21 December 2010
24 October 2010
04 October 2010
No. 29: You Should Know Better!
...and I do. That's kind of the problem. Let's be Grammar Nazis for a minute (mostly just cuz it's fun), and address something I've never heard anyone talk about.
I KNOW that a potential student visiting my university is a prospective student. Some people don't; I acknowledge that, and I'm not being judgy by pointing it out. But even thought I KNOW that this word is prospective and not perspective, I still say perspective, because I don't want other people to think I'm being pretentious or subtly correcting them by saying prOHspective, which is kind of unavoidable if you pronounce that "o."
Why are we afraid of doing things right? Why do I consciously pronounce this word wrong? Why do people who "know better" say things like "ain't"? (Although, admittedly, this is just kind of a regional thing, and it's pretty accepted now in some areas.) What other words do we say incorrectly, just so people won't think we're judging the way they talk? Just a thought: by doing this, we're admitting that we don't want them to judge the way we talk, right?
Ginger and I had a conversation last night about grammar in speech and stuff like that: we agreed that as long as you are understood, it doesn't really matter if you say "me and him" instead of "he and I." It just doesn't. In formal writing, sure, you're expected to be technically correct. But in everyday conversation, grammar isn't quite as important.
But what about the words themselves? If you've made up a word (ain't), or confused one word with another (prospective/perspective), can that be a hinderance to communication? Or is it more of a hindrance to use correct pronunciation and words that actually exist? If I say prospective, are people always going to know what I'm talking about? Or is it better, in that situation, to say it incorrectly?
What's more important? Being correct or being understood?
I KNOW that a potential student visiting my university is a prospective student. Some people don't; I acknowledge that, and I'm not being judgy by pointing it out. But even thought I KNOW that this word is prospective and not perspective, I still say perspective, because I don't want other people to think I'm being pretentious or subtly correcting them by saying prOHspective, which is kind of unavoidable if you pronounce that "o."
Why are we afraid of doing things right? Why do I consciously pronounce this word wrong? Why do people who "know better" say things like "ain't"? (Although, admittedly, this is just kind of a regional thing, and it's pretty accepted now in some areas.) What other words do we say incorrectly, just so people won't think we're judging the way they talk? Just a thought: by doing this, we're admitting that we don't want them to judge the way we talk, right?
Ginger and I had a conversation last night about grammar in speech and stuff like that: we agreed that as long as you are understood, it doesn't really matter if you say "me and him" instead of "he and I." It just doesn't. In formal writing, sure, you're expected to be technically correct. But in everyday conversation, grammar isn't quite as important.
But what about the words themselves? If you've made up a word (ain't), or confused one word with another (prospective/perspective), can that be a hinderance to communication? Or is it more of a hindrance to use correct pronunciation and words that actually exist? If I say prospective, are people always going to know what I'm talking about? Or is it better, in that situation, to say it incorrectly?
What's more important? Being correct or being understood?
14 September 2010
No. 28: Razorback Football. (This one's all Hayley.)
Yay. :)
I know this is coming a little late, but we're currently NUMBER 12 with a 2-0 record! Yeehaw! Next game is at Georgia, 11am, on ESPN. So, naturally, I'll be out of town and not near a TV. Thank goodness for straight-to-your-phone quarterly updates. :)
Football - Schedule - University of Arkansas Athletics
I know this is coming a little late, but we're currently NUMBER 12 with a 2-0 record! Yeehaw! Next game is at Georgia, 11am, on ESPN. So, naturally, I'll be out of town and not near a TV. Thank goodness for straight-to-your-phone quarterly updates. :)
Football - Schedule - University of Arkansas Athletics
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| * Conference Games | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
02 September 2010
No. 27: Pop Culture. In [almost] all its forms.
Last night, we invented a new game. (I guess this is as opposed to inventing an old game...which would just be re-inventing. But sentence rhythm, okay?) The automatic title of this game (due to unintentional constant use during the invention) was "Ergo, Buffy!" It's played in a manner very similar to Six Degrees of Separation--only the end is always Buffy the Vampire Slayer (ergo, "Ergo, Buffy!"). This started because an Oral-B commercial reminded Ginger of That Thing You Do! We can do it from Burn Notice, Lost, Titanic, The Office, The Big Bang Theory, The Hangover, and George Clooney. The only one we cheated on was Snoopy. (Go ahead, you try it!)
We also (we, again, being Hayley, Ginger, Sarah, and Emily) like to do our best to include nerd chic pop culture into our school/everyday lives. For example: Emily is in Basic Econ this semester, and the class roleplays on an island. Emily is waiting for the perfect moment to stand and announce, "If we can't live together, we're going to die alone!" or "Don't tell me what I can't do!" Another example: Sarah and I (Hayley) have recently gotten way into The Big Bang Theory. Today at lunch we played "Rock Paper Scissors Lizard Spock."
Name some pop culture entertainment proper noun (e.g., movie, tv show, actor) in the comments, and we'll get to Buffy. Promise. :)
**Burn Notice to Buffy
We also (we, again, being Hayley, Ginger, Sarah, and Emily) like to do our best to include nerd chic pop culture into our school/everyday lives. For example: Emily is in Basic Econ this semester, and the class roleplays on an island. Emily is waiting for the perfect moment to stand and announce, "If we can't live together, we're going to die alone!" or "Don't tell me what I can't do!" Another example: Sarah and I (Hayley) have recently gotten way into The Big Bang Theory. Today at lunch we played "Rock Paper Scissors Lizard Spock."
Name some pop culture entertainment proper noun (e.g., movie, tv show, actor) in the comments, and we'll get to Buffy. Promise. :)
**Burn Notice to Buffy
Burn Notice. Jeffrey Donovan. Monk. Tony Shalhoub. Spy Kids. Antonio Banderas. Shrek. Cameron Diaz. The Holiday. Jack Black. Community. Owen Wilson. Night at the Museum. Ben Stiller. Zoolander. Billy Zane. Titanic. Leonardo DiCaprio. Inception. Joseph Gordon-Levitt. (500) Days of Summer. Zooey Deschanel. Emily Deschanel. Bones. David Boreanaz. Ergo, Buffy.
**Rock Paper Scissors Lizard Spock (rules)
scissors cut paper
paper covers rock
rock crushes lizard
lizard poisons spock
spock smashes scissors
scissors decapitate lizard
lizard eats paper
paper disproves spock
spock vaporizes rock
rock crushes scissors
01 August 2010
No. 26: International Justice Mission
Okay, let's be serious for a sec. Millions--tens of millions--of people around the world are victims of "injustice." Not injustice like getting passed up for a promotion or getting cut off in traffic--that's more the trivially unfair. "Injustice" is a sin. An act of violence, oppression, or abuse of power by those who have the upper hand. Injustice is what happens when innocent people are denied justice, and God is not a fan.
Gary Haugen, who founded IJM in 1997, came and spoke at Fellowship Bible Church this morning. He talked about how he first discovered God's passion for justice in 1994, when he was the chief prosecutor of those who led the Rwandan genocide. His question to Fellowship was this: "Are Jesus and I really interested in the same things?" It's easy to know what you're interested in...you. Maybe family and friends, people you like. But God is interested in the whole world, and He is passionate about His world and justice in it. Gary Haugen told stories of children in slavery....how can they believe that God is good? If we look in the Bible the answer is clear: We show them. Matthew 5:14 says, "You are the light of the world" [emphasis mine]. The thing is, these people who are suffering and oppressed won't believe that God is good unless we show them how good He is, which has been God's plan all along.
