Halfway of the Year Awards: Winners!

Best Picture - Tie: Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince and The Hurt Locker

Best Director – Kathryn Bigelow “The Hurt Locker”

Best Actor – Jeremy Renner “The Hurt Locker”

Best Actress - Carey Mulligan "An Eductation"

Best Supporting Actor – Jim Broadbent “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince"

Best Supporting Actress – Leslie Mann “Funny People”

Commentary: Ok, so I know I'm just a geek and love Harry Potter movies, so I went with a respectable tie with the true Best Picture so far, The Hurt Locker. Naturally, I then went with Kathryn Bigelow, who I think may score a directing nod. For the two lead parts I chose Carey Mulligan and Jeremy Renner, two fairly unknowns that have seen their buzz escalate recently. For Supporting I picked a personal favorite, not neccessarily a real contender in Jim Broadbent, who I thought was hilarious as Professor Slughorn. Finally I went with Leslie Mann for Supporting Actress. While I think Funny People is not as good as Knocked Up, I think Mann deserves some credit for consistently being one of the funniest and most talented actresses working today.

Will Whitney Houston and Grammy meet again?

A new Whitney Houston single, "I Look to You" could be the catapult she was looking for to relaunch her lost singing career. But will Grammys follow? By pushing back her album date by 24hrs, Whitney has put herself for Grammy contention this year, and by the looks of it, her new album will be a huge hit. "I Look to You" is not exactly original, or is it out-of-this-world, it is simply a good song, nothing special. However, if the ablum manages some decent reviews, and of course sells a bunch of copies, I think the Whitney-loving-Grammys will follow in suite. In about month we willl find out the verdict.....

Halfway of the Year Awards: Nominees

Best Picture
Star Trek
Up
The Hurt Locker
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Public Enemies
Funny People

Best Director
Judd Apatow “Funny People”
Michael Mann “Public Enemies”
Kathryn Bigelow “The Hurt Locker”
David Yates “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince”
Pete Docter and Bob Peterson “Up”

Best Actor
Johnny Depp “Public Enemies”
Jeremy Renner “The Hurt Locker”
Adam Sandler “Funny People”
Sam Rockwell “Moon”
Joaquin Phoenix “Two Lovers”

Best Actress
Julia Roberts “Duplicity”
Michelle Pfeiffer “Cheri”
Carey Mulligan “An Education”
Gwyneth Paltrow “Two Lovers”
Amy Adams “Sunshine Cleaning”

Best Supporting Actor
Anthony Mackie “The Hurt Locker”
Jackie Earle Haley “Watchmen”
Jim Broadbent “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince”
Micheal Gambon “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince”
Alfred Molina “An Education”

Best Supporting Actress
Marion Cotillard “Public Enemies”
Leslie Mann “Funny People”
Emma Watson “Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince”
Patricia Clarkson “Whatever Works”
Helen Bonham Carter “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince”

Halfway of the Year Awards

My personal awards/nominees for the films from the first half of 2009 are coming out in the next couple of days, maybe even tomorrow....stay tuned....

If There Had Been Ten: 2008

Nominees:
1. Slumdog Millionaire
2. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
3. Milk
4. Frost/Nixon
5. The Reader

The Next Five:
6. The Dark Knight
7. Wall-E
8. Doubt
9. The Wrestler
10. Changeling

Other Possibilities:
11. Gran Torino
12. Rachel Getting Married
13. Frozen River
14. Tropic Thunder
15. Iron Man
16. Revolutionary Road
17. In Bruges

Commentary: So here we are, at the year that caused all the trouble. For the 6th nominee, I went with the most obvious choice: the film that changed the game. While no one will come out and say it The Dark Knight’s exclusion from this race, I believe, is the reason we will have ten nominees this year. I went with the token animated film next, Wall-E, another big reason we will have ten. If only The Reader had just stayed out of the way! The next three were difficult. I went with Doubt next, simply because of the plethora of acting nods, and the screenplay nod. The last two spots were complete shots in the dark. The Wrestler got screwed out of a lot of nominations, but I think it had enough of a support from a minority to make the top ten. The last spot I went with Changeling. While I personally hated this movie, it managed a Best Actress nod, a bunch of technical nods, a Critics Choice Awards nomination and of course, Clint Eastwood. Since Gran Torino seemed to have been unpopular, I went with this mediocre substitute.

Oscar Contender: Nine

The last time Rob Marshall directed a major motion picture; he adapted a hit Broadway musical, filled it with star-studded talent, and walked away with the Best Picture of the year.

