Ramblin' with Roger

78th Annual Academy Awards

“Hollywood is out of touch with mainstream America.” That’s what I was hearing all week, because of the five best-picture nominees were not big box office grossers. Again, on the Sunday morning news programs: Larry Elder, the black conservative talk show host, spouting the same rhetoric, on CBS Sunday Morning. George Will even did the “straw man” thing, noting that “Good Night, and Good Luck” was supposed to be “cutting edge”, but that Joe McCarthy has been dead for 49 years, to which I say:
1) It was its cinematography and look which WAS cutting edge and
2) McCarthy may be dead, but McCarthyism lives on, as any early opponent of the Iraq war can tell you. In fact, I think the film is as much about McCartyhy as “M*A*S*H” was about Korea, which was not much.

The Oscars, supposedly, honor quality, not box office. There are People’s Choice Awards for the most popular films. Moreover, there have been plenty of recent films that were both Oscar winners and big box office.

For the record, this is IMDB’s top ten films in terms of domestic box office:

380,262,555 Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith
288,060,759 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
287,153,504 The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
234,280,354 War of the Worlds
216,326,425 King Kong
209,218,368 Wedding Crashers
206,456,431 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
205,343,774 Batman Begins
193,136,719 Madagascar
186,336,103 Mr. & Mrs. Smith

Many WERE nominated in the technical categories. I dare say that most of these films also cost more to make than the five Best Picture nominees, and that a movie needn’t be big box office to be profitable.

Anyway, I watch the Oscar broadcast for those WOW! moments, the emotional or controversial speech, the really funny shtick. There was exactly one WOW! moment in the whole broadcast for me, the performance of “It’s Out Here for a Pimp”, followed by its selection as Best Original Song. I saw both of the other movies from which songs were nominated, “Transamerica” and “Crash”, and I didn’t remember the songs at all.

Oh, there were moments:
*The video intro with former hosts turning down the gig, then Jon Stewart in bed with Halle Berry, then George Clooney
*Clooney’s acceptance speech, where he notes (correctly) that he won’t be getting the directing Oscar, that his obit will read 1997 Sexiest Man Alive, and that he was happy not to be in the mainstream
*The “invisible” Ben Stiller, mildly humorous
*Meryl Streep and Lily Tomlin’s somewhat lame attempts to be Altmanesque. The CBS film critic was hoping Altman would give ’em hell, but he was quite gracious
*Carell and Farrell in bad makeup was a visual treat
*The American Express commercial with M. Night Shymalan; I didn’t know WHAT the heck was going on until the end
*Lauren Bacall’s trouble reading the intro for the “film noir” film clips, which was painful

I thought most of those movie film clips were unnecessary and just made the program longer. In fact, the one I would have kept is the socially relevant film clip, introed by Samuel L. Jackson. I did enjoy the “political” clips, though, the supposed slam ads for the best actress and sound editing categories.

By the time Resse Witherspoon predictably won, it was 11:03, and I just went to bed. Wish Felicity Huffman had won; she got so emotional in the red carpet pre-show when one of the hosts showed her a video clip of her four co-stars on “Desperate Housewives” wishing her well, it might have been more interesting television.

I got up at 5 to watch the remaining part of the show:

Glad about all the award winners, but annoyed that the original screenplay winners were cut off by the music.

I’ll admit; when “Crash” won for Best Picture, I jumped out of my chair for joy, in part because I really liked the film, and in part because I actually picked it to win.

But all in all, a pretty boring show, I’m afraid.

