Hopefully, a Very Happy Ending for Everyone

Hah. Puns.

I love Jean Simmons so, so much. There's no other way to preface this. I haven't seen a WHOLE lot with her; but of what I have seen (Hamlet, Guys and Dolls, Angel Face, Elmer Gantry, etc), I've been consistently impressed with her, some of it very much reaching brilliance. She was in even a Miyazaki dub!

But, very sadly, on January 22nd, she passed away at the age of 80. This affected me a lot. It's always sad when a classic actor or actress dies, but, being so young, I had never been overly familiar with anyone's actual work, before her. Especially when considering how underrated she is and will likely continue to be, it felt a tad more personal than it should have, lol. She was already one of my favorites. I've wanted to see all I could, really anything she's in, since then. Unfortunately, A LOT of her films are frustratingly unavailable, and one would have to carefully skim the TCM schedule to find 'em, I guess.

But don't worry; right now, I'm doing it for you.

Tonight, The Happy Ending, starring Simmons and directed by her then-husband Richard Brooks (who also made Elmer Gantry), airs at 2:00 AM EST on TCM (in the U.S./Canada, if this wasn't naturally implied). It was aired in January as part of an in memoriam marathon, where I saw it and immediately fell in love with it. I'm surprised it's on again so soon! I'm grateful, though, because for whatever reason, it has only received a VHS release--12 years ago. I just don't get how this is so universally unavailable? It's not a thematically inaccessible or uninteresting film, nor should it be obscure.

So, yeah, I'm basically asking you all to watch it. Probably record it, since it's on in the middle of the night, but watch it. If you don't have a DVR, call someone you know with one to record it for you, and then you both can WATCH IT! Simmons is at her absolute best here, and even got an Oscar nom for it (her first in 20 years, and her last). The rest of the cast (John Forsythe, Shirley Jones, Teresa Wright, etc) is great as well, and it features great music and cinematography by Michel Legrand and Conrad Hall, respectively. It's probably not a masterpiece, but it's such a lovely, emotionally honest film with a truly fantastic central performance, and I hope more people see it now and in the future. (Which would be great with a DVD release or something, but I'm digressing.)

So remember:
Friday, March 26th.
2:00 AM EST.
ranging to
Thursday, March 25th.
11:00 PM PST.
TCM.
DON'T FORGET THE TCM PART.
Record it if you have to.
&
WATCH IT!

How Can I Deny the Feeling?

Sophie Ellis-Bextor is amazing and gorgeous and talented and ACCENTED. To anyone who knows her, this is redundant. But for anyone who doesn't, well, this might be a better introduction than most things.

This is her new single "Bittersweet," of which the (AMAZING) video was just released. It really speaks for itself. TAKE A LOOK, WHY DON'T YOU.



I know I shouldn't go
But something made me crave the heat
YOUR LOOOOVE IS BIIIIITTERSWEEEEEET
The fire in your touch
I always find so hard to beat
YOUR LOOOOVE IS BIIIIITTERSWEEEEEET
Song of the year? It. just. may. be. The Freemasons remix (who co-produced the song and are responsible for a LOT of amazingness over the last decade) is absolutely stunning, too. I love it all SO MUCH.

Wikipedia vaguely says it'll be released in the U.S. as well, which is AMAZING NEWS. It probably won't make any sort of impact, but that's beside the point. Just think of hearing this on the radio ever? (...)

Ugh, why aren't I British? For fuck's sake.

In Which I (Kind of) Talk About Twilight

The trailer for the third film that I don't give a shit about even more than the first two (!) came out today, but only one thing matters at all - and I mean at all. I'm not even going to provide a link. Just an image.

You're welcome, ladies gentlemen.

New Age, New Banner, New Mentality?

Okay, that last part is never happening.

Hi! You're reading the words of a 17 year old near-adult. YES. I'm EXCITED by this, rather than spiteful of like, aging. I guess I'm starting to get used to growing up? And MATURING? And I'M WILLING TO ACCEPT IT ALL?! *gasps*

Anyway. I figured I needed a new banner. Why? 'Cuz it says my age of 16 and that just won't do any longer. I also thought (since it was of amazing musician Annie) it should be film-related again, as if to re-christen this place. I said last week that VD isn't a blog specific to one subject, and I stand by that, but an environment of cinema should help spur my returning to film writing. I decided on A Single Man, which has basically become my cinematic love for '09 (I'll talk more about why it's only 'basically' later). What do you think of the new, prettyprettypretty banner, then?

