2009 Golden Globes

Hey y'all! It's that time of year again. Welcome to award season, everyone! Oh, how I have missed the glitz, the glamour, the dresses! I've been hitting the movies hardcore lately trying to catch up before the award shows, and I've made a pretty good dent in my list. Though I have to say, get there early or you'll be stuck with a front row seat. I was a bit appalled at the chaos that ensues when someone sits that close to the screen: make outs, nose picking, climbing seats... It's as if sitting that close drives people mad. I don't recommend it. Very distracting/slightly more entertaining than the movie.

As I'm sure you all know, the 2009 Golden Globes are TONIGHT at 8pm! Woohoo! The preshow starts at 6pm on E! and I'm so excited for my friends to come over to help me judge the dresses. Plus, I always love to see what a fool Guiliana Rancic makes of herself. Her teeth are about as blinding as Audrina Patridge's. And we all know the E! crew is installing Ryan Seacrest's step stool as we speak to make him look remotely close in height to Tom Cruise. I wish Joel McHale could host these things - he'd be much more entertaining! McHale for The Academy Awards!

The Golden Globes include both film and television. It's the elite award for television, and the Emmy equivalent for film. Here are some of my thoughts on the nominees:

Best Motion Picture - Drama:
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Frost/Nixon
The Reader
Revolutionary Road
Slumdog Millionaire

For this category, I'm going to side with every person in Hollywood and say Slumdog Millionaire should win - hands down. It's been deemed "The Little Movie That Could." I went to see this movie opening night and it was sold out, due to the buzz it had already created. I knew nothing about it, which is really the best way to experience a movie. It is absolutely magnificent. It has all the elements that make a good film - drama, comedy, romance, suspense, violence. But none of it ever feels forced. You really feel for the young boy and girl in the film and want them to escape the slums they were born into. You want the boy to legitimately win Who Wants to be a Millionaire?, instead of cheating the system. You are on the edge of your seat for most of the film, and leave with an overwhelming good feeling despite the rough content. The visuals are fantastic, thanks to director Danny Boyle of Trainspotting fame. If you haven't seen it, make sure to stick around for the Bollywood dancing scene in the credits. It's really cool to watch and reconfirms that warmth of the film. Final Answer - Slumdog Millionaire takes home The Globe!

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama:
Anne Hathaway - Rachel Getting Married
Angelina Jolie - The Changeling
Meryl Streep - Doubt
Kristin Scott Thomas - I've Loved You So Long
Kate Winslet - Revolutionary Road

Hmm... Well, we may already have an answer to who wins this category. The New York Times posted that The Golden Globes had announced Anne Hathaway as the winner earlier this week on their website, then retracted their statement. So I guess it's no surprise if Anne wins tonight. The media has been pushing this as her standout performance for months, so her win wouldn't have been a surprise anyway.

OK, let's discuss Rachel Getting Married for a moment. Umm, if I'm paying $12 to see a movie, I expect it to be well worth that ridiculously extravagant price. This movie is like 40 minutes of plot, and 60 minutes of people gyrating across the screen. Seriously. The story revolves around Rachel getting married (obvi) and her sister Kym coming home for the celebration. Kym is, for lack of a better term, a hot mess. Alcohol addiction, rehab, and sexual promiscuity are just the beginning of her list of problems. She's doing everything she can to push away her family. Anne Hathaway really did do a fantastic job of playing the extremely damaged Kym, but the stand out performance for me was Rosemarie DeWitt as Rachel. She has been overlooked by the critics, but she really shows her depth as an actress by constantly switching between hatred and love for her sister. She epitomized how one feels when dealing with a loved one's problem with addiction. However, the father is a bit, um, fruity and I kept waiting for this subplot to begin where he comes out of the closet, but that never happened. I'm still waiting for the sequel. So all of this is happening, and intermixed is scenes of some band playing music and then the entire wedding consists of people dancing around in Indian saris. About an hour of the film has no dialogue, just the wedding guests shaking their groove things in our faces. I don't understand what on earth this has to do with the plot or why it is necessary. I think I am owed at least $6 for having to endure that portion of the film.