It’s MY Birthday, Too

Here is a list of some folks born on March 7:
Year of Birth/Age on Tuesday
Alan Sues 1926 80 – “Laugh-In” notable
Anthony Charles Robert Armstrong-Jones, Earl of Snowdon 1930 76- was married to Princess Margaret. Noted photographer.
James Broderick 1927 d. 11/01/1982 at the age of 55 -in the TV show “Family”. Matthew’s dad.
Willard Scott 1934 72 – “Today” show weatherguy
Janet Guthrie 1938 68 – race car driver
Daniel J. Travanti 1940 66 – “Hill Street Blues” Pizzaman
Tammy Faye Bakker 1942 64 – realty TV show diva
Michael Eisner 1942 64 – former Disney head
John Heard 1945 61 – fine character actor
Matthew Fisher -1946 60 – from the band Procol Harum
Peter Wolf 1946 60 – singer for the J. Geils Band
Franco Harris 1950 56 – Pittsburgh Steeler running back
Lynn Swann 1952 54 – Pittsburgh Steeler wide receiver, potential Republican candidate for Pennsylvania governor
Ivan Lendl 1960 46 – champion tennis player
Joe Carter 1960 46 – baseball player who hit winning HR in the 1993 World series for the Toronto Blue Jays
Freedy Johnston 1961 45 – quirky singer that I like.
Taylor Dayne 1962 44 – singer
Wanda Sykes 1964 42 -black female comedian
Jeff Kent 1968 38 – major league second baseman since 1992
Peter Sarsgaard 1971 35 – noted actor

Rachel Weisz 1971 35 -(pictured) nominated for an Oscar in “the Constant Gardener” tonight, and my pick for Best Supporting Actress
Jenna Fischer 03/07/1974 32 Pam on “The Office”
Laura Prepon 03/07/1980 26 – “That ’70s Show”

Want more people who were born or died on March 7? Look here.

Other events on March 7: look here, here and here.
***
Today’s post comes courtesy of friend Bruce, who lent me his spare monitor when the previous monitor suddenly died last week. I thought that perhaps the 23-month old had somehow done something to it. I spent the last week posting from the library.

I have a question for the bloggers amongst you, which is: When do you blog?
My usual schedule during the week is to post at 5:30 a.m., when my wife gets up to take a shower, until 6, when I get dressed in anticipation of Lydia getting up.
Most nights, I have another block after I’ve changed Lydia into her pajamas and her mother puts her to bed, and perhaps a few minutes when Carol gets ready for bed.

A Matter of Cents

You know, we don’t usually deal with IMPORTANT stuff on a regular basis. So why is it the most mundane day-to-day stuff that drives one (OK, me) a little nuts?

The sales tax law is fairly arcane in New York State. It reads, in only small part:

Tax Law § 1115. Exemptions from sales and use taxes.
(a) Receipts from the following shall be exempt from the tax on retail sales imposed under subdivision (a) of section eleven hundred five and the compensating use tax imposed under section eleven hundred ten:
(1) Food, food products, beverages, dietary foods and health supplements, sold for human consumption but not including (i) candy and confectionery, (ii) fruit drinks which contain less than seventy percent of natural fruit juice…
[Emphasis mine]

I go to the corner store to buy a bottle of juice. The proprietor carefully peruses the bottle, notes that it’s 100% juice and correctly rings up the sale on the non-taxable key. I mention how strange the sales tax law is, that if the beverage were less than 70% juice, it’d be taxable. The proprietor scowls, “No, if it were 99% juice, it’d be taxable.”

So this is is my issue: should I go print out the law (actually, I already have, and have highlighted it to boot) to show the proprietor, or should I let it go?
Certainly, I was mildly peeved with his dismissive tone, but it’s also the case that he’s charging tax on some products that just aren’t taxable. Then again, how many beverages ARE there out there that have between 70% and 99% juice, anyway?
The tax in the state between the state plus the local is about 8%, so on a $1.50 drink, it’s only 12 cents.
Is it the “principle of the thing” or is it just ego?

Another example of the same thing: I bought one donut from the Dunkin’ Donuts in the 20 Mall a couple weeks, generally 79 cents when I buy it elsewhere, but 85 cents there. I saw her ring in 79 cents, but it must have been on the taxable button, the button one would use for prepared foods to be consumed. Restaurant food is taxable, but a dozen donuts (which one would HOPE would not be downed in one sitting) is not. I seldom go to that mall, so I’m not likely to go complain over six cents, but still…

Veering off topic somewhat: I had this friend from Manhattan. For some reason, I mentioned that she lived in New York County. She became indignant. “No, I don’t, I live in Manhattan County.” I agreed that she lived in Manhattan borough. “And I live there,” she scolded. “I ought to know!” Yes, she should, but she didn’t. I let it go.

