Oscars!

The Oscars are tonight! I'm not as excited as usual for the show this year as I am not predicting there to be any surprises.  I think The Artist will walk away with the most awards, including Best Picture and Best Director.  The Descendants will come in second because of Best Actor, and maybe even Best Screenplay.  For most of the categories, you can just look at who has dominated for the other award shows, and they will be the ones to come out of top once again tonight.

Make sure you tune in tonight at 7 on ABC.  I'm sure Billy Crystal will not disappoint.

Quick Thoughts

During the last episode a few weeks ago of The Office (Pool Party), I started to pick up on the Kathy-Jim dynamic the show was going with (like when Kathy needed a chicken partner and asked where Jim was).  The end of this week's episode confirmed my suspicions in the last minute of the episode in which Kathy was on the phone saying she planned to hook up with Jim during their trip to Florida.  Even though I suspected it, I am freaking out about where the show is going to take this.  I am going to be PISSED if Jim cheats on Pam.  The two of them are probably the cutest couple on television and the first few seasons of this show were all about the two of them getting together.  They also just had a new baby and are great parents on the show, and there is no sign at them having a faltering marriage.  I am hoping this just turns into one of those Kathy tries to kiss Jim and he rejects it type of moments so that she can just go away.

Quick Advice

I got around to watching the pilot of NBC's Smash, and I was impressed.  I had lower expectations because I didn't want to get my hopes up, but watching it reminded me of watching the movie Chicago.  As long as the show can continue to remind me of Broadway, I will continue to be hooked.  The only thing that could potentially harm this show is if they start to focus too much on the dramatics of the characters (such as too much focus on Debra Messing's adoption).  I was also very impressed with Megan Hilty and thought she killed that baseball number.  I think her voice is better than Katherine McPhee's!  If you like Broadway, and even if you just like quality scripted drama television, you should give this show a try...it will probably be sticking around for awhile!

Quick Advice

I haven't written in awhile, so I wanted to give you my first quick impression about new winter TV.  Fox's Alcatraz is extremely good.  Especially if you are a Lost fan, this looks like it could potentially be the next best thing!

Globes Predictions-TV

Today I will make my picks for who and what I think will win in each category for the TV side of the Golden Globes.  Unlike the movies, I am pretty sure with a lot of my picks since, as you can tell by the name of my blog, I watch a lot of television.  Usually you can tell who will win based on previous winners and the Emmys, but this year there are a lot of new faces, so I am warning you that many of my picks may be off since I am expecting quite a few surprises this Sunday.

Best TV Drama Actor:

Kelsey Grammer (Boss)

Steve Buscemi (Boardwalk Empire)

Damian Lewis (Homeland)

Jeremy Irons (The Borgias)

Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad)

Who I want to win: Damian Lewis.  He made me love him even though I thought he was a terrorist.  This is one of the best dramas I have ever seen and I would love it to win in every category possible.  I would love Grammer too just in case this happens when he gets on stage…Click Here

Who I think will win: I know that Grammer and Buscemi are the favorites (and I would love to see Grammer win for the fact that nobody has heard of this show) but I am having a feeling that Cranston will win.  Breaking Bad was probably the biggest snub in the Best Drama category, so I think voters will make up for it by giving their lead actor the statue. 

Best TV Drama Actress:

Claire Danes (Homeland)

Juilanna Margulies (The Good Wife)

Mireille Enos (The Killing)

Callie Thorne (Necessary Roughness)

Madeleine Stowe (Revenge)

Who I want to win: This is a hard one for me to decide.  Danes is phenomenal on Homeland, so I would love to see her win.  However, Margulies is perfect on The Good Wife and Stowe is on a different level as ice queen Victoria Grayson.  I would love to see any of them.

Who I think will win: Danes is the expert favorite, but I am going to say Margulies.  She was beat last year by Katey Segal who isn’t even nominated this year, so I think she will win this time around.

Best TV Drama Series:

Homeland

Boardwalk Empire

Game of Thrones

American Horror Story

Boss

Who I want to win: Homeland. Read my previous posts about how great it is and how it is hands down the best show of the year.

Who I think will win: This one is basically a draw between Homeland and Boardwalk Empire, their odds are almost the same.  I am going to say Empire will win though as it is a bigger name show.  Don’t be surprised if American Horror Story manages to sneak in though, as Globe voters love shows that are different (example:Glee), which is exactly what AHS is. 

