It's Oscar Weekend and Part of Me Says "Who The Hell Cares?"

Remember when Wayne's World did an Oscar Episode and made fun of Jonathon Demme, Dances with Wolves, and Joe Pesci?  That was back when the Oscars basically ruled my entire spring semester.  I was constantly pouring over Entertainment Weekly and Premiere magazines, analyzing the pundits picks and wanting to be as accurate as possible in my Oscar picks.  Sometimes I hosted Oscar parties at my house - but that ended after a while, when I fully realized that my guests actually thought my Oscar parties were social occasions.

Yes, I liked to listen to every joke, every presenter's bit, every acceptance speech, and every musical performance.  No talking unless it's a commercial.  And god help my guests - or anyone else in the room - if I got a pick wrong or was devastated over a major upset.  

Those days are long gone.  I still see way more movies than the average american person, but since becoming a runner and being a more active outdoors person, I see way fewer movies than I used to.  I'm lucky if I see half of the Best Picture Nominees.  And these days, that could still only be four movies.

This year, I did exactly see half of them:  BOYHOOD, THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL, THE IMITATION GAME, and WHIPLASH.

I fully anticipate seeing BIRDMAN before the big night, thanks to Corey's VUDU account :)

Oscar picks - i still make them, although I'm not exactly as hard-core about them as I used to be.  I do a little bit of research, I consider the other award shows and critics choices.  I like being right but I'd rather see the "right" person win.  I sure do cry more during acceptance speeches.  And find that there are far fewer surprises, too.  Remember when Juliette Binoche won for THE ENGLISH PATIENT and beat out Lauren Bacall?  Or when Roberto Bengini jumped on his chair when he won for LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL?  I don't feel like those moments happen any more.  So I have to settle for when super interesting people like Colin Firth or Christian Bale or Penelope Cruz or Natalie Portman win.  Don't get me wrong - I really love Meryl Streep.  But all she has to do is make a movie these days and she gets nominated for an Oscar.  And I love Robert Duvall, too, but he's played the same character since he won for TENDER MERCIES back in the 80's.

So, yeah, maybe I'm watching this year out of habit.  Maybe because my friend Amy invited me to watch the show with her family this year.  Maybe because I have hopes that NPK will be a tremendous host.  Or maybe because I'm excited to see Tegan and Sara on national television.  And while I used to make a huge to-do about my picks, this year I'm just going to spout on my "wish list".
1.  Haven't seen STILL ALICE but have loved Julianne Moore ever since she was in THE HAND THAT ROCKS THE CRADLE.  It'll be nice to see her finally get a statuette, but I would have voted for Reese Witherspoon because I think that WILD was one of my favorite movies of last year.  Definitely the one that inspired me the most.

2.  Only saw one Best Actor performance from this year, so would have voted for Benedict Cumberbatch.  Still, to see Steve Carell nominated for something unfunny, that's pretty cool.

3.  If you think I'm not secretly voting for Edward Norton to win Best Supporting Actor, you are a damn fool.  He IS, after all, in the Top Ten of my "List" and one of my very favorite actors.  But, J.K. Simmons kicked major ass in WHIPLASH and it will be a very deserved win.

4.  Yeah, I would've voted for Laura Dern as well.  Same reason as Reese.

5.  Sorry, I'm gonna get on my soapbox at some point, as usual, about the Best Original Song nominees.  "Glory" from SELMA seems poised to win this year...and good for John Legend and Common, both of whom I respect greatly.  But it's my understanding that "Glory" is another Original Song Nominee that was written to stick at the end of the film during the credits and has nothing to do with the plot of the film.  Enter "Lost Stars" from BEGIN AGAIN, which was my favorite summer film and EVERY!  SINGLE!  SONG! from that film rocks big time.  The song is an integral part of the plot of the film and one could argue that it's the emotional core of the relationship between Kiera Knightley and Adam Levine in the film.  So it totally should win on that basis...but sadly it probably won't.  Still, it's a luscious bonus that we can hear Adam Levine perform the song live.  What fun that will be.