All that to say, IJM works around the world to secure justice for victims of slavery, sexual exploitation, and other forms of violent oppression. (I stole that straight from the website.) After listening to Gary Haugen talk about what they do, I got his book, Good News about Injustice, to read here before I go back to school, and I'm currently looking into the possibility of an internship in their DC office in a year or two. I'm not passionate about much, but this is something I feel God has really laid on my heart, so please pray that I'll continue searching, learning, and getting involved.
~Hayley
If you want to learn more about International Justice Mission or get involved yourself, check out their website, Twitter, or Facebook.
Gary Haugen, who founded IJM in 1997, came and spoke at Fellowship Bible Church this morning. He talked about how he first discovered God's passion for justice in 1994, when he was the chief prosecutor of those who led the Rwandan genocide. His question to Fellowship was this: "Are Jesus and I really interested in the same things?" It's easy to know what you're interested in...you. Maybe family and friends, people you like. But God is interested in the whole world, and He is passionate about His world and justice in it. Gary Haugen told stories of children in slavery....how can they believe that God is good? If we look in the Bible the answer is clear: We show them. Matthew 5:14 says, "You are the light of the world" [emphasis mine]. The thing is, these people who are suffering and oppressed won't believe that God is good unless we show them how good He is, which has been God's plan all along.
All that to say, IJM works around the world to secure justice for victims of slavery, sexual exploitation, and other forms of violent oppression. (I stole that straight from the website.) After listening to Gary Haugen talk about what they do, I got his book, Good News about Injustice, to read here before I go back to school, and I'm currently looking into the possibility of an internship in their DC office in a year or two. I'm not passionate about much, but this is something I feel God has really laid on my heart, so please pray that I'll continue searching, learning, and getting involved.
~Hayley
If you want to learn more about International Justice Mission or get involved yourself, check out their website, Twitter, or Facebook.
28 July 2010
No. 25: Summer, a time for television
So, um, in addition to Buffy, I (Hayley) have gotten Ginger hooked on Veronica Mars, another super-awesome show (cancelled long before its time!). It's like a combination (sort of) of Brick and Buffy (funky, I know). It's super witty and clever (in the sense that those words mean different, distinct things), as well as drama-filled and action-packed. Oh! And there's also this fella...
Jason Dohring (Logan Echolls)
And not to brag or self-promote or anything like that, but check out this awesome Logan/Veronica fan video :)
**Such Great Heights**
Jason Dohring (Logan Echolls)
And not to brag or self-promote or anything like that, but check out this awesome Logan/Veronica fan video :)
**Such Great Heights**
16 July 2010
No. 24: The Newest One :)
By this point, Ginger and I both are thoroughly obsessed with engrossed in Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Now, we were, like, 11 when this show was actually on... But it's a classic now, and we are all over it. :) Forget Edward Cullen--if I want a sparkly vampire, I'll just bedazzle Spike, thank you very much! (And Angel's not so bad either ;)
Maybe when I'm not so tired I'll expand on why Joss Whedon should rule the world. But suffice it to say.....Man, we love Buffy. :D
Maybe when I'm not so tired I'll expand on why Joss Whedon should rule the world. But suffice it to say.....Man, we love Buffy. :D
27 May 2010
No. 23: The End
Lost has finally come to an end, and while Ginger still has a few eps to catch up on (ha!), Hayley here with thoughts, scoop, answers, theories, opinions, et al.
The End of LOST was great. Sure, some people may say they weren't satisfied, but their only argument is "It didn't answer all my nit-picky questions!" Now, I'm as analytical as the next Lostie (possibly more so, it's up for debate), but I was able to put aside my "But whyyyy" attitude and just enjoy the characters of the show, which is what Darlton (Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse) intended all along. Okay, you can argue that they didn't intend anything all along, and only began to plan an ending after the pilot and season 1 were received so very well. However, if that's the case, they did an inspired job of it.
The 1 hour, 45 minute (running time) finale of Lost didn't answer "what is the Island?" or "what is the Light?" or even "who is Jacob?" in a way that could satisfy. But is that even possible? I am of the firm belief that if Darlton and JJ had created a show that introduced a million physical, spiritual, psychological, metaphysical, mechanical questions, and then answered them all neatly--the show would have felt (and been) unbelievably contrived. Lost wasn't about answers, it was about people.
So, if you want explanations of the finale, dvd spoilers, or a few random questions answered--check out Watch With Kristin (she's my #1 source for all things television). The man in black has a name, Mr. Eko's proposed paycheck wasn't quite hefty enough, Ben and Hurley and Vincent may have had 12 or so minutes of their own footage before they moved on, and, most importantly...when are we gonna find out what happened to Walt?? =)
Here is my FAVORITE clip--ever. (But specifically from the finale):
Charlie, Claire, Aaron - on Hulu
Also, check out Jimmy Kimmel's "Aloha to Lost" for even more info and behind-the-scenes stuff!
The End of LOST was great. Sure, some people may say they weren't satisfied, but their only argument is "It didn't answer all my nit-picky questions!" Now, I'm as analytical as the next Lostie (possibly more so, it's up for debate), but I was able to put aside my "But whyyyy" attitude and just enjoy the characters of the show, which is what Darlton (Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse) intended all along. Okay, you can argue that they didn't intend anything all along, and only began to plan an ending after the pilot and season 1 were received so very well. However, if that's the case, they did an inspired job of it.
The 1 hour, 45 minute (running time) finale of Lost didn't answer "what is the Island?" or "what is the Light?" or even "who is Jacob?" in a way that could satisfy. But is that even possible? I am of the firm belief that if Darlton and JJ had created a show that introduced a million physical, spiritual, psychological, metaphysical, mechanical questions, and then answered them all neatly--the show would have felt (and been) unbelievably contrived. Lost wasn't about answers, it was about people.
So, if you want explanations of the finale, dvd spoilers, or a few random questions answered--check out Watch With Kristin (she's my #1 source for all things television). The man in black has a name, Mr. Eko's proposed paycheck wasn't quite hefty enough, Ben and Hurley and Vincent may have had 12 or so minutes of their own footage before they moved on, and, most importantly...when are we gonna find out what happened to Walt?? =)
Here is my FAVORITE clip--ever. (But specifically from the finale):
Charlie, Claire, Aaron - on Hulu
Also, check out Jimmy Kimmel's "Aloha to Lost" for even more info and behind-the-scenes stuff!
10 May 2010
No. 22: Italy!
Ginger's headed off to bella Italia today, and we eagerly await her photos and tales!
03 May 2010
No. 21: This Friday
Finals are this week. I've been thinking a bit lately about the purpose of finals. Most of my professors treat "finals" as just the next test in a series of sectional exams.
The psychology final I just finished consisted of 45 multiple choice questions about the last three chapters of the semester. It was the easiest psych test by far.
My roommate's final today, however, was for human growth and development. They had a sectional exam on Wednesday, and then a comprehensive final this morning. I've been racking (literally, torturing, as in "on the rack") my brain trying to figure out the purpose behind this. Sarah's theory: education professors are sadists. I'm tempted to agree. The students have already been tested over this material. Some of it just three days ago!
Now, I have a Middle Ages exam on Wednesday (at 8 am!), and he told us we should be aware of previous material (since it's a history class, and history is by definition comprehensive), but that we would be primarily tested over what we've learned since our most recent exam.
So, my little rant on comprehensive college finals. Silly. Also, I think some professors weight the final and others don't. Why?
But with Thursday at midnight comes Iron Man 2 and the end of our first year of college. If we can survive until then. :)
~Hayley
The psychology final I just finished consisted of 45 multiple choice questions about the last three chapters of the semester. It was the easiest psych test by far.
