Awards Profile: The Simpsons Movie

I won't really go into much detail, considering this film's limited Oscar chances, but I can tell you that it will most certainly be nominated for Best Animated Feature (and hopefully win). It was expectedly funny and never dragged. It featured an abundance of jokes one would imagine the people behind the TV show would produce. Tom Hanks has a brief moment in the middle of the film too. Political jokes were everywhere and some very subtle sexual humor would amuse only the quick of mind. For example, the relationship between Flanders and Bart is somewhat pedophilic and I was half-expecting Chris Hansen to burst into one of the scenes. Homer almost dabbled in beastiality with Spider Pig/Harry Plopper. The only negative part about the film was the fact that Mr. Burns and Smithers, two of the most popular characters, were reduced to cameos totaling less than a minute in screentime.

Next: The Bourne Ultimatum

"Border Man" Scores 8 Nominations!!

Thanks to everyone who voted for "Border Man" and "Other World" in the Bait an Oscar Contest. This has been the best month since last year! I can't wait for the winners to be announced on Tuesday. Johnny said when he announced the nominees that there will be many surprises still to come. If the snubs of Barry Pepper and "Batman: Scars of Tomorrow" for Awards campaign are just a taste of the shock of this month, then I'm really looking forward to the winners.

Unfortunately, I don't have enough time to give some full predictions because I just cannot get any down time amongst my job and my softball team and other social activities.

For next month I will be submitting "Everyday" and "Bat Out Of Hell" and, if we can use two baits for September, I'll be using "The Second Coming" and a new Nancy Meyers bait called "The Lucky Long Island Sisters". Speaking of next month, has anybody started anything with the tournament. There usually is a plan by now.

Reactions to SAGs and GGs

First off let me say thanks to everyone who voted for Maribel Verdu to win Best Supporting Actress at the Golden Globes. Now, are my reactions:

Golden Globes
Best Picture (Drama)
The Valley of Ashes- while I completely disagree with the strength in this bait, it doesn't surprise. I think that "Into Thin Air" is probably going to be the one left out of the BP lineup, having been replaced by "A New Agenda". Although, don't be surprised if "The Banality Of Evil" is absent.

Best Actor (Drama)
Barry Pepper-The Valley of Ashes- Again, nothing surprising. And again, I feel it is undeserved. But he will be nominated along with the rest of the guys, minus Crudup and maybe Cage. I just don't think Cage has enough buzz to get nominated.

Best Actress (Drama)
Susan Sarandon-Dear, Mr. President- Okay choice. I personally thought Binoche should've won but oh well. I only think Sarandon, Binoche and Williams have shots at nominations. All the kids will get shutout but don't be surprised if only one of these women in this category get a nom.

Best Picture (Musical/Comedy)
A New Agenda- Not surprising and very deserving. It is a great bait and is "The Valley of Ashes" strongest competitor. "Rehab!" is the only other possible nomination and I hope it gets it.

Best Actor (Musical/Comedy)
George Clooney-Eleven Weeks to Steal November- This was a shock. I thought Carl Reiner had this in the bag, but he will still get nominated with his bait. Unfortunately I doubt Clooney has a chance.

Best Actress (Musical/Comedy)
Michelle Pfieffer-Divine Poker- Another surprise but I doubt she'll get nominated. Expect Lindsay and the "Good Morning" gals to get in, with one of them winning.

Best Supporting Actor
Al Pacino-A New Agenda- Well deserved and a lock for a nom. Oldman is in the wrong category. Bridges and Hernandez are probably in and expect Del Toro to replace Fiennes for the "Batman" nod.

Best Supporting Actress
Maribel Verdu-Border Man- Yet another surprise, although I still think Chenoweth will win the Oscar. I think all five nominees are in this category. The question is who is going to get kicked.

Best Director
Roman Polanski-The Valley of Ashes- Okay, I get it. People like the bait. All 5 nominees are probably in this one too.

Best Screenplay
A New Agenda- Deserved. The rest will probably all get in too.

SAGs
Best Ensemble
A New Agenda- Surprised "The Valley of Ashes" didn't win this one. Haha. Nothing that shocking.

Best Actor
Barry Pepper-The Valley of Ashes- I already said all I needed to say.

Best Actress
Susan Sarandon-Dear, Mr. President- This too.

Best Supporting Actor
Gary Oldman-The Banality of Evil- I'm glad he won but should be lead. This is the category where there will be a surprise.

Best Supporting Actress
Kristin Chenoweth-Good Morning, Ladies- Way to go!

Awards Profile: Hairspray

I really can't say anything bad about this movie. It was great, no not great, amazing. It was everything I expected it to be and more! This is now the frontrunner for Best Picture (Musical/Comedy) and could even be a strong contender for the big prize. Most of the credit goes to Director/Choreographer Adam Shankman, who the directed the very underrated "Bringing Down The House" in 2003. It must be something about film musical where the director and choreographer are the same person, I mean, look at "Chicago" and "West Side Story". I guess the director can really feel the passion of the story through his own fancy footwork. He was even able to squeeze in little bits of outrageous humor, especially in "I Can Hear The Bells", which gave me the most laughs I've had at a movie in a long time.

Nikki Blonsky does very well as the main character and proves that it doesn't take a seasoned actor to make the role her own. But the real spark comes from the supporting cast. I expected Michelle Pfieffer to be better but she really didn't have a whole lot of screentime, but what she was in was pretty good. James Marsden surprised me with his very corny Corny Collins. Being able to see right through his fake smile really brings out his talents. Elijah Kelley is going to be the male breakout star of the year. Queen Latifah shows that she still does her best work in musicals with a very inspiring solo moment. It is a song to get her a nomination. But as I expected, John Travolta stood out the most. His turn as Edna Turnblad deserves to be nominated for Best Supporting Actor. His voice isn't much but his dancework is exceptional. And his hilarious accent really brings the viewer into the nonsense that is his character. Everytime he would talk, hell everytime he did anything, the theater would just start laughing.

Expect this film to do well at the GGs and garner many tech noms at the Oscars, and hopefully, some big 8 attention for Shankman, Travolta, and Latifah. Best Original Song too.

Next: The Simpsons Movie

My Current Emmy Predictions

Best Series (Drama)
Boston Legal
Grey’s Anatomy
Heroes
House
**The Sopranos**

This is the worst line-up for this category ever! The closest thing it comes to greatness in "Sopranos" so it will win and deservedly should win. I have this sneaking suspicion that some of Tony's men managed to "convince" the Academy voters that it's only competition ("Lost" and "FNL") weren't...kosher.

