Okay, you know I was really really supporting Nicole Kidman to win the Oscar for "The Hours", but I was always torn because I equally adore Julianne Moore. And I was also supporting Catherine Zeta-Jones to take the award for Supporting Actress even though I'd hate for Julianne to walk away empty handed. The thing is, Julianne isn't the kind of actress that craves the recognition, and that's part of why I love her so. She's an actress, not a celebrity. And that's HUGE to me. Part of her appeal. So it was easy to support the other ladies, because they seem to need the validation. And that's okay too.

But then all this Nicole/Jude Law talk started, and as much as I don't think the public has any right to a celebrity's private life, that just really limits Nicole's appeal to me. I had the impression of her as an amazingly resilient woman who put her children and family first, which I think is commendable when living under the klieg lights of Hollywood. Outside of Hollywood? I'm not going to pat a person on the back for doing the right thing. But to me, celebs are socially handicapped - that's another blog though I guess. Anyway, I was trying to believe it all was fiction and then I came upon this tidbit about Jennifer and Brad (who has somehow broken me down to the point of acting like a giddy!schoolgirl over him - and he's not my type at all! Too clean cut, too pretty boy, but... he saves lives!) . "She's worrying herself sick and given recent events you can't blame her. Nicole is irresistible to her leading men. Jude seemed to become besotted and so did Ewan McGregor when they filmed Moulin Rouge together. Jennifer is very wary about Nicole. A lot of women in Hollywood are. Nicole is quite simply a man's woman. Men simply adore her." Now, obviously this suggests that the problem is the men, and not Nicole, but two to tango, right? *sigh* I feel like Jerry Falwell.

And as far as Catherine goes, well, this whole Hello! magazine debacle has been interesting to say the least, but now I read this and this. For one, her work in the film stands on its own. She doesn't need to be greasing wheels! That's appalling to me, and yes, I understand that campaigning is a part of the awards, but I think that's ridiculous. And for two, don't blame your husband because you came off looking like ass. He didn't feed you words to say. He didn't tell you to announce to the courtroom and the world that the million dollar fee was chump change to you - you did that. YOU DID. Suck it up. Why can't people take responsibility for the things they do? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

So my point? Couple that stuff with the wonderfulness that is Julianne, and I'm firmly supporting her to walk away with both awards come Oscar night.

And I've blogged WAY too much for today, and I should stop.

Watch for Falling Spoilers.

"24" was awesome once again. I did have to supress the urge to fast-forward through all of Spawn's scenes, but I figure it's just karmic balance. I've been given such an awesome show to watch that it's only right to have to put up with a little bit of crap, right?

Everything else was awesome - Mason made me cry and I am not ashamed of that. Xander Berkeley has been amazing this season, and I really hope that's not the last we see of him... maybe he's also a trained pilot and will take over the controls before Jack can fly off? Complete his redemption? Am I hoping too much?

And as for Marie, great googly mooglie, is she a shrill wench or what? I mean, gah.

Tony/Michelle/New!Paula - Dude, is it just me or were New!Paula and Michelle a couple back at Division? Michelle must have really broken New!Paula's heart. And I'm seriously thinking that Michelle is evil this time, I thought it'd be too cliche after Nina, but I think New!Paula is a swerve. We're all supposed to think she's the evil one, but I really think it's Michelle. Unless they're in cahoots, that would make them both evil.

And speaking of evil, I honestly think that Lady Palmer is being genuine - all season I thought it was too obvious that she was evil again, and now I see why - cause she's not - it's Lynne. And Lynne is sly, y'all. Remember, she's also a Romulan, so that should have tipped us off from the start...

Kate is firmly ensconced on my good side now, and I just really want Jack to kiss her. Speaking of Jack and the Warners, how did the Velvet Voice of Seduction not work on Marie? Cause, I would have told him everything and anything he wanted to hear... and then some.

"Gilmore Girls" so doesn't deserve to have me as a fan. I'll admit that last night was one of the best of this season (I credit the lack of Jess), but there were so many plot holes and seeming inconsistancies that I felt a little disoriented about the whole thing.

