the 2014 oscars running diary

Okay... so first things first. BLOGGER SUCKS. I'm working on a way to switch to WordPress, but that isn't going to do me any good right now...

And that means that the formatting here will be all kinds of jacked up, to' up from the flo' up. Lots of random spacing, so please just be patient. I'll fix it as I can.

And as usual, I'm putting the latest update on the bottom.

So, without further Ado.... The Academy Awards, 2014...

730... Its America's Favorite Lesbian, Ellen DeGeneres! 

732p... The Lovely Steph Leann laughed heartily at Ellen's old joke about June Squibb... I'm waiting to laugh. I'm hoping it comes soon.

733p... Calling out a Liza Minnelli impersonator... it was the real Liza. Now THAT is funny.

735p... Amy Adams sighting. Sigh. Heart beating fast.

735p... Oh hush. When Colin Firth comes on screen, The Lovely Steph restraints herself from licking the screen.

736p... Even with a Beiber haircut, Jennifer Lawrence looks good...

737p... Half the women I know wishes their hair could be as silky smooth as Jared Leto

739p... Ellen's monologue. Amusing, but safe. 

740p... Anne Hathaway out to do the Best Supporting Actor Award!  I wonder if she's thinking, "I'm being judged on my horrible Oscar hosting duties with Jimmy Franco, after everyone just saw Ellen kill it..."  I picked Jared Leto as the winner here, though how much would I love to see Bradley Cooper get this. 

742p... When a cross dressing dude sings "I'm pretty" while putting on makeup, I immediately think of Buffalo Bill in The Silence of the Lambs

742p... Jared Leto, Oscar Winner, Supporting Actor. I'm 1-0 for the night.

745p... Is it just me, or are they giving Jared Leto like, forever to speak? Is it because he's discussing transgender AIDS?

746p... Ellen just did a selfie live on stage. I went to follow her on Twitter, and it shut down on me...

747p... Jim Carrey, who has never been nominated (he deserved it for The Truman Show) says, "It must be tiring to be a nominee..." Hilarious.   Honestly, I'm not sure if he'll ever win an Oscar, unless he has a once-in-a-lifetime performance... like, Matthew McConaughey...

He introduces animated Heroes, with "Heroes" being the theme tonight... Mr Incredible was first, as he should be.

750p... I just saw Dax Shepard. How did Dax Shepard get into the Oscar seating? As a seat filler?  (later I remembered that he's married to Kristen Bell... so that's how he gets there...)

750p... Pharrell is up to perform "Happy" from Despicable Me 2, a song nominated for Best Song.

751p.... The Lovely Steph Leann: What kind of hat is THAT? 

754p... I think Meryl shimmied better than Amy Adams, but I'm in love with the latter, so she wins anyway.

755p... This tweet from @RickyBrigante: So how long before there's a Pixar Theory that Pharrell is Andy's dad and gave him the hat?

757p... From the "Everyone predicted this pair" department, its Samuel L Jackson and Naomi Watts! 

Why Ellen didn't introduce him as Laurence Fishburne, I'll never know.  Unless he was too ticked off about it still... maybe she should have just said, "Its the BMF"

The award is Costume Design... I picked American Hustle. The Oscar goes to? The Great Gatsby. I'm 1-1 so far.

8p... Now, Makeup and Hairstyling... I picked Dallas Buyers Club... The Oscar goes to? Dallas Buyers Club. At 2-1, I felt like that was a lock.

802p... That British narrator saying "Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa" somehow gives it 0.02% more legitimacy...

802p... Harrison Ford, Hollywood's real life version of Grumpy Cat, is out to introduce American Hustle, Dallas Buyers Club and The Wolf of Wall Street as the first three of nine Best Picture nominees.

805p... That sound you hear is all the women in the country swooning. Channing Tatum just took the stage.

807p... Judy Greer in an OJ commercial? What? What the what? I freakin' love Judy Greer... one of my favorite actresses... how did she end up in an OJ commercial?

810p... Ellen is getting funnier as this night goes on...

811p.... Kim Novak, for the 30 and up group, is in the "she's still alive?" category... fpr the younger set, its a "Who is Kim Novak and why does she look all freaky weird?" category.

812... Kim is out with Matthew McConaughey to announce Best Animated Short... which didn't go to Get a Horse, the Mickey Mouse short that I naturally picked. It went to Mr Hublot, whatever that is. I'm 2-2 for the night.
814p... I'm mildly amused at the French guy's hands shaking while giving his speech... thats how you know he's legit and actually honored and surprised.

814p... Best Animated Feature Film! It goes to Frozen... Kim Novak tried to make it suspenseful, but I think we all knew this. At 3-2, its time to go on a run!!

816p... Ellen makes more jokes, and brings out Sally Field, who is out to intro a montage of "everyday heroes"

819p... In this montage, I've already seen like, 7 movies in my #Dave100, and another 4 or 5 in my #TheDave500...

820p... JoGo Levitt and Emma Watson! Hermione is an Oscar Presenter! Out to give Best Visual Effects, of which I picked Gravity, of which it wins! 4-2... I picked Gravity to take many of these technical awards

823p... Every girl that was 14 five years ago is now swooning with Zac Efron on stage... he's introducing, and stumbling all over his words, the theme from "Her".  Talk about "That Awkward Moment"...

828p... I just saw The Muppets in one commercial, followed by Tina Fey in another. I'm so blessed to be me.

830p... Ellen sits with a guitar, coming back from break, then introduce Jason Sudeikis and Kate Hudson... that looks like a bit that got cancelled at the last minute

830p... Live Action Short Film. I picked "Helium". And the Oscar goes to "Helium"!!! 5-2... I'm rolling now, baby.

832p... The winner just thanked "My fella nomineeth..."

833p... Best Documentary, short subject... I went with Prison Terminal... and the Oscar goes to... The Lady in #6. Boo. Back to 5-3.

835p... John Stamos sighting!

835p... Ellen back in the audience. Walking around, talking to various celebrities. Ellen offers to order pizza, and all the celebs raise their hand for some. Then she intros Bradley Cooper...

836p... I remember when Bradley Cooper was that guy from Wet Hot American Summer... he's out to introduce Documentary Feature. The Oscar goes to 20 Feet from Stardom, and I picked it just right... 6-3 for the night.

839p... Darlene Love, from 20 Feet from Stardom just threw down on The Sparrow... a gospel tune... Bill Murray was the first up for a Standing O... Boom. 

840p... Kevin Spacey out now for a previous ceremony jibber jabber.

842p... Why aren't we watching an entire Steve Martin tribute? Instead of just this clip show of tributes to him and Angela Lansbury and others...

847p... The Lovely Steph Leann is mad with me that I won't pause the show for her to give little Campbell Isaiah a bath. The Oscars wait for no one!

848p... Viola Davis and Ewan McGregor out for Best Film Ain't From 'Merica... I chose Italy's "The Great Beauty"... the clip looks like a winner to me. 

849p... And the Oscar goes to? "The Great Beauty", like I... uh, I uh... knew it would. Either way, 7-3 so far!

851p... Tyler Perry comes out to introduce another Best Picture nominee, "Nebraska", then "Her" and finally "Gravity".

853p... Shouldn't Tyler Perry come out as Madea and introduce Dallas Buyers Club?

854p... Ellen comes out in her best BeeGees outfit, and introduces Brad Pitt, who introduces U2, singing a song from a Mandela movie...

...sidebar... I might be the only one in the world to say this... but I don't think Mandela was that great of a dude... he favored socialism, he disliked America and he wasn't that nice of a guy. Just sayin'. Back to the Oscars...

858p.... @hlpatterson just tweeted:       

I haven't seen the movie Gravity but I saw Space Camp in 1986, so I get the main idea

HAHAHAHHAHHAHHA

901p... Also... I don't think U2 is as great as they are made out to be..

902p... Ellen back in the audience. She does a selfie with herself and Liza Minnelli, makes a L'pata/Pizza joke, then goes to Meryl to take another selfie, asking for a retweet record on Twitter. She then invites Julia Roberts, Jared Leto, Jennifer Lawrence, Bradley Cooper, Angelina and others to join in the pic... I'm Retweeting that right now.

904p... Michael B. Jordan and Kristen Bell come out to intro the pre-ceremony Techie awards. They sound like they are actually interested, but we know they aren't.

905p... Ellen brings out Chris Hemsworth and Charlize Theron... Charlize's dress looks like the devil, but she still looks amazing. Here's the Oscar for Sound Editing and Sound Mixing... I picked Gravity on both...

907p... Charlize pronounces "Smaug" as "Smowg". Makes me laugh. Gravity wins one of the two... I'm at 8-3 now.

910p... Gravity wins again, to put me at 9-3. I don't think I've gotten more than 13 right in like, four years... I'm rollin...

911p... Christoph Waltz, two time Oscar winner, to give out Supporting Actress Award. I picked Jennifer Lawrence to win, though Lupita Nyong'o for 12 Years a Slave is the front runner...

914p... And the Oscar goes to... Lupita. First time nominee, first time winner, and she gets a standing ovation from the crowd and hug from Liza Minnelli. 

918p... That was a great Oscar speech, Lupita. Not kidding.

921p... And the pizza arrives! Ellen brings Pizza Boy into the audience, and starts handing out slices... Brad Pitt starts handing out paper plates, and Ellen says, "Kerry Washington is pregnant! She needs some food!"  (we find out later that this pizza guy was real, the shop is real, and he got paid for delivering pizza...)

