Orange BAFTA Awards

First off, why are they orange? I've never understood this or, it seems, cared enough to look it up on wikipedia. Oh well... The British Academy of Film and Television Awards was broadcast Sunday on BBC America. I like the BAFTA's. They are an intimate affair and speech's are not cut off for time. Of course, they only broadcast the biggest awards so there is little fear they will go over the two and a half hours allotted.

Who won? Should we care?
The winners are usually British heavy and they rarely stray from the other awards shows that have already happened. That being said, there are usually a few surprise winners; usually those who have done good work but will not receive the Oscar.
Best Picture, Best British Picture, Actor, Supporting Actor, Original Screenplay, Supporting Actress, and Best Music went to "The King's Speech" naturally. Just another notch in the belt towards an Oscar win for Best Picture. I don't think Geoffry Rush will with the Oscar, but then he must not have thought he would win this one as he wasn't there. Helena Bonham Carter gave a lovely speech:


Best Director went to David Fincher and Best Adapted Screenplay to Aaron Sorkin. If they're not in your Oscar pool, they should be. Inception won Special Effects, Art Direction, and Sound; True Grit- Best Cinematography; Costumes when to "Alice in Wonderland" in a bit of a surprise, but the other nominees were a bit lacking.

Rising Star Award
One of the things I love about the BAFTA's is their recognition of young talent. The Orange Rising Star Award is voted on my the public from a short list put together by some of the most interesting names in film today (Tom Ford was on the committee this year). Past winners have included Kristen Stewart, Shia LeBeouf, and James McAvoy. This years nominees were Emma Stone, Andrew Garfield, Gemma Arterton ("Quantum of Solace", "Prince of Persia"), and Aaron Johnson ("Kick- Ass"). The winner was Tom Hardy ("Inception", "Bronson"). Unfortunately, he wasn't there to pick up his neon orange drama head either. Boo!

Special Honors
Sir Christopher Lee received the Academy Fellowship, a type of lifetime achievement award. He was very lovely receiving it and it was almost hard to believe he is 88 until he slowly walked out on the stage. How amazing that he is still working, and even more so that there is such love for his earlier Hammer films!

The Harry Potter franchise received a special Contribution to British Film award. They really do deserve it. Before HP, who would have thought England could produce such a large spectacle. That was American territory! Instead, they have produced a truly multi-cultural affair that has forever changed the face of not only British cinema, but movies the world over.

Best Moment
Rosamund Pike and Dominic Cooper presenting Best Original Screenplay. I'm still not sure if she was a tip pissed (i.e. drunk), or just nervous but the whole thing was a disaster. The worst (read: best) part was when she opened the envelope and almost read the winner before the nominees were even announced. Cooper looked like he might fall over and die. Jonathan Ross (talk show host and MC) ran over and slammed his hand on the envelope. It was hilarious!

67th Golden Globes: The Ricky Gervais Show

The downside to having the two days after the Golden Globes off is that I'm slow to the party on my review of everything that happened. That being said, the recovery time was well warranted and welcome!

This may have been the worst year for my predictions in history. I usually average about 90% on the Globes, but this year it was more like 64%. Damned TV shows ruining my average!

We had a great time at my friends house with food galore and lots of cute party touches, like a red carpet into the house and beautiful color ballots. We noshed on guacamole, black bean dip, mini quiche, cheese tray (I'm still dreaming of Drunken Goat), chips, cup cakes, and red velvet cake. Oh, there were some nice looking pigs in a blanket but of course I avoided those. Lots of champagne too!

"Johnny Depp showered! And Robert Pattinson! The world's gone topsy turvey!"- me

The best part of any awards show may be the red carpet. There were a lot of misses in a sea of hits:

The Best:

Seacrest: Did you come by yourself?

Corey Monteith: Yep, by myself.

party goer: Mark it!

side note: "Mark it" is what you yell anytime something unintentionally sounds dirty or perverse.

The Worst:

The Meh:

"I like how that thing under her name is her nickname"- Referring to Nicole Kidman "Rabbit Hole"

Okay, now that that's out of the way let's talk about the actual show.

* I thought Ricky Gervais was hilarious! Way to take the piss on such a big night. While it may have been in poor taste to talk smack about "The Tourist" in front of both its stars, it doesn't make what he said any less true. I also have to agree with Josh Wolf on "Chelsea Lately" regarding Robert Downey Jr calling out Gervais as being mean spirited: You're going to follow that with a list of how you have or would like to bang the list of best actress nominees? It was funny, but not any less controversial. It's time to loosen up Hollywood!

* Bill Nighy + The Science Guy = The President of HFPA

* Robert DeNiro's speech- Is it racist?

* I did pretty well on the movie awards. I loved Natalie Portman's speech. It was the most personal thing I've ever heard her say. We saw her parents for what I believe is the first time and she totally embarrassed her fiance! ("You might recognize him from the movie where they ask him if he would want to sleep with me and he's like, No. Well, he totally does want to sleep with me!") It was cute and unexpected. Annette Bening came off like the pompous ass we believe her to be and Paul Giamatti was funny.I guess this means I have to see "Barney's Vision" now. Crap.

* Melissa Leo may have had the best speech were she references "those few hours we spent in the Maritime Hotel..." with the director, Or, at least I think that was who she was referencing, I didn't write that part down! Grrr! Second best speech of the night goes to Chris Colfer and his dedication of his award to the fans who tell him that "Glee" has helped him in their life and that bullying is never the answer. It was really touching.

* I couldn't believe how wrong I was as far as TV awards! The Globes really strayed from the Emmy's this year. Usually, there is more overlap. I was so excited for "Boardwalk Empire" and Steve Buscemi (totally called it). That show is amazing. Maybe next year Michael Pitt will get some love. I couldn't believe Kathy Sagal won for "Sons of Anarchy"! Not because she isn't brilliant, she is, but because she never wins. In fact, I think this is her first nomination for the show. Go girl! "Glee" beats out "Modern Family" which I probably would have called if I remembered we're talking about the foreign press, and "Carlos" beat everybody for best mini-series. I heard it was good, but I don't get the Sundance Channel and it's fraking long.

* Tent Reznor wins a Golden Globe and becomes the front runner for the Oscar. It's like I've died and gone back to 1998!

* "The Social Network" beats out "Inception" and I feel horribly for Christopher Nolan. Always the bridesmaid, never the bride. It's like it's 1995 all over again. Facebook= "Forrest Gump" and "Inception" = "Pulp Fiction". This was one of the toughest yeas in the Best Picture Drama category. Still, I feel the best movie should be the one you are still thinking about, still talking about, want to see again and again. I really liked "The Social Network", but I don't need to see it again right now. I'd like to watch the special features maybe. "Inception", however, is a film I couldn't wait to see again, to talk to my friends about, to watch the bonus features. It took over my mind for several weeks. It has haunted me.

What did you think about the Golden Globes?

The Countdown Begins

The Golden Globes are tomorrow and I cannot wait! I have my ballot all filled out and ready to go. Now, all I'm missing is something yummy to take to our 2nd Annual GG Watching Party. There tends to be an abundance of cheese at these things and I'm always looking for something different and creative to bring. My only stipulation this time is that I don't really want to have to cook. Last year I made these delicious open faced sandwich's with goat cheese, tomato, and arugula drizzled with a honey balsamic. I could have rubbed them over my body they were so good! This year, I need something that's easily low maintenance.

What are your favorite get together snacks?

PS- Who do you think is going to win Best Picture Drama and Comedy?? I'm putting money on "The Social Network" even though I think "Inception" should win and "The Kids Are Alright".