For starters (and if you watch the show and are unspoiled, this would be where you look away), there is simply no way that Rory would get into Harvard before Paris. There is no line you can feed me that would make me believe that Rory and her non-extracurricular-doing, non-legacy (five generations of Gellars at Harvard? FIVE.) whiny self would get in over Class President, extracurricular-doing-since-birth, legacied (Once again, five generations of Gellars at Harvard. FIVE!) Paris. And also, Paris would definitely freak out about that, but she wouldn't EVER do it on national television. EVER. Why have they stripped her of all pride? For a show whose premise is based around the idea that a young woman was strong enough to raise a completely well-adjusted child with absolutely no help, it sure seems to hate women this season. I've tried to avoid saying that, but it's totally true.

Their lives are centered around men. Centered. Lorelai has become a simpering jealous ninny over Luke, whether she realizes it or not. She learns to fish to "catch her a man". And that idea was validated by Sookie. I'm not saying that we don't do things we don't enjoy for people who matter to us - we do and we should. But after one date? Pretend to LOVE something you otherwise would never give a second thought to - we do that in junior high, okay? Grow the hell up, Lorelai. And Rory? Shut up. Seriously. SHUT UP. Dean has a new girlfriend? I hope she puts out. You're the one who decided to give up Dean, okay? He put up with you for two years, and you've never seen a hockey rink before? Jess is a lousy, lousy boyfriend (kinda like you were to Dean), and when you finally call him on it (to a machine), I thought you'd redeemed yourself. But then he bought you back with a Jake Ryan pose and Distillers tickets. You're not only spineless, you're cheap. And you tell him to delete the message without listening? LAME. Stand the hell up for yourself. Sookie thinks she's a whore because another man hit on her. I still don't understand that one. Paris has sex (and is it just me, or did she drive three hours both ways for nookie? Isn't Jamie a Princeton man? Whose family is from Philly? Way to go "writers".) and is punished by losing out on her Harvard dream. Lane is pleased by having a jealous boyfriend. GAH! Why is this show all about women getting and keeping men? Cause seriously, that's the theme this season. What happened to the strong women we were promised? That's not a rhetorical question. I want friggin answers.

Anyway, this was supposed to be my thoughts on Tuesday's episode, right? Well, I actually loved it, rant-inducing or not. I mean, for season three it was great. For season one, it would've sucked, but such is the decline in quality. I mean, I didn't even hate Max this time! I've been so busy hating Lorelai and Rory and Jess this season that I had no hate left. I honestly kinda liked Max! I love that there was no Jess. I loved that there was mega-ultra-Paris (she should be the one with the spin-off), and I do love that Rory was so supportive of Paris even after the whole Francie-debacle. That's the Rory I enjoy. Rory needs to not have a boyfriend. Even if CMM were to dump his new pilot and come crawling back, I wouldn't want him with Rory. Not for a while. Girlfriend needs to be alone. They want a triangle? I'd love to see some Lane/Rory/Paris friendship triangle. I'd love if Rory became closer to Paris and that totally scared Lane because Rory and Paris will be off to Yale together next year (that much is obvious, I think) and she'll be left behind. That would ring true to me.

Oh! And I love Brad! Love him coming back, and I love the excuse for his most recent absence from the cast. Too cute, and Paris was a trip with her psyching him out. "I am winningly naive!" Hee. And Kirk as mailman, my favorite Kirkjob yet! Too funny and suitably anal. And if we can get USPS Kirk, we can easily get UPS Sark, right?

I have thoughts on "24" as well, but I think I'll publish this and get a fresh page...

Oh yeah, is it just me or is Will a Project Christmas kid? Cause seriously, the way he schooled those suits and the way the CIA went from not being able to hire him to, well, hiring him makes me think that they discovered something more. And yeah, yeah, he would've noticed his own name on that list, but uh... I don't know. Maybe it was in code, or... Esperanto or something. All right, all right, it's just me.

Hee... somebody wrote me some Sarkina! I won't say who yet, cause she's embarrassed for some reason. It kicks total butt though - y'all are going to love it. And to me? Totally calls for a sequel. Or several. Hee. Anybody else taking up the UC Challenge? I have more pairings to throw at you. Like...

Marshall/Alice or Kendall/Emily. Maybe even some Anna/Will. Oooh...Anna/Hey!Daddy. You know, he could be evil - he could be this year's Haladki. I mean, remember that whole thing with Jack and Ariana? With the cell phone and the ink? Somehow, I don't think that was unintentional. But I digress. Really, I could go for Anyone/Hey!Daddy at this point - even that useless blonde chick. Especially since he could be evil and have her killed. You know, Hey!Daddy is way neglected and under-utilized in the realm of fic and also on the show itself. Especially on the show itself. I guess they think that one young SuperHot CIA agent taking up screen time is enough - and yes, I do mean Will. Who else?

