And the Nominees Were:Theodore Bikel in The Defiant OnesLee J. Cobb in The Brothers KaramazovBurl Ives in The Big CountryGig Young in Teacher's PetArthur Kennedy in Some Came Runn...
Alternate Best Supporting Actor 2005: Ed Harris in A History of Violence
Ed Harris did not receive an Oscar nomination for portraying Carl Fogarty in A History of Violence.Ed Harris portrays the Philadelphia gangster who comes looking for diner owner Tom Stall who recently killed two men trying to rob his diner..
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Best Supporting Actor 1945: Results
5. John Dall in The Corn is Green- Dall gives a dull boring performance that fits his rather dull film.4. J. Carrol Naish in A Medal for Benny- Naish is the best part of his film, and does give some emotional weight to his performance, but it is still is not anything that special.3. Robert Mitchum in The Story of G.I. Joe- Mitchum gives a good performance that...
Best Supporting Actor 1945: Michael Chekhov in Spellbound
Michael Chekhov received his only Oscar nomination for portraying Dr. Alexander Brulov in Spellbound.Spellbound is a lesser Alfred Hitchcock thriller about an amnesiac (Gregory Peck) who may or may not be a murderer who is being helped by a psychoanalyst Dr. Constance Peterson (Ingrid Bergman).Michael Chekhov was best known as a theater actor, as well as...
RIP Davy Jones of the Monkees
Davy Jones of the Monkees passed away this morning in Florida. He was only 66.For kids of my generation (and we are still kids) this in an especially tough one. If anything, the Monkees represented eternal youth. The goofy spirit of fun and misadventure they projected was infectious. My condolences to his family, friends, and many fans. We're just trying to be friendly,So come watch...
Take a flying Leap Day
My heart goes out to those poor people born on Leap Day. Three out of four years they never get friends wishing them Happy Birthday on Facebook. There are other heartaches they face as well, but who are we kidding? That’s the big one. In New Zealand on non-leap years a February 29th birthday is officially celebrated on the 28th. Those folks can legally drink one day early. And your...
Best Supporting Actor 1945: James Dunn in A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
James Dunn won his Oscar from his nomination for portraying Johnny Nolan in A Tree Grows in Brooklyn.A Tree Grows in Brooklyn is a moving film that depicts the struggles of a poor family who lives in a Brooklyn tenement.There are many types of Oscar winners particularly in the way their win seems to stand. There are those which it just stands as part of an already great career...
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Best Supporting Actor 1945: Robert Mitchum in The Story of G.I. Joe
Robert Mitchum received his only Oscar nomination for portraying Lieutenant later Captain Bill Walker in The Story of G.I. Joe.The Story of G.I. Joe follows war correspondent Ernie Pyle (Burgess Meredith) as he follows a group of U.S. soldiers during World War II. Robert Mitchum despite a long successful film career only ever received a single Oscar...
Final Oscar thoughts
Wow! People have strong opinions when it comes to the Oscars. Thanks to everyone for your comments on my review yesterday – even the ones who disagreed with me (and left their names). So let me respond to your responses. If you thought it was a good entertaining show – great. If you enjoyed Billy Crystal, thought he was affable and amusing – terrific. You’re clearly not alone. Even...
Monday, February 27, 2012
My 2012 Oscar Review
It’s not enough the AMPAS celebrates movies for four hours. This year they nominated movies that celebrate movies. Without a doubt this was the most excruciatingly boring Oscarcast EVER. The highlight was the Ellen DeGeneres J.C. Penney commercials. Other than Meryl Streep’s win (too bad for Viola Davis this was the year Meryl was deemed “due”), and the shocking upset when GIRL WITH THE...
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Why I review the Oscars
Before blogs, social networks, Skype, and instant messages we had to communicate with each other on the internet through an archaic function called email. No live blogging, no live tweeting – it was like living with the Flintstones. So one year in the mid-90’s I wrote a bitchy Oscarcast review and sent it my contacts via this email feature. In the Levine household it’s a tradition for the...