All I have to say is: here we go again. Once again Marshall is tackling a huge Broadway musical. Once again, he has recruited an all-star cast: Academy Award Winners Daniel-Day Lewis, Judi Dench, Nicole Kidman, Sophia Loren, Marion Cotillard, and Penelope Cruz. Also in the mix are Academy Award Nominee Kate Hudson, and Grammy winning music superstar, Fergie.

So the question remains: will is walk away with the Best Picture trophy? Maybe not, but with 10 nominations, it would have to be really bad movie for it to not be a strong contender for one of those spots. The trailer looks very similar to Chicago, in terms of non-stop music, stylistic camera work, and fantastic performances, but as well all know, trailers only tell us so much. Other pluses include: Great music, costumes, set, and other technical aspects do boost its chances.

Some minuses: Frontrunners tend to fizzle very quickly, as we have seen almost every year. Also Chicago was the last musical to not just win Best Picture, but the last to be nominated. Even great reviews couldn’t give Dreamgirls and Hairspray the Oscar love they deserved, and Nine may, unfortunately, find a very similar situation.

If There Had Been Ten: 2007

Nominees:
1. No Country For Old Men
2. Atonement
3. There Will Be Blood
4. Juno
5. Michael Clayton

The Next Five:
6. The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
7. Ratatouille
8. Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
9. The Bourne Ultimatum
10. Into the Wild

Other Possibilities:
11. American Gangster
12. Hairspray
13. La Vie En Rose
14. The Counterfeiters
15. The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
16. Transformers
17. Away From Her
18. The Savages

Commentary: Once again, this was a deep year for movies. Julian Schnabel managed a directing nod for The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, and many predicted it making the top 5. Ratatouille was probably the best reviewed film of the year, and would have easily grabbed a spot as the token animated film. In order to try to boost viewership, I think they would have honored The Bourne Ultimatum which managed three surprise wins, and must have been well-liked. Sweeney Todd managed a Golden Globe win, and in my opinion, got the shaft that year. It was stylish, and it would have been a chance to finally honor a Tim Burton film. I think the final spot would have gone to the under-appreciated Into the Wild, although, American Gangster managed the same amount of nominations, so it was a close call.

If There Had Been Ten: 2006

Nominees:
1. The Departed
2. Little Miss Sunshine
3. Babel
4. The Queen
5. Letters From Iwo Jima

The Next Five:
6. Dreamgirls
7. Pan’s Labyrinth
8. United 93
9. Children of Men
10. Blood Diamond

Possibilities:
11. Little Children
12. Apocalypto
13. An Inconvenient Truth
14. Notes on a Scandal
15. Borat Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan
16. The Devil Wears Prada

Commentary: This was a year for movies. The most notable missing was Dreamgirls, who managed the most nominations, but was left out of the Best Picture race, mostly likely in favor of Clint Eastwood’s Letters. Pan’s Labyrinth won three awards, and was definitely well liked among the Academy. Paul Greengrass was able to snag a directing nod for United 93, so I once again went with the director/picture match-up theory. The last two spots I saved for two action movies. Children of Men was well-regarded and could have been a dark horse. While most people would have put Borat in that tenth spot. I went with the mediocre Blood Diamond, not because I personally liked it that much but simply because it managed five surprise nominations, so it must have been well-received within the Academy.

If There Had Been Ten: 2005

Nominees:
1. Crash
2. Brokeback Mountain
3. Capote
4. Good Night, And Good Luck
5. Munich

The Next Five:
6. The Constant Gardener
7. A History of Violence
8. King Kong
9. Walk the Line
10. Match Point

Other Possibilities:
11. The Squid and the Whale
12. Pride & Prejudice
13. Hustle & Flow
14. Syriana
15. War of the Worlds
16. Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were Rabbit

Commentary: Unlike the previous two years, filling out ten was much easier than expected. Two action/mystery movies that really scored big with critics were The Constant Gardener and A History of Violence, and I think the Academy would have followed in suite. King Kong was a huge, effects-driven blockbuster that was big with audiences and critics, and of course it had Peter Jackson at its helm. Walk the Line won the Golden Globe, and managed a Best Actress win for Reese Witherspoon, and many believed it to be the 6th place finisher. The final spot, in my opinion would have gone to a good Woody Allen movie that had a strong script and managed a Golden Globe nod in the process, Match Point.