Okay...that'll get me through for this year.  Any suggestions for what I should bring to Amy's house for Oscar snacks?  

Ladypipes No-Bullshit and Yet Completely Biased Thoughts About the 2015 Oscar Nods

Disclaimer:  This blog is going to be slightly snarky and COMPLETELY subjective and opinionated.  Just wanted to warn you.

I can't ever remember a time when I did not mark my calendar for the Oscar Nomination announcement and woke up at 5:30am to check out the nominees.  I used to make predictions, email them to my friends, make bold comments on Facebook, etc.  My entire spring semester was scheduled around when the Oscars were on, what kind of party I'd be having, reading up on the front runners, and completely analyzing my own selection of "Oscar Picks".

These days - I still have plenty of opinions but I see way fewer movies and just not as jazzed up about who got nominated for what as I used to be.  Still, there was something about this morning's nominations that resonated with me, so naturally i have to say SOMETHING about it.  

So, without further adieu, here are ten reflections on this morning's Academy Award Nominations:

1.  Run, don't walk, to see WHIPLASH as soon as you find it playing in your town.  It is exceptional.  If you thought JK Simmons was evil and sadistic as Vern Schillinger on "OZ" (HBO Series, from 1997-2003), you ain't seen nothin' yet.  And Miles Teller is AMAZING.  It's truly the little indie that could...and never mind that my neighbor was the Construction Coordinator on this film...AND my hubby worked one day breaking down the set.  Very cool.  

2.  If you are a grown woman who either (1) lost their mother; or (2) ever cheated on someone, then you MUST MUST MUST see WILD.  I'm super frustrated that it was NOT nominated for Best Picture or Best Adapted Screenplay, but I will settle for acting nominations for Reese Witherspoon and especially Laura Dern.  WILD will also be the next book I buy....although I have to read FINDING ULTRA first!

3.  Don't get me started on Best Original Song.  I get pissed about this every year, I just need to let it go already.  But THANK GOD that "Lost Stars" was nominated.  BEGIN AGAIN was my favorite movie of the summer, and EVERY SINGLE SONG on that soundtrack is brilliant.  Me, personally, I would have nominated "Tell Me If You Wanna Go Home".  Best scene in the whole film!

4.  Best Animated Feature:  sorry.  Who fucking cares?  

5.  Don't get me wrong - I love Meryl Streep.  But is there some law of nature that says if she's in a period piece, musical, or movie where she uses an accent that we have to nominate her?  Granted, I haven't seen INTO THE WOODS, but couldn't we maybe hit up Jessica Chastain for A MOST VIOLENT YEAR or even Rene Russo for NIGHTCRAWLER?  I guess not.  Sad face.

6.  How much more excited could I be about Wes Anderson FINALLY getting a Best Director nomination?  I dig this guy SO much and his movies are so quirky and so NOT Hollywood.  Glad to see he's getting some love from the snooty academy.

7.  Bradley Cooper is a fucking force of nature.  The first time I remember seeing him in a movie was when he played that total prick in WEDDING CRASHERS.  And then I had to remember...he was an actual student of The Actors Studio and asked questions of the guests that were interviewed by James Lipton on the Bravo show.  It's amazing that this is his third consecutive nomination - and while I'm pretty sure that Michael Keaton will win, it would be SO cool to see Bradley get a statuette on his third trip to the rodeo.  I think that was how it went down for Russell Crowe, although he won for the wrong movie.  

8.  OH MY GOD!  I've actually seen 50% of the Best Picture Nominees!  Of course, AMC will structure their Best Picture Showcase in a way that I won't be able to knock out the other four in one sitting.  One can hope....