923p... The President of the Academy comes out to talk about whatever it is they talk about, as I don't really listen. Except they are building a spaceship as a movie museum.

926p... AMY ADAMS AMY ADAMS AMY ADAMS AMY ADAMS AMY ADAMS

926p... Amy Adams (whom I'm in love with) is with Bill Murray for Cinematography... I picked Gravity. Bill gives a huge nod to Harold Ramis too...

927p... And the Oscar goes to... Gravity. I'm at 10-4!

929p... Gabourey Sidibe and Anna Kendrick (swoon) are out for Film Editing... I chose American Hustle on this one... and Gravity gets this one too... dang it. 10-5. I think this is where the wheels come off.

932p... Whoopi, Oscar winner for #TheDave500 film "Ghost", is out to discuss "The Wizard of Oz"... so that's why Liza has been so prevalent...

933p... The Lovely Steph Leann: Whoopi... oh, she looks terrible.

934p... P!nk out to sing a salute to The Wizard of Oz... what.

942p... Ellen comes out dressed as Glinda the Good Witch... hahaha... and now she brings out Jennifer Garner and Benedict Cumberbatch

943p... Jenny and Benny are here to present Production Design... I picked American Hustle. And the winner is The Great Gatsby. I fall to 10-6...

946p... Chris Evans is out here to tell us more Hero tales... Harry Potter... The Searchers... Men in Black... Lord of the Rings.. Star Trek... Jaws.... love this.

953p... "Multiple Oscar Nominee" (re: can't win it) Glenn Close comes out, to give us the In Memoriam

957p... In Memoriam was rough this year... Harold Ramis... Philip Seymour Hoffman... Sid Caesar... Paul Walker... Hal Needham... man.

10p... Bette Midler singing "Wind Beneath My Wings". Why didn't they just let her sing this while showing the pics? 

1001p... Are Bette Midler's eyes dilated? Is that why she can't open them?

1004p... Ellen, all in black now, back in bragging about crashing Twitter, in the BEST SELFIE EVER. That was a fantastic segment...

1004p... Goldie Hawn is out now to present the final three Best Pic noms... "Philomena", "12 Years a Slave" and "Captain Phillips".

1005p... I was just about to say "Goldie looks nice", when The Lovely Steph Leann says, "She looks really horrible..."

1008p... Two time Oscar nom John Travolta is out now to present the song "Let It Go", sung by Idina Menzel. Who did John Travolta just say?  Adele Dazim???

1012p... Jamie Foxx and Jessica Biel out now, ready to give out the music awards... apparently the teleprompter is giving a little trouble to the presenters. Jamie being funny by scatting Chariots of Fire. Best Score award, I picked Gravity... the Oscar goes to Gravity... finally, get another win for myself tonight, now at 11-6...

1016p... If Let It Go doesn't win this, it will be a huge upset... not to many times has U2 winning been an upset... The Oscar goes to "Let It Go" from Frozen. As it should. 12-6.

1019p... By the way, Idina Menzel and Three Six Mafia have Best Song Oscars. U2 has zero. Just a note.

1023p... Ellen has Pharrell's hat and is asking for donations for the pizza guy... El Oh El.

1023p... Robert DeNiro and Penelope Cruz come out together to give Oscars for writing... Best Adapted Screenplay... I actually picked Wolf of Wall Street. I'm a dolt.

1024p... And the Oscar goes to... 12 Years a Slave. 12-7. 

1026p... For Original Screenplay... I picked Her. It should win, anyway... the winner is HER!!! Finally, hit 13 wins, 7 losses so far...

1028p... Its the only one HER will win... but I'll take it. Spike Jonze deserves this one for a wonderful, original film. 

1031p... By the way Adele Dazim already has a twitter account. Just saying.

1032p... Angelina Jolie and a true icon, Sidney Poitier out to present. He's the man. And deserved the standing ovation he just got.

1032p... The Oscar for Best Director is here... I went with Alfonso Cuaron, which is the probative favorite. The Oscar goes to... Cuaron for Gravity. 14-7, I am guaranteed to finish over .500, which is nice.

1036p... My wife just informs me that she has met Sidney Poitier and has his autograph. What? 

1038p... Ellen trying to wrap up comically... by the time the show is over, they'll have to do the In Memoriam over to show June Squibb and Bruce Dern.

1041p... Ellen in the audience talking to Matthew McConaughey about weight loss... and then, Daniel Day-Lewis.

1041p... Best Actress nominees... of course, I want Amy Adams, whom I'm in love with, to win. However, I think Cate Blanchett will get it, so I picked her. 

1044p... And the Oscar goes to... Cate Blanchett for Blue Jasmine. In her speech she gives mad props to everyone, especially Amy Adams, whom I'm in love with.

1046p... Cate can go from hideous to gorgeous from movie to movie. That's quite a feat.

1048p... Ellen brings out Jennifer Lawrence to give Best Actor... though I picked Chiwetel Ejiofor to win... looks like Dave Wooderson will get the Oscar

1051p... And the Oscar goes to... Matthew McConaughey. Did I just write that?

1055p... Ellen now ends the show with introducing Will Smith, who will presumably give out Best Picture

1056p... And 12 Years a Slave wins the Oscar for Best Picture.

1058p... So, I wrap up at 16-8 for the year. Sigh. Better year, but one away from winning my Oscar pool... my record all time was like, 20-4 or something, but I haven't seen that in a long, long time. Boo.

So there you are... Ellen, I want you back as Oscar host. The Selfie stole the show... great show...



This is the greatest selfie in the history of Selfiedom.  The black dude on
the right side is Lupita's little brother, Junior... and Kevin Spacey's face in
the very back is my absolute favorite of all time. 

(4374 words written for #20KWords for March... 15,626 to go)


the 2014 golden globes running diary

FIRST... Blogger has taken a dive.. the formatting is horrible, there are triple spaces all of a sudden, and its a clusterpoop. Plus, pictures cannot be uploaded. Which sucks. So please bear with me as I do my thing...

Welcome to the 2014 Golden Globes! Every year, I like to "live blog" three events--The Golden Globes, the Super Bowl and the Academy Awards... time for jokes, time for recaps, predictions, and so on...

In tow are Campbell Isaiah, wreaking havoc throughout the homeland, be it pulling diapers out of a box and tossing them, or attempting to slap the tv over the Great Wall of Campbell fence we've put up around the room... and The Lovely Steph Leann, on the couch, ready to offer her wisdom, her wit, her incredible insight... like these gems, dished out during the red carpet show:

"Jennifer Lawerence's dress is not good. Its white, but its too dark."
"Paula Patton is not attractive."
"What is Julia Roberts wearing?! That's horrible!" (the interviewer compliments Julia on how great the dress is) "Its not great! It's hideous!"

That's right. All of this and more over the next few hours... if you want to keep up, I'll be putting new updates at the bottom, so you'll need to scroll.

655p... Amy Adams is here. Amy Adams, whom I'm in love with. 

655p... I comment about how much taller Tracy Pollen is than her husband, Michael J. Fox. The Lovely Steph Leann says, "Its probably due to her heels and his condition." 

Thanks for keeping it real. There goes the jokes.

7p... Its the 71st Annual Golden Globe Awards! Campbell Isaiah just pooped, and Tina Fey and Amy Poehler take the stage for hosting duties! Doody. Ha!!

7p... Tina: Tina & Amy's Lee Daniels' The Butler's Golden Globe Awards!

702p... And here comes the zingers to the stars... the part that people love...

702p... Matt Damon is here, from "Behind the Candelabra", a movie so gay, RuPaul watched it and said, "That's a bit much..."

704p... Tina: The original title of American Hustle was "Explosion at the Wig Factory"... if you have seen that movie, you'll laugh heartily.

705p... Julia Louis-Dreyfus, sucking on a Blu e-cig...

706p... The house just blew up at Tina saying: Gravity... a movie that shows you that George Clooney would rather float into space than spend one more minute than a woman his own age... (camera pans for George, who is obviously not there)

707p... Movies that used prosthetic genitals: Wolf of Wall Street... Saving Mr. Banks... (Tom Hanks laughs uncomfortably with a "what the...?" look on his face)

709... Just a side note, Tina Fey looks better than she ever has at this exact moment. Ravishing.

FIRST AWARD OF THE NIGHT

710P... Sandy Bullock and Tom Hanks come up to give out the first award of the night... Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture... the Golden Globe goes to Jennifer Lawrence in American Hustle!!

711p... Jen Lawrence is going to become our Meryl Streep of the next generation. I call it now

713p... Jen Lawrence gives a sweet, nerve filled speech... why is she so nervous?  She knew this might happen. A 1 in 5 chance!  And now..

713p... Mila Kunis and Channing Tatum for Best Supporting Actress for TV Movie/Series... which features a bunch of chicks in shows I've never seen...

714p... Jacqueline Bisset wins as the Globes go old school... for a movie I've never heard of. 

716p... Bisset not only gets lost on stage, but takes several seconds to fight back tears to give her speech... The Lovely Steph Leann: She's gonna make me cry! (and she wipes her eyes)

717p... This is one of those speeches where the conductor says, "Hey... give her a few extra seconds before you play her off..." Especially when the audio goes out, while Bisset uses some choice words... standing ovation from the audience. Band moved beyond slow music, to commercial bumper music

722p... Glad Jennifer Lawrence didn't fall up the steps this year... that would seem somewhat staged

722p... Mark Ruffalo and Naomi Watts are out for Best TV Movie or Mini-Series. In Gay Hollywood, do you think Behind the Candelabra would NOT win? 