If There Had Been Ten: 2004

Nominees:
1. Million Dollar Baby
2. The Aviator
3. Ray
4. Sideways
5. Finding Neverland

The Next Five :
6. The Incredibles
7. Vera Drake
8. Hotel Rwanda
9. Collateral
10. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

Other Possibilities:
11. Before Sunset
12. Spider-Man 2
13. Kinsey
14. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
15. The Sea Inside
16. A Very Long Engagement
17. House of Flying Daggers

Commentary: Once again, after passing the Top 5, it was hard to fill out the rest. Once again, we have the token animated film, and a damn good one, if I might say so myself, The Incredibles. Next, I went with the Director/Picture theory, with the dark, yet stunning Vera Drake. Next I went with Golden Globe Best Picture nominee and popular movie that year, Hotel Rwanda. The last two spots were shots in the dark, so I went with the gritty Collateral and the quirky Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Michael Mann use to be popular in the Academy, and ESSM cleaned up pretty well in nominations and won the Original Screenplay category, so it must have been well liked.

If There Had Been Ten: 2003

Nominees:
1. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2. Mystic River
3. Lost in Translation
4. Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World
5. Seabiscuit.

The Next Five:
6. City of God
7. Finding Nemo
8. Cold Mountain
9. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
10. In America

Maybes:
11. 21 Grams
12. House of Sand and Fog
13. The Last Samurai
14. Big Fish
15. A Mighty Wind
16. American Splendor
17. The Barbarian Invasions
18. Dirty Pretty Things

Commentary: This wasn’t a deep year for movies, which is probably why LOTR was able to clean up as much as it did. Without much depth, it would have been difficult to make a decent list of ten. I picked City of God, because of the Fernando Meirelles directing nod. I then went with the signature animated movie, Finding Nemo. Cold Mountain wasn’t that great, but it had pedigree, along the lines of The Reader. Pirates was the smash hit, and Johnny Depp was fantastic. Finally I went with the Sheridan movie, simply because it cleaned up better at the nominations than was expected.

Review: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

This afternoon I had the pleasure of finally seeing Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. In order to grasp the concept of just how good this movie is, let's start with the basics.

The technical aspects are simply devine. Beautiful scenery, great costumes, wonderfully balanced and well-timed music, and superb visual effects. Of course this is something that all six films have possessed. Special Note: The cinematography this time around is a work of art, and is much improved on the previous installments.

So we move to the acting. I am glad to see the teenagers, who are now adults, not only growing up, but maturing their acting abilities as well. Ironically, the one actor in that category I find fault with is Harry himself, Daniel Radcliffe. He is one of the few that doesn't quite have the timing and subtlety that is brought on by maturity, but of course their is room to grow. I also personally think that Emma Watson and Tom Felton have the brightest futures, as both really pulled out all the stops this time around. The great part about all of these movies, is that the child, now adult, actors do not have to carry all the weight. And once again, the plethora of British talent lining Hogwarts corridors is always pushing the envelope on consistent and terrific performances. Alan Rickman, Michael Gambon, Helen Bonham Carter, Maggie Smith, Warwick Davis, Robbie Coltrane, Julie Walters, and David Thewlis all bring their A-game. The newest addition, Horace Slughorn, however, proves to be the freshest and most interesting character, bolstered by the incredible talent that is Jim Broadbent.

However, my major concern with Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix was the story. Yes, the mood was captured, yes the visual effects were fantastic, but what was missing were the nice tones and subtleties, the ebbs and flows that come from great storytelling. Now that the original screenwriter Steve Kloves has returned to the helm, that element that was missing in the previous film, has come back better than ever. Because of Kloves, paired with David Yates' suprisingly agile directing, this chapter in the saga is able to perfectly combine awkward teen angst, with the dark and deadly rising storm, into a powerful, gritty, and dark piece of cinematic art.

Grade: A

Oscar Possibilties - With 10 nominations, I am going to go ahead and say it.....give Harry a shot. This truly was a great movie, and critics/audiences are agreeing. Let 10 include the well-deserved blockbusters who are usually overlooked. Other possibilities include Best Supporting Actor for Jim Broadbent and Michael Gambon. Then of course the usual techinal suspects: original score, costume design, art direction, visual effects, and cinematography. Only time will tell in Harry has what to takes to finally take the Oscars by storm.

Oscar Contender: The Lovely Bones

Here is a quick look at one of the most buzzed about movies

First Off, Peter Jackson is well liked among the Academy. Between his Lord of the Rings trilogy, and King Kong, Jackson’s movies are usually well received. Bones is also based on a great book, and if the makers can capsize on the story, the potential for greatness is very high.

Then you look at the actors: Mark Wahlberg, Rachel Weisz, Saoirse Ronan, Susan Sarandon, and the always incredible Stanley Tucci. With this talent, it will be hard for the Academy to ignore the many acting nomination possibilities.