My roommate's final today, however, was for human growth and development. They had a sectional exam on Wednesday, and then a comprehensive final this morning. I've been racking (literally, torturing, as in "on the rack") my brain trying to figure out the purpose behind this. Sarah's theory: education professors are sadists. I'm tempted to agree. The students have already been tested over this material. Some of it just three days ago!
Now, I have a Middle Ages exam on Wednesday (at 8 am!), and he told us we should be aware of previous material (since it's a history class, and history is by definition comprehensive), but that we would be primarily tested over what we've learned since our most recent exam.
So, my little rant on comprehensive college finals. Silly. Also, I think some professors weight the final and others don't. Why?
But with Thursday at midnight comes Iron Man 2 and the end of our first year of college. If we can survive until then. :)
~Hayley
27 April 2010
No. 20: Firefly
This is more Hayley and Sarah's thing than Ginger's, but we're trying to get her in on it, too. :)
Some quotes, since it is the most quotable show ever, even with only one season and a feature film:
"This is the Captain. We might experience some slight turbulence...and then explode." ~Captain Malcolm Reynolds
"I will get very choked up. Honestly. There could be tears." ~Mal
Stegosaurus (Wash): "Ah! Curse your sudden but inevitable betrayal!"
T-Rex (Wash): "Mine is an evil laugh...now die!"
"Alright, fine, I'll go. Just...stop describing me." ~Dr. Simon Tam
Jayne: "I call it Vera."
Mal: "Well, my days of taking you seriously are certainly coming to a middle."
"If wishes were horses, we'd all be eating steak." ~Jayne
"I swear by my pretty floral bonnet, I WILL end you." ~Mal
"This is what going mad must feel like." ~Simon
"My God. You're like a trained ape--without the training." ~Simon
Mal: "Ship like this, be with you till the day you die."
Zoe: "Because it's a death trap."
Mal: "Define 'interesting.'"
Wash: "'Oh God, oh God, we're all gonna die?'"
"Gee, sure would be nice if we had some grenades right now..." ~Jayne
Wash: "A man walks down the street in that hat, people know he's not afraid of anything."
Jayne: "Damn straight."
"It is, however, somewhat fuzzier on the subject of kneecaps." ~Shepherd Book
"But I'm thinking about growing a big, black mustache. I'm a traditionalist." ~Simon
"Well, you were busy trying to get yourself lit on fire. It happens." ~Mal
"Mercy is the mark of a great man. ...Guess I'm just a good man. ...Well, I'm alright." ~Mal
"You want a slinky dress? I can buy you a slinky dress. Captain, can I have money for a slinky dress?" ~Wash
"Oh my God! What can it be? We're all doomed! Who's flying this thing? Oh right. That would be me. Back to work." ~Wash
"Do you know what the chain of command is here? It's the chain I go get and beat you with till you understand who's in rutting command here." ~Jayne
Jayne: "Testing, testing. Cap'n, can you hear me?"
Mal: "I'm standing right here."
Jayne: "You're coming through good and loud."
Mal: "Cause I'm standing right here!"
Some quotes, since it is the most quotable show ever, even with only one season and a feature film:
"This is the Captain. We might experience some slight turbulence...and then explode." ~Captain Malcolm Reynolds
"I will get very choked up. Honestly. There could be tears." ~Mal
Stegosaurus (Wash): "Ah! Curse your sudden but inevitable betrayal!"
T-Rex (Wash): "Mine is an evil laugh...now die!"
"Alright, fine, I'll go. Just...stop describing me." ~Dr. Simon Tam
Jayne: "I call it Vera."
Mal: "Well, my days of taking you seriously are certainly coming to a middle."
"If wishes were horses, we'd all be eating steak." ~Jayne
"I swear by my pretty floral bonnet, I WILL end you." ~Mal
"This is what going mad must feel like." ~Simon
"My God. You're like a trained ape--without the training." ~Simon
Mal: "Ship like this, be with you till the day you die."
Zoe: "Because it's a death trap."
Mal: "Define 'interesting.'"
Wash: "'Oh God, oh God, we're all gonna die?'"
"Gee, sure would be nice if we had some grenades right now..." ~Jayne
Wash: "A man walks down the street in that hat, people know he's not afraid of anything."
Jayne: "Damn straight."
"It is, however, somewhat fuzzier on the subject of kneecaps." ~Shepherd Book
"But I'm thinking about growing a big, black mustache. I'm a traditionalist." ~Simon
"Well, you were busy trying to get yourself lit on fire. It happens." ~Mal
"Mercy is the mark of a great man. ...Guess I'm just a good man. ...Well, I'm alright." ~Mal
"You want a slinky dress? I can buy you a slinky dress. Captain, can I have money for a slinky dress?" ~Wash
"Oh my God! What can it be? We're all doomed! Who's flying this thing? Oh right. That would be me. Back to work." ~Wash
"Do you know what the chain of command is here? It's the chain I go get and beat you with till you understand who's in rutting command here." ~Jayne
Jayne: "Testing, testing. Cap'n, can you hear me?"
Mal: "I'm standing right here."
Jayne: "You're coming through good and loud."
Mal: "Cause I'm standing right here!"
20 April 2010
No. 19: Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland
Brief and messy though it may be, Hayley scribbled down her thoughts at 4am after seeing Alice at midnight, and just now thought to post it. Enjoy :)
Alice in Wonderland
Rating: B
3/5/10
I thought it would be typical Tim Burton-esque creepy. And...it really wasn’t. There were certainly some eerie elements, as well as a healthy dose of the macabre, but the overall tone (and animation style) was actually rather cheerful and light, even considering the darker tones of the plot. While the awesomeness of this movie DID match my expectations (although, fairly, it may not have exceeded them), I was pleasantly surprised in most areas. All of those big-name, Tim Burton-y actors lived up...and Mia Wasikowska far surpassed my initial impression. In the trailer, I thought she maybe looked the part, but seemed much too somber and dull. Boy, was I wrong. I honestly can’t think of anyone better to have played Alice Kingsleigh (anyone else think that was spelled “Kingsley” when they heard it?).
The costumes, while touted as spectacular, were indeed innovative and ingenious. Alice’s dresses, particularly, fit the character, the story, and the mood perfectly. Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter was appropriately batty, but managed (somehow) to be wholly un-annoying. I’ll admit I got sick of the Red Queen, but I think only because Helena Bonham Carter played the part so convincingly--“Off with their heads!” has been taken to new heights. As a fan of Lewis Carroll, I delighted to see the winks and nods set into the film, as well as the more overt inclusions of all three of his Wonderland stories.
As far as dislikes... The poem “Jabberwocky” (which originally appeared in Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There) tells the story of a Jabberwock. Explicitly, in the poem, the beast is referred to not as a “Jabberwocky” but as simply a “Jabberwock.” In this movie, however, they use the title of the poem to refer to this beast, which, as I understand it, is an incorrect term for the Carroll’s poetic creation.
Aside from my soapbox, however, there was little to truly dislike about the film. I saw it in 3-D, which was good but probably not a necessity (so if you’re looking to save a few bucks, you’re not missing horribly much). The land was imaginative and beautiful, the creatures likewise (with the help of talented [voice] actors such as Alan Rickman, Imelda Staunton, and Stephen Fry), so visually I couldn’t find fault. It was hard, though, to imagine how Alice could have possibly forgotten about “Wonderland” after only 13 years--such a vivid experience (which she admits lingers in her dreams) is not easily dismissed.