724p... Its everything Hollywood loves. Two great actors portraying gay men daring to show gay sex on screen. 

725p... Good thing is, this is the last award show that Behind will be nominated for... so now I never, ever have to see it. We can put it...behind us.

726p... Elisabeth Moss wins for Best Actress in a Movie or Mini Series in "Top of the Lake", whatever the heck that was... audio goes out as Liz Moss mouths "Oh s***"

728p... Can no one give a speech? Everybody is all nervous... I mean, If I was cast as "pool boy" in "Little Man 2", I would still practice my award speech, on the off chance, just in case...

728p... Matt Damon comes out to introduce "Captain Phillips", which I'm hearing is fantastic...

730p... Do we think the Somali actors will end up like the Mexican crewman at the end of "Bowfinger"?


734p... Its not a party unless the Hollywood Foreign Press President comes out and makes his speech...


736p... Jonah Hill and the hot chick from "The Wolf of Wall Street" come out to introduce their movie, but have a blank stare, because, as Jonah says, "No joke, the teleprompter says Aaron Eckhart and Paula Patton... this is not our stuff..."

737p... In other news, Hollywood producers are looking for a new teleprompter operator

738p... Here comes Aaron and Paula (The Lovely Steph Leann: Yep. Her dress is so terrible). Best Actor TV Drama award is up. "Breaking Bad" had a huge final episode that was much loved and watched... so how you could vote against Bryan Cranston

740p... So, I've worked a teleprompter, in loading, operation and scrolling... its not that hard.

741p... Best TV Series Drama...Breaking Bad. 

747p... John C. Reilly is narrating a TurboTax commercial. If Morgan Freeman isn't available to narrate my funeral, consider JCR.

748p... Steve Coogan and Philomena Lee... spelling? She's the actual person that the Dame Judy Dench played in "Philomena". Another nominee for Best Picture, Drama.

749p... Usher! Kate Beckensale! Diddy! Best Score in a Motion Picture. "All Is Lost" wins the award, which might be its only trophy tonight...

751p... What you didn't hear: Diddy whispering to the winner "Hey, I'm sampling all your stuff, I refuse to write my own."

753p... Usher, Diddy and Kate for Best Song... can we just say we ALL want Let it Go to win?

754p... Bono is the only one who can beat Let It Go... and I'm still not even sure what movie this is from.

The Lovely Steph Leann: I saw The Edge. I knew they were up for something.


Hearing The Lovely Steph Leann just talking about The Edge makes me laugh.

755p... Mandela + Mandela's death + Bono = Hollywood has to vote for them.

WITHOUT PICTURES, ITS NOT THE SAME... BLOGGER YOU SUCK RIGHT NOW. THANK YOU. END RANT.

802p... Amber Heard, her 9 inch high hair, and two dudes... Best Supporting Actor MiniSeries/Movie/Series... And Jon Voight gets the award for his part in Ray Donovan.

804p... Ray Donovan makes about 4,988 shows mentioned tonight that I've never seen.

804p... Olivia Wilde comes out to present "Her", a nominee for Best Picture Comedy/Musical.

806p... Robert Downey Jr comes on stage.

806p... In unrelated news, The Lovely Steph Leann just started paying even more attention. Best Actress Comedy Musical... Winner?

I LOVE AMY ADAMS I LOVE AMY ADAMS I LOVE AMY ADAMS

Okay, I'm good.

807p... Amy Adams is my Hollywood Girlfriend. We're pretty serious. We double with The Lovely Steph Leann and Colin Firth sometimes.

814p... Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgewick! Kevin: We were wrangling for someone here we were connected to....

816p... Best Actress TV Drama goes to... Robin Wright, House of Cards!

818p... GASP from The Lovely Steph Leann. I look up. She says, "The tape on Robin's boob was showing!!" Then she gets up to peel Campbell Isaiah from scaling the vacuum cleaner and licking the brush. She's so multi-talented.

819p... Jim Carrey comes out now, probably not to present Kick A** 2. He was actually funnier here than his last four films combined.  (his last 4 films:  KA2... The Incredible Burt Wonderstone... Mr. Popper's Penguins... A Christmas Carol... I rest my case)

821p... Best Supporting Actor Motion Picture, presented by Christoph Waltz... and Gay Hollywood strikes again, giving it to Jared Leto, for his portrayal of a cross dressing transgender in Dallas Buyers Club. 
823p... The Lovely Steph Leann: He was in My So Called Life. That's all I got.

826p... Applebees wants me to not only send pics of myself dancing to their food, but #BeeFamous. Um. No. You are not that cool, Applebees.

827p... Emma Thompson takes the stage... carrying her drink and her shoes... ha! Nominees for Best Screenplay... and the winner is... Spike Jonze for "Her"... and I'm happy about that... that's easily the most original story of the year.

830p... Spike Jonze, the new hubby on the couch in Moneyball, when Billy Beane (Brad Pitt) is visiting his ex (Robin Wright)

831p... Laura Dern is out now to present the film her dad, Bruce, is in, "Nebraska"... its in black and white, and I've heard its unbelievably good, with Will Forte just as good as Bruce Dern.

833p... Julie Bowen and Seth Myers out to give out Best Actor TV Series Comedy/Musical... and winner? I just said "It would be awesome to see Andy Samberg get a Golden Globe..." AND HE DOES

834p... This is Golden Globes way of saying "Suck it Oscar. Give your award to some old guy... Andy Samberg gets our award..."

837p... Muppets Most Wanted just showed one of the best, most timely trailers I've ever seen.

840p... Zoe Saldana and Orlando Bloom. Best Foreign Film. Some movie I've never heard of, will never see and will forget about as soon as this show is over just won.

843p... Banter between Tina Fey, Amy and Julia Louis-Dreyfus is very funny...

845p... Jimmy Fallon and Melissa McCarthy out, being funny... Best Actor in TV Movie/Mini Series.

846p... Michael Douglas, for Behind the Candelabra. Gay always wins.

852p... Chris Pine and Hermione Granger... Let's give this to Frozen and be done with it. The winner is? Frozen. As it should be.

854p... Colin Farrell comes out, and could be drunk. Actually, I'm shocked that he's not. Here's "Inside Llewyn Davis"

855p... Best Actress TV Series Comedy... They show Lena Dunham. She is dressed. I'm shocked again. Winner? Amy Poehler for Parks & Rec... and she makes out with Bono before she hits the stage.

858p... My friend Mikey would have done the same thing

902p... Emma Stone, who has a huge range of "Not so much" to "Ohmahgah she's beautiful"... thankfully, its the latter tonight.

903p... Woody Allen gets the Cecil B. DeMille Award for Being A Famous Guy. I've never been a Woody Allen fan. Time to give Campbell Isaiah a bath.

912p... If you are too pompous to show up for an award because you think they are silly or you are too good for them, then you don't get an award. Woody Allen is a wanker.


915p... Liam Neeson is out... "I have a special set of skills that allows me to present Gravity..."

916p... Ben Affleck is out now for Best Director... a tough year, too... winner is.... Alfonso Cuaron for Gravity... probably a make-do for not winning it for Harry Potter & the Prisoner of Azkaban

917p... Tina Fey digs on Michael Bay, then invites Uma Thurman and Chris Evans out for Best TV Series Comedy... Brooklyn Nine Nine, the Andy Samberg led series. Never seen it, but I like this award!

924p... Commercial  now for "Chicago PD", a new show on ABC.... a character just uttered the line "we do things my way..." At least they are original.

926p... Jennifer Lawrence for Best Actor in Comedy/Musical... and the winner is Leonardo DiCaprio for The Wolf of Wall Street... wow. WOW. Did not see that coming... and now it makes me wonder what his Oscar chances will look like from here on out...

929p... Reese Witherspoon comes out to present "12 Years a Slave". I'm afraid to make any jokes here.

BLOGGER YOU STILL SUCK JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT BLOGGER MORE LIKE... SLOGGER HAHA END RANT

935p... Chris Hemworth, AKA, Thor, and an old guy who drove cars in races come out, obviously to introduce "Rush", which is strange to me, because the Hollywood Foreign Press might be the only people who actually liked "Rush"

936p... Or have actually seen more than a few minutes of "Brooklyn Nine Nine"

937p... Drew Barrymore, my first "favorite bad girl" from the early 90s... she's here to hand out Beset Musical/Comedy... If American Hustle or Her took this, I wouldn't be sad... though I vote for the former, as it would have a better shot at winning the Oscar...

938p... American Hustle! Hustle! HUSTLE!

938p... Is this the first Best Picture for Comedy or Musical winner that is neither a Comedy or a Musical?

944p... Why can't Tina Fey and Amy Poehler just give out all the awards... and the screen just went black? Did someone do something bad when Leo DiCaprio came out?

945p... Best Actress Movie Drama... the winner is... Cate Blanchett for "Blue Jasmine"... its a Woody Allen film, but I've heard its one of his best in decades...

946p... When Tina Fey made that joke about a supermodel's vajayjay, did it break NBC? Did anyone else see that?

948p... Jessica Chastain comes out... perhaps the most beautiful looking of the night (besides Amy Adams, natch)... Best Actor Movie Drama

949p... Matthew McConaughy gets the award for Dallas Buyers Club! Dave Wooderson got a Golden Globe!! 