Cons: Lightning doesn’t always strike twice. Just because Jackson had previous successes, doesn’t mean he’ll repeat. Frontrunners tend to fizzle. Kind of a strange story, and the Academy may not go with the whole ghost vibe.

Bottom Line: If all falls into place, this should be a great movie. At this point, all we can do is wait and see.

The End of an Era....Or At Least It Should Be.....

I decided to make a list of some of the Emmy Nominees who continue to receive Emmy nominations long past their performance peak. Basically I've OD'd on them, and it's time for their time in the sun to end.....







1. Tony Shaloub - I'm going to be completely honest, I thought Monk had ended a couple of years ago, but alas, it's still on TV, and that means Tony Shaloub receives another Emmy nomination. At one point, I thought Shaloub's character was inventive and great, and I was thrilled when he won an Emmy. Now six nominations and three wins later, without any major depth added to the character, the embracing of Monk has gotten old.



2. Julia Louis-Dreyfus - Let's put out a disclaimer. I love her. But Christine is no Seinfeld, and she has more than earned her due. It's time to step aside and let the plethora of talented actresses finally get the due they deserve.



3. Sally Field - Once again, I love her. She deserved the Emmy she won, but....Calista Flockhart has outshined Mrs. Field the last two seasons, and it's time the two swapped places. You've won your Emmy Sally, it's okay to step aside.



4. Jon Cryer - The only cast member I still found funny is Charlie Sheen. So why does Cryer keep getting nominted? It's my theory he rides in on the Sheen train. But whatever the reason is, if Two and a Half Men is done in the Comedy Series category, it should take Cryer with it.



5. William Shatner - Does anyone else find him annoying? I didn't particullary like Boston Legal and I'm glad to see it didn't get nominated one last time in the Drama Series category. I just wish they would have had the same idea about Shatner.

RIP Walter Cronkite

An American legend...period. We will miss you dearly and we thank you for all that you have contributed to television, news broadcasting, and most importantly, history.

Emmy Snubs

My personal Emmy Snubs:

• Battlestar Gallactica - Like The Wire and Gilmore Girls before, the Emmys have a tendency to miss the boat entirely on great shows, and Gallactica is no exception. Like the Oscars, the Emmys will soon need to give up their discrimination of horror (True Blood), and fantasy or their already diminished relevance to continue to dwindle.

• Jeanne Tripplehorn "Big Love"- While I think I join a majority that was pleasantly suprised by the inclusion of Big Love into the Drama Series category, I think I can speak for all of us when I say, we were also very suprised that Jeanne Tripplehorn, and the rest of the cast was left off the list.

• The Big Bang Theory - I was so glad to see the inclusion of Family Guy and How I Met Your Mother, but I feel they missed the mark by continuing to honor the quickly disentigrating Entourage over this clever, on-the-rise sitcom, that truly gets better with time.
  
• Katherine Heigl -I know she got a lot of criticism for not submitting her name for the Emmys last year, but you have to admit that she acted her ass of this year. No matter what curveball Shonda Rhimes threw at her (including a love affair with a ghost!), she knocked it out of the park.

• The Desperate Housewives Ladies - I know people have had problems with some of the storylines on DH the last couple of seasons, but you have to admit fast-forwarding 5 years really boosted this season almost back to the glory days of the show. Despite this, the cast (with the exception of a Guest Actor nod for Beau Bridges) was completely snubbed. The biggest being Eva Longoria and Nicollette Sheridan, who are not only the only original ladies to never receive a nomination, but who are consistently the funniest.

• True Blood and Anna Paquin - Now this truly is a travesty: the vampire curse continues. I applaud the HFPA for honoring Anna Paquin, and we should slap the Emmys on the wrist for not following in suit. Not only was Paquin snubbed, but this incredible and original show deserved a Drama Series nod...period.

• Calista Flockhart "Brothers & Sisters" - I know Sally Field is a legend, I get it. But Flockhart is consistently great, and consistently overlooked in favor of her overpowering co-star.

• Last Seasons: ER and The Shield - Now the ER snub is not shocking, but kinda sad considering how long it was on TV, and more importantly, how popular it remained. But the snub of The Shield altogether is a travesty of epic proportions. I was at least glad to see CCH Pounder in the Guest Actress slot, but it doesn't make up for ignoring this incredible work of art, and unfortunately, for both of these shows, they'll never have another opportunity.