Best TV Comedy Actor:

Matt LeBlanc (Episodes)

Alec Baldwin (30 Rock)

Johnny Galecki (The Big Bang Theory)

David Duchovny (Californiacation)

Thomas Jane (Hung)

Before I start, let me tell you that I despise this category.  Both Jim Parsons (previous multiple winner) and Steve Carell (nothing for his final year…seriously?) were left off this list.  This makes it very difficult to guess who will win.

Who I want to win: I am going to say Baldwin just for the fact that I love him and would love to hear his acceptance speech.

Who I think will win: I have no idea.  I will go with Galecki for the fact that if you can’t give the award to the one Big Bang guy, how about give his co-star a chance?  Plus, my brother-in-law told me that he was better this season and grew as a character. 

Best TV Comedy Actress:

Zooey Deschanel (New Girl)

Laura Dern (Enlightened)

Laura Linney (The Big C)

Amy Poehler (Parks and Recreation)

Tina Fey (30 Rock)

Who I want to win: Amy Poehler.  I love this show and her character is just so lovable.  She is, in my opinion, one of the funniest women on television today.  I find Deschanel adorable as well.

Who I think will win: Usually Globe voters go for the “dramedy” type comedy actresses, usually the Showtime women.  Therefore, I think Laura Linney will take this one just as she did last year.  However, Laura Dern has a similar type of comedy style, and is a critic favorite.

Best TV Comedy Series:

Modern Family

New Girl

Glee

Enlightened

Episodes

Who I want to win: Modern Family.  Since none of my NBC shows are on this list, Modern Family is definitely one of the funniest shows on TV.  New Girl has its moments though were I am constantly cracking up, and I would love to see a freshman show win.

Who I think will win: Glee has won the past two years, and the voters enjoy the show, but I think Modern Family will take this one because of its superior writing.

Before going into the supporting acting categories, I want to say how much I hate that they group all of the supporting cast together.  They need to start splitting it into comedy, drama, and miniseries/TV movie so that all supporting cast members are fairly rewarded.

Best TV Supporting Actor:

Guy Pearce (Mildred Pierce)

Eric Stonestreet (Modern Family)

Peter Dinklage (Game of Thrones)

Paul Giamatti (Too Big to Fail)

Tim Robbins (Cinema Verite)

Who I want to win: Peter Dinklage.  He is the best character on one of my favorite TV shows. His acting is flawless.

Who I think will win: Peter Dinklage.  He won the Emmy a few months ago, and I think because most of the rest of his competition are from TV movies, the voters will go with an actual show actor.  This will be the way voters honor Game of Thrones.

Best TV Supporting Actress:

Maggie Smith (Downton Abbey)

Jessica Lange (American Horror Story)

Sofia Vergara (Modern Family)

Evan Rachel Wood (Mildred Pierce)

Kelly Macdonald (Boardwalk Empire)

Who I want to win: Jessica Lange.  AHS is arguably the most original show on TV and Lange uses her terrific veteran acting to bring Constance to life as one of the most three dimensional characters on TV. 

Who I think will win: Jessica Lange. Voters love her.  Everyone loves her.  The role is perfect.  Experts love Downton Abbey though, so Maggie Smith could pose a threat.

So that’s all my picks.  Make sure you watch the Golden Globes this Sunday at 8 on NBC!!

Globes Predictions-Film

With the Golden Globes being less than a week away, I figured I needed to get a jump start on making my picks for who I think will win each category.  This particular award ceremony I am not looking forward to as much as I have all others.  As excited as I am to see Ricky Gervais host again this year, I am not fully committed to a lot of my picks.  There are many categories where I have not seen any of the movies or shows, or only know of one of them, which leaves me with a very biased opinion.  Therefore, many of my picks were made based on the picks of the experts I trust most. 

Today I will make my picks for the film categories, and then tomorrow I will do the TV categories.

Best Drama Picture:

The Descendants

Hugo

The Help

War Horse

Moneyball

The Ides of March

Who I want to win: I honestly have not gotten around to seeing any of these movies yet, so I have no opinion. 

Who I think will win: The Descendants.  People will not stop talking about how good it is, and the odds are pretty much in its favor.  

Best Comedy/Musical Picture:

The Artist

Midnight in Paris

Bridesmaids

My Week with Marilyn

50/50

Who I want to win: Most people would want Bridesmaids, and since this award went to Hangover 2 years back, I wouldn’t be super surprised if the voters went for a raunchy comedy again. I would love it if anything could pull an upset on The Artist.

Who I think will win: The Artist.  It has a 2/5 odds of winning and is at the top of everyone’s Oscar list.