956p... The star of "Transcendence"! Johnny Depp! (not the star of The Lone Ranger, huh?) Best Motion Picture Drama... and the winner is... not Johnny Depp, who looks like he Does.not.want.to.be.there...

957p... 12 Years a Slave wins the award for Best Picture. Not seen it, but I do want to. It strikes me as the kind of movie that I'll see once and never again. Like Passion of the Christ, or Blackhawk Down or Friday After Next. Just too powerful to get through twice.

10p... Tina Fey, Amy Poehler and Scarlett Johanssen as Samantha in Her should just be hosts for everything.

10p... And, that's all she wrote... thanks to everyone who paid attention, who checked back, and who kept reading... onto the Oscars!

(ps.. I will totally fix this formatting later...)
(11,335 words so far... 8,665 words left for #20KWordsinJan)

A Slew of Movies In Theaters

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I had one really long list (and subsequently, long post) of movies that I've seen in the last few months--some are new and recently in theaters, some are just on dvd, and a few are movies that I haven't seen in a long, long time that I gave another crack at.

So, I figured I'd break this up into a two part post in that very fashion... today, its the movies that are currently in the theaters and maybe Monday, a few new movies I've seen on DVD and a few random movies I've (re)watched and can give my now somewhat refined movie critique on...

But let's start with ones I've seen in the theaters in the last few months... you can read my review of "Iron Man 2", which I thought deserved its own post, by clicking here, and in this post, we're going to talk about "Losers", "Kick A**", "Robin Hood", "Date Night ", "The Book of Eli" and my favorite movie of the year so far...

"How To Train Your Dragon"
Okay... so, this was a film that I wasn't sold on leading up to its release date.  Call me a Disneyphile, or a Pixar snob, but DreamWorks animation doesn't do it for me.  From "Antz" to "Shark Tale" to "Over the Hedge", then toss in movies that everyone tells me I should love but don't, that being "Madagascar" 1 and 2 (and 3 when its released), and Shrek 1, 2, 3 and Fourth, and you've got a studio that I'm just not wild about.   Don't get me wrong, I'm not anti-Dreamworks, as I enjoyed "Kung Fu Panda" and have heard good things about "Monsters vs Aliens", but put it all together, and "How to Train Your Dragon" was a film that I'd just see when I got around to seeing it.

And if the opening numbers were any indication, I was right.  It opened slow and seemed like another also-ran in DWA's studio.  But... as the weeks wore on, the gross for the film kept going up and up and up, and everyone and anyone who told me about this movie didn't just like it, they loved it.  Kids, adults, old and young, everyone I know liked, if not loved, this film.  So, at some point, I figured The Lovely Steph Leann and I should go see it... we were even told that this is a rare case where 3-D enhances the film, not just enhances the ticket price.  "Avatar" was the only other film I'd seen in 3-D where that was the case, but we went ahead and went 3-D.

"How to Train Your Dragon" follows the story of Hiccup, who lives in a Viking village where the life of a Viking is to hung and kill dragons of every size--and they are aplenty in this movie.  Hiccup is a loser that is made fun of by most of the clan, mostly because his heart is not into hunting anything, much less dragons, but to please his father--who happens to be village chief, no less--he does what he can.

Hiccup ends up taking down a rare Night Fury dragon, but upon finding it in the woods, cannot bring himself to finish him off... and there, the adventure takes flight, pun intended. 

I loved it.  I loved every single second of this movie.  I loved the main character, Hiccup, I loved his love interest, a spry pixie named Astrid, I loved the dragons, including the main one nicknamed Toothless, I loved the setting, I loved the creativity, I loved the story... I thought this movie was brilliant.   This was the first time I'd ever seen a non-Pixar animated movie and thought, "This should have been a Pixar film."

The Lovely Steph Leann loved it too.  As the credits began to roll, she piped up and said, "Wow.  DreamWorks finally got it right."

Its one of those rare movies that I feel like was just the right length, and had very little, if any, wasted minutes.  And, in another rare instance, I fully recommend 3-D glasses on this one, even if you have to see it in a matinee.  Its vividly colored, and I don't feel like the 3-D dampens that, but there's something about the depth of the film and the scope of the picture that you get from the 3-D that you might not get otherwise... again, like "Avatar". 

Great movie, my favorite so far of the year. 

“The Losers”
Okay... so, this group of guys who make up this elite fighting force are framed for a village slaughter and left for dead. And what do they do? They are on a mission to find out who framed them.

Starring Jeffrey Dean Morgan, the best thing about “Watchmen” not named “Jackie Earle Haley” or “Malin Akerman” (mmm), is Clay, the leader of this group of “Losers”. Based on a DC Vertigo comic of the same name, its full of guns, explosions, cool vehicles and betrayals, and seriously—it’s a hoot. I think all the actors, including Zoe Saldana (“Avatar” and “Star Trek”), know this movie isn’t to be taken too seriously, and in knowing that, they can really camp it up with not just the one-liners but even with the action sequences which are improbable, ridiculous and at the same time, just plain fun.

Two standouts in this movie make it worth a glance, one being Chris Evans, who played The Human Torch in another comic book adaptation, “Fantastic Four” and its sequel. He’s right on par with the snappy come-backs and comic relief. The main villain is Max, played by Jason Patric, who I can’t decide if he’s mailing it in completely or having the time of his life cause he’s got a job. Either way, Jason from “The Lost Boys” has come a long, long way.

You might remember the director of this film also directing the Oscar winning classic that rivals “Avatar” in its splendor and majesty, that being “Stomp the Yard”, and like his actors, he films in a classic comic book camp style. I’ve never read the original material, so I don’t have a reference point as to how true this film is to the graphic novel… but if you can catch it at the Ghetto Buck Theater, or pick it up on cable, do so. Its worth a 90 minute viewing.

“Kick A**”
Okay... so, for every reason I shouldn’t, I thought this movie was hilarious. Absolutely hilarious. Its title that I feel very uncomfortable saying (and don’t, especially on a website that I like to keep PG), its got the same language you’d find in equally as funny movies like “Superbad”, its got comic-book style violence that still produces blood spatter like crazy, and it’s got a bunch of teenagers trying to get some. There is no redeeming quality to this movie.

But still… man this was funny. Dave Lizewski is, like most protagonists of movies such as this, a dork. A nerd who has nerd friends and does nerd things. He decides that there is too much evil in his own hometown, so what better way to combat it than to make himself a “superhero” suit and become a superhero. Never mind that Dave has no skills of any kind, no athletic ability and really no fighting training of any sort. He just wings it, to sad and funny avail.

This amateur crime fighting doesn’t go down to well with two real superheroes in town, Big Daddy and Hit Girl. Big Daddy is played to the hilt by Nic Cage, who you’d think based on recent works, would be in this for the paycheck… not so, I would say, as Nic Cage is an avid comic book fan—this one really might be a labor of love. The controversy comes in with Hit Girl, who is Big Daddy’s daughter and is played by 11 year old Chloe Moretz… and who says some things in this movie that no 11 year old, nay nay, no 21 year old or anyone who keeps a clean mouth, should say. She doesn’t swear a lot, but when she does, its kinda uncomfortable.

Let’s skip that part, shall we? Anyway, Dave calls himself “Kick A**”, a… well, a stupid name for a superhero, but a name that… okay, well, it kicks… you know. Through the course of the movie, Dave figures out he’s in way, way over his head, when a crime boss comes after him. His son, Chris (a “don’t call me McLovin, even though all the characters I do now are like spin offs of McLovin Christopher Mintz-Plasse), fosters his own secret identity as Red Mist. Violence and hilarity ensues.

Anyway, I cannot in any way fathomable recommend this film. It is NOT Emmy Turnbow Safe, and sez Wiki: Australian Family Association spokesman John Morrissey, "the language [was] offensive and the values inappropriate – without the saving grace of the bloodless victory of traditional superheroes". In response to the controversy, Moretz stated in an interview, "If I ever uttered one word that I said in Kick-A**, I would be grounded for years! I'd be stuck in my room until I was 20! I would never in a million years say that. I'm an average, everyday girl.” Moretz has said that while filming, she could not bring herself to say the film's title out loud in interviews, instead calling it "the film" in public and "Kick-Butt" at home. Christopher Mintz-Plasse expressed surprise that people are angry about the language but do not seem to be offended by the many people killed by Hit-Girl.

Let's be clear here... this movie is NOT for children.  As a Christ-Follower, this movie is a prime example of the topic of "what do you place in front of your eyes?", which is another conversation for another day.  I've tried to give you the rundown on the film as best I can, so now its up to you as to whether to see it.  Cindy Jo is probably not going to see this film.  Hurricane Rhett might go out tonight and catch it. 

“Date Night”
Okay... so, the Lovely Steph Leann and I were in Pensacola recently, and that evening, were desiring something to do. We had just had dinner at a restaurant called Hemingway’s Island Grill, and it was fantastic. The best calamari I’ve ever, ever eaten, and I’ve eaten lots and lots of calamari.

Anyway, we decided to catch a movie, one of our favorite things to do as a couple (I say that, and half the movies on this list I saw alone…). “Date Night” was one we had our eye on, and after shooting down “Letters to Juliet”, despite my slight affinity for Amanda Seyfried (is she pretty? Is she not? I dunno).