Alice in Wonderland
Rating: B
3/5/10
I thought it would be typical Tim Burton-esque creepy. And...it really wasn’t. There were certainly some eerie elements, as well as a healthy dose of the macabre, but the overall tone (and animation style) was actually rather cheerful and light, even considering the darker tones of the plot. While the awesomeness of this movie DID match my expectations (although, fairly, it may not have exceeded them), I was pleasantly surprised in most areas. All of those big-name, Tim Burton-y actors lived up...and Mia Wasikowska far surpassed my initial impression. In the trailer, I thought she maybe looked the part, but seemed much too somber and dull. Boy, was I wrong. I honestly can’t think of anyone better to have played Alice Kingsleigh (anyone else think that was spelled “Kingsley” when they heard it?).
The costumes, while touted as spectacular, were indeed innovative and ingenious. Alice’s dresses, particularly, fit the character, the story, and the mood perfectly. Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter was appropriately batty, but managed (somehow) to be wholly un-annoying. I’ll admit I got sick of the Red Queen, but I think only because Helena Bonham Carter played the part so convincingly--“Off with their heads!” has been taken to new heights. As a fan of Lewis Carroll, I delighted to see the winks and nods set into the film, as well as the more overt inclusions of all three of his Wonderland stories.
As far as dislikes... The poem “Jabberwocky” (which originally appeared in Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There) tells the story of a Jabberwock. Explicitly, in the poem, the beast is referred to not as a “Jabberwocky” but as simply a “Jabberwock.” In this movie, however, they use the title of the poem to refer to this beast, which, as I understand it, is an incorrect term for the Carroll’s poetic creation.
Aside from my soapbox, however, there was little to truly dislike about the film. I saw it in 3-D, which was good but probably not a necessity (so if you’re looking to save a few bucks, you’re not missing horribly much). The land was imaginative and beautiful, the creatures likewise (with the help of talented [voice] actors such as Alan Rickman, Imelda Staunton, and Stephen Fry), so visually I couldn’t find fault. It was hard, though, to imagine how Alice could have possibly forgotten about “Wonderland” after only 13 years--such a vivid experience (which she admits lingers in her dreams) is not easily dismissed.
I would recommend renting Alice. Not such a bad family movie if the kids are, say, over 10.
06 April 2010
No. 12: Oscar Nominees: And the Winner is......
LOST! Okay no, that's tonight. And not up for an Academy Award (yet). But don't forget to tune in to ABC at 8/7c for a one-hour show recap, followed by the two-hour final season premiere at 9/8c. :D
2010 Academy Award Nominees
Best Visual Effects:
Avatar
District 9
Star Trek
Best Film Editing:
Avatar
District 9
The Hurt Locker
Inglourious Basterds
Precious
Best Costume Design
Bright Star
Coco Before Chanel
The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus
Nine
The Young Victoria
Best Makeup
Il Divo
Star Trek
The Young Victoria
Best Cinematography
Avatar
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
The Hurt Locker
Inglourious Basterds
The White Ribbon
Best Art Direction
Avatar
The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus
Nine
Sherlock Holmes
The Young Victoria
Best Sound Mixing
Avatar
The Hurt Locker
Inglourious Basterds
Star Trek
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
Best Sound Editing
Avatar
The Hurt Locker
Inglourious Basterds
Star Trek
Up
Best Original Song
"Almost There" from The Princess and the Frog - Randy Newman
"Down in New Orleans" from The Princess and the Frog - Randy Newman
"Loin de Paname" from Paris 36 - Reinhardt Wagner and Frank Thomas
"Take it All" from Nine - Maury Yeston
"Weary Kind" from Crazy Heart - Ryan Bingham and T Bone Burnett
Best Original Score
Avatar - James Horner
Fantastic Mr. Fox - Alexandre Desplat
The Hurt Locker - Marco Beltrami and Beck Sanders
Sherlock Holmes - Hans Zimmer
Up - Michael Giacchino
Best Animated Short
French Roast - Fabrice O. Joubert
Granny O'Grimm's Sleeping Beauty - Nicky Phelan and Darragh O'Connell
The Lady and the Reaper (La Dama y la Muerte) Javier Recio Gracia
Logorama - Nicholas Schmerkin
A Matter of Loaf and Death - Nick Park
Best Live Action Short
The Door - Juanita Wilson and James Flynn
Instead of Abracadabra - Patrik Eklund and Mathias Fjellstrom
Kavi - Gregg Helvey
Miracle Fish - Luke Doolan and Drew Bailey
The New Tenants - Joachim Back and Tivi Magnusson
Best Documentary Short
China's Unnatural Disaster: The Tears of Sichuan Province - Jon Alpert and Matthew O'Neill
The Last Campaign of Governor Booth Gardner - Daniel Junge and Henry Ansbacher
The Last Truck: Closing of a GM Plant - Steve Bognar and Julia Reichert
Music by Prudence - Roger Ross Williams and Elinor Burkett
Rabbit a la Berlin - Bartek Konopka and Anna Wydra
Best Documentary Feature
Burma VJ - Anders Ostergaard and Lise Lense-Moller
The Cove
Food, Inc. - Robert Kenner and Elise Pearlstein
The Most Dangerous Man in America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers - Judith Ehrlich and Rick Goldsmith
Which Way Home - Rebecca Cammisa
Best Foreign Language Film
Ajami (Israel)
El Secreto de Sus Ojos (Argentina)
The Milk of Sorrow (Peru)
A Prophet (France)
The White Ribbon (Germany)
Best Animated Feature
Coraline - Henry Selick
Fantastic Mr. Fox - Wes Anderson
The Princess and the Frog - Ron Clements and John Musker
The Secret of Kells - Tomm Moore and Nora Twomey
Up - Bob Peterson and Pete Docter
Best Adapted Screenplay
District 9
An Education
In the Loop
Precious
Up in the Air
Best Original Screenplay
The Hurt Locker
Inglourious Basterds
The Messenger
A Serious Man
Up
Best Supporting Actress
Penelope Cruz (Nine)
Vera Farmiga (Up in the Air)
Maggie Gyllenhaal (Crazy Heart)
Anna Kendrick (Up in the Air)
Mo'Nique (Precious)
Best Supporting Actor
Matt Damon (Invictus)
Woody Harrelson (The Messenger)
Christopher Plummer (The Last Station)
Stanley Tucci (The Lovely Bones)
Christoph Waltz (Inglourious Basterds)
Best Actress
Sandra Bullock (The Blind Side)
Helen Mirren (The Last Station)
Carey Mulligan (An Education)
Gabourey Sidibe (Precious)
Meryl Streep (Julie & Julia)
Best Actor
Jeff Bridges (Crazy Heart)
George Clooney (Up in the Air)
Colin Firth (A Single Man)
Morgan Freeman (Invictus)
Jeremy Renner (The Hurt Locker)
Best Director
Kathryn Bigelow - The Hurt Locker
James Cameron - Avatar
Lee Daniels - Precious
Jason Reitman - Up in the Air
Quentin Tarantino - Inglourious Basterds
Best Picture
Avatar
The Blind Side
District 9
An Education
The Hurt Locker
Inglourious Basterds
A Serious Man
Precious: Based on the Novel "Push" by Sapphire
Up
Up in the Air
And now the commentary...
Best Picture
I (Hayley) have seen a few of these, and would like to see all (except perhaps District 9--really not my jam). We all knew Avatar would be on this list...so yeah. The Blind Side was very good--but I don't know if it would get my vote for Best Picture. I really want to see The Hurt Locker--I've heard nothing but praise for James Cameron's ex. QT's latest has been on my list since before it came out, naturally, but I just haven't gotten around to it yet. I like the Coens, so while I don't know much about A Serious Man, I hope to knock it out in the next month. Precious I heard was good, but I don't know how much I want to cry, so that's a little iffy. Up was incredible--favorite Pixar ever (even a little more than WALL-E, I must admit), but I doubt it will beat out these critical/cinema favorites for Best Picture. Heard good things about Up in the Air; it sounds like something I'd enjoy (love GC, impressed by Anna Kendrick's new real role!).
