My Oscar Predictions: 2011

Well its that time of year, its the year where we watch rich people win awards and brag about! Yah!!!!

Nonetheless, Since I have picked on most of the movies of 2010, I figured, "Lets throw my crazy ass critic opinion into the prediction table for the movies." So while I like to have an opinion, I feel only to have a prediction for where it is due. So Without further distraction...My Predictions are as follows...

Best Original Screenplay Nominees: Mike Leigh for "Another Year," Scott Silver, Paul Tamasy and Eric Johnson for "The Fighter," Christopher Nolan for "Inception," Lisa Cholodenko and Stuart Blumerg for "The Kids Are All Right."

My Prediction: I loved most of the movies on this list but "Inception" will take the Oscar home. You know as much as we relate to the script, no one can out due Christopher Nolan's genius with a cop/robber movie with a completely different spin to it. I am still to this day boggled from the manipulation this alienated script made me feel.

Best Adapted Screenplay Nominees: Danny Boyle and Simon Beaufoy for "127 hours," Aaron Sorkin for "The Social Network," John Lasseter, Andrew Standton and Lee Unkrich for "Toy Story 3," Joel Coen and Ethan Coen for "True Grit," Debra Granik and Anne Rosellini for "Winter's Bone."

My Prediction: As much as i would love "Toy Story 3" to win this one, I know that "The Social Network" is the favorite and more then likely going to be the victor in this round. The script is flawless, beside the fact that they are talking about complex ideas and assuming we know what they are talking about. It was smooth and adapted better then any of its contenders.

Best Cinematography Nominees: Matthew Libatique for "Black Swan," Wally Pfister for "Inception," Danny Cohen for "The Kings Speech," Jeff Cronenweth for "The Social Network," Roger Deakins for "True Grit."

My Prediction: This falls down to a matter of favorite and who really deserves it. Honestly its a close call but I am going to faithfully stand by who deserves the award and thats Wally Pfister for "Inception." To create such beautiful movements with story and still be able to pull off such an amazing movie is all but incredible. You take the idea of putting an audience in a dream of a dream and still be able to follow the movie, well hats off to you.

Best Animated Feature Film Nominees: "How to Train Your Dragon," "Illusionist," "Toy Story 3."

My Prediction: I absolutely loved these movies. I would root for How to train your dragon in a heart beat, but Toy Story 3 was moving, funny and original, even after 2 movies and deserves the oscar.

Best Supporting Actor Nominees: Christian Bale for "The Fighter," John Hawkes for "Winter's Bone," Jeremy Renner for "The Town," Mark Ruffalo for "The Kids are all Right," Geoffrey Rush for "The King's Speech,"

My Prediction: Do I have to pick one? I loved Mark Ruffalo and Jeremy Renner. Jeremy Renner gave me chills seeing him on film, and Mark Ruffalo made me want to hate him throughout his performance. But in all honestly, the best performance go to Geoffrey Rush, for he truly deserves it. I'm throwing my ticket in for him.

Best Supporting Actress Nominees: Amy Adams FOR "The Fighter," Helena Bonham Carter for "The King's Speech," Melissa Leo for "The Fighter," Hailee Steinfeld for "True Grit," Jacki Weaver for "Animal Kingdom."

My Prediction: I love Amy Adams, and her role in the fighter was very well done, but I am predicting the Oscar going to Melissa Leo for her role as the controlling mother in "The Fighter." She is crass, stubborn, yet frail. I loved her performance and I am putting my nod to her.

Best Actor Nominees: Javier Bardem for "Biutiful," Jeff Bridges for "True Grit," Jesse Eisenberg for "The Social Network," Colin Firth for "The King's Speech," and James Franco for "127 Hours."

My Prediction: My two favorite performances were noted in this category and I am glad that the acadamy recognized this: Jesse Eisenberg and Colin Firth. Both Phenomenal Actors. On that note, all hail a true King, for Colin Firth nailed this part. He incorporated witty, short tempered, yet broken all in the same act and was perfected. Thank you for still being so amazing Colin!

