Amy Drugged Out the Remix

Although I am so glad Amy Winehouse is getting all better - this is a GREAT remix of one of her cracked out videos with Pete Doherty.

Adele live

Lets just say I am hoping Adele will sweep the Grammys this year. Here she is singing my favorite song by her, live:

New Adele video

Adele has released a video for: Make You Feel My Love, a Bob Dylan cover she does amazingly. This song holds a special place in my heart because its one of me and Nicholas' songs. Enjoy:



whats awesome about this video is that its a new version of the song, this is adele singing live

BEST THING EVER

Jessica Lange on View

Here is my favorite actress of all time Jessica Lange on the View today:

Great Oscar Speeches

Great Oscar speeches, to prime you for this years go-round:

Jessica Lange winning from Tootsie: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mKLxWrRVMg

Liza Minnelli winning for Cabaret: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFstpIKW7A4

and the BEST and FUNNIEST speech at Oscars yet
Shirley McClain winning for Terms of Endearment: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqSEH_bVRz8

Madonna BLOWS THEM AWAY

Madonna has blown away the entire music industry this year in revenue. Adding ticket, album, and download sales to figure which music acts were the year's most popular in the world, Madonna KILLED the competition, placing over 100 million higher than second place. And even in the shit eceonomy she was charging BIG bucks for hour tour - and it continued to sell out. Add that to a number 1 album, and 4 number 1 singles so far (on the billboard top singles, and the dance charts), she killed the competition. You go girl!

Here's the top 10

1. Madonna ($281.6 million)
2. Celine Dion ($106.8 million)
3. Kenny Chesney ($95.7 million)
4. Eagles ($90.7 million)
5. AC/DC ($82 million)
6. Coldplay ($81.6 million)
7. Bon Jovi ($81.4 million)
8. Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band ($79 million)
9. Jonas Brothers ($77.9 million)
10. Rascal Flatts ($77.1 million)

Go directly to jail do not pass go

Boy George will have to clean the dripping paint off of his face as he prepares to go to jail for 15 months! He was sentenced yesterday for his lawbreaking turn with a male hustler last year. You remember, he chained the hustler to his radiator. Thats imprisonment Boy! And now you gotta pay the price in the clink.

Cindy can't dance

Lets all shed a tear for millionairess Cindy McCain who was in talks with Fox to be on the next cast of Dancing with the Stars. Apparently sources close to Cindy say that she was dying to do the show, however John McCain (big presidential loser) told her no, and told Fox to stop calling. Poor poor Cindy!

Pete to release solo album .. with....

Looks like we may get some new Amy Winehouse sooner than later. Pete Doherty, legendary drug addict and babyshambles front man, will soon release a solo cd. And he spent quite a lot of time with Amy Winehouse about 6 months ago, in the height of her terrible addiction (remember their youtube hijinks?). Anyhow it is rumored that they recorded 2 songs together - and one may appear on his solo cd. I hope so!!

Daily Amy 2: St. Lucia Thanks Amy

Although there have been some rumors of St. Lucia getting angry at Amy Winehouse, St. Lucia's tourism minister Allen Chastanet, couldn't disagree more. Here is a statement he said about Amy to a local television station:

"I couldn't be happier to have Amy here. Any edge you can get, you hang onto it. And since Amy has been here, we have seen the crowds triple. Add onto that she has been a wonderful guest. She has been nothing but sweet and charming to staff and guests. She is smiling in every picture taken of her. She loves it here, and that speaks of how great of a place this is. I would love to make Amy an honorary citizen. She is welcome here anytime. We love her. I love her."

Daily Amy: "I'm Not Out of Control"

Amy is defending herself against the people who claim she has been behaving erratically, claiming she is “not out of control,” reports the Mirror UK. Stories have emerged lately that she has been disturbing other guests and disrupting the resort. The biggest story was that Amy was stalking drinks and stealing them from other guests.

“People think I’m a mess or something but I’m having such a great time and feeling so good at the moment. I’m certainly not out of control as some people have said. Yes, I’ve had a few drinks but I’m on holiday - I’m just young and having fun. And I am not doing drugs. It's a good thing people. I am having a blast and I am being good.”