9.  I haven't seen LIFE ITSELF, the documentary about Roger Ebert, but who was the asshole that managed to keep that off the ballot.  If the fucking film community isn't going to accept his legacy as probably the greatest film critic of all time....well, I'm completely at a loss for word.  Sick, utterly wrong, and truly disappointing.  

10.  Today - right at this moment...I'm rooting for Richard Linklater, every actor in the Best Actor Category (sorry, that's not ideal, but I can't help it), Julianne Moore, Ethan Hawke, every actress in the Best Supporting Actress Category - except Meryl (sorry, that's not ideal, but I can't help it.), and "Lost Stars".  And assuming we have an antenna by February 22nd, rooting for NPH to be a bang up host.

Sorry for alll the foul language.  I'm on a roll....

Excellent Holiday Movies that Aren't Really Holiday Movies

The other day, the hubby and I were out looking at Christmas Lights in some of the ritzy Pasadena neighborhoods, and the original version (at least, I think it was) of JINGLE BELL ROCK came on the radio.  He said to me, "you know, this song always makes me think of LETHAL WEAPON".  I told him that was funny to associate a holiday song with an action film...but he said to me "some of the best holiday movies aren't really holiday movies."  And that got me to thinking....

There are a handful of movies out there that I always want to watch during the holidays because they remind me of "Winter Break" and either Christmas or New Year's.  And they aren't traditional holiday movies like A CHRISTMAS STORY or IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE.  And yet, when it comes down to that week off I get between Christmas Eve and New Year's Day because I work in Education, I find myself always wanting to watch these movies during that week (provided that I'm not binge watching really intense shows like BREAKING BAD or DEXTER).

1.  As suggested already - LETHAL WEAPON.  That opening scene and Jingle Bell Rock.

2.  Speaking of action films, how about DIE HARD?  Takes place during the Christmas Season as John McClaine is visiting his wife in LA.  And features the best Christmas song ever in CHRISTMAS IN HOLLIS by Run D.M.C.

3.  THE LION IN WINTER:  this is, by far, my favorite movie of ALL TIME!  Another film taking place during the holiday season - Christmas Court, when Henry II is "kind enough" to let his wife, Eleanor of Aquitaine "out of jail."  Fun family dysfunction at its finest.  Katherine Hepburn won an Oscar for her portrayal of Queen Eleanor.  LOVE LOVE LOVE this movie!

4.  THE APARTMENT:  (sigh).  Not a better love story out there in the whole world!  A story about an accountant who becomes a Junior Executive by letting the managers take their adulterous dating habits to his apartment, this film won Best Picture in 1960; and I.A.L. Diamond wrote this film SPECIFICALLY for Jack Lemmon.  It's a perfect performance and this is a perfect movie.  Taking place from November 1st to January 1st, you can't think about New Year's Eve without watching this movie.  If you've never seen it....make it a point to watch it this year.  You won't be sorry!

5.  WHEN HARRY MET SALLY:  I just love the whole dialogue about the meaning of Auld Lang Syne.  People remember this movie for other reasons...I remember it because they finally find each other (i mean, really find each other) on New Year's Eve.

Good times!  Let me know if you find any other movies about the holidays that aren't really about the holidays!  Have a good holiday season!

In Which Ladypipes Realizes She's Become Her Father - A Salute to Oscar Sunday

It's Oscar Sunday tomorrow.  In previous years, I would make a huge deal about making predictions, planning a menu, some years even having an Oscar party complete with rules and Oscar Pool.  You would have felt an Oscar-Love presence all over Facebook.  You might have even received a "Kris McPeak Oscar Predictions" email from me.  I do love the Academy Awards - i think it's still my favorite awards show ever.  But this year, I don't have nearly the anticipation, excitement, or crazy elation that I normally have at Oscar time.

The reason why?  I've officially become my father.

This is not a bad thing - after all, my dad is who I credit for teaching me to love movies.  Who watched PSYCHO with me for the first time ever?  My dad.  Who used to record classic films on WGN (with the Betamax, of course) and watch them with his kids?  My dad.  Who taught me to speak in movie-lines?  My dad.

