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Archive | March, 2010

I’m Rooting for an Upset

I’m really hoping Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin are funny on Sunday night, because if they’re not, then this year’s Oscar ceremony will be one giant snoozer.

After another long awards season when so many other trophies have already been handed out (the Golden Globes, SAG, Directors’ Guild, Critics’ Choice, etc.), there’s not a whole lot of suspense left about who’s going to win the Oscars. The top eight major categories (and at least three or four other awards) are already pretty well set.

However, while some may say that means there’s not much incentive to stay up until 12 to see the whole thing, I will definitely be watching until the bitter end — and maybe some post-show coverage too. I’m just not expecting to enjoy it much. Continue reading →

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Categories movies, Oscars

Not So Wonderful

4 Mar

Early on in Alice in Wonderland, Alice’s father tells some colleagues, “Nothing is impossible if you believe it to be possible.”

After seeing this movie, I can now say I believe it’s possible for a Tim Burton movie to be pretty awful.

Less an adaptation of the Lewis Carroll novels than a story based on the characters in them, Alice picks up the action 13 years after Alice has returned home. Now a 19-year-old headstrong young woman, Alice follows the White Rabbit down a hole and thinks nothing of it; she believes her earlier trip to Wonderland was just a dream. Thinking she’s back in a dream, she goes through the motions, quickly reacquainting herself with the Cheshire Cat, Door Mouse, and yes, the Mad Hatter (played by Johnny Depp).

Since she’s been gone, Wonderland (or “Underland,” as it’s called here) has turned into a bleak wasteland, and the Red Queen (a big-headed Helena Bonham Carter) is in charge. Alice’s return means there’s a chance that things can be set right and all can be wonderful again. If only Alice herself seemed a bit more interested in helping out. Continue reading →

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Categories movies

Not Over Him Yet

2 Mar

I wish Jamie Cullum made it easier for me.

For the past four months, I’ve been hard-pressed to find one favorite track on his new album, The Pursuit. I started off liking the raucous swinger “You and Me Are Gone” the most, then moved on to first single “I’m All Over It,” then side-tracked to the lovely “Love Ain’t Gonna Let You Down.” If you’d asked me two weeks ago, I might have told you my favorite track was “Mixtape,” but at this present time, it’s actually Jamie’s beautiful cover of “Not While I’m Around,” from Sweeney Todd.

Which is not to say that the other tracks on the album are bad, and nor does it mean I’ve tired of the ones I no longer deem my favorite. It’s just that The Pursuit is such an enjoyable album that I’ll just get stuck on one song or another, and for a time, it’s all I’ll want to listen to. Continue reading →