Oscar 2005/2006

Remember the year when Peter Fonda was nominated for Ulee’s Gold? I do. It was the 1997 Oscars that were presented in 1998. It was the ONLY performance that year that I did not see in all of the major categories.

I went out of my way to see the nominated films. On Presidents’ Day weekend 1998, I saw four of the selections, including “L.A. Confidential” and “Mrs. Brown” on the same day.

How times have changed.

There are big holes in my viewing this Oscar season. But that won’t stop me from suggesting who will win, who should win and who I want to win.

Performance by an actor in a leading role

Philip Seymour Hoffman in “Capote”
Terrence Howard in “Hustle & Flow”
Heath Ledger in “Brokeback Mountain”
Joaquin Phoenix in “Walk the Line”
David Strathairn in “Good Night, and Good Luck.”
Saw three out of five, not Howard and not (alas!) Phoenix.

Strathairn won’t win, because a lot of people don’t think it was much of a stretch; I do, but there it is.
Howard won’t win, because he was selected as much for “Crash” as for this.
Ledger has a very strong Aussie accent, so his vocal transformation was quite astonishing. But he mumbled a lot, and people behindd me in the theater kept asking each other, “What did he say?” I couldn’t help them, either.
I was listening to the “Walk the Line” soundtrack last week. Phoenix was very good, especially on the vocals of the early tunes such as “Get Rhythm” and the duets, not so much on “Ring of Fire”. Though he also sang, I doubt they’ll give it to an actor portraying a singer two years in a row.
Who will win: Hoffman
Who should win: Phoenix or Hoffman
Who I want to win: Hoffman, who I’ve enjoyed in other films and who shares the last name with two of my co-workers.

Performance by an actor in a supporting role

George Clooney in “Syriana”
Matt Dillon in “Crash”
Paul Giamatti in “Cinderella Man”
Jake Gyllenhaal in “Brokeback Mountain”
William Hurt in “A History of Violence”
Saw the middle three.

Hurt could win, though I’ve been told it’s essentially a cameo.
Giametti’s been jobbed before – should have been nominated for “Crumb” and certainly for “Sideways”. He’s good here, but there’s a Ron Howard backlash.
Clooney could get three Oscars…or none.
Gyllenhall will win if there’s a Brokeback sweep.
Dillon is a strong contender in a strong cast.
Who will win: I have no idea. Clooney, Dillon or Gyllenhall. If Clooney gets only one, it’ll likely be this one.
Who should win: Ditto
Who I’m rooting for: Dillon
BTW, who was the STAR of “Crash”? Don Cheadle was pivotal, but I doubt he (or anyone else) was on the screen for even 50% of the time. I’ll contend that EVERYONE was a supporting performer.

Performance by an actress in a leading role

Judi Dench in “Mrs. Henderson Presents”
Felicity Huffman in “Transamerica”
Keira Knightley in “Pride & Prejudice”
Charlize Theron in “North Country”
Reese Witherspoon in “Walk the Line”

When the nominations came out, I had seen NONE of these performances. Subsequently, I saw the first two.
Dench has the Meryl Streep problem – Oh, another good performance! (Yawn.)”
Huffman is in a film no one has seen.
Knightley’s probably too young, though with an impressive body of work. Pictured, she’s my wife’s choice also the only one she’s seen.
Theron got her Oscar a couple years ago.
Witherspoon has paid her dues in fluff.
Who will win: Witherspoon
Who should win: From what I hear, Witherspoon.
Who I’m rooting for: Huffman. I liked her in “Sports Night”. I also loved her response to Lesley Stahl of “60 Minutes” a few weeks ago, when asked if having children was the most rewarding thing she ever did. “No!” she bellowed. “And I’m insulted that you said that!”
However, I was totally perplexed by that commercial of hers for Dove that ran during Gilmore Girls (and, I understand, Desperate Housewives). I was watching the GGs on tape, but it stopped me dead in my tracks until I watched the thing.

