30 ROCK EPISODE "LEAP DAY" - 30 ROCK is a show that hit its peak at the end of its fourth season, countering the exhaustion brought on by overly familiar characters and scenarios with the introduction of just a hint of genuine pathos. By the start of the following season, it had retreated back to tried, true and safe. Last week's episode, "Leap Day", does nothing to bring shades of depth back to the show, but it does manage to be the funniest episode since that time. It's a pitch-perfect parody of every "holiday special" cliche ever aired, and a welcome return to form. . . And if you ever see an old man in a blue suit, bursting out of the middle of the ocean - take the time to say "howdy". It might just be worth your while.
THE OSCARS - I thought it went ok. Did you? Based only off of the venomous reviews the event received, you'd think it was the biggest bomb since Fat Man. Awards aside (The Artist is a film that we'll all forget about in about. . . now.), I found the show itself to be much zippier than usual, with all of the traditional, horrible song performances removed. (I thought the Cirque du Soleil was pretty classy, and Crystal's song was both expected and funnier than expected.) Frankly, some of the complaints sound ageist and anti-art. Thas coo, man. If you find the Academy a bit too pretentious, I think Nickelodeon still puts on the Kids Choice Awards every year
WRCJ 90.9FM DETROIT - The best way to start my day, and to wind down in the evening. "Classy Days, Jazzy Nights", as they say. Best mixed with either a bowl of hot oatmeal, or a good book.
IKIRU - Director Akira Kurosawa is best remembered for his tales of swordplay and samurai, but he did make a handful of successful films set in the twentieth century. This one is the best. Almost the answer to IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE, we follow the story of a man who has wasted his life, and comes to that realization only after he's diagnosed with terminal cancer. Much more uplifting than one might expect based on the premise, this film is rich with texture and subtle nuance, both visual and thematic. A true masterpiece.
GEARS OF WAR 3: HORDE MODE - I don't get to play this nearly as often as I would like to. There are several shooter games with highly entertaining "survival" modes, in which you and a handful of your friends (or complete strangers) take on wave after wave of increasingly horrifying beasties, but this one ups the brutality to a whole new level. Nothing quite beats the rush of coming back from the brink of oblivion and sawing a demon from the depths of space into two bloody chunks. Good for teaching children about teamwork and stress management!
We now have up to ten Best Picture nominees in a year, in part due to "Dark Knightgate" (i.e. The Dark Knight not being nominated for Best Picture, despite being a highly popular choice). So now, in deference to the whims of the masses (or what is believed are said whims), we are allowed to include in that hallowed list such films as DISTRICT 9 and INCEPTION.
But what does that really solve? You now have a list of ten, sure - but you still usually only have two viable contenders, one underdog. . . and now SEVEN other films that have no chance in hell.
How about we split the difference? TWO Best Pictures - One for ART, and one for ENTERTAINMENT.
It's a variation on something the Oscars have already done in the past, and not too dissimilar from the way the Golden Globes and many other awards shows are currently arranged. Dissolve the condescending Best Animated Film and Best Foreign Film awards, and just make all those potential nominees eligible for the top prizes (I would also be an advocate of only allowing foreign films that have been screened on US soil to be eligible).
I feel that by splitting the films by aspiration, you satisfy two disaffected groups: The people who think the Academy Awards are too "pretentious"; and the cinephiles who think that the Awards play it safe and pandering. Ideally, the divide would help negate the pull of those wishy-washy, middle-of-the-road films that so often seem to run off with the little golden man, satisfying no one.
Sure, the decision of what constitutes "Art" and "Entertainment" is arbitrary, but isn't the whole concept of an awards show for an artistic medium fairly arbitrary anyway? Would the not-nominated DRIVE (Hey, there's an open spot for nomination! Academy? Hello?!) have been classified under Art or Entertainment? I honestly don't know, but that would be exactly the sort of thing that would spark some interesting water cooler debates.
Oh, and let's add a Best Ensemble Cast award, huh? Just sayin'.
Thoughts?
THE STAR WARS TRILOGY - Watched the Star Wars films for the first time in about five years. (The original, unfucked with versions, via the special features discs off the 2006 DVD release.) It's thrilling to rediscover one of your first loves. The pacing and economy of storytelling on display are impressive. These films move, yet never feel rushed; there's just no fat on them. No redundant scenes with Frodo and Sam deciding whether or not the journey has been worth it. Jedi remains the weakest of the three, but y'know; during the multipronged end battle, I know exactly where everyone is relative to each other, and exactly what they're doing. I don't know if I could make that claim about any single action scene I've seen in the last decade, much less multiple/simultaneous action scenes in said films. Star Wars can still take on any sci-fi/fantasy upstarts well into the 21st century. The king stay the king.
SPRECHER SODA - Particularly their Puma Kola, which combines vanilla, cinnamon and honey flavors. Fire-brewed in Milwaukee, just a (gigantic) stone's throw away. I used to scoff at caffeine-free beverages, but as I'm attempting to ease off my habit, these colas have provided a methadone to my madness. Check 'em out!
PITTSBURGH: A NEW PORTRAIT - A richly detailed book, taking a look at the birth, death, and rebirth of the Steel City, through the lenses of culture, architecture, and innovation. Some incredible photos and drawings from all eras. A perfect read for Washington's birthday!
JOHN BYRNE'S RUN ON THE FANTASTIC FOUR - This is five years worth of work from one of comic's most influential artists, during the peak years of his power; the early eighties. Byrne won't be remembered as a great wordsmith, but he has a brain for outlandish stories and the pen to back them up with. This is immediately following his rightly legendary collaboration with Chris Claremont on the Uncanny X-Men, just to put the timeframe in perspective. Great fun so far. (I've only read about a year's worth at this point).