Angelina Jolie could win for The Changeling. I'm a little surprised that this is the only thing related to Clint Eastwood that is nominated (he also starred in and directed Gran Torino) because he has been taking home all of the awards in recent years. Angelina did an excellent job in the film, and it's based on a true story. I was a little shocked at her character Christine Collins, whose son goes missing back in 1928, because she seemed remarkably calm through most of the film. In one scene, she lashes out screaming and crying, but other than that, she seems pretty even keel. She did a great job, but if you've just lost your son, I feel like you'd shed more than a few tears.

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama:
Leonardo Dicaprio - Revolutionary Road
Frank Langella - Frost/Nixon
Sean Penn - Milk
Brad Pitt - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Mickey Rourke - The Wrestler

Unfortunately, the only one of these movies I've seen in Benjamin Button, so I won't be able to give a sound opinion on who should win. Mickey Rourke is the critics' choice for The Wrestler, finally winning over audiences again instead of people being mesmerized by his plastic surgery. Sean Penn, always the critics' darling, could also take home the award. I'm dying to see Milk and I hear it is a fantastic film. Brad Pitt did a good job in Button, but I don't know if it was Best Actor worthy.

Frank Langella won the Tony for Frost/Nixon. He's my pick to win. I saw Frost/Nixon during it's last week on Broadway, and I was the only person under 60 there. No joke. I'm not a history buff, and the only reason I went is because my father wanted me to. I didn't think I would enjoy it at all. However, I was mistaken. Both Frank Langella and Michael Sheen did an excellent job of portraying David Frost and Richard Nixon. With just two chairs on stage and no props, they were able to create such tension and suspense that I felt I was watching the original broadcast. I want to see the film to see how it differs from the play and if it is able to recreate the same powerful feeling on screen as it did on stage. I've heard good things and I would love it if Langella could take home the gold.

Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy:
Burn After Reading
Happy-Go-Lucky
In Bruges
Mamma Mia!
Vicky Cristina Barcelona

This one is tough. I love ABBA songs, but when I saw Mamma Mia! on Broadway, I couldn't stand the actress that played the main character, Sophie, and it sort of left me with a sour feeling. Amanda Seyfried played Sophie in the film version though, and I much preferred her performance. It was a good family-fun film and I definitely understand it's popularity, but winner of Best Motion Picture? I don't think so...

I haven't seen Happy-G0-Lucky or In Bruges, so I have no opinion on these. Burn After Reading was enjoyable and definitely has potential to win. It's a dark comedy that mocks our government and the lengths it will go to to cover up their shenanigans. The fact that it dares to challenge the government and that it's helmed by the Coen Brothers almost makes it a sure winner. I recommend everyone see it, but not everyone will love it. I also enjoyed Vicky Cristina Barcelona, and if anything, it made me want to get on a plane instantly and start traveling across Europe. It also has potential to win due to it being a Woody Allen film. I was taken aback at first because of the unexpected narration, but I was drawn into the stories of two young women feeling unsatisfied with their lives and needing some European adventures to spice things up. I wasn't mesmerized enough to say it's Best Motion Picture, but I'm glad it was nominated.

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy:
Rebecca Hall - Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Sally Hawkins - Happy-G0-Lucky
Frances McDormand - Burn After Reading
Meryl Streep - Mamma Mia!
Emma Thompson - Last Chance Harvey

As above, this is a toughie. I'm not drawn to any of these performances as standouts. Rebecca Hall should definitely be recognized as an up-and-coming new star who I hope to see a lot more of in the next few years. She's got about five films in the works, so she's someone we should keep an eye on. I adore Frances McDormand, but I'm not sure if her performance in Burn After Reading was her best work. Meryl Streep made a pretty good effort at starring in a musical, but I don't think singing "Dancing Queen" is enough to help her take home the gold.

