Fall catch-up

I have not written a straight up movie review since July. This summer and fall have been very busy and I may not have been seeing movies at the rate that I usually do, but I certainly have been seeing movies. It's time to catch up because Oscar season is just around the corner.

Wreck it Ralph
This Disney animated movie takes place in the world of videos games and has an adorable concept. An arcade game bad guy, voiced by John C Reilly, is fed up with his existence and decides to venture into other games in the hopes of earning some respect in his home game. His adventure takes him to a modern Call of Duty type game, featuring an awesomely kick-ass Jane Lynch, and to the candy covered land of a go-cart racing little girl voiced by Sarah Silverman. The animation captures various genres and eras of video games in excellent detail. I predict that Wreck-It Ralph will join Brave in the Best Animated Feature race this year. The animated short "Paperman" that preceded the full length movie was sweet and is also a strong contender for Best Animated Short.

Argo
To be fair, I was predisposed to like this movie because of Ben Affleck and a historical topic. The era of the Iran hostage crisis is well captured and Bryan Cranston, Alan Arkin, John Goodman and Victor Garber make up the strong supporting cast. Fun trivia, Victor Garber married Jennifer Gardner and Ben Affleck after playing her father on Alias for five seasons. George Clooney co-produced the film and Jimmy Carter speaks about the real life events over the end credits. This one is likely to have award season buzz.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower 
I did not expect this film to be as dark as it was but it certainly captured the high school experience. There were many moments of humor and the three young leads, Logan Lerman, Emma Watson (Hermione Granger in Harry Potter) and Ezra Miller are fantastic. Paul Rudd is also excellent in a small role as a freshman English teacher. As a kid of the 80s and 90s I had to love the references to mixed tapes and early 90s time frame. Though I have not read the book and can not comment on the strength of the adaptation, interestingly enough the movie's director is the novel's author Stephen Ghbosky.

Seth MacFarlane hosting the 2013 Oscars

It was announced today that the writer/director/star of this summer's Ted and the creator of Family Guy will be hosting the 85th Annual Academy Awards.

Despite never having hosted an awards show before, MacFarlane did a strong job hosting SNL this September. He will need to work on his cues, as evidenced by his appearance at last month's Emmy Awards as a presenter.

Hopefully the edgy humor that roars through the movie Ted will bring some new twists to the Oscar ceremony.  It seems like a much more calculated risk by the Academy than say the fail of 2011 with Anne Hathaway and James Franco. The Oscars will take place Sunday February 24th at the Dolby Theatre, formerly know as Kodak Theatre.

2012 Emmys

As far as the Red Carpet coverage went, the main headline seemed to be how hot it was in Hollywood this weekend. The stars of television were sweating buckets. I enjoyed Jimmy Fallon's well wishes to host Jimmy Kimmel as well as Kristen Wiig's comments about missing SNL. I am not certain why she made her departure but the sentiment was appreciated. Nominee Amy Poehler looked stunning in a black dress with a plunging neckline. When I Googled for a picture of said dress I was horrified to see the Poehler and Will Arnett have separated -- a) where have I been and b) what a bummer. Jon Hamm's much talked about navy tux looked black. Tina Fey looked gorgeous in a dark red dress with gold and black collar detail. Many comediennes looked fantastic in deep red tones including Mayim Bialik and Kat Dennings. Bright yellow was another winning color for the ladies. The light gold dress Christina Hendricks wore was a big miss -- the usually hot Hendricks looked unremarkable. Hendricks did confirm on the Red Carpet that she will re-team with her Drive costar Ryan Gosling in his directorial debut film (How To Catch A Monster, which is not expected until 2014).

The opening sketch that featured actresses back stage consoling a nervous Jimmy Kimmel was hilarious. Memorably included were Zooey Deschanel, Christina Hendricks, Mindy Kaling, Kathy Bates, Martha Plimpton, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, various reality tv hosts and Ellen DeGeneres.