However, the older my dad got, the more appreciative he was of cinema as ENTERTAINMENT.  I learned this the hard way.  During my late twenties and early thirties, when my father and I still had VCR's, I used to record movies on pay-per-view and premium channels that I knew my father had not seen in the theater, then I would mail them to him.  He'd watch, we'd talk on the phone and "discuss".  And this mostly happened in the 1990's, the decade I call the "height of independent cinema."  A lot of films with dark, brooding themes, loved that shit!  In particular, I remember mailing my dad MONSTER'S BALL.  Halle Berry's Oscar.  Great movie, totally intense.  Called my dad, "Hey, Pop, what did you think of MONSTER'S BALL?  Wasn't it awesome?  Wasn't it intense?"  My dad replied, "Yes, Kritter, it was a very well made motion picture.  And it depressed me so much I wanted to kill myself."

That led to a conversation about movies and entertainment.  My dad clearly had become tired of "message movies" and wanted to spend his 90-180 minutes invested in a motion picture that was going to make him feel good, laugh a bit, be inspired....those kinds of emotions.  Not that my dad didn't appreciate a good "message movie."  There's definitely a time and place for films like SCHINDLER'S LIST and 12 YEARS A SLAVE.

Which brings me to this year's Academy Awards AND a list from BuzzFeed, ranking the 85 Best Picture Winners in order of worst to first.  And it occurs to me that there's a REASON why some Best Picture Winners hold up better over the years.  It's because they truly are ENTERTAINING.  Of the films listed in the Top Ten on this list, only one is what I would call "depressing".

And this year's Best Picture Nominees:  it appears to be a three way race between 12 YEARS A SLAVE, AMERICAN HUSTLE, and GRAVITY.  I've seen all three films.  In order of my enjoyment level, I rank them in this order:
1.  AMERICAN HUSTLE
2.  GRAVITY
3.  12 YEARS A SLAVE

12 YEARS A SLAVE is no doubt an important movie.  The performances are incredible.  The scenery is gorgeous and the costumes feel authentic.  But I never want to watch it again.  Too heavy, too sad, too much "real" violence.  GRAVITY was beautiful to look at, the effects were amazing, and how can you top that first super-long-one-take-shot at the beginning of the film...but for me there was no emotional substance in that movie.  I don't know why Sandra Bullock received an Oscar nomination, I was bored.  AMERICAN HUSTLE was my favorite nominated film of 2013 and I thought it was a close-to-perfect film.  There was a good story, amazing performances, a hint of comedy, and someone to root for.  If I were voting, that is the picture I would vote for.  Because I was entertained, and I felt good when the movie was over.

So, basically, I've become my father.  And that's okay with me.  No matter which film wins Best Picture tomorrow, I'll still move forward looking to watch films that are fun, entertaining, hold my interest, and make me feel good.  You might not agree with me.  You might think my opinions are silly.  And that's okay.  Because the beauty of cinema is that it's completely and totally subjective.  What I like shouldn't affect you, and what you like shouldn't affect me.

So, to quote Forest Gump, "that's all I have to say about that."  Enjoy the Oscars tomorrow!

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Five AWESOME Movie Soundtracks!!

From time to time, movie music really pisses me off.  First, there’s the “Best Original Song” award at the Oscars.  How many times have they given that statuette to a song that just rolls during the closing credits?  Bunch of crap.  A “best original song” should be directly linked to the plot and characters in the film.  Which is why “Lose Yourself” by Eminem is the ULTIMATE “Best Original Song” ever. 