I do like the idea of Hoffman and Huffman as Oscar winners.

Performance by an actress in a supporting role

Amy Adams in “Junebug”
Catherine Keener in “Capote” (UA/Sony Pictures Classics)
Frances McDormand in “North Country”
Rachel Weisz in “The Constant Gardener”
Michelle Williams in “Brokeback Mountain”
Saw Keener and Williams.

It doesn’t matter how much Roger Ebert loved Adams’ performance; it still won’t win.
I love Keener, but her role in this movie didn’t move me.
McDormand, I heard, was good.
Weisz was the heart of her movie, I read.
Williams was quite good, a far cry from “Dawson’s Creek”. I also liked her in “Dick”.
Who will win: Weisz.
Who should win: Probably Weisz.
Who do I want to win: Weisz, for a most prosaic reason – wanna guess?
And the picture is of Thandie Newton, who won the British equivalent of the Oscar in this category, who I might have been rooting for if she were nominated here.

Adapted screenplay

“Brokeback Mountain” Screenplay by Larry McMurtry & Diana Ossana
“Capote” Screenplay by Dan Futterman
“The Constant Gardener” Screenplay by Jeffrey Caine
“A History of Violence” Screenplay by Josh Olson
“Munich” Screenplay by Tony Kushner and Eric Roth
Saw the first two.
“Capote” was more a star turn, “gardener” never got mo. and “Violence” was underseen. The morality of “Munich” disturbed some.
Who should win: Munich or Brokeback
Who will win: Brokeback
Who I’m rooting for: Brokeback and Munich, because of my appreciation for McMurtry and Kushner

Original screenplay

“Crash” Screenplay by Paul Haggis & Bobby Moresco; Story by Paul Haggis
“Good Night, and Good Luck.” Screenplay by George Clooney & Grant Heslov
“Match Point” Written by Woody Allen
“The Squid and the Whale” Written by Noah Baumbach
“Syriana” Written by Stephen Gaghan
Saw “Crash”, “Good Night” and “Squid”
“Crash” could win, but there seems to be a backlash
Is “Good Night” where they’ll honor Clooney?
I love Woody, but he’s been accused of copping Dostoevsky, and he isn’t Hollywood.
“Squid” is too small a story.
Some people, even those who LIKED the movie, found “Syriana” incomprehensible.
What will win: Crash (?)
What should win: Crash
What I’m rooting for: Crash

Achievement in directing

“Brokeback Mountain” Ang Lee
“Capote” Bennett Miller
“Crash” Paul Haggis
“Good Night, and Good Luck” George Clooney
“Munich” Steven Spielberg
Lee is an eclectic director with an impressive body of work. Just don’t think it’ll be Miller, and I figure Haggis will get the screenplay. Hollywood has often been generous to actors who direct (Beatty, Costner, Eastwood). And of course, one cannot write off Spielberg.
Saw all all except “Munich”
Who will win: Lee
Who should win: Lee or Spielberg
Who I’m rooting for: Lee or Spielberg

Best motion picture of the year

“Brokeback Mountain” A River Road Entertainment Production, Diana Ossana and James Schamus, Producers
“Capote” An A-Line Pictures/Cooper’s Town/ Infinity Media Production, Caroline Baron, William Vince and Michael Ohoven, Producers
“Crash” A Bob Yari/DEJ/Blackfriar’s Bridge/ Harris Company/ApolloProscreen GmbH & Co./Bull’s Eye Entertainment Production, Paul Haggis and Cathy Schulman, Producers
“Good Night, and Good Luck.” Good Night Good Luck LLC Production, Grant Heslov, Producer
“Munich” A Universal Pictures/DreamWorks Pictures Production, Kathleen Kennedy, Steven Spielberg and Barry Mendel, Producers
Saw all except “Munich”
I guess it’s between “Brokeback” and “Crash”. One of the Washington Post movie critics believe that the older Oscar voters will get the “Brokeback” DVD and not get through it; he picks “Capote”.
What will win, what I think should win, and what I’m rooting for: Crash

In any case, I’ll watch the show Sunday, and then read Tom the Dog’s cogent, if not sober, analysis on Monday.