“Date Night” stars Steve Carell and Tina Fey as a married couple who love each other, but just need a night out, something special, away from the kids. They try to get into an exclusive uppity restaurant named Claw, and after being laughed at when they ask for a table, they sneak in and take someone else’s reservations (the idea of which becomes a running gag throughout the movie)… but when the bad guys arrive and think they are the people of who’s reservations they stole, things get crazy.

What follows is kinda formulaic, kind of been-there-done-that sort of plotline… but Carrell and Fey are awesome. Both are just plain looking enough to be believable as an average couple, but good looking enough, and likable enough, to root for. Throw in the fact that Mark Wahlberg shows up as a former client and former security agent, plus he’s not wearing a shirt, making for total comedy, and you’ve got a winner.

You know how there are movies that you can turn on, and just use for background noise, knowing that if you look up at any point, you’ll enjoy whatever you see because you kinda liked all of it. This would be “Date Night” for me when it comes on HBO in March of 2011.

I really, really enjoyed this film, and The Lovely Steph Leann laughed heartily all the way through. Its got some language, including one F-Bomb dropped at the expense of Mark Wahlberg not putting a shirt on, and the violence is cartoony and silly… catch this one on a matinee.

“Robin Hood”
Eh.

Okay... so, before this film, there were versions of Robin Hood that I’m familiar with… Errol Flynn’s 1938 original version, the 1973 Disney version, 1976’s “Robin & Marian” starring Sean Connery and one of my favorite women ever, Audrey Hepburn (this was one of her final four movies before her death in 1993), “Robin Hood: Men in Tights”, the 1993 Mel Brooks parody, and finally, the most well known version of our generation, “Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves” from 1991.

And now, there’s “Robin Hood”, from Sir Ridley Scott, starring Russell Crowe.

This was the story of Robin Hood before he became Robin of the Hood. Russell Crowe broods through this film like he does most films, and Cate Blanchett, so ravishing and Sydney Ellen Wade-esque in “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”, merely passes as Maid Marian. It was rather enjoyable to see LOST’s Martin Keamy and his creepy yet wildly fascinating grin as Little John, though, and in the credits playing “Will Scarlett”, I saw the name of none other than “Critters” and “Critters 2” star Scott Grimes. Looking at his iMDb page, the not often recognized Grimes has made quite a career for himself in bit parts and television appearances, even getting a recurring role in ER.

Neither The Lovely Steph Leann or I loved it, but she liked it more than me I think. Of course, she digs any story that takes place in old England where dudes are wearing chain mail and carrying big swords, while the chicks are in frilly, frumpy dresses and do things like wash clothes in a basin. Not saying she wants to live there, but she loves that crap.

Best Robin Hood? Dunno… never seen the Sean Connery version, but I’d have to give it to Errol Flynn, the original, though Kevin Costner’s merits could be argued. Best Maid Marian? Would be a tough battle between Mary Elisabeth Mastrantonio, Audrey Hepburn (because she’s Audrey Hepburn) and that foxy one in the Disney version.

Best Sherriff of Nottingham? Alan Rickman.

End.  Of.  Discussion.

"The Book of Eli"
Okay... so what an amazing movie... the only thing I knew about this going in was Denzel Washington was a man protecting the last Bible on Earth.  And the setting was some sort of a apocalyptic, everything-as-we-know-it-has-been-destroyed, cars burned up by the side of the road and rotting kind of civilization.

Denzel is Eli, a drifter who is following a vision to go to the coast, taking with him the last copy of the Bible... all others have been destroyed.  If it had been said what happened, I might have missed it, but this is a world now where books are scarce, grown people can no longer even read, and communities are many times held under rule by whoever has the most power.  Sex is a bartering tool, and violence is the answer for most conflicts.



We see right away that Eli is not a guy to be messed with... he's got somewhere to be, and he's headed that way.  And when people try to stop him, he stops them from trying to stop him in the most convincing "don't bother me" way possible.   Trouble comes when he drifts through a town and its discovered by the town's "ruler", Carnagie (played by Gary Oldman, who excels in this type of role), that Eli is carrying with him last copy of the Bible. 

Carnagie then determines that he must have this Bible... not because its a collectors item, not because he is a Bible scholar... but because he declares it "a weapon, and civilizations have been built on this book." That is... well, refreshing.  I'm sure the producers of the film didn't intend on making a religious statement, but they did.  The world sees the Word of God as a work of fiction, but this movie hits it dead on--its a weapon.  A holy, righteous, hope filled, Christ inspired weapon used to tell the stories of our Creator and guide those wo follow Hiim. 

Denzel Washington, a Christ follower himself, is fantastic in this movie, and like Robert Downey Jr being irreplaceable as Iron Man, so to is Washington in this film... you take him, out, the movie falls apart.  The supporting cast, though perhaps not irreplaceable, it still strong, including Oldman, Mila Kunas and Jennifer Beals.

Unfortunately, it doesn't take much to see the ending coming, with the final twist.  Most people I know predicted the little surprise in the last few minutes, but that doesn't make the journey there any less entertaining.

The film is bleak in color, as many of the movies with this setting are, and language pervades throughout.  The sexual moments are very few, with only a couple of allusions to it, mostly within the context of the town's danger.  Violence is also heavy in this film, so expect lots of knives and gunshots and big armored vehicles.  All that is to say that this movie is NOT for kids.  I dare say its not Emmy Turnbow safe, but at the same time, I think Emmy Turnbow would like this movie--at least, an edited version that might come on the USA Network in June of 2012 or something.

My third favorite film of the year, following "How to Train Your Dragon" and "Iron Man 2".

Another take on this movie can be found here, by Chandler Wallace, a staff member at Valleydale Church (an sbc fellowship)... he also liked the film immensely.

Tomorrow... reviews on "Crazy Heart" with Jeff Bridges, "Orphan" with Vera Farmiga and a few older films that I've re-watched... including... "Money Train"...

The 100 Coolest Things of 2008... 30 thru 21

So, if you are on Facebook, the numerous videos are not going to show up. Click on over to Clouds in My Coffee, then bookmark the page. Then check it daily. You never know what might pop up.

The Introduction and Recap
The 100th thru 91st Coolest Things of 2008
The 90th thru 81st Coolest Things of 2008
The 80th thru 71st Coolest Things of 2008
The 70th thru 61st Coolest Things of 2008
The 60th thru 51st Coolest Things of 2008
The 50th thru 41st Coolest Things of 2008
The 40th thru 31st Coolest Things of 2008

30. The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian
As this movie approached, I heard lots and lots of people, mostly churchy folk and older friends of mine, excited about seeing it. I, however, didn't care. Seriously. I went to see "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe", and it was great. This one, though, I wasn't too excited about.

So, when it was released, I went to see it which I probably wouldn't have done unless it was with a group. And... I loved it. I absolutely loved it. "Prince Caspian" is an amazing film... its full of the action that the first one had, its got a great story line (I believe it combines a couple of the Narnia books) and who knew that Susan Pevensie would get so hot?



The first 9 minutes of the film, courtesy of YouTube.

Unfortunately, I think a lot of people felt like I did about the movie, at least initially, but they never went to see it. Made for about $180 million, it only brought in about $135. The differential was great enough that Disney took a step back, reviewed the deal and decided they were done with Narnia movies. Walden Media has been shopping around for a deal to make the next one, though nothing has been settled.


I have this button on my facebook page, somewhere, with Anna Popplewell's picture on it, and the caption reads "Archers Are Hot!".

That's right, Disney. Get rid of great family fare like Narnia, so hopefully we can have Space Buddies 2, or perhaps Bevery Hills Chihuahua 2: Chihuahuaier.

29. Samantha Brown
I am all about me some Samantha Brown. She's one of the hosts on TLC, and typically the only reason I watch TLC. Usually when I'm flipping channels, I check the programs on several different ones, and if Samantha Brown is on TLC, that's where I go.



Right now, I'm watching her on "Passports to Great Weekends" where she's in Austin, TX. Up next, she'll be in Cabo, and you know that means? Samantha Brown in a swimsuit. Um, I mean, uh, it means we'll see the beautiful landscape that God has created and... well...

She's got a job that I can only envy. She gets paid to travel the world, spending days, nights and weekends in places like Rio, Boston, Berlin, Wyoming and everywhere in between, plus, she's done at least half a dozen Disney specials. Two words: Dream. Job.



Here's a video combining three of my favorite things not named The Lovely Steph Leann... Disney World and Samantha Brown and Christmas!

Anyway, I'm hoping one day she'll do "Passports to Great Weekend: The Cabana".

28. My Nintendo DS
My Christmas list wasn't extremely long, at least by other years standards, but on my list was a Nintendo DS, a small handheld game system. I wanted to have this with me to help pass the time when I'm... waiting in a lobby for my/her car to be fixed... waiting in traffic with the prospects of going nowhere... sitting in the back seat on a long car trip... sitting in a cramped airplane seat on a long flight... wherever I might need to pass the time.

I'm a natural fidgeter. I cannot just sit still, unlike The Lovely Steph Leann, who, if she has a book, she can actually be motionless for up to 38 hours, with only her fingers turning a page every few minutes. Its almost scary.

Anyway, imagine my happiness to peel back some wrapping paper and see the logo for Nintendo. Its bright blue, in a carrying case that looks like a purse, and came with the game Brain Age. My first Brain Age? 72. However, a day later, I got down to 33, so I chalk up that first one as an anomaly of not knowing exactly what I was doing. Currently, my brain is 21 years old, and getting younger. I rule.