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Best Supporting Actor 1945: John Dall in The Corn is Green
John Dall received his only Oscar nomination for portraying Morgan Evans in The Corn is Green.The Corn is Green is another film that seemed quite popular during this period about a small mining town, this time the central story consists Miss Moffatt (Bette Davis) who seeks to educate the people of the town.John Dall who is best known for portraying the...
Eavesdropping on the audience during the Oscars
The Oscars are tomorrow night. My snarky review will appear early Monday morning. During the telecast they always cut-away to quick audience shots. What they should do is just stay with one of the attendees. You’d hear what they’re really thinking. Fortunately, I was able to eavesdrop:Jesus, getting through that red carpet was a fucking nightmare. Who were those idiots doing the...
Friday, February 24, 2012
Best Supporting Actor 1945: J. Carrol Naish in A Medal for Benny
J. Carrol Naish received his second and final Oscar nomination for portraying Charley Martin in A Medal For Benny.A Medal for Benny details a boring love story between two people that seems basically pointless when the film suddenly changes to a satire on the idea of war time heroism as a former rouge Benny becomes a war hero leaving the town wishing to profit from...
Bracing myself for comments from irate readers
Here are this week’s Friday questions – a light diversion as you obsess over who will win an Oscar this Sunday. As always, I’ll be reviewing them Monday morning. But for now…Up first is Kaan:Have you ever (or writers you know) had problems with actors because of different political believes? Like maybe there was a scene that promoted liberal values and an actor didn't like it because he...
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Person of Interest
It’s amazing the shit you let slide when you like a show. PERSON OF INTEREST is absurd on practically every level but I enjoy it. It’s THE EQUALIZER meets BIG BROTHER. Holes in the storytelling you could drive a 380-Airbus through yet I watch anyway. In fact, part of the fun is recognizing the gaping craters and being amused by them. Let’s explore a few, shall we? The major conceit is...
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Best Supporting Actor 1945
And the Nominees Were:Michael Chekhov in SpellboundJ. Carrol Naish in A Medal for BennyJames Dunn in A Tree Grows in Brooklyn John Dall in The Corn is GreenRobert Mitchum in The Story of G.I. ...
Best Supporting Actor 2011: Results
5. Jonah Hill in Moneyball- Jonah Hill's performance is functional enough, but it never really stands out as anything that needed to be awarded.4. Nick Nolte in Warrior- Nolte tries hard and gives a descent performance, but as with all of his performances, he never completely realizes the potential of his part.3. Christopher Plummer in Beginners- Plummer's performance...
the Levine movie rating system
Categorizing movies by whether they’re violent or family-friendly is a joke. All the kids that can’t get into an R rated flick – they watch them on Netflix two months later, pausing and playing back in slow motion the good parts. Find me a 16 year-old boy who hasn’t seen Anne Hathaway naked. Better than categorizing movies is prioritizing them. Label them based on your desire to see th...
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Best Supporting Actor 2011: Kenneth Branagh in My Week With Marilyn
Kenneth Branagh received his second acting Oscar nomination for portraying Laurence Olivier in My Week With Marilyn.My Week With Marilyn tells of the story of the troubles of the production of the Prince and the Showgirl, and Marilyn Monroe relationship with one of the assistant directors the rather dull Colin Clark. The film takes too much of a scatter...
Random blogservations...
JUSTIFIED is as great as ever this season! I love the current villain: Hedley Lamar from BLAZING SADDLES.I’m a little hurt that serious presidential candidate, Roseanne hasn’t asked me to be her running mate.More political correctness bullshit: The Houston Astros are celebrating their 50th season by wearing their original uniforms on opening day – with one tiny alteration. For their...
Monday, February 20, 2012
In the bedroom with Bill & Hillary Clinton
Worth seeing tonight and tomorrow night is the 4-hour PBS documentary, CLINTON. Love Bill or hate him you’ve got to admit he’s a fascinating character. I saw the program recently on the ship (something to do during the cyclone) and was most impressed with how fair and balanced it was. Other than some really unflattering shots of the young Hillary (and hey, it was her choice to wear those...