A Question: WHERE WAS STAR TREK?? J.J. Abrams may not have created a whole new world here, but he did revive the Star Trek franchise without upsetting the Trekkies. And it was awesome.
A Comment: I was kinda disappointed to not see The Hangover on this list. Yes, it's probably a little too comedically raunchy for The Academy, but it's hilarious, clever, and well-done. With the expanded list of 10 nominees, you'd think they'd try to branch out a little bit. But anyway, American loved it and they're making a sequel, so that's all that really matters. ;)
Best Director
Not a lot here I'm familiar with... I will laugh if Bigelow beats out Cameron like she did in the Golden Globes.....but James did a marvelous job. :)
Best Actor
I haven't seen any of these movies, unfortunately, but I like George Clooney, Colin Firth, and Morgan Freeman. :)
Best Actress
I saw two of these: Sandra Bullock really went out of her apparent "comfort zone" for this, and I think she did a splendid job. Meryl Streep was good in Julie & Julia, but I didn't really like the movie. So Sandra is my pick.
Best Supporting Actor
Love Matt Damon...Stanley Tucci looked marvellously creepy in The Lovely Bones.
Best Supporting Actress
Not Penny's biggest fan...but since I haven't seen Nine, my opinion on the matter is rendered void. I'd like to see Anna Kendrick win for "breakout" or something, but I doubt that. She should be ecstatic for the nomination, really, after the Twilight fiasco.
Best Original Screenplay
Again, I think Up was fantabulous, but up against The Hurt Locker, QT, and the Coen brothers, I kind of doubt it'll measure up. (Yes, as a matter of fact I did use multiple "up" idioms on purpose.)
Best Adapted Screenplay
I haven't seen any of these movies, but I think I'd be good at doing this. Just sayin'.
Best Animated Feature
Lovelovelove Up...I'm thinking Pixar will take this one again. My roommate has Coraline, which I've heard is fantastic, but we haven't gotten around to watching it yet. Disney went retro with The Princess and the Frog, and it really paid off, but I don't think in the form of a "Best Animated" win, not with Up hanging around.
Best Original Score
I've always liked James Horner, but I felt like his Avatar score got pretty greatly overshadowed by the movie. Not really his fault, and maybe if I listened to the whole score on its own I'd love it. It added something to the film, but I really couldn't say what, because I don't remember it. I am, without a doubt, Hans Zimmer's biggest fan. I loved Sherlock Holmes, it was great. Maybe not his best, but great. I was recently made gleefully aware of Michael Giacchino (nominated for Up, but he's also done Star Trek, The Incredibles, and Lost), and he gets my vote for this year, hands down. (Also, I think he will actually win. He got Grammys and a Golden Globe for this one, too.)
Best Original Song
I loved every song in The Princess and the Frog (it would seem this Mr. Randy Newman's got a good thing going). I think "Almost There" is my favorite of those two nominated, and may win. I haven't heard the others....
Best Art Direction
I've seen Avatar and Sherlock Holmes...both were quite good. I've a feeling Avatar will take yet another home, however.
Best Cinematography
Avatar and HBP: again, both good, but let's imagine for a moment Harry Potter beating out James Cameron for this one. Could you get that mental picture? That's what I thought.
Best Film Editing
There's a chance someone else could beat out Avatar here, but I couldn't say, since that's all I've seen of these nominees.
Best Visual Effects
My prediction. Three guesses.
(I realize not all the categories received commentary--that's b/c I don't know anything about them and therefore don't have an opinion, at least not one I'll be sharing.)
Quick rundown:
Avatar: 9
The Hurt Locker: 9
Inglourious Basterds: 8
Precious: 6
Up in the Air: 6
Up: 5
Ignored completely: The Road, Where the Wild Things Are, The Hangover
So based on this list, my list of movies to watch for February 2010:
The Hurt Locker
Inglourious Basterds
Up in the Air
A Serious Man
(Not including guilty pleasures coming out in theaters, namely Percy Jackson & Valentine's Day, both next weekend. :P)
2010 Academy Award Nominees
Best Visual Effects:
Avatar
District 9
Star Trek
Best Film Editing:
Avatar
District 9
The Hurt Locker
Inglourious Basterds
Precious
Best Costume Design
Bright Star
Coco Before Chanel
The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus
Nine
The Young Victoria
Best Makeup
Il Divo
Star Trek
The Young Victoria
Best Cinematography
Avatar
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
The Hurt Locker
Inglourious Basterds
The White Ribbon
Best Art Direction
Avatar
The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus
Nine
Sherlock Holmes
The Young Victoria
Best Sound Mixing
Avatar
The Hurt Locker
Inglourious Basterds
Star Trek
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
Best Sound Editing
Avatar
The Hurt Locker
Inglourious Basterds
Star Trek
Up
Best Original Song
"Almost There" from The Princess and the Frog - Randy Newman
"Down in New Orleans" from The Princess and the Frog - Randy Newman
"Loin de Paname" from Paris 36 - Reinhardt Wagner and Frank Thomas
"Take it All" from Nine - Maury Yeston
"Weary Kind" from Crazy Heart - Ryan Bingham and T Bone Burnett
Best Original Score
Avatar - James Horner
Fantastic Mr. Fox - Alexandre Desplat
The Hurt Locker - Marco Beltrami and Beck Sanders
Sherlock Holmes - Hans Zimmer
Up - Michael Giacchino
Best Animated Short
French Roast - Fabrice O. Joubert
Granny O'Grimm's Sleeping Beauty - Nicky Phelan and Darragh O'Connell
The Lady and the Reaper (La Dama y la Muerte) Javier Recio Gracia
Logorama - Nicholas Schmerkin
A Matter of Loaf and Death - Nick Park
Best Live Action Short
The Door - Juanita Wilson and James Flynn
Instead of Abracadabra - Patrik Eklund and Mathias Fjellstrom
Kavi - Gregg Helvey
Miracle Fish - Luke Doolan and Drew Bailey
The New Tenants - Joachim Back and Tivi Magnusson
Best Documentary Short
China's Unnatural Disaster: The Tears of Sichuan Province - Jon Alpert and Matthew O'Neill
The Last Campaign of Governor Booth Gardner - Daniel Junge and Henry Ansbacher
The Last Truck: Closing of a GM Plant - Steve Bognar and Julia Reichert
Music by Prudence - Roger Ross Williams and Elinor Burkett
Rabbit a la Berlin - Bartek Konopka and Anna Wydra
Best Documentary Feature
Burma VJ - Anders Ostergaard and Lise Lense-Moller
The Cove
Food, Inc. - Robert Kenner and Elise Pearlstein
The Most Dangerous Man in America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers - Judith Ehrlich and Rick Goldsmith
Which Way Home - Rebecca Cammisa
Best Foreign Language Film
Ajami (Israel)
El Secreto de Sus Ojos (Argentina)
The Milk of Sorrow (Peru)
A Prophet (France)
The White Ribbon (Germany)
Best Animated Feature
Coraline - Henry Selick
Fantastic Mr. Fox - Wes Anderson
The Princess and the Frog - Ron Clements and John Musker
The Secret of Kells - Tomm Moore and Nora Twomey
Up - Bob Peterson and Pete Docter
Best Adapted Screenplay
District 9
An Education
In the Loop
Precious
Up in the Air
Best Original Screenplay
The Hurt Locker
Inglourious Basterds
The Messenger
A Serious Man
Up
Best Supporting Actress
Penelope Cruz (Nine)
Vera Farmiga (Up in the Air)
Maggie Gyllenhaal (Crazy Heart)
Anna Kendrick (Up in the Air)
Mo'Nique (Precious)
Best Supporting Actor
Matt Damon (Invictus)
Woody Harrelson (The Messenger)
Christopher Plummer (The Last Station)
Stanley Tucci (The Lovely Bones)
Christoph Waltz (Inglourious Basterds)
Best Actress
Sandra Bullock (The Blind Side)
Helen Mirren (The Last Station)
Carey Mulligan (An Education)
Gabourey Sidibe (Precious)
Meryl Streep (Julie & Julia)
Best Actor
Jeff Bridges (Crazy Heart)
George Clooney (Up in the Air)
Colin Firth (A Single Man)
Morgan Freeman (Invictus)
Jeremy Renner (The Hurt Locker)
Best Director
Kathryn Bigelow - The Hurt Locker
James Cameron - Avatar
Lee Daniels - Precious
Jason Reitman - Up in the Air
Quentin Tarantino - Inglourious Basterds
Best Picture
Avatar
The Blind Side
District 9
An Education
The Hurt Locker
Inglourious Basterds
A Serious Man
Precious: Based on the Novel "Push" by Sapphire
Up
Up in the Air
And now the commentary...