But this is a post about movie soundtracks.  And let me first get out of the way why I HATE soundtracks that are really more like “Music INSPIRED by blah blah blah”.  In that vein, Madonna’s I’M BREATHLESS is really not a movie soundtrack – even though three of the songs are actually featured in DICK TRACY.  And the soundtrack from THE THING CALLED LOVE – more crap.  Most of the songs on that soundtrack were not featured in the film; and, actually, all the GREAT music from that film is what’s performed by the stars:  River Phoenix, Samantha Mathis, Dermot Mulroney, and Sandra Bullock. 

And I digress yet again.  For me, an AWESOME movie soundtrack is one you actually want to buy and listen to again, and again, and again.  It can feature instrumental music or lyrical songs.  It can feature music actually written FOR the movie (like a musical or rock-opera) or music that APPEARS in the movie.  And when it all comes together as a magical collaboration of plot, character, and emotion…THAT’S a great movie soundtrack.

1.        PURPLE RAIN – Prince (1984)

Seriously, how can you not love this soundtrack?  Well, I guess if you don’t like Prince, then you wouldn’t like PURPLE RAIN.  But then I would say you are a fool and can’t really appreciate popular music for what it CAN be and SHOULD be.

What’s really cool about PURPLE RAIN is that the songs help to tell the story.  It all starts with LET’S GO CRAZY, and you get a sense for who “The Kid” is and what he’s all about.  You learn a bit about his band, and how Wendy and Lisa get frustrated by Kid’s ego and selfishness.  By the time you get to DARLING NIKKI, you understand the conflict between Kid and his female bandmates.  And when Kid and his band finally perform PURPLE RAIN, which is actually Wendy and Lisa’s song, you see a performer who has turned a corner (personally and professionally) and is ready to move forward.  I WOULD DIE 4 U and BABY I’M A STAR are icing on the cake – and are actually my favorite performances of the film. 

2.       HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH – John Cameron Mitchell (2001)

A true “rock opera”, Hedwig and the Angry Inch is a 2001 American musical-comedy-drama based on the stage musical of the same name about a fictional rock band fronted by an East German transgender singer.  The film was adapted and directed by John Cameron Mitchell; the music and lyrics are by Stephen Trask.  I"m not going to dive into the plot, but I'm just going to say the songs are some of the most poetic and "real" stories about love, life, and human relationships that I can think of.  They will make you laugh, cry, and sing out loud.  All will make you think.  And if you dig Michael Pitt at all (MURDER BY NUMBERS, BOARDWALK EMPIRE), you really need to check out this film, too.  He sings!!  

3.       A CLOCKWORK ORANGE – Walter Carlos (1971)

I have bought and sold a lot of CD’s over the years – this is one I still own from my earliest CD purchases.  Meaning I have never sold it only to buy it again.  Known more for being a misogynistic and violent film as opposed to having really kick ass music, if you love Beethoven then you already know about A CLOCKWORK ORANGE and its soundtrack.  The Ninth Symphony is the star, and it’s featured both as a “classical” performance and electronica as well.  All I can really say is….you’ll never think of SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN the same way again.

4.       SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER – The Bee Gees/Various (1977)

Disco may be dead, but this is one classic soundtrack that will live forever.  It’s the only disco album to have won a Grammy for “Album of the Year”, it sold more than 15 million copies, and is ranked number 131 on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.  What’s not to like?  Seriously, even if you can’t stand disco, you need to experience this soundtrack.  Talk about music defining an era – this soundtrack did all that and more. 

5.       STAR WARS – John Williams (1977)

I can’t think of another film SCORE out there that resonates for me as much as the soundtrack from STAR WARS (1977).  My Aunt Judy got me this LP (yes, that’s the vinyl record) for Christmas and I played that thing to death.  I even owned the 45 single, too.  The “B” side was the song from the Mos Eisley Spaceport scene…CANTINA BAND.  This soundtrack won John Williams (the composer) the most awards of his career, including an Oscar, Golden Globe, BAFTA Award, and three awards at the 1978 Grammy Awards.  If you are a Gen X’er, chances are you had access to this film score/soundtrack in your house somewhere. 

