Tomketeer of the Year: Sandy

Congratulations to Sandy, the 2010 Tomketeer of the Year!

Brian's Exit Interview

We're mere hours away from announcing the winner of Tomketeer of the Year, but let's not forget about Brian, our Tomketeer of the Month for December.

The Tom-Team had a chance to sit down with him to chat about what the honor meant to him.

T: Thanks for clearing some time in your busy schedule, Brian. So what did you think when you heard the news?

B: First, I was shocked. Then slightly pensive. Then a little obnoxious (because Tom went to the bathroom and I gloated a bit to my wife who wasn't named "Tomketeer of the Month" for December. HA! HA!) Finally, I felt honored to be a part of such a storied tradition.

T: Did you ever imagine it could be you?

B: Yes. Though I was aware that this award existed, I wasn't even 100% sure what the criteria for eligibility was. So, I just assumed (like so many potential Tomketeers out there) that I wasn't even eligible to participate. When Tom pulled that certificate out of his bag, it was like getting a refund check in the mail for something I didn't even know I'd paid for to begin with. I looked around and thought, "Tom must be confused. Can I keep this? Is someone going to make me give it back?" So, I spent the first 24 hours of my reign looking over my shoulder and spent a lot of time hiding out in the bathroom. Then I finally understood that it wasn't a mistake. I'd won. I'd really won.

T: How is your life different now?

B: Sometimes I'll whip out my certificate that I carry with me everywhere and remind or inform everyone of my achievement. Then everyone will ask, "What the hell are you talking about?" So, I'll explain to them about Tom and his loyal group of appointed Tomketeers and they'll smile and nod. Being a Tomketeer has turned me into a Tom-Spot advocate to the world. It's given me the self-confidence to win friends and influence people.

T: What's on your plate in 2010?

B: I plan on taking it one day at a time from here on out. Since I've been trying to make December last as long as possible, I've been trying techniques that cause time to slow down: sitting and staring, watering plants, contemplating my navel, pretending I'm paralyzed. These things have shown me that life doesn't all just happen at once. Processing time is sometimes just as important as running time. So, I plan on letting my hourglass go around in circles more without getting upset and throwing my laptop across the room in disgust.

T: What advice can you give for the next honoree?

B: Just that this is your stage. Remember that here on the Tom-Spot, you've got the world's ear. Don't waste it (like I did).

And if you like bluegrass music even just a little bit and you still have money left on an iTunes gift card left over from the holidays, I'd recommend downloading "Sweet Tooth" by the Dave Rawlings Machine. If you like it and still have 99 cents left, I'd recommend downloading "Ruby."

T: You heard it here first, friends. Thank you Brian and good luck with this evening's announcement.

Not going to happen

But sort of amazing, nonetheless.

Inception Trailer

I don't know what this movie is about, but the trailer does look pretty freaking cool, I must say.

You mean you forgot cranberries too?

Tomketeer of the Year: Vote Now!

For Your Consideration: Brian (December)

Here's a lovely campaign paragraph about my favorite food:
Lima, lento, soy, and pinto
Navy, northern, and garbanzo
Kidneys and frijoles negros
I love beans
I love beans
Woo woo woo!
I love beans
How 'bout you?
High in fiber
Low in fat
Hey, I betcha didn't know that
When I eat beans
I sit in my own little cloud
Nobody comes to visit me
In my little cloud
I don't know why
Maybe 'cause I'm cuttin' muffins
Because...
I love beans!
Hey hey hey!
I love beans everyday!
Beans are an excellent source of protein
I love beans!
Diggydoo!
--Brian

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Tomketeer of the Year: Vote Now!

For Your Consideration: Ben (November)

Ben in his own words:

"I have also started to pay very close attention to my life. As the first man to win this award, I need to be a positive role model for all those young males hoping to achieve such great heights. I have already taken Seth under my wings to help groom him for the title."

"While others might see this as an opportunity to start coasting, I have yet to reach my peak. This award is motivation to keep my striving for even higher heights."

"I am truly humbled by this award. It was a true honor."

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Tomketeer of the Year: Vote Now!