Sunday, February 19, 2012
The most amazing X-rated magic act you'll ever see
This is the act I saw in Sydney. Warning: It's not for the kids. But it is for adults who want to laugh their asses off. Her name is Ursula Martinez. Let's see David Copperfield do THIS....
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Never have a cake when your show is in trouble
Thanks to everyone for your birthday greetings. I had a lovely time and saw Elke Sommers as we waited together for the valet. Today is my lovely wife’s big day. Happy B-Day, Deb! She likes birthdays more than me. But then, I’ve had a couple of work-related celebrations that can best be described as… unfortunate. First was during the premiere year of CHEERS. The secretaries and P.A.’s...
Friday, February 17, 2012
One thing you didn't know about Peri Gilpin
Ready for Presidents’ Weekend? Got your costume? Let’s get you in the mood with some Friday Questions. Leave yours in the comments section. And don’t party too hard this Prez Wknd.Ann starts us off: I have a "Frasier" question (or a request, really). I was reading your story about Peri Gilpin's casting as Roz Doyle and I was wondering if you had any more Peri stories. She seems like such...
Best Supporting Actor 2011: Albert Brooks in Drive
Albert Brooks should have received his second Oscar nomination for portraying Bernie Rose in Drive. (Well since it might be a bit before I get a chance to see Branagh, I am reviewing him here anyway)Drive is a great thriller about an unnamed stunt driver (Ryan Gosling) who also moonlights as a getaway driver for criminals which inadvertently causes him serious problems.Albert...
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Why I have no use for the Grammys
A lot of people have asked me why I don't review the Grammys. Any organization that gives Chris Brown awards instead of putting him in jail is not one I take seriously. I did watch some of it. Was thrilled by and for Adele. Poor Brian Wilson didn't seem to know where he was. As my partner David said, "the only thing missing from that Beach Boy set was their Filipino nurse." Seems to me all...
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Best Supporting Actor 2011: Max von Sydow in Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
Max von Sydow received his second Oscar nomination for portraying The Renter in Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close.Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close about a boy Oskar trying to find the purpose of a key his father had after his father died in the September 11 attacks maybe could have been okay if it were not the way the lead character is written, directed, and portrayed....
Surviving my first cyclone
Back to the travelogue. Part I was Monday.The ship sailed through Milford Sound on the way to New Zealand. Unfortunately, it was rainy and windy. But from the observation lounge I took some photos of breathtaking vague outlines of fjords, startling blobs that supposedly contain waterfalls, and one amazing shot that’s either a steep cliff or a rain forest. Next we went through that...
Best Supporting Actor 2011: Christopher Plummer in Beginners
Christopher Plummer won his Oscar from his second Oscar nomination for portraying Hal Fields in Beginners.Beginners tells of Oliver (Ewan McGregor) who deals with his current relationship with woman, and remembering his deceased mother, and father the latter who came out as gay after the death of his wife.Christopher Plummer has been described often...
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Best Supporting Actor 2011: Nick Nolte in Warrior
Nick Nolte received his third Oscar nomination for portraying Paddy Conlon in Warrior.Warrior details a winner take all mixed martial art tournament whose two main combatants are estranged brothers (Tom Hardy, Joel Edgerton) fighting for their own difficult reasons.Nolte is not an actor I can ever finding myself really liking. His performances usually can be...
Some Valentine's Day suggestions
I interrupt my travelogue with a Valentine’s Day post. Never one of my favorite holidays, possibly because it’s also my birthday. You’re supposed to feel in love on Valentine’s Day, not older. I find it interesting that arguably the most romantic movie of all-time is about a married woman who has an affair and is ready to dump her husband. The movie is CASABLANCA. Guys always dread...
Monday, February 13, 2012
Reporting from Down Under...
All pictures taken by me on my iPhoneGot invited to speak on a 15-day cruise. The ship was the Regent Seven Sea Voyager, a first-class line, and since the route was nowhere near Italy my wife Debby and I cheerfully accepted. So now I can say I’ve seen Australia, New Zealand, and survived a cyclone. Read on for the highlights and near-death experience. Flying to Australia takes almost...