Best Series (Comedy)
30 Rock
Entourage
**The Office**
Two and a Half Men
Ugly Betty

This category is the only one I predicted 5/5! But it's not that easy to call. But I think "The Office" can pull off a 2nd win if they choose some of the best episodes, but "30 Rock" could sneak up from behind and pull off a "Arrested Development" victory. I've never watched "Ugly Betty" so I really can only judge it on the buzz I hear, which is good but not great. I think it might be too flamboyant for the Emmy voters to accept, and like a former winner in this category once said: "not that there's anything wrong with that."

Best Actor (Drama)
**James Gandolfini-The Sopranos**
Hugh Laurie-House
Denis Leary-Rescue Me
James Spader-Boston Legal
Kiefer Sutherland-24

I really wanted to see Matthew Fox in the line-up. He was so good in the finale and if he would've just submitted that instead of the season premiere, he probably would've made it. Kiefer has become a default nominee, but he was the best part of the show this season and was really good in the beginning like when he had to kill Curtis. Leary lost his chance last year. James Spader is good in "Boston Legal" but that good? I think not. So that leaves us with Laurie and Gandolfini and because this is "The Sopranos" swan song, they will probably will reward the latter. Laurie can win next year. Plus, Gandolfini's performance in "The Second Coming" was pretty effing good.

Best Actor (Comedy)
**Alec Baldwin-30 Rock**
Steve Carell-The Office
Ricky Gervais-Extras
Tony Shalhoub-Monk
Charlie Sheen-Two and a Half Men

If Tony Shalhoub wins again, I will be extremely pissed. His constant winning in this category has begun to make me hate him as a person. Thankfully, he's not really buzzed but that didn't stop him last year. Sheen has no buzz and is somewhat made a mockerie of. Gervais is probably the most deserving of the group but I don't think he stands a chance against the star power of the remaining two. Carell should've won last year and he might get it this year but I personally believe that Baldwin is more deserving. If he switches his submission to "Jack-Tor", he will win but if he doesn't then expect Carell to win.

Best Actress (Drama)
Patricia Arquette-Medium
Minnie Driver-The Riches
Edie Falco-The Sopranos
Sally Field-Brothers & Sisters
Mariska Hargitay-Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
**Kyra Sedgwick-The Closer**

I really can't say much about this category because I only watch one of the shows. Having said that, Falco does not deserve to win, that was last year. Hargitay won last year but she faces the same problem as Sutherland (an overdue actor who finally won, now we move on). Driver has almost no buzz. I think a lot of people will be rooting for Field because she is so well known. Arquette supposedly has a knockout submission but Sedgwick is supposedly better. I'll go with Sedgwick for now, but don't be surprised if I switch to Arquette, I mean she won 2 years ago.

Best Actress (Comedy)
**America Ferrera-Ugly Betty**
Tina Fey-30 Rock
Felicity Huffman-Desperate Housewives
Julia Louis-Dreyfus-The New Adventures Of Old Christine
Mary-Louise Parker-Weeds

Julia ("Stella!!!!!) Louis-Dreyfus won last year but doesn't have a good submission this year, neither does Parker, who could've won if she was nommed last year. I don't think Fey is respected enough as an actress to win. Huffman is the most praised of the "Housewives" but she also falls plague to the fact that she submitted a more dramatic episode, contradictory to the category. America Ferrera has won the GG and the SAG and a whole bunch of critic's awards. This is the easiest race to call.

Best Supporting Actor (Drama)
Michael Emerson-Lost
**Michael Imperioli-The Sopranos**
T.R. Knight-Grey’s Anatomy
Masi Oka-Heroes
Terry O’Quinn-Lost
William Shatner-Boston Legal

This is my favorite category in the Emmys and Oscars and it happens to be this year's most satisfying. Supporting Actor for Drama was the only one they got right! The Shat will probably always get nominated for this show because he is William Shatner and, like Alec Baldwin, people just love him. But he won't win. Masi Oka was definately the best thing about "Heroes" but I can't help but feel he his just comic relief. Knight went through a very rough year in the press but had his best season yet. "Six Days" is very moving and could give the man a surprise win if people fall for his despair. Emerson and O'Quinn from "Lost" are both very deserving but I feel they will split votes from each other because they share almost every powerful moment, but if one were to win I would have to say Emerson because he could leech off of O'Quinn's submission like Huffman did two years ago. That leaves Imperioli, who will win because of vote splitting and an absolutely tragic scene in the end of his submission (I mentioned it before but it's when he shot Tim Daly).

Best Supporting Actor (Comedy)
Jon Cryer-Two and a Half Men
Kevin Dillon-Entourage
Neil Patrick Harris-How I Met Your Mother
Jeremy Piven-Entourage
**Rainn Wilson-The Office**

Good nominees as well. Cryer and Harris are out because they are from CBS comedies and they are not "Everybody Loves Raymond". Dillon and Piven are fighting for the "Entourage" spot, but Piven had "Manic Monday", almost as good as the episode he won for last year ('Exodus"). Dillon could pull off a sympathy win but I feel only regular viewers of the show will feel the emotion. Rainn Wilson is one of the funniest parts of the show and he had several very good episodes this year. "The Coup" is his goose with a golden egg.

Best Supporting Actress (Drama)
**Lorraine Bracco-The Sopranos**
Rachel Griffiths-Brothers & Sisters
Katherine Heigl-Grey’s Anatomy
Sandra Oh-Grey’s Anatomy
Aida Turturro-The Sopranos
Chandra Wilson-Grey’s Anatomy

And the winner is...Elizabeth Mitchell! I wish. Griffiths lacks the buzz and probably only got in on old "Six Feet Under" love. Heigl and Turturro are the weakest nominees of their respective shows, but Tuturro had "Soprano Home Movies". Wilson only really had one good thing to do this year, but that was the writer's fault, although she is very well liked. That leaves Oh and Bracco. The fact that Bracco even got nominated is something to talk about seeing as the last three seasons have considerably destroyed her character. I think Emmy voters will remember her rape episode from 2000 and finally give it to her. But Oh did get left at the alter. Hmmm.

Best Supporting Actress (Comedy)
Conchata Ferrell-Two and a Half Men
**Jenna Fischer-The Office**
Elizabeth Perkins-Weeds
Jaime Pressly-My Name Is Earl
Holland Taylor-Two and a Half Men
Vanessa Williams-Ugly Betty

Ferrell and Taylor are out. Perkins has positively no buzz. Pressly doesn't have a good submission this year. Williams is liked and supposedly has some really good episodes, but can she stop Pam Beasley? Fischer's character is extremely likeable and she is a really good actress to top it all off! The final scene of "The Job" is more than enough to secure her win, but I actually think she could even pull it off with "Beach Games"

I'll just rattle off my predicted winners in the Guest acting, writing, and directing categories.

