Who Should Win and Who is Going to Win..

My goal this year was to actually see all of the movies that have been nominated for the Golden Globes, and then of course, when the list of what is nominated for the Academy Awards to have seen all of those. Here is everything that has been nominated for the Golden Globes. Here you will see my thoughts on who will get what and what I liked and disliked about each of the films or actors.

Best Motion Picture - Drama

Avatar
I was completely blown away by this movie. I am not a big sci-fi person at all. Hearing that this movie was worth it, I checked it out. And oh man, it was. However, I feel like I need to see it again because I was so blown away by all of the 3D effects. It also has a Pocahontas type of feel to it. Which, being the Disney child that I am, I don't mind. Needless to say, if this wins, I will be happy because it definitely changed the way Hollywood makes movies.

The Hurt Locker
I haven't seen this yet. From what I have been reading this movie is the one that should win, but probably won't. It's on my list to watch, it's apparently available on DVD. Hopefully, I will fit this in tonight after I go see Crazy Heart with my family.

Inglourious Basterds
Another one that I haven't seen. A bunch of my friends saw it and they said that they liked it. I highly doubt that this will get the win, but you never know.

Precious: Based On The Novel Push By Sapphire
An intense film. I saw this one with my friend Jeni. We were one of the very few that were in the theater. Which, surprised me. For some reason, I have a feeling this won't win because it is one of those movies that people talk about, but at the same time don't because of the issues in this film that are presented. However, it is a wonderful film, and by wonderful, I mean, it's definitely something of this time. If this wins, I think it would be a shock to me, but I good shock, because these are issues that are affecting many people in this world.

Up In The Air
A great film. Very Frank Capra in my opinion. This is a movie that is telling of this time, and by this time, the fact that many people are unemployed, and this definitely hit home with me. I feel like a great film is something that you can watch and understand the people of that certain period of time, and this movie does that. This one, is expected to win. Although, you never know what will happen. The directing, writing, and acting are all great. And, I've seen this twice, so that's a good thing in my book because I usually don't see films twice.

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama

Emily Blunt – The Young Victoria

Ah! I haven't seen her in this yet! I just didn't have enough time, because this was one that came out closer to the Golden Globe dates. From just the trailers of it, it looks great and Blunt seems like she gives a worthy performance. If she wins, I will definitely check this movie out.

Sandra Bullock – The Blind Side

I saw this for a second time last night; my friend Dayton wanted to go, so I said I would. I figured I would pay attention to her performance than to the movie itself this time. Bullock plays a character that really pulls at the heartstrings of almost any person. She plays a strong woman, that I think anyone would want to embody. You can definitely tell that she put her time and energy into learning and living this role. If she wins, it will be a great win for her, and I think everyone because, I think she played a great Christian woman, who makes us all think a little bit more about our lives.

Helen Mirren – The Last Station

Honestly, I haven't heard anything about her performance in this, let alone, this movie. So, I'm guessing that she will not win. If she does, it goes on the list to check out.

Carey Mulligan – An Education

Ah, this movie! This was a great movie. A very coming of age movie. Carey Mulligan will probably not win, but she should. Never once in this movie, do you think it is actually her, but the character that she plays. I think that was the one problem with Bullock's character, sometimes you just knew it was Sandra playing that character rather than the actual character. Mulligan's performance was noteworthy, and really helped you understand the baggage that came with this character. Carey, I do hope you win.

Gabourey Sidibe – Precious: Based On The Novel Push By Sapphire

Oh Gabourey. What a great American dream story. I'm sure as most of you know, she just randomly auditioned for this part. She had a great performance as well. You could really tell that she put her heart into this. You could feel the pain of Precious. She also had a notable performance, but I think that there's more that she could have done. If she wins, great, I will definitely be happy about that.

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama

Jeff Bridges – Crazy Heart

I'm seeing this tonight. From what I have heard, Bridges gives a great performance and the Globe should go to him. I'll give you my two cents once I see it.

George Clooney – Up In The Air

He gave a great performance. I hope that he wins. His performance was one that captivated me... twice! So, you know that's a good thing. He really made me feel everything that his character loved and hated.