And for those of you from the GG fandom (I haven't forgotten about you) - how about some Lorelai/Dean fic? I mean, yes, I did get one for my birthday, but there needs to be more, darnit! Or maybe even some Rachel/Christopher? I mean, yeah, I hated Rachel in S1, but next to S3 Lorelai, I think I love her. Ooooh! How about (and this is totally and completely evil), but how about some Rory/Dave. Especially if Dave shoots her down. With or without actual gun.

Think on these things, y'all.

Y'all have to watch this stuff. There are no words - except maybe "Which sauce, dammit?"

Thank god for Dave Barry's blog.

Okay, I've been working my evil UC mojo, and planted a sweet little Noah/Francie fic bunny in our darling Jenai's already warped head. (And it rocks, let me tell you!) So, as I am the queen of twisted UC pairings, I thought I'd issue a nice little challenge to all of you. Nothing too specific, I'm going to list five UC Alias pairings that I've never seen fic for, and I hope some of you more creative types will attempt to write the pairings. Or if there has been fic for these pairings, maybe you can get me headed in the right direction.

First Ever Trixie's Too Lazy To Write Fic For Herself UC Challenge

Anna/Vaughn - It just might make him interesting.

Jack/Emily - Back in the Laura days.

Hey!Daddy/Alice - Honestly? Any Hey!Daddy or Alice fic would be nice. As long as it's not Alice crying over S/V. Cause girlfriend can do better.

Sark/Irina - This? Is my favorite ship.

Lennox/Syd/Sark - Yeah, yeah. I know that Syd/Sark fics are out there, but not when we throw Lennox in the mix. That's a horse of a different color.

Uh. The Rock has shaved his head. Dude. I did not know this until tonight and now? I think I'm in lurve. Rowr! And John Cena? The rap gimmick isn't as lame as I'd imagined it would be, and you're still hot. So that's a plus...

Weeeeeee! Found this in my e-mail today...

HOWIE DAY FANS,

Howie's new "Sorry So Sorry" video is "Oven Fresh" at mmusa! Click over and click "Oven Fresh" to check it out and support Howie by voting for it at mmusa.tv.

You can also be entirely responsible for getting "Sorry So Sorry" into rotation on MTV! Make it your Viewer's Pick by picking it here. Book mark the page and vote as many times as you can every day all the way until Monday, March 3 to lock this down for Howie. Thanks, as always, for all the support!

Keep an eye on the website for upcoming news regarding new album plans as well as a Howie Day live EP with Bonus DVD footage...coming soon to: HowieDay.com

I know that more than a few of y'all like Howie, so vote darn you! And mmusa has a 30 sec clip of the video, while mtv.com plays the whole thing. So go. NOW.

The Sarkgasm Round Robin is finally back on track. It's about dang time!

And OOOOOH! That DC fic I linked last week has been updated! Two new chapters! YAY! Bringing Down the House

Spoiler-y James Marters interview(-ish) by E!Online's Kristen.

"The end of the season will be very romantic," he revealed, "and that's all I can say. For my character and for Buffy. The Buffy-Spike thing is going to end very romantically and very dramatically. That doesn't necessarily mean the characters are going to be together, but it doesn't preclude that either. We're talking about something larger than sex, but it doesn't preclude sex. I don't want to spill the beans. For the first time, I know something that will happen, and I don't want to blow it."

Whatever it is, be warned, Buffy fans: You might not like it. James did say this about the show's big ending: "It's both the coolest thing and the worst idea I've ever heard of. It's the last thing I ever would have thought about doing, but when you say it, it almost seems inevitable. But we're going to piss off people--oh my God! But we're gonna make them love more."


Is it just me, or is Buffy going to be a vamp? And is Spike going to have to kill her? Cause, that's my spec.

Another survey from Jo. And go check out her new layout!

If you could be instantly fluent in one other language that you currently do not read or speak, which would it be?
Greek

If you could have the starring role in any film already made, what would it be?
Double Indemnity or Laura or Gilda - something old and noir.

If you could receive one small package this very moment, who would it be from and what would be in it?
Jo. And it'd be something infinitely British. Maybe really good tea or something.

If you could own one painting from any collection in the world but were not able to sell it, which work of art would you select?
This was a tough choice, but I'd have to go with Monet's Printemps. Just love it.