For Your Consideration: Lauren (October)

Lauren in her own words:

"Through this experience I learned that you have to do whatever it takes to achieve your goals. All my hard work (the prayers, joining secret societies, and hanging out with past Tomketeers) paid off."

"I also knew that after achieving my life-long goal of becoming Tomketeer of the Month, I could do anything."

"My next endeavors are: pursuing a doctorate, competing in the Amazing Race, and serving as America’s next First Lady."

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Tomketeer of the Year: Vote Now!

For Your Consideration: Liz K. (September)

When I was notified that I was Tomketeer of the Month for September, I didn´t think that my life could get any better. However, I have been proven wrong. Just knowing that I am eligible for such an honor as Tomketeer of the Year is something that made me realize how precious life is. On that note I´d like to impart some wisdom I have learned from my Tomketeer Experience:

-With power comes responsibility
-With power you have a captive audience that you probably never could have reached before
-It is therefore important to choose your topics wisely.

I believe that during my tenure I was able to inform the country and indeed the world, as I am living abroad, about a variety of important issues such as climate change, food allergies, and cupcakes.

To further continue this good work, If you elect me as Tomketeer of the Year I plan on developing an initiative that brings together all former and future Tomketeers of the Month working together for the common good. We will form an organization called The Tomketeer of the Month Foundation for Individuals suffering from Debilitating Food Allergies Such As Gluten and Dairy. We have already gained the backing from The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and I am eager to start this worthy project.
Thank you and good luck to all my worthy opponents.
--Liz K.

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Tomketeer of the Year: Vote Now!

For Your Consideration: Kim (August)

As a 2009 Tomkeeter of the Month, I have been able to accomplish my wildest dreams. And, if I receive this honor I promise to help you achieve yours, especially if those wildest dreams consist of prank calling ex's, reaching cans of soup from the highest kitchen cabinet, or being more bootylicious. Believe me with the influence I will gain from being named Tomkeeter of the Year you and I can, and will, dominate! And finally, as your only Midwestern Tomkeeter I beg of you to give me this honor. Come on, we don't have mountains; we don't have an ocean. Seriously, it sucks out here.
--Kim

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Tomketeer of the Year: Vote Now!

For Your Consideration: Sandy (July)

Dear America,

Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to ask to be considered for Tomketeer of the Year. Originally, I had sent you a video, but being the inept technological person that I am, well it didn't work. So here I am. I hope I can convey my heart felt feelings regarding this prestigious award. When you named me July's Tomketeer of the Month, I was indeed so honored that you would even consider me. If you were to choose me it would mean the world to me. I know for a fact that you are a very good friend of a young fellow by the name of Seth, (not that I am dropping any names here...) (Please don't hold that against me!), but it would somehow make me feel more connected to him and his very best friends.

It's not everyday that a mom is accepted as a "Pal." If I would win this wonderful award...I would take my position very seriously and rise to the occasion. There would not even be a need for a runner up, so to speak--i.e. If the winner cannot fulfill her duties, blah, blah, blah.

If need be, I am able to travel for special guest appearances, book signings, etc. I do have unlimited amount of time to give if I win, with the exception of my casino trips! Baby (boy) needs a new pair of shoes! Size 12 I think! Anyhoo! Pick me and I won't let you down. I may be approaching 55, (12/23), but there is a lot of life left in this old gal! I'm not one of those gal's that's afraid to tell her real age...Well, take a look at this video that is near and dear to my own mindset! It explains it all and what I'm all about. I may not be a youngster like the rest of the nominees but I have a lot of life left in me and I can still cut a rug!



Thank you again! I won't disappoint you.

Gratefully yours,
Sandy

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Tomketeer of the Year: Vote Now!

For Your Consideration: Kathleen (June)

Being voted Tomketeer of the Year would mean the world to me! Why do I deserve it? Here are my three favorite reasons…

(#1) I make a great hostess. Whether it’s creating the perfect hospital corner, providing nutritional meals, or risking a night in the slammer to pull over for that late night pack of cigarettes for a dear guest, I am capable of it all! My fireplace also provides an excellent backdrop for any holiday card!