"My dad coming to spend some time with me. We watched an FA Cup match together and didn’t have talks at all. Yes, he likes to check on me – he’s my Dad – but we were more interested in (watching) Southend. He knows how good I am doing though, and thinks I am on the road to recovery -- which I am."

“I’m getting loads of exercise, eating brilliantly and I’ve really been able to relax. To me, I am in the best place I have been in ages. I’m looking forward to the future. I'm looking forward to my music!

Favs!

Awards Circuit Top 10

Awards circuit, an Ocsar site i enjoy, just listed a top 10 for 2008, here it is:

1 - The Wrestler
2 - The Dark Knight
3 - Wall-E
4 - Milk
5 - Syndoche NY
6 - Let the Right One in
7 - Slumdog Millionaire
8 - The Reader
9 - Changeling
10 - Vicky Christina Barcelona

Biggie's Mom sorry to Kim

Lil' Kim was steaming mad at her treatment in the new Biggie movie: Notorious. Saying that she blamed Biggie's mother and Faith Evans (his wife) for her unfair treatment. Now it seems that Biggie's mom, aka Mrs. Wallace, also feels bad for Kim.

"There were things about him that I never knew that I wanted to see for myself on film. I saw a side of my son that I heard of but I haven’t accepted. I’m angered by certain things, disappointed and shocked. So this film taught me tolerance and to be less critical. I would love to speak to Lil' Kim, because I need to ask more about this love relationship because I really didn’t like the way he treated her and I’m praying that that’s not it. Only she can answer those questions. She’s a sweet girl and I didn’t think she deserved to be treated the way he treated her, if that’s the case.”

I just wanna say: Its just a movie - Im sure its not all true!
AND
I love Lil' Kim

Duffy is Diet Coke

While her musical mama Amy Winehouse is vacationing in St. Lucia, with her record on hold, and her competition Adele is touring and scoring more Grammys nominations than her - Duffy released info today that she is the new spokesmodel of Diet Coke, and will be singing a new song for its commercials. Poor thing.

Chelsea OWNS Perez

Its nice to see Perez get put in his place sometimes. Here is Chelsea giving him a piece of his own medicine:

Coming Soon: The Informers

Mickey Rourke will follow up his Oscar winning (I HOPE) role in the Wrestler with this film: The Informers. It has quite the cast: Rourke, Billy Bob Thornton, Wynonna Ryder, Kim Basinger, and most noteably it is the final film performance of Brad Renfro who tragically died this past year. Here is the trailer:

Rourke on Letterman

Here is a clip of the wonderful Mickey Rourke on David Letterman this week. If these interviews dont make you have a soft spot for Rourke, nothing will. I sure do love a comeback!! ENJOY!

The Dresden Dolls for Obama!

FANTASTIC NEWS! My most favorite band, the Dresden Dolls, are getting back together (recently Amanda Palmer has released a solo cd and gone on her own tour, and Brian is touring with various bands)!! However they will be back together on inaugaration day, Janurary 20th, in Washington DC. Opening for the Dolls are Michael Franti, Talib Kweli, The Honey Brothers, Jamie Burke, and Adrian Grenier.

They listed this on their official site:

"Every time our nation faces crisis, our national experience has shown Americans rise to the challenge. While government has an important role to play in helping rekindle our economy and addressing the problems of a distressed nation, President-elect Obama believes each of us, as Americans, have a responsibility to do what we can for our communities and fellow citizens. We are one nation. This is it.
Change starts now.

love
amanda & brian

Sharon Wins!!

Reality tv whore Megan, who of course got her ass beaten by Sharon Osbourne on the Rock of Love Charm School reunion, just lost her case in court. She tried to sue Sharon for assault and battery - and her case was rejected from the California court of law. The rumor is that Sharon made this comment on the courthouse steps:

"That stupid cunt dragged me down here for nothing, I should beat her ass again just for that."

This comes just 2 days after Sharon won a HUGE settlement from the Sun newspaper, which she sued because of a false article claiming that Sharon was "overworking her husband and causing his health problems". She read that article, and sued them. And won. She won all 5 million dollars she asked for.

