Anna of V (Morena Baccarin) : Dr. Sheldon Cooper of Big Bang Theory (Jim Parsons). Seriously. Watch V and see if at a certain angle and a certain expression of Anna doesn’t remind you of Sheldon!
Timothy Olyphant (Justified) : Michael Weatherly (NCIS) : Chris Pine (Star Trek…okay not TV, but movie based on TV show). They could play brothers. Hot, HOT band of brothers with awesome hair.
After the Golden Globes, I was really, REALLY afraid Avatar was going to take the Oscars. Yes, I like the movie. It was an incredible escape, an experience you wish every movie could provide.
But the Globes gave Avatar Best Picture? What were they smoking? I mean, it’s a fantastic technological leap forward in movie re-making for Pocahontas/Fern Gully/Dances with Wolves. That doesn’t deserve Best Picture. That kind of voting usually we leave for the Academy of the Easily Persuaded.
Well, this time, the Academy is also easily persuaded but not by the biggest movie of the year but by the most critically-hyped film which the Globes ignored.
Topsy turvy, my little world of Pop Culture has become. I blame it on the global warming. Or dying bees. Or something.
But anyway. Hooray for The Hurt Locker!
Not sure if it “deserves” the award yet, but having the first female director winning as Oscar totally kicks ass.
It is odd to go into the Oscars and not having seen the Best Pictures films because I didn’t do the AMC marathon this year. 2 Saturdays of 5 movies? I just couldn’t do it. I managed to have seen 4 out of 10–Avatar, Inglorious Basterds, Up, and District 9–which will be 5 out of 10 as soon as I pop The Hurt Locker in to the DVD player. It’s been sitting here by TV for the past 2 weeks. (Sorry, Netflix!)
So I go back to my method of buzz judging. And boy, my buzz meter still works beautifully. As a matter of fact, it works so well that I’m starting to think that my personal judgment is obviously flawed. If you look at my recent years of prediction when I actually saw all Best Picture nominees and a few other, I’ve been horribly wrong.
This year, going in half blind, I only missed 5 out of 24. Back to the 79.17% accuracy of 2007, baby! (2008 was the most disastrous at 50% and 2009 was 58%)
I was on the spot guessing The Cove over Food Inc. for Best Doc–despite my strong feelings for Food Inc.–and Young Victoria over Nine for Costume Design. It usually doesn’t fail to bet on a lavish period pieces for Costume Design. And, of course, the luckiest guess of Music by Prudence for Short Doc.
Foreign-language film, as of recent years, has always been a wild guess. I went with A Prophet. I blame Entertainment Weekly for that one. The sound awards, usually go to the big bang/boom movies so naturally I picked Star Trek (editing) and Transformers (mixing) and missed on both account. I guess there are more bombs in The Hurt Locker than I thought. And of course, a big fan of Wallace & Gromit, I cheered for them and was wrong. The surprise miss was Best Actress. I thought for sure Gabourey would go home with the Oscars.
Oh, and I don’t know who else was offended by the Orchestra’s choice to play “I am woman” when Kathryn Bigelow exited the stage for Best Director. I mean, it is definitely a “You go, girl!” moment, but “I am woman”?!? Really???
However, watching the reaction shot of Jim Cameron after losing both Best Director and Best Picture to his ex-wife is priceless. Heehee…
Final note:
Dear Sam Worthington,
You know I love you. I’m absolutely, hopelessly charmed by your toothy smile which you seem to have forgotten to do when a non-movie camera is pointed at you. You know I adore your accent and your gentle eyes. Did I mention your pretty, pretty mouth…yeah…
However, sweetie, you were up in the stage presenting the Academy Awards chewing gum.
First you stop smiling. And now you can’t stop chewing gum.
My fantasy life with you crumbles to the floor under the weight of reality. What a shame.
Love.
- OakMonster
2009 in pictures
*
2009 Awards
Drinking Buddy of the Year: Brandon, actually. Surprise! The mister doesn’t usually party down, but he has taken up a beer here and there this past year, a stressful one for his work. So we had gone out for a beer together more than the year before. Cheers to you, honey bunny!
Bar of the Year: Hennessey’s Tavern and Beachwood BBQ in Seal Beach. These two places never fail to deliver cold pints and some great eats. They’re our go-to places when we want to run away from the daily life for a little while.
Sorry to disappoint y’all with the lack of Downtown LA’s bar feature this time around. I haven’t partied in town much at all. Climate change around the office will affect your happy hour weather, I tell ya.