27. Getting a Wii
After we moved in The Cabana, I asked The Lovely Steph Leann if we could get a Wii. After all, she got furniture, she got to paint, she got shutters--and while she'll say, "We both got those things!" you understand that as a guy, I'm not fazed either way. So, she relented, and the hunt for a Wii was on.

I went to Wal-Mart around midnight one night, knowing this was the time to get them. They had been delivered the night before, and sold out. There was a worker though who told me that there was a guy who worked there who had a Wii, practically new, and five games to go with it, and was on sale for $350. She gave me his number.

The next day--well, actually, about 12 hours later on that same Saturday--I called up J Rob and asked if he wanted to join me. He did, so J Rob and I called this guy and we agreed to meet him in a Wal-Mart parking lot to view his merchandise. I felt like I was on a drug deal.

We did meet him. The old guy rolled up in a beat up pick up truck, and seeing a modern device like a Wii in a truck like that, in the possession of a guy like that, would be like watching your mom on Facebook--its just weird. J Rob gave good advice, being a Wii owner himself. The guy had all the necessary cords and such, and the games, though none struck my interest, could be sold for extra money. I told the guy we'd let him know, so J Rob and I began to tour Targets, Best Buys, Circuit Citys and Wal-Marts all over Birmingham.

We even visited the mall's game stores, and we were given the same response at all the above places... "You won't find one."

I finally called the guy, left a message and said, "I've made a decision. Call me back."

J Rob had mentioned that it was getting later in the afternoon, and his woman, KT, was expecting him home, so I said, "Let's go to Game Stop here, by Target, then I'll take you back." He said he was going to wait in the car and make a quick phone call, so I went into Game Stop and asked the question, "Do you have a Wii?". As I asked the question, I was already turning around, ready to leave, knowing the answer was "no."

"Yeah, we have two."

WHAT????

I froze, then finally said, "Hold one for me, for the next twenty seconds." I dashed outside, knocked on the window to get J Rob's attention, and when he looked at me, I exclaimed, "They've got a Wii!" Quickly, the decision was made to purchase the brand new one, not the one from the Old Guy at Wal-Mart, and we were both ecstatic. I purchased the system, an extra controller, a couple of games and went home to play my little games. It ruled.

26. Rick Burgess
I received a phone call last January from The Rev'rn Ty Coffey. He informed me that Speedy, the producer from the Rick & Bubba Radio Show, went to his church, and had called him earlier to tell him that Bronner, the toddler son of Rick--half of the Rick & Bubba show hosts--had just died in a terrible drowning accident in their pool.

What followed in the days to come was one of the most amazing displays of faith I've ever seen.

The show the next day, and several days after, was very subdued. They took callers who shared their sympathy and cried along with Bubba and Speedy, while they talked to Rick a few times here and there. It was just... surreal... when James Spann, noted weatherman here in Birmingham, was on the air and broke down in tears on the show.

And after all this, here's where the "cool" part came in. The faith gloves came off. Instead of Rick and his family asking, "Why us, God? Why did you do this to us?" they completely turned it around. Rick began to speak openly--even more openly--about his own faith in Jesus Christ. He began to challenge every Christ Follower out there to be more visible in their faith, and essentially told those who sit and whine "Is there really a God? If there is, He doesn't love me because this happened!" to sit and shut up. It was awesome.

It was revealed that the guy who put in the pool was a Christ Follower (he called in, also in tears) and the Burgess family had prayed with him that the pool would be used for God's glory, not just for a good time. And who knew that this is what would happen.


Rick, speaking at Bronner's memorial service. You can see part two here, and part three here. Don't watch any of this unless you want to be challenged.

Bronner's death is a tragedy. However, what The Enemy thinks is going to be bad is always turned around for God's glory--and this case is no different. Thousands of people heard the message of Christ, thousands more were challenged in their faith and really, its about as cool as you get.

25. Melanie Zarzaur
Melanie is a local mom of three, married for 20 years to a CPA, living in a humble home in Hoover. I met Melanie when she was a customer at Cahaba Heights Starbucks (grande raspberry white mocha) and we became friends. I told her all about The Lovely Steph Leann, my love of Disney, and life at Starbucks, I learned about her family, her kids and so on.

A year later, in the middle of 2008, I was considering leaving Starbucks. I called a few people to get their perspectives on things--she was one I called. I finally left to go to The Happiest Place in the Mall, and later on, I got her a job there. It was great--I had already gotten Jennifer Smith hired, as my plan was to hire all my friends there, so in case I wanted to stage a coup, I would have loyalists.

Melanie also joined the Starbucks team down at the 280/119 store, so that gave us two jobs in common. I enjoy chatting with this chick, and we became good buddies, sharing two working fields. Anyway, I think she's great. So, she's on the coolest list.

24. Survivor: Fans vs Favorites.
Several years ago, "Survivor" did an "All Star" edition... favorite castaways came back to go one-on-one, including Bahstan Rob, Amber, Jerri, Rupert, Ethan and so on. It made for an excellent season, which can't be said for many seasons--like the most recent edition, in Gabon, Africa. I actually just woke up from that. The fact that it had the hottest Survivor--Sugar--since Elisabeth in Season 2's Outback only mildly helped.

Anyway, in early 2008, we had "Fans vs Favorites", which brought back Jonny Fairplay, Yau-Man, Ami the Lesbian Barista (also very hot), Penner, Ozzy, Parvati, Amanda, Eliza, Big James and Cirie, and put them against newbies who, for some, idolized the former Survivors. And the season was brilliant. Jonny Fairplay bowed out early, which was fine by Jeff Probst who had gone on record and said he didn't like him, and didn't agree with Fairplay being on the show. A let down was when Jonathan Penner, another likable villain, was injured and had to be carted out of the game. But overall...



The reward/immunity challenge from Episode 2. Note the brilliance of Chet. And the Manimal that is Ozzy.

"Blindside" is the word of the year in this show, as one blindside after another felled former champs and Survivor hopefuls... Ami the Lesbian Barista? Blindsided. Ozzy? Blindsided. James? Blindsided. Stupid Stupid Erik? Blindsided. It was awesome.

And, as far as the upcoming season is concerned, I found out that a guy I know... well, the little brother of a girl who I graduated with, will be on Survivor: Tocantins, in Brazil. So, let's root for JT.

23. "Hey, I Read the Blog!"
Nothing thrills me more, or makes me smile bigger, unless it has something to do with The Lovely Steph Leann, than to hear someone tell me they read my blog. Especially when its someone that I didn't even think would know I had one. The day Emmy Turnbow told me "I read the blog the other day", I was like "...really...?" I was thrilled.

I was talking to my friend Staceyfran the other day, and we were discussing blogging. I told her, who had just started a blog not too long ago, that she should write to be read. My point, essentially, is why put in on the interweb if you don't want people to read it? You would just be journaling in a book if it was private. Granted, there are people who blog who feel it doesn't matter if alot of people read what they write, but they still would like people to read their thoughts. That's why you post it.

But Clouds in My Coffee has grown over the last two years, especially in the last 12 months. I do keep an eye on visitors, and I enjoy looking at stats to see not only where people are viewing it from (over a hundred people have the site bookmarked) but also what keywords are used to find my site, plus how many countries stop by. Its kinda cool.

I have discovered that there's a link to this blog on several different sites that I didn't even know existed. And I appreciate it.

Yeah, maybe its a pat on my own back, but I work hard on Clouds, and I'm glad people are enjoying it. And if you are reading this and have never mentioned to me you read it, let me know. I'd like to hear that.

22. Antjuan Marsh
He's a minister and a speaker, and I consider him not only a friend, but a friend from way back, having attended Troy State U with him. Yep, "I knew him when."

He is a member of Valleydale Church (an sbc fellowship), and I list his website link alongside my other favorite ministry links on the right side (facebook readers will not see this). Along the same lines as #23 above, here is what he sent me that makes this list at #22:

Dollar,

I’ve been meaning to tell you thanks for your support. A guy who played football at Troy for a short time called me out of the blue. At the time, he was not a believer. Now a believer, he wanted to contact me. He was able to locate me after viewing your website. During our phone conversation, he mentioned I was listed as a top ministry site for Dave Ramsey. Well he meant David Dollar. After seeing what he was talking about, I was highly encouraged. Thanks for that posting and of course your kind words both spoken and written.

How 'bout that? I feel like I was used for something good. Always a good feeling.

21. "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
I loved this movie. From front to back, top to bottom, all 3 hours of it, I thought this film was amazing. Brad Pitt has a disadvantage of being such a "pretty boy" because it sometimes takes away from what a great actor he has morphed into. He's funny in films like "Oceans 11-13", he's crazy in "12 Monkeys" and "The Fight Club" and he's just great in "Se7en", and in this movie, he shines.

You probably know the plot, where Benjamin was born as an old man, and progressively grew younger and younger. The film makes no attempt to explain this phenomena, it just uses it and tells the story of Benjamin's adventures.



As his love interest, Daisy, Cate Blanchett is bee-yoo-tee-ful (say it slow to appreciate how gorgeous she is in this film). Daisy is a little girl when Benjamin meets her, and over time, they end up "meeting in the middle". Its a movie I want to see again, I can hopefully pick up on Blu-Ray when it comes out, and I'm hoping it will stand the test of time and become a classic. Loved it.

The film's website is here, but its a little arduous to navigate.