Colin Firth – A Single Man

I haven't see this either. I heard it was great, and probably his best performance. I think it would be great if he won, because I feel like Firth is under-appreciated in Hollywood.

Morgan Freeman – Invictus

He also had a great performance, but not one that I thought after the movie was something that was worthy enough for the Globe. It could have been too, that that night was also the night where I lost my blackberry and I was more concerned about that than anything else.

Tobey Maguire – Brothers

I didn't see this either! I wanted to, but no one wanted to go with me. Tobey seemed crazy intense from the previews. But, I don't think he's going to win. The story line seemed very similar to Pearl Harbor...

Best Motion Picture - Comedy Or Musical

(500) Days Of Summer
Finally! I category where I have seen everything! This movie was great! It's not your typical love story at all! It's an ending that you either want or don't want. This movie was funny, witty, and totally dealt with love where most romantic comedies wouldn't go. I've heard this one might win, which would be fine by me.

The Hangover
HILARIOUS. I saw this movie three times! once with my guy friends, another with my girlfriends and the last time with my dad. Every single time, I laughed. I feel like a good comedy always keeps you guessing and when it hits you it's just insanely funny. This movie did that. I wouldn't expect it to win, because it's a crude humor for most people. But oh man, was that movie funny.

It's Complicated
I saw this with my family Christmas day. This movie is a movie for any age. It's one of those movies that has the right balance between just plain funny, to the crude comedy, to slapstick. Overall, a very funny movie. Before going to this movie, I was trying to figure out how Steve Martin's character played into the whole love triangle of it, but it embeds him in well. Just a plain ol' good funny movie. Wouldn't be surprised if this wins especially because everyone loves Meryl.

Julie & Julia
Another Meryl movie. This was good one, but I honestly didn't think it was Globe worthy. I came out there amused, but not with jokes or funny scenes that made me smile. Then again, it is a Meryl movie, so it might win. And, everyone loves Amy Adams...

Nine
An entertaining movie. I went in here, thinking that it was going to be another Chicago type of movie, especially because it was from the same director. It's not. It was good, but it had me wanting to check my cell phone to see what time it was, and to me, that's not a good thing.

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Comedy Or Musical

Sandra Bullock – The Proposal

I secretly hope that Sandra wins the Globe here, because this is her cup of tea. She was funny and witty in this movie, but I wouldn't be surprised if she doesn't win.

Marion Cotillard – Nine

Marion was good. She definitely embodied her character. But, I don't think she was amazing. It would be nice for her to win, especially because it's a musical, but I just don't see this happening.

Julia Roberts – Duplicity

Sorry Julia, there is no way you are winning. I fell asleep when I rented this. That has to say something. It is not your night for the Globe, I'm so sorry.

Meryl Streep – It's Complicated

Either way, it's Streep's night. For some reason, I expect her to win for Julie & Julia. But, either way, she's going home with a Globe. I wonder which one she wants to win?

Meryl Streep – Julie & Julia

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy Or Musical

Matt Damon – The Informant!

Another one I didn't see, but I wanted to! I heard Damon was great in this. I also heard that he should win, but he won't. I wish I could say more, but I didn't see it.

Daniel Day-Lewis – Nine

Although I was somewhat disappointed with Nine, I do think that Daniel Day-Lewis did a great job playing Guido. I wouldn't be surprised if this goes to him. He really did a good job making me sympathize with this crazy, yet great man.

Robert Downey Jr. – Sherlock Holmes

Robert did a decent job. I personally think that it's somewhat Globe worthy, but I didn't come out of the theater thinking OMGSH this man is amazing! That's what I expect from a Golden Globe winner.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt – (500) Days Of Summer

In my opinion, I think that Levitt should be happy that he is in the same category was these guys. Yes, he did a good job, but nothing too notable.

Michael Stuhlbarg – A Serious Man

Didn't see the movie, and haven't heard anything about it.

Best Performance by an Actress In A Supporting Role in a Motion Picture

Penélope Cruz – Nine

Cruz was good, but not amazing. Sorry Cruz, it's just not your night. Didn't you win last year?

