I was trying to think of a night to properly start my blog of reviews, when it suddenly hit me. "Why not do your first blog on the night of the 83rd Annual Academy Awards?" Sometimes, not often, but sometimes, I nail it. Tonight is THE perfect night to start blogging about some of my favorite things in the whole wide world. Those favorite things happen to include the world of cinema, along with music, concerts, TV, NBA basketball and professional wrestling.
The plan is to review things that I really, really love. If I don't dig it, chances are, you won't see a review of it. I definitely won't trash anything I dislike, I just simply won't review it. I know what it takes to make something like a movie or a song, and it's incredibly hard. No matter how bad something is, I'm sure that somebody has worked very hard on it. I'm not going to be one of those reviewers.
Consider this a counterculturist's evaluation on all things underground, right here on the ground, and way up above the ground. I believe movies, music and all things art related and entertainment related should be an ESCAPE! Whether it be an escape from work, or just an escape from everyday life, everybody needs a break once in awhile. So let's get started!
Ladies and Gentlemen, the Oscar goes to ...
I've been glued to the TV all night to check out who was being recognized as the best in their particular field in the world of cinema. I have to say the producers and writers of the show did an amazing job. And an equally amazing job from the co-hosts James Franco and Ann Hathaway. They've been tasteful, classy, upstanding, respectful and very funny. The opening segment of James and Ann getting 'Incepted' into Alec Baldwin's dream was genius. Who wouldn't want Morgan Freeman narrating their dreams? I loved seeing Kirk Douglas as a presenter. That man is a living legend and I loved how the crowd 'popped' for him. He completely deserved it. Congratulations was in order to the tape-delay guys as they successfully silenced Best Supporting Actress Melissa Leo's drop of the 'F' Bomb on national television. David Seidler's acceptance speech for Best Original Screenplay was very, very inspiring. Which just so happens to be something I aspire to. I really enjoyed seeing Trent Reznor, a rock and alternative music icon, and his writing partner and music producer Atticus Ross win for Best Original Score from the movie The Social Network. Randy Newman's acceptance speech for Best Original Song was just down right funny and Celine Dion's performance in memory to the many who passed away this year was very touching. The world seems a little less shiny now without Lynn Redgrave, Gloria Stuart, Kevin McCarthy, Dino De Laurentiis, Tony Curtis, Leslie Neilson and Dennis Hopper. I was very shocked that Tom Hooper won Best Director, as well as Colin Firth winning Best Actor for The King's Speech, and the film itself winning Best Picture. I can't wait until the middle of April so I can finally check this seemingly incredible film out, as well as other nominees. Out of all 10 movies nominated for Best Film, I have only seen Inception. The Social Network is currently on its way to my house and the ones that I wanted to see, none of my friends wanted to. So, sadly I wait until they are released on DVD (The Fighter, The King's Speech, Black Swan and True Grit) so I may finally enjoy what all the chatter has been about.
All in all, this Award show has been a great joy to watch. Let's hope next year will be just as good, and hopefully, the films will be just as good too!
Coming soon, My Top 10 Films Of All Time ...
Until then,
Shawn M