(#2) In 2010 I will be a blushing bride! Although marriage takes a close second, nothing could make me more complete than being named “Tomketeer of the Year.”

(#3) My super-planner status. As a planner for Newton, I work to make the streets safer for our lovely citizens, including those pesky BC students!
--Kathleen

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Tomketeer of the Year: Vote Now!

For Your Consideration: Tracy (May)

Even after a long day on the farm spent birthing a calf and helping him to walk on his newly made wobbly legs, she's still up for a night of karaoke at Duplex.

Gift giver, drama bringer, and rat tamer - America: this is your Tomketeer of the Year.
--Tracy

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Tomketeer of the Year: Vote Now!

For Your Consideration: Liz (April)

Top 5 Reasons Liz should be Tomketeer of the Year:

5. I have the looks.


4. I am a lover.


3. I know how to have a good time.


2. I am very patriotic.


1. I am the Queen of "Donut on a String."



Vote Now!

Tomketeer of the Year: Vote Now!

For Your Consideration: Kate (March)

Dear America,

2009 has been an exciting year for me. The year started off with my award for Tomketeer of the Month. Throughout the course of the year I starred in my 10-year high school reunion, bombed the LSATs, escaped to Jamaica, opened a new Stadium, won a World Series, and floated through the Canyon of Heroes. There is really only one way to cap off such a year, and that would be to come home with the prize of all prizes, the trophy for Tomkeeter of the Year. (I have enclosed a picture of myself complete with award in hand, so that it can be photo-shopped should it need be for any press releases.) I hope to embark on many new adventures in 2010 (including another attempt at the LSATs and a move to a new apartment). I want to close by congratulating my fellow nominees, as it really is just an honor to be nominated with such a wonderful group of people.

Love,
Kate

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Tomketeer of the Year: Vote Now!

America, you've watched dutifully each month as the Tom-Team has picked out a Tomketeer of the Month. You've supported them, cheered them on, and hopefully even bought some of their jewelry.

But now it's your chance to have a say! 2009 has been a big year for everyone, but not more than for Kate, Liz, Tracy, Kathleen, Sandy, Kim, Liz K., Lauren, Ben, and Brian. Each is special, but one is more special than everyone else. One is the most special. Who is that person? Well, you get to decide.

Follwing this post, each Tomkeeteer will tell you in his or her own words why he or she deserves to be (wait for it): TOMKETEER OF THE YEAR! And YOU get to decide. Vote on whom you think is the most deserving of the honor. You can vote as many times as you would like [ED: Actually it looks like you can only vote once per IP address. Sorry about that!], and voting ends on December 30th. The winner will be announced live on the Tom-Spot on New Year's Eve.

Good luck to everyone, and I want to say congratulations to all because you're all winners. The truth is, though, that only one of you will really be a winner.





[Please note that in the case of a tie, the Tom-Team has final discretion over choosing the winner.]

2009 Movies in Review

Oscar Predictions - 12/17/09

Just a quick post-Globes, post-SAG update. I'll do a real one in a few weeks. Inglorious Bastards took a huge jump forward. The Hurt Locker, Precious, and Up in the Air also continue to chug ahead towards the Kodak. Some of this is wishful thinking, but this year looks like it will be pretty easy to predict.

BEST PICTURE:
Avatar (Globe nom, BFCA nom)
An Education (SAG nom, BFCA nom)
The Hurt Locker (SAG nom, Globe nom, NYFCC, BFCA nom, LAFC)
Inglorious Bastards (SAG nom, Globe nom, BFCA nom)
Invictus (BFCA nom)
Nine (SAG nom, Globe nom, BFCA nom)
Precious (SAG nom, Globe nom, BFCA nom)
A Serious Man (BFCA nom)
Up (BFCA nom)
Up in the Air (Globe nom, BFCA nom)

BEST DIRECTOR:
Avatar, James Cameron (Globe nom, BFCA nom)
The Hurt Locker, Kathryn Bigelow (Globe nom, NYFCC, BFCA nom, LAFC)
Inglorious Bastards, Quentin Tarantino (Globe nom, BFCA nom)
Precious, Lee Daniels (BFCA nom)
Up in the Air, Jason Reitman (Globe nom, BFCA nom)

