Be Back Soon!

Hello all, I’m in New York City for the National College Media Convention, so I am taking a short break from blogging while here. I will be back sooner than you think. Maybe I’ll see a show or two while I’m here and maybe you’ll see a post or two about said shows!

Cheers,
Aaron

Come back, Amy.

I love Amy Winehouse. I don’t care what anyone says. Though she’s somehow narrowly escaped the watchful eye of the ever-badgering news media, Winehouse is still in my music spotlight as she gets me moving, dancing and brushing off my pumps (but not really) every time I listen to her music.

But where has she gone off to? The latest news of our favorite Rehab lady is that she’s collaborating with Fred Perry on a new clothing collection — for your late-night partying, booze binge pleasure. Oh, Valerie.

The Academy of Hard Knocks

There’s not much I can say about the Oscars seeing as I had to “watch” it via live blog. Nothing was too surprising to me, though I’m sure lots of people were shocked that “The Hurt Locker” won over “Avatar.” Aside from it being the highest grossing film (OF ALL TIME), “Avatar” not as impressive as many made it out to be. Visually stunning, yes. Experimental, yes. Good film/script? No. It lacked where most Best Pictures of the past decade had. It was, in a way, the “Dark Knight” of this group of nominees, though it wasn’t half as good.

As far as acting awards go, there were no surprises. Sandra Bullock who will, as my roommate puts it, “probably never get a shot at this again” deserved her award after playing a deeply emotional role. She must feel strange winning it over two powerhouses of acting chops, Helen Mirren and Meryl Streep, though.

While nibbling my nails in front of my computer screen, I realized how good of a year it was for movies. The 10 nominees for Best Picture reflected a wide array of films — comedies and dramas alike — that reaffirm the thriving success of the film industry.

It’ll be a long, rough night for James Cameron, though. Kathryn Bigelow has bragging rights until he suggests the next film she should direct. Look what you did, James. Love hurts.

Kim Confusion

I will not give into the puns on Kim Zolciak having a “Big Mama,” but there really is no other way to put this. A lot of buzz has been spreading across the Internet that Kim, from “The Real Housewives of Atlanta,” is now dating female celebrity DJ Tracy Young. And word is she wants her coming out to be a part of the next season of the show. However, Kim just told a radio station last week that she was still with Big Papa, her on-and-off beau from the TV series.

Where is the truth? Maybe Kim will just come out (no pun intended) and set the record straight soon. It’s an important factor to what could be an interesting third season.

Oh, what I would give to have another season with Kim. Not only was she my…second favorite person on the show (sorry, Kim, but NeNe is my homegirl), she was also the most entertaining as far as drama goes. Without Kim, most, if not all of what made that show so amazing would have never happened.

For instance, Sheree wouldn’t have had a wig to pull on.

Tiger Woods

I haven’t blogged at all about Tiger Woods and his affairs. And there was a reason.

Again, the mainstream news media sensationalized on what was a truly disappointing act by an influential man. Questions like ‘What was he wearing to his press conference’ and ‘Who isn’t a mistress of Tiger’ were the bulk of what was spread across the mouths and keyboards of entertainment journalists covering the series of events leading up to Tiger’s public apology this morning, which was too rehearsed to seem sincere (I understand PR, but come on, you can do better than that, Tiger).

I am deeply disappointed in Tiger. It seems that for every role model for children and even adults, there is one who slips up. More importantly, one that slips up at the wrong place and the wrong time. Woods has always been perceived as a close to ‘perfect’ man. Golf star. Articulate. Attractive. Successful with a dash of arrogance. However, that is no excuse or get-out-of-crap-free card. It’s time for him to take responsibility for his actions. The same goes for the women who were involved. They are, by no means, the sole victims in the situation. Each were fully aware of what was happening and the implications of an affair.

Now that it has all been brought to the light of the media, the next steps are rebuilding relationships and rapport. As of now, Woods’ wife has yet to put her wedding ring back on, but is open to him mending his ways through future actions.

It’s a start.

Betty White on SNL

Betty White has always held a special place in my heart. As a juxtaposition to Elaine Stritch, another matriarch of the stage and screen that i love, White is a sweet, hilarious bundle of comedic joy. A true Golden Girl. When I saw the Superbowl commercial with her in it, I was reminded of how timeless this woman is. She’s the grandma everyone wishes they had (though I have to say, my grandma is pretty amazing herself).

Now, there is buzz floating around that she should be a host on Saturday Night Live and all I have to say is: ABOUT FREAKING TIME. Facebook groups, Twitter hashtags and blogs, blogs, blogs have heralded the idea of White taking up the reigns of an episode or two…or 20.

Given the track record of lackluster hosts recently (here’s lookin’ at you, Taylor Lautner) it’s clear that SNL needs to go back to the classics and get some reputable comedians on stage.

What did Betty have to say? Where did that come from?

Belt, Molly Shannon, Belt!

Because it’s my duty—NO, my calling to dish out amazing news involving “Glee,” I cannot live for another second without harping on what I learned earlier today.