And WISH ME A HAPPY BIRTHDAY, plz. ♥

I'm not egocentric, btw.

VD's Final Oscar Winners Predictions

This is the third year I've made one of these header collages, and I wonder if any of you have actually noticed them, lol? They suck up a lot of time to make, yo.
It's fucking here, folks! Thankfully, there's no real Slumdog (or, rather, something frustratingly dominating) this year to turn us into masochists. Though, one could argue Bullock and her film's representation of the public's addiction to toxic bilge (or Avatar as a behemoth in general) have proven to be, and I'd agree less than I would've thought. IT'S BEEN A ROLLERCOASTER FOR SURE, which is a nice change of pace. But frankly, I'd say Crazy Heart is the most annoying thing this year for me. How people think aspects besides Bridges and the music (HELLO, MAGGIE) are worthy or accolades, and for the film itself, is COMPLETELY BEYOND ME. That Fox Searchlight pulled the same "saved from direct-to-DVD" bullshit with it infuriates me even more this time around - at least Slumdog acts like a theatrical film and isn't a long series of lazy, tiring cliches.

ANYWAY. I've never done the short categories and probably won't for...ever (but go W&G!), so here are Valley Dreamin''s* Final Predictions for the winners of the 82nd Academy Awards in the other 21.

* - This is an entirely unfortunate contraction.

Updated with Winners
17/21 - 81% correct

Best Picture
Will Win: The Hurt Locker
Could Win: Avatar
Should Win: Inglourious Basterds
I couldn't say anything that hasn't already been said. Que sera, sera.

Best Director
Will Win: Kathryn Bigelow, The Hurt Locker
Could Win: James Cameron, Avatar
Should Win: Quentin Tarantino, Inglourious Basterds
This, though, is happening absolutely.

Best Actor in a Leading Role
Will Win: Jeff Bridges, Crazy Heart
Could Win: George Clooney, Up in the Air
Should Win: Colin Firth, A Single Man
As is this.

Best Actress in a Leading Role
Will Win: Sandra Bullock, The Blind Side
Could Win: Meryl Streep, Julie & Julia
Should Win: Gabourey Sidibe, Precious
...and probably this. *sighs*

Best Actor in a Supporting Role
Will Win: Christoph Waltz, Inglourious Basterds
Could Win: Christoph Waltz, Inglourious Basterds
Should Win: Christoph Waltz, Inglourious Basterds
This has been a lock since June.

Best Actress in a Supporting Role
Will Win: Mo'Nique, Precious
Could Win: Mo'Nique, Precious
Should Win: Mo'Nique, Precious
April.

Best Original Screenplay
Will Win: Quentin Tarantino, Inglourious Basterds
Could Win: Mark Boal, The Hurt Locker
Should Win: Quentin Tarantino, Inglourious Basterds
This...isn't so certain. It really seems like a consolation prize for Tarantino, doesn't it? And Boal would kind of just continue the line of pet projects from young and ambitious writers winning. But I do hope Quentin pulls this out in the end.

Best Adapted Screenplay
Will Win: Jason Reitman + Sheldon Turner, Up in the Air
Could Win: Geoffrey Fletcher, Precious
Should Win: Jesse Armstrong, Simon Blackwell, Armando Iannucci + Tony Roche, In the Loop
This is a consolation prize for sure, anyway.

Best Animated Feature Film
Will Win: Up
Could Win: Fantastic Mr. Fox
Should Win: Fantastic Mr. Fox
Should've Been Fucking Nominated in the First Place: Ponyo
No doubt, really.

Best Foreign Language Film
Will Win: A Prophet
Could Win: The White Ribbon
Should Win: n/a (I've only seen The White Ribbon, which is amaaaze)
Actually Won: The Secret in Their Eyes
LOL, well, whoever wins, SPC wins. Even if it's The Secret in Their Eyes, because they have that, too. Though for whatever reason I could see Ajami pulling a sneak.

Btw, I LOVE THE U.S. POSTER FOR A PROPHET SO MUCH AND I DON'T REALLY KNOW WHY! It's just soooooo good. God, I want to see it.

Best Documentary Feature Film
Will Win: The Cove
Could Win: Burma VJ
Should Win: n/a
Lock.

Best Art Direction
Will Win: Avatar
Could Win: Sherlock Holmes
Should Win: The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus
Lock.