Kimmel's monologue did not open with a bang but as he warmed up to topical issues it became very amusing. One winning line, "Being a Republican in Hollywood is like being a Chick a fil sandwich on the snack table at Glee," was particularly funny.

The awards began with the comedy section and this was certainly my favorite portion of the show. The year in comedy montage was awesome. Louis CK and Amy Poehler presented the first category and the nod to CK's appearance on Poehler's Parks and Rec was appreciated. The bit about the child actor who plays Lily on Modern Family being a holy terror was hilarious. Jon Cryer's win for Best Actor in a Comedy seemed just as off base as Steve Carell's loss in the category last year. His humorous acceptance speech that there had been a mistake and that he could not have possibly won partially made up for it.

Claire Danes continued on her victory streak at the Emmys for Homeland. She won previously at the Golden Globes for the role and in the previous season for Temple Grandin at both the Golden Globes and the Emmys.

During the variety and miniseries segments there were some comedic highlights. Jimmy Fallon and Stephen Colbert tackled Jon Stewart after his win was announced. Ricky Gervais presented and was reliably entertaining, keeping in tone with his reputation. When Julianne Moore won for her portrayal of Sarah Palin in Game Change she commented that it was validating because Palin gave her a big thumbs down. Who knew Tom Hanks produced Game Change? Well delightfully so because we were able to hear him speak when it won Best Miniseries or Movie.

The main awards, Best Drama and Best Comedy, went to Homeland and Modern Family respectively.

And the winners...
Outstanding comedy series: Modern Family
Outstanding drama series: Homeland
Outstanding miniseries or movie: Game Change
Outstanding lead actor in a miniseries or movie: Kevin Costner, Hatfields & McCoys
Outstanding directing for a miniseries or movie: Jay Roach, Game Change
Outstanding lead actress in a miniseries or movie: Julianne Moore, Game Change
Outstanding writing for a miniseries or movie: Danny Strong, Game Change
Outstanding supporting actor in a miniseries or movie: Tom Berenger, Hatfields & McCoys
Outstanding supporting actress in a miniseries or movie: Jessica Lange, American Horror Story
Outstanding variety series: The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
Outstanding directing for a variety special: Glenn Weiss, 65th Annual Tony Awards
Outstanding writing for a variety special: Louis C.K., Louie C.K. Live at the Beacon Theatre
Outstanding lead actress in a drama series: Claire Danes, Homeland
Outstanding lead actor in a drama series: Damian Lewis, Homeland
Outstanding directing for a drama series: Tim Van Patten, Boardwalk Empire
Outstanding supporting actress in a drama: Maggie Smith, Downton Abbey
Outstanding writing for a drama series: Alex Gansa, Howard Gordon, Gideon Raff, Homeland
Outstanding supporting actor in a drama series: Aaron Paul, Breaking Bad
Outstanding host for a reality show: Tom Bergeron, Dancing with the Stars
Outstanding reality-competition program: The Amazing Race
Outstanding lead actress in a comedy series: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Veep
Outstanding lead actor in a comedy series: Jon Cryer, Two and a Half Men
Outstanding directing in a comedy series: Steve Levitan, Modern Family
Outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series: Julie Bowen, Modern Family
Outstanding writing for a comedy series: Louis C.K., Louie
Outstanding supporting actor in a comedy series: Eric Stonestreet, Modern Family

Liebster Blog Awards

The Amateur Reviews blog nominated me and below are my 11 answers to their 11 questions.
The rules for the Liebster Blog Awards are:

1. Tell 11 things about yourself
2. Answer 11 questions the blogger who awarded you asked
3. Pass the award to 11 people
4. Give them 11 questions
5. Tell them about the award
6. Don't award people who are recipients already

The questions I received from Amateur Reviews and my answers:
1. Favourite James Bond and film?
Sean Connery is the best all time Bond without question. The best Bond film is 2006's Casino Royale because it completely reinvented the series for the 21st Century.