Molly Shannon, who practically owns the word “superstar,” will play an alcoholic, pill-popping busty 45-year-old astronomy teacher and badminton coach at McKinley High School on the next season of “Glee.” Her guest spot—which might also be a recurring role—is set to air in May…. May! As if I’m not already hyperventilating and popping pills myself to keep from keeling over waiting for Season Two! (Not really, but I already can hear a reprise of “Rehab” in the near future).

I think Shannon’s comedic style will fit in well with the show. Not to mention, she played the best drunk cameo in “Talladega Nights.” All this talk of guest appearances is, however, taking a little bit out of the beauty of what “Glee” started off as: a show about underdogs. But, hey, I guess if the producers have the star power at their disposal, they might as well use it to keep the Gleeks coming for more.

Kanye + Vogue: A Match Made in Fashion Heaven?

The Louis Vitton Don is back on the media radar after lying low post-Taylor Swift fiasco. He’s been spending his time cruising through Paris Fashion Week this week along with his girlfriend, Amber Rose, and got to meet some renowned designers while at it. PETA isn’t a happy camper, though, as West and Rose have both been called out for their fur-centric outfits.

West also got to rub elbows with Anna Wintour, the editor-in-chief of Vogue magazine (and the main subject of the recent film, “The September Issue”—which I loved). I wonder if Anna made any remarks about West and Rose’s recent fashion choices? Or…if she made any remarks to Kanye at all? Then again, she is wearing fur in this photo, so maybe they had something to relate to.

Kanye had some choice words for the bloggers who bashed him and his boo, though. And, of course, it WAS ALL IN CAPS…

Golden Globe Mania

So, the Globes are tomorrow and what better way to prepare than to make some partially uninformed predictions? I can honestly say that no matter what, the Golden Globes may not even matter this year—as far as future predictions go. They’re normally a pretty good gauge at who/what will be nominated at the Oscars, but with room for 10 nominations in each of the Oscar categories, who really cares at this point? You know they’ll all get nominated and that didn’t stop us from seeing them. Anywho, here we go:

*predication for winner
actual winner in italics

Best Motion Picture, Drama
*Avatar
 Inglourious Basterds
The Hurt Locker
Precious
Up in the Air

Best Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy
(500) Days of Summer
*The Hangover
 It’s Complicated
Julie & Julia
Nine

Best Actor, Motion Picture, Drama
*Jeff Bridges, “Crazy Heart”
 George Clooney, “Up in the Air”
Colin Firth, “A Single Man”
Morgan Freeman, “Invictus”
Tobey Maguire, “Brothers”

Best Actor, Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy
*Matt Damon, “The Informant!”
Daniel Day-Lewis, “Nine”
Robert Downey Jr., “Sherlock Holmes”
 Joseph Gordon-Levitt, “(500) Days of Summer”
Michael Stuhlbarg, “A Serious Man”

Best Actress, Motion Picture, Drama
Emily Blunt, “The Young Victoria”
*Sandra Bullock, “The Blind Side”
 Helen Mirren, “The Last Station”
Carey Mulligan, “An Education”
Gabourey Sidibe, “Precious”

Best Actress, Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy
Sandra Bullock, “The Proposal”
Marion Cotillard, “Nine”
Julia Roberts, “Duplicity”
Meryl Streep, “It’s Complicated”
*Meryl Streep, “Julie & Julia”

Best Drama Series
Big Love
Dexter
House
*Mad Men
 True Blood

Best Comedy Series
*30 Rock
Entourage
Glee
Modern Family
The Office

Best Actor, TV Drama Series
Simon Baker, “The Mentalist”
Michael C. Hall, “Dexter”
 *Jon Hamm, “Mad Men”
Hugh Laurie, “House”
Bill Paxton, “Big Love”

Best Actress, TV Drama Series
Glenn Close, “Damages”
January Jones, “Mad Men”
Julianna Margulies, “The Good Wife”
 Anna Paquin, “True Blood”
*Kyra Sedgwick, “The Closer”

‘Conan’ Drama: Not the Talk Show Host This Time

A “Conan the Barbarian” remake is in the works and guess who’s one of the top contenders to star as the leading destroyer himself?

“Twilight” star Kellan Lutz is apparently up for the task of taking on Arnold Schwarzenegger’s brutish legacy and he’s been auditioning for producers lately, in talks to headline in this “younger” version of the story. Jason Momoa is up for the part as well and it’s still up in the air as to whether Lutz’s “Twilight” schedule will interfere with his chances.

Lutz didn’t get much screen time in either “Twilight” flicks and I haven’t seen him in anything else, so it’s hard to say if acting-wise this guy has the tough-as-nails attitude down (he grimaces a lot in “Twilight,” but him and his male vamp pals also wear hints of manliner and makeup). Even his bod isn’t as gloriously muscled as Arnold’s. Then again, we’ve already seen what a few months and some rigorous gym trainers can do for stars of the “Twilight” saga.

Jan. 22, 2010 | UPDATE: Looks like potential is not enough to land you a role in a muscle-necessary film. Jason Momoa has been cast as Conan the Barbarian, but I’m sure Lutz isn’t too shaken. He’s still got 2 (or 3) more movies on his plate in the Twilight Saga. Enough to pay the rent, for sure.

Next Page →