True Grit Review Edition

I recently had a chance to see the Oscar nominated Western "True Grit" starring Jeff Bridges. I fully admit that it is normally out of my usual style of movies.

I didnt expect to enjoy the movie as much as I did. I mean, let's face it. The closest movie I have to a western in my DVD collection is Back To The Future 3. There was really 3 major performances in this movie.

First let me speak of Matt Damon. For a guy from Boston his texas accent is pretty good. It's much better then James "I Don't Want Your Life" Vanderbeek. He is as close to the comic relief in this movie as there will be, however everyone had some good lines.

New comer Hallie Steinfield played the role of Mattie, the girl seeking revenge on her father's murder. She kind of scared me for a 14 year old girl. She definitely deserved the Oscar Nomination that she got, especially considering this is her first major role. To share the screen with Matt Damon and Jeff Bridges and go toe to toe with them is nothing short of phenomenonal. I wouldnt want to mess with Mattie. She was total no nonsense.

And of course then there is Jeff Bridges who late in his career is reinvented himself from just a solid actor to appearing in blockbusters that you would never expect him to be in. In the role for this movie, he seemed to mumble more then he talked. But some of the looks he gave could scare the rust off of a bumper. Alot of times his character was drunk and rambling, which was pretty funny.

I would give the movie a 8 out of 10 stars and highly reccomend it. I am hoping to catch more of the Oscar nominees before the awards are given out

The Oscars 2011 Announcement Edition

Every year there is always atleast one or two noticeable person or movie that gets snubbed for the Oscar. I think it's safe to say the person that most people are surprised didnt get a nomination is Christopher Nolan for his movie "Weird Acid Trip" I mean "Inception". Speaking of "Inception", no one got acting nominations for it either. No Leonardo DiCaprio or Bane, I mean Tom Hardy. Most people expected alot of nominations for the movie.

Another movie that alot of people expected alot of Acting nominations for was "The Social Network". But only one acting nomination was had and that was for the kid chasing Zombies, Jesse Eisenberg. There was even talk of Justin Timberlake getting a nomination, which would put him in serious EGOT contention. But unfortunately for him it just didnt happen this year.

The movie with the most nominations this year was "The King's Speech". It garnered 12nominations including pretty much all the major categories like 3 for acting, directing, best picture etc etc.

I am not sure how I still feel about Best Picture having 10 films nominated. I do think this year alone though most of the nominees atleast have a chance at it. I would like to see an upset this year though I could really see 8 of the 10 films winning.

I think I will make my picks as we get closer to actual awards. I did pretty good in my picks last year. So hopefully I will continue that trend. Check back later!

In non oscar news, rumor is that after Kevin Smith's next film "Red State" he will direct just one more movie and then step out of Hollywood. Many people know what a huge Kevin Smith nerd so that is very sad news if it's true. He has become disenchanted with the Hollywood way, and quite frankly I can't say I blame him. So the last picture will be "Hit Somebody" apparently :(

If you enjoy reading Entertainment Guru News and Views you might also make your way to The Peverett Phile

The Natalie Portman Edition!

Every year, Entertainment Weekly in mid December releases their Entertainer of The Year. I know it's only mid January, but I am going on record to say who 2011 Entertainer of the Year will be. It will be none other then Queen Amidala herself, Natalie Portman.

Why do I say that? Well, for starters she has not one, not two, not three, but FOUR movies coming out in 2011. Plus, I think she has something else going on, but we will get to that a little bit later.

Her first movie of the year comes out this month. It's a comedy called "No Strings Attached" co-starring Mr. Demi Moore, Ashton Kutcher. Even better, it's a sex comedy starring Natalie Portman. It does look pretty funny. Ashton Kutcher plays the same character he plays in pretty much every movie, TV show and even camera commerical.

Next up is "Your Highness" co-starring James Franco, Danny McBride and Zoey Deschanel. James Franco as a brave knight? Oh yeah, I can see that. Danny Mcbride as a goofy knight? Goofy? Of course... a knight? Well, If Martin Lawrence can play a knight I dont see why.

Then in Early May a little movie called "Thor". It's the next in the Pre-Avenger Marvel comic movies also starring Anthony Hopkins and Chris Hemsworth. The first trailer didnt make me want to see the movie, but after the trailer I saw last night makes me excited for the movie.

At some point later in the year or early 2012 (if we as a society make it that far) she has a movie in pre-production called Cloud Atlas as well.

There is more that will add to her year. She has been nominated for a Golden Globe and a Screen Actor's Guild award for her performance in "Black Swan". There is serious Oscar buzz for her as well for the first time in her career as well.

As if that wasnt enough for her year, she is also currently pregnant and engaged so I think that alone should make it the year of Portman!

In Defense Of the "Special Sitcom" Episode Edition

Recently one of my favorite Sitcoms did an episode that was funny up until the last minute of the show and then did a tragic ending. Upon going online that night and I saw one of my friends rip the episode. The quote was something along the lines of "This show has lost it's edge lately and this just pushed it too far". He went on to say "If I wanted to watch drama, I'd turn on my real life. I turn to sitcoms for laughs, not for a reminder of real world"

First off the show in question has been pretty sharp this year, so it hasn't lost any edge. It is just as funny and witty as it always has been.