What else can you say? DONT FUCK WITH SHARON OSBOURNE IN ANY WAY! YOU WILL LOSE!

the proof:

Daily Amy 2: Guess Who's Back?

Amy Winehouse the beehived diva is BAAAAACK! Here she is today seen walking around in St. Lucia. She looks FAB!!! Shes got some weight on her, her skin looks nice, and it looks like the bitch is back! LOVE YOU AMY!

Daily Amy: Grammy Performance Nominated for Award

The awards never stop for Amy Winehouse, good! She has now been honored for her performance at the Grammy awards last Feburary. Her 2-song act has been nominated as a part of Britains Creativity + Business International Network's 2008 review, by Universal Music Group. Universal boss Lucian Grange said that the singer’s talents were worthy of the award, which had been set up to focus on the UK’s creative economy, produced through the art and entertainment industries.
"Ive nominated her because she’s an example of what I feel is great British talent, both as a songwriter as well as a performer." Contactmusic quoted Grange as saying. "Unique artists so often pay a steep personal price for their gift. Creativity burns bright and dark; there are shadows, there is conflict. When she’s at her best, Amy Winehouse conquers the demons", he added.

BAFTA Nom's

The British Academy Film Awards have weeded down from their 15 nominations per category to the top 5. And it is a very different list from what we have been seeing, which I think is fantastic. The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button leads the nominations, and surprisingly (in a good way because I loved the film) Changeling is in second place!! Wonderful! Here is the list, and my thoughts:

Might I also add the BAFTA is a true key to the Oscars. Last year, it was the first major awards show to award its winning statue to Tilda Swinton and Marion Cotillard who both won Oscars, against some steep competition who won a lot of critics awards. So watch out you front-runners.

BEST FILM
THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON
FROST/NIXON
MILK
THE READER
SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

we see our front-runners (Slumdog, Benjamin, and Milk) then the often choice (Frost/Nixon) and a surprise: The Reader.

DIRECTOR
CHANGELING Clint Eastwood
THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON David Fincher
FROST/NIXON Ron Howard
THE READER Stephen Daldry
SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE Danny Boyle

lookie who snuck in: Clint Eastwood for Changeling. Maybe he has a shot for an Oscar nom for his wonderful direction of this awesome film.

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
BURN AFTER READING Joel Coen / Ethan Coen
CHANGELING J. Michael Straczynski
I’VE LOVED YOU SO LONG Philippe Claudel
IN BRUGES Martin McDonagh
MILK Dustin Lance Black

Besides Milk, all of these are surprises in my book. Love to see the love for Burn After Reading and Changeling again. A foreign film slipped in too, as well as the Golden Globe winner (for best actor) In Bruges.

ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON Eric Roth
FROST/NIXON Peter Morgan
THE READER David Hare
REVOLUTIONARY ROAD Justin Haythe
SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE Simon Beaufoy

These are pretty much all front runners for Oscar, but you are seeing the love for Revolutionary Road fade faster and faster.

FOREIGN FILM
THE BAADER MEINHOF COMPLEX
GOMORRAH
I’VE LOVED YOU SO LONG
PERSEPOLIS
WALTZ WITH BASHIR

I love the support for the fantastic Persepolis. I do not know how it isnt getting any buzz in this category or the foreign film category.

ANIMATED FILM
PERSEPOLIS
WALL•E
WALTZ WITH BASHIR

a fantastic list I say.

LEADING ACTOR
FRANK LANGELLA Frost/Nixon
DEV PATEL Slumdog Millionaire
SEAN PENN Milk
BRAD PITT The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
MICKEY ROURKE The Wrestler

here are 2 big surprises. We all know its between Rourke and Penn with Langella the longshot (but sure nominee). Here we see Brad Pitt again added onto a list, which makes his Oscar shots even better. And here we see Dev Patel in the lead category, which I hear is where he belongs, and not in supporting. Who knows what Oscar will do with him? If anything.