Best Picture
I (Hayley) have seen a few of these, and would like to see all (except perhaps District 9--really not my jam). We all knew Avatar would be on this list...so yeah. The Blind Side was very good--but I don't know if it would get my vote for Best Picture. I really want to see The Hurt Locker--I've heard nothing but praise for James Cameron's ex. QT's latest has been on my list since before it came out, naturally, but I just haven't gotten around to it yet. I like the Coens, so while I don't know much about A Serious Man, I hope to knock it out in the next month. Precious I heard was good, but I don't know how much I want to cry, so that's a little iffy. Up was incredible--favorite Pixar ever (even a little more than WALL-E, I must admit), but I doubt it will beat out these critical/cinema favorites for Best Picture. Heard good things about Up in the Air; it sounds like something I'd enjoy (love GC, impressed by Anna Kendrick's new real role!).
A Question: WHERE WAS STAR TREK?? J.J. Abrams may not have created a whole new world here, but he did revive the Star Trek franchise without upsetting the Trekkies. And it was awesome.
A Comment: I was kinda disappointed to not see The Hangover on this list. Yes, it's probably a little too comedically raunchy for The Academy, but it's hilarious, clever, and well-done. With the expanded list of 10 nominees, you'd think they'd try to branch out a little bit. But anyway, American loved it and they're making a sequel, so that's all that really matters. ;)
Best Director
Not a lot here I'm familiar with... I will laugh if Bigelow beats out Cameron like she did in the Golden Globes.....but James did a marvelous job. :)
Best Actor
I haven't seen any of these movies, unfortunately, but I like George Clooney, Colin Firth, and Morgan Freeman. :)
Best Actress
I saw two of these: Sandra Bullock really went out of her apparent "comfort zone" for this, and I think she did a splendid job. Meryl Streep was good in Julie & Julia, but I didn't really like the movie. So Sandra is my pick.
Best Supporting Actor
Love Matt Damon...Stanley Tucci looked marvellously creepy in The Lovely Bones.
Best Supporting Actress
Not Penny's biggest fan...but since I haven't seen Nine, my opinion on the matter is rendered void. I'd like to see Anna Kendrick win for "breakout" or something, but I doubt that. She should be ecstatic for the nomination, really, after the Twilight fiasco.
Best Original Screenplay
Again, I think Up was fantabulous, but up against The Hurt Locker, QT, and the Coen brothers, I kind of doubt it'll measure up. (Yes, as a matter of fact I did use multiple "up" idioms on purpose.)
Best Adapted Screenplay
I haven't seen any of these movies, but I think I'd be good at doing this. Just sayin'.
Best Animated Feature
Lovelovelove Up...I'm thinking Pixar will take this one again. My roommate has Coraline, which I've heard is fantastic, but we haven't gotten around to watching it yet. Disney went retro with The Princess and the Frog, and it really paid off, but I don't think in the form of a "Best Animated" win, not with Up hanging around.
Best Original Score
I've always liked James Horner, but I felt like his Avatar score got pretty greatly overshadowed by the movie. Not really his fault, and maybe if I listened to the whole score on its own I'd love it. It added something to the film, but I really couldn't say what, because I don't remember it. I am, without a doubt, Hans Zimmer's biggest fan. I loved Sherlock Holmes, it was great. Maybe not his best, but great. I was recently made gleefully aware of Michael Giacchino (nominated for Up, but he's also done Star Trek, The Incredibles, and Lost), and he gets my vote for this year, hands down. (Also, I think he will actually win. He got Grammys and a Golden Globe for this one, too.)
Best Original Song
I loved every song in The Princess and the Frog (it would seem this Mr. Randy Newman's got a good thing going). I think "Almost There" is my favorite of those two nominated, and may win. I haven't heard the others....
Best Art Direction
I've seen Avatar and Sherlock Holmes...both were quite good. I've a feeling Avatar will take yet another home, however.
Best Cinematography
Avatar and HBP: again, both good, but let's imagine for a moment Harry Potter beating out James Cameron for this one. Could you get that mental picture? That's what I thought.
Best Film Editing
There's a chance someone else could beat out Avatar here, but I couldn't say, since that's all I've seen of these nominees.
Best Visual Effects
My prediction. Three guesses.
(I realize not all the categories received commentary--that's b/c I don't know anything about them and therefore don't have an opinion, at least not one I'll be sharing.)
Quick rundown:
Avatar: 9
The Hurt Locker: 9
Inglourious Basterds: 8
Precious: 6
Up in the Air: 6
Up: 5
Ignored completely: The Road, Where the Wild Things Are, The Hangover
So based on this list, my list of movies to watch for February 2010:
The Hurt Locker
Inglourious Basterds
Up in the Air
A Serious Man
(Not including guilty pleasures coming out in theaters, namely Percy Jackson & Valentine's Day, both next weekend. :P)
08 March 2010
No. 18: Rundown (aka, No. 12 revisited)
I know an in-depth post-Oscar analysis was promised...but there's really nothing to say. Let's be honest, was anyone actually surprised? I mean, we kinda didn't expect JC (no, not Jesus Christ) to be completely snubbed, but Kathryn's wins were entirely unshocking, almost expected. The actor/actress wins were called before the nominations were even announced (Christoph Waltz, Mo'Nique, Jeff Bridges, Sandra Bullock), and The Hurt Locker, unsurprisingly, cleaned up (and not just in the major categories). Avatar got some well-deserved recognition in a few of the artsy/visual departments, and Star Trek got an Oscar! (haha, for makeup. Lovely. Although, ZQuinto looked pretty darn good with those pointy ears. :P) Poor QT didn't get anything (only the Jew Hunter was recognized tonight), but you gotta admit, that wasn't wholly unexpected. So anyway, the only thing you missed if you didn't watch the Oscars 2010: Neil Patrick Harris!
04 March 2010
01 March 2010
No. 16: Ron! ...Ron! ...Ron WEAS-ley!
Today, 1 March 2010, is Mr. Ronald Bilius Weasley's 30th birthday. So...
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, RON!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, RON!
23 February 2010
No. 15: FREE PANCAKES
Today is National Pancake Day at IHOP. So, go eat a short stack and donate to local children's hospitals. We're heading over to Fay-town (yeah, that's the closest one) this afternoon, so we thought we'd share our insider info. ; )
17 February 2010
Well, everyone else is doing it...