Best Guest Actor (Drama)
Forest Whitaker-ER

Best Guest Actor (Comedy)
Stanley Tucci-Monk

Best Guest Actress (Drama)
Marcia Gay Harden-Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

Best Guest Actress (Comedy)
Laurie Metcalfe-Desperate Housewives

Best Directing (Drama)
Peter Berg-Friday Night Lights

Best Directing (Comedy)
Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant-Extras

Best Writing (Drama)
David Chase-The Sopranos

Best Writing (Comedy)
Tina Fey-30 rock

Fuck the Emmys!

I will have a lengthier post later but for right now, just after the nominess were announced, but the nominees basically sucked. The Drama Series category was a joke, including Boston Legal and Heroes over Lost and Friday Night Lights! James Spader from BL got in over Matthew Fox and Kyle Chandler, c'mon he won twice before and he only deserved one, but James Gandolfini will win. No Connie Britton in Lead Actress and no Elizabeth Mitchell for Lost!

Best Supporting Actor was okay with both Terry O'Quinn and Michael Emerson and Sandra Oh, Chandra Wilson, and Katherine Heigl made it in for Supporting Actress. Not a whole lot of disappointments in the Comedy categories, except that John Krasinski didn't get in but Rainn Wilson will win so it doesn't really matter.

Expect The Sopranos to make Emmy history as the first Drama series to take the award after their final season.

Top 10 Albums of the Past Year

10. "Spring Awakening" Soundtrack

Best Song: "The Bitch of Living" The most upbeat song in the musical's depressing collection. It captures male teenage angst with such ease and makes you laugh a little at yourself.

Runner-Up: "Mama Who Bore Me"

9. Akon- "Konvicted"

Best Song: "Don't Matter" A nice, little R&B track with a tiny bit of rap thrown in. Just the perfect balance. Akon's unique voice is really brought out in this one.

Runner-Up: "Smack That"

8. Timbaland- "Shock Value"

Best Song: "Apologize" Featuring a relative unknown with a beautiful voice (One Republic), this song carries a strong beat and brings a slight tear to the eye with it's sad story. I just can't stop listening to it.

Runner-Up: "Give It To Me"

7. Avril Lavigne- "The Best Damn Thing"

Best Song: "When You're Gone" While lacking the emotional power of "I'm With You", this ballad satisfies in a sea of punk rock/alternative tracks that is this CD from Avril.

Runner-Up: "Girlfriend" (But I must say "I Don't Have To Try", ya know "I wear the pants!", is really starting to grow on me! LOL!)

6. Daughtry- "Daughtry"

Best Song: "Home" It's already become a radio hit and could even pass some of Kelly Clarkson's stuff as the best song to come from an Idol contestant. Very dramatic and...OMG, as I am writing this, it has just come on the radio. Ha!

Runner-Up: "Feels Like Tonight"

5. "Hairspray" Soundtrack

Best Song: "You Can't Stop The Beat" One of the most upbeat and fast-paced songsout there, the film version is able to capture the same spark as the original. Although it features horrible vocals from Amanda Bynes and John Travolta, you can't help but keep the song in your head. It is so addictive, in a good way. Can't wait for the movie.

Runner-Up: "I Know Where I've Been"



4. "Dreamgirls" Soundtrack

Best Song: "It's All Over/And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" This one is a no-brainer with one of the best vocal performances in music history and a kickass accompanyment to go with it. I included the track before it because the second half is really just a solo extention of the first. J-Hud is da bomb!

Runner-Up: "I Am Changing"

3. Elton John- "The Bridge"

Best Song: "Tinderbox" Very relevant and goes along with some of Elton's more politcal work (i.e. "Madman Across the Water"). The chorus is very catchy as well. I'm glad he is drifting into the country/pop area where, I believe, some of his best work comes from.

Runner-Up: "Old '67"

2. Justin Timberlake- "Futuresex / Lovesounds"

Best Song: "Losing My Way" It tells the story of a burnout who is seeking help to he can turn his life around. It is heartbreaking and uplifting at the same time. Some of JTs best writing too. The addition of Timbaland and a chorus at the end really brings the song to its peak.

Runner-up: "Lovestoned/I Think That She Knows"

1. Maroon 5- "It Won't Be Soon Before Too Long"

Best Song: "Makes Me Wonder" Everything about this song is just great. The lyrics are hot and the music makes you just want to get up and dance. The band really had a fun time with this one and it will probably be a strong contender for Record of the Year.

Runner-Up: "Back At Your Door"

"Border Man" Highest Rated Bait of the Month!

Thanks to everyone who gave my bait "Border Man" high enough grades to earn the top spot in the average bait reviews. Also a thanks to Ryne for tallying and calculating the numbers, it's a tough job. I also glad that "Other World" garnered a spot in the Top 20. I didn't think anybody really liked it that much.

This is promising to be the best month in a very long time and I'm very excited to see how tense the final days become for everybody who is a serious contender. I know I'm going to be biting my nails like crazy on the day the winners are announced.

I was also wondering if anybody would be able to compile a list of the past bait reviews. I want to know the highest rated bait of the month and the best bait of the month and its placement on the average review list. Just post it here. Thanks!

Which one should I use?

I know it's a little early to be talking about this but I'm having a hard time deciding which bait to choose as my second (if they're allowed) for the August contest, which also happens to be the 1 year anniversary of my Best of the Month win, yay!

My first is called "Everyday" and it is an Alan Ball film about the aftermath of a grisly car wreck that kills some teenagers. It is based on the story of 5 cheerleaders who died in an accident near Rochester, NY.

But the second is where I encounter problems. The first choice is called "Bat Out Of Hell" and it is a musical (my first in over a year) using Meat Loaf's albums as a basis. The story is that a demon, played by Jared Leto, is sent to Earth to find a woman to impregnate with the spawn of Satan. But he encounters a siren (Jennifer Hudson) from Heaven who wants him to give the baby to God, giving hope to humanity. He falls in love with a woman (Brittany Murphy) and a whole bunch of other stuff starts to happen.

The other choice is similarly themed in that it deals with the end of the world through the Christian faith. "The Second Coming" is a Matt Damon mystery/thriller about a theologist who tries to prove that world isn't coming to an end after a Irish priest claims God says Armageddon is upon us and a man is found in Georgia who is believed to be the reincarnation of Jesus.

Post you opinions of which one I should use, please!

An Emmy Travesty!

Tom O'Neill over at The Envelope just posted on his forum the Emmy's Top 10 Supporting Actresses in a Drama Series as determined by a popular vote. There are some surprise inclusions, like S. Epatha Merkerson for "L&O: SVU". But there is one person who is not included...and that is none other than Elizabeth Mitchell who plays Juliet on "Lost". Considered the best new addition to the show and one of the best part of last season, Mitchell, according to O'Neill, failed to score highly in the popular vote to get a spot in the Top 10.