Emmy Nomination and Predictions: Guest Actor/Actress Comedy

GUEST ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES: Alan Alda "30 Rock", Beau Bridges "Desperate Housewives", Jon Hamm "30 Rock", Steve Martin "30 Rock", Justin Timberlake "Saturday Night Live"

• REACTION: Once again, one great name after another. Hate to see Will Arnett snubbed, but overall great category.
• SNUBS: Will Arnett "30 Rock", Albert Brooks "Weeds", Idris Elba "The Office", Brad Garrett "Monk", John Larroquette "Chuck"
• WINNER: I say the 5 time winner Alan Alda rides the 30 Rock train.

GUEST ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES: Jennifer Aniston "30 Rock", Christine Baranski "The Big Bang Theory", Tina Fey "Saturday Night Live", Gena Rowlands "Monk", Elaine Stritch "30 Rock", Betty White, "My Name Is Earl"

• REACTION: I just want to say, I love these Guest Categories, an excuse to include star power. Great to see Jennifer Aniston, I loved her on Friends. And of course the great Tina Fey makes it in. Two time winner Kathryn Joosten gets snubbed.
• SNUBS: Salma Hayek "30 Rock", Patti Lupone "30 Rock", Bernadette Peters "Ugly Betty", Oprah Winfrey "30 Rock"
• WINNER: Is there really another option: Tina Fey "SNL"

Emmy Nominations and Predictions: Guest Actor/Actress Drama

GUEST ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES: Edward Asner "CSI: NY", Ernest Borgnine "ER", Ted Danson "Damages", Michael J. Fox "Rescue Me", Jimmy Smits, "Dexter"

• REACTION: It's like a list of Who's Who. Great list, no real suprises.
• SNUBS: Charles Durning "Rescue Me", Charles S. Dutton "CSI: NY", Patrick Fishler "Mad Men", Colin Hanks "Mad Men", Christopher Lloyd "Law & Order: CI", Robert Morse "Mad Men", Jon Voight "24"
• WINNER: The Jimmy Smits storyline was key for Drama Series nominee Dexter, the Emmy winner strikes again.

GUEST ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES: Brenda Blethyn "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit", Carol Burnett "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit", Ellen Burstyn "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit", Sharon Lawrence "Grey's Anatomy", CCH Pounder "The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency"

• REACTION: Legend, after Legend. Great to see Sharon Lawerence, but shocked not to see Tyne Daly. Even though The Shield got the shaft, CCH Pounder managed a well deserved nod.
• SNUBS: Tyne Daly "Grey's Anatomy", Sharon Gless "Nip/Tuck", Mary McDonnell "Grey's Anatomy", Melinda McGraw "Mad Men", Susan Sarandon "ER", Lois Smith "True Blood", Sigourney Weaver "Eli Stone"
• WINNER: I say the L&R girls split the vote, and CCH Pounder gets a well deserved Emmy for "The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency"

Emmy Nomination Predictions: Supporting Actor/Actress Comedy

SUPPORTING ACTOR, COMEDY SERIES: Jon Cryer "Two and a Half Men", Kevin Dillon "Entourage", Neil Patrick Harris "How I Met Your Mother", Jack McBrayer "30 Rock", Tracy Morgan "30 Rock", Rainn Wilson "The Office"

• REACTION: Great to see the inclusion of Jack McBrayer and Tracy Morgan, I thought the supporting players were never going to get recognition (also see Jane K. below). I still don't understand all the Jon Cryer love, but to each his own. The biggest shock was the exclusion of Jeremy Piven, although personally I agree with it. But it is shocking to go from three-time winner to nothing.
• SNUBS: John Corbett "The United States of Tara", John Krasinski "The Office", Jeremy Piven "Entourage", Kurtwood Smith "The Office",
• WINNER: FINALLY! Neil Patrick Harris takes home the gold/hosts.

SUPPORTING ACTRESS, COMEDY SERIES: Kristin Chenoweth "Pushing Daisies", Amy Poehler "Saturday Night Live", Jane Krakowski "30 Rock", Elizabeth Perkins "Weeds", Kristin Wiig "Saturday Night Live", Vanessa Williams "Ugly Betty"

• REACTION: Interesting to see Kristin Chenoweth, despite the Pushing Daisies crash and burn. Two SNL actresses finally get their due. And then of course, the usual suspects. But the best part is the inclusion of Jane Krakowski, she definately deserves it. Suprised to see no Jean Smart (Reigning Champ) or TaaHM ladies. I knew it was a longshot, but I would have loved to seen Nicollette Sheridan honored for her last and memorable season on Desperate Housewives. Also the Jenna Fischer snub is awful, just awful.
• SNUBS: Dana Delaney "Desperate Housewives", Conchata Ferrell "Two and a Half Men", Jenna Fischer "The Office", Nicollette Sheridan "Desperate Housewives", Jean Smart "Samantha Who?", Holland Taylor "Two and A Half Men", Tracy Ullman "State of the Union"
• WINNER: Since Betty seems to be falling out of favor, Vanessa Williams may never win her deserved Emmy. I am going with a 30 Rock wave: Jane Krakowski "30 Rock"