Best Actress Nominations: Annette Bening for "The Kids are all Right," Nicole Kidman for "Rabbit Hole," Jennifer Lawrence for "Winter's Bone," Natalie Portman for "Black Swan," and Michelle Williams for "Blue Valentine."

My Prediction: Again, Annette Bening is one of my favorite actresses and I will continue to love her work, but Natalie is taking Oscar home this year. Of all the performances I have seen this year, nothing stunned,moved and intensified my experience like Natalie Portman. Well done!

Best Director Nominations: Darren Aronofsky for "Black Swan," David O. Russell for "The Fighter," Tom Hopper for "The King's Speech," David Fincher for "The Social Network," and Joel and Ethan Coen for "True Grit."

My Prediction: Who Deserves it? Darren Aronofsky, but knowing the trends, David Fincher will win it. Where is Christopher Nolan? Anyone?

Best Picture Nominations: "Black Swan," "The Fighter," "Inception," "The Kids Are All Right," "The King's Speech," "127 Hours," "The Social Network," "Toy Story 3," "True Grit," "Winter's Bone."

My Prediction: This is a tough choice. Both "The King's Speech" and "Inception," both deserve it, but "The Social Network," is the favorite. With that said, "The Social Network," will win Best picture and a devastating blow to the two movies that deserved it.

MOVIE REVIEW: NO STRINGS ATTACHED

(2011 Paramount Pictures)

Review

Acting: There Are always certain actors that either don't try, or are really that good at acting. With Ashton Kutcher, for some reason this guy can make any dialogue turn into pudding and go down smoothly. As much as i am tired of him not taking risks for his acting, I can hate his performance, because it worked for him.

Natalie Portman on the other hand has come a long way from "Star Wars: Phantom Menace." She is the heart and beat of this movie when it comes to acting. At first, I saw her as more of a sweet, less slutty girl. But the more I watched the more convinced she could pull it off. She is spunky, and was casted perfectly. I couldn't stop laughing with her performance. She will continue to be an actress more going forward. B+

Cinematography: Well what can you say about the cinematography? The colors are mediocre, and with a romantic comedy its not really the point. The acting and script go to the forefront of the story. So this had nothing special to it, and nothing you hadn't seen before. B

Entertainment: Romantic Comedies in a lot of ways have the very same similar template. So the Challenge for film makers, amidst other rules, is to make this genre more interesting based on its entertainment, actors and the script. Nonetheless, This movie is worth the inflated price of the movie. I was laughing throughout the movie. The entertainment was good, and as much as i wanted to not laugh, and continue to judge, i couldn't help but soak in the comedy. The jokes weren't campy, but necessary and comfortable. This was a well thought out movie and worth the money to see. A-

SCRIPT: Its hard to take a romantic comedy and say this script was original, but it wasn't. There are many movies that have taped into this idea and there will be even more movies coming out in the future, "Strings" just beat most of them to the punch. Moreover, the script was entertaining, and did keep my interest. We can look at this movie as a fun, light hearted movie, with comedic originality. B+

OVERALL GRADE:

B+

MOVIE REVIEW: LITTLE FOCKERS

(2010 UNIVERSAL PICTURES)

REVIEW

ACTING: Where do I start with a franchise, that for some reason is still getting money to make the franchise. The acting was mediocre and emotional less. Jessica Alba drove me nuts. I cringed every time she showed up on screen. I wanted to scream. Robert DeNiro's one toned acting chops was entertaining for ten minutes, and then i was done.. Ben Stiller transitioned in the movie as a tough character, then changed completely like a bipolar individual. Ben Stiller wasn't consistent or made any sense to the story or the acting. Dustin Hoffman was thankfully still in the movie, who's comedic timing was perfect. I loved Barbara Streisand and Owen Wilson were just as hilarious.-C