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy:
Javier Bardem - Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Colin Farrell - In Bruges
James Franco - Pineapple Express
Brendan Gleeson - In Bruges
Dustin Hoffman - Last Chance Harvey

I know Pineapple Express was just another Judd Apatow comedy, but I thought it was absolutely hilarious. James Franco was amazing! He normally plays in dramatic roles, and he hasn't really touched comedy since "Freaks and Geeks" (also Apatow) years ago. He really embodied the drug dealer role and showed his comedic chops might even be better than his tendency towards the dramatic. I definitely pick him to win, though I know most people don't think it's worthy of a Globe due to it being just another slapstick comedy.

Although, I wouldn't be disappointed if Javier Bardem won. After No Country for Old Men, I didn't think I would ever be able to watch him again because he scared the absolute piss out of me. But he was fascinating in his Vicky Cristina Barcelona role, and I completely understood how he could woo three women at once. He redeemed himself in my book by portraying someone much softer than his No Country character.

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture:
Amy Adams - Doubt
Penelope Cruz - Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Viola Davis - Doubt
Marisa Tomei - The Wrestler
Kate Winslet - The Reader

This category is a toss up. I'm not a fan of Penelope Cruz, but I definitely agree with critics that she gave a knockout performance in Vicky Cristina Barcelona. She was the driving force in that film. Though it could go to either Marisa Tomei or Kate Winslet. Winslet always wins over the critics, but doesn't always take home the awards.

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture:
Tom Cruise - Tropic Thunder
Robert Downey, Jr. - Tropic Thunder
Ralph Fiennes - The Duchess
Philip Seymour Hoffman - Doubt
Heath Ledger - The Dark Knight

Forgive me for saying this, but I think I am the only person who did not enjoy Tropic Thunder. I just didn't think it was that funny after all of it's hype. I kept waiting for Tom Cruise to blow me away as so many people said he would, but he only disappointed me as usual (you know what I'm talking about, Katie). I tried to not let my hatred for that little man get in the way, but he just wasn't funny. If dancing around in a fat suit is the epitome of funny, then Eddie Murphy should win greatest performance of all time for Norbit. Robert Downey, Jr. was the only shining part of the film, and he was the only thing that made me laugh the entire time.

Although, I think we all expect the award to go to Heath Ledger. He really spooked me as The Joker and definitely lived up to his hype. I have a feeling he will win, and not just because his untimely death might tug at the heartstrings of some. Heath deserves the award, no questions asked.

Best Television Series - Drama:
Dexter
House
In Treatment
Mad Men
True Blood

OMG - I love Dexter! This show gets better and better every season. I always vote for it to win, and it never does. I beg people to watch this show, but I don't think I've influenced too many people. Oh, how I wish Dexter could take home the gold. But Mad Men is all the rage these days, and I'm 90% sure it will win. Tear. I'm a little sad that Lost isn't nominated for anything - get ready for The Oceanic Six back on your TV January 21! Can't wait!!!

And though I don't think it should win, I highly recommend True Blood. Alan Ball is one of my favorite writers, but I was like vampires? Really? I just haven't been able to jump on this Twilight bandwagon like everybody else. But I decided to give it a chance recently and, excuse the pun, was sucked in immediately. I watched all 12 episodes in a matter of days... I had very little to do. The accents are horrific and the stories can be a little cheesy at times, but somehow it managed to keep me coming back for more. I've never been able to get into the fantasy genre, but this took me back to my Buffy days. I can't wait for the second season to find out just what happened to Lafayette...

Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Drama:
Sally Field - Brothers & Sisters
Mariska Hargitay - Law & Order
January Jones - Mad Men
Anna Paquin - True Blood
Kyra Sedgwick - The Closer

How do I hate Brothers & Sisters? Let me count the ways. Calista Flockhart pains me to look at. Rob Lowe and Rachel Griffiths are being wasted on this show when they could best be used somewhere else. And Sally Field gets nominated every year. I hate it. I really, really hate it.

Though their Southern accents are horrendous, I enjoy both Anna Paquin and Kyra Sedgwick in their roles. Mariska Hargitay usually takes home the award, but I think January Jones stands a pretty good chance due to Mad Men being a critic favorite.

Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Drama:
Gabriel Byrne - In Treatment
Michael C. Hall - Dexter
Jon Hamm - Mad Men
Hugh Laurie - House
Jonathan Rhys Meyers - The Tudors

I'm sure you all know I'm going to say Michael C. Hall. Love that guy! And he has a lot to celebrate even if he doesn't win. He just married his costar, Jennifer Carpenter, who plays his sister on the show. Kinda gross if you think about it, but they do seem cute together. The two eloped on New Year's Eve and tonight will be their first public appearance together.

Every person nominated in this category is pretty worthy of the win. Jon Hamm has been everyone's favorite this year, especially women, so he's my bet to win. I just hope Jonathan Rhys Meyers doesn't win because he terrifies me. Seriously - sends chills down my spine when he looks in the camera.

Best Television Series - Musical or Comedy:
30 Rock
Californication
Entourage
The Office
Weeds

I hate to say this, but I'm kinda over The Office. What?! The horror! I know. I spent the first few years hoping for nothing but Jim and Pam to get together, but now that they're together, I really don't like their storyline. Everything seems a little forced these days and Michael's nonsense gets more and more out there. Don't get me wrong - I still watch and I still laugh. I just miss the anticipation of yesteryear. Now the biggest disappointment to me this year is most definitely Weeds. What used to be one of the most outrageous yet emotionally realistic shows has turned into a campy nightmare. Nancy and the crew are on the run and trafficking Mexicans in some border town - and where's Conrad?! I miss him! None of it fits Nancy, whose attempt to salvage her previous middle class life by selling drugs didn't seem like too far of a stretch. Now I barely recognize her due to her antics. Disappointing, to say the least.

30 Rock deserves the award and will most likely take it home. I can't imagine any of these other shows winning. The show is nonsensical, but it all makes sense in a weird way. I could do with a few less cameos (I'm talking about you, Jennifer Aniston), but otherwise, it's one of my favorite shows on television.

Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy:
Christina Applegate - Samantha Who?
America Ferrera - Ugly Betty
Tina Fey - 30 Rock
Debra Messing - The Starter Wife
Mary-Louise Parker - Weeds

Normally I vote for Mary-Louise Parker, but as you read above, definitely not this year! I'm not even sure why she's nominated. And I know I'm not the only person upset with the direction Weeds is going in. I love Christina Applegate as Samantha Who?, but the stand out star to me on that show is Jennifer Esposito as drunken, gold-digging Andrea. She makes me laugh every time. However, we all know the award is going to Tina Fey. Don't confuse Liz Lemon with Sarah Palin, but both are tragic, yet hilarious hot messes in their own ways. Both comedy gold.

Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy:
Alec Baldwin - 30 Rock
Steve Carell - The Office
Kevin Connolly - Entourage
David Duchovny - Californication
Tony Shaloub - Monk

I don't think any votes will go to anyone but Alec Baldwin. He is my favorite character on 30 Rock besides Kenneth the Page. Baldwin might be crazy in real life, but he fuels that crazy into comedy with Jack Donaghy. While Carell and Shaloub might win over a few people, the award should most definitely go to Alec Baldwin.

Damn, there are a lot of categories for The Golden Globes. I'm exhausted after using my brain that much on a Sunday. Get pumped for the speeches and the fashion, people! I'll be glued to the TV starting at 6pm today and hoping Seacrest says something stupid upon his pedestal. I hope everyone enjoys and I can't wait to see who wins!

And the Oscar goes to...

The most important night of the year is finally here, ladies and gents. And I have dragged myself out of my black hole of blogdom to share with you devoted Pop Guru fans my picks for the Oscar winners. You didn't think I was going to let this event go by and not give you my two cents? Please, the Guru wouldn't do you like that! I just finished watching Michael Clayton to fulfill my third year of seeing each film nominated for Best Picture. I love this night! The dresses, the jewelry, the awards, the celebs, the speeches. Only a few speeches have ever brought me to tears over the past 24 years. I wonder if anyone will move me so much tonight. Never fear though... My Oscar speech has been prepared since I was eight years old. One day you will finally get to hear it.

Ok people, you know the drill. I'll give you the rundown of who I think should win, the Guru's Pick if you will, and then I will give you who I believe will actually win. I can't really control who The Academy chooses to be the winner, but I can sure as hell try!