Hopefully this is a mistake and his source's information is tainted. SHE WOULD WIN THE FUCKING EMMY!!!! I find it very hard to believe that the best actress on one of TV's most popular and critically lauded shows. I'm going to be very disappointed if she is not one of the final 5 nominees when the lists are revealed on Thursday. But if she isn't, the award will be Sandra Oh's to lose.

I guess this is my chance to point out another thing you Emmywatchers may be thinking about. A lot of people, including myself, want "Friday Night Lights" to win or at least be nominated. I stand confidently behind my prediction for one big reason, which I will explain now. Certain people are attracted to certain things. Jocks like sports shows. Nerds like Star Wars and LOTR. Teenage girls like MTV and High School Musical. And film/TV enthusiasts like high quality entertainment. "FNL" is considered high quality entertainment because it deals with its subjects in a very mature manner without injecting stupid pickup lines (i.e. CSI and Bones). The people voting for the Emmys are producers, actors, directors, writers, etc. Theoretically, these artists should vote for more artsy shows, which would explain why shows like "Criminal Minds" and "Yes, Dear" are shunned year after year. Those types of shows (mainly the spawn of CBS) may be extremely popular but do not represent good filmmaking. "FNL" and "Lost" and "The Sopranos" are sometimes better than the year's best films and I believe that the TV Academy will recognize that.

As for Elizabeth Mitchell, I really REALLY hope the information is incorrect for credibility sake. She is one of the, if not the, best actresses on TV right now. Please, if there is a God, give us Emmy geeks this. Just this...and "FNL".

My Big 8 Awards for July

Best Picture
The Banality Of Evil
Conquistador
Madsen Family Matters
**A New Agenda**
Rehab!: A Contemporary Musical

Best Director
**James L. Brooks-A New Agenda**
Alfonso Cuaron-Conquistador
Bennett Miller-Madsen Family Matters
Jason Moore-Rehab!: A Contempoary Musical
Robert Zemeckis-Into Thin Air

Best Actor
Javier Bardem-Our Father
Billy Crudup-Into Thin Air
Tommy Lee Jones-Madsen Family Matters
**Gary Oldman-The Banality Of Evil**
Carl Reiner-A New Agenda

Best Actress
Adriana Barazza-Our Father
Juliette Binoche-Audrey's Girls
**Lindsay Lohan-Rehab!: A Contempoary Musical**
Megan Mulally-Good Morning, Ladies
Michelle Williams-Under Fire

Best Supporting Actor
Benecio Del Toro-Batman: Scars Of Tomorrow
**Jay Hernandez-Our Father**
Emile Hirsch-Madsen Family Reunion
Christopher Lloyd-A New Agenda
Al Pacino-A New Agenda

Best Supporting Actress
Helena Bonham Carter-The Banality Of Evil
**Kristin Chenoweth-Good Morning, Ladies**
Stephanie D'Abbruzzo-Rehab!: A Contemporar Musical
Bette Midler-Good Morning, Ladies
Vanessa Williams-Good Morning, Ladies

Best Adapted Screenplay
**The Banality Of Evil**
Batman: Scars of Tomorrow
Dwight-Wuthering Heights
Into Thin Air
Night

Best Original Screenplay
Good Morning, Ladies
Madsen Family Matters
A New Agenda
Our Father
**Rehab!: A Contemporary Musical**

My Grades for July Baits

After Earth: The Dark Side Of The Sun- B-
Audrey's Girls- B+
The Banality Of Evil- A-
Batman: Scars of Tomorrow- B
The Bluxomi Sisters- C
Can't Stop The Press!- C
Conquistador- B+
Crimes Against A City- B-
Dark Ages- B-
Dear Mr. President- C+
Devil On My Heels- C-
Divine Poker- C+
Dr. Death- B-
Dwight-Wuthering Heights- B
Eleven Weeks to Steal November- B-
Final Fantasy X- C-
Gathering Blue- C
Go Ask Alice- C
Good Morning, Ladies- B+
In The Dead Of Night- B-
Into Thin Air- B
Kosmopolis- B-
The Last Woman Standing- C
Life After Brenda- C-
Listen And Hear- B-
Mad Love- B-
The Madness Of H.P. Lovecraft- C
Madsen Family Matters- A-
A New Agenda- A
Night- B-
Our Father- B+
Paul Revere- ...F
Pressure- C-
Rehab!: A Contemporary Musical- A-
A Spoonful Of Sugar- C
Sunray: Story of a Superhero- C
The Ultimate Oscar- D+
Under Fire- B
The Urge- C-
The Valley Of Ashes- C-

Awards Profile: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

So I was a little worried for this 5th venture into the world of witchcraft and wizardry because "Azkaban" failed to impress me and "Goblet of Fire" was terrible up until the last 15 minutes. I decided to try something new and not read the book before seeing the film and let me just say it paid off well. I haven't talked to anybody who read the book yet so I can't really judge but this is the best Harry Potter movie yet. Very well paced by David Yates and extremely well acted by Daniel Radcliffe.

I would hope that Radcliffe (and Shia LaBeouf) would be recognized at the end of the year but I doubt it. This movie will succeed in various tech categories, but not screenplay because this one was absolutely dreadful. The visual effects were good but not great and don't stand a chance against "Transformers" or "Pirates". It might have just been my theater but I thought the sound was terrible, so don't expect it to show up there. Makeup and art direction are the safest bets, more likely the latter. But the one area I hope this film succeeds in is the cinematography. It was exceptional and surpasses the current frontrunner "Zodiac" by a mile. I can't wait for the next one.

