Lights, Camera, Action.

Tonight was Hollywood’s night for glitz and glamour. Tonight was the night of the 81st annual Academy Awards. Being the movie lover that I am, this was an exciting night for me. Some of my favorite movies and performances from the last year (see 2nd blog for descriptions of the movies) were honored tonight, and some were lucky enough to take home the golden statue called Oscar.

I was happy to see Kate Winslet win the Oscar for Best performance by an actress in a leading role for her performance in “The Reader”. This was her sixth nomination, and finally she was finally rewarded for all of the great characters she has created in cinema. In the movie, she plays Hannah, a former SS agent during Hitler’s third Reich, who has an affair with a much younger man and is later put on trial for being a Nazi conspirator. Winslet was able to make you sympathize with her Nazi character, as well as despise her and that earned her the award.

Sean Penn won the Oscar for Best Performance by an actor in a leading role for his performance in “Milk.” Penn’s portrayal as the openly gay politician fighting for equal rights for homosexuals in the 1970’s was convincing enough for the Academy to grant Penn with his second Oscar (Penn previously won the same award for 2003’s “Mystic River”.) His performance was worthy of the Oscar, because of the level he enthralled himself into the character, however this is the award I believe the Academy got wrong tonight.

As much of a fan I am of Penn’s work, I believe the Oscar should have gone to Mickey Rourke. Rourke’s performance in “The Wrestler” was fantastic from beginning to end. Rourke carried the movie, and made the audience fall for a “broken down piece of meat” as his character refers to himself in the film. Although it wasn’t meant to be, it is clear that Rourke has tossed his name in the hat of Hollywood’s elite.

“Slumdog Millionaire” was the big winner of the night, winning eight of the ten Oscars it was nominated for including best picture. This film was my favorite to win the award and I thought that it deserved it. Director Danny Boyle, who won the Oscar for best director for this film, was able to take a no name cast, a small budget, destitute locations, and make it into a masterpiece. The film has a timeless story of love that many of the great ones do. “Slumdog Millionaire” was the best movie of the year, and many are considering it to be one of the best of the last decade. Only time will tell how this film lives in cinema history.

As I had in my previous blog about movies, I’m ending this one on a personal note. In that first blog, I wrote that I am a big fan of the late Heath Ledger. Ledger was nominated for best performance by an actor in a supporting role for his performance as the Joker in “The Dark Knight.” Tonight, 13 months to the day of his untimely death, Ledger was honored with the Oscar. Ledger’s family was in attendance and accepted the award on his behalf while getting a standing ovation from the celebrity filled Kodak Center in Los Angeles, California. Many of those actors had tears in their eyes as Ledgers father, mother, and sister all contributed to the acceptance speech, and I was left with some as well. His performance meant so much to me being a fan of the Batman franchise since my youth; I toasted a beer in Ledgers honor after his victory. His memory will always live on screen and with his young daughter, Matilda, who will be given the Oscar in honor of her late father once she reaches the age of eighteen.

All in all it was a great night for movie lovers. During the credits for the show, we were shown glimpses of movies that are coming out in 2009, and are left to wonder where cinema will be one year from now.

Photo Credit:

http://909studios.com/images/film%20camera.png
http://img2.timeinc.net/people/i/2008/specials/redcarpet/nationalboard/kate_winslet_300x400.jpg

http://www.insidesocal.com/outinhollywood/.aaaaaaaapenn.jpg

http://images.rottentomatoes.com/images/celeb/top_100/mickey_rourke.jpg

http://www.firstshowing.net/img2/slumdog-millionaire-poster-full.jpg

http://www.webwombat.com.au/entertainment/movies/images/heath-ledger-dead-1.jpg

Stimulate This

President Obama knew what he was getting into when he ran for the office of our nations commander and chief. Obama is inheriting one of the worst economies in our nation’s history which also happens to be the worst recession since the great depression. What’s the poor man to do? His predecessor George W. Bush passed the now infamous government bailout, and now Obama is preparing to sign a stimulus package that is trying to save the government $787 billion dollars.