BEST ACTOR:
Jeff Bridges, Crazy Heart (SAG nom, Globe nom, BFCA nom, LAFC)
George Clooney, Up in the Air (SAG nom, Globe nom, NYFCC, BFCA nom, NBR)
Colin Firth, A Single Man (SAG nom, Globe nom, BFCA nom)
Morgan Freeman, Invictus (SAG nom, Globe nom, BFCA nom)
Jeremy Renner, The Hurt Locker (SAG nom, BFCA nom)

BEST ACTRESS:
Sandra Bullock, The Blind Side (SAG nom, Globe nom, BFCA nom)
Helen Mirren, The Last Station (SAG nom, Globe nom)
Carey Mulligan, An Education (SAG nom, Globe nom, BFCA nom, NBR)
Gabourey Sidibe, Precious (SAG nom, Globe nom, BFCA nom)
Meryl Streep, Julie & Julia (SAG nom, Globe nom, NYFCC, BFCA nom)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR:
Matt Damon, Invictus (SAG nom, Globe nom, BFCA nom)
Woody Harrelson, The Messenger (SAG nom, Globe nom, BFCA nom, NBR)
Christopher Plummer, The Last Station (SAG nom, Globe nom)
Stanley Tucci, The Lovely Bones (SAG nom, Globe nom, BFCA nom)
Christoph Waltz, Inglorious Bastards (SAG nom, Globe nom, NYFCC, BFCA nom, LAFC)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS:
Penelope Cruz, Nine (SAG nom, Globe nom)
Vera Farmiga, Up in the Air (SAG nom, Globe nom, BFCA nom)
Anna Kendrick, Up in the Air (SAG nom, Globe nom, BFCA nom, NBR)
Mo'Nique, Precious (SAG nom, Globe nom, NYFCC, BFCA nom, LAFC)
Julianne Moore, A Single Man (Globe nom, BFCA nom)

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY:
(500) Days of Summer (BFCA nom)
A Serious Man (BFCA nom, NBR)
The Hurt Locker (Globe nom, BFCA nom)
Inglorious Bastards (Globe nom, BFCA nom)
Up (BFCA nom)

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY:
An Education (BFCA nom)
Fantastic Mr. Fox (BFCA nom)
Precious (BFCA nom)
A Single Man (BFCA nom)
Up in the Air (Globe nom, BFCA nom, LAFC, NBR)


Past Predictions:
12/01/09
11/01/09
10/01/09
09/01/09
08/01/09
06/30/09
02/27/09

SAG Nominations!

It sort of feels like this is happening fast this year. Or maybe it's just because the actual Oscar nominations aren't announced until February. I guess it means we have more time to stew it it. The SAG nominees look mighty close to what I imagine the Oscar nominees will look like. (Except maybe Diane Krueger.)

Best Ensemble:
An Education
The Hurt Locker
Inglorious Bastards
Nine
Precious

Best Actress:
Sandra Bullock, The Blind Side
Helen Mirren, The Last Station
Carey Mulligan, An Education
Gabby 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 Supporting Actor:
Matt Damon, Invictus
Woody Harrelson, The Messenger
Christopher Plummer, The Last Station
Stanley Tucci, The Lovely Bones
Christoph Waltz, Inglorious Bastards

Best Supporting Actress:
Penelope Cruz, Nine
Vera Farmiga, Up in the Air
Anna Kendrick, Up in the Air
Diane Kruger, Inglorious Bastards
Mo'Nique, Precious

Re: Gingerbread Contest

Voting seems to be screwed up for the Gingerbread House Contest. I hope all is not lost though. I will keep you posted of course.

Merry Christmas from the Obamas

I guess this gingerbread house, sort of puts ours to shame.

Golden Globe Nominations!