Newcomer Award: Twitter Gang. I have grown to love folks I met at Tweet Ups especially @dananner, @anaperiodista, @fstop23, @davidmoyle, @sendchocolate, @joncruz, @vbesack, and the disappearing @phraktyl. We went shooting pictures. We played Rock Band. We got drunk. We had overall great times on and off line. Great year to make new friends!
High Point of the Year: Watch Thrill the World Los Angeles became the awesome success. From mere 100 last year grown into the thousands. It still blows my mind.
Low Point of the Year: The Christmas Flu and USC Football Rebuilding Year. Yep. Suckage.
Best Holiday: Halloween…again. I mean, prancing through Pine Street as Zombie Princess Leia, rocked that stage with my awesome crew of zombies? Best. Halloween. EVER!
Song of 2009: Glee soundtracks. I mean, I can barely pin it down to just ONE song! Almost everything from Glee I totally dig. I’m especially partial to Somebody to Love, Don’t Rain on My Parade, Defying Gravity (the duet), No Air, Sweet Caroline (Can I get a hell-yeah from Team Puck?), and this one I can’t stop singing. Lea Michele. What a revelation!
Movie of 2009: Avatar. I’m sorry, Star Trek and District 9! You came sooo close!
Surprise Movie of 2009: Bangkok Traffic (Love) Story – Rod Faifa Ma Ha Na Tuh – รถไฟฟ้า..มาหานะเธอ. I’m soooo in love.
Restaurant of the Year: Bottega Louie. Great food and ambiance. Totally a favorite place to run away from work to for a long lunch. Okay it’s a little loud, but what an awesome place to be! Affordable awesomeness.
Book of the Year: Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. Seriously. Go read that.
TV Show of the Year: Glee. Duh.
*
2009 Goals Tally: 6 out of 10…kind of.
1. FAIL – Explore Kung-fu. HAH! I did not.
2. FAIL – Drink more water. Did okay for a couple of months before waking up to pee in the middle of the night got old.
3. FAIL -More guitar/piano/singing – at least twice a week. I did try for once a month, but that didn’t happen since my office got so messy I can’t even get to the piano.
4. PARTIAL SUCCESS -Read more books – One book a month at least. Actually did 10 out of 12. Not too bad!
5. FAIL – Add yoga to the routine – at least once a week. Not so much. However, I ended up losing 6 lbs. from September through November with the Thriller work out and stress diet. Haven’t gotten any of it back…yet. 
6. SUCCESS – Take a language class. Buongiorno! 
7. PARTIAL SUCCESS – Cook one new recipe a month. I went with a few new ones in a month and then go without cooking for weeks. But we did try new recipes.
8. SUCCESS – Fix them teeth. 5 more months!!!
9. SUCCESS – Fix them eyes. Well, I *did* decide on not getting LASIK done after extensive reserach and serious discussion with my optometrist. There’s a 50/50 chance I would come out normal or my dry eyes are going to get more severe to a level that’ll become problematic. I’ll stick with the glasses with that kind of odds, thanks.
10. SUCCESS – Keep up with whatever is working well. Still a latte a week here.
Dances with Wolves in space, James Cameron even admitted that in his interviews. And Avatar was exactly that.
And I love every moment of it.
Sure. The story is predictable. And a little sappy. And had been told many times before.
But it was told with a completely different visual representation. A seamless integration of digital animation and live action. For the first time, the CG characters don’t look like they were fresh out of a botox clinic. Their big yellow eyes say something. Their blue faces had nuances that the entire train full of Polar Express or (from what I saw in the trailer) A Christmas Carol didn’t have.
I mean, I *love* Sam Worthington going in. But who knew I would also fall for his big blue avatar too! I mean, the Na’Vi were ALIVE. It’s so totally awesome!
Some critics have issues with the movie’s mix of live action and computer animation. They said it felt like they were watching someone else playing video game for 2 hours.
Maybe because I am also used to the game graphics, and many of us are, we didn’t have the problem with the blending of digital and live action.
Also, surely, those critics do not play video games. I mean, seriously, gamers (and game spectators like myself) wish our video games look as good the as Avatar all the way through, not only just during the cut scenes.
Can you imagine how great Mass Effect, Halo, or even Final Fantasy would have been with Avatar level of facial movements and overall animation? But I digress.
