My Oscar Pics for 2010

These were my picks for the Oscars, keeping in mind, I do not see "R" rated movies. Those I have picked, that were "R", I picked from trailers and reviews I have read and watched. I have not seen every movie, but again I have watched a lot of trailers and studied reviews. Again, these are my picks, not what the judges will pick.

Best Picture
The Blind Side

Best Directing
Precious (Lee Daniels)

Actor in a Leading Role
Morgan Freeman (Invictus)

Actor in a Supporting Role
Matt Damon (Invictus)

Actress in a Leading Role
Sandra Bullock (The Blind Side)

Actress in a Supporting Role
Mo'Nique (Precious)

Original Song
Almost There (The Princess and the Frog)

Cinematography
Avatar

Animated Feature Film
Up

Original Screenplay
Up

Adapted Screenplay
Precious

Art Direction
The Young Victoria

Costume Design
The Young Victoria

Best Documentary Feature
Saw none, read none, picked none

Best Documentary Short Subject
Saw none, read none, picked none

Film Editing
Avatar

Foreign Language Film
Saw none, read none, picked none

Makeup
The Young Victoria

Original Score
Up

Animated Short Film
Saw none, read none, picked none

Live Action Short Film
Saw none, read none, picked none

Sound Editing
Up

Sound Mixing
Avatar

Visual Effects
Avatar

It's Oscar Time at SwagBucks!

The Academy Award ceremony, otherwise known as The Oscars will be held this Sunday, March 7th. Lots of buzz has been happening for months now about a majority of the films involved and now we'll finally get to see who will take home the golden bald dudes.

Let's have some fun with it!

Predict who you believe will win in each category and the following Monday, TSG will run a code for 2 hours whose value will be determined by your accuracy in these polls. For each poll that Swag Nation collectively answers correctly, that'll be 3 Swag Bucks added on to the Swag Code. So if you get only 1 right, 3 Swag Buck code, 5 right, 15 Swag Buck code. 8 right, 24 Swag Buck code. Get all 10, 30 Swag Buck code.


These polls will close as soon as the Oscar ceremony begins.

Good luck, Swag Nation!

If you are not a member of SwagBucks, click here!

If you are a member of SwagBucks and want to try the Oscar Contest, Click here!

Oscar Nominations for 2010 - What's Your Choices?

Best Picture
Avatar
The Blind Side
District 9
An Education
The Hurt Locker
Inglourious Basterds
Precious
A Serious Man
Up
Up in the Air

Best Directing
Avatar (James Cameron)
The Hurt Locker (Kathryn Bigelow)
Inglourious Basterds (Quentin Tarantino)
Precious (Lee Daniels)
Up in the Air (Jason Reitman)

Actor in a Leading Role
Jeff Bridges (Crazy Heart)
George Clooney (Up in the Air)
Colin Firth (A Single Man)
Morgan Freeman (Invictus)
Jeremy Renner (The Hurt Locker)

Actor in a Supporting Role
Matt Damon (Invictus)
Woody Harrelson (The Messenger)
Christopher Plummer (The Last Station)
Stanley Tucci (The Lovely Bones)
Christoph Waltz (Inglourious Basterds)

Actress in a Leading Role
Sandra Bullock (The Blind Side)
Helen Mirren (The Last Station)
Carey Mulligan (An Education)
Gabourey Sidibe (Precious)
Meryl Streep (Julie & Julia)

Actress in a Supporting Role
Penelope Cruz (Nine)
Vera Farmiga (Up in the Air)
Maggie Gyllenhaal (Crazy Heart)
Anna Kendrick (Up in the Air)
Mo'Nique (Precious)

Original Song
Almost There (The Princess and the Frog)
Down in New Orleans (The Princess and the Frog)
Loin de Paname (Paris 36)
Take it All (Nine)
The Weary Kind (Crazy Heart)

Cinematography
Avatar
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
The Hurt Locker
Inglourious Basterds
The White Ribbon

Animated Feature Film
Coraline
Fantastic Mr. Fox
The Princess and the Frog
The Secret of Kells
Up

Original Screenplay
The Hurt Locker
Inglourious Basterds
The Messenger
A Serious Man
Up

Adapted Screenplay
District 9
An Education
In the Loop
Precious
Up in the Air

Art Direction
Avatar
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus
Nine
Sherlock Holmes
The Young Victoria

Costume Design
Bright Star
Coco Before Chanel
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus
Nine
The Young Victoria