Secondly, the special episode of a sitcom has been a staple of sitcoms from as far back as I remember watching TV. Every single Sitcom has done a show or many that went from just being funny to being serious. For example, Family Ties did an episode where the Mr. Keaton's brother comes into town. Doesn't sound bad does it? Oh, did I mention he is an alcoholic? Or that he was played by Uber-Oscar winner Tom Hanks? Growing Pains did an episode where Carol's friend was in a car accident because he was drunk driving. She went to visit him in the hospital and he was fine! Yeah! But by the time she got home, Mike had to give her the bad news that he had just died. The Friend was played by Uber-Never Going to be Nominated for an Oscar Matthew Perry.Does that sound like a sitcom to you?

Sitcoms are about life. Life isn't always funny, no matter how much we try to make it. And I am sure the next episode of the show in question will be more drama then comedy. It's just a way for the actors to give their characters a little more depth and try to win an Emmy! There is nothing wrong with that, now is there?

The Wedding Edition

It seems everyone in Hollywood is getting married or divorced these days. I mean if Scarlett Johhansen and Ryan Reynolds dont have a change to stay married, what good is it for a guy like the Entertainment Guru? First Courtney Cox and David Arquette now this?

But atleast Nick Lachey and Vanessa Minillo plus Jessica Simpson and Eric Johnson are giving it a shot. I know it sounds wrong but I'm all for placing bets which marriage lasts longer. I think I will have to say Lachey-Minillo. But not by much. Anyone want to take me up on that?

But perhaps the biggest shocking wedding of the year has to be Shania Twain. She is marrying the ex husband of her former best friend. Now what makes this more messed up is the fact that when her husband left her, it was for her best friend. This is a true example of wife swap. How messed up is next Christmas going to be at their houses?

And if that wasnt enough Hugh Hefner is marrying someone like 1/3 of his age. That's not at all disgusting. And by not disgusting I mean.... EWWWWWWWWW OLD SWEATY MAN PARTS

The Let's Go Crazy Edition

This edition is brought to you by Charlie Sheen, who like most of us, likes to trap porn stars in the bathroom of a ritzy hotel and destroy it. I mean, isn't that an every day occurence somewhere in the world. I have one trapped in my bathroom right now. I'd let her out, but I deceided to take a page out of Matthew McConahey's playbook. I'm playing the bongos naked. It's the only way to do it. How come we let celebrities get away with this crazy behavior? If I shaved my head like Britney Spears did a few years ago just out of the blue for no reason.... I'd be in solidary confinement. I mean I have NEVER done anything like that. And by never I mean... hey what's that over there?

Last week saw the return of Coco! Thats right, Conan O'Brien finally was allowed to return to TV on TBS in his new talk show. It's much like his last 2 shows. Even Andy Richter, who once controlled the Universe I'm told, is back as his side kick. On just the 2nd show he splashed a gallon of water on America's Treasure, Tom Hanks. It was just like his 80's classic movie, Splash. Without Daryl Hannah as my 2nd favorite Mermaid, behind Ariel of course.

I know it has been a while since my last update, and for that I apologize. I did try to post one last week with my first ever top ten, but it didn't work out well so hopefully soon I will work out the kinks in that.

Prince William is getting married to his long time love, Kate Middleton. He proposed in Africa. There is a rumor that he will wed her in the same place his parents got married. Yeah, good luck with that!

The Oscar talk is all ready starting. It seems to be early this year. There may be a few comdies that get nominated like "How Do You Know?". And it seems there is also a good chance that Toy Story 3 will get a picture nomination as well, it's atleast guranteed to win best animated.

A Review of Two New Shows Edition

The new season of TV is in full swing, with 4 weeks of new shows and 3 casualities all ready. So let's have a moment of silence for My Generation, Lonestar, and Outlaw who didn't quite make it very long.

I have seen two of the new shows so here is the good and the bad reviews. Starting.... with the bad.... Outsourced....

The basic premise is an American goes to India to run a call center for american novelty products like fake blood, fake vomit and a deer head mounted on your wall that sings "Sweet Home Alabama". None of the people in India get the need for such items. And just like me, I see no need for this show. It was put on Thursday with hits Community, 30 Rock and The Office. Even with those lead in's, there is no way this show makes a 2nd season. Mark my words! I watched the first episode and I had one laugh. The only recongizable name in the show is Diedrach Bader. You may not even recongize the name, but you will know the face from Drew Carey Show and the movie Office Space, among a handful of other places. It's the fish out of water story, but this time it's an American that's not in his usual spot. I am hoping the following shows after the pilot were funnier then the others.

Then we have Hawaii 5.0 on CBS. I had decent hopes for the show but after watching it, I have more then just high hopes for it. It is a good mix of action and comedy plus familar faces from both TV and movies. The action is intense and the first four episodes have all had guest stars that are recongizable. Alex O'Laughlin and Scott Caan are great together, bouncing off each other with the quick comebacks. They are believable together. Add Daniel Dae Kim (TV's Lost) and Grace Park (TV's Battlestar Galactica) to round out the cast. If you haven't had a chance to watch it, I do highly recommend it. It's a nice touch to use the original theme song from the old show as well. Atleast watch the pilot, directed by Len Wiseman of Underworld and Live Free or Die Hard fame.