the reason for this is that networks know people are "coming back" to their favorite show, and now its time to build up the hype for all of these new shows, so commercials at movie theatres and at home are geared more for the new rather than the returning, but what returning shows left people with such massive cliff hangers or cast changes that people are even more pumped for them to come back after a summer drought?

Glee (FOX)

Glee sadly makes the list because of the passing of Cory Monteith, if you ever considered yourself a Gleek, you will probably tune into the tribute episode for the young man who played the love able Finn Hudson.  It's honestly a shame that his character had that story line where he kissed Will, his mentor's fiance, but this episode will not allow a dry eye.

The Good Wife (CBS)

Alicia and Cary having their own firm versus Will and Diane?  Does this mean the end for Alicia and Will?  Josh Charles has only signed on for one more season.    Peter is the governor,  and more Carrie Preston, sign me up. all That  sounds like Must-See Television.

How I Met Your Mother (CBS)

The mother of all reveals happened, we finally met the future Theodore Evelyn Mosby, and I am pumped.  Barney and Robin are getting, still not as pumped about this, but I think this could be a great last season for a little show that became something bigger.

New Girl  (FOX)

Nick and Jess are together, it will be exciting to see where the show takes this romance, and hopefully it will not implode the way some shows lose steam with their popular couples once they get together.  Make them a Monica and Chandler, not a Ross and Rachel. Who will Schmidt pick?

NCIS (CBS)

I do not watch NCIS, but Cote de Pablo who plays Ziva is a fan favorite, and she has decided to leave the show, big mistake.  While this does not affect me I know many fans who will be curious to see how the show handles the characters departure.

Revenge (ABC)

Emily reveals herself to Jack, Victoria's son shows up, Nolan is being held, their is a gunshot to open the show, and Charlotte gets even bitchier bangs than Melissa Fuermo from One Life to Live.  This show ended with all cylinders fired up, but with a new show runner I am nervous.

Scandal (ABC)

There was a massive reveal at the end of last season when Olivia was blind sided reporters, and end up in a car with her father.  Where will the excitement head next with Pope and Associates, Shonda Rhimes is always full of surprise?

A Tribute to Great Television: Freaks and Geeks (1999-2000)

With school back in session all over the United States I feel as though I must pay homage to the greatest show about high school, and no it's not Saved by the Bell, or 90210, that's Freaks and Geeks.  While Freaks and Geeks got the shaft from NBC, and only lasted one year, feign surprise if you must, the show is a classic, and if you have not got to experience Lindsey in her fatigue jacket breaking her good girl mold, or the early careers of James Franco, and Jason Segel then its time to make this show a priority on your Netflix.

The show centers around two different types of groups in the 1980s high school scene, the freaks, and the geeks, I wonder if that's where title comes from?  The show focused on two characters Linda Cardellinni's character Lindsey Weir, and her brother Sam Weir played by John Francis Daley. The show brought is both a hilarious and realistic look at those awkward and exploratory years of high school, and the different paths traveled.

Freaks and Geeks was created by Paul Feig, the main who has gone on to direct Bridemaids, The Heat episodes of The Office, Arrested Development, Nurse Jackie, Mad Men, this list could go on and on.  Feig is also an actor, and if you were a Sabrina the Teenage Witch fan you may recognize him as Mr. Pool.  Feig's knack for creating some of the best comedy in recent years is evident through his layered work, but Freaks and Geeks is one of his best creations.

While Feig was the creator Freaks and Geeks had some of the most famous names in film in television behind the scenes as producers, writers, and directors.  Judd Apatow (40 Year Old Virgin, Knocked Up) directed, wrote and was a producer on this show.  This was the birth  of Apatow's collaborations with Franco, Segel, and Seth Rogen.  Other famous television directors/writers who worked on this show were Mike White who created the television series Enlightened and has acted in films like School of Rock.  Ken Kwapis who has gone on to direct The Office, The Bernie Mac Show, and ER.  Lesli Linka Glatter has also gone on to direct Mad Men, True Blood, and The Newsroom.  The creative team behind this show was one of the best assembled.