Best Drama Actor:

George Clooney (The Descendants)

Brad Pitt (Moneyball)

Michael Fassbender (Shame)

Leonardo DiCaprio (J. Edgar)

Ryan Gosling (The Ides of March)

Who I want to win: All of these men are on Hollywood’s hottest actors’ list, so I would be fine to see any of them in a tux on the stage accepting their statue.  I am going to give the award to the least known, Michael Fassbender who is extremely handsome and goes full frontal nude in this movie. 

Who I think will win: George Clooney.  Many say this is his best acting in a movie yet.  However, I would not be surprised to see an upset from any of the other actors, this is a very close race. 

Best Comedy/Musical Actor:

Jean Dujardin (The Artist)

Joseph Gordon Levitt (50/50)

Owen Wilson (Midnight in Paris)

Ryan Gosling (Crazy Stupid Love)

Brendan Gleeson (The Guard)

Who I want to win: Once again, I have no opinion, so I am just hoping for Gosling since he should win at least one of his categories just for being beautiful.

Who I think will win: Jean Dujardin.  The Artist is probably going to dominate in every category. 

Best Drama Actress:

Meryl Streep (The Iron Lady)

Viola Davis (The Help)

Glenn Close (Albert Nobbs)

Tilda Swinton (We Need to Talk About Kevin)

Rooney Mara (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo)

Who I want to win: Rooney Mara.  When I read the Milienum Trilogy, it was hard to picture anybody good enough to play Lisbeth Salander.  Mara exceeded my expectations by far.

Who I think will win: Meryl Streep.  She is perfect in every role she plays, and voters love her playing real-life people.  However, this race is very close and a hard one to call. 

Best Comedy/Musical Actress:

Michelle Williams (My Week with Marylin)

Charlize Theron (Young Adult)

Kristen Wiig (Bridsmaids)

Kate Winslet (Carnage)

Jodie Foster (Carnage)

Who I want to win: Michelle Williams.  I adore her and she channels Monroe so well.

Who I think will win: Michelle Williams.  She is not just a globe favorite, but an Oscar favorite as well. 

Best Supporting Actor:

Christoper Plummer (Beginners)

Albert Brooks (Drive)

Kenneth Branagh (My Week with Marylin)

Jonah Hill (Moneyball)

Viggo Mortensen (A Dangerous Method)

Who I want to win: Once again, I have no real opinion, but because my sister and brother-in-law saw Moneyball (which they throw in my face as often as possible) and liked Jonah Hill in it, I am going to say him, especially because he was still fat when he made the movie and now that he is skinny he creeps me out. 

Who I think will win: This is a close race, so the experts all have different picks on who they think will win, but it seems like Plummer has a little more of an edge.  I personally have a gut feeling about Branagh though. 

Best Supporting Actress:

Octavia Spencer (The Help)

Berenice Bejo (The Artist)

Shaliene Woodley (The Descendants)

Jessica Chastain (The Help)

Janet McTeer (Albert Nobbs)

Who I want to win: Shailene Woodley.  The girl went from an ABC Family show to being in a movie with Clooney, she deserves some credit.

Who I think will win: Berenice Bejo.  Once again, the Artist will probably win. 

Best Director:

Michel Hazanavicius (The Artist)

Alexander Payne (The Descendants)

Martin Scorsese (Hugo)

Woody Allen (Midnight in Paris)

George Clooney (The Ides of March)

Who I want to win: David Fincher.  Oh wait sorry, he isn’t on this list (He better make the Oscar list!) I will actually say I want The Artist to win in this category.  Since it is a silent movie, Hazanavicius had to put extra work in to ensure its perfection.

Who I think will win: Hazanavicius.  The movie is not as traditional as most movies, and he will most likely be rewarded for his creativity.

Best Shows of 2011

Since the year comes to a close today, I figured I would make my picks for the 10 best shows of 2011.  I also made a list of the top 6 new shows of 2011 (I wanted to pick my top 5, but couldn't decide between the last two, so I included them both). 

Top 6 New Shows:

6. Pan Am- Yes, this show is borderline canceled, and as of right now it only has 5 more episodes and then it awaits its fate as to weather it will be renewed for a second season.  This show's biggest downfall is that it airs on Sundays at 10pm.  People watch football live, and if you look at the DVR ratings, this show does pretty well since a lot of viewers record it.  I hope that the few episodes that air after the football season is over will show growth in their numbers so that it can have another chance.  On a sidenote: all of the episodes are currently free on iTunes! 

