On January 26, I got a chance to hold the an Oscar at Grand Central.

Talk to the Leg: An Open Letter To Angelina Jolie From a Fan

Dear Angie (can I call you Angie?)

I have stood by you through thick and thin. I backed you up when you and Brad were playing house on the beaches of Nambia after his split with Jen. I have rejoiced and have defended your lows like any good fan would do. You have said and done things that have made me cut a side glance and think, 'Really bitch? Really?' However, when I saw you in person last year with your chocolate brown dress, dazzling smile, and the way you manipulated the audience to a soft, steaming, pile of mush, I knew that you were one fierce bitch and I was proud to be on your team.

Let's cut the crap. The Oscars was a disaster. Diaz can look like a fool with her freaky man arms, J.Lo can look like a fool with her tatas about to spring out and do a show stopping number. You. Are. Not. Suppose. To. Play. The. Fool. You've never had to pose so hard in your life! Lea Michele never even posed that hard in her life! What were you doing? You couldn't feel the breeze hitting your (very pasty) leg as you brought it out like it was show and tell? That pose would've been okay for one (maybe two) photo ops, but you did it for almost every shot. AND BRAD! BRAD! WHERE THE HELL WERE YOU!? You let the woman you love work the carpet like that!? You have been to enough red carpet events to know that, that was not good. You should've pulled her to the side and say "Baby, look, you look amazing, but put that thing away! It looks stupid!" Sure, you probably would've  gotten the silent treatment and several days without the Jolie sex, but that's love! Get over it!

And then to add insult to injury you go on stage. The first time presenting in a damn long time. Hair laid, outfit lovely, and makeup nailed. You stood there. Erect. Leg making it's grand debut to the world. It was awkward. It was noticeable. It was a leg. And then the damn winner made fun of you by posing hard. A mere mortal mocking your folly. I love you for looking unfazed as you announced the next category and tucking the offensive appendage back in the dress where it belonged, but the damage was done. "The Leg" had made it's mark.

It will be alright. Sure, Aniston and Chelsea Handler are probably sipping Vodka through a Smart Water bottle laughing their asses off and thanking God there is attention off their bombs of a movie. Sure, there are millions of google searches going on solely based on your leg. Okay, yeah, your leg has now replaced the leg lamp in A Christmas Story. But it's alright. Because you are Angelina fucking Jolie. People seem to forget that you were (and probably still) bat shit cray. Don't worry, you'll be good.

Advice: Make a shirt that says "Talk to the Leg," call your favorite photo agency, pick a nice location where it's just you and one of your kids (yes, one, we don't want your cute gaggle, distracting from the shirt) and just give a small smirk as you strut down the street. Laughing at yourself is the best you can do my love.

xoxo

The NYC Film Chick

Crystal Clear?

I respect Billy Crystal, immensely. The man has hosted the Oscars 9 times and he was chosen at an hour of need. It's a new generation and yes, jokes fell flat. He wasn't amazing, but he wasn't terrible, either. However, he was out there doing his thing (no matter how outdated it was.) And you gotta respect him for that. And he got to live thousands of women's dreams and kiss Clooney. How did you think he fared?

 

Post-Oscar Haze Key Points

Well, that's it. The 2011 award season is officially over. The ceremony was dull at best with safe choice Billy Crystal trying to steer the evenings ship to a comfortable dock. One can only wonder what would've happened if Brett Ratner kept his mouth shut and Eddie Murphy ended up hosting.

• Celeb body parts being the object of attention. J.Lo's nip slip and Jolie's leg already have a strong twitter following HERE and HERE
• Billy Crystal got a great dye job 
• The Scorsese drinking game still lives on (and we love it)
• A total Meryl shock. I love a good surprise, but let's be honest, you were silly if you completely brushed off the force of the Streep. She's got Harvey on her side.
• Apparently, Hugo was really good, and I'm a shitty film person for not seeing it, yet *bows head in shame*
• From: The Artist To: All the pretentious, hipster, haters who a few months back loved me, but now that I have become too mainstream, dislike me immensely:

•  Probably the last time seeing Uggie :[
• People practically carrying Octavia to the stage. You knew you were going to win, girl, you couldn't of found a more practical gown (it was gorgeous though)
• Maybe an unpopular but Cirque was amazing! I was entertained for the 2 minutes until Crystal came on to bore us some more.
• The beautiful, classy, respectful "In Memorium" (cue in the "You forgot" so and so)
• JOLIE'S LEG POP
• Winners making fun of Jolie's leg pop
• Christopher Plummer being a class motherfucker
• Jean Dujardin's win
• The Artist for Best Picture and the million overused "Silence is Golden" usage afterwards

 

Interview with Writers Guild of America Member Dr. Steven Kussin: Screenings, Predictions and Plans For Sunday Night

As a member of the Writers Guild of America Dr. Steve Kussin gives his insight into the process of screening films, which films he feels deserves Sundays gold, and what he will be doing Sunday night.