Best Actress in a Supporting Role:
Cate Blanchett, I'm Not There
Ruby Dee, American Gangster
Saoirse Ronan, Atonement
Amy Ryan, Gone Baby Gone
Tilda Swinton, Michael Clayton

Guru's Pick: I'm pretty ambivalent about the nominees in this category this year. Unpronouncable First Name Ronan did a really good job in Atonement, and how they found someone to look exactly like her when she grew up is still beyond me. Cate Blanchett is The Academy's absolute favorite and can really do no wrong as far as they are concerned. I feel she will most likely win. I haven't seen I'm Not There because I don't give a shit about Bob Dylan and how can a young black boy be him? I just don't get it. Someone did some serious drugs when they dreamed up that shit. But I hear she did a good job and I don't doubt it. But do I think she should win? I don't know...

Academy's Pick: Probably Cate. But I gotta say I hear Amy Ryan did a phenomonal job in Gone Baby Gone and I can't wait to see it. I've been filling every free minute I had this past week seeing all the movies I hadn't seen in anticipation for the big event tonight, so this one slipped through the cracks. Oh, and quick story about my movie adventures this week. I went immediately after work on Tuesday to see There Will Be Blood because that was the only night I was going to have three free hours to sit in the movie theater. Damn, that was a long movie. They could have shaved at least thirty minutes off that easily. But I digress. As I entered the theater, I saw a pathetic setup for the premiere of that A Raisin in the Sun movie for ABC starring Claire Huxtable and Puff Daddy (or whatever he calls himself these days. I prefer my dad's name for him... Piddy). I went about my merry way and sat for a very long three hours in the dark watching a very depressing There Will Be Blood. As I emerged from the theater, I immediately ran for the bathroom because I had a giant Coke and had to use the restroom like one hour in. And I NEVER get up to go to the bathroom during a movie. Especially an Oscar nominated film. Please. Anywho, I left the bathroom and saw this African American fellow chatting on his cell phone. I think for an instant, "Hey, I know that guy," and I raise my hand slightly as if to wave at my friend. Simultaneously, a rather large African American man got extremely defensive and walked towards me hurriedly as if ready to pounce. Only then did I realize I was attempting to say hello to Piddy and in return, get my ass beat. I just laughed in the bodyguard's face and chuckled all the way home. Good times...

Best Actor in a Supporting Role:
Casey Affleck, The Assasanation of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (OMG, I need to sit down after trying to remember all the words in that title. Who am I trying to kid? I am, of course, sitting down.)
Javier Bardem, No Country for Old Men
Philip Seymour Hoffman, Charlie Wilson's War
Hal Holbrook, Into the Wild
Tom Wilkinson, Michael Clayton

Guru's Pick: This is the easiest decision I will make regarding tonight's awards. I have never been so terrified of a human being as I was of Javier Bardem in No Country for Old Men. One look from him and I was chilled down to my very spine. He is by far the scariest mofo that has ever lived and I will wet my pants if I ever encounter him. No lie. I mean I will be completely unable to control my bladder if I ever catch a glimpse of Javier Bardem. He completely transformed himself into a vicious killer fueled only by a love for money with a strange moralistic way of upholding his promises... Although they were deadly promises. Javier terrified me to my very core. So much so that I was constantly checking out the back window of the cab on the way home in fear I was going to get shot in the back of the head. Trust me, after seeing this movie you'd get that same feeling, too.

Academy's Pick: They are fools, fools I tell you, if they have the audacity to pick anyone but Javier. He deserves this award more than anyone else in this category. However, I have heard rumblings that Hal Holbrook might take home the naked gold man for his role in Into the Wild. I have no idea if he did well in that movie, but I have such fond memories of him growing up when he was Julia Sugerbaker's love Reese Watson on "Designing Women". For this, I'm at least glad he is nominated. Bravo, Hal. But the Oscar still goes to Javier.