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Picture Weekend concludes
Here are the final photos of the Wellington 7s Rugby Championship. Hopefully they've given you some fashion ideas. Hope you enjoyed picture weekend. My travelogue rolls tomorrow....
Best Supporting Actor 2011: Jonah Hill in Moneyball
Jonah Hill received his first Oscar nomination for portraying Peter Brand in Moneyball.Jonah Hill's nomination as the meek numbers cruncher who works for Brad Pitt's General Manger Billy Beane in Moneyball is one of those confusing sort of nominations. It could be looked upon as simply a bonus nomination for the film which was nominated for Best Picture as well as...
Why I love New Zealand
It's cause these people know how to dress. These are from last week's Wellington 7s Rugby Championship. A few more to come.&nb...
"I'll have two vikings with fries."
More "sports fans" from the Wellington 7s Rugby Championship. I'll have two vikings with friesMore on the way...
Crazies on parade
For the Wellington 7's Rugby Championship people traditionally dress up. Yes, it's weird but it sure as hell beats rioting. All day I'll be updating with more photos. Now these are sports fans. Tomorrow I post my Australia/New Zealand travelogue. From the frontFrom the backMore pictures later...
Saturday, February 11, 2012
foto follies continue....
Tomorrow: all the crazies who dressed up for the Wellington 7's Rugby Championship.So your wine doesn't spill during a cycloneTamaru NZ -- the really dumb tourists thought this was Monet's bridgeA New Zealand voter speaks!The high that summer day was 64An old time New Zealand dentist's office. A MUST seeNext to the captain, the most important crew member on the s...
My Aussie/Kiwi trip in pix continues....
This is what happens if you don't tip your stewardIn a NZ museum -- an ancient MouseketeerMine fell off after a couple of daysOkay, so I had to slip in a beauty shot. Couldn't resistAnother beauty shot -- the magnificent Eiffel Tower of MelbourneAs close as I got to the Australian OpenMore tonight...
A real Tasmanian Devil
I'll be posting these all weekend. Keep checking back. Beautiful Milford SoundsSome lovely passengers I met from MichiganMillion-dollar beachfront property in New ZealandA real Tasmanian Devil. Keep Porky Pig away.The Prime Minister of AustraliaMore later...
Best Supporting Actor 2011
And the Nominees Are:Max Von Sydow in Extremely Loud and Incredibly CloseKenneth Branagh in My Week With MarilynChristopher Plummer in BeginnersJonah Hill in MoneyballNick Nolte in Warr...
Pictures, I got pictures
Welcome to picture weekend. All weekend I'll be posting various photos from my recent trip to Australia & New Zealand. The hopefully humorous travelogue on Monday. Now when most people post pictures of their trips they're all beauty shots and family shots. ZZZZZZZ. I took a million of those but will instead share mostly fun odd stuff. You can Google beauty shots. So enjoy. And check...
Friday, February 10, 2012
Best Supporting Actor 1970: Results
5. Richard S. Catellano in Lovers and Other Strangers- Castellano is good even though his role is needlessly gimmicky at first, and rarely focused upon as a whole.4. John Marley in Love Story- Marley has few scenes but he makes the most of everyone. It is a moving and warm performance that fulfills its purpose.3. Chief Dan George in Little Big Man- Chief...
Best Supporting Actor 1970: John Mills in Ryan's Daughter
John Mills won his Oscar from his only nomination for portraying Michael in Ryan's Daughter.Ryan's Daughter is an underrated film about a small Isolated Irish village that details an affair between a British Soldier and one of the local women Rosy.Ryan's Daughter contains more than one supporting performance of note from the town's domineering Priest played by Trevor...
Best Supporting Actor 1970: Gene Hackman in I Never Sang for My Father
Gene Hackman received his second Oscar nomination for portraying Gene Garrison in I Never Sang for My Father.Gene Hackman received three of his Oscar nomination for portraying a lawman of some sort, his first for portraying an outlaw, but this is the only time he received it for portraying a relatively average man. A Man who must deal with...