Emmy Nominations and Predictions: Supporting Actor/Actress Drama Series

SUPPORTING ACTOR, DRAMA SERIES: Christian Clemenson "Boston Legal", Michael Emerson "Lost", William Hurt "Damages", Aaron Paul "Breaking Bad", William Shatner "Boston Legal", John Slattery "Mad Men"

• REACTION: Great to see the inclusion of Aaron Paul, but enough with the Boston Legal boys. I thought that when it was excluded from the Drama Series category, then that would trickle down, but apparently not. Also, John Slattery was great, but I would have rather seen Vincent Kartheiser instead...but oh well. Also John Mahoney getting snubbed is a shame. Period.
• SNUBS: Justin Chambers "Grey's Anatomy", Patrick Dempsey "Grey's Anatomy", Walter Goggins "The Shield", Vincent Kartheiser "Mad Men, John Mahoney "In Treatment", John Noble "Fringe", Terry O'Quinn "Lost"
• WINNER: This one is hard to judge, while Shatner has one before, I am going to go with Michael Emerson "Lost", and no real reason, other than I think he deserves it.

SUPPORTING ACTRESS, DRAMA SERIES: Rose Byrne "Damages", Hope Davis "In Treatment", Cherry Jones "24", Sandra Oh "Grey's Anatomy", Dianne Wiest "In Treatment" Chandra Wilson "Grey's Anatomy"

• REACTION: No Katherine Heigl, which is very interesting, but glad to see Sandra Oh back in this race, along with the always great Chandra Wilson. With two In Treatment women, we expected to see Alison Pill, but Hope Davis pulled thorough. Rose Byrne once again gets a well deserved nomination. And Cherry Jones! One of the great parts left of the once great 24. Pretty happy will all six, except the exclusion of Christina Hendricks, which is a shame.
• SNUBS: Candace Bergen "Boston Legal", "Marcia Gay Harden "Damages", Rachel Griffiths "Brothers & Sisters", Katherine Heigl "Grey's Anatomy", Christina Hendricks "Man Men", Allison Pill "In Treatment", Sara Ramirez "Grey's Anatomy"
• WINNER - I know Diane Wiest is back, and she could easily win this very tough category, but I say Chandra Wilson finally wins here overdo Emmy for Grey's Anatomy.

Emmy Nominations and Predictions: Lead Actor/Actress Comedy

ACTOR, COMEDY SERIES:Alec Baldwin "30 Rock", Steve Carell "The Office", Jemaine Clement "Flight of the Conchords", Jim Parsons "The Big Bang Theory", Tony Shalhoub "Monk", Charlie Sheen "Two and a Half Men"

• REACTION: Once again, I'm glad they honored Flight of the Conchords, but who would have expected this much love? A Best Actor nomination for Jermaine Clement? I think the first real shocker of the nominations. Great to see Jim Parsons in, despite The Big Bang Theory getting snubbed in the Comedy Series category. The rest are no-brainers. A Note: I use to love Tony Shaloub's character on Monk, now it's just starting to piss me off. It is constantly taking away nominations from other, well deserving actors like David Duchonvny.
• SNUBS: Kyle Bornheimer "Worst Week", David Duchovny "Californication",
  Johnny Galecki "Big Bang Theory", Lee Pace "Pushing Daisies"
• Winner: 30 Rock rules again, Alec Baldwin.

ACTRESS, COMEDY SERIES: Christina Applegate "Samantha Who?", Toni Collette "United States of Tara", Tina Fey "30 Rock", Julia Louis-Dreyfus "New Adventures of Old Christine" Mary-Louise Parker "Weeds", Sarah Silverman "The Sarah Silverman Program"

• REACTION: It's nice to see the inclusion of the ever-hilarious Sarah Silverman, and the ever-talented Toni Collette. The rest are not suprises, although it seems the fascination with America Ferrara has ended (I still like her, but whatever). A Note on Julia Louis Dreyfus....I like her, but enough with the Emmy love. She could stare blankly into the screen for an entire episode, submit that one, and still get nominated...geez. Also, I think that Eva Longoria-Parker is the most underrated cast member of Desperate Housewives, and I think she was snubbed.
• SNUBS: Marcia Cross "Desperate Housewives", America Ferrera "Ugly Betty", Teri Hatcher "Desperate Housewives", Felicity Huffman "Desperate Housewives", Eva Longoria-Parker "Desperate Housewives", Amy Poehler "Parks and Recreation"
• Winner: Two Words: Tina Fey
  