Even if you’ve seen these movies, check out the soundtracks separately.  You will NOT be sorry J.

Stig's Education - V2

As a favor to one of my former RA’s, Stig Strombeck, I’m posting Volume 2 of my favorite movies by genre.  Last time we tackled drama, comedy, horror, film noir, and action.  Today we narrow the focus just a tad and I offer up three more genres to review:

1.       Favorite Sports Film – BULL DURHAM (1988, Ron Shelton, Director)

Growing up in Chicago, baseball was my favorite sport.  I was a Cubs fan through and through (still am, most of the time).  And baseball continued to be my favorite sport throughout college.  So when this movie came out in the summer of 1988, I knew I’d be going.  Strangely enough, the first time I saw this movie, I didn’t like it.  I thought it was too long and had too many plot shifts that didn’t make sense to me (I’ve since learned that Ron Shelton, by definition, sometimes has problems actually ending his films).  But now that I’m an older, wiser person, I can appreciate why this movie is as special as it is.  It gets to the heart and soul of what it means to be a baseball player, and how you can really love (and hate) the game.  It dabbles in baseball superstitions, mentorship, and how winning can change a person.  And then there’s the romance between Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins….and the eventual romance between Susan Sarandon and Kevin Costner.  This is one of the mostly highly quotable movies OF….ALL…TIME. 

2.       Favorite Musical – WEST SIDE STORY (1961, Jerome Robbins and Robert Wise, Directors)

I think this is my favorite movie musical because my father loved it so much.  My dad LOVED on-screen dancing.  And this movie, in true wide-screen, has some of the most amazing dance sequences out there.  Loosely based on ROMEO AND JULIET, two rival New York gangs fight it out for turf; meanwhile, a fella from the white gang falls in love with a lady from the Puerto Rican gang.  Bad words are said.  A couple people die.  Love doesn’t conquer all…but it gives us hope.  Although, sadly, I still have to tell myself it’s okay that Natalie Wood and Tony Beymer aren’t doing their own singing.  Oh well.  Nothing’s perfect.

3.       Favorite Foreign Language Film –

This category is a tough one for me – see, for something to be considered a “favorite” in my eyes, it means you have to be able to watch it over and over again and never having the film “die” in your view.  And I’ll be honest with you – I don’t think there’s a single foreign film out there that I’ve watched more than once.  The reason being – they are subtitled!  And you sort of have to “read” them.  And this isn’t a bad thing – I would prefer to view a subtitled film in its native language than to view a film that has been dubbed in English.  Having said all that, there are MANY foreign language films over the years that I’ve greatly enjoyed. 

                AMORES PERROS (2000, Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu)

                Y TU MAMA TAMBIEN (2001, Alfonso Cuaron)

                THE DIVING BELL AND THE BUTTERFLY (2007, Julian Schnabel)

                NO MAN’S LAND (2001, Danis Tanovic)

And I could list so many more.  So what I would like to highlight in this section are two directors that produce films in languages OTHER than English – and I’m highlighting them because I’ve actually seen most of their films:

Pedro Almovodar – VOLVER (2006), TALK TO HER (2002), TIE ME UP! TIE ME DOWN! (1990), BAD EDUCATION (2004) – what I appreciate most about Pedro is that he’s not afraid to make women tough and smart; and he’s as good (if not better) as a writer than he is as a director.  And he gave Penelope Cruz and Antonio Banderas their start.  Can’t take that away J

Chan-wook Park – THIRST (2009), SYMPATHY FOR MR. VENGENANCE (2002), OLDBOY (2003) – this man makes some seriously dark and disturbing movies…that I truly enjoy, although I should probably have my head examined for it.  Many of his films focus on “pain and fear” – and there’s something to be said for a director who can evoke such interesting dynamics between characters. 

So that should get us through another week.  Stay tuned, Stig!  I have WAY more to share with you!!