Next up: Hairspray

Top 10 TV Shows of the 2006-2007 Season

Pat's Top Ten TV Shows Of Last Season

10. Studio 60 On The Sunset Strip

Season #: 1 (and only)

Network: NBC

Best Episode: "The Christmas Show"

Standout Performer(s): Matthew Perry, Amanda Peet, Bradley Whitford, Steven Weber, Sarah Paulson, Timothy Busfield, Nate Corrdry

9. Entourage

Season #: 3

Network: HBO

Best Episode: "One Day In The Valley"

Standout Performer(s): Kevin Connolly, Jeremy Piven, Kevin Dillon

8. Grey's Anatomy

Season #: 3

Network: ABC

Best Episode: "From A Whisper To A Scream"

Standout Performer(s): Ellen Pompeo, T.R. Knight, Sandra Oh, Chandra Wilson, Katherine Heigl, Kate Walsh

7. The Sopranos

Season #: 6.5

Network: HBO

Best Episode: "The Blue Comet"

Standout Performers: James Gandolfini, Michael Imperioli, Robert Iler, Dominic Chianese, Tony Sirico, Vincent Curatola, Aida Turturro, Steven Schrippa

6. Deadwood

Season #: 3

Network: HBO

Best Episode: "A Two-Headed Beast"

Standout Performers: Ian McShane, Timothy Olyphant, Molly Parker, Gerald McRaney, W. Earl Brown, Brian Cox, Paula Malcolmson, Bob Hawkes, Robin Weigart, Kim Dickens, William Sanderson

5. It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia

Season #: 2

Network: FX

Best Episode: "Charlie Gets Crippled"

Standout Performers: Charlie Day, Danny DeVito, Rob McElheney, Glenn Howerton, Kaitlan Olson



4. 30 Rock

Season #: 1

Network: NBC

Best Episode: "Jack-Tor"

Standout Performers: Alec Baldwin, Tina Fey, Jane Krakowski, Jack McBrayer

3. The Office

Season #: 3

Network: NBC

Best Episode: "Gay Witch Hunt"/"Beach Games"

Standout Performers: Steve Carell, Rainn Wilson, Jenna Fischer, John Krasinski, Melora Hardin, Ed Helms, Angela Kinsey, BJ Novak, Phyllis Smith, Paul Lieberstein, Brian Baumgarter, Leslie David Baker

2. Lost

Season #: 3

Network: ABC

Best Episode: "Through The Looking Glass"

Standout Performers: Matthew Fox, Elizabeth Mitchell, Josh Holloway, Terry O'Quinn, Michael Emerson, Henry Ian Cusick, Yunjin Kim, Daniel Dae Kim, Jorge Garcia, Naveen Andrews

1. Friday Night Lights

Season #: 1

Network: NBC

Best Episode: "Mud Bowl"

Standout Performers: Kyle Chandler, Connie Britton, Zach Gilford, Adrienne Palicki, Gaius Charles, Aimee Teegarden, Scott Porter, Minka Kelly

Top 10 Action Movies

Since there is a lull in the Bait contest, I'm gonna do this thing where I have Top 10 lists of movies, tv, music, books, and other things. These are solely my opinion.

Pat's Top Ten Action Movies

10. Die Hard 2: Die Harder

Bruce Willis returns as the kick-ass detective John McClane in this sequel to the 1988 hit. The story is a bunch of disgruntled Army officers hijack a Washington airport so they can transfer a war criminal for a bazillion dollars. While not packing the same punch as the first one, this film provides sheer thrills and shoot-em-up scenes mixed in with a little pre-9/11 midair terror.

9. Air Force One

The former Han Solo and Indiana Jones becomes President and has to save the plane from a bunch of Russian terrorists who hijacked the thing for political purposes. Harrison Ford remains a film icon as one of the coolest Presidents in film history with some awesome fight scenes and one of the best action movie lines: "Get off my plane!"

8. The Bourne Supremacy

Paul Greengrass directs this sequel to the 2002 spy thriller about a deadly agent who loses his memory and people try to kill him. In this one, Matt Damon's character Jason Bourne seeks to avenge his girlfriend (played by Franka Potente, pictured above) and stumbles upon a whole bunch of CIA corruption. This surpasses the first one mainly because of Greengrass and his masterful editors...that and the scene when Bourne watches the CIA from a roof.

7. War Of The Worlds

Despite the shockingly terrible ending and Dakota Fanning, this Spielberg film succeeds where other disaster/sci-fi films fail miserably, this actually makes the viewer scared. A lot of filmgoers completely discard the movie because of the ending, but if you reexamine it, you will find it is a helluva good movie. Just think of the first tripod scene. Fucking terrifying!!!

6. Mission: Impossible-II

This action thriller doesn't get the credit it deserves. The film is about Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) trying to stop a former colleague from releasing a deadly virus in Australia. Even though it is drastically different in tone from the other M:Is, this sequel is pure action in its best form. It had twists, great fights, and plenty of explosions. And Thandie Newton.

5. Casino Royale

Arguably the best Bond film, this 21st effort revamps the dying series with Daniel Craig as the new 007 on a mission to stop Le Chiffre from getting richer. The scene with the frog man takes vertigo to a new level and who could forget Bond's responses as he is brutally tortured. Pure genius!

4. Die Hard

John McClane's first outing is about a bunch of German terrorists trying to steal some money from a rich guy. He gets caught up, fights with Alan Rickman in his film debut as the creepily evil Hans Gruber, and utters his very first "kippie-ki-yay, motherfucker!" This film probably tops most peoples lists for action movies, but I threw a few sci-fi/thrillers in here too. I love this movie.

3. Armageddon

Michael Bay is admittedly one of the worst directors in Hollywood but damned if anyone thinks this film is terrible. It serves its function as a disaster/action epic with a little cheesy romance in the middle...wow, when put like that it reminds me of a little movie about a big boat, hmmm. Anyway this movie features Bruce Willis (his 3rd appearance on my list) trying to destroy an asteroid from killing Earth. I will admit and I think a bunch of you out there too should as well, but I cried at the end. Granted I was 10, but c'mon, that was one of the most heartbreaking scenes in recent memory.

2. Jurassic Park

Spielberg's other 1993 film ("Schindler's List is the other) was quite unbelievable at its time and still is. Who can't say they weren't amazed when the T-rex first showed its face or was scared shitless during the velociraptor kitchen scene. This one has everything: dinosaurs, corruption, Newman. "When you gotta go, you gotta go."

1. Independence Day

Do I really need to explain this one?

Awards Profile: Transformers

I've decided to add a new feature to my blog where I will briefly comment on a film's Oscar potential, credible or wishful. Here is my first:

While being terribly directed by the dreaded Michael Bay and written by some "Lost" writers on a bad day, "Transformers" makes up for its shortcomings with shock-and-awe special effects. They are by far the best of the year and easily surpass "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End", the previous frontrunner. Expect it to be nominated and win Best Visual Effects as well as both sound categories, but it probably will just nab an award for Sound Mixing. Other than the visual wonder within the movie, Shia LaBeouf's performance stands out and is reminiscent of Vince Vaughn's recent work in "Wedding Crashers". He is very comical and good at being scared when necessary. Expect grown-up Louis Stevens to garner some major awards in the not-to-distant feature (but not for this one).

The trailers were pretty cool for this one, but I'm mainly looking forward to Will Smith's apocalyptic action flick "I Am Legend", which is curiously placed in prime Oscar time in mid-December and carries a "Children Of Men" feel. J.J. Abrams' new movie, which may or may not be titled "1-18-08" looks to be great and will probably gather a strong cult following.