Emmy Nominations and Reactions: Lead Actor/Actress Drama

ACTOR, DRAMA SERIES:Simon Baker "The Mentalist", Gabriel Byrne "In Treatment", Bryan Cranston "Breaking Bad", Michael C. Hall "Dexter", Jon Hamm "Mad Men", Hugh Laurie "House"

• REACTION - Sometimes the Emmys just get it right, and that's what they did with the inclusion of Simon Baker, great actor in an up and coming show. The rest are the usual suspects. Kinda suprised that Kiefer Sutherland didn't get in, because of his popularity, although they may have compensated for it with his TV Movie/Miniseries nod, so its all good. Also the James Spader love seems as though it has finally run dry, and for that we should all be thankful.
• SNUBS - Kyle Chandler "Friday Night Lights", Michael Chiklis "The Shield", Denis Leary "Rescue Me", James Spader "Boston Legal", Kiefer Sutherland "24"
• WINNER - I know Bryan Cranston shocked last year, and despite the new found love of, Breaking Bad, I will join the Mad Men train, and say: Jon Hamm "Mad Men"

ACTRESS, DRAMA SERIES: Glenn Close "Damages", Sally Field "Brothers and Sisters", Mariska Hargitay "Law and Order: Special Victims Unit", Holly Hunter "Saving Grace", Elisabeth Moss "Mad Men", Kyra Sedgwick "The Closer"

• REACTION: Elisabeth Moss gets her first, well-deserved Emmy nomination. The rest of the nominees are past nominees/winners, and no real shockers. Kinda suprised that Mariska Hargitay got in again, and that Golden Globe winner Anna Paquin got snubbed, but it seems the vampire curse at the Emmys continues.
• SNUBS: Patricia Arquette "Medium", Angela Bassett"ER", January Jones "Mad Men", Evangeline Lilly "Lost", Mary McDonnell "Battlestar Galactica", Anna Paquin "True Blood", Ellen Pompeo "Grey's Anatomy", Jill Scott "No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency", Jeanne Tripplehorn "Big Love"
• WINNER: After no four straight nominations, I think that this is the year for: Kyra Sedgwick "The Closer"

Emmy Nominations and Reactions: Comedy and Drama Series

DRAMA SERIES: Big Love, Breaking Bad, Damages, Dexter, House, Lost, Mad Men

• REACTION - While the predictable (Mad Men, Lost, and Dexter) easily got in, there were a few suprises. First is House, while it's been nominated before, it got a lot of crap for its Kal Penn storyline, and a lot of other bad buzz, but still made the cut. Big Love and Breaking Bad are the real shockers here though. Great shows, but small ones that I thought could get acting nods, but not overall series nod; Congrats though!
• SNUBS - Battlestar Galactica, Boston Legal, ER, Friday Night Lights, Grey's Anatomy, In Treatment, The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, The Shield, True Blood,
• WINNER - Right now I have to play it safe and go with the reigning champ, Mad Men

COMEDY SERIES: Entourage, Family Guy, How I Met Your Mother, Flight of the Conchords, The Office, 30 Rock, Weeds

• REACTION - The Emmys finally went out on a limb and nominated their first animated series since The Flintstones in 1961, with the inclusion of Family Guy, and this fan could'nt be happier! Also nice to see the inclusion of the exiting Flight of the Conchords, the juicy Weeds, and the constantly snubbed How I Met Your Mother. Then of course the usual suspects 30 Rock, The Office, and the ever worsening Entourage. I feel they missed the mark by not honoring The Big Bang Theory, and by continuing to honor Entourage, despite its decline in quality.
• SNUBS: The Big Bang Theory, Californication, Desperate Housewives, Scrubs, Two and a Half Men, Ugly Betty, United States of Tara
• WINNER: Once again, the reigning champ wins again: 30 Rock

Emmy Nominations Tomorrow

Early tomorrow morning, the Emmy Nominations will be announced....once they are, I will break down each major category, and give my first winner predictions as well!

Harry Potter...Oscar Winner?

As a Harry Potter fan, I have loved the movie adaptations almost as well as I loved the books. Apparently the 6th installment will continue to satisfy my expectations.

But the question remains, will the Oscars finally reward this franchise?

The track record doesn't look so good. While all the movies have been huge hits, as well as received great reviews, the Academy has only given them a few measly technical nominations, and ignored some altogether.