If you were instantly able to play one musical instrument perfectly that you never have played before, what would it be? Violin

If you could possess one supernatural ability, what would it be?
Telekenesis

If you had to choose the most valuable thing you ever learned what would it be?
To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man

If you could have only one piece of furniture in your house, what would it be?
A bed.

If you could read the private diary of someone you know personally, whose diary would it be?
I wouldn't. I don't know anyone that interesting.

If you could have one person you know as your slave (well-paid and cared for) domestic laborer for one month, who would it be?
I don't trust any one I know enough not to foul it up. I mean, being waited on hand and foot is nice, but not if the person waiting on you is a major dolt, right?

If you could choose the way you will die, how would you want it to happen?
Quietly and without drama.

If you could wake up tomorrow to learn that the major newspaper headlines were about you, what would you want them to say?
"Dawson's Creek" creator gives girl a free trip to Vegas and a written apology.

If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would do?
Pay my tithes.

If you could choose the music at your funeral, what would it be, and who would play it?
I will choose the music at my funeral. What's this "could" stuff? Anyway. Hall & Oates "She's Gone", Dylan's "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right", Petty's "Won't Back Down" and Springsteen's "Thunder Road". Honestly, I wouldn't want a funeral. And if I have to have one, I want it quick with lots of food afterwards. Actually, I have a lot of musician friends, and while I wouldn't expect my husband to play at my funeral I'd love for a bunch of our friends to just come together and jam.

If you could take away the vocal cords of any person, who would it be?
Take awasy and keep for myself, like Ursula the Sea-Witch? Hmm. Patsy Cline, she's not using them anymore, right?

If you had to describe your idea of the perfect mate, how would you do it?
I'd just describe Mr. Trix!

If you had to have a personal friend redecorate your house, who would you pick to do it?
Oh god, I'd rather have a friend perform major surgery on me. My friends? Tasteless.

If you had to choose the worst home you've ever lived in, which one was it?
Mr. Trix and I had this really nice apartment, but it was so lonely (I never met a single neighbor in six months) and way more than we could really afford. I hated it.

If you could have prevented one thing from happening between you and a friend, what would it have been?
Wow. Uh. I'm happy with my life as it is, though I do regret losing touch with certain people. Nothing that happened, just drifting apart.

If you could learn the total number of hours you have spent in your life doing one thing, what would it be?
Singing. I'd love to know that.

If you had to describe yourself as a child in one word, what would it be?
Thoughtful.

If you could own a single prop from any film ever made what would you choose?
Phyllis's anklet from Double Indemnity... or the curling iron from Sleepaway Camp 2. ;)

I stole this from One:


You're Molly!!


Which Sleepaway Camper Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

And if any of you have never seen the "Sleepaway Camp" films, you really need to hop to it.

So I'm doing the the friday five for the first time.

1. Explain why you started to journal/blog.
Interesting question. I had toyed with blogs over at deadjournal and free open diary, but that was more of a way to keep contact with Jo when we were too busy for regular chats. Once I got into the "Alias" fandom and discovered the blogging community, I just had to have one of my own. So it's your fault. All of you.

2. Do people you interact with day to day or family members know about your journal/blog? Why or why not?
Mr. Trix knows that I blog, but I doubt he reads it, I'm hardly offline enough for him to do more than check his email. And most of my "real-life" friends don't seem to be all that net savvy. Strange really...

3. Do you have a theme for your journal/blog?
Mostly "Alias", "24" and other assorted pop-culturey ramblings. But for the most part, I blog anything that I think of while my blog window is open, so it can be a bit of a hodgepodge.

4. What direction would you like to have your journal/blog go in over the next year?
I'd like to keep blogging regularly - I tend to get out of the groove easily, but I'd like to make this something I do at least every two days.

5. Pimp five of your favorite journals/blogs.
I love pimpin'! And you know that it ain't easy. Uh, anyway, the five I make a point to check everyday are Josie, Rach, Pooh, Jenai (false hope, what can I say?) and One. I visit all of the people on the left regualrly though.

I was watching "The Thing Called Love" on CMT tonight - which was mildly retarded since it's one of my favorite films and I own the video - and I started thinking about how much I love the movie and hate the outcome. So, being as that it's Valentine's Day, I thought I'd share some of my favorite film 'ships that just didn't work out.

Jordan (Jake Gyllenhaal) and Michelle (Catherine Keener)
"Lovely and Amazing"
Yes, she's a thirtysomething married woman and he's a seventeen year-old boy, but I just loved these two together. They just... why do I have a thing for older woman, younger man couples? I blame these two.