Have I Ever…

When I was a kid, my birthday was always during Lent. I was always bummed by that, because I thought I was always supposed to be giving up something at a point when I wanted to, well, GET stuff.
Now, I revisit the idea of Lent as more of a reflective time.
Incidentally, my birthday was on Shrove Tuesday in 2000, and it’ll be during the Mardi Gras period again in 2038.

Purloined from Tosy and Cosh.

1. Smoked cigarettes – Yes, about two dozen total in the late 1970s, usually while drinking.
2. Smoked a cigar – I tried once, couldn’t do it.
3. Broken a CD – Not “smashed”, but I spilled Coke on one, and it was irrevocably wrecked.
4. Crashed a friend’s car – Well, actually not wrecked, but I did once knock over a Dumpster while going in reverse when I wanted to be going forward.
5. Stolen a car – Well, technically, no.
6. Been in love – Oh, yeah….
7. Been dumped – A number of times, the last time by e-mail.
8. Shoplifted – When I was a kid, chewing gum. Got caught, had to bring it back and apologize. Mortifying.
9. Been fired – No, although I did quit one job because I feared being fired. Also, I HATED the job, so no great loss, except financially.
10. Been in a fist fight – Yes. Three times, when I was 7, 11, and 16, none initiated by me, and at least two of which will be blog fodder for the future.
11. Snuck out of your house – Oh, yeah, to see HS girlfriend.
12. Had feelings for someone who didn’t have them back – sure.
13. Been arrested – Yes, intentionally. May 8, 1972. There’s a story there, too.
14. Made out with a stranger – Yes, at a Halloween party 20 years ago.
15. Gone on a blind date – No.
16. Lied to a friend – Undoubtedly, probably “for their own good”, or so I thought at the time.
17. Had a crush on a teacher – Yes, 12th grade English.
18. Skipped school – I had perfect attendance from 3rd to 11th grade. 12th grade? Not so perfect.
19. Slept with a co-worker – Yes, unfortunately. When you break up and you’re still working together, it’s tricky. Especially when our mutual boss abdicated, making me her boss.
20. Seen someone die – No, but I’ve been there within the hour a couple times – my great uncle Ed and my father.
21. Been on a plane – Yes., most recently a year ago. It’s like a flying bus; I don’t much like it.
22. Thrown up in a bar – No.
23. Taken painkillers – Yes, given to me by my father, for soexcrruciatinging pain some two decades ago.
24. Love someone or miss someone right now – Oh, my, yes.
25. Laid on your back and watched cloud shapes go by – Yes, and I will again.
26. Made a snow angel – Yes.
27. Played dress up – Yes.
28. Cheated while playing a game – Not to my recollection.
29. Been lonely – Yes.
30. Fallen asleep at work/school – Yes
31. Used a fake id – Don’t think so.
32. Felt an earthquake – Yes, and at least twice in upstate New York.
33. Touched a snake – I think so, but I’m honestly not sure.
34. Ran a red light – No.
35. Been suspended from school – No.
36. Had detention – Don’t think so.
37. Been in a car accident – At least three, one bad enough to put me in the hospital for a couple days. and physical therapy for six weeks.
38. Hated the way you look – Yes. there are these dreadful glasses I had when I was 13.
39. Witnessed a crime – I’d say so. I was walking with my mother and this loutish man was screaming at and shoving a woman. I wanted to intercede, but my mother was nervous, so I ran home and called the cops.
40. Pole danced – My, no.
41. Been lost – When I was three or four, I went exploring at Ross Park. I didn’t think I was lost, butparentstly my partents did.
42. Been to the opposite side of the country – Yes.
43. Felt like dying – Yes, but not lately.