Most importantly, Avatar is one of the movies in a very long time that I got lost in. I was willing to overlook all sorts of discrepancies and cheesiness so I can stay on that planet with them. Get lost in the adventure. Fall in love along side Jake and Neytiri. And root for the home team.
Okay, fine. I did crack up when Neytiri told Jake that “You have a strong heart”. But I guess nobody else got the Terminator accidental reference.
But the rest was pure escape. I would see this over and over again, the way I do with Dances with Wolves.
For almost 3 hours, I was running around Pandora. And I don’t care about anything else.
I did get my $10 worth. That is a LOT to say about movies these days.
Is it Oscar Best Picture worthy? Nah, I don’t think so. But did it steal my heart? Yes, it did.
Will Avatar make a pop culture impact like Titanic or Star Wars? I don’t know. The “I see you” thing is going to make it, I’m sure of that. But the rest, I don’t know. Will people take up learning Na’Vi (which, by the way, according to Professor Paul Frommer, a USC professor (Go! Trojans!) is being developed further)? I definitely see blue, scantily clad bodies showing up at Comic Con though.
Finally, don’t get me started on a waste of Leona Lewis’ voice on that theme song. My heart cannot go on with that gimmick. Sorry.
Oh, and final note here for Sam Worthington.
Dear Sam,
Please show some teeth when you smile at movie premieres. You smile a plenty in the movie and light up the screen with your cute dimples and lovely teeth.
But all the pictures I managed to find from your premieres, you only grinned…and smirked. I don’t know if you were going for the Russell Crowe tough guy look, or you were trying to keep that piece of gum you were chewing in check. But I must say that just doesn’t work for you quite as well. Trust me, we are not going to complain if you break our hearts a little more by flashing us your full smile. We’d actually enjoy that. Very much.
Yes. YES. YES!!!
No. Not so much.
Please don’t pull a Posh. Your mouth is too pretty not smile.
Hope to see you soon on my DreamBoat(tm).
Love,
Oakley
P.S. I watched the LA Times interview of you with gum in your mouth. Sweetie, lose the gum too while you’re at it. Okay?
Well, this post started after I watched the latest episode of “Sood Sanaeha”, the Thai soap I’m following. Long story short, she finally sees what has been in front of her this whole time, and decides to nab the Chef. The Chef walks away after her big scheme to apologize to him.
I was actually cheering for the Chef. Good for you for leaving that manipulative, selfish, whiny bitch!
(Well, this is not the finale. Although to me, it’s a perfect ending right there! Karma is a bitch, bitch! But this is Thailand, expect a few more episodes of the scheming to get him back.)
It then dawns on me, oh my god. There is NO MAN on the planet like that guy! I mean, he actually tells this bitch he thinks she’s perfect to him despite all of her flaws? He actually LOVES this narcissistic, kniving crybaby?!?! Seriously!?!?
I love the lovey-dovey thing he’s been doing since he realizes he had fallen for her while she floats around completely oblivious to his suddenly undivided attention. I hate the fact that we are now fed the image of a perfect man…who doesn’t exist at all.
Hi. I’m Oakley. I am a romantic comedy addict. AND a romantic comedy hater. All at the same time.
I love a good romantic comedy once in a while. Some of them I can watch over and over again. Even Brandon starts to recognize them because I would stop and watch whenever they are on TV.
Part of me still wants a tall sexy French man to tell me I don’t have to fly anywhere and take me back to the stone cottage on a vineyard.
To go to a pub after a break up and get pissed on Grolsch and meet a funny bloke who quotes Monty Python…then chop off my hair and start my own company, all the while getting over the break up and learning to enjoy life and love again with said funny bloke.
To follow all the signs that lead to that one true love I met randomly a long time ago on one spectacular evening in New York City.
To be loved by a boy for who I truly am despite the fact that I’m a major movie star.
To have a hunky roommate who actually has been trying to show me what the world is really like while I hide behind a theory of why some men are jerks, but yet he is there to catch me when I come to my senses.
To have someone who manages to fall in love with me just by talking to me on the phone and still love me despite the fact that I am not the gorgeous tall blond he thought I was but a nerdy short brunette.
To meet some guy by random chance who adores me even though I seem to be making all the mistakes like breaking his Rayban and his camera, AND still has feelings for me after 2 years of being abroad.
And to realize that what I want for Christmas is, well, you.
