I'm all up in a hissy fit: Affleck was robbed.

I finally got to see Argo. Waited long enough, but totally worth the wait, cause, you know good things come to those who wait :)
As my husband put it, "Argo was a lesson in tension." I couldn't agree more. This tension filled flick was great and superbly directed. 
I loved David O. Russell's The Fighter, and believed in his nomination for that film. I do not believe in he receiving a nod for Silver Linings Playbook over Ben Affleck for Argo. Argo-fuck-yourself! Affleck rose from joke to the real deal. I admire his tenacity and revel in his storytelling talent. 
So yeah, I'm all up in a hissy fit, Affleck was robbed of at least the nomination. I'm happy he snagged the Golden Globe for Directing and for Best Picture.
I've yet to see Zero Dark Thirty, which I'm hearing is a game changer. I will this week and then begin my "Argo vs. Zero Dark Thirty: Who should win?" debate.
Stay tuned my fine readers. Also, a countdown to www.whynotmindy.com  is just around the corner. New site, more fun. :)

Weekly Update: Sliver Lining Review, New music, Acapulco

I've finally kicked the strange aliments that plagued me during last week. Now it's time for a recap of the week.

• I finally got to see Silver Linings Playbook. I've been anxious to see this movie, especially after all the nominations (8 Oscar nods including Best Picture) and wins thus far (Jennifer Lawrence won a Golden Globe). My expectations were high for this film. Maybe too high, cause when I left the theater, I was just fine with the movie. Just fine. I didn't feel anything. I knew I watched a solid Romantic Comedy, but I didn't feel like I had watched an Oscar Nominated Romantic Comedy. The performances were fine. The story was good. Again, it was a solid movie. But, I'm unsure if it deserves the Oscar love it's getting. Maybe a second watching would yield a different feeling within, but, to be honest, I don't really want to watch it again. 
• Lance Armstrong admitted to doping. Lol. Yes, I find this funny.
• American Horror Story: Asylum once again delivered a fast paced wonderful episode. Only 1 episode remains, and I am on the edge of my seat. I'm still waiting/hoping that this last episode will give a connection to season 1. 
• Justin Timberlake and Ashlee Simpson both returned to the music scene this week. JT gave us a new single, Suit & Tie that kinda bored me and Ashlee gave us a full music video for her single Bat for a Heart. It is weird, but I almost like it. 

• In the funniest news (to me): Gossip Girl lives! in Acapulco. Yes, Gossip Girl: Acapulco is real. I'm gonna learn spanish just to watch! Here's a 5 minute teaser. Oh my, did it make me laugh. 

 

Christmas day movie: Les Miserables Why Not Mindy Thoughts NO SPOILERS, just thoughts.

Christmas day movie: Les Miserables. 
Christmas day movie sadness: Russell Crowe as Javert. Whom ever made that casting decision should be banned from all future castings. He did NOT fill that role and his voice was a tiny ant compared to what Javert should sound like. It was a travesty. Javert is a huge part of the movie, so you may know where I tend to lean on the like it or hate it scale.
Christmas day movie happiness: Anne Hathaway as Fantine in her gut-wrenching, one take performance of I Dreamed a Dreamed. 
Christmas day movie question: Why were the harmonies off? I'm no musical expert, but the voices didn't mesh. And Amanda Seyfried as Cosette, uh, tone down that vibrato, it's distracting, annoying, and doesn't fit.  

I watched the movie with two people who didn't know the musical. They both enjoyed the movie. In fact, one said they were 'enthralled.' So this is easily a case of 'the book is better', so to speak. 
Cause when I  listened to the Broadway Cast sing One Day More it brings tears to my eyes, but the movie version failed to move me, and I'm prone to crying. Hell, I cried during the excellently edited 6 minute promotional behind the scenes trailer.
I did drop a few tears during one moment: Empty Chairs at Empty Tables. And, well, I just always cry at that song, although that was Eddie Redmayne's (Marius) best performance. 
Hugh Jackman does his thing and does it pretty well. But not well enough to make the movie outstanding. 
Anne Hathaway deserves the Golden Globe nomination as well as the Oscar nod. 
That aside, the movie was beautifully lit and the costumes right on. And I loved the homages to the Broadway version. 
My anticipation had been building for 6 to 7 months. Perhaps that's too long to look forward to something. When we build anything up to high, it has no where to go but fall.

The travesty that is Lidsay Lohan's Liz: The Why Not Mindy Review

Yes, I watched it. I couldn't help myself. I was drawn to the inevitable train wreck that is always attached to Lohan. This made for TV movie was helmed as Lindsay Lohan's 'big return', even though she's not known as a TV actress. That was the first problem. Why not just embrace, "Motion Picture Studio's don't want her. She's virtually unemployable because of insurance. Maybe TV?" Here's the funniest, Lohan didn't receive a check until after production had wrapped, per her instructions. That was her way of showing producers, head honcho men that she was BORN to play Elizabeth Taylor; and that she'd stick around long enough to shoot all her scenes. For that, I say, bravo. Way to make it through your job.
The movie, Liz & Dick, was terrible. Not just because we have Lindsay Lohan playing the iconic Taylor, but also because the script was horrid. Down right embarrassing. There wasn't a bit of nuance throughout the insufferable 90 minutes. Lohan tried to deilver an accent that only sounded like herself with too many cigarettes and a mock play at Madonna's British accent. Lohan never had that untouchable beauty that Liz had, she only had that Lindsay face. The wardrobe was remarkable, but the aging making was lacking. You can not put a wig on a 26 yr old actress and call her old, you need proper make up. Silly. 
What is over all the saddest for me is the story of Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor sounds remarkable. A story that should have been saved for capable writers, directors, and actors. Their love story is not like any fairy tale, but it is romantic, and certainly a story that should be told. I'm sorry it got told through Lohan and Lifetime.
Next time perhaps. Because in Hollywood, there's always a next time. 

Weekend Movie Review : Skyfall right into visual orgasms

The box office doesn't lie (sometimes, it does), the latest edition into the iconic 007 movies is worth the money and time. $87.8 million domestically. Running at 2 1/2 hours, I never once squirmed in my chair. I was totally enthralled in great storytelling. Skyfall takes us

The longest, drunkest, best review of War Horse ever....

I don't have eloquent words enough to prepare you for the fabulous ramblings that review War Horse.  I will only say that the video you see is clip number 6. There are spoilers. If you are dying to see this movie don't watch the drunken review. If, like me, you never want to see the movie, then watch the video below....and laugh....and drink....and laugh some more. And thanks to my best friend for participating in the drunken review. And by participating, I mean being the reason for my post. :)