And the Winner is...

For what it's worth, here's who I think should win tonight:

Best Picture:  Lincoln - This was the best film I saw this year.  Hands down.  And I don't care that Ben Affleck got snubbed, it doesn't make Argo the best picture of the year.

Best Actor:  Daniel Day Lewis - He was brilliant.

Best Actress:  Jennifer Lawrence - She was wonderful and real.  (Although I wouldn't be upset if Naomi Watts won.  I didn't see The Impossible, but from what I've read...she went through a lot for this performance.)

Best Supporting Actor:  Robert De Niro - He was great. (I also think Christoph Waltz could win.  Heck he still freaks me out since his performance in Inglourious Basterds)

Best Supporting Actress:  Ann Hathaway - She was amazing and brave in Les Mis.

Best Director:  Steven Spielberg

Best Cinematography:  Claudio Miranda (Life of Pi) - This film was so beautifully shot that it deserves a mention here.  I'm always a fan of great cinematography.

And the Oscar Goes To...

I have actually seen 5 of the nine nominated Best Pictures.    I've seen The Help, War Horse, The Descendants, The Artist and Hugo. I have not seen Moneyball, Midnight in Paris, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close and The Tree of Life.

Not seeing all of them does limit my ability to pick a winner but, I do feel better equipped than most years.

So for what's worth, I think the Oscar should to:

The Artist

I just loved it.

Just Because

Pulled this off the Humphrey Bogart Fan page on Facebook (yes, I belong).  Just a great photo from a great movie.  My top movie of all time.

And the Winner Is....

Since there were only 10 comments, I did this the old fasion way.  I wrote the names out on pieces of paper and had someone pick a name.

And the winner of the Flipped DVD is.....Kelly Massman.  (Yeah Kelly!)

And yes this story is based off a book.

Kelly - please email me at trapp001@comcast.net in order to claim your prize.
It is being shipped out direct from Warner Brothers, so I have no idea on the timeline...but make sure you keep me posted when you receive it.

Thanks to everyone who participated.  I loved reading your first love comments.  Most were so cute and others were just plain interesting...(Wendy - your parents must have had a stroke).

Flipped - A Movie Preview and Giveaway

You know how I am always writing movie reviews, well here is something completely different....a movie preview.  It's a movie called Flipped and it was directed by talented Rob Reiner.  It came out on DVD yesterday.  

I could try to explain that it's a story about young love, but I think this  trailer does it much better:

It looks cute and the young girl, played by Madeline Carroll has such a lovely, quietly expressive face.

I am fortunate to be able to offer a giveaway of the Flipped DVD.  All you have to do is write a comment about your first love.  It could be just a name, or maybe a moment or a special feeling.  Each comment gets you one entry for the giveaway.  If you cross promote on your blog or Facebook, you can get a second entry.  Just make sure you leave a second comment with what you've done.

Since this is a busy week-end for all of us, I will keep this contest open until Monday, November 29 at 12:00pm ET.

Have a great Thanksgiving everyone.

The Giveaway portion of this post is now closed.

Weekly Question #5

It's Monday, so it must be time for the Question of the Week.  I had an idea of a good question, but since the Academy Awards just aired yesterday, I decided to go in another direction.

Who were the best and worst dressed at last night's Academy Awards?

If you aren't into my trite blithering... feel free to skip this week's question, but I can't help it.  I love the Academy Awards.

So, the winners are...

Sandra Bullock - Loved both her dress and her simple hair.  Might have gone with a different color lipstick.

I just wish she could learn how to stand for photos.  She's so beautiful, but she stands like a drill sergeant.

Meryl Streep - Love this classic white dress.  She looks gorgeous.  For any of you Project Runway fans out there, this dress was designed by Chris March.  Well done, Chris.

 (Look Sandy...even Meryl can get the pose right.)

Penelope Cruz - What a great color on her.

Anna Kendrick - Young and fresh and the perfect color pink.

Rachel McAdams - I like this one cause it's different and looks great on her.












Now...at the opposite end of the spectrum.  Who really blew it?

Charlize Theron - Wow...what was she thinking.  What's with the rose breast plates.  Bad dress, bad color and bad for her as she should know better than this.

Miley Cyrus - Sure hate to pick on her cause she's so young, but this was just a bad choice, but than I've never been a fan of bustier dresses.

(Is that how you spell bustier??)

Also...STAND UP STRAIGHT girl!  Slouching is never attractive.

Who Would Play You?

