My Tuppence Worth

What I Thought Of The Three Movies I Watched Recently:

Junebug

Amazing. Amy Adams really did deserve that Oscar nom, she's luminous. Not a lot of storyline but that doesn't even matter, because it's a gorgeous little indie movie with fantastic performances from everyone.

Lovely. The kind of movie I wish I could make.

The Heart Is Deceitful Above All Things

A weird one, because there's no happy ending - there's nothing really happy in this at all. It tells the story of Jeremiah, who is dragged up screaming my his f**ked up mother, Sarah - who abandons him as often as she snatches him away from any semblance of normality. All the horrific things that could happen to a child do happen to Jeremiah - and I'm just not sure if I liked the movie.

It's based on the book by J.T. LeRoy, which I read and there's a sequel called Sarah, so maybe there'll be a sequel to the movie too, so you don't feel so left in the air and helpless but, hmmm.

It's crude and jarring - but it's well acted. And there is some cool animation in it.

Palindromes

Probably my favourite of the lot. Very very weird and surreal - and hard to follow if you don't stay with it, because in each section the main character, Aviva, is played by a drastically different actress.

Basically, Aviva just wants to have a baby and will stop at nothing to get pregnant, with sad consequences.

Plus Todd Solondz directed it and I'm a long-term fan of his work.

See it, it's cool. But weird.

Bean

Today I was subjected to Mr. Bean's Holiday at the flicks - and while I was veering more towards spending time on Blades of Glory - I actually loved it and couldn't stop gurning like a buffoon at the screen for the entire duration.

Who doesn't love Rowan Atkinson?

The movie is almost completely silent, which when you think about it, is pretty darn genius. To do such a physical role without dialogue must be exhausting, but the film could translate into any language and anyone could get the gist.

We Brits sho' do good comedy, I must admit (all smug).

Is now the time to throw casually into the mix the fact that I find Rowan Atkinson strangely attractive? I know, I know - it's just ever since "Blackadder II", there's been something about him.

Odd.

In other news, we've walked the dog twice on the beach, visited Yesterday's World (they have a new Royal Room - and I snuggled with a Prince) and enjoyed a bacon sarnie in our local beach cafe.

It's been such a retro seaside holiday - you can't beat them.

WondyBug

I am so psyched!

(Always wanted a reason to say that!)

I just picked up three fantastic Indie films for just £2 each at Blockbuster.

OK, they are ex-rental titles but I couldn't give a flying fuck about that - I just can't wait to settle down and have my indie-fest!

I got: Junebug, Palindromes and the film version of the book, The Heart Is Deceitful Above All Things (which I found agonising to read, but loved).

So that's good.

The sun is also shining so I am trying to cultivate a positive outlook after our horrific start to the weekend and get in the Easter holiday mood.

As of tomorrow, I will be official Dog/Cat/Housesitter for the Queen of Bling, who lives in the most amazing house - with a secret garden tucked around the back.

You wait.

I will try to take a shedload of photos of my week to share with you, my readers.

Anyone Else Excited?

Cowabunga, Dude!

*steps aside for tumbleweed to pass*

Laugh The World Laughs With You

Sorry for the absence this weekend. Have been... well, actually - doing Sweet FA - but enjoying the weekend and the fairly fair weather.

Saw a movie, made plans with a friend, been there for Wondy Mum, seen my brother, packed some stuff up - getting ready to put our things into storage next weekend.

This afternoon I am so cross about something and someone that I can barely bring myself to post, in case I explode verbally.

I don't want to even go into the hows and whys because it's not fair on anyone and the person will possibly read it. And they just wouldn't understand my fury, because they never do.

So I'm going to be impossibly zen about the whole situation and let it go. Flush my body of negative vibes and free myself.

Instead I am going to tell you that, because I am always one for a slow reaction, I finally got to see Hot Fuzz last night, despite it already having been in the cinemas for at least four years (weeks).