As stated above this show not only brought about the careers of some great creative minds, but also launched the careers of Linda Cardellinni (ER, Scooby Doo, Mad Men), James Franco (127 Hours, Spider-Man, James Dean), Jason Segel (How I Met Your Mother, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Knocked Up), Seth Rogen (This is the End, Knocked Up, 40 Year Old Virgin), four great careers.  Ironically most of the geeks have played in other things but mostly smaller roles.

Why and how did this show now deemed by many to be, "the best cancelled television series of all time" fail? Critics deemed this show to be "something special" and "out of the ordinary" this was not your traditional sitcom, but fit within the dramedy category with tons of nostalgia to set the background.  Freaks and Geeks was realistic, almost too realistic, capturing that awkward humor that spawned The Office, 30 Rock and many more. At this point in the 90s/early 2000s this type of show did not fit, but stood out as something different much like the freaks and geeks in the show.  One of the other problems was that the show was  not given the proper treatment by NBC, again never surprising.  The show did actually score three Emmy nominations during its run two for Best Writing, and one for Best Casting, the show won the Best Casting in Comedy Series Emmy.  Props to voters for understanding that this show created one of the best ensembles.  Even Emmy knew this show was special.

Freaks and Geeks was ahead of its time, and a great representation of a new age in television. While I did not go to high school during the 1980s, hell I was 6 when the 80s ended this show created a great time capsule for the era, and helped connect you with each friend group, and the families associated with people. Even though this show only had one season, it's a classic, which can't be forgotten.

September Movies to See and Skip!

For movies, August is like you unbuttoning your pants after  a big overstuffed Thanksgiving dinner.  The studios have crammed so much into May, June, and July, that August becomes the grave yard where massive films can't succeed.  With no block buster capitalizing on this month, two films have taken over the month, We're the Millers, and Lee Daniels' The Butler.  The funny thing about both of these movies succeeding is because they are being carried by a woman (Jennifer Anniston) and black actors in The Butler.

Anniston is probably one of the less interesting leading ladies working, but she is one of the more bankable in films like this because she has talent, sex appeal, and women love her.  Women can carry film do not be afraid Hollywood.

Hollywood also is letting more people than Tyler Perry frame stories about black/African Americans in film, and thank goodness.  Ryan Coogler, Steve McQueen, and of course Lee Daniels all have films this year, which tell such interesting stories.  This is a great market, and Hollywood has always avoided reaching out, they would rather white wash their films, but The Butlers' success is proof that films like this can succeed. On to September, and the build up to the more exciting October.

September 6th 

If you were thinking September would start strong, you were wrong, Riddick is one of those films that just couldnt make it into "summer block buster time."  Pitch Black was good they should have stopped there.  Diesel is not a star its the Fast and Furious movies that are the star.

I would have preferred Hollywood avoid a documentary about a man who wanted to remain private, J.D. Sallinger who wrote Catch in the Rye.  Sallinger feels too much like I am infringing on someone with whom I respect, No thank you!

September 13th 

The first Insidous was well done, and chilling, did there need a to be an Insidious Chapter 2?  Stop while your ahead.

Poor Michelle Pfeiffer stuck with dreck like this, run Diana Agron just because you get to work with two greats does not mean the film will will be good.  The Family is Robert DeNiro playing the cliche version of all his characters, once again no thank you.

September 20th 

 Prisoners has received mostly positive reviews from Telluride, and while there was some negative comments in the mix the film sounds fantastic. 

Ah another film about dancing, where have you been all my life? Battle of the Year is proof people are less and less creative, shouldn't this have gone straight to DVD or Itunes?

September 27th 

I did not realize that the first film made 125 million dollars, no wonder there is sequel to Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.  Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 is the only family friendly film and will make a good amount of money, will it be good, probably not.

I have shown disdain for most of Ron Howard's work post Apollo 13, Rush looks different from most of his other films, and I am kind of excited to see what he can do with this film.  I also think Hemsworth is so charismatic.

I love Paula Patton, and while Baggage Claim looks cliche, I may just have to go see it, because well this could be a guilty pleasure for me, at least I am able to admit that, but it doesn't look great.

I had the chance to see a screener of Don Jon with Jospeh Gordon Levitt as a a guest speaker, but damn work got in the way.  I am excited to see what he can do with this film!