Vera Farmiga – Up In The Air

I thought Vera did a great job! She definitely made this character her own and we could really tell. Let alone the fact, that working with Clooney is hard and sometimes she even upstaged him.

Anna Kendrick – Up In The Air

Anna is in a group of great actresses. I think she knows that she's not going to get it, but is totally happy with the nomination. She definitely had a wonderful performance and I think what makes the best supporting actress is supporting the people acting and knowing where you stand. Kendrick did this.

Mo'nique – Precious: Based On The Novel Push By Sapphire

No doubt, Mo'nique is going to win. She really knew this character completely and made us truly hate her. Without a doubt she's winning.

Julianne Moore – A Single Man

I didn't see this! But knowing Moore, I am sure she gave a Globe worthy performance.

Best Performance by an Actor In A Supporting Role in a Motion Picture

Matt Damon – Invictus

Matt Damon did a really good job with this movie too. In fact, that was the only reason I was pay attention, because his character was so compelling.

Woody Harrelson – The Messenger

I didn't see this one!

Christopher Plummer – The Last Station

Or this one! Maybe I do need to see The Last Station!

Stanley Tucci – The Lovely Bones

I love Stanlet Tucci! I didn't see this one, but knowing him, he probably did a great job!

Christoph Waltz – Inglourious Basterds

I didn't see this one either!

Best Animated Feature Film

Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs
This is the one animated film that I didn't see! It looked good! But, I'm expecting Up to win.

Coraline
Coraline was a great film! A little creepy, but good. The animation in it was great and the story line was good for the most part. I don't expect it to win though. But, you never know.

Fantastic Mr. Fox
I loved the wittiness of this film! However, I felt like I could really tell which named actor was playing who, and to me, that bugs me, especially when it's some type of animation.

The Princess And The Frog
Oh man! It was so nice to see the old 2D of Disney come back to life! As a kid growing up with good Disney movies, this made me feel like I was a 7 year old again. The music was good, but for some reason I like Randy Newman as a Disney/Pixar man, rather than Disney.

Up
Up was an amazing film. It pulled my heartstrings. Especially that montage of him and his wife. I expect this one to win just because it's a relatable film for any age.

Best Director - Motion Picture

Kathryn Bigelow – The Hurt Locker

I didn't see this, but I heard Bigelow did a great job of really bringing this movie to life and also understanding each of the characters.

James Cameron – Avatar

I wouldn't be surprised if this won, but at the same time, I kinda left wanting more, in both a good and bad way. The question is, will the Hollywood Foreign Press Association go with the fact that he changed cinema forever? Or will it be because he made a good film.

Clint Eastwood – Invictus

A good film. Wouldn't surprise me, if this one won. But, then again, I honestly wasn't pay attention because I was so worried about my blackberry that I lost. It did keep in entertained though.

Jason Reitman – Up In The Air

I think that Reitman should win. Will he? Who knows. Oh Jason, how I loved the way you made this film. The way you made me relate to every single character in this film, and I mean every single one. I do hope you win.

Quentin Tarantino – Inglourious Basterds

This one I didn't see. It wouldn't surprise me if he did win, just to make things interesting.

There you go. Those are my picks and what I think. It'll be interesting to see what happens tomorrow night!

Red Carpet Season!

There are three seasons/holidays that I love and they go in this order: Thanksgiving, Christmas and Red Carpet Season. I think I was about 5 years old when I started watching and comprehending what Red Carpet Season was. I remember sitting on the couch watching all of the pretty women decked out in the finest outfits and just looking breathtaking. No joke. I also remember my mom and I watching all of the interviews before the Golden Globes and the Oscars started. That was the most mesmerizing thing to me, a reporter asking the questions "what are you wearing" and "tell us about your nomination". My dream is to be there when it happens. I don't care if it's reporting, getting someone's coffee, planning and making sure the event runs smoothly, or even having a client of my own that's nominated and I'm standing on the Red Carpet. I don't care, I just love that part of Hollywood. When Christyn and I first started the process of our friendship we found one thing in common: that we wanted to be seat-fillers for the Academy Awards and the Golden Globes. This year, figuring that I would try to find our way of getting in, I googled how. Well, apparently, there's no way one can be a seat-filler for both of those events. It's that exclusive. Which, I totally understand. So, my dream as of right now, was crushed. Until I found out that my school paper, sends a reporter to cover that. Hello! When I get on the paper, pick me please! Needless to say, my dream hasn't been completely crushed yet. I'm hoping with all of my might that I will get to cover the Oscars next year! That would be a dream come true! Of course, if I do, I promise to post pictures. So, please, pray for me that I get to cover them next year or maybe be an intern somewhere!