Rob (John Cusack) and Marie (Lisa Bonet)
"High Fidelity"
I couldn't understand why he wanted to be with Laura. Maybe Iben Hjejle's voice just bothered me too much - that weird cadence she has - but I didn't like her. She was boring. I was always waiting for Barry and Dick to come back on-screen.

Mike (Demot Mulroney) and Julianne (Julia Roberts)
"My Best Friend's Wedding"
I've just never liked Cameron Diaz, and as happy as I was to see Julia lose the guy, couldn't it have happened in another film?

Miranda (Samantha Mathis) and Kyle (Dermot - again)
"The Thing Called Love"
You expected maybe (the also ill-fated) Miranda and James? Not with great lines like "I write them about you" and "Everyone I love is married to everybody else." And maybe it's just my crush on Dermot doing the talking but Miranda just made the wrong choice. I guess the film does end nice and imperfectly, so it's always possible to believe that she comes to her senses, right?

Why can't Dermot EVER get the right girl? Does his luck in real-life preclude his on-screen success? Huh? What is UP?


And I did one of Jo's surveys:

1. What is your favourite word?
Change.

2. What is your least favorite word?
Inept.

3. What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?
Change. The night. Quiet. And also music. A variety of quiet music at 2 in the morning, perhaps?

4. What turns you off?
Creatively, spiritually and emotionally? People.

5. What is your favorite curse word?
I try not to get too attached to my epithets.

6. What sound or noise do you love?
Mr. Trix playing guitar.

7. What sound or noise do you hate?
A ticking clock.

8. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
Interior decorator. God knows I loved "Designing Women".

9. What profession would you not like to do?
Anything with cadavers, kids or sitting at a desk.

10. Famous man or woman to illustrate a new bank bill?
Catherine Keener? John C. Reilly? I could just go with Elvis. Ooooh! Patsy Cline. That's it.

11. The plant, tree or animal you'd like to be reincarnated into?
A tiger. I considered an eagle cause it'd be nice to be able to fly, but something about the way a tiger prowls... so majestic.

12. If Heaven exists, What would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?
"Well done, good and faithful servant."

And right now? I'm listening to Journey. Laugh all you want, I'm holding on to the feeling.

"Dawson's Creek" Report:

I've fallen back into the realm of Pacey/Joey fanfic. Right now, I'm reading one called Bringing Down the House by Caspian. And I'm all giddy. And excited about the rest of the season. And I feel like a total tool for getting my hopes up when it's all going to get screwed up again, right? Why do I bother?

Pacey, what have you done to me? Whhhhhhhhhhhyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!

Yesterday - well, Tuesday was a looooong day. I woke up early to watch the Oscar noms (it's a tradition. I also wear a prom dress while I watch the awards. You want a cookie?) Anyway, a friend of mine was taking her State Boards to get her Cosmetology license and I went as her "model". She just needed me for a manicure and a facial - so that part only took 20 min. She still had over two hours of test left. Fortunately, her fiance had come along for support, so he and I cruised South Street while we waited for her. God, I love South Street. We left at 9:30am (it didn't start till 12:30, so I've NO idea why we left so early) and didn't get home till close to 5pm. I was exhausted, but we all (Mr. Trix was home from work by then) went out to dinner. Fortunately, we were home before 8pm. So I only needed to tape "Gilmore Girls" - I actually got to watch "American Idol".

And I still haven't watched "GG" - actually, I haven't even watched it from last week and that was a Christopher episode. I did manage to watch the Christopher scenes though... selective viewing - thanks VCR!

The "American Idol" performance show was so much better then last weeks. Couldn't they have spread the wealth a little bit? Next week - well, it has Vanessa and some other guy I vaguely like, but that's it. They stacked this week with talent. Candice and Clay had better come back for the wild card show. I love Ruben. I'm not feeling Kim anymore after her spaz out. Simon was right, she has shone no spark of personality in the competition. She's sang the same song (gorgeously) three times. One trick pony? I doubt it, but she needs to prove that she's more.


Okay... "24" - Wow! I was totally on the edge of my seat the whole time. Kiefer? Oh god. Bauergasms nonstop. What an awesome man. I love it when he's rough... I still squeal everytime I see Tony. I'm getting a girlcrush on Kate (don't look at me like that - she's not that annoying anymore). I just totally dig Evil!Marie. And Lady Palmer! Yay Lady Palmer - who else thinks that she's been Lynne's source all along? Heh. I was rooting for Lynne to get shot. And I actually like her...