Best Documentary Feature
Burma VJ
The Cove
Food, Inc.
The Most Dangerous Man in America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers
Which Way Home

Best Documentary Short Subject
China's Unnatural Disaster: The Tears of Sichuan Province
The Last Campaign of Governor Booth Gardner
The Last Truck: Closing of a GM Plant
Music by Prudence
Rabbit a la Berlin

Film Editing
Avatar
District 9
The Hurt Locker
Inglourious Basterds
Precious

Foreign Language Film
Ajami
The Milk of Sorrow (La Teta Asustada)
A Prophet (Un Prophete)
The Secret in Their Eyes (El Secreto de Sus Ojos)
The White Ribbon (Das Weisse Band)

Makeup
Il Divo
Star Trek
The Young Victoria

Original Score
Avatar
Fantastic Mr. Fox
The Hurt Locker
Sherlock Holmes
Up

Animated Short Film
French Toast
Granny O'Grimm's Sleeping Beauty
The Lady and the Reaper (La Dama y la Muerte)
Logorama
A Matter of Loaf and Death

Live Action Short Film
The Door
Instead of Abracadabra
Kavi
Miracle Fish
The New Tenants

Sound Editing
Avatar
The Hurt Locker
Inglourious Basterds
Star Trek
Up

Sound Mixing
Avatar
The Hurt Locker
Inglourious Basterds
Star Trek
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

Visual Effects
Avatar
District 9
Star Trek

Oscar Pics for 2010

What will be your choices for 2010 Oscar night?


Check out this contest at Marcus Theatres!


You pick the Oscars Contest!

One Grand Prize:


Annual pass for unlimited admissions to Marcus Theatres for winner and one guest*

Five Runner-Up Prizes: Two movie passes* and two complimentary popcorn coupons.

Music Review: Debbie West Coon

Beautiful music for a Quiet and Spiritual Day...


I was introduced to her music by another Blogger's site and wanted to share with you all the beauty of her voice and the Spirit in which she brings.


So far, one of her CD's is available on Amazon.com and the other on her website www.debbiewestcoon.com


Enjoy the videos. I can attest they are beautiful.


Debbie West Coon

Review: Temple Grandin

Coming soon to Amazon! 
Temple Grandin (2010 HBO DVD)

Claire Danes , Julia Ormond 

Biography

"Temple Grandin earned her Ph.D. in animal science from the University of Illinois, went on to become a professor at Colorado State University, and wrote two books on autism, including the seminal THINKING IN PICTURES One of the most celebrated--and effective--animal advocates on the planet, Grandin revolutionized animal movement systems and spearheaded reform of the quality of life for the world's agricultural animals. Catherine Johnson , Ph.D., is a writer specializing in neuropsychiatry and the brain and is the author of three previous books, including SHADOW SYNDROMES with John J. Ratey She lives with her husband and three sons in New York. Two of her sons have autism." Amazon

Recently, in the early morning hours as I flipped channels, I ran across  BookTV on C-SPAN2 and they were broadcasting an interview with Temple Grandin from November 1, 2009. I became very intrigued with what she had to say and amazed at her ability to convey her message seeing as she has autism.   

She is the author of more than eight books and a movie on HBO would tell her story from adolescence to adulthood. The movie is currently on HBO and will be able to purchase on Amazon.com  

With a passion that defies all the odds, Temple opens the doors that have been closed before her due to the fact that she is a woman and one who has a disability misunderstood in this era.

Through her persistence she gains the respect of cattle ranchers who finally listen to her strategy of how cows can be handled peacefully and without fear. Many today use her method of handling livestock and she known world over in her field.

A movie that will hold you in your seat and open your eyes to the world of the "cans" versus the "cannots" of those with disabilities.

Movie Review: "August Rush"

August Rush Official Website 

"There’s music in the wind and sky. Can you hear it? And there’s hope. Can you feel it? The boy called August Rush can. The music mysteriously draws him, penniless and alone, to New York City in a quest to find – somehow, someway – the parents separated from him years earlier. And along the way he may also find the musical genius hidden within him. Experience the magic of this rhapsodic epic of the heart... "I believe in music the way some people believe in fairy tales," August says. Open your heart and listen. You’ll believe, too." Amazon.com

This 2007 movie is one of the most heartfelt movies I have seen in a long time. It will have you laughing, crying and literally rushing with August and his family to find one another and make the music score complete!