LEADING ACTRESS
ANGELINA JOLIE Changeling
KRISTIN SCOTT THOMAS I’ve Loved You So Long
MERYL STREEP Doubt
KATE WINSLET The Reader
KATE WINSLET Revolutionary Road

Here is surprises all abound. The only real lock here for Oscars is of course Meryl. I think this nomination seals the deal for Angelina - she has now been nominated for every single major awards show, and she even won one - the Satellite. If she is snubbed again by Oscar (as she was last year for her amazing work in A Mighty Heart) then it truly is highway robbery. She is a lock! And here we have Kate Winslet nominated twice in one category - which I hear is correct, meaning she is the lead in the Reader and not supporting. The shock here is that Kristin Scott Thomas has edged out BRITISH actress Sally Hawkins (who has won more pre-cursors than any of these women) for a nomination. It was thought she was a lock to WIN this award, being that shes fantastic in the film, and British. Guess not. This certainly hurts her Oscar chances. And you will notice no Anne Hathaway either.

SUPPORTING ACTOR
ROBERT DOWNEY JR. Tropic Thunder
BRENDAN GLEESON In Bruges
PHILIP SEYMOUR HOFFMAN Doubt
HEATH LEDGER The Dark Knight
BRAD PITT Burn After Reading

FINALLY someone is noticing Brad Pitt in Burn After Reading. This nomination makes him a double nominee. Wonderful! We also of course have Heath and Robert Downey, who are Oscar locks, along with Phillip. And they added another surprise in Brenden Gleeson.

SUPPORTING ACTRESS
AMY ADAMS Doubt
PENÉLOPE CRUZ Vicky Cristina Barcelona
FREIDA PINTO Slumdog Millionaire
TILDA SWINTON Burn After Reading
MARISA TOMEI The Wrestler

This is a HUGE shock. For a couple of reasons: the only Oscar lock here is Penelope. Amy has been on shaky ground, shes been nominated for some big awards but hardly no critics have chosen her (which is a shame). This certainly helps her chances. And its very odd that Viola Davis, who has won her fair share of awards so far this year, was not even chosen. Marisa is actually in the lead as far as wins go in the critics awards this year, however her Oscar campaign has been on shaky ground, this helps (yay; coz shes great). More love for Slumdog actors here, and the biggest and maybe best surprise is Tilda's nomination for Burn After Reading. I am shocked that they nominated her for this instead of Benjamin Button, but she was wonderful in both, and a Tilda nom is always a good thing.

MUSIC
THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON
THE DARK KNIGHT
MAMMA MIA!
SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE
WALL•E

The brit's sure do love ABBA music.

CINEMATOGRAPHY
CHANGELING
THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON
THE DARK KNIGHT
THE READER
SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

EDITING
CHANGELING
THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON
THE DARK KNIGHT
FROST/NIXON
IN BRUGES

PRODUCTION DESIGN
CHANGELING
THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON
THE DARK KNIGHT
REVOLUTIONARY ROAD
SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

COSTUME DESIGN
CHANGELING
THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON
THE DARK KNIGHT
THE DUCHESS
REVOLUTIONARY ROAD

can I just say I love how Changeling is getting nommed for everything!!

SOUND
CHANGELING
THE DARK KNIGHT
QUANTUM OF SOLACE
SLUMDOG MILLIONARE
WALL•E

SPECIAL VISUAL EFFECTS
THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON
THE DARK KNIGHT
INDIANA JONES AND THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL
IRON MAN
QUANTUM OF SOLACE

MAKE UP & HAIR
CHANGELING
THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON
THE DARK KNIGHT
THE DUCHESS
MILK


OUTSTANDING BRITISH FILM
HUNGER
IN BRUGES
MAMMA MIA!
MAN ON WIRE
SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

No Happy Go Lucky ... anywhere?! This is certainly bad news for the film!

THE ORANGE RISING STAR AWARD
MICHAEL CERA
NOEL CLARKE
MICHAEL FASSBENDER
REBECCA HALL
TOBY KEBBELL

Popmatters top 20 men of 2008

Here is the companion piece to the Pop Matters top 20 actresses of the year, here's their choices for the top 20 male performances:



#20 - BILL IRWIN in RACHEL GETTING MARRIED
"Actor and clown Irwin shows how far/low the American father has come/gone in 28 years. His is truly a disturbingly good portrayal."