Mason? Tony? Michelle? Palmer? BigDaddyWarner? Every week I think I couldn't love them more, and then... I do.

Kim? Seriously, either that guy needs to kill her, she needs to kill him, or they need to have sex. Otherwise I have no use for her being on my screen.

---

Bought the new Hall and Oates album today. It's really got some awesome stuff on it. They do a cover of the New Radicals' "Someday We'll Now" - and they actually make the song good! I don't care how uncool they might seem to those not raised in Philly during the 80s - they are cool, dammit!

I also bought the "Chicago" soundtrack and the more I listen to John C. Reilly's "Mister Cellophane" the more he wows me. And it's official - I sing better than Renee Z. Not that that's an accomplishment at all...

At least I know that Pooh will understand me.

I could have taken a free trip to Vegas (or won a new car or even a 32" TV) if I'd just sat through the stupid time-share presentation - but it was an hour away and would have made me miss either "That 70s Show" & "American Idol" or ... "Dawson's Creek". I'm not sure if I blame my busted second VCR or the frelling WB for sucking me back into a show I haven't watched (only read the recaps) for three seasons. Pacey and Joey - you owe me Vegas!

Or you could just kiss somemore...

Okay, I went 5/5 on Best Picture and Best Supporting Actress; 4/5 on Best Director (Bye-bye Peter Jackson - Hello Pedro Almodovar!) and Best Actor (No Richard Gere! The hell? Nic Cage? Ugh.), and 3/5 on Best Actress (No MERYL! Frelling Renee. But "yay!" for Salma!) and Best Supporting Actor (Paul Newman and Scary!Chris Walken instead of Andy Serkis or Dennis Quaid. Like it matters - John C. Reilly WILL win it. Chris Cooper - I do love you, but not this year!).

All in all I'm pleased with myself. 80%. I did pick a lot of the dark horses - Adrien, Michael Caine, Salma, Diane, Scary!Chris. And how could any of us know that they'd snub Richard and kinda snub Meryl? The Frell?

And I am quite aware that Renee Zellweger will get a nod for "Chicago", she got one for frelling "Bridget Jones' Diary" after all, I'd just rather see almost any other actress get it. Renee should have been nom'd for "Nurse Betty". I didn't hate her in that. I even bought a copy. I figure that it's her, Nicole, Diane, Julianne and Meryl though. So at least I'm sure she won't win. I just picked Nia cause the Academy seems to choose one dark horse comedy actress every year. Just out of meanness I think... But ooooooooooh! Wouldn't it be nice for Salma Hayek to edge in there for "Frida"? Just as compensation for those awful eyebrows?

And aren't we all lucky that Russell didn't have a film this year? Yay us!

Okay, Oscar noms announced in a few hours, so I'm going to make my predictions now. Actualy I made them earlier this week at Alias Uncovered, but I'm actually going to change it up a bit by taking out my hopefuls (basically the "Lovely and Amazing" noms) and actually trying to think like a stodgy old Academy member.

Best Picture:
Chicago
Gangs of New York
The Hours
Lord of the Rings : The Two Towers
The Pianist

My Wild Card Pick: Far From Heaven - I'd pick that over "GoNY", or even "LOTR:TTT", which just doesn't seem to have the same momentum that "FOTR" had.

Best Director:
Roman Polanski, "The Pianist"
Stephen Daldry, "The Hours"
Peter Jackson, "LOTR: The Two Towers"
Rob Marshall, "Chicago"
Martin Scorsese, "Gangs of New York"

My Wild Card Pick(s): I'd like to include Alexander Payne ("About Schmidt"), or Todd Haynes ("Far From Heaven"), but they're probably too cutting edge for the Academy. And the Academy loves to go Old-School on this award in particular. Remember Robert Altman and "Gosford Park" last year.

Best Actor:
Adrien Brody, ''The Pianist''
Michael Caine, "The Quiet American"
Daniel Day-Lewis, "Gangs of New York"
Richard Gere, "Chicago"
Jack Nicholson, "About Schmidt"

My Wild Card Pick: Adam Sandler, "Punch-Drunk Love" - The Academy seems to love PTA films, and wouldn't it be neat for Sandler to get a serious acting nod before Jim Carrey?