Next up: "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix"

Pat's Halfway Through The Year Awards

Top Ten Baits (with 5 Honorable Mentions)
1. River City Blue
2. Recoil
3. The Counterfeit King
4. Green River
5. Negatives
6. Lucky Clover
7. Abroad
8. Postality
9. Imagine
10. Rivalry At 6 PM

Honorable Mentions: Sandstorm, Bootleg, Standardized Test, Jackrabbit, The Jungle

Best Plot/Synopsis
Abroad
Green River
Postality
Recoil
**River City Blue**

Best Awards Campaign
**Bloodshed**
Fatally Yours
Jackrabbit
Louisa
Recoil

Best Online Awards Campaign
**Bootleg**
A Child Of Shame
Dinah Was...
Jackrabbit
Running Miles

Best Title
Australia
A Child Of Shame
His Or Hers?
**River City Blue**
Sandstorm

Most Likely To Become A Box Office Hit
25 Billion
**Imagine**
Mom Is 80
Negatives
Sandstorm

Most Likely To Become A Cult Film
The 27th Victim
The Awards Ceremony
**Dark Night Of The Soul**
Sixty Days
Sweet Black And Blue

Most Original Bait
25 Billion
**The 27th Victim**
The Island Of The Day Before
Postality
Recoil

Most Original Character
Edward Cutrone (Clive Owen) in Midnight
Paul Finkel (Woody Allen) in Postality
Ace Headlee (Denis Leary) in Around The Horn
**Grant Rosella (Jake Gyllenhaal) in Louisa**
Julianne Wolf-Stevens (Glenn Close) in The Last Page

Best Cast
Abroad
**Captain Scott**
Recoil
River City Blue
Standardized Test

Best Casting Choice
Alec Baldwin as George in Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf?
Annette Bening as Jeanette Rankin in Defiant Soul
**Vera Farmiga as Sheryl Crowe in Livestrong**
Anika Noni Rose as Dinah Washington in Dinah Was...
Billy Bob Thornton as Buck Redding

Best Crew
Jackrabbit
Imagine
**La Ventana**
Oil
River City Blue

Best Tagline
Around The Horn
Glass
Green River
**Imagine**
Postality

Funniest Bait
Around The Horn
Negatives
**Postality**
Standardized Test
Sweden Day

Best Poster Design
Abroad
Big Brown Bag
Diary Of A Sociopath
Lucky Clover
**Short To Long**

Best Author
D.W. Dillon
Harry
Maia
Ross
**Zgamer**

Best Picture
The Counterfeit King
Green River
Negatives
Recoil
**River City Blue**

Best Director
Stephen Gaghan-River City Blue
Robert Towne-Fatally Yours
**Jim Sheridan-Lucky Clover**
Walter Salles-Altamont
Peter Weir-Jackrabbit

Best Actor
George Clooney-River City Blue
Paul Giamatti-Diary Of A Sociopath
**Clive Owen-Midnight**
Billy Bob Thornton-Recoil
Vince Vaughn-Negatives

Best Actress
Patricia Arquette-How It Ends
Cate Blanchett-The Counterfeit King
Alexis Bleidel-Sixty Days
**Glenn Close-The Last Page**
Diane Lane-Portait Of A Woman

Best Supporting Actor
Larry David-Postality
Shia LaBeouf-Abroad
**Denis Leary-Around The Horn**
Paul Newman-Recoil
Forest Whitaker-River City Blue

Best Supporting Actress
**Drea De Matteo-Bootleg**
Sophia Loren-Recoil
Jane Lynch-Standardized Test
Helen Mirren-Love Now, Laugh Later
Rachel Weisz-Faded Red

Best Adapted Screenplay
As I Lay Dying
The Counterfeit King
The End Of The Alphabet
The Island Of The Day Before
**The Jungle**

Best Original Screenplay
Abroad
**Postality**
Recoil
River City Blue
Sandstorm

"Tavistock Place" One of the Top 20 Baits Since January

I just wanted to thank everyone who voted for "Tavistock Place" in the recent Halfway Awards. I was extremely surprised and grateful to see my bait on the list. If I was going to any place on the list, I thought it would be either "Scarttenow Junction" or "The Moon and the Rain", both of which got BP noms while "Tavistock" was only an honorable mention. When the nominations came out in January I was very disappointed because I wanted this bait to do well but it only managed to garner a few nominations and a win for best crew, despite having a strong showing at the festival. I guess people just forgot about it. I remember in December when I was promoting it I said it was my best written bait ever and I'm glad it finally got some recognition. Thank you all very much and good luck!

P.S. Later tonight or tomorrow I will be putting up my own personal awards for the first half of the year

Emmys 2007

So we have the Bait an Oscar contest and then we have the real Oscar contest and now I will add my comments on the Emmy race (Grammys to come later this year). There has been a lot of hubbub in the press about certain Emmy judges leaking nominees in a final judging session to determine the final nominees. Personally, I don't understand why the Academy is withholding the information. Who is it going to hurt? But thanks to the magic of technology, we have learned all the contenders for Best Series (Drama and Comedy), as well as numerous actors.

The way Emmy nominations are developed is through an extensive voting process. First, each series or performer must pick an episode that highlights it excellency the best. Then a popular vote determines the Top 10 contenders, which are then cut in half by a group of judges. It is episode choice that is essential to success and year after year shows and actors fail to pick their best tapes and it baffles me.

Here are my predictions for the final nominees:

Best Supporting Actress (Comedy)

Jenna Fischer-The Office
Ashley Jensen-Extras
Jaime Pressly-My Name Is Earl
Nicolette Sheridan-Desperate Housewives
Vanessa Williams-Ugly Betty

Jenna Fischer from "The Office" is a lock. She submitted in the finale where she shines and comes across as very sympathetic. With Vanessa Williams of "Ugly Betty" being the only confirmed Top 10 contender I'll have to wing this one. It would not at all surprise me if another "Office" girl got in and if one did it would be Angela Kinsey. Williams also has a lot of buzz surrounding her and as does Nicollette Sheridan from "Desperate Housewives". If she was placed in this category, "Extras" star Ashley Jensen could make it in because the show is apparently very popular within the community. Jamie Pressly was the predicted winner last year for "My Name Is Earl" and, with Megan Mulally out of the race, expect her to make it. There are also a bunch of women from the CBS comedies that are possible but I doubt it.