However, with The Half-Blood Prince, reviews are not just good, not even great, but stellar. With a current 95% Rotten Tomatoes rating, combined with a most likely huge opening weekend at the box office, we should not count of the thoughts of Oscars.

Plus with 10 nominations, which were apparently based on the need to include more audience-friendly movies, what a better place to start than Harry Potter.......

New Thought on 10

I had another random thought about the ten nominees...relevance.

I have to admire the Academy for attempting to boost its relevance factor. While the five nominees were are great films (with the exception of The Reader), they weren't exactly the most relevant movies in terms with the general public like The Dark Knight and Wall-E. By extending the number to 10 it does allow the Academy to boost its relevance factor.

If you think this is a ridiculous argument, considered the Grammys, who haven't been relevant since Outkast won for Speakerboxxx/The Love Below. I mean Alison Kraus, Robert Plant, and Herbie Hancock are legends for sure...but the fact that Kanye West has yet to win an Album of the Year award is simply a crime.

Also look at the Emmys: They two have increased their nominees in the major categories in order to include more shows. Of course, while Mad Men and 30 Rock are great shows, but if they repeat as winners this year, then the irrelevant factor for the Emmys will continue. They are simply great shows, that nobody is watching...

So once again, I applaud the Academy for at least trying to become more relevant, it may be a great thing, and it may crash and burn...we'll see!

My thoughts on 10:

With the announcing of ten best picture nominees, every blogger, critic, and entertainment writer has put in their two cents, so here is mine:

First off the cons: I do believe that with 10, the potential to have useless, Academy-esque films dominate could make the honor, just that, less honorable. Also If they try to include popcorn flicks, they may end up with one that isn't that good, but just popular.

However, the inclusion of 10 does lead the way for great animated films like Up, and actually good blockbusters like Harry Potter, Star Trek, and Avatar. Also, smaller films like Precious and The Hurt Locker, can now truly have a chance to break into the Best Picture race.

Here's the bottom line: until we see the actual nominations before our very own eyes, no one can predict the positive/negetive impact that 10 will have on this award. So it is best to just wait and see!

If I had it my way....

If I had it my way, these would be my emmy nominations......

Best Drama Series

Damages
Dexter
Friday Night Lights
Grey’s Anatomy
Lost
Mad Men
24

Best Actor in a Drama Series

Gabriel Byrne “In Treatment”
Micheal Chiklis “The Shield”
Bryan Cranston “Breaking Bad”
Michael C. Hall “Dexter”
John Hamm “Mad Men”
Hugh Laurie “House”

Best Actress in a Drama Series

Angela Bassett “ER”
Glenn Close “Damages”
Sally Field “Brothers & Sisters”
January Jones “Mad Men”
Anna Paquin “True Blood”
Ellen Pompeo “Grey’s Anatomy”

Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

Micheal Emerson “Lost”
William Hurt “Damages”
John Mahoney “In Treatment”
John Noble “Fringe”
Aaron Paul “Breaking Bad”
John Slattery “Mad Men”

Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

Candace Bergen “Boston Legal”
Rose Byrne “Damages”
Marcia Gay Harden “Damages”
Katherine Heigl “Grey’s Anatomy”
Diane Weist “In Treatment”
Chandra Wilson “Grey’s Anatomy”

Best Comedy Series

30 Rock
The Big Bang Theory
Desperate Housewives
Family Guy
How I Met Your Mother
The Office
Two and a Half Men

Best Actor in a Comedy Series

Alec Baldwin “30 Rock”
Kyle Bornheimer “Worst Week”
Steve Carell “The Office”
David Duchovny “Californication”
Jim Parsons “The Big Bang Theory”
Charlie Sheen “Two and a Half Men”

Best Actress in a Comedy Series

Christina Applegate “Samantha Who?”
Toni Collette “The United States of Tara”
Tina Fey “30 Rock”
America Ferrera “Ugly Betty”
Eva Longoria-Parker “Desperate Housewives”
Mary-Louise Parker “Weeds”

Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

John Corbett “The United States of Tara”
Jon Cryer “Two and a Half Men”
Kevin Dillon “Entourage”
Neil Patrick Harris “How I Met Your Mother”
Tracy Morgan “30 Rock”
Rainn Wilson “The Office”

Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

Amy Poehler “SNL”
Nicollette Sheridan “Desperate Housewives”
Jean Smart “Samantha Who?”
Holland Taylor “Two and a Half Men”
Tracy Ullman “State of the Union”
Vanessa Williams “Ugly Betty”