Best Actress in a Leading Role:
Cate Blanchett, Elizabeth: The Golden Age
Julie Christie, Away From Her
Marion Cotillard, La Vie en Rose
Laura Linney, The Savages
Ellen Page, Juno

Guru's Pick:
I pick Julie Christie. I have not seen Away From Her, but I hear she did a phenomenal job. The film is about a lady who gets Alsheimers and her husband puts her in a nursing home, and she falls in love with another man and her husband can do nothing about it because she is sick and has no idea he exists. Tragic. Very sad. I want to see this movie so bad, but I feel like it will easily make me cry so I have yet to break down and press play. So congrats, Julie. I think you should win.

Academy's Pick: Hell if I know. I mean come on guys, Cate Blanchett... again... for the sequel to Elizabeth? How many movies can we have about that f-ing queen? Why was she so great anyway? Cate could basically film herself going to the bathroom and she would get nominated. Expect that out Summer 2009. Cate Blanchett stars in Number One. Marion Cotillard has become somewhat of Hollywood's newest sweetheart, so she has a fighting chance. Ellen Page is, of course, nominated. I loved Juno, I did. But I just don't know if I feel anything about it should be nominated except for Best Original Screenplay. I really love Laura Linney, but I doubt she will take home the gold. We shall see tonight...

Best Actor in a Leading Role:
George Clooney, Michael Clayton
Daniel Day-Lewis, There Will Be Blood
Johnny Depp, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Tommy Lee Jones, In the Valley of Elah
Viggo Mortensen, Eastern Promises

Guru's Pick: Daniel Day-Lewis. He's been in like seven movies and won awards for every one. He's the modern day King Midas. Whatever he touches turns to gold. I wish I could say Viggo Mortensen because DAMN, he's hot! But that's just not gonna happen. George Clooney did well in Michael Clayton, but he's done that brooding thing too much recently. I mean, Syriana? What the F was that about? Never been more confused in my life. Johnny Depp - no way I was going to pay $12 to see that movie. Call me when it's on DVD.

Academy's Pick: Daniel Day-Lewis. Cate Blanchett and Daniel are the Oscar Dream Team. He plays a psycho well and did a fab job in There Will Be Blood. And who else could start a craze over a quote as stupid as "I drink your milkshake!"? His character was a very cold man obsessed with power and money and wouldn't let anything, even his son, come between him and his oil. Daniel took the man from his most powerful days to his hermit Howard Hughes-like old age and turned him very convincingly into a psycho - yet, is he psycho? These are questions that only Daniel Day-Lewis himself is capable of creating.

And finally, the Oscar goes to...

Best Picture:
Atonement
Juno
Michael Clayton
No Country for Old Men
There Will Be Blood

Guru's Pick: As I said earlier, I have yet again acheived my sad little goal of seeing each film nominated for Best Picture. How else will I be able to make this very important executive decision that so many people rely on? And after much deliberation, I have decided the award should go to........ No Country for Old Men. I loved it! Although I spent much of the movie covering my face with my jacket, I was in awe of how a movie without any music whatsoever could send me into such a state of anticipation. The suspense is unreal. When is Javier going to show up? Who is going to get shot next? Is someone standing around the corner waiting to shoot me with some weird oxygen tank gun thing? OMG - what is about to happen next? That is how I felt the whole movie. And then, it ended. And I was all, what the F? What just happened? It kept me thinking for days. I love thinker films - and hate them at the same time. But a movie that can force me to actually use my brain - well, that's nothing short of a miracle and definitely worthy of the Best Picture Oscar.

Academy's Pick: This will be a duel to the finish between No Country for Old Men and There Will Be Blood. It all comes down to this, folks. Both are good films, but I felt that No Country for Old Men was definitely the better picture. I wouldn't have made any adjustments to that film at all, yet There Will Be Blood could have definitely been shorter. I'm not complaining about the three hours. I've seen Braveheart more times than I can count and happily sit through three hours of blood and gore with no issues. But There Will Be Blood could have gotten the point across in two and half hours at least. I'm just saying, this small difference is the deciding factor for me. No Country for Old Men deserves that Oscar - you hear me, Academy?

Well, I hope you all enjoyed that. Look forward to Pop Guru's Fashion Coverage some time tomorrow! You better watch tonight! And think about me up on that stage one day...