So..I got commenting over at another blog and it got me thinking about something that I'm just dying to ask.  So think about this and let me know.

If they were to make a movie of your life....Who Would Play You?

Mine would be....

Meg Ryan

Can't wait to hear yours. (By the way...I'm watching You've Got Mail for the 10 millionth time.)

Update: Krissy would have Alicia Silverstone play her.  Good choice.

Another Update:  Caity picked Reese Witherspoon to play her.  That works...cute little blonde playing a cute little blonde.  (Yeah, Kel - you and Cait picked the same.  Not surprising.)

Ten...Really?

It's seems that the "Academy" has decided to change the Best Picture category to include 10 movies.  I have to be honest here...I'm just not feeling it.  Ten is popular with David Letterman and other list-aholics (like me) but I'm thinking this is a bit....excessive.

In case you have heard, here are the 10 movies nominated this year:

• Up in the Air
• Precious
• Up
• Nine
• The Road
• The Lovely Bones
• Avatar
• The Boys Are Back
• Inglourious Bastards
• Away We Go

Seems like a rather long list.  Didn't it make you think twice if it was right?

A positive  out of this change is that a small movie like "Away We Go" even gets the chance to be nominated.

I've seen 4 of these movies and there are two more that I would like to see..but there are also a few that I really don't want to see.  I know I should, but harsh doses of reality are not my idea of fun or entertainment.

My general rule...don't see movies that will keep me up at night.  It's not much...but I find it's a good rule to go by as I am very impressionable and easily distraught.  (Blame Virginia...I inherited this tendency from her.)

So...which of the 10 movies might you be rooting for this year? 

Me...I'm guessing I'll be rooting for Up or Away We Go at this point.  Likely, I'll be disappointed on Oscar night.

My Favorite Actress

Have I ever told you that I love Emma Thompson?  She came to mind recently as Krissy had started one of those..."What 5 movies would you take to a deserted island" games.  (Keeping in mind, that the island would have to have electricity, a DVD player and a TV.)

The more I thought about my favorite movie list, the more I thought about my two favorite...take your breath away movie moments.  Both moments were created by the remarkable and amazing Emma Thompson.

The first was in Sense and Sensibility.  It's near the end of the movie when Elinor finds out the Edward is not married to Lucy Steele.  That moment...with an intake of breath...she manages to express such emotion.  I am of course, breathless with her and in a puddle on the floor. 

The second is in Love Actually. There is a scene, where she is opening a Christmas present from her husband.  She is thinking it is the gold necklace she accidently found in his coat pocket.  It is in fact...not.  The realization and heartbreak that she holds in, is astounding.  Again, she carries me with her and I am lost for her.

I do, of course realize there are many other brilliant actress today, but no one has moved me that way that Emma has.  So, I love Emma Thompson.

As for the 5 movies I picked for my deserted island...they are:

Casablanca
Pride and Prejudice
Love Actually
Princess Bride
Roman Holiday

If this list says anything about me at all, it is that I am a hopeless romantic!

Best Looking Feedback

If you haven't commented on my 5/6/09 post with your "best looking" actor and actress of all time, please feel free to do so. I'm still interested in your thoughts. Based on the input received so far, I think I need to post the following pictures:

Audrey is the clear choice for most beautiful actress (I really can't argue that point at all) and Cary, Gene and Paul all have supportors for most beautiful actor.

Thanks for the feedback.

Best Looking...Of All Time

I was just over at Pioneer Woman this morning and she had one of her fun photo quizes up under her homeschooling tab. I was late as usual and someone had already answered all the questions correctly. But in her quiz, she had a picture of Gregory Peck which got me thinking. To my mind, Gregory Peck was the most beautiful actor of all time. He was just so gorgeous in Roman Holiday. I think I melt in that last scene where he just stands there hoping Audrey will return, but of course she doesn't...she can't. Ahhh, be still my heart.

(This picture is actually from that final scene. Again, I have to say how much I love Google.)

Naturally, this line of thinking then took me to Grace Kelly, who I think was the most beautiful actress of all time. She's particularily special in To Catch a Thief.

(Stunning ain't she.)

Now it's time for your input. Who do you think were or are the most beautiful actor and actress of all time? Just make a comment and give a little detail of why or what movie makes you think they are so special.

Love to hear from you. (If you are a guy and aren't comfortable commenting on an actor...just supply your most beautiful actress. I'll understand.)