2. What film has the best sound track ever?
My favorite soundtrack is Good Will Hunting -- and this is a seriously tough question for me to answer because I love movie soundtracks.

3. If you could cast one leading lady and one leading man who would they be?
Tom Hanks and Keri Russell. Hanks was an instant answer though my leading lady took a little more thought.

4. Which is the film you secretly love, but feel you should hate?
The Wedding Date -- rom com drivel but for some reason I like it.

5. If you had the casting vote at the last Academy Awards, which film would you have win best picture?
This year if I was in the Academy, The Help would have won Best Picture. While I am at it, Demian Bichir would have won Best Actor for A Better Life.

6. Who would you chose to play you in a biopic of your life?
Alicia Silverstone.

7. What is your favourite movie scene of all time?
This is the question I struggled most with and really had to think about. I wanted it to be one that just came to me. This was the first one I thought of and I have decided on: the graveside scene in Steel Magnolias. It always makes me cry no matter how many times I have seen it and it ends in humor.

8. In your opinion, who is the most overrated director ever?
James Cameron. He makes Blockbusters, not amazing movies.

9. Harry Potter or Lord of The Rings?
Harry Potter.

10. If you could only ever watch comedies or action films for the rest of you life which would it be?
Comedies -- without a doubt.

11. What was the last movie that made you cry?
Hope Springs. I cry easy at the movies and that's ok.

I nominate:
http://200movies1woman.com/
http://nevertooearlymoviepredictions.blogspot.com/
http://www.themoviesnob.net/
http://thereelperspectives.wordpress.com/
http://whydidibuythismovie.blogspot.com/
http://shazahm.blogspot.com/
http://keepingplacewithkate.blogspot.com/

A couple are not movie specific bloggers but I want to see their answers!!

My 11 questions for my nominees:
1. What is your all time favorite movie quote?
2. If you could only watch one movie at home ever again, which one would you select?
3. What are your desert island top five movies?
4. Which movie in the last ten years is your favorite?
5. Which movie that was made before you were born is your favorite?
6. What actor or actress do you wish you were friends with because you just like them so much?
7. Who is in your top five?
8. What is your favorite movie adaptation of a book that you have read?
9. What movie has not yet been released but you can NOT wait to see?
10. What is your first recollection of going to the movie theater?
11. If you had a job in Hollywood, what would you want it to be?

11 movie thoughts from me:
1. Auntie Mame is my all time favorite movie.
2. Going to the movies is literally the best thing ever.
3. Oscar Season is like Christmas to me.
4. I have an embarrassing number of DVDs though I do not have blue ray or a flat screen tv.
5. I can watch When Harry Met Sally, Clueless, Steel Magnolias, and Field of Dreams over and over and over again.
6. This summer I have actually read more books than movies I have watched.
7. After the 2012 Oscars, I no longer subscribe to Entertainment Weekly but read online only.
8. People who say going to the movies is a bad date are silly. Going to the theater is never bad.
9. More theaters should serve beer. Regal and Cinemark really need to get on board.
10. I know everyone likes things like pizza and music but the way I love movies is truly a unique personality trait.
11. After this exercise, I am so glad I have plans to see two movies this holiday weekend!

Jimmy Fallon not to host 2013 Oscars

I have an intense love for Jimmy Fallon. Have since his SNL days. He survived the 2010 Conan/Leno debacle after beginning his role as host of NBC's Late Night March 2nd 2009 before Leno ousted Conan by January of 2010 (Coincidentally, Conan's last turn as host of the Tonight Show aired on my 29th birthday and still resides in my DVR). On the flipside, Fallon has amazing rapports with his competitors, Jimmy Kimmel, Craig Ferguson and Stephen Colbert. Fallon has truly come into his own as of late. He is a class act nice guy and at the same time an utter screwball who also does ads for Capital One and Maker's Mark. This year alone he had a special post Super Bowl episode of his show, he Slow Jammed the news with the President of the United States, he and his amazing house band the Roots released a comedy album of the show's best songs and had a primetime music special just before the London Olympics began. He is it! And I really could go on.