Best Picture - Drama:
Avatar
The Hurt Locker
Inglorious Bastards
Precious
Up in the Air

Best Picture - Musical/Comedy:
(500) Days of Summer
The Hangover
It's Complicated
Julie & Julia
Nine

Best Actor - Drama:
Jeff Bridges, Crazy Heart
George Clooney, Up in the Air
Colin Firth, A Single Man
Morgan Freeman, Invictus
Tobey Maguire, Brothers

Best Actress - Drama:
Emily Blunt, Young Victoria
Sandra Bullock, The Blind Side
Helen Mirren, The Last Station
Carey Mulligan, An Education
Gabourey Sidbe, Precious

Best Actor - Musical/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 - Musical/Comedy:
Sandra Bullock, The Proposal
Marion Cotillard, Nine
Julia Roberts, Duplicity
Meryl Streep, It's Complicated
Meryl Streep, Julie & Julia

Best Supporting Actor
Matt Damon, Invictus
Woody Harrelson, The Messenger
Christopher Plummer, The Last Station
Stanley Tucci, The Lovely Bones
Christoph Waltz, Inglorious Bastards

Best Supporting Actress:
Penelope Cruz, Nine
Vera Farmiga, Up in the Air
Anna Kendrick, Up in the Air
Mo'Nique, Precious
Julianne Moore, A Single Man

Best Director:
Kathryn Bigelow, The Hurt Locker
James Cameron, Avatar
Clint Eastwood, Invictus
Jason Reitman, Up in the Air
Quentin Tarantino, Inglorious Bastards

Best Screenplay:
District 9
The Hurt Locker
It's Complicated
Up in the Air
Inglorious Bastards

Best Animated Feature:
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs
Coraline
Fantastic Mr. Fox
The Princess and the Frog
Up

Best Foreign Language Film:
Chile, The Maid
France, The Prophet
Germany, The White Ribbon
Italy, Baria
Spain, Broken Embraces

Best Score:
Avatar
The Informant!
A Single Man
Up
Where the Wild Things Are

Best Song:
Avatar
Brothers
Crazy Heart
Everybody's Fine
Nine

The Return of the Gingerbread Houses

Have you ever seen five more beautiful faces than these? Would you ever want to hurt one of these smiling faces?


Sadly, it doesn't look like you have much of a choice because it's time for Gingerbread Challenge 2009! Here are our two competitors:


Which one will you vote for below? Check out the details of each here and vote below. Voting lasts until the end of Thursday, December, 17th, and the winner will be announced on Friday. You can vote as many times as you'd like, and so can your friends and families, so get them involved too! Last year nearly 800 votes were cast, and let's see if we can top that.

Gingerbread House #1








Gingerbread House #2









Which one will you pick? Vote below.

New York Critics pick The Hurt Locker too

Best Film: The Hurt Locker
Best Director: Kathryn Bigelow, The Hurt Locker
Best Screenplay: In the Loop
Best Actress: Meryl Streep, Julie & Julia
Best Actor: George Clooney, Up In The Air & Fantastic Mr. Fox
Best Supporting Actress: Mo’Nique, Precious
Best Supporting Actor: Christoph Waltz, Inglourious Basterds
Best Cinematography: Christian Berger, The White Ribbon
Best Animated Film: Fantastic Mr. Fox
Best Non-fiction Film: Of Time and the City
Best Foreign Language Film: Summer Hours
Best First Feature: Steve McQueen, Hunger
Special Award: To Andrew Sarris for his contribution to film criticism

Nine leads the Critics Choice Awards

BEST PICTURE:
Avatar
An Education
The Hurt Locker
Inglourious Basterds
Invictus
Nine
Precious
A Serious Man
Up
Up In The Air

BEST ACTOR:
Jeff Bridges, Crazy Heart
George Clooney, Up In The Air
Colin Firth, A Single Man
Morgan Freeman, Invictus
Viggo Mortensen, The Road
Jeremy Renner, The Hurt Locker

BEST ACTRESS:
Emily Blunt, The Young Victoria
Sandra Bullock, The Blind Side
Carey Mulligan, An Education
Saoirse Ronan, The Lovely Bones
Gabourey Sidibe, Precious
Meryl Streep, Julie & Julia