[ Oh yeah, name those movies, get some kudos. Leave your answers in the comments. (Hint: One of these you may find some clues in recent posts.) ]
In other word, deep down inside I still want to dream that big crazy romantic dream of getting swept off my feet and living happily ever after.
But then again, reality is different than fiction.
I guess–no, I know–I am bitter that romantic comedy doesn’t work in real life. And then I hate romantic comedy for putting a veil over the eyes of young girls everywhere about what love should be like, setting all of us up for disappointment later on.
Hey, I was once the citizen of Planet RomCom too. It took many years, several heart breaks, and lord knows how many gallons of tears to realize that life and relationship is NOTHING like the movies.
I know a few people who still wait for Mr. Darcy (both Jane Austen’s and Bridget Jones’) and keep throwing away opportunies or perfectly good relationships because it didn’t fit what they have in mind. You know, how it should be on Planet RomCom. They’re miserable for that.
It’s back to that Team Jacob v.s. Team Edward conversation we had recently. Do you want something real or do you want something to swoon to? I chose the practical love I can rely on with not a lot of swoon factor. Hence, the stack of romantic comedy I have around the house.
I guess swooning is like a drug. Once in a while you need a fix. And since we can’t be 16 again to get the full effect of raging love hormones, we go to our “dealer” and get a romantic comedy.
So, scoot on over, darling. Tonight, I need me a little “Pretty in Pink”.
One week in Bangkok. One movie. One episode of a Thai TV novella.
And I’m hooked on the one, super hot Ken, Theeradej Wongpuapan.
This is Ken. He's yummy.
I only went home to Thailand for one week and I came back completely obsessed with a Thai TV novella, just like the rest of the female population in the country, Sood Sanaeha, directly translated to “Recipe for Love”.
It’s all about the leading man, Ken, who plays a chef. He was tasked to teach a superstar to cook because she wants to win the heart of a tycoon, also played by one of my favorite Thai idol, Willy McIntosh. Of course, the superstar and the Chef fought it out (foreplay!) at the beginning as they slowly fall in love. Aww….
Anyway. This obsession all started for me when my friend Pitch took me to see Rod Faifa Ma Ha Na Tuh, BTS: Bangkok Traffic (Love) Story, a blockbuster Thai romantic comedy of the summer.
Look at this trailer. The story itself is relatable and ADORABLE. I mean, yeah, kind of predictable, but cuuuute! I’m sitting here smiling watching the trailer. The theme song is catchy as hell, even to non Thai speakers. The leading lady, Cris Horwang is so frickin’ cute. And of course, Ken is just…delicious.
Anyways. At first, I wasn’t going to get in on the soap action. But everyone insisted that if I have the hots for Ken, I should watch the soap. So I did the one night I was able to while in Bangkok. And that was that. No use getting all tied up in it.
But then a week later, Tong, my BFF, posted a long scream for “Kru Kook”, Teacher Cook, aka Mr. Chef, on Facebook. I was sorely disappointed that I missed out on the fun.
Until I copied the word Sood Sanaeha in Thai into YouTube.
Now I’m a mere one day behind everyone on the scream fest over Ken…and enjoying the ability to forward past the traditional Thai drama, slow pans, long reaction shots, etc.
And obviously, pause for some close ups.
As previously stated, I am not a Twi-hard. I haven’t read the books, and I haven’t even watch Twilight until a few days ago on Thai cable at the urging of my sister-in-law who insisted that I knew the story before we see New Moon.
Being a pop culture fiend, I did know that story. Going straight into New Moon wouldn’t be a problem. I mean, Kuri’s attempt at reading Twilight for the rest of us got me to know enough of the sap involve that I personally don’t want to get in on that crap. (Thanks again, Kuri for taking one for the team!)
But hey, I know how night time Thai TV could be. Twilight was a better choice.
As I mentioned in the other post, my interst in New Moon was purely out of lust. Helllooooo Jacob! I actually wanted to see it more after having seen Twilight because of the adorableness of Taylor Lautner even before the beefyness.
From both movies, I learned to really dispise Edward and Bella and for the lessons they are teaching teenage girls everywhere.
I also found myself giggling in the theater every time Edward uttered the “You’re my only reason to live” crap. Not swoony giggle but give me a fuckin’ break giggle. Well, I guess if he’s over 100 years old, you get that right to use that type of language. But still, hot dang. I haven’t seen that much cheese since what was on Brenda’s Oktoberfest platter.