#19 - FRANCOIS CLUZET in TELL NO ONE
"At once detective, suspect, and victim, Beck is defined by loss, and Cluzet wisely plays him like there’s nothing left to lose."

#18 - RICHARD JENKINS in THE VISITOR
"Jenkins is in nearly every scene, and he carries the movie wonderfully as Walter begins to discover joy in his life, and later deals with tragedy and even tentative, tender middle-aged love."

#17 - BRENDAN GLEESON in IN BRUGES
"Gleeson, however, endearingly conveys a big man who wants nothing more than to enjoy life’s small pleasures even as his criminal commitment unavoidably draws him back in."

#16 - VINNIE JONES in MIDNIGHT MEAT TRAIN
"In this movie, he’s frightening just walking on the street in a business suit, and when he shifts gears to attack unsuspecting passengers on the New York City subway, it’s absolutely terrifying."

#15 - JOSH BROLIN in MILK
"Opposite some of the most sublime acting of last year courtesy of Penn, Franco and Hirsch, Brolin works a minor miracle by nearly stealing the film away from everyone with about a tenth of their screen time."

#14 - BRAD PITT in BURN AFTER READING
"No statement, then, could more highly attest to Pitt’s degree of in-character “transformation” here."

#13 - JAMES FRANCO in PINEAPPLE EXPRESS
"Who knew James Franco was so hilarious?!"

#12 - PHILLIP SEYMORE HOFFMAN in DOUBT
"At every turn, Hoffman seems to hide the truth, leaving the audience ambiguous as to whether or not he’s guilty, misunderstood, or something far more personal. It’s spellbinding to watch."

#11 - LEONARDO DICAPRIO in REVOLUTIONARY ROAD
"Despite his lack of buzz, he has the heavy lifting in this film, though you’d never know at a glance. He makes it look entirely too easy."

#10 - MICHAEL SHEEN in FROST/NIXON
"Sheen exhibits a fresh dynamism that communicates the emotional compartmentalization that comes with the territory."

#9 - MATTHIEU AMALRIC in A CHRISTMAS TALE
"Amalric proves once again to be one of the most engaging, interesting actors working today."

#8 - FRANK LANGELLA in FROST/NIXON
"While he definitely looks the part, Langella’s triumph is in bearing Nixon’s noxious soul. It’s something no mimic can match."

#7 - ROBERT DOWNEY JR in IRON MAN
"Playing a superhero who’s both sleazy and inspiring at the same time, Robert Downey Jr. shows once again that he’s an actor without limits."

#6 - JOSH BROLIN in W
"Josh Brolin’s George W. Bush is a pretty dead-on piece of mimicry, yet as such, it’s only marginally more effective than your run-of-the-mill Saturday Night Live sketch."

#5 - MICHAEL SHANNON in REVOLUTIONARY ROAD
"A powerful performer always circling the main cast, Shannon comes into his own as the insane son of an uptight real estate agent played by Kathy Bates."

#4 - ROBERT DOWNEY JR in TROPIC THUNDER
"Downey was the best thing about the amazing Iron Man, so the fact that Tropic Thunder was his best performance of 2008 should tell you something about just how good he was in Ben Stiller’s comedy."

#3 - SEAN PENN in MILK
"Sean Penn is absolutely astounding in Milk, anchoring an impressive film filled with equally impressive performances with his serenely happy Harvey."

#2 - HEATH LEDGER in THE DARK KNIGHT
"Ledger’s performance truly constructed the devil from his attention to detail, creating an enigmatic sort of subtext to the Joker mythos."

#1 - MICKEY ROURKE in THE WRESTLER
"Each frayed relationship depicted in The Wrestler is written in the crevices of Rourke’s subtly expressive face—a lifetime of professional miscues bubbling just beneath the surface. And yet this isn’t just an exorcism of a careers-worth of demons, but also the performance that Rourke has been building towards over the course of a decade spent in exile. This is the best performance of the year."