44. Cried yourself to sleep – Yes, but not lately.
45. Played cops and robbers – Probably.
46. Sang karaoke – Strangely, no. Not adverse to it, just never happened. Did sing live, background vocals to “Disco Inferno” a couple years ago, which was interesting.
47. Done something you told yourself you wouldn’t – Sure, usually involving food.
48. Laughed till some kind of beverage came out of your nose – Probably.
49. Caught a snowflake on your tongue – Of course.
50. Kissed in the rain – Absolutely.
51. Sing in the shower – Yes, but only at home, not at the Y.
52. Made love in a park – Yes.
53. Had a dream that you married someone – Yes.
54. Glued your hand to something – Don’t think so.
55. Got your tongue stuck to a flag pole – No, but saw the movie.
56. Worn the opposite sex’s clothes – See my Halloween post
57. Had an orgasm – Oh, come on!
58. Sat on a roof top – Not nearly often enough.
59. Didn’t take a shower for a week – Yes, when I was living at my grandmother’s house in 1975.
60. Ever too scared to watch scary movies alone – No. I tend to avoid them alone or with companions.
61. Played chicken – By this, I assume he means the “Funky Chicken” – yes.
62. Been pushed into a pool with all your clothes on – Not “pushed”, but I’ve gone in voluntarily a few times.
63. Been told you’re hot by a complete stranger- No. Dammit.
64. Broken a bone – No.
65. Been easily amused – I write a blog, don’t I?
66. Laugh so hard you cry – Yes, at the scene of “Young Frankenstein” with the blind man. There have been other times since.
67. Mooned/flashed someone – No.
68. Cheated on a test – Yes. 9th grade biology. Didn’t get caught either, but I regretted it greatly.
69. Forgotten someone’s name – I am absolutely awful with names. Horrible. Everyone should wear nametags.
70. Slept naked – In the summer.
71. Gone skinny dipping in a pool- Yes, and also in a pond.
72. Been kicked out of your house – No.
73. Blacked out from drinking – No.
74. Played a prank on someone – Probably, little things, nothing cruel.
75. Gone to a late night movie – The first was Rocky Horror.
76. Made love to anything not human – Nope.
77. Failed a class – a pre-law course in college.
78. Choked on something you’re not supposed to eat – Don’t think so.
79. Played an instrument for more than 10 hours – No.
80. Cheated on a gf/bf – Unfortunately. I’ve come to the conclusion that you don’t have to actually have physical intimacy to cheat.
81. Ate a whole package of Oreos – Maybe half, not lately.
82. Thrown strange objects – I don’t know what this means. Like cows?
83. Felt like killing someone – Metaphorically? Sure. Literally? Probably not.
84. Thought about running away – Yes.
85. Ran away – No.
86. Did drugs – Occasional MJ use over 20 years ago. And didn’t much enjoy it. Tended to make me sleepy.
87. Had detention and not attend it – No.
88. Yelled at parents – Don’t think so.
89. Made parent cry – Not that I can recall.
90. Cried over someone – Oh, heck, yeah.
91. Owned more than 5 puppies – Puppies? No. I’ve had one dog in my whole life. Once had three kittens at the same time.
92. Dated someone more than once – I assumed “dated” means, “had a dating relationship with”. Yes, and with more than one person.
93. Have a dog – No.
94. Have a cat – Not for a couple decades.
95. Own an instrument – Yes. A tambourine, some other percussion.
96. Been in a band – Folk trio- yes. Rock band? No.
97. Had more than 25 sodas in one day – My stars, no.
98. Made out with a member of the same sex – Nope. Mildly curious many years ago.
99. Shot a gun – My grandfather’s rifle when I was 7. Landed on my keister.
100. Been online for more than 5 hours straight – Possible, but unlikely.