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR:
Matt Damon, Invictus
Woody Harrelson, The Messenger
Christian McKay, Me And Orson Welles
Alfred Molina, An Education
Stanley Tucci, The Lovely Bones
Christoph Waltz, Inglourious Basterds

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS:
Marion Cotillard, Nine
Vera Farmiga, Up In The Air
Anna Kendrick, Up In The Air
Mo’Nique, Precious
Julianne Moore, A Single Man
Samantha Morton, The Messenger

BEST YOUNG ACTOR/ACTRESS:
Jae Head, The Blind Side
Bailee Madison, Brothers
Max Records, Where The Wild Things Are
Saoirse Ronan, The Lovely Bones
Kodi Smit-McPhee, The Road

BEST ACTING ENSEMBLE:
Inglourious Basterds
Nine
Precious
Star Trek
Up In The Air

BEST DIRECTING:
Kathryn Bigelow, The Hurt Locker
James Cameron, Avatar
Lee Daniels, Precious
Clint Eastwood, Invictus
Jason Reitman, Up In The Air
Quentin Tarantino, Inglourious Basterds

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY:
Mark Boal, The Hurt Locker
Joel Coen & Ethan Coen, A Serious Man
Scott Neustadter & Michael H. Weber, (500) Days Of Summer
Bob Peterson, Peter Docter, Up
Quentin Tarantino, Inglourious Basterds

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY:
Wes Anderson, Noah Baumbach, Fantastic Mr. Fox
Neill Blomkamp, Terri Tatchell, District 9
Geoffrey Fletcher, Precious
Tom Ford, David Scearce, A Single Man
Nick Hornby, An Education
Jason Reitman, Sheldon Turner, Up In The Air

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY:
Barry Ackroyd, The Hurt Locker
Dion Beebe, Nine
Mauro Fiore, Avatar
Andrew Lesnie, The Lovely Bones
Robert Richardson, Inglourious Basterds

BEST ART DIRECTION:
Dan Bishop, A Single Man
Rick Carter, Robert Stromberg, Avatar
John Myhre, Gordon Sim, Nine
Naomi Shohan, George De Titta, Jr., The Lovely Bones
David Wasco, Sandy Reynolds Wasco, Inglourious Basterds

BEST EDITING:
Dana E. Glauberman, Up In The Air
Sally Menke, Inglourious Basterds
Bob Murawski, Chris Innis, The Hurt Locker
Stephen Rivkin, John Refoua, James Cameron, Avatar
Claire Simpson, Wyatt Smith, Nine

BEST COSTUME DESIGN:
Colleen Atwood, Nine
Janet Patterson, Bright Star
Sandy Powell, The Young Victoria
Anna Sheppard, Inglourious Basterds
Casey Storm, Where The Wild Things Are

BEST MAKEUP:
Avatar
District 9
Nine
The Road
Star Trek

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS:
Avatar
District 9
The Lovely Bones
Star Trek
2012

BEST SOUND:
Avatar
District 9
The Hurt Locker
Nine
Star Trek

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE:
Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs
Coraline
Fantastic Mr. Fox
Princess And The Frog
Up

BEST ACTION MOVIE:
Avatar
District 9
The Hurt Locker
Inglourious Basterds
Star Trek

BEST COMEDY:
(500) Days Of Summer
The Hangover
It’s Complicated
The Proposal
Zombieland

BEST PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION:
Gifted Hands
Grey Gardens
Into The Storm
Taking Chance

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM:
Broken Embraces
Coco Before Chanel
Red Cliff
Sin Nombre
The White Ribbon

BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE:
Anvil
Capitalism: A Love Story
The Cove
Food, Inc.
Michael Jackson’s This Is It

BEST SONG
“All Is Love” – Karen O, Nick Zinner, Where The Wild Things Are
“Almost There” – Randy Newman, The Princess And The Frog
“Cinema Italiano” – Maury Yeston, Nine
“(I Want To) Come Home” – Paul McCartney, Everybody’s Fine
“The Weary Kind” – T Bone Burnett, Ryan Bingham, Crazy Heart