Best Actress:
Nicole Kidman, "The Hours"
Diane Lane, "Unfaithful"
Julianne Moore, "Far From Heaven"
Meryl Streep, "The Hours"
Nia Vardalos, "My Big Fat Greek Wedding"

My Wild Card Pick: Catherine Keener, "Lovely and Amazing" - I adore her, and I adored this film, but I'd first expect Jen Aniston to be nominated for "The Good Girl" because they play a similar role and Jen was more of a revelation than Catherine, cause we all already know that she rules all. So, in other words, neither gets the nom. Damn Academy, damn.

Best Supporting Actor:
Ed Harris, "The Hours"
John C. Reilly, "Chicago"
(see also: John C. Reilly, "Gangs of New York", John C. Reilly, "The Good Girl", John C. Reilly, "The Hours")
Chris Cooper, "Adaptation"
Andy Serkis, "LOTR: The Two Towers"
Dennis Quaid, "Far From Heaven"

My Wild Card Pick: I don't really have one. Maybe Christopher Walken from "Catch Me if You Can"? I'm scared to go against him.


Best Supporting Actress:
Kathy Bates, "About Schmidt"
Queen Latifah, "Chicago"
Julianne Moore, "The Hours"
Meryl Streep, "Adaptation"
Catherine Zeta-Jones, "Chicago"

My Wild Card Pick: Emily Mortimer, "Lovely and Amazing" - This category usually seems to be littered with the "Grande Dames" of Hollywood and the hot ingenues. I'd count Meryl and Kathy in the former category and Emily is as close to an ingenue as this category has this year, judging by previous awards, like the National Board of Review or the Golden Globes.

Okay, so that's that.

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How about the new Vault spoilers?

*does the dance of pure unadulterated evil*

Uh.WTF? According to the newest TWoP poll, the WB is developing an updated version of MacGyver, based around Mac's nephew Clay. Say it ain't so, Pooh!

Blah. I've spent most of the last three days in bed, and not the fun kind of "three-days-in-bed". Three days and nights of tossing and turning cause I can't breathe, which means I can't sleep, which means (after a few hours - I HATE taking medicine, but that's a whole 'nother blog) Tylenol Cold&Sinus Nighttime to the rescue - and THAT means I'm out like a light for ten hours. I have managed to spend more time than usual online, because I've just been too looped to do much else. I did manage to update the Alias Improv Archive and the mailing list, and I even rejoined the land of Alias speccing, thanks to One telling me about the Sark caps in the Spoiler/Spec thread. But I haven't felt much like blogging and I still haven't completed all of Jo's surveys. I think I'll make that my goal for the week. Four surveys, I'll try to have them all completed and blogged by next Sunday. Should be easy enough, right?

Oh, Alias tonight? Meh. (Pssssssssssst. Diana and other unspoiled types, look away!)

I didn't hate it, but it still seems so easy. Everything's happening too easily, which might be intentional. Perhaps we'll discover that Sloane knew about the optical camera and planned for them to catch up with him, but I'm not so sure. It just seems like the CIA is Encyclopedia Brown. A circumstantial hunch and the case is closed. And more wasted Irina! Gah! Plus, what happened to her wanting to see Syd graduate?

I did love Dixon! Carl's definitely made out the best from this whole mix-up. What an intense role he has now! He went from being MIA half the season to having an "On-hiatus" spylife and a family life in turmoil! Yay! Seriously, in Diane's two scenes this epi, I feel like I know her as well as I do that skeezy guy whose feet I didn't need to see, and who is also SO obviously actual French Mafia. How would "that guy" have gone on a field op that no one else had ever heard of? Ever? Wasn't he a desk jockey who just randomly got to piggyback on Syd's ops? Didn't Kendall say something about how the Swiss guy shouldn't know that he was CIA? Was that some kind of warning? He tipped him off, right? Cause he's EVIL.

Oh. Christian Slater was hot. Sark was hotter. Much hotter. Marshall was adorable enough to almost inspire me to write more "Mod Squad". But not quite...

And there was something else I was thinking, but I forget what. Eh.

Dang. John C. Reilly was in Gangs of New York too? Move over Andy Serkis, you no longer have my support for Best Supporting Actor. If it isn't JCR, he's been mugged.

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Ooooh Charade! A 1963 film about a brilliant woman
who is hiding from men who want her deceased
husband's fortune (that he had stolen)...
Suspenseful and romantic, and set in Paris!


Which Audrey Hepburn classic are you?
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You are a Bavarian.