CINEMATOGRAPHY: There is nothing unique about this movie. It was truly a movie you have seen over and over and over and unfortunately "Fockers," doesn't try to hide it. It was worse then a bad TV episode.-D-

ENTERTAINMENT: This movie wasn't entertaining. The jokes aren't unique and the same jokes used in the last two movies were used in this movie. So watch the first "Meet the Parents." You will be more entertained then. Thank goodness, Owen Wilson, Barbara Streisand, and Dustin Hoffman, because the jokes they made were still hilarious.-D-

SCRIPT: Two Words: Very Lame. This movie was boring, predictable and i couldn't wait for this film to finish. Meet the Parents was ok, Meet the Fockers was better, but this movie wasn't worth the money it made. I wonder why this movie is still in theaters.F+

OVERALL GRADE: D

RECOMMEND: REGIFT

MOVIE REVIEW: COUNTRY STRONG

(2011 Sony Pictures)

REVIEW

ACTING: Don't every doubt the gorgeous Gwyneth Paltrow when it comes to acting. The woman will always know what she is doing. I lost myself watching her play a troubled country icon. G.P. kept me focused on her the whole time. I do want to note though, I did feel that she came off one note after awhile, due to the desperation in the story. I do believe though that it wasn't the actors fault. Tim Mcgraw wasn't my favorite on the other hand. The man could have done more to the character of a controlling husband and manager, and only surfaced the character. The supporting cast was brilliant and nailed their parts. ACTING GRADE: A-

CINEMATOGRAPHY: When I see a movie, I want to seen a director use the most of their camera and scene. I felt that the director did. When the performances were filmed i felt i was in the bar, or in the concert. From the hotel rooms in the colors, to the landscapes of touring, i was pleasantly surprised with this films technique with the cinematography. The only real issue i had with it, is there was a lot of redundancy with the same camera angles. CINEMATOGRAPHY GRADE: A-

ENTERTAINMENT: This movie truly shows the life some lead in the entertainment industry. Drugs, alcohol and lust for more fame can affect anyone the way people in this movie did. As much as this movie did move me, the entertainment factor was dampened due to the tone of the movie. I was begging for something that would make me feel better about the characters situation, yet the theme stayed the same. ENTERTAINMENT: B-

SCRIPT: The script was phenomenal when it came to the dialogue, the plot, and the pace. To see someone reaching to please so many people at once truly told an identifiable story to many. Gwen translated the script perfect, and the struggle for the country icons serenity was worth the telling. This is definitely not one to miss. SCRIPT GRADE: A+

OVERALL GRADE: A-

RECOMMENDATION: THEATER

MOVIE REVIEW: THE FIGHTER

(2010 Paramount Pictures)

REVIEW

ACTING: The Fighter is based on a real life fighter Mickey Ward and his older brother Dickie Eklund. Dickie is a troubled man who struggles with addiction and a loss of a career. Christian Bale played Dickie perfectly and represented the character with ease. Mark Walberg also pulled off Mickey Ward like it was second nature for him. I could believe that Mark walberg was a man desperate to find some footing in life. Costars alike kept up with the two leads as well. Amy Adams played a very unfailing, yet vulnerable love interest of Mickey Ward, which was refreshing to see her in such a dominate part. -ACTING GRADE: A+

CINEMATOGRAPHY: To take a small town scene, and crowd of screaming fans, and make the audience feel like they can feel the desperation of the main actor, and the grit of a prison cell, take some amazing cinematography. I believe Fighter did everything it was meant to do and more, from the blood in the ring, it was as if i was wiping the sweat from the camera to keep up with the fight. I was on the edge of my seat to see Mark Walberg fight for his life. Granted, acting does play a big part in belief, but so does this category.-CINEMATOGRAPHY GRADE: A+