Coming in a few days.... the 20 Coolest Things of 2008... What's the best movie of the year? What's the best song of the year? What was the best trip of the year? Find out.

It's the 66th Annual Golden Globes! (live blogging diary)

And... that's all she wrote. The big news is Kate Winslet wins 2 awards in the same night--The Lovely Steph Leann, Mikey (via text) and myself are not even sure that the same person has ever won Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress in the same night... and the other news is "Slumdog Millionaire". Have you seen it? Let me know how it is...

Good night... more of the 100 Coolest of 2008 to come tomorrow, plus the next running diary will be on Super Bowl Sunday, broadcasting live from The Nipps home!

1000p... "Benjamin Button", "The Reader", "Revolutionary Road" and "Frost/Nixon" are all losers to... "Slumdog Millionaire".

I'll wait until I see it before I make any opinions on it (though I've heard its fantastic, much in the way "Little Miss Sunshine" was a few years back)

958p... Tom Cruise, star of "Der Mavericke", is out to present the winner of Best Picture. My guess is going to be "Slumdog", which is the new love of the HFPA... and possibly the Academy.

952p... I haven't seen this film, but I've heard about it, and I've heard that while the movie is just "pretty good", that Mickey Rourke is remarkable. And hence, he's got the Golden Globe. And Marisa Tomei in the movie is not a bad option either.

950p... Hollywood Liberal Extraordinaire is here for the Best Actor in a Drama Movie. The winner? Mickey Rourke? Really? Wow... Harley Davidson gets the award! (I can only hope that The Marlboro Man will get his due too--thats for you, Mikey)

Mickey, old, saddled with drugs and old age and a lifetime of partying hard, stumbles as he gets to the stage. If, after winning this award, we were to find Mickey Rourke dead in his hotel room tomorrow, I would not be shocked.

945p... I've decided, I'm totally watching this show now. By the way, The Lovely Steph Leann, that is January Jones you spoke of. And yes, she's quite attractive. Not like you, but she's okay, I guess.

943p... Blake Lively from "Gossip Girl" and Rainn Wilson from "The Office" are here to present Best Drama. Rainn says, "Hello. We're just TV actors. Let's hear it for the tv actors!" Blake says, "We are here to present the award for Best Drama", then they both are silent. Blake pops up and says, "Oh, wait, we're supposed to read it!" They shoot through the nominees, and the winner is "Mad Men"

The Lovely Steph Leann: I don't know who that chick is in the blue but she's beautiful. (reflects for a minute) Okay, well, I don't really like the dress, but I love the color.

940p... My favorite actress with my favorite speech of the night. She says, "I just saw the sign that says 'please wrap up'. You have no idea how much I'm not wrapping up..."

I can only hope this translates into her winning an Oscar, because she deserves it... of course, perhaps like tonight, she might be given an Oscar for "Hey, give her one, she has earned it!" rather than a particular performance in "Revolutionary Road", kind of like Denzel in "Training Day" and Tommy Lee Jones in "The Fugitive."


My favorite actress, Ashley Judd Club Member and now, 2 Time Golden Globe Winner Kate Winslet.

938p... Mark Wahlberg and Cameron Diaz come out to announce the aformentioned Anne Hathaway, and the not so pretty Angie Jolie for Best Actress. Kate? Maybe? Kate?

KATE WINSLET!!!! KATE WINSLET WINS HER 2ND AWARD TONIGHT!!!

The Lovely Steph Leann (gasping): Ohmigah... they gave her two!
Me: WOO - HOO!!!!

936p... So, two actors that are Indian/Asian (I won't even pretend to try their names) comes out to introduce "Slumdog Millionaire". This might just win Best Picture tonight, and if so, it will be the front runner at the Oscars.

932p... Didja hear about Anne Hathaway? She is up for Best Actress in "Rachel Gets Married", and a star appeared by her name on the Hollywood Foriegn Press website, indicating she had won... a few days ago. Here's the scoop.

930p... "Vicky Cristina Barcelona" wins for Best Comedy. Okay, so at Valleydale Church (an sbc fellowship), we discussed racism. I hope its not going to make our pastor angry to say that I will probably never see this film, nor do I even want to. Doesn't help that I can't stand Woody Allen.

928p... Sasha Baron Cohen, the man who is Borat, comes out and says, among other digs at celebrities, "The recession is hitting everyone... Madonna has had to get rid of one of her personal assistants. Our thoughts go out to you, Guy Ritchie." The crowd claps and gives a "oooohhh"

926pm... Count me as in the minority of guys who don't find Salma Hayek attractive at all. Nor do I think Penelope Cruz, Angelina Jolie and Catherine Zeta-Jones is anything special. Just sayin'.

921pm... Sandra Bullock comes out... where has she been? She was the hottest chick of the 90s, and suddenly, she's nowhere to be seen. Oh, don't say "The Lake House", that didn't count. Anyway, she's cracking a few jokes here and there, kind of reminding me of Annie is "Speed". The award for Best Actor in a Comedy or Musical is Colin Farrell for "In Bruges".

919pm... Ripley herself, Sigorney Weaver comes out to introduce "Revolutionary Road", a film that was getting major buzz early, but has faded a bit because of mixed reactions from critics. It seems "The Reader" is the Kate Winslet film that the voters are loving.

913pm... Emma Thompson, one of my all time favorite actresses, and Dustin Hoffman are presenting the Best Director award. "Slumdog Millionaire" is a favorite, though I'm pushing for "Ben Button's" David Fincher. The award goes to... Danny Boyle.

This is huge. Very, very big. This pretty much guarantees some major Oscar love when nominees are announced in a few weeks. And if it wins best picture (and it might), it might become a front runner over "Frost/Nixon" and "Benjamin Button" to win Best Picture.

904pm... I actually watched "*batteries not included" not too long ago. Spielberg was an executive producer on that one, one of his rare bombs at the box office. It wasn't as bad as I remember it. Oh, don't get me wrong, it was bad. But it was watchable. It was written by Brad Bird, though, future director of "Ratatouille" and "The Incredibles", among other films.

856p... Its time for the Cecille B. DeMille Award for Lifetime Achievement... and this time, its Steven Spielberg. And this is big deal for me, because rather than having older actors or directors that I only know of in older films, Spielberg is a guy I grew up watching, or at least watching his movies...

"Jaws"... "Close Encounters of the Third Kind"... "E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial"... "Jurassic Park"... "Schindler's List"... "Saving Private Ryan"... "Minority Report"... "Raiders of the Lost Ark"... "The Terminal"... "Catch Me If You Can"... not only did I see every one of these films, save for "Jaws", at the movie theater, four of them appear on The Dave100... that's how great this guy is.

Here's a hidden gem... "Duel", one of his first films, is amazing. Its from 1971, and its the simple story of a lonely traveler being terrorized by a guy in a semi-truck. Find it on Netflix, or go rent it, or find it on DVR and set to record. Its fantastic.

For the record... "Saving Private Ryan" should have FAR AND AWAY won the Best Picture Oscar in 1998 (?), which went to "Shakespeare In Love." That was a good film, but "Ryan" was unbelievable. Not just a movie, but an experience. Anytime a movie transcends from "entertainment" to "experience", its deserving of recognition.

847p... Best Actress in a Comedy, its Christina vs Tina vs America vs Debra vs Mary Louise (go Debra!!) and the Globe goes to Tina Fey. "30 Rock" is the critic darling right now, much like "The Office" has been in years past. Now that is a low cut dress.


I keep expecting her to go "you say... I only hear what I want to... you say... I talk so all the time... so..."

Tina: "I've collected all the Hollywood Foriegn Press action figures!" Then, she adds, "If you ever start to feel too good about yourself, there's this thing called The Internet, to which I'll call them out right now... DianeFan, you can suck it. CougarGal, you can really suck it. You've been after me all year." Speech of the night thus far.

844p... Diddy Combs are giving away best score. Is that ironic? And the Golden Globe goes to... "Slumdog Millionaire".

842p... Ah, its Pierce Brosnan... and he's introducing on of the biggest disappoinments for me in all of 2008. The musical is magnificent, seen it 4 times and will see it everytime I can, but the movie, "Mamma Mia!" is sorely lacking. And Pierce tries to sing... wow. Just... wow. Not a good wow. A bad wow. And I think it was worse because I was soooo looking forward to it.

833p... Glenn Close from "Damages" and Morpheus are giving out the award for Best TV Series. More than likely, this is a battle between "The Office" and "30 Rock", though "Weeds" might sneak in there. And the winner is... "30 Rock".

Tracy Morgan says, "I'd like to thank the Hollywood Foriegn Press, cause a black man can't get no love from The Emmys!" and he rambles on for a while, until Alec Baldwin leans in and whispers something, which makes Tracy shout, "Oh yeah, Jeff Zucker, the producer"

830p... Megan "Is A" Fox and Terence Howard are handing out the award for Best Actor in a Mini-Series and/or TV Movie. Another "John Adams" win, I'm guessing... which is deserved. Paul Giamatti is another That Guy who is really emerging to be a great actor in his own right...

Paul Giamatti says, "This was a helluva job, a helluva job. You know, this little costume drama we put on over at HBO..." which warranted a laugh from myself and The Lovely Steph Leann.

Well deserved.

828p... Renee Zellweger is wearing... something. The Lovely Steph Leann is in the kitchen at this very moment, and I'm trying to get her in here to get a reaction. Yikes.