The awesome cast, which includes, Freddie Highmore as "August Rush", Keri Russell, Jonathan Rhys Meyers,  Terrence Howard and Robin Williams will find you mesmerized at the excellent talents they exhibit to bring you right there, on the streets and concert halls of New York.


Recommended for all ages; Rated PG

 "The music is all around US, all you have to do is listen."

 August's Rhapsody                                                                                                          

Movie Review: "Young@Heart"

 I was excited to see this movie come to our dollar theatre! I have been wanting to see it ever since I saw the trailer. It is such an inspiring film that illustrates what talents our senior citizens have, no matter their age or ability.

My sister and I had planned to go, but I drug my niece to the late show, knowing with her love for music, that she would enjoy it.

As we watched we became attached to these fantastic people who warmed our souls, had our feet a shaking, our eyes tearing and singing along to tunes, that for them, were foreign at one time.

Without giving the story away, I just want to say, rent it and take tissue...

Probably my most favorite song: Warning: Tissues needed

I Will Try to Fix You...

Movie Review: Two Dumb Movies

Awhile back, I went and saw Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist  and then another night saw Disaster Movie, as the projector was broken in the one we planned to see.

I tell you... what a waste of time and money!!! Don't waste either renting to see either one. IMNSHO, they were awful; just plain awful!!

I went to Yahoo and rate them both "F"!! Serious!! Gag me!

Movie Review: The Other Boleyn Girl

Synopis:

"Two sisters, Anne and Mary Boleyn, are driven by their ambitious Father and Uncle to advance the family's power and status by courting the affections of the King of England. Leaving behind the simplicity of country life, the girls are thrust into the dangerous and thrilling world of court life--and what began as a bid to help their family develops into a ruthless rivalry between Anne and Mary for the love of the King. Initially, Mary wins King Henry's favor and becomes his mistress, bearing him two illegitimate children. But Anne, clever, conniving and fearless, edges aside both her sister and Henry's wife, Queen Katherine of Aragon, in her relentless pursuit of the King. Despite Mary's genuine feelings for Henry, her sister Anne has her sights set on the ultimate prize; Anne will not stop until she is Queen of England. As the Boleyn girls battle for the love of a King--one driven by ambition, the other by true affection--England is torn apart." Yahoo Movies

When I decided to go and see this movie, I had not read the story and  had no clue really as to what I was going to see. I just thought it was a good chick flick that I might enjoy. I had no idea it was a true story of the lives of these people who made England what it is today. Made me come home and look up my genealogy and see if they are in my line!

All I can say is outstanding! Truly a wonderful job of acting, writing and direction. Definitely Oscar worthy and recommended to all - except children.

Movie Review: Fireproof

Synopsis: "At work, inside burning buildings, Capt. Caleb Holt lives by the old firefighter's adage: Never leave your partner behind. At home, in the cooling embers of his marriage, he lives by his own rules. After seven years of marriage, Caleb and Catherine Holt have drifted so far apart that Catherine wishes she had never married. Neither one understands the pressures the other faces--he as firefighter and she as the public relations director of a hospital. Regular arguments over jobs, finances, housework, and outside interests have readied them both to move on to something with more sparks. As the couple prepares to enter divorce proceedings, Caleb¿s father challenges his son to commit to a 40-day experiment he calls '[The Love Dare.' Wondering if it's even worth the effort, Caleb agrees, but more for his father's sake more than for his marriage. When Caleb discovers the book's daily challenges are tied into his parents' newfound faith, his already limited interest is further dampened. While trying to stay true to his promise, Caleb becomes frustrated time and again. He finally asks his father, 'How am I supposed to show love to somebody who constantly rejects me?' When his father explains that this is the love God shows to us, Caleb makes a life-changing commitment to love God. And--with God's help--he begins to understand what it means to truly love his wife. But is it too late to fireproof his marriage? His job is to rescue others. Now Caleb Holt is ready to face his toughest job ever--rescuing his wife's heart. Yahoo!movies
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I went to see this movie when it first came out in September 2008. The theatre was packed and the movie was sold out. I am so glad I went early so I could sit in my favorite row.
It was inspiring, tear jerking and left one thinking and mulling over their own life and marriage or partnership. The firefighter's motto, "Never leave your partner behind", is the theme throughout the movie and comes to light through both saving lives and relationships.
Now available on DVD and Redbox Rentals, I totally recommend it and am so glad it was recommended to me by my daughter, who saw it with her fiancé , who is now her husband. Take tissues...