SAHWEET!

I don't know what I would do without Twitter, seriously. Twitter has done some really good things, I've gotten to keep in touch with some of my friends and get more updates about news. In fact, that's how I heard about the Earthquake in Haiti. And Sprinkles Cupcakes, which is a popular place to get your cupcakes in Los Angeles, tomorrow is donating 100% of their proceeds to Red Cross. How did I hear about this? Twitter of course. So tomorrow, if you are anywhere near 9635 Little Santa Monica Boulevard/two blocks west of Rodeo Drive from 9am-7pm go visit Sprinkles Cupcakes! It'll be a good thing for you because your stomach will LOVE this cupcake and you will be happy because you helped the people of Haiti! So go! Order a Red Cross Red Velvet Cupcake. If it's really that bad of a cupcake, let me know and I will pay you back. Seriously.

Celebrities Come Together

As much as people like to complain about Hollywood and their stars they also do some great things for people and places especially when they need it. Right now, the situation at Haiti is bringing so many people together. I just wanted to share with you what some are doing. Who knows maybe it will change your opinion of them, or even donate to what they are doing.

Wyclef Jean is Haitian-American multi-platinum musician, rapper, and record producer. Many of you know him from the song "Sweetest Girl". He also is ambassador to Yele Haiti a global awareness for Haiti while helping to transform the country through programs in education, sports, the arts and environment. You can check out how to donate to Yele Haiti or learn more about it here. http://www.yele.org/. Also Jean and Give On The Go campaign joined forces to encourage people from around the world to send a text message of "Yele" to 501501 on their mobile device which would then charge $5 to the donor's cellular phone bill.

Of course, Hollywood's power couple, Brad and Angelina's foundation, the Jolie-Pitt Foundation has donated $1 Million dollars to Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontiéres. And according to Doctors Without Borders' website"More than 2,000 patients have been treated so far at Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) locations in Port-au-Prince. Teams are now focusing their attention on expanding surgical capacity, as needs are huge."

Ben Stiller, who has been in tons of movies that I love, and an actor known and loved by many, launched a series of viral videos on Stillerstrong.org, his personal website in the hope of raising money for the Save the Children’s Ceverine Community School Project in Haiti. And this is from Save the Children's website about what they are doing in Haiti, "One of our key priorities is protecting children in emergencies around the world. We're on the ground now, in Haiti delivering assistance, often with local staff in advance of a disaster, and we stay on the scene long afterwards." Apparently too, Lance Armstrong poked fun as his charity, StillerStrong, but I am guessing that has to deal with the fact of Armstrong's LiveStrong campaign.

Scarlett Johansson apparently is an Oxfam ambassador. I had no idea about that! In one report from FOX she states, "As an ambassador of Oxfam, I urge those who are able to donate to the organization which currently has over 200 people on the ground and a team of 15 highly-experienced emergency specialists based in the capital that are responding with public health, water and sanitation services to prevent the spread of water borne disease.” And from their website about what Oxfam is doing in Haiti, they write, "Oxfam staff in Haiti are providing shovels and picks for local civil workers to clear rubble to search for trapped victims in the capital, Port-au-Prince, following Tuesday’s massive earthquake in Haiti."

Chris Martin, the singer from Coldplay is also teaming up with Oxfam for people to make donations to Haiti. In a relase from Oxfam, Martin says this, "I visited Haiti with Oxfam a few years ago. It's a country of extreme poverty and brutal living conditions. Most people in Port-au-Prince live in tin shacks. The earthquake that has struck Haiti will have turned the city into an unimaginable hell."