Loved it. Love Simon Pegg. It was brilliant and laugh-out-loud funny - which apparently the man sitting in front of me would agree with, as he snorted and guffawed (greatest word ever invented?) his way through it.

I wanted to be annoyed with him for being so noisy but most of me admired him for being so free with his laughter. People were staring at him and his wife kept poking him and shhhhhhushing him - and still he kept on laughing like a loon, and I admire that.*

Let the loons laugh on and the world might one day be a better place.

(*This might have something to do with that fact that as a child I thought I was abnormal because I couldn't laugh out loud. Happy to say I have more than made up for that now...)

Witche's Tit

It is so bitterly cold here that I have a Beddy Bear strapped to my left boob just to ease the pain of a frozen nip.

Oddly it seems just to be effecting the one side - but it is agonising and I have found myself crippled over on more than one occasion this evening.

I am such a wimp.

Why oh why can't the weather sort itself out? On a day to day basis I don't know whether to reach for the bikini or the snow boots.

Sort it out, Mother Nature - wouldja please?

In other news, Daniel Craig had better not wander about round my way on his own this evening, or I'll be forced to drag him in by the hair and keep him locked up for the next two weeks (should be sufficient, methinks).

Wondy Mum's Mother's Day gift was Casino Royale on DVD and it was fab.

I wasn't really feeling DC as Bond to be honest, that's not to say he's not lush and a good actor - it's just I think he'll maybe take another few Bond movies to settle in.

Was impressed though.

Right, I'm off to read about lesbians and very gay gentlemen in post war London.

Nighty night.

Wondy & the Sunshine Band

Best scene from Little Miss Sunshine - because it's Sunday - and I have a massive crush on Steve Carell.

Swan Song

Still feeling crappy and wondering if I have in fact, got the flu or something. Which, you know, isn't all bad - it means I can do things around the house such as entertain the cooker man and do the washing, it's raining anyway - so it's incentive not to go out.

In fact, Rocker's brakes have gone on the car and we haven't got it into the shop yet, so we're pretty much grounded at the moment, as it is.

I'm going to - be still my beating heart - walk down to the store shortly and get some teabags and Heat magazine, and then I am coming home to cook a comforting dinner and watch Scrubs.

The Cat and I are currently working through some neediness issues (on her part), she can't leave me for even twelve seconds and this morning I woke with her paw literally tangled in my hair. Honestly, it's like I have a small child with four legs.

And I am absolutely flabbergasted that there wasn't even one Oscar dress for me to coo over. Having run through the so-called highlights, I am left pining for the Bjork days - remember how genius that girl is?

Ooh Get Me

Hey do you like the movie themed template?

Movies are my first love, afterall - so it seems fitting.

Usually I like light airy themes but lately I've been feeling more drawn to the dark ones. Must be something in the air...

"And I'd Like To Thank..."/The Wondy's (Continued)

The results are in:

Best Motion Picture of the Year
Winner: The Departed - Graham King - OK, it's not LMS but well deserved...

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role
Winner: Forest Whitaker for The Last King of Scotland - Um?

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role
Winner: Helen Mirren for The Queen - Hurrah! I love Helen.

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role
Winner: Alan Arkin for Little Miss Sunshine - Yey! Yey! Yey!

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role
Winner: Jennifer Hudson for Dreamgirls - Don't know, but well done for outshining Beyonce!

Best Achievement in Directing
Winner: Martin Scorsese for The Departed - About blimmin' time, Marty.

Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen
Winner: Little Miss Sunshine - Michael Arndt - Well played, if only I could write like this!

This time last year I couldn't be held down, I was so excited that my boy, Philip Seymour Hoffman had won one - this year it's a little bit blah. But still...

Anyway, onto more pressing things, such as my very own awards. Without further ado, I bring you the next categories:

• Category of - Best All-round Sex-pot
  For services rendered as my BFF and being more fabulous that a bucket of Streisands:
  ...and the Wondy goes to... (drumroll, please)
  Shocking Fish, of course. Who else?
  
