3-D Overkill

Literature classic The Great Gatsby is in the works to be shot in 3-D by director Baz Luhrman. Shhh. If you’re really quiet you can hear the muffled sounds of F. Scott Fitzgerald turning over in his grave—along with my stomach.

CNN recently posted a list of movies that should stay away from 3-D, which includes the redo of The Great Gatsby. Of all the movies to ruin with 3-D glasses and overpriced tickets, why did it have to be this one? Now, I’m going to be forced to pay to go see it.

I was equally as horrified when Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 was set to be released in 3-D back in November of last year. Fortunately, this was cancelled because of time constraints. To my dismay, the second part is expected to be 3-D when it’s released in July.

Now, don’t take me for some 3-D Nazi. I went to see Avatar to see what all of the hype was about. I enjoyed the movie but besides a couple of scenes, I don’t recall anything special about the three-dimensional effects. I still haven’t been convinced that 3-D movies are worth the extra money.

Boy Band Flashback

As I write this my roommate is just outside my bedroom door busting a move to the likes of ‘N Sync, complete with a Justin Timberlake impression. If you find that odd, you should see the other antics that go on around here. But I digress.

My childhood was defined by obsessions. From Winnie the Pooh to Lord of the Rings, I had an obsession for every stage of my life until the age of 15. When I was 9 my life was taken over by the pop group ‘N Sync and they remained a constant part of my everyday life until I was probably about 12 or 13. It didn’t help that my older sister was also a big fan so she would make me VHS tapes with clips of talk shows that they’d been on and other things like that. She’s also the reason that I got to see them in concert when I was 11. We were in the tenth row. That’s still one of my best memories.

You can only imagine my shock when I found out in 2006 that Lance Bass was gay. He was the one that I absolutely adored. 

I reveal these things not because I wish to be known as a former ‘N Sync freak but because watching my roommate dance to “Tearin’ Up My Heart” made me think about how my obsessions in life really shaped me. At one point I had my entire room covered in magazine clippings of ‘N Sync, the cast of Friends and Lord of the Rings. Today I still have pictures on my wall but now it’s The Beatles and a poster for “How to Kill a Mockingbird.” When I was younger I obsessed over every little thing that dealt with the people that I adored. I haven’t abandoned that sense of dedication. It translated into my work ethic. I’m a perfectionist and I always have to have something the best that it can be before I’m done with it.

Now excuse me while I turn my iTunes up as loud as it goes, listening to “No Strings Attached.” It really is the small things in life.

The Oscar Overreaction

Reading blog after blog has done nothing to persuade me that last night’s Academy Award’s were terrible. Sure, they weren’t perfect but they never are. I rather enjoyed the show, with all of its awkward flaws and questionable moments. So maybe James Franco wasn’t the best host. While he is a great actor, he just didn’t translate to great host. I thought Anne Hathaway was great though, minus trying to cover the uncomfortable lack of spark from Franco with incessant giggles. I just think it’s a bit of an exaggeration to say that they were the worst hosts of all time. I personally preferred Franco and Hathaway over last year’s hosts, Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin.

The show was obviously trying to appeal to a younger demographic and I appreciated that. I also liked the cheesy musical number and the auto-tuned movie clips. The cold open was predictable but funny. And yes, I even liked the kids singing “Somewhere Over the Rainbox” at the end.

Obviously, there were many things that should have differently for this years broadcast. I could write another post about what I think they did wrong but it won’t be as exaggerated as so many that I’ve read have been. In the end, I enjoyed the show and I’m looking forward to next year. Just do one thing for me Oscar’s: Don’t have another host that is currently in school getting his doctorate in literature. Find someone that’s not busy. Like Russell Brand. Now that would be funny.

 

My Oscar Picks

I’ve already posted about my obsession with the Oscars so it’s only fitting that I make known my choices for tomorrow’s 83rd Annual Academy Awards. Here are my picks for who will take home the top honors. (* indicates I haven’t seen this film.)