BEST SCORE:
Michael Giacchino, Up
Marvin Hamlisch, The Informant!
Randy Newman, The Princess and the Frog
Karen O, Carter Burwell, Where The Wild Things Are
Hans Zimmer, Sherlock Holmes

LA Film Critics Pick The Hurt Locker

Picture: The Hurt Locker
Runner-up: Up in the Air

Director: Kathryn Bigelow, The Hurt Locker
Runner-up: Michael Haneke, The White Ribbon

Actress: Yolande Moreau, Séraphine
Runner-up: Carey Mulligan, An Education

Actor: Jeff Bridges, Crazy Heart
Runner-up: Colin Firth, A Single Man

Supporting Actress:
Mo'Nique, Precious
Runner-up: Anna Kendrick, Up in the Air

Supporting Actor:
Christoph Waltz, Inglourious Basterds
Runner-up: Peter Capaldi, In the Loop

Screenoplay:
Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner, Up in the Air
Runner-up: Jesse Armstrong, Simon Blackwell, Armando Iannucci and Tony Roche, In the Loop

Animation: Fantastic Mr. Fox"
Runner-up: Up

Foreign Language Film: Summer Hours
Runner-up: The White Ribbon

New Generation: Neill Blomkamp, District 9

Music/Score:
T-Bone Burnett and Stephen Bruton, Crazy Heart
Runner-up: Alexandre Desplat, Fantastic Mr. Fox

Production Design:
Philip Ivey, District 9
Runner-up: Rick Carter and Robert Stromberg, Avatar

Cinematography:
Christian Berger, The White Ribbon
Runner-up: Barry Ackroyd, The Hurt Locker

Documentary/Non-fiction Film:
The Beaches of Agnès and The Cove (tie)

Douglas E. Edwards Independent/Experimental Film/Video: C.W. Winter and Anders Edstrom, The Anchorage

Ringing of the Bells

(A much better Muppets Christmas song than this one.)

I still love her

Movie Review: Up in the Air (9/10)

Up in the Air might be the best movie I see all year. I’m just putting it out there. It could be easy to dismiss Jason Reitman as a director. Thank You for Smoking and Juno, while very good movies, rely a little too much on the gimmick more than the characters or the plot. The direction in Up in the Air is frantic at times, but it’s easily Reitman’s most mature film to date. Maybe it’s because he wrote the script on this one (adapted from Walter Kim’s novel), but you can feel his connection to the story and he just manages to get really strong, but subtle performances from all the actors.

George Clooney plays Ryan Bingham a man who companies hire to fire their employees. He travels so much that he doesn’t even really have a place to live. (He lives up in the air—get it?) He never sees his family. He has no connections with anyone. All he knows are rental cars, airplanes, and hotels. (The product placement in this movie was ridiculous, by the way. Hertz, American Airlines, and Hilton should give anyone who sees it a discount.) But he likes his life. He meets a fellow traveler at a hotel bar (played by the lovely Vera Farmiga) and the first thing they do is to compare notes on their various preferred customer cards. They coordinate their travel schedules to meet on the road whenever they can. She’s the female version of him.


But everything changes when Bingham is sent back to the home office for a big meeting and he finds out that he may not be required to travel anymore. They may be able to fire people over webcams and the Internet, and it’s all thanks to, Natalie, a plucky new upstart at the company (played by the plucky new upstart, Anna Kendrick). Bingham argues that she doesn’t know the first thing about firing people—it should always be done in person, and so it is decided that she should go on the road with him.


This is when the movie starts to really become what it is. In the front, it’s the very relevant story about corporate downsizing, and what that really means at the human level. Employers higher Bingham so that they don’t have to actually face their employees, and Bingham is good at it because he’s good at being detached from other people. But it’s also about relationships, what we expect from then when we’re young and what we settle for when we’re older. Natalie is young and finding her way, and Ryan is old, more mature in some ways, but totally lost in a lot of others. The saving grace of the movie is that they never, not once consider each other in a romantic way. It never becomes that movie because they both have other matters to attend to. Natalie’s trying to make a name for herself at the company and Ryan is trying to join the 10 million mile club with the airline, a supposed milestone for the frequent traveler that only a few people have ever achieved.