Name:  Dr. Steven Kussin

Occupation: Adjunct Professor of Radio-TV-Film, Hofstra University
 
Explain how being in the Writers Guild allows you to screen award nominated films. What do you vote on? What film were you pleasantly surprised about and which ones were you not crazy about?

This is awards season: The Academy Awards....Screen Actors Guild... the Writers Guild of America--and others. As a member of the WGA, I try to view all the entries and then vote. Generally, our members vote on the "writing" aspect of the nominees. I felt it was a strong field this year. The films were very different. Need I say more about "The Artist" which I enjoyed on several counts. I felt that "The Help" captured an important era in our nation's history; I view it as a "prequel" to the Civil Rights movement. And "The Descendants" was a captivating family-in-crisis story, beautifully filmed. The other entries also had a great deal to offer as well. There was no problem coming up with a list of top pictures this year.

How many films did you see that are up for nomination for this Sundays Oscar? Which ones did you screen and which ones did you see in theaters?

 I got to see most of the films. Although it's convenient to see them home, it's very different when you see them on the wide screen and are part of a larger audience.

 Your Predictions: You can choose from any category you want (Best Actor, Film, Actress, Supporting,etc) Feel free to add whatever you want

Since these are not writing categories, I am commenting simply as an avid movie-goer, rather than a WGA member. I think that "The Help" will fare very well in all categories, particularly Best Actress and Supporting Actress. As I said above, "The Artist" was unique in every way. George Clooney, as well as his supporting cast, told a simple yet poignant family story. "Midnight in Paris" was one of Woody Allen's best efforts. It could go all the way. I think Meryl Streep may give Viola Davis a run for the money for best actress. As one critic said, she doesn't play the part-- she becomes the part. Although I didn't see Christopher Plummer's movie, I heard he was terrific. It's interesting that this was the year of the French: Midnight in Paris, The Artist, Hugo.

What are your plans for Sunday?
 
We have a tradition on Oscar night:  send out for our favorite dinner -- and then plant ourselves in front of the television -- from the Red Carpet -- to the final award.  No e-mails, phone calls, or interruptions!  This is a very special night.  I've always been fascinated with just about every aspect of the movie business.

Kids Predict the 2012 Oscars

I love kids.

Project X: The High School Party You Wish You Had

For awhile now the posters for the upcoming Hangover baby, Project X, have been hanging all around my campus. The people here are excited for this film. Like, REALLY excited. Sandy Schaefer over at Screen Rant refers to the upcoming film as 'The Hangover' meets 'Cloverfield'. And dare I say it, even I'm excited for the film (I couldn't make the screening sadly.) For weeks the film has been showing at different colleges. All sectors of the college social demographics are talking about it, and honestly, I can't blame them. Check out the trailer alone:

Prediction: This film is going to go over well. And I don't mean with just kids my age.  I think Project X will become a success through word of mouth to the point where adults will even want to check it out. Because, let's be honest. Parents have no clue what goes on at their kids high school and college parties. Sure, they may think the worse thing would be alcohol and cigs, but I think this film will give a very candid view on what a real party can turn into (obviously not to the grand scale of Project X, but to a certain degree.)

The film has a lot of things going for it. The main characters are true underdogs with different identifiable personalities.  A director who has directed the 2 best party movies of our time (Todd Phillips who gave us Old School and The Hangover) and who knows what he's doing when it comes to frat party entertainment and humor. Also, we love when good things spin out of control. I foresee, this being one of the most epic films of the year.

The Men of This Means War: Who's Your Pick?

In the recently released film This Means War Resse Witherspoon has to choose the love of Chris Pine or Tom Hardy. When asked who would win the ultimate love smack down, I was surprised to see that the answers were almost split 50/50. After going through multiple fan forums and comments I compiled a brief overview on what makes these two so desirable.

Chris Pine: The Star Trek star has a lot of things going for him. Good looks, an admirable physique, and a steady career. The charming Pine has a lot of charm and charisma which any woman would be defenseless against. Also, the man has a wicked sense of humor. Many have said that the "Pinto" bromance with Zachary Quinto makes him 'adorable' and also a person who is loyal to their friends.

Tom Hardy: Recently dubbed the closest thing to Brando by one of Brando's friends, Tom Hardy has a lot going for him. Talent, passion, and that intensity that can be used when he's working with the likes of Gary Oldman or Christian Bale. The English actor is rough around the edges and has that mysterious rebel quality which females fall victim to at one point or another. He seems to have landed in the exclusive club of actors who are predicted to have shining careers in the near future.


Who is your pick?