822p... Colin Firth Club member Patrick Dempsey, and Amy Poehler are up to give Alec Baldwin Best Actor in a Comedy for "30 Rock", a show that will be on my Netflix queue soon.

820p... Seth Rogan and Elizabeth Banks, stars of "Zack & Miri Make a Porno"! Of course, the announcers didn't say that, they just said, "Seth Rogan and Elizabeth Banks!"

Seth Rogan says, "I wish I was around to present the Golden Globes in the 80s. Instead of getting drunk with Mickey Rourke, I could be doing cocaine with Mickey Rourke." Funny joke, but even funnier is the fact they didn't cut to Mickey Rourke.

Best Screenplay goes to "Slumdog Millionaire", a film that is getting hot and steamrolling to the Oscars. Of course, this might be the one award it gets, as a "you deserve something, so here" token.

818p... So, "In Bruges" is apparently this much acclaimed film. Know very little about it. Anyone?

810p... Aaron Eckhart and Maggie Gyllenhaal, who I had a brief crush/fling with not too long ago, are giving out Best Supporting Actress. Laura Linney is nominated... I do love me some Laura Linney. And... Laura Linney in "John Adams". Of course it does... I do have a feeling this is going to pick up quite a few tonight, just like it did with the Emmys.


Laura Linney, new Golden Globe winner. Oh, she was in "The Truman Show". That's how you know her.

807p... Colin Farrell attempts a joke, which falls flat. Best foriegn film... which means my attention is fading. "Waltz with Bashir" is the winner, and I called it. The Lovely Steph Leann and I both figure it will pick up the Oscar.

On another note... Colin sniffled as he was about to read. He said, "Sorry, got a cold. Its not the kind of cold it used to be." Then he smirked.

The Lovely Steph Leann looked up from under her blanket. "I think he just made a cocaine reference."

Also... Israel won this award. Won't most of the liberal celebrities want to hold him down and let some Palistine beat the crap out of him? Cause libs don't like Israel. Just sayin'.

803p... Is it bad that I want to see "The Celebrity Apprentice 2: Celebrity Apprenticier"? Surely J Rob would join me in this venture.

758p... After giving a little motherly advice to daughter Rumer, who is Miss Golden Globe and is helping onstage, Demi Moore is giving out Best Supporting Actor in a Movie. This is the one Heath Ledger is nominated for--and I kinda knew that this was a foregone conclusion. The entire audience gives a standing ovation. But... the award is deserved. Heath was BRILLIANT in "The Dark Knight".



756p... "John Adams" wins.

753p... This is the part of the show where Jessica Lange and Drew Barrymore present "John Adams" with Best Mini Series or TV Movie. "Raisin in the Sun" was nominated, but it's got Sean "Puffy" Combs in it. Or P. Diddy. Or Pididdle. Or Diddy Kong, or whatever he is this week. So it can't win. Wait... wait... "Recount" is nominated. Crap... this might be a contest...

752p... The fact that Cate Blanchett didn't get nominated for Best Actress in "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" is a travesty. She's just simply amazing in that flick.

750p... Is it bad that I kinda want to see "Confessions of a Shopaholic"?

742p... Johnny Depp appears onscreen, looking flaky as ever. He's giving away Best Actress in a Comedy, and really, he is three gold teeth and some dreads away from being Jack Sparrow--he sounds just like him right now. Seriously, Johnny Depp is flaky. So, Sally Hawkins wins for "Happy Go Lucky". I've never even heard of this flick...

739p... The Jonas Brothers are here to give the award for Outstanding Animated Film to "Wall*E". I think out of courtesy they are announcing that "Kung Fu Panda" and "Bolt" were also nominated, but seriously... we know. The Lovely Steph Leann giggles like a little girl when "Wall*E" is formally awarded.

737p... Ricky Gervais is hilarious, lamenting about how he wasn't nominated and how he will not, in the future, get it on with 200 foriegn journalists. He actually is drinking his beer onstage, which is just as funny. He looks at Kate Winslet and says, "I told you, Winslet! Do a Holocaust movie, win an award!"


Mikey just texted me his support for Rogue... er, Anna Paquin. I can concur. Even with that gap in her teeth.

730p... Zack Quintos and the other guy in the new Trek film are doing the Best Actress in TV Drama. Winner? Two shockers in a row... Gabriel Byrne won for "In Treatment" and Anna Paquin won for "True Blood". Didn't see either one of those coming--I thought "Mad Men" would get something, either Jon Hamm or January Jones. I can't complain about Anna Paquin though... she's Rogue. Rock on.

728p... Hayden Panattiere and Zac Efron are giving away Best Actor in a Series. I've never seen "Mad Men", but I'm hearing tons about it. I am wary about jumping into shows anymore, because they get canceled so quickly--Netflix just sent me "Pushing Daisies", and despite my crush on Kristen Chenoweth, I refuse to watch it. Its canceled. I might watch "Mad Men", though.

726p... If I'm Don Cheadle, a prominent actor, rising from That Guy Status to be nominated for numerous awards himself, when I enter, I don't want to be known as "The star of the new motion picture 'Hotel for Dogs'!"

718p... Best Supporting Actress for all those things below. Laura Dern wins for "Recount", and HBO movie from last year. It was chided by some conservatives, Rush & Hannity included, for being biased, but really, I liked it. It didn't put Dubya in a bad light, rather it showed how incompetant John Kerry (who served in Vietnam) and his campaign actually was. Anyway, I liked it.

The Lovely Steph Leann weighs in on this subject. "Laura Dern does not need to be wearing black."

Laura Dern then goes slightly political, raising the applause of the crowd.

717p... Tom Wilkenson sounds loaded. I told you, open bar.

715p... The next award is for Best Supporting Actor in a TV Series, Mini Series, Movie, Telemovie, Telenovella, Hardback Adaptation, Cable Show, Local Stage Play and Lifetime Holiday Classic. Tom Wilkenson wins for "John Adams", a mini-series I have yet to see, but will probably take all kinds of awards tonight.

713p... Is it bad that I want to see "He's Just Not That Into You", the new ensemble comedy?

710p... The Lovely Steph Leann: "Hey... he walked the wrong way! Bruce Springsteen walked the wrong way off stage." Me: "He's Bruce. He can do whatever he wants and he dares anyone to tell him different."

708p... The winner is Bruce Springsteen, for a song from "The Wrestler". Honestly, as soon as they announced his name during the nomination annoucements, I knew that Springsteen had won. He's like U2. He could sing the phone book (and like U2, some of his most recent stuff has been about as good) and win acclaim and honor. I think he's overrated. That's right. I said it.

706p... Best Original Song award given by Sting, who's sporting a "Football player in Boston" beard. Peter Gabriel is nominated for "Wall*E", and they pan to him, and he has a "tell me if I won or lost so I can get another drink and effin' leave". Miley Cyrus & John Travolta have also been nominated for their duet on "Bolt", though I just can't root for Miley Cyrus to win a Golden Globe. Something about that just doesn't seem right.

703p... My Dear Kate has been nominated like a bajillion times for awards, including Oscars and Golden Globes, and for whatever reason, she rarely wins the big ones. In fact, she just said, "You'll have to forgive me for stuttering, I'm not used to winning." She's a phenomenal actress, and she's definately an Ashley Judd Club member in good standing. Yay KATE!! She looks fabulous, as always (Even The Lovely Steph Leann agrees).

701p... The Best Movie Supporting Actress award is up. Jennifer Lopez is presenting (The Lovely Steph Leann: "Look at her dress! She's had babies! You don't show that much skin when you've had babies!") I personally am torn, cause I love Amy Adams and Marisa Tomei, but I loooove Kate Winslet... and the winner is... KATE WINSLET, for "The Reader"!!!!

700p... It's the Golden Globe Awards, who's winners are determined by a group called The Hollywood Foreign Press. They give out awards on movies and television shows, and of course, lots and lots of celebrities... oh, and there's an open bar available. No, I'm not kidding at all.

659p... What in the crap is Tiki Barber doing on the red carpet?

654p... Lisa Rinna is talking to Debra Messing. I say, "Oh, I love Debra Messing. Totally Ashley Judd Club." The Lovely Steph Leann responds, "Look at her frizz! I don't love Debra Messing, at least right now."



652p... The Lovely Steph Leann on various celebrities:
Drew Barrymore: "Her dress looks amazing, but her hair is like a planet..."
The Jonas Brothers: "So, Joe Jonas, the main 'hot' one, has terrible hair. Like, the other ones, Kevin and whatshisname? Rockin', awesome hair. Joe? Terrible."
Pierce Brosnan: "Holy crap. Look how big his wife has gotten!!"
Tom Cruise: "Sigh. I like old school Tom Cruise and... wait... is he wearing a Navy blue suit??"

650p... Just got back in. Now, I'm here, at the laptop, currently I and The Lovely Steph Leann are watching Joey Fatone (the cool N*Sync'er) on the TVGuide Red Carpet Show. Had to go get dinner (having Long John Silver's, thank you).

518p... The Golden Globes, the ugly stepsister of Oscar's Academy Awards, is on tonight... and it is time for a running diary. That basically means that every few minutes, I'll be giving my thoughts on the celebrities, the show, the entertainment and of course, the winners. Full of pop culture random trivia, I'll be able to give you little facts here and there, random links and such, and hopefully you'll keep checking back.

For Amarylis' sake, I'll even disable the "auto-play" on the playlist, so you don't have to keep cutting it off over and over! Stay tuned!