...and since we probably care even more than a lot of people, we put TONS of thought into this.
So, without further ado, one of those "lame" YouTube slideshow videos (with music!) of our ideal Hunger Games cast:
***the video is cut off for some reason, so just click on it to watch the video on YouTube's site***
EXPLANATIONS:
Finnick--Zac Efron: Yes, we know Finnick isn't in the first book. But doesn't Zac just seem perfect? Lol.
Cato--Sebastian Stan: Also known as Carter Baizen and "that weirdo guy from The Covenant." Doesn't he just looook the part? And he's also extra-creepy. :)
Glimmer--Brittany Snow or Hayden Panettiere: Really, how hard is it for Hollywood to find a gorgeous blonde? :P
Thresh--Stanislav Ianevski: He just seems perfect. That's all there is to it. Watch Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire if you don't believe us.
Prim--Elle Fanning: 1) She's not Dakota. 2) She's adorable. 3) We liked her in Benjamin Button.
Cinna--Hugh Dancy: This is not a comment on Hugh...just his acting and cuteness. :)
Gale--Adam Gregory: Don't know much about him, other than the fact that he's super-cute and not soft-looking. :)
Effie--Amy Poehler: She's so funny and cute and awesome.
Haymitch--Hugh Laurie: We love him. And, he would just do a wonderful job here--he's a superb actor. (PS--It's not the end of the world if Haymitch isn't fatty-fat-mcfattykins, and he IS supposed to be about 40.)
Peeta--Alex Pettyfer: "Why," you ask? We shouldn't have to answer that. This is the one we really won't budge on.
Katniss--Lucy Hale: We thought she really looked the part...don't know much about her as an actress, though.
Acknowledgements:
Special thanks to Sarah for assisting us with her valuable input (that is, agreeing with our choices. :P). Also, to all those other people who made similar videos--we checked a bunch out for inspiration. :)
So, without further ado, one of those "lame" YouTube slideshow videos (with music!) of our ideal Hunger Games cast:
***the video is cut off for some reason, so just click on it to watch the video on YouTube's site***
EXPLANATIONS:
Finnick--Zac Efron: Yes, we know Finnick isn't in the first book. But doesn't Zac just seem perfect? Lol.
Cato--Sebastian Stan: Also known as Carter Baizen and "that weirdo guy from The Covenant." Doesn't he just looook the part? And he's also extra-creepy. :)
Glimmer--Brittany Snow or Hayden Panettiere: Really, how hard is it for Hollywood to find a gorgeous blonde? :P
Thresh--Stanislav Ianevski: He just seems perfect. That's all there is to it. Watch Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire if you don't believe us.
Prim--Elle Fanning: 1) She's not Dakota. 2) She's adorable. 3) We liked her in Benjamin Button.
Cinna--Hugh Dancy: This is not a comment on Hugh...just his acting and cuteness. :)
Gale--Adam Gregory: Don't know much about him, other than the fact that he's super-cute and not soft-looking. :)
Effie--Amy Poehler: She's so funny and cute and awesome.
Haymitch--Hugh Laurie: We love him. And, he would just do a wonderful job here--he's a superb actor. (PS--It's not the end of the world if Haymitch isn't fatty-fat-mcfattykins, and he IS supposed to be about 40.)
Peeta--Alex Pettyfer: "Why," you ask? We shouldn't have to answer that. This is the one we really won't budge on.
Katniss--Lucy Hale: We thought she really looked the part...don't know much about her as an actress, though.
Acknowledgements:
Special thanks to Sarah for assisting us with her valuable input (that is, agreeing with our choices. :P). Also, to all those other people who made similar videos--we checked a bunch out for inspiration. :)
AHHHHAHHHHHHAHHHHH!
*hysterical squeeing*
OFFICIAL....OFFICIAL!!!
the title of the final book in The Hunger Games Trilogy is....
MOCKINGJAY!
[the exclamation point is all me.]
We're excited. Can you tell? :D
OFFICIAL....OFFICIAL!!!
the title of the final book in The Hunger Games Trilogy is....
MOCKINGJAY!
[the exclamation point is all me.]
We're excited. Can you tell? :D
I asked the one and only David Levithan (VP Editorial Director, Scholastic) if he could share some top-secret things with me. The answer?
I am not, under any circumstances, allowed to divulge the contents of the third Hunger Games book. Nada. Nothing. Not a peep. I can, however, share with you five things that will not be appearing in the new book:
I am not, under any circumstances, allowed to divulge the contents of the third Hunger Games book. Nada. Nothing. Not a peep. I can, however, share with you five things that will not be appearing in the new book:
- Panem is not shaken up when District 9 is nominated for a best picture Oscar.
- At no point does President Snow utter the line, “This is Snowmageddon, baby.”
- Despite internet rumors to the contrary, it is not revealed that Cinna has been secretly designing outfits for a Capitol operative known as “Lady GaGa.”
- All rumors of a crossover appearance by Geronimo Stilton are false.
- In a tough editorial call, we decided not to have Katniss win the Hunger Games…only to be interrupted by Kanye West.
16 February 2010
02 February 2010
No. 13: The LOST Adventure, Part 1
This will be Hayley updating live as she watches the season 6 premiere of the best television show ever.
WARNING::::SPOILER ALERT::::::IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN UP THRU THE SSN6 PREMIERE (and care at all for Lost), DO NOT READ!!!!!!
WARNING::::SPOILER ALERT::::::IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN UP THRU THE SSN6 PREMIERE (and care at all for Lost), DO NOT READ!!!!!!
- 7:52pm - Only 8 minutes to go! I'm here in the dorm with Emily and Sarah, watching the recap and anxiously awaiting 8:00!
- 8:00pm - "Previously, on Lost..." You gotta be kidding me. Let's get this show on the road!
- 8:02pm - Jack looks confused.... Omg! It's the dead flight attendant! This is vaguely familiar...
- 8:05pm - HOW DID DESMOND GET ON THIS PLANE?????
- 8:06pm - The Island is Atlantis now...?
- 8:13pm - How is Jack in two places at once?? What is going on?? (Not that this is a new question...)
- 8:14pm - (back on the plane) Yeah, we're confused.
- 8:24pm - Haha, John Locke, you crazy old liar... "Why would I pull your leg?" ("...because mine don't work and I'm jealous!")
- 8:27pm - Yeah, Ben, somebody just lied to you. Pahaha
- 8:36pm - CHARLIECHARLIECHARLIECHARLIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Sarah's take: It's kinda hard to breathe after you drown. That's how he died, right? An underwater welding accident?)
- 8:48pm - The man in black...is the smoke monster...is John Locke!
- 9:10pm - I guess we've found the OTHER Others....
- 9:22pm - Anti-climactic much? (Emily: It's a key! The Key to the Island!)
- 9:23pm - "Jack Shephard." "Present!" "Sayid Jarrah." "Dying!"
- 9:32pm - Sarah: Nice butt shot...
- 9:35pm - Well then. Uncool turn of events. Juliet, sure, but Sayid? :(
- 9:48pm - Where's your home? Hell? "Look at that face." (ABC 40/29 News team...stop trying to make that connection. You can't.)
- 9:59pm - Yaysauce! (Emily: Just as long as he's not John Locke...)
- 10:00pm - *sigh* One Week.
*A note to end on: Pretty sure there are two timelines happening here, after two hours of intense confusion. So yes.
01 February 2010
No. 11: Grammys 2010....aka, CMAs 2.0....aka, A Year Without Coldplay
May I begin by saying: how many different categories can one awards show have? It's like they've orchestrated it so that everyone can win something. For example, what's the difference between "Record of the Year" and "Song of the Year"? Cuz a song won for both of those....... Right?