And the beloved talk show host, Oprah on her show mentioned that we as Americans need to come together and help the people of Haiti. She asked viewers to donate to the Red Cross in anyway because “we, as a global nation, should come together and support those in need.” As many of you know you can text Haiti to 90999 and $10 will be charged to your phone bill to help this place. So far, over $5 Million has been donated from people texting. I think everyone should do it. It's really simple. It took less than a minute for me to do, in fact, in my last post, you can see the text that you would get when you donate to Red Cross.

Help Haiti

Haiti. It's been the topic of many news outlets. Being the teenager/young person that I am, Hollywood seems to be interesting than anything else, (and probably another reason is that I live in a place that is driving distance and several people that I know have been on some type of screen, anyways, that's besides the point) but I find it interesting that even my friends are talking more about Simon Cowell or the whole NBC Tonight Show debacle than Haiti. Even my friend Casey noticed it too, check out her blog here. Although school has slowly taken over my life (when has it not?) the only news outlet (besides my Twitter account that I follow with many news outlets) that I seem to watch is E! News. I know, I am a terrible person, I should be watching ABC News or anything else besides E! News, but what can I say, I've always loved E! and I like knowing what's going on in Hollywood, especially when I hope to get involved with it somehow when I am older. But all of my rants about Hollywood is not why I am blogging today. I'm blogging because I hope in someway, whoever is reading this, that they take the time to donate somehow to the situation in Haiti.

Here are someways how you can be apart of helping this place that suffered through so much.

TEXTING! As a girl that always has her blackberry in hand, this is what I've done so far. At first, I thought, $10! That's a big price to be asking, especially because I am trying to save as much money as possible because I am moving this summer. I thought of all of the possible ways of how I could use my $10... I could have gone out to lunch with one of my friends, maybe bought a cheap shirt from Forever 21 that was on sale, even go see a movie (but that's pushing it, because I have no idea where you can see a movie for $10 anymore)... but I realized, $10 CAN make a difference. This is why Obama did so well with money during his campaign, a little can go a long way. So text Haiti to 90999 to donate $10 that will be charged to your phone bill. This isn't a scam. In fact, Red Cross has raised over $5 Million as of Thursday. Also, check out what Mashable, my new favorite site, has posted about donating to the Red Cross. You can check that out, right here.

As a proud Lutheran, well ELCA Lutheran, I try to make sure that I think about what my church has been doing or will be doing to be apart of this disaster. Lutheran World Relief, which is formed by both Lutheran Churches in America, ELCA and LCMS come together through this organization to help the world. This came from a person who I work with in the Lutheran Church to share with as many as possible:

From the ELCA Disaster Response Website: The ELCA, through the Lutheran World Federation, is already responding to the critical needs of survivors in Haiti. Thankfully, the LWF offices and staff on the island were spared in the earthquake, making it possible for work to begin immediately. Staff there will focus their immediate efforts on issues of water safety and sanitation, assisting with medical triage, and providing emergency sheltering for the many who are now homeless.

I urge you, please check out Lutheran World Relief, they are desperately trying to help as much as possible.

Also, my friend Christyn, has some other ideas on her page here, as well how you can help out as well. And Christyn, if you are reading this, I'm sorry that I copied you, you just put everything out so perfectly I just had to share.

Of course, there are three simple things that you can do:

1. Educate yourself what is going on in Haiti. The worst thing is to talk to other people about it and end up telling someone the wrong information. If you educate and tell others, then others will check out what you are talking about.
2. If you are on Facebook, check out this event, Wear Red for Haiti. I mean, how awesome would it be to see a sea of red everywhere, knowing that people that you know and don't know are thinking about this terrible thing that has happened to the people of Haiti. I know I will be wearing red this Tuesday, will you?
3. As Christyn has on her page, pray. I am a firm believer in prayer, yes, if you want you can disagree with me. And trust, I have had my days of "God, are you even listening to what I have to say?", but I think that when God hears from many, things will be answered. It may not be in the time frame that we want, but they will be answered.