• Category of - Best Newcomer
  For being fairly new to the game but being an inspiration every day:
  …and the Wondy goes to…
  BK for I Am The Sky!
  
• Category of - Best Potential Blogger
  For being such a sweetie to Chica and for potential amusement (no pressure):
  …and the Wondy goes to…
  'Muffin for 'Muffin's Wisdom!

*Wild applause*

• Category of - Best Artist
  For being just fabulous and talented:
  …and the Wondy goes to…
  Jesus Antonio for Comic Book Creator!
  
• Category of - Best Old Skool
  For being one of my first readers and always being there for me:
  ...and the Wondy goes to...
  The Pink Lady for Caves of Ice!

*Whistle!*

• Category of - Best Royal
  For always maintaining an air of grace whilst still being f**king cool:
  …and the Wondy goes to…
  The Peanut Queen for The Peanut Queen's Lair!
  

(Here we have a brief interval, to grab some more champers and mingle a little. We were going to have Mariah Carey sing a track from her hit movie, Glitter - but sadly, and tragically, she was crushed under the weight of her own head early this morning, and will be quite unable to perform. Ever again.)

*Rapturous applause*

Which brings us neatly to our last but by no means least award of the day...

For being totally on the wavelength of the founder of the Wondy Awards and for totally, like, being postergirl for the values that the Wondy's represent - for rocking hard and being utterly gorgeous, all-round, all the time:

the Lifetime Achievement Award - goes to:

*Annoying Pop Idol style pause...*

Twelve minutes later...

*"You Suuuuuuuuuuuuuck!!"*

• Fragglehump for The Ramblings of Ellie "F**k your umlaut" Kemm!

So there you have it. The 2007 Wondy Awards, as voted by me.

"The Wondy's were filmed live in front of a studio audience (the cat)..."

The following buttons are available for display:

The Wondy's

Happy Oscars Night everyone!

I wish I could say I was sitting here typing this in vintage Chanel, enthusiastically swinging my Manolo clad feet - but I'm in jogging bottoms.

Sorry to spoil the illusion there...

Anyway, I think I have a fair idea of who's going to go home with a little man of their own but I absolutely wish the best of luck to the awesome Abigail Breslin for Little Miss Sunshine - I will smile all day tomorrow if that little lady wins.

LMS for Best Picture!

Oh, and somebody give Martin Scorsese an Oscar...

Which brings me to my point (there is one, yes) - tonight I'm handing out my very own awards: the Wondy's.

Yes, the Wondy's.

They are virtual awards, so you won't actually be able to store yours in the bathroom should you find yourself a winner - but it's the thought that counts, right?

And so... I will begin:

• Category of - Best Blogging Friend (Female)
  For being a wonderful Blog friend and an even better real time friend:
  ...and the Wondy goes to...
  Heather for Yummy Sushi Pajamas!
  
• Category of - Most Stylish (Female)
  For being not only fantastically funky but also a true sweetheart to me:
  …and the Wondy goes to…
  Chica for *Batteries Not Included!
  
• Category of - Best Compliments and Encouragement (Male)
  For understanding women and always helping them to focus on their beautiful bits:
  …and the Wondy goes to…
  Rainy Pete for Rainy Pete's Unbalanced World!

*Blogger is playing up with it's spacing on this post and I can't fix it, so I'll carry this on in a second - please bear with us while we fix this technical fault...

Because I'm A Geek...

