From the Stadium to the Sea

No I didn't run the LA Marathon (for those of you that don't know "From the Stadium to the Sea" was the theme of this year's marathon). But the theme seemed to fit my weekend, as it started in Downtown, moved to the Pier, and ended back around Hollywood. Everything those marathon runners saw, I saw, and I had the added luxury of four wheels and air conditioning.

Saturday morning started with a trip to FIDM with Lesley to see the Oscar nominated costume display. Some were breath taking, some were amazing, some made us a squeal, and some were from Aliens in the Attic.

Lesley and I were like kids in a candy store with the costumes from An Education, Where the Wild Things Are ("Do you know how many hipsters would kill to steal that outfit?"), A Single Man ("They have the furry sweater!"), Inglourious Basterds ("Inglourious Basterds!"), and Julie and Julia ("Meryl wore that!").



This picture was from the exhibit several years ago, but since it's Helen Mirren, and she plays an intricate part in this blog post, I'll allow.



After playing over on Vermont for a bit, Lesley and I went to Santa Monica. She had never been on the pier, so we hit that up first. Kettle Corn! Cotton Candy! Rides! It's like a carnival, but better, because it's on water. Lesley and I joked about the pier being destroyed by a giant wave (as in a Roland Emmerich movie) and low and behold, go kicked off the beach. Not because of our off color jokes, but because a suspicious package was found on the pier. Cops were everywhere. We were instructed to go past the lifeguard tower. Dear lifeguard, if the pier was to explode in a gigantic terrorist attack, I highly doubt being on the OTHER side of your lifeguard tower would make the slightest difference in my chances of survival.

So we went to a British foods store. A logical move right? It is when you're with Palf.

Palf and I parted ways and I was joined by Kristen, Julie and Jeff. A bottle of wine and batch of margaritas later, we hopped into a cab for Bar Lubitsch. After my rave review of it, they had been wanting to try it. We got in and it was PACKED. Have no fear though, we found ourselves a nice pocket of space and proceeded to hang out and drink through the night. Kristen, Julie and nights out (or in!) are a perfect storm. Doesn't matter where we are, doesn't matter that someone in the bar had B.O. (okay, it a little bit did), we have a good time. Saturday was no exception.

We stumbled down Santa Monica to Jones for a post-drinking pizza with Banner. We scarfed a pizza of our own and downed half of Rebecca's. Success? I think so.

Sunday was just as successful, if not COMPLETELY different. Megan came to visit!



Megan, my oldest friend (as in, since 2nd grade, not age 102), is the assistant to journalist Annie Bardach, who is quite possibly THE go-to journalist on all things Cuba. Annie is a member of the Moron Society (a group of free-thinking, intelligent people [journalists, writers, directors, actors, politicians]) who get together to elect morons in society and discuss current events.



On Sunday, there was a Moron Society meeting at Helen Mirren and Taylor Hackford's house. They live around the corner from me! Their neighbor is none other than Roland Emmerich, of aforementioned pier discussion.

Megan and I were honorary Moronettes and handled parking at the Hackford/Mirren estate. Afterwards we were invited to listen in on the meeting, which was incredible. These people are such intelligent speakers.

Mirren, or as Hackford calls her, Helly, was a sweetheart. So nice. She gave me a stack of ham, a bottle of wine and a cheery pie because "I could afford such a thing."



I feel like I should have more to say about this event, but I guess it's all just sinking in. They're wonderful people and it was exciting to be a part of it. Will anything come of it professionally? Probably not - but you never know!

It's the most wonderful time of the year...

Awards season is rolling around and I have some thoughts.... (oh, yeah.... and thanks to Lauren Johnson - I'm back [again].)



Best Picture: This ones tough. Even tougher is picking out the nominees. There are so many different directions this can go. There are some givens - Up in the Air, Inglourious Basterds, Up, Hurt Locker (which I still REALLY need to see). Hopefully, An Education makes the nominee list. It would never win, but deserves the recognition. Lesley and I were messes throughout that little picture.