ENTERTAINMENT: I know a lot of my readers are going to be happy that I am putting this category out here, one because a lot of the time the fight between a good movie is its entertainment value. The Fighter was more then entertainment. I was glued to the screen for the most of the movie. I was enveloped by the individuality of each characters personality, and this made the film very entertaining. Moreover, this doesn't mention that fact that the fighting scened were breathtaking. ENTERTAINMENT GRADE:A

SCRIPT: One of the biggest elements in a movie that can ruin it is the script,the plot, the pace and the dialogue. It can turn us off, or move us. It didn't take me long to fall in love with this script. The nice part of the script is the writer didn't make the fighting the only element that contributed to the life of the story. With any good movie there are a multitude of things that make the movie success, and rightly Fighter was successful with this. SCRIPT GRADE: A+

OVERALL GRADE:A+

RECOMMENDED: THEATERS

CHANGES TO THE WAY I REVIEW THE MOVIES

Thanks again for all of your support! You comments motivate me to keep it up. Since its a new year, The way i review movies are going to change. A movie will be critiqued in 5 different categories: Acting, Cinematography, Entertainment, Script, and Overall Movie. At the end of my reviews, you can still go to the end and see the Grade and whether it should be rented, trashed, re gifted, or if its worth seeing in theaters. Finally, the last change is that I will post the trailer of the movie on my review.

Thanks again for understanding! Check out the next two films I am reviewing: THE FIGHTER and COUNTRY STRONG.

Millionaire Man: Part Six

(For All you new subscribers: P.S. Thank You, I write short stories and post them on my blog along with any movie reviews. Thanks for you support!)

Millionaire Man- Part Six-----------------------------------------------------------------------

“A Proposition huh?” I said in hesitation. The man smiled as he opened his book of appointments.

“What are you doing tomorrow?” He said. I stared blankly, shrugging my shoulders.

“Well I work tomorrow.”

The man laughed. “Nope, you’re coming to my office tomorrow and we are going to have a meeting about your future. I am going to change your life.” I looked at the man for a second in silence. I didn’t know what to think of the stranger. I wanted to act like his few words didn’t make me feel like he was a glimmer of hope for me, but in reality, anything someone said to me was relief. I wanted to believe him, but the way I saw it, nothing that has been good in my life has stayed, so why get worked up in frenzy for no reason.

“Whoa, Whoa, Whoa,” I said. “Look Mr., Last time I just let someone tell me what to do, I lost all control of my life. Hell they’re still at my apartment.”

“Trust me, come tomorrow, you won’t regret it.” The man smiled, “By the way I’m Sam.”

“I’m Cory.”

My shift was over, finally. After the encounter with Sam, I wanted to get home. My mind wasn’t anywhere it should be. I was thinking about killing myself again and leave this world. My mouth felt stale, and my heart was empty. The road to nowhere was beginning to fill itself, and I wanted to avoid it. I didn’t want to know my future. I was going to end my life, and that was that. Well, that was the dream at the moment. At least then I could see my mom again.

My insecurity for the situation lingered as I pulled up to my apartment. I sighed deeply as I kept my glazed eyes fixed on the outside of my car. The smell of a skunk flowed into my car, distracting my daze. I looked up at my apartment window, seeing it partially opened. A steam of smoke slowly seeped out the window, with a tempting movement. Jessie and Amanda were unfortunately still at my place. I cursed at the sky, since the man upstairs didn’t remove the infested visitors still in my home. “What do you want from me?” I said looking up.

As I unlocked the door, the dusty apartment smelled like pot and chocolate. Jessie was thumbing through one of my photo albums, while Amanda was making something in the kitchen. I shut the door quietly, hoping to avoid any unwanted attention. It didn’t take long for Amanda to notice me creeping passed her. She rolled her eyes and yelled over the boiling water, “Looks like depression came back.”

“Nice to see you too freeloader,” I hissed, “What are you making?”