The method behind the madness is to try getting the unemployment rate in this country decreased. Our middle class population has been hit the hardest as is usually the case. Everybody knows someone who has been affected by the economic crisis. In my case I don't have to look very far someone who has. My mother has been unemployed for the better part of seven months, and my family is struggling to make it. Both of my parents are educated, holding masters degrees in their various fields, however even with their credentials and experience, they've gotten the laid off before in the past.

Some people are holding faith that this is just a period of national insecurity, what with two wars going on in the Middle East, our economic status is only adding to national anxiety. This is a period that will pass, but it's going to take a lot of work from top to bottom. Obama is the man on top. He was elected to his office, and now the pressure is on him. The proposed stimulus package has been approved by the house and the senate, and reports place Obama signing the bill in Denver, Colorado this week.

Hope and progress were two words that Obama wanted to bring to the table as president, and now here's his chance. He has the chance to show people that he was the right person for the job, and that he knows how to lead a nation. The stimulus package is aiming to create or save 3.5 million job nation wide. The nation needs this, and it needs this to be successful. My family needs this, and needs it to be successful, and I'm sure some of yours do too. Like the old Abba song says, "money, money, money, must be funny, in the rich mans world."

Information Source:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090216/ap_on_go_pr_wh/obama
Photo Credits:
http://www.acc-tv.com/images/wjla/blogs/money_money.jpg
http://transienttravels.files.wordpress.com/2008/11/shepard-fairey-barack-obama.jpg

And The Oscar Goes To...

One of my favorite hobbies is movies. Whenever a friend has a question about who was in a movie, what famous lines where from a movie, what awards a movie won, they come to me. I’m the “movie guy.” Winter time is the part of the calendar where most of the award worthy movies are released. Spring and summer is the time for big explosions, superheroes, and comedies. Winter is where the dramas are hiding. If I were to make a top five of the movies that came out this winter it would look like such: “Frost/Nixon,” “Milk,” “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” “The Wrestler,” and “Slumdog Millionaire.” I will try to keep this spoiler free as to not ruin these movies for people who haven’t seen them.

“Frost/Nixon” tells the story behind the famous one on one televised interviews between David Frost, played by Michael Sheen, and Richard Nixon, played by Frank Langella. Taking place shortly after Nixon’s resignation as president, Frost is compelled to find the truth that American public is waiting for about issues such as Nixon’s foreign policy and Watergate. Frost is willing to go to great lengths to make it happen. This was a classic political thriller, directed by the always fantastic Ron Howard. I really enjoyed this movie because it was something I didn’t know about. The interviews took place approximately a decade before I was born and I really liked watching them become recreated on the big screen. Langella has earned an Academy Award nomination for his portrayal of Nixon, and the film has earned a best picture nomination as well as three other nominations.

The next movie I saw was “Milk,” which tells the story of Harvey Milk, who was the first openly gay man to hold high political office. This is another film based off actual events. The film covers the last ten years of Milk’s life as he rises from activist in San Francisco’s Castro district, to politician. “Milk” stars the great Sean Penn as Harvey Milk and features an all-star cast that includes James Franco, and Josh Brolin just to name a few. “Milk” was an excellently cast film, and all the performances are worth the accolades that their getting. I enjoyed this film for the performances and for the story. Again, this was a moment in history that I wasn’t around to see, and never learned about growing up. Directed by Gus Van Sant, “Milk” is nominated for a total of eight Academy Awards.

Next up was “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.” The title role played by Brad Pitt, tells the unordinary story of a New Orleans man who grows younger, and his life experiences. This movie has the classic compelling romance behind it, as Pitt’s character gets younger physically while his life long love Daisy, played by Kate Blanchet gets older physically. The movie flashes forward to the future, surrounding itself around one of the nation’s most deadly natural disasters. I really enjoyed this movie because of the story. “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” is based off of a short story written by F. Scott Fitzgerald in 1922 which I previously wasn’t familiar left. In addition, I thought the concept of a man growing younger was very interesting and I had a curiosity of watching this film ever since I saw previews for in during the summer. “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” is nominated for 13 Academy Awards and is directed by David Fincher.