5. New Girl- Before this show came on, I for some reason couldn't stand Zooey Deschanel.  I now find her the most adorable character on TV.  Max Greenfield who plays Schmidt is the highlight of the show, and never fails to make me crack up.

4. Revenge- This is the best prime time soap opera to ever exist.  Emily Thorne has the most twisted mind, and Madeline Stowe is terrific in playing the ice queen Victoria Grayson.  I am always fascinated by the way Emily takes down her victims, so I am looking forward to more revenge in the new year.

3. American Horror Story- There is nothing else on TV like this show.  I have no idea how Ryan Murphy could have came up with such an idea, but I am always impressed with the storytelling.  I love horror films, and this show actually scares me.  More than other shows, this is one that I absolutely have to watch live. 

2. Game of Thrones- If a show is bold enough to spend all of its money advertising an actor in the lead spot, only to kill off said character, they have my attention.  The supporting cast is what makes this show, Emila Clarke is probably the most bad ass woman on cable, and Peter Dinklage well deserved his Emmy win.  I cannot wait to see the battles for the throne next season.  Winter is Coming.

1. Homeland- I never watched the show 24, but a lot of people compare this to that, but ten times better.  It is hands down the best acting on TV.  The storyline is incredible and you will constantly question who is a terrorist and who is good.  At times, you may even be routing for the terrorists.  I have never been more intrigued by a show week after week, as not one episode was flawed. 


Top 10 Best Shows of 2011:

10. Chelsea Lately/After Lately- I know, a news show technically should not be included in all of these scripted shows, but I am so in love with her and all of her writers and guests.  I find everyone on the show hysterical, and After Lately, although terribly scripted, is actually funny. Chelsea entertains me 5 nights a week, and also in between through all of her writer's twitter feeds. 

9. How I Met Your Mother- In the beginning of 2011, I thought that HIMYM was losing its focus.  The episodes were becoming too emotional and I was almost just wanting Ted to find the mom just to get it over with.  The beginning of the fall season however, I fell in love with the show all over again.  It could be because it has become very Barney-focused, and whenever Barney and Robin are in a scene together, I am hooked. 

8. Revenge- See Above.  It's just awesome.

7. The Walking Dead- A lot of people who watch this show are disappointed with the second season so far.  I personally love it.  Yes, it is significantly slower than the first season, but the slow storytelling just means that the show can go on longer.  We also are seeing more character development which means once a character gets killed off, it will have more of a shock factor.  I do think it is time for them to leave the barn, as I am sure they will do now.  The last ten minutes of the mid-season finale were phenomenal, especially Shane's monologue. 

6. The Good Wife- This current fall season of The Good Wife, although great, has its ups and downs for me.  I more so put this as my sixth pick because of last spring.  Last season had the best story lines and the best acting.  The final few episodes alone, with the twist of the Kalinda-Alicia fight, and Alicia finally moving out, were the best of all episodes to date.  And who can ever forget that elevator scene with Will and Alicia? 

5. Parks & Recreation- The key to a great show in my opinion is if you love every character.  There is not one person on this show I dislike.  It has a perfect blend of comedy, while filled with pop culture references.  Plus, it has Ron Swanson, enough said.

4. American Horror Story- See Above.  Hopefully this will be able to make my list again next year, although the idea of a complete change of direction scares me. 

3. Game of Thrones- See Above.  The only downside is that a few episodes had some dull moments.  Hopefully HBO can work out those kinks in the next season, and create a more even line of storytelling.

2. Community- This is consistently called the funniest show on TV by a lot of TV critics, yet it never receives any recognition through nominations, and even NBC has yet to find a time slot for it in their spring lineup.  The show has a huge twitter movement that started when the show became borderline canceled, and even won TV Guide's fan favorite contest.  Last spring, Community had an epic two-episode paintball finale, and this fall had several standout episodes.  Remedial Chaos Theory, in which the gang replayed 6 different timelines, was in my opinion the best episode to date.  The Christmas episode in which the gang all became part of glee club was also one I watched several times.  Please save this show NBC!!

1. Homeland- See Above.  I know a lot of people probably never even heard of this show, but you need to go and watch it right now. 

I usually pick my favorite shows by the ones I am most excited to watch each week.  I did not include any of my CW shows because I do realize that they are not actual "great" shows, just ones that are my guilty pleasure to watch.  A lot of my favorite shows this year are actually new shows, as this fall season was packed full of great new titles.  There are a few new ones planned for this spring, so I am sure next years list will also include a lot of new names.