“Brownies!” Amanda giggled. I grunted my way to my room, mumbling profanities under my breath. Amanda, charmed said: “Night Punk, See you soon.”

I laid in bed, closing my burning eyes and spinning head, and then fell asleep. My obsession with trying to get my mother back from the dead continued to stay with me, but only in my dreams. This time I was sitting in a car, speeding across the beach. The top was down while the sand spun between the tires. I kept driving, but my eyes were looking toward the ocean as the waves pushed and pulled the wind. Its power overwhelmed me. I could hear echoes draw me to the lighthouse at the far end of the beach. I slid to a halt in front of the lighthouse, when I noticed a shadow domesticating the top of the lighthouse. Could it be who I think it is? The echoes got louder. I got out of the car and opened the door to the lighthouse, climbing to the top with exertion and every breath I had in my system.

The voice kept saying, “you’re not ready,” like they already knew my plans of leaving this world. When I got to the top of the lighthouse, the shadow was gone. I looked outside and saw the shadow looking up at me. I continued to hear, “You’re not ready.”

“But why,” I cried, “I can’t do this anymore. I have no friends, no life and no family. Why do I need to be here?”

“Wake up honey,” She said, “There is love all around you.” I could recognize the voice. It was my mother and she was reaching out to me again. The shadow began to walk into the water, though she never lost my eye contact.

“Wake up, Wake up…” As she immersed herself into the water, I called out to her. I hit the glass of the lighthouse in desperation, calling her name, with no avail. My voice couldn’t reach her. It was as if the lighthouse was my prison and my unholy sanctuary.

“Wake up DAMN IT.” The voice was no longer, my mother, but Amanda, waking me up. I woke up, shaken from the intensity of my dream. I looked up at Amanda. I saw her hand was holding my wrist tight, while the other wrist she was trying to grab with gauze. Her hand was filled with wrapping and blood. I looked down, only to see my injured wrist reopened and cut. Blood and sweat covered my arm and body.

“I have to rewrap this punk, stop moving.” Amanda’s calm but stern hand took my wrist and wiped it down with a wash cloth, cleaning it the best that should could. I looked up to her calmly. I was grateful for once of her help. Her hand was warm, and it felt good to be touched. I took her hand, and kissed her arm.

“Thank you,” I said with deep sincerity in my eyes. Amanda stopped for a moment to gage my true meaning to my statement, and smiled, “Your welcome.”

I fell into a very calm sleep, on the floor with Jessie and Amanda that night.

The next morning, I woke up and looked at Amanda and Jessie. They both slept in calm soothing breaths and peaceful. As I got ready to meet Sam, I could tell my opinion of them was changing. As I drove to Sam’s office, I looked at my bandaged wrist and smiled. Maybe my dream meant more then chasing my mothers fading memory. Maybe people do care about if I am going to be living or not. I left my emotions in the car and walked up to the exuberant receptionist at the front desk of Sam’s office. The receptionist was way too excited to be a secretary.

“Good Morning!” She happily sang.

“Hi, I’m looking for Sam,” I mumbled.

“You must be Cory?” the receptionist said.

“Yea,” I hummed.

“Oh good, he is expecting you.” The receptionist looked down at her watch as she got up, “Oh and your early, that’s great, Sam loves that. Why don’t you follow me to his office?”

We walked down a long, narrow hallway that led to a black door titled: “Sam Sullivan.”

“Mr. Sullivan, someone is here to see you, Cory.” The Receptionist respectfully announced while slowly peering into Sam’s office.

“Excellent, thank you Stacy.” He replied. I walked in, and waved shyly. “Cory, its good to see you, come sit down. Close the door behind you.” I shut the door and sat down in front of the man who believed he could save my life and future. I was completely engaged before Sam said anything.

“So, I’m sure you are wondering why I called you.” He smiled, “Well, one of the reasons is that you are a hard worker and smart individual. I feel like I can really benefit from your talents. They are wasted at a local pizza shop.” Sam paused for a moment, and then sighed before continuing, “Can I be frank with you Cory?”