Best Movie Sequels

Caity's husband, "What's Up Doc", loves movie sequels. He's kind of become the family authority on sequels including the fact that there are a few sequels that he loves to watch, but will never admit to it. Here's the scenario....let's say, it's late at night and you can't sleep. You turn on the TV and flipping through the channels you come upon Grease 2. What do you do? If you are a normal, everyday person with taste, you immediately turn it off and put on the nearest infomercial. But if you are What's Up Doc, you leave it on and feel a great sense of satisfaction that you were lucky enough to find it.

Under other circumstances, his taste in movies is much better then that, so without further ado, here are the Top 10 Movie Sequels. Well...a little more ado. The sequels on this list are on here because they were better then the preceding movies. This doesn't imply, that the other versions weren't good, it's just that these sequels were really good.

1. Godfather II


2. Empire Strikes Back


3. Terminator 2: Judgement Day


4. Aliens


5. The Dark Knight


6. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly


7. Lord of the Rings: Return of the King


8. Bride of Frankenstein


9. X2: X-Men United (This might be bounced off after the opening of the new Wolverine movie. It sure looks good.)


10. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade

Best Comedy Movies for the 30-Something Set

If you look over to the left - down a little, you'll see our Favorite Movie list. On that list are a couple of movies that Krissy and Cait made me include. Honestly...Super Troopers??? But I have to acknowledge that there are a group of movies out there that absolutely slay my kids. So, in my efforts to refine the list at the left, the girls (with some spousal input) have created a list of their favorite comedies.

You probably think that's simple. Ahhh, not so fast. It seems there are two types of comedies that they love. For the purpose of this list, there are the Serious Comedies and the Ridiculous Comedies. The Serious Comedies are actually good movies that are very funny and Ridiculous Comedies are movies that you know aren't good, but you can't turn them off or stop laughing at them.

Please note that we are limiting the "Ben Stiller" movies to just one, as most of his movies make Caity (and me) just a little crazy. His characters are so embarrassing that we are very uncomfortable and cannot enjoy the film.

We also had to limit the number of "Judd Apatow" movies. They acknowledge he is a "comedy god", but don't want him over represented on this list. Wow...not too many qualifiers on this list, eh?

Serious Comedies:

1. The Big Lebowski


2. Super Bad


3. 40-Year Old Virgin


4. Napoleon Dynamite


5. Something About Mary


6. Animal House


7. Ferris Bueller's Day Off


8. Trading Places


9. Caddyshack


10. Little Miss Sunshine

Ridiculous Comedies:

1. Super Troopers


2. Euro Trip


3. Beer Fest


4. American Pie


5. Drop Dead Gorgeous


6. Friday


7. Boomerang


8. Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle


9. Weekend at Bernie's


10. Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back

Do I even need to say that most of these movies are not appropriate for younger audiences, or is that already implied by their titles?

So...that's the list. Did we miss one of your favorites? We'd love to hear your thoughts?

Top 10 Classic Movies I Love

Let's be honest, Krissy and Cait aren't all that into "classic" movies. They're more into movies from the 80's and on, hence the reference to Super Troupers on the left. Therefore, this list, is just my list of the Classic Movies that I love. My criteria doesn't necessary follow traditional film historian guidelines. My test has more to do with my desire to watch these movies over and over again. If I see them listed in the cable guide, do I automatically turn them on to watch.

I do need to point out that I am excluding musicals from this list. That genre deserves it's own list and this time the girls opinions will be included, as we love us some musicals.

So, here's my classic favs:

1. Casablanca - Do I even need to explain this? Bogie and Bergman in a love story the defies comparison. Also amazing, as the script was being written day by day during filming. Which only helped create the "will she stay or will she go" tension in the final scenes.
2. Now, Voyager - Bette Davis in an ugly duckling to swan story (once she escapes the claws of her tyrannical mother). The cigarette scene with Paul Henried was sizzling hot for the time.
3. The Searchers - John Ford, John Wayne and the West as it should be shot.
4. Gone with the Wind - A saga for the ages.
5. Laura - My introduction to "film noir". Darkly shot, sinister and the stunningly beautiful Gene Tierney.
6. The Maltese Falcon - Bogie in his greatest detective role.
7. Roman Holiday - Gregory Peck at his most gorgeous.
8. The Adventures of Robin Hood - Errol ain't that bad either.
9. In Harms Way - Great war movie with a heart. Plus it's the Duke again.
10. To Have and Have Not - Bogie and Bacall falling in love...for real. Just the best.

If you haven't seen these, check them out for an afternoon of fun. Feel free to let me know if I missed one of your favs. We'd love to hear from you.

Linda