My personal favorite movie of the past winter was the “Wrestler” starring Mickey Rourke’s. Rourke’s plays Randy “the Ram” Robinson, a once successful professional wrestler is now struggling to make ends meet by wrestling on independent circuits. Rourke’s character is also battling inner demons as he struggles to build a relationship with his estranged daughter, played by Evan Rachel Wood, and win over the heart of an exotic dancer played by Marisa Tomei. What sold this movie to me was Rourke. His performance is a true example of excellence in his craft. His character is one of the great underdog stories to be put on film of all time, and is being compared to “Rocky.” Rourke also performs nearly all of his own stunts during three matches shown in the film and another interesting fact is that Rourke wasn’t even paid a base salary for the movie because of an extremely low budget. Personally I want to see Rourke win the Academy Award for this movie because I thought that there hasn’t been a better performance by an actor this year. Nominated for two Academy Awards, “The Wrestler” is directed by Darren Aronofsky.

The last movie I saw this winter was “Slumdog Millionaire.” This film tells the story of a young man named Jamal Malik, who goes on India’s version of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire,” wins, and then is accused of cheating. He’s next questioned by the police, as they view the tape of the show while asking Jamal how he knew the answers. The films structure peaked my interest because each question that Jamal and the police review from the show, relates to some memory of his life which gives him the answers. Jamal and his brother Salim Malik are shown surviving the dangerous and poor slums of Mumbai, India by any means necessary. This film also has another great love story behind it. Jamal’s love is centered around a young woman named Latika, who also grew up on the streets. The three characters are shown as children, then teens, and then young adults, and Jamal’s love for Latika carries along throughout the years as they are constantly separated and re-united. I went into this movie not expecting much. There aren’t any big names involved in this film, but there was a lot of hype around it. That hype was what possessed me to pay the $10.25 to see this film, and I was absolutely blown away by it. It’s one of those movies that has a little bit of everything to it. Directed by Danny Boyle, “Slumdog Millionaire” is nominated for 10 Academy Awards and in my opinion should win the best picture Oscar. Not bad for a film that almost went straight to DVD according to Boyle.

It was a great winter for movies. On a side note, I will also be tuning into the Academy Awards on February 22nd to see the result of category of sentimental importance to me. The category is for “Best performance by an actor in a supporting role.” The late Heath Ledger is nominated for the Oscar for his portrayal of the Joker in last summers “The Dark Knight.” Batman has been my favorite superhero since I was four years old, and I have following every movie religiously as I did with “The Dark Knight.” Ledger died on January 22nd, 2008 after accidently overdosing on prescription drugs. I’d been a light fan of Ledgers having seen most of his previous movies. However once I saw the first images of Ledger in the Jokers makeup and costume, I was drawn in forever. Soon trailers were released for the film and we were given a taste for Ledgers brilliance. The late actor completely revolutionized the character, and made Jack Nicholson’s version of the Joker in “Batman” look inferior. The nomination for this years Academy Awards were announcing on January 22nd, 2009, exactly one year to the day of Ledger’s death. The actor has swept all other major awards for the same roll, only the biggest one remains. And the Oscar goes too…We’ll find out on February 22nd.
Photo Credits:
http://tinylittlethoughts.files.wordpress.com/2008/02/academy_award_poster.jpg
http://www.filmofilia.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/frostnixon_1.jpg
http://www.collider.com/uploads/imageGallery/Milk/milk_movie_poster.jpg
http://www.iwatchstuff.com/2008/11/17/benjamin-button-poster-1.jpg
http://celebritytoday.today.com/files/2008/11/wrestler-poster-final-medsize.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3233/2968978540_b3a8f207bc.jpg?v=0
http://img2.timeinc.net/ew/dynamic/imgs/080122/heath-ledger-joker_l.jpg

For Love of The Game?