Best Cinematography
Will Win: Barry Ackroyd, The Hurt Locker
Could Win: Mauro Fiore, Avatar
Should Win: Robert Richardson, Inglourious Basterds
Anyone but HP6 could win, apparently; The White Ribbon has the guild, Avatar has the *PRETTY*/groundbreaking aspect, Basterds has the most respected DP of the line-up (probably). But Ackroyd seems like someone who'll win an Oscar eventually, so why not for a potential juggernaut?

Best Costume Design
Will Win: Sandy Powell, The Young Victoria
Could Win: ???
Should Win: Janet Patterson, Bright Star
Sandy Powell = God. 3rd Oscah.

Best Film Editing
Will Win: Chris Innis + Bob Murawski, The Hurt Locker
Could Win: John Refoua + Stephen E. Rivkin, Avatar
Should Win: Sally Menke, Inglourious Basterds
If THL loses this Avatar WILL win BP.

Best Original Score
Will Win: Michael Giacchino, Up
Could Win: James Horner, Avatar
Should Win: Michael Giacchino, Up
Lock.

Best Original Song
Will Win: "The Weary Kind," Crazy Heart
Could Win: "Take It All," Nine
Should Win: "Take It All," Nine
First Globe winner to even be nominated in six years, and, if it won, would be one of three this decade which actually won. But, I don't see anything else winning. Blah.

Best Make-Up
Will Win: Star Trek
Could Win: The Young Victoria
Should Win: Star Trek
...I really don't know. Nothing seems obvious?

Best Sound Mixing
Will Win: The Hurt Locker
Could Win: Avatar
Should Win: The Hurt Locker
Avatar could easily win this, but the guild and BAFTA went with THL, so.

Best Sound Editing
Will Win: Avatar
Could Win: The Hurt Locker
Should Win: Inglourious Basterds
Duh.

Best Visual Effects
Will Win: Avatar
Could Win: Avatar
Should Win: Avatar
DUH.

Thoughts? Comments? Criticisms? Your own predix?
(I need comments to sustain my blogging, you know.)
(Yes, I'm threatening. Mwaha, etc.)

This is Not a Music Blog

I swear to god, it isn't. I know it basically seems like one, what with the Annie banner and the fact that most of what I post lately is music-related, BUT IT ISN'T. It's about whatever affects my psyche, basically, whether it be music or movies or television or my life or the weather or a detailed history of the Austro-Hungarian Empire (hopefully coming by April). I don't want to limit myself even further by keeping to one subject. I wish it could be about more than music every once in a while, though.

But I'm just gonna talk about music s'more, okay?

This is just for my American readers.

'HANDS' CAME OUT IN THE U.S. TODAY OMFG.

About. Fucking. Time.

I've talked about Little Boots before, so you can't go "wtf" to this. The heights of my adoration for her have been, perhaps, the highest for anyone I've ever been obsessed with for any period of time. It's a perfect pop album - stunningly produced, absolutely enjoyable, and without a real low point? It starts out strong and ends as strongly (...if we don't count the hidden track "Hands." but it's hidden for a reason!). It's an amazing piece of work, and probably one of my favorite albums of all time at this point. I can't wait to ACTUALLY have it in my hands*. Ugh, seriously, whenever I think how long it takes amazing foreign things to get here (if they EVER do), it makes me want a New World Order already.

EVERYONE SHOULD JUST FUCKING OWN EVERYTHING ASAP.

Amazon
iTunes
iTunes (deluxe) (has bonus track "Catch 22" which is amaaazing)

My transitioning skills have not diminished, evidently.

While we're at it, GET EVERYTHING. The 'Illuminations' EP, with two brilliant tracks, "Not Now" and "Love Kills" (the outro of the latter makes my head explode); the Stonemasons remix of "Remedy," which has turned into one of my favorite mixes EVER; and the 'Arecibo' EP, with the original/extended/better version of "Stuck on Repeat."

And for preview purposes, all the specific songs I mentioned!




Not Now | Love Kills
Stuck on Repeat
Catch 22 | Remedy (Stonemasons)
AAAAH I LOVE HER SO MUCH. I mean, she makes me into a legal music whore. I've only ever done this with Britney. IT MUST BE TRUE LOVE. ♥

Also, she looks like Samantha Morton a lot. Just wanted to say that.

* - I DID NOT INTEND THIS PUN. LOL. I should proofread more.