 

Best Picture: Black Swan; The Fighter; Inception; The Kids Are All Right; The King’s Speech; 127 Hours*; The Social Network; Toy Story 3; True Grit; Winter’s Bone
My pick: I honestly believe that Inception was the best movie because of its thrilling and complex plot. However, I don’t believe it’s going to win. The King’s Speech will take home the top honors. It surprised me and I’m sure many other people by being a breakout hit. All of its hype will translate into votes from Academy members. It’s such a sweet movie, though, that I will applaud its win as much as I would a win for Inception.

Actor in a Leading Role: Javier Bardem (Biutiful*); Jeff Bridges (True Grit); Jesse Eisenberg (The Social Network); Colin Firth (The King’s Speech); James Franco (127 Hours*)
My pick: Colin Firth, hands down. His performance as the stammering king was heartfelt and extremely personal.

Actor in a Supporting Role: Christian Bale (The Fighter); John Hawkes (Winter’s Bone); Jeremy Renner (The Town); Mark Ruffalo (The Kids Are All Right); Geoffrey Rush (The King’s Speech)
My pick: The Fighter gave Christian Bale an opportunity to try his hand at portraying a cocaine-addict boxer which he did in a spectacular fashion. From his gaunt face to his insane antics, I couldn’t tear myself away from him any time he was on screen.

Actress in a Leading Role: Annette Bening (The Kids Are All Right); Nicole Kidman (Rabbit Hole*); Jennifer Lawrence (Winter’s Bone); Natalie Portman (Black Swan); Michell Williams (Blue Valentine*)
My pick: While Black Swan was not my favorite film of the bunch, Natalie Portman is the clear choice here. She was creepy and naive, and her dancing was obviously something she had taken a long time to perfect for the film.

Actress in a Supporting Role: Amy Adams (The Fighter); Helena Bonham Carter (The King’s Speech); Melissa Leo (The Fighter); Hailee Steinfeld (True Grit); Jack Weaver (Animal Kingdom*)
My pick: The choice between Hailee Steinfeld and Melissa Leo is extremely tough but I choose Melissa Leo. She was highly believable and I absolutely could not stand her at points during The Fighter which showed that I completely was able to see her as her character. Hailee Steinfeld was fantastic as Mattie Ross but I couldn’t help but think about her as an actress during the length of the movie.

Animated Feature Film: How to Train Your Dragon; The Illusionist*; Toy Story 3
My pick: First off, I want to know where Despicable Me is? That would have been my pick. With that being said, I think this race is the toughest for me to choose. I’m not considering The Illusionist because I didn’t see it so I can’t judge how it will fare, though I wouldn’t dismiss it. It could pull through and be the upset of the night. When considering who I think will win I had to look at How to Train Your Dragon and Toy Story 3 as films by themselves. So by taking Toy Story 3‘s two prequels away, I don’t think it stands up against How to Train Your Dragon. I just hope voters think the same way.

So there are six of my picks. I’ve chosen one for each category, so if you’re curious what they are, comment below. Let me know what your picks are, too.

Why Hate Justin Bieber?

I have yet to see an answer to the above question that has any justification. Normally it goes something like: “Justin Bieber sucks!” or “He is stupid and a girl!”–something along those lines. The people that say these things definitely haven’t caught the so-called Bieber fever.

Recently, pop sensation Justin Bieber was at a New York Knicks game. He was shown on the big screen and was met with a round of boos from the crowd. Really, people? You’re going to boo a 16-year-old kid for no good reason? He was just trying to enjoy a basketball game.

Don’t think I’m some crazy Bieber worshiper because I’m definitely not. I give my roommates crap all the time for listening to his music but that doesn’t mean I hate the kid. He’s really done nothing that I can hate him for.I’m not a big fan of his music but I can admit that he’s got talent. He obviously cares about what he’s doing and he knows not to disappoint his fans by making stupid choices…or at least he hasn’t yet. That’s probably the best thing about him in my opinion. He’s a great role model for the kids that adore him. He knows what to say and when to say it.

I’ve seen him on Saturday Night Live a couple of times and I actually thought his skits were fairly funny.

Whether you love or leave him, Justin Bieber is a good kid, so either stop hating on him or give a good reason for why you do.