So, a brief rundown, with commentary. (NOTE: This will not include everything. If I don't have an opinion, I won't include it. :D)
Taylor Swift & Beyonce ruled this year.
Tay-Tay: Album of the Year, Country Album, Female Country Vocal Performance (White Horse), Country Song (White Horse)
*I do like Taylor Swift. And I do think White Horse is a good song. However, (Ginger's opinion here), Kanye West was one of the best things that ever happened to her. Honestly. She's enjoyed a somewhat-unreasonable level of popularity since The Incident. You Belong With Me is definitely my go-to elliptical-machine-kick-butt-workout song, but I'm not so sure she deserved to sweep the Grammys. Check out this embarrassing live performance in Sydney. Just food for thought.
Queen B: Song of the Year (Single Ladies), Female Pop Vocal Performance (Halo), Female R&B Vocal Performance (Single Ladies), Traditional R&B Vocal Performance (At Last), R&B Song (Singe Ladies), Contemporary R&B Album (I Am...Sasha Fierce)
*Not the biggest Beyonce fan.... Also, I think it's funny that "Single Ladies" is already pretty much a joke...and it still won Grammys. What does that tell us?
In other news, what is the distinction of "vocal performance"? Really, I'm dying to know.
In the category of ROCK...
Green Day got Album, Kings of Leon got Song & "performance by a duo or group with vocals," Jeff Beck got "instrumental performance." (PS--Kings of Leon also got "Record of the Year"...that elusive distinction.)
Bruce Springsteen (solo rock vocal performance) is considered rock...?
AC/DC (hard rock performance) is still in action...? As in, they're all still alive?
Also, I don't know who Judas Priest is. Heard the name, not the music. But then again, it's "metal" which isn't rock. It just isn't.
Lady Gaga got a few Grammys...in addition to her "most unsurprising outrageous costume" award.
In the DANCE category, she(?) cleaned up, since there are only two awards, and unless you consider the Black Eyed Peas dance music (which we apparently don't, even though it is), Gaga's really the only dance artist around.
I'm not sure what TRADITIONAL, ALTERNATIVE, and WORLD have in common, but they're all combined into one category, under which there are strange titles. The "Album" options include: Alternative Music, Americana, Bluegrass, Traditional Blues, Contemporary Folk, Hawaiian Music, Native American Music, Zydeco or Cajun Music, Reggae, Traditional World Music, Contemporary World Music, New Age. Three things: 1--why is there only an album option for these genres? do they not have any good songs? 2--And why are all these genres smushed together, when many are actually kind of popular? 3--Why is the labelling inconsistent (i.e., why do some awards have "music" explicitly in the title and others do not)?
VISUAL MEDIA
I'll address score awards here, which is ironic because movie score....is instrumental, so audial, not visual. But whatever.
Slumdog Millionaire and Michael Giacchino (Up) and West Side Story. I LOVE the first two, and am not familiar with this latter version of the classic musical that received 2010 awards. But anyway, A.R. Rahman and Michael Giacchino are both awesome, as is, at least, the original West Side Story. :) *Ginger singing* Ma-riiii-a! Ma-riii-a!
GOSPEL
That's not really an accurate term. And Rock/Rap are the same category. I remain in the dark.
OTHER
I love how there's an "other" category. I just do. It's strange, considering all the other accommodations made. Though full of very "other" type awards, so I guess it makes sense. Stephen Colbert won "Comedy Album." Fitting, I suppose. Was that category created for Weird Al?
In conclusion:
Whoever decided on the score awards has good taste in music.
I should probably listen to Kings of Leon.
Taylor Swift is a country singer. With pop appeal. I'm impressed, and Imma let her finish, but I still think Beyonce had the best country album of all time.
Coldplay needs to come out with a new album.
So, a brief rundown, with commentary. (NOTE: This will not include everything. If I don't have an opinion, I won't include it. :D)
Taylor Swift & Beyonce ruled this year.
Tay-Tay: Album of the Year, Country Album, Female Country Vocal Performance (White Horse), Country Song (White Horse)
*I do like Taylor Swift. And I do think White Horse is a good song. However, (Ginger's opinion here), Kanye West was one of the best things that ever happened to her. Honestly. She's enjoyed a somewhat-unreasonable level of popularity since The Incident. You Belong With Me is definitely my go-to elliptical-machine-kick-butt-workout song, but I'm not so sure she deserved to sweep the Grammys. Check out this embarrassing live performance in Sydney. Just food for thought.
Queen B: Song of the Year (Single Ladies), Female Pop Vocal Performance (Halo), Female R&B Vocal Performance (Single Ladies), Traditional R&B Vocal Performance (At Last), R&B Song (Singe Ladies), Contemporary R&B Album (I Am...Sasha Fierce)
*Not the biggest Beyonce fan.... Also, I think it's funny that "Single Ladies" is already pretty much a joke...and it still won Grammys. What does that tell us?
In other news, what is the distinction of "vocal performance"? Really, I'm dying to know.
In the category of ROCK...
Green Day got Album, Kings of Leon got Song & "performance by a duo or group with vocals," Jeff Beck got "instrumental performance." (PS--Kings of Leon also got "Record of the Year"...that elusive distinction.)
Bruce Springsteen (solo rock vocal performance) is considered rock...?
AC/DC (hard rock performance) is still in action...? As in, they're all still alive?
Also, I don't know who Judas Priest is. Heard the name, not the music. But then again, it's "metal" which isn't rock. It just isn't.
Lady Gaga got a few Grammys...in addition to her "most unsurprising outrageous costume" award.
In the DANCE category, she(?) cleaned up, since there are only two awards, and unless you consider the Black Eyed Peas dance music (which we apparently don't, even though it is), Gaga's really the only dance artist around.
I'm not sure what TRADITIONAL, ALTERNATIVE, and WORLD have in common, but they're all combined into one category, under which there are strange titles. The "Album" options include: Alternative Music, Americana, Bluegrass, Traditional Blues, Contemporary Folk, Hawaiian Music, Native American Music, Zydeco or Cajun Music, Reggae, Traditional World Music, Contemporary World Music, New Age. Three things: 1--why is there only an album option for these genres? do they not have any good songs? 2--And why are all these genres smushed together, when many are actually kind of popular? 3--Why is the labelling inconsistent (i.e., why do some awards have "music" explicitly in the title and others do not)?
VISUAL MEDIA
I'll address score awards here, which is ironic because movie score....is instrumental, so audial, not visual. But whatever.
Slumdog Millionaire and Michael Giacchino (Up) and West Side Story. I LOVE the first two, and am not familiar with this latter version of the classic musical that received 2010 awards. But anyway, A.R. Rahman and Michael Giacchino are both awesome, as is, at least, the original West Side Story. :) *Ginger singing* Ma-riiii-a! Ma-riii-a!
GOSPEL
That's not really an accurate term. And Rock/Rap are the same category. I remain in the dark.
OTHER
I love how there's an "other" category. I just do. It's strange, considering all the other accommodations made. Though full of very "other" type awards, so I guess it makes sense. Stephen Colbert won "Comedy Album." Fitting, I suppose. Was that category created for Weird Al?
In conclusion:
Whoever decided on the score awards has good taste in music.
I should probably listen to Kings of Leon.
Taylor Swift is a country singer. With pop appeal. I'm impressed, and Imma let her finish, but I still think Beyonce had the best country album of all time.
Coldplay needs to come out with a new album.
31 January 2010
No. 10: Adventures in Hill-Navigation
It snowed here Friday--all day! Ginger and Hayley, with friends Emily and Amy, went to the Honors House in search of good sledding hills--we found them! :)
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