Now, you turn around and take a look at Jacob. He is her friend first. They share laughs. They had a great time. He actually runs off when he finds out he’s not good for her…unlike Edward who keeps it going and going…Jackass. He actually stays and fights to protect her instead of throwing her in a car so they could run away. Even when she denies him, he still hangs around the make sure she’s okay. A much healthier relationship over here than oh my god I’ll throw myself over a cliff because he’s not here kind of thoughts.
I guess I am too practical for that romantic notion of love. Dont’ get me wrong, I still swoon over romantic comedy. A few days ago I watched a Thai romcom, “Bangkok Traffic (Love) Story” (Rod Faifa Ma Ha Na Tuh) and came out of the theater starry eyed. (Then again, it did end in the planetarium…) I appreciate the sweet story however the sap I can no longer handle.
Call me jaded, but I’d take the more practical application of love than the swoony kind. No bullshit kind of love.
Hence, Team Jacob here. Straight up I love you and I’m here for you. I could be a little nutty so back the hell off or you’ll get hurt…which is every dude when they’re angry anyway. But I’m here for you.
Pretty much the love Brandon and I have. No sugar coating type of love. I love you. Here it is. So Team Jacob = Team Brandon too.
And he definitely doesn’t sparkle in sunlight…albeit occasionally I think he glows in the dark. Heehee.
I am not a Twi-hard but I am willing to go cougar for Taylor.
I haven’ t read the book nor have I seen the first film but from New Moon trailer, I am Team Jacob all the way, baby.
Besides, it comes down to that Werewolf v.s. Vampire debate. Who would you rather have, a vampire or a werewolf?
Not counting Taylor, my vote has always been for a werewolf. Why? Let me count the ways!
Now yourself. Werewolf or vampire? Jacob or Edward? Taylor or Rob? Take you battle to the comments!
Zombieland. Who knew that movie would give you some great life lessons. Well, you know, aside of the Zombieland Survival Rules.
Enjoy the little things, Talahassee said.
My life has been kind of a whirlwind these past few months. There are many little things I totally appreciate and enjoy.
Like a bouquet of flowers Brandon bought for me. Very unexpected.
Like getting a ride home from a bus buddy who drove in in the morning.
Like getting my Italian homework explained to me by the Italian Coworker.
Like watching Dresden react to “big people’s food” we offer him. On Tuesday, James, Aurora and Dresden were over for beef pot roast. Carrots were a hit. Tonight at a burrito place, the boy who, according to mom, doesn’t like eggs, asked for more chorizo and eggs from my plate, and later on for more of his first Dippin’ Dots experience.
And by asking, I meant he would reach out his hand toward whatever it is he likes and say, “Nom?” Yes, with a question mark. It was the most adorable thing.
Like receiving the pictures from our Thrill the World LA shoot this weekend that look FANTASTIC.
Breakthrough zombies
Or…one of the goofy ones like these.
Zombie no like trees...
Like everything GLEE. It doesn’t matter how my day was, music from the cast of GLEE cheers me up. I frickin’ love this show. The gem of this clip at about 2:22…
What are your little things?
Oh the new bunch of geek icons have made their ways into my celebrity crush fantasy land.
First up. Zach Quinto.
Okay I have to admit that originally, I didn’t think there was anything hot about him as Sylar on Heroes. But then as Heroes unfolds, his acting just makes him white hot. Especially those times he was with Elle. I mean, this scene here with her teaching him to use the electricity? HOT! Hotter than when they actually slept together. Seriously. Then again, the evil mastermind sociopath thing also works for me.
And then, Zach as the emotionally restrained Spock. When he kisses certain someone, you can see that he REALLY wants to let it all out and be emotional. He might have just let it slip for that quick, tender moment. Hot. HOT, I tell you.
Then,of course, Chris Pine. Already in love with this boy from Princess Diary 2. Beautiful, beautiful boy with eyes you can’t look away from. Seriously. I’d love to drown me in those pools. As Kirk, he adds the bad boy swagger to that and even a little bit slap-sticky humor that was totally endearing. I’m sold.
Now. Sam Worthington. Oh, my god. Gor-geous! And intense. And an Aussie. What is it with Australian guys? Sam totally steals the movie from Christian Bale (I used to love him so…) and steals the hearts of every female in the audience as Marcus Wright in Terminator Salvation. I don’t even care what James Cameron is up to with Avatar, but my butt will be in the theater seat to take in the glory of Sam on the big screen.
Yep. That’s enough drooling for today.