We've all heard the names. We all know the faces. Some of the biggest names in the history of sports have been linked to steroid use, forever changing the public's perception of their achievements on the field and their lives off the field. Athletes like Barry Bonds, Mark McGuire, and Roger Clemens have all had their legacies questioned because of possible steroid use. The the obvious answer to the question of "why would someone want to cheat" is because of greed. Greed to be the best, greed to get that new contract, greed to make it to the hall of fame. Everyone knows at least one of the consequences of taking steroids, whether it be physical or mental.

Season after season, Barry Bonds was a hero in bay area sports lore. Although he was infamous for a less then friendly relationship with the media and fans, his performance and statistics on the baseball diamond were second to none. Baseballs all-time home run leader is now being indicted by the government on perjury charges because a former teammate allegedly witnessed Bonds' steroid use.

*Barry Bonds in his early years versus his later years.

Mark McGuire is virtually never going to make it to baseball's hall of fame because of the stance he's taking in addressing this issue. His stance is that he doesn't have a stance. When he was before a congressional council several years ago to be questioned about his alleged steroid use, most of the questions he was asked would be answered with "I'm not here to talk about the past." To the viewing public, that statement, which isn't denying or admitting anything, virtually denied his admittance into the the hall of fame in Cooperstown Illinois.

If you asked baseball historian who the greatest pitcher of all time is, many would argue the case for Roger Clemens. It's alleged that he used steroids during the latter years of his playing career, and many of his greatest professional moments were compromised by steroid use.

All three of these players had great moments in their careers. All three of these players have obviously gotten larger as their careers have progressed as seen in photos of these athletes in their rookie years versus the last of their careers. Now their being perceived as fakes, as jokes, and many people want to forget this ever put on a uniform. None of these players have ever acknowledged that they knowingly took steroids, but the damage has been done, and their legacies have been tarnished forever. Other players like Jose Canseco have publicly acknowledged their steroid use, and in Canseco's case, naming other players who have done it in tell all books.

Their are much larger consequences then just a tarnished legacy and public perception. As mentioned, everyone has heard at least on physical or mental consequence in relation to steroids. Lyle Alzado was famous and productive defensive end in the National Football League for fourteen years. He won a Superbowl with the Los Angeles Raiders, however he is more famous, or perhaps infamous for his admitted steroid used. Alzado was diagnosed with a brain tumor, that eventually cost him his life, and shortly before his death he came clean about his steroid use which he said started back in his college days and never stopped.

*Alzado on the cover of Sports Illustrated.

Alzado said the following in an article with Sports Illustrated shortly before his death. "I started taking anabolic steroids in 1969 and never stopped. It was addicting, mentally addicting. Now I'm sick, and I'm scared. Ninety percent of the athletes I know are on the stuff. We're not born to be 300 lbs or jump 30 ft. But all the time I was taking steroids, I knew they were making me play better. I became very violent on the field and off it. I did things only crazy people do. Once a guy sideswiped my car and I beat the hell out of him. Now look at me. My hair's gone, I wobble when I walk and have to hold on to someone for support, and I have trouble remembering things. My last wish? That no one else ever dies this way." Alzado died at age 43.

What's the most dangerous thing about steroids is that it's spread to the youth of our country. Gone are the days of some meat head at the gym selling you a syringe and a bottle of juice. This stuff has now spread to high schools, and his costing teenagers their lives, and leaving their ailing families left behind to pick of the pieces. Steroids are being addressed by the government, and hopefully will become a thing of the past. The list of athletes who have done steroids goes on and on. Sports leagues now have tougher and more frequent testing for steroid users and gradually we here less and less about it. What we're all waiting for is for that talk finish.
Photo Credits:
http://www.isteroids.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/steroids.jpg
http://r_harrison.tripod.com/Agonist/BarryBonds.jpg
http://fahrenheit.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/lyle-alzado-steroids.jpg
Alzado Quote:
http://www.usefultrivia.com/celebrity_trivia/sports_celebrity_trivia_008a.html