Best Supporting Actor (Comedy)

Neil Patrick Harris-How I Met Your Mother

John Krasinski-The Office

John C. McGinley-Scrubs

Jeremy Piven-Entourage

Rainn Wilson-The Office

This category has only one sure thing with Jeremy Piven, last year's winner, and my favorite from the show. He nailed his submission again this year with "Manic Monday", an episode all about his character's depression. Neil Patrick Harris is getting a lot of good buzz and McGinley is bound for more recognition. Rainn Wilson submitted "The Coup", which is by far his best of the season because it shows his comic and dramatic sides and he should have no problem too. John Krasinski is easily the most vulnerable of the group. He had very little screentime in the episode he submitted, which will hurt him in the judging phase. He could easily be replaced by Justin Kirk for "Weeds" or Jon Cryer from "Two and a Half Men".

Best Supporting Actress (Drama)

Rachel Griffiths-Brothers & Sisters

Elizabeth Mitchell-Lost

Sandra Oh-Grey's Anatomy

Aida Turturro-The Sopranos

Chandra Wilson-Grey's Anatomy

This will eventually become a 2-person race for Mitchell and Oh, and I predict Mitchell to win. Those two submitted their best episodes and are amazing in both. Wilson has a ton of industry support and a knockout episode ("Oh, The Guilt" the one where Cristina takes her name off the board). Griffiths is getting a lot of buzz but the failure of "B&S" to show up in the Top 10 hurt her chances. Turturro is overdue for "Sopranos" but won't win this year considering the other contenders. Yunjin Kim from "Lost" could also become a factor but I highly doubt it with her episode pick. She chose "The Glass Ballerina" over "DOC", which had a scene where her character learned that she might die but was more happy to find out her baby was her husband's. It was heartbreaking. It would be wishful thinking to see Adrianne Palicki from "Friday Night Lights" in the lineup with her submission where she nearly gets raped!

Best Supporting Actor (Drama)

Dominic Chianese-The Sopranos

Michael Imperioli-The Sopranos

T.R. Knight-Grey's Anatomy

Terry O'Quinn-Lost

William Shatner-Boston Legal

The Shat will probably get in because he always does even if it is the wrong category for him but I think he is vulnerable, along with Chianese. Dominic only had one standout episode the whole season and it may not be enough. Imperioli is in and will probably win with "Walk Like A Man", the episode before Christopher died and when he shot Tim Daly in the face (yes!!!). O'Quinn submitted "The Man From Tallahassee", the episode where we learned how Locke became paralyzed. He'll get in on the popular vote and for the expression on his face at the closing of the episode. Knight has had a rough year and will probably get a nom for the two-part episode where his father dies. It was a very good performance and some consider him overdue. Don't be surprised if Jack Coleman or Masi Oka from "Heroes" sneak in. A number of "Lost" guys had great years too. Michael Emerson or Henry Ian Cusick could get recognized but watch out for Josh Holloway, who picked his best episode ever: "Every Man For Himself".

Best Actress (Comedy)

America Ferrara-Ugly Betty

Teri Hatcher-Desperate Housewives

Felicity Huffman-Desperate Housewives

Julia Louis-Dreyfus-The New Adventures Of Old Christine

Mary-Louise Parker-Weeds

They should just give the statue to Ferrara now, we know she's gonna win. Huffman is probably her only competition and in a weak category there really is nobody else for nominations, except for maybe Marcia Cross of "DH" or Tina Fey from "30 Rock", although she screwed up her submission

Best Actor (Comedy)

Alec Baldwin-30 Rock

Steve Carell-The Office

Ricky Gervais-Extras

Jason Lee-My Name Is Earl

Charlie Sheen-Two and a Half Men

Baldwin, Carell, and Sheen are absolute locks and the other two are extremely vulnerable to Tony Shalhoub for his 3-time winner "Monk", which would be very despressing because he is very undeserving when put next to Baldwin and Carell. Gervais could get in on "The Office" love and Lee should've been nominated last year. Surprise could come from Kevin Connolly of "Entourage".

Best Actress (Drama)

Patricia Arquette-Medium

Connie Britton-Friday Night Lights

Sally Field-Brothers & Sisters

Ellen Pompeo-Grey's Anatomy
Kyra Sedgwick-The Closer

Field and Sedgwick are the closest to being considered locks but are still suspect to failure. Pompeo could get in on popular support from her episode where she confronts her mother, who has come out of an Alzheimer's bout. Arquette is getting a lot of buzz, but so are Calista Flockhart and Mariska Hargitay and a bevel of others. This is a very competitive category this year and it may surprise many to believe that Falco is the most vulnerable. I believe she submitted "The Second Coming" and I honestly can't remember her in this one. It was all Gandolfini. Expect Connie Britton to take her place for her astounding performance in "Friday Night Lights".

Best Actor (Drama)

Michael C. Hall-Dexter

James Gandolfini-The Sopranos

Hugh Laurie-House

Ian McShane-Deadwood

Kiefer Sutherland-24

Gandolfini wins 4th Emmy, open and shut case. Hall is a lock along with Laurie. Sutherland is somewhat vulnerable to James Spader and Denis Leary. Ian McShane could receive some of the love for his departed series but could easily be knocked out by the previous two mentioned or Kyle Chandler from "Friday Night Lights", but he screwed up his submission. He should've have chosen "Wind Sprints" instead of "Eyes Wide Open". Matthew Fox from "Lost" could also make it in if voters remembered his perf in the finale, which he sadly did not submit.

Best Series (Comedy)

30 Rock

Entourage

The Office

Two and a Half Men

Ugly Betty

"Office", "30 Rock", and "2 1/2 Men" are locks and one will probably win. "Ugly Betty" is most likely in. That leaves "Entourage", which is overdue but vulnerable to its HBO counterpart "Extras". "Desperate Housewives" could make it in, but it has a distant chance.

Best Series (Drama)

Friday Night Lights

Grey's Anatomy

House

Lost

The Sopranos

"House" and "The Sopranos" are in. "Lost" had an awesome year and submitted the finale, its best episode in a long, long time. It has a strong chance at winning too. "Grey's" will get in on the popular vote but could fall to the wrath of "Heroes". I have a lot of confidence in "Friday Night Lights", the little show that could. They submitted the pilot, which wasn't the best episode but satisfies. Hopefully it ranked high in the popular vote considering I find that mostly artistically inclined people seem to watch it.

The Case Against "The Valley Of Ashes"? Can It Be True?

It is true, I am about to bash recent Golden Igloo winner "The Valley Of Ashes" and I'll probably make enemies with Zgamer after this but I don't care I want to say this. Z, feel free to do the same with mine, I won't get angry but I may defend them fiercely if I feel your accusations are unwarranted. Some of you might think this is just me being a sore loser and maybe I am (even though I thought "A New Agenda" should've won). So here it goes.

DO NOT READ FURTHER IF YOU WANT TO SPOIL ANY POSSIBLE ENJOYMENT OF THE BAIT!!!!