I looked down for a moment then back at Sam, “Sure.”

Sam stood up, and looked at me, “I have been watching you for the past couple weeks and frankly you seem miserable. Not just miserable though, you seem like you’re done with life in general and well I can’t let you do anything stupid. I am going to make your life better.”

“How could you make it any better?” I sarcastically taunted.

“I am going to prove it to you. Ill do it right now. Name your dream car right now.”

I looked back discombobulated. “What? Why?”

“Just Trust me Cory.” He said in a confident condescending tone. I rolled my eyes, but closed my eyes, trying to think of my favorite car. I’ve always wanted an Audi A4, I thought to myself. I loved the way the car glimmered in the sunlight in the pictures. Its tantalizing appeal made my eyes glow.

“A4, Audi.” I mumbled.

“Done, I can get it to you in two days,” Sam said, “Anything Else?”

“What do you mean anything else?” I said in shocked. I felt like I just won the lottery, and he wanted to know if I wanted something else? My excitement was hard to control.

“You name it; I can give it to you. You want a vacation? I can give it to you. Do you want a house? I’ll have one for you by the end of the week. When I mean you can have anything, you can have anything. All I ask is that you work for me.”

I sat back in frozen silence. As my mind left my frozen body, I began to daydream. I saw fortune of plenty surrounding my life, like waves of money carrying me to my dream home in Paris, France. My dream faded, with the realization of the invisible obligation Sam hadn’t stated implying yet. I took a deep breath out of my dream and jumped back to reality. I let go of my excitement for moment, and stared straight into Sam’s eyes.

“So, what is expected from me?” I said in anticipation of the minimal work. I didn’t want to work hard since working hard produced little or no results. So why work for it, Fuck Life.

“Well you would be working around my office for a while until we got better acquainted. After a couple weeks, I am going to give you some more responsibility, and ill pay you more by then as well. I’ll give you a car then as well. What do you think? Ready to leave the crappy life you’ve lived and join the land of the living?”

I looked down in silence.

“I have to think about it.”

A Special Thank You with Deep Sincerity

(At a Networking Party for Actors and people in the industry. Portland Or)

I wanted to thank everyone for being such a support for me this year. There were a lot of changes happening this year that made my life grow as well as make me more conscience of my surrounding. So thanks to a good friends idea, I'm going to swipe it from him and give you a brief rundown of my 2010:

Since I dont remember a lot, this is the highlights. Thank you all for truly being there for me. Your all so special to me.

(2010 John Baltzar)

• In the beginning of the year, things weren't so good. I was dealing with a lot of personal issues as well as depression. Fighting tooth and nail through my journey through therapy, I was able to begin to establish who I was as a person.
• My Bucket list started losing things off of it. I wrote a short story that I was able to send to a publisher. Also I wrote my first screenplay.
• I wrote and directed my first short film. It premiered at the Hollywood theater in December
• I fell in love with one of the most interesting people I have ever met. We broke up 3 and a half months later, and I don't regret a day. On the same note, earlier this year I also learned to love myself.
• I made some amazing new friends as well as met some famous individuals. I am truly blessed.
• I decided this year to start writing a blog. At first it was for personal venting but then i began to write movie reviews, and it became my poison. I went from one subscriber to now twelve, and I am very happy about that.
• I began to market myself better on Facebook adding a "fan page" to my Facebook. Again reaching almost 60 fans on the page and its growing!! P.S. if you haven't already please "share" me on your Facebooks and "like me." Thank you!
• I had some amazing photography shoots including some with a good friend named John Baltzar and others, like wainwright photography. Thanks Guys!
• Finally I got the chance to be a part of a networking event in Portland Oregon, where people in the entertainment business got together to meet people from the community. What a treat.
• I was in five films this year including an indie film called "The Innocent."

Thank You all again!

(2010 John Baltzar)