... last night's BAFTA results, courtesy MSN.com:

Winners in CAPS


Best Film
THE QUEEN
Babel
The Departed
Little Miss Sunshine - You was robbed, Little Miss Sunshine!!
The Last King Of Scotland


Best Director
PAUL GREENGRASS - UNITED 93 - Well deserved, in my opinion...
Stephen Frears - The Queen
Jonathan Dayton/Valerie Faris - Little Miss Sunshine
Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu - Babel
Martin Scorsese - The Departed


Best Actor
FOREST WHITAKER - THE LAST KING OF SCOTLAND - Best Actor? Arrrgh!
Leonardo DiCaprio - The Departed
Peter O'Toole - Venus
Daniel Craig - Casino Royale
Richard Griffiths - The History Boys


Best Actress
HELEN MIRREN - THE QUEEN
Penelope Cruz - Volver
Judi Dench - Notes On A Scandal - Shoulda Woulda Coulda been you Judi...
Meryl Streep - The Devil Wears Prada
Kate Winslet - Little Children


Best Supporting Actor
ALAN ARKIN - LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE - Hurrah!
James McAvoy - The Last King of Scotland
Jack Nicholson - The Departed
Leslie Phillips - Venus
Michael Sheen - The Queen


Best Supporting Actress
JENNIFER HUDSON - DREAMGIRLS
Francis De La Tour - The History Boys
Emily Blunt - The Devil Wears Prada
Toni Colette - Little Miss Sunshine
Abigail Breslin - Little Miss Sunshine


Best Film Not In The English Language
PAN'S LABYRINTH
Apocalypto
Black Book
Paint It Yellow
Volver


Best Original Screenplay
MICHAEL ARNDT - LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE
Peter Morgan - The Queen
Guillermo Arriaga - Babel
Paul Greengrass - United 93
Guillermo del Toro - Pan's Labyrinth


Best Adapted Screenplay
PETER MORGAN/JEREMY BROCK - THE LAST KING OF SCOTLAND
Aline Brosh McKenna - The Devil Wears Prada
Neal Purvis/Robert Wade/Paul Haggis - Casino Royale
William Monahan - The Departed
Patrick Marber - Notes On A Scandal


Roll on the Oscars!

It's That Time Again...

It's my favourite time of year coming up - Oscar Night (February 25th)!

Here's the list of the key nominees.

Best Picture

• Babel
• The Departed
• Letters from Iwo Jima
• Little Miss Sunshine
• The Queen

I've only seen two of these, I loved Little Miss Sunshine, it's really hilariously funny and sad - but I think The Departed will win, and it does deserve to.

Best Director

• Stephen Frears - The Queen
• Paul Greengrass - United 93
• Clint Eastwood - Letters from Iwo Jima
• Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu - Babel
• Martin Scorsese - The Departed

Again, I'll be surprised if Scorcese doesn't walk this one. Although I can't comment on the others as I haven't seen them yet. Love Inarritu though, he's always excellent.

Best Actor

• Forest Whitaker - The Last King of Scotland
• Leonardo DiCaprio - Blood Diamond
• Peter O'Toole - Venus
• Will Smith - The Pursuit of Happyness
• Ryan Gosling - Half Nelson

Hm. Would be nice to see Leo win, he has earned it by now. But I reckon Forest will take it...

Best Actress

• Helen Mirren - The Queen
• Penelope Cruz - Volver
• Judi Dench - Notes On A Scandal
• Meryl Streep - The Devil Wears Prada
• Kate Winslet - Little Children

It's got to be Meryl hasn't it? She's a marvel. Reckon it'll be a tough one between Judi and Helen though. Haven't seen any of them but The Devil Wears Prada - am dying to see Notes on a Scandal, though.

Best Supporting Actor

• Eddie Murphy - Dreamgirls
• Mark Wahlberg - The Departed
• Alan Arkin - Little Miss Sunshine
• Djimon Hounsou - Blood Diamond
• Jackie Earle Haley - Little Children

Alan Arkin. Hands down. He's amazing.

Best Supporting Actress

• Jennifer Hudson - Dreamgirls
• Adriana Barraza - Babel
• Cate Blanchett - Notes on a Scandal
• Rinko Kikuchi - Babel
• Abigail Breslin - Little Miss Sunshine

Cate'll take it, methinks. But Abigail Breslin is a heartbreaker.

You guys have got to see Little Miss Sunshine if you get the chance, it's fan-bloody-tastic and if there is any justice in this world, should clean up.

Roll on Oscar Night, baby!