What Should Win: Inglourious Basterds - I can't think of a single thing wrong with it, except maybe... nope. Actually. I've got NOTHING.
What Will Win: Up in the Air - It's just too topical to not win. It came out at the right time. Granted, most Academy members don't know what it's like to be unemployed right now... but that's another story entirely.

Best Director: The home of your real best picture. Now that there are 10 best pictures, the 5 with director nominations will be your true contenders. I think Pete Docter will slide in here for Up. Lee Daniels. Quentin. Kathyrn Bigelow and Jason Reitman. That's right James Cameron... I think theres only room for one animated director and it's Pete Docter.

Who Should Win: Kathyrn Bigelow. Give it to her! Break the barrier. If any female director deserves it - it's her. Slap James Cameron in the face. Do it.
Who Will Win: Jason Reitman. He was able to get great performances (minus Anna Kendrick) out of not only his actors, but also REAL people. That touch is the icing on his directorial cake.

Best Actor: Its been kind of a so-so year for leading men, even more so for leading women. More on that later. Also, I haven't seen a good number of these pictures (mainly because the main actor seems to be the only thing going for a lot of them.)

Who Should Win: I've heard nothing but great things about Jeremy Renner's performance in Hurt Locker. I've also heard Colin Firth is unstoppable in A Single Man. That being said - he'll never win. An actor playing a gay man won LAST YEAR.
Who Will Win: Jeff Bridges - He is always great and in a story that seems like a country version of last year's "The Wrestler," the academy might award Mickey Rourke through Jeff Bridges. I'd consider Jeff Bridges more deserving, anyways.

Best Actress: Don't make me choose! I can tell you who it won't be. It won't be Sandra Bullock (but PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE nominate her. She deserves it for her completely different style of comedy exhibited in The Blind Side.) It won't be Gabby Sidibe. Don't get me wrong, she was great. But if were going to pick a breakout star of the year it's going to be -

Who Should Win: Carey Mulligan. Lesley and I were on the edge of our seats watching her in a drama. A drama! She had us right in the palm of her hands.
Who Will Win: Meryl Streep. I love her, and she was spot on as Julia Child. She hasn't won in years and in a year of weaker performances- this might be the time to award her again.

Best Supporting Actress: This is always one of my favorite categories. Sorry Lauren, I absolutely hated Anna Kendrick. I thought she was annoying. Not worth my time, or this award. If I was to give it to someone in Up in the Air - it would be Vera Farmiga- because in addition to tricking George Clooney and Anna Kendrick... she was able to trick me. I'd also love to see Melanie Laurent nominated for Inglourious Basterds. Not sure if she'll make that cut though.

Who Should and Will Win: Monique. I dare any actor to compete. I literally screamed during Precious because of her. A grown man behind me was bawling because of her. No one else even comes close. If I could giver her 5 Oscars- I would.

Best Supporting Actor: Another case where I haven't seen most of the contenders. I think the Academy will do the "reward a great actor for their years of service" thing with the leads this year - which leaves this category open for an ACTUAL great performance. That of-

Who Should and Will Win: Christopher Waltz for being the snarkiest, most loveable/hateable Nazi I've ever encountered on screen. He oozed sinister charm. I loved it (and it will be a chance for the Academy to recognize the movie - which they'll do in much fewer places than it should)

Best Original Screenplay: This was a great year for original screenplays. Definitely nominated will be Up. It won't win this award either. Don't worry- Best Animated Feature is still yours Pixar.

What Should Win: (500) Days of Summer. I read the script. It's great. The play on time is incredible. The characters, as much as I'd love to credit Zooey Deschanel and Joseph Gordon Levitt - are on the page. What Will Win: Inglourious Basterds. Don't get me wrong- I'm 100% okay with this. And since Quinten won't win Picture and won't win Director - they're going to give it to him here.

Best Adapted Screenplay: I usually like to read the source material to accurately judge the quality of the adaptation. That being said- the movie also needs to stand as a movie on it's own. Sorry Lovely Bones.

What Should Win: An Education. It's the perfect little movie.
What Will Win: Precious. The book is tough. The movie is tougher.