What's your Inner European?
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Okay. Mini-reviews. As promised. I know y'all have been refreshing my page all day waiting for them, so I'd better just suck it up and write, right? ;)

The Hours
Hands down the best picture I've seen this year, but darn my local theaters for not playing Far From Heaven. It does help that I'm absolutely smitten with the actors in this film - Nicole (I just think she's brilliant. I'd take her over a hundred Julias. Or Penelopes for that matter.), Julianne (I just adore her. How can you not?), Meryl (Who really for the very First time floored me. I'm not denying that she's a great actress, but I guess I've just been so used to the idea that she's the best that I've been immune to seeing how exceptional she really is. Does that make sense?), John C.Reilly (who was also perfect in Chicago and The Good Girl - this year's Jim Broadbent.) Toni Collette (my Mandy Slade - I just adore her so much - ever since Muriel's Wedding) - how can you go wrong with a cast of that caliber? I haven't even mentioned most of the supporting cast. Just phenomenal.

And the film? Oh god, what a script! Just amazing. I love the scene where Virginia finally finds the line to begin her novel. I'm sure that's something we can all relate to in some way. And the scene at the train station. So powerful. So real. So much truth in it, and isn't that the point of film? To say something real about life without actually spelling it out or heaving anvils at the audience? The Hours just says so much about happiness and love and friendship and family - Just see it, okay? I sound like a madwoman.

Chicago
Okay. This review needs a disclaimer first.

I LOVE MUSICALS. I just do. I always have, always. Stage or screen, it doesn't matter. I mean, I counted Seven Brides for Seven Brothers amongst my favorite films for a long time. If there's singing and dancing, I'm hooked.

**End of disclaimer.**

I adored Chicago. I went into the theater in love with it, and I left still in love with it. Yes, I'm biased toward musicals, but it really is that good. As far as the actors go, they were all great, even Renee who I don't like so much. Catherine shone. Like, if Renee was a lit match, Catherine was a zillion-watt halogen bulb. I've always liked her, but this is far and away her best work. I think some people write her off because of her insane good looks, but she really proved herself as a performer in this film. She just shone. So much energy and vibrancy - love her! Richard? Well, hello. I've had a crush on this guy since I was in the fifth grade, but I don't think I had really seen any of his films at that age. So I've always loved this guy, but only 'cause he's so darn hot. Turns out he can act (And tap dance) too! Yay Richard! Queen Latifah? Stole ALL her scenes. A total revelation. I'd seen her in other films and on TV, but I wrote her off like I do all pop stars who "crossover" into acting. Let me tell you, she ain't no Madonna. She's the real deal.

And John C. Reilly? His solo song - "Mister Cellophane" - just wow. WOW! Okay, I was already loving this guy from The Good Girl and The Hours, and he totally nailed this song. He's not only one of our finest character actors, but he sings. OSCAR, now. And for this role, even though he's also deserving for either of the other films I mentioned. He was simply the heart of this film in my opinion.

So, yeah, go see this too. It's brilliant. Very dependent on it's stage roots, though. A good film, my only critique would be that all of the song and dance numbers would have been just as at home on a VHS of the stage production that aires on PBS during pledge week. They didn't really make them over for the different medium, but they managed to make it understandable that they were on-stage. So, actually, the one thing that could have been seen as a weakness turned into a strength by the script and direction. All-around fantastic.

Oh, and it has Taye Diggs in it too, which is more than enough reason to see any movie, IMHO.

Is there a doctor reading this? We need you to perform an Emergency Head Retrieval on Heath Ledger. It appears his head is completely lodged up his rectum.

I've been on a movie binge lately - saw both The Hours and Chicago this week. Both absolutely fan-friggin-tastic. Just awesome, gorgeous, brilliant films. I'm really tired tonight, but I'll try to leave little "non-spoilery" reviews tomorrow for those of you who have yet to see them. But screw my reviews, y'all just need to go see them. And now.

No, seriously. Now.

And how thrilled am I that "Dawson's Creek" has finally been put out of its misery? Very thrilled. Especially since I saw Pacey and Joey together when I was channel spinning tonight. I mean, I hate that show so very much, but it seems that I still love P/J. It almost made me watch the show instead of the "American Idol" results! But only almost. I mean, trash TV is trash TV, but I still have some self-respect.

Oh, who am I kidding? I'm trolling the message boards for P/J spoilers right now!

24? Oh man. Somebody needs to kiss somebody on that show, cause I can't take the tension anymore.

In other news? My last day of work was Monday. I am splendidly unemployed!