Problem #1: The Plot When one first reads "The Valley Of Ashes", one is taken aback by the amazing prose and horrific imagery in the bait's synopsis section. But, if you've read it already, take a look back and read the plot again, without paying attention to the adjectives and rest of the words, but rather examine the plot itself. If you do this, you will find that there is no plot, just a beginning that suggests something and forces the reader to assume the author has a plan after the synopsis has ended. Unless it has changed since I've read it, the bait just stops after the main character starts walking without giving insight into the rest of the story. Yeah we know that he walks around Vietnam but what happens to him? Specifics are needed!

Problem #2: The Cast Well, there is none, except for Barry Pepper (pictured left). The fact that there is only one person in the cast list suggests that he is the only person we see throughout the whole film. I'm assuming that he meets other people along his trek, which should have been explained in the synopsis as well.

Problem #3: The Crew This is the worst part of the bait in my opinion, just because I'm a schtickler for originality. Roman Polanski and Ronald Harwood are a good team and even won real Oscars together because "The Pianist" was so innovative and fresh. This bait uses the memory of that great movie and twists it for its own benefit. It basically has the same story. Pepper's character treks alone across Vietnam and in "The Pianist" Brody's walks around Poland while evading the Nazis. This should be renamed "The Pianist II: Vladislaw in Saigon"

So, again, I am profusely sorry to Zgamer and anybody else who may be offended by this article. This is a contest, and like the real Oscar race, it can get dirty if the stakes are high enough. This is me trying to do what it takes to win and if anybody thinks I'm out of line for doing this let me just ask you one question: Would have the balls to do it?

Festival Winners Are Up!

Here are the winners and my thoughts:

Golden Igloo-"The Valley Of Ashes"
Not too surprising. I thought it was a 3-way race between this, "A New Agenda", and my bait "Border Man" but I thought Daniel's would win. "Batman" may be a good bait but I don't think it will gain enough support.

Forum Favorite-"Batman: Scars of Tomorrow"
Again, not surprising, but forum favorites never tend to gain the top spot.

Best Director-Roman Polanski-"The Valley Of Ashes"
I'm not gonna lie on any of these notes, I thought Inarritu would win with Polanski being a very close second. I guess I'm just biased.

Best Actor-Barry Pepper-"The Valley Of Ashes"
The love for this bait is all around, but is it shortl-lived? More on that later...

Best Actress-Megan Mullaly-"Good Morning, Ladies"
Good choice. Best of the four and I'm surprised Danner got nommed.

Best Supporting Actor-Al Pacino-"A New Agenda"
Could he sweep the rest of the awards? I doubt it, but we'll see.

Best Supporting Actress-Kristin Chenoweth-"Good Morning, Ladies"
I was right!!! Let's keep the awards juggernaut going for her. She deserves it.

Best Screenplay-"A New Agenda"
Not surprising and will probably win the Oscar.

Best Ensemble-"A New Agenda"
I haven't seen the ensemble of this bait yet so I can't really comment other than saying I was grateful "Border Man" was nominated with a relatively B-list cast.

Best Picture-Drama-"Border Man"
I won!!! Kinda surprising considering it didn't take Best Picture. Has this ever happened before?

Best Picture-Musical/Comedy-"A New Agenda"
With "Rehab!" out of the mix it was destined to win this.

Congratulations to Johnny for winning your first award! You so deserve it.

Kristin Chenoweth, Best Supporting Actress?

After first reading Alex and Chris Perkin's "Good Morning, Ladies" there was one character that stood out to me, and that was Kristin Chenoweth's. The bait, satirizing recent events, is about an all-women panel of a morning talk show where rivalries and debates are more common than K-Fed jokes. Chenoweth's character is inspired by Elizabeth Hasselbeck, the youngest, most beautiful, and most conservative of the TV hosts, and she is perfectly casted.

Chenoweth has recently been seen playing a hot blonde Republican named Annabeth Schott on the final two seasons of "The West Wing". She was extremely good in that role and would probably be even better in this one for one very big reason. One of the last parts of the bait is about a fight concerning the Iraq War, reminiscent of the actual argument between Hasselbeck and Rosie O'Donnell. This ten minute tirade is perfect awards fodder because it contains so much relevancy and emotion. And while most Americans would agree with O'Donnell's side of the battle, Hasselbeck defiantly stood her ground and was able to bring Rosie to tears and even caused her to leave the show.

Now to the point. The casting of Chenoweth is superb and should be considered one, if not the, frontrunner for Best Casting Choice. But she is also prevalent in the Best Supporting Actress. Her role combined with the excellent casting is more than enough to secure Chenoweth a second Oscar, if enough voters are familiar with the actual event. The past 3 Best Supporting Actress winners have swept the category, practically, across the board and Chenoweth should succeed as well.

So there you have it, I predict that Kristin Chenoweth will dominate the Best Supporting Actress category for her role in "Good Morning, Ladies."

Note: Over the next few weeks I will be adding more of these little articles for the people or films I think should win awards.

Reactions

This weekend I went on a camping trip and then saw "Live Free or Die Hard" (Yippie-ki-yay motherfucker!) so I really didn't have time to react to the June Oscar winners, but really what was there to react too? I am very grateful for the two wins I received for "Captain Fantastic" but I really wished Eddie Izzard was nominated instead of Philip Seymour Hoffman. I'm not complaining, I just feel my casting of Izzard as George Michael was much much better than my Hoffman choice. I got 11/23 on my predictions and I should've had more faith with the other voters to pick the correct choice in most of the categories, which they did.

Congradulations to Sergio and his bait "Lucky Clover"!!! I've predicting that thing since the beginning and I was beginning to think it was just wishful thinking.

I' m not going to add any predictions for the festival because the winners will be up soon and I really have no idea how to gauge this specific contest. Thanks to the panel for making "Border Man" one of the most nominated baits with 7 nods! I'm glad to see that Berenger got some attention, but especially surprised to see nods for Burton and Weaver from "Other World". The latter, I assume, was given a nomination because many feel she is overdue for some awards attention because she really doesn't have a big part in the bait. A nomination for Kate Burton is quite surprising considering I thought that most people (except for those who watch Grey's Anatomy) have no clue who she is. But thank you anyway. Good luck to all the other nominees and I'm gonna say this know but I feel this month will see the first repeat Best Picture winner. We've been dancing around each other for months, waiting for the right time, and if nobody else's bait breaks out, I think one of the four nominees and Rehab! (which was shockingly shutout) could win.

And just a side note from me, I'm really hoping to get the only Big 8 award I haven't won yet this month, which is Best Director, so I'm especially pushing for Inarritu or Shyamalan to win. Just keep that in mind, please.