I have often said I want to see Fallon host the Oscars. He hosted the 2010 Emmys with acclaim and he is nominated this year for two Emmys for his Late Night show and his return appearance to SNL as host of the pre-Christmas show. He has the experience and the pop culture relevance to host a big show like the Oscars. So why did Fallon shut down rumors when Matt Lauer interviewed him in London this week? Well, it seems Mickey Mouse may be to blame. Seems that ABC, the network that airs the Academy Awards, unofficially of course, was none to thrilled to see Fallon of NBC host on their network. ABC's Jimmy Kimmel is already booked as host of the Emmys which airs Sunday September 23rd on ABC. When Lauer asked Fallon about hosting the Oscars, Jimmy's response was serious and nondescript. He simple said "It's an honor to be asked by the Academy, but it's not my year."

In addition to the ABC shutout stories, apparently the president of the Academy's term change played a role. Tom Sherak was reportedly negotiating with Fallon and for Lorne Michaels to produce the Oscar telecast. Michaels is of course SNL's famed creator and producer as well as producer to Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, Late Night with Conan O'Brien before it, and 30 Rock, Portlandia and Up All Night. Sherek commented today that the Academy's Board of Governors gave him the authority two months ago to find a producer for the 2013 show but he was not able to complete a deal before his term as president was up.

Main sources for info: LA Times article from 6 days ago that was updated today and the Today Show interview between Matt Lauer and Jimmy Fallon.

Madagascar 3

The third film in the Madagascar franchise was special to me for one big reason. It was the first movie that my best friend's three year old daughter attended in theaters. Since this child was a mere babe I have expressed how the first theater movie is a milestone that I must be present for. I was honored to be part of the event. And it was an event!

We watched the movie at good old Oak Grove 8 in Milwaukie. A place where Laura and I saw many a movie as kids. The original Star Wars on the big screen for the first time, Wedding Singer, Toy Story. My strongest memory at Oak Grove 8 is a post school one but it still makes me smile. My sister and I saw Anchorman there and I think we almost laughed the walls down during the fight scene. Saw Julia's first movie in that same theater. They have great rates and concession prices -- cash only, though their website does not specify payment type.

I do not know if it was seeing the movie through a child's eyes or just the fun and nostalgia of the activity but the movie was surprisingly funny and enjoyable. I had watched the first Madagascar (2005) movie at home but did not feel strongly one way or the other about it. I have not seen the sequel, Escape 2 Africa (2008) but this year's Europe's Most Wanted was very fun. I laughed out loud frequently. I now understand why I kept seeing Ben Stiller and Chris Rock on the talk show circuit, with good reason.

Next up, Ted and Magic Mike. Slowly but surely catching up on my summer movies.

Peace, Love and Misunderstanding

This is the first time that I have watched a same day as theaters IFC film onDemand. It was a fun experience. Not the best movie but I am glad I took a chance on the feature.

Catherine Keener's husband, Kyle McLachlan, asks his lawyer wife for a divorce in the opening scene of the film. Diane, Keener's character, takes her children, played by Elizabeth Olsen and Nat Wolffe, to her mother's. Her mother Diane is portrayed by the lifeforce that is Jane Fonda. Fonda's character is the hippie of all hippies. They say Dylan had a thing for her.

Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Chace Crawford, Roxana Arquette, Maddie Corman and Katharine McFee round out a solid supporting cast.

I could not help but think, this is a weak stab at the next version of On Golden Pond. Now Jane Fonda is the grandparent. And in the first eight minutes, there is a that's what she said joke. Not a noteworthy movie but fun to play with the onDemand option and watch something that would usually require a visit to Fox Tower or a wait for DVD.