I don’t want to say any more about the plot. It involves Bingham’s sister’s wedding, and a few other things, but the real joy in this movie comes from the performances. This is the best George Clooney has ever been. He’s carried movies before, but never quite like this, because you forget that you’re watching George Clooney, an impressive feat, and something he’s not always able to do. He’s charming, but introverted, cold, but sensitive, and it works completely. Vera Farmiga is always good. She ultimately plays an unsympathetic character (and I’m giving away too much here), but she makes you believe she is who you want her to be, and because the movie is a bit more literary in the way it tells its story, you sort of know how it has to end. The one who really surprises though, is Anna Kendrick, who before this was best known for her role in the Twilight movies. She’s annoying at first and it seems like a post-grad Tracy Flick, but she’s not just a two-dimensional archetype. She’s young and she’s a go-getter, but there’s a softness beneath the top layer and she shows a lot of emotional depth in the character.



The ending left me a little cold, honestly, but how else could it end? It’s predictable, but not in a wholly unsatisfying way. But the movie stayed with me after I saw it. I kept thinking about how great it was. It’s just a smart movie for adults and it’s exactly the kind of thing that Hollywood hardly ever produces. So enjoy it. There won’t be another one coming around too soon.

(This also appears on CC2K.)

The Official Start to the Oscar Season

Last year the National Board of Review gave it's top award to Slumdog Millionaire and the rest was history. Is the same thing going to happen for Up in the Air this year. Precious isn't even in their Top 10. Has the backlash begun? It's doubtful, but Up in the Air is a much easier movie to like. At any rate here are this year's winners:

Best Film: Up In The Air

Best Director: Clint Eastwood, Invictus

Best Actor: Morgan Freeman, Invictus & George Clooney, Up In The Air (tie)

Best Actress: Carey Mulligan, An Education

Best Supporting Actor: Woody Harrelson, The Messenger

Best Supporting Actress: Anna Kendrick, Up In The Air

Best Foreign Film: A Prophet

Best Documentary: The Cove

Best Animated Feature: Up

Best Ensemble Cast: It’s Complicated

Breakthrough Performance by an Actor: Jeremy Renner, The Hurt Locker

Breakthrough Performance by an Actress: Gabourey Sidibe, Precious

Spotlight Award for Best Directorial Debut: Duncan Jone; Moon, Oren Moverman, The Messenger; Marc Webb, 500 Days of Summer (tie)

Best Original Screenplay: Joel & Ethan Coen, A Serious Man

Best Adapted Screenplay: Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner, Up In The Air

Special Filmmaking Achievement Award: Wes Anderson, The Fantastic Mr. Fox

William K. Everson Film History Award: Jean Picker Firstenberg

NBR Freedom of Expression: Burma Vj: Reporting From A Closed Country, Invictus, The Most Dangerous Man In America: Daniel Ellseberg and the Pentagon Papers

Top Eleven Films (In alphabetical order):
An Education
(500) Days Of Summer
The Hurt Locker
Inglourious Basterds
Invictus
The Messenger
A Serious Man
Star Trek
Up
Up In The Air
Where The Wild Things Are

Top Ten Independent Films (In alphabetical order):
Amreeka
District 9
Goodbye Solo
Humpday
In The Loop
Julia
Me And Orson Welles
Moon
Sugar
Two Lovers

Top Six Foreign Films (In alphabetical order):
The Maid
A Prophet
Revanche
Song Of Sparrows
Three Monkeys
The White Ribbon

Top Six Documentary Films (In alphabetical order):
Burma Vj: Reporting From A Closed Country
The Cove
Crude
Food, Inc.
Good Hair
The Most Dangerous Man In America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers

Tomketeer of the Month: Brian

He's been a Tomketeer from the start, and it's time to honor the Tomkeeteer of the Month for December: Brian!

Never before has a Tomketeer been such music to our ears. You can see his whole journey here, including the private ceremony this weekend when he was awarded the honor. Join me in congratulating Brian.