LOVES and HATES for 12/13/05
LOVES:
* I will be able to judge at the District 12 Thespian Festival after all. Beauty and the Beast rehearsals will feature a rotating set of stage managers, where at some rehearsals two will be "on" and two will be "off." I requested that I be on the "off" set for January 21st, and I am lucky that they said YES! So, I will get to see some great talent as well as see some of my favorite people: Kristen Neander, Jason and Amy Longtin, and Zeina Salame. Bring on the Olive Garden, bitches!
* Around the World in 80 Days has come to an end. It was a great production, and those of you that didn't come really did miss out. However, I am LOVING the fact that I don't have to go back to Mt. Dora for a while (except maybe to pick up the stipend, because I don't think they have my address at the IceHouse Theatre).
* This weather is GLORIOUS! I can't tell you how much I'm loving the crisp breezes on my cheeks and the clear blue skies overhead. Why can't the weather be like this all year long?
* The Golden Globe nominations were announced today, and I shall be making predictions at the bottom of this post!
HATES:
* I have no idea what to do for my birthday. I am placing it in the hands of my friends. Let me know what we're doing.
* I hate that even though the show is over, I'm still tired.
* I hate that the IceHouse didn't think to have the stipend checks ready for the final performance. If you cut checks only on Mondays, then cut the checks the week before. It's not brain surgery.
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And now for a little Golden Globe predictions:
Best Picture (Drama):
Brokeback Mountain
The Constant Gardener
Good Night and Good Luck
The History of Violence
Match Point
***This is an easy category to predict. With the reviews for Brokeback Mountain being unanimous raves, it's easy to say that it will be the winner here. I am disappointed to see that Capote failed to receive a nomination in this category.
Best Actress (Drama):
Maria Bello, A History of Violence
Felicity Huffman, Transamerica
Gwyneth Paltrow, Proof
Charlize Theron, North Country
Ziyi Zhang, Memoirs of a Geisha
***It will be nice to see Huffman win another major award, especially since it will come on the heels of her Emmy win for Desperate Housewives. I think she'll be top choice for an Academy Award as well.
Best Actor (Drama):
Russell Crowe, Cinderella Man
Philip Seymour Hoffman, Capote
Terrence Howard, Hustle and Flow
Heath Ledger, Brokeback Mountain
David Strathairn, Good Night and Good Luck
***It's interesting to see the Foreign Press waste a nomination on Russell Crowe's performance in Cinderella Man. I would have rather seen Jake Gyllenhaal nominated here, but it's really no matter, as it will be a fight to the finish between Hoffman and Strathairn, with my bet falling on Hoffman.
Best Picture (Musical or Comedy):
Mrs. Henderson Presents
Pride and Prejudice
The Producers
The Squid and the Whale
Walk the Line
***If Walk the Line had been seen in the Drama category, it would have left this category a bit more wide-open. But, since it IS in this category, it will win.
Best Actress (Musical or Comedy):
Judi Dench, Mrs. Henderson Presents
Keira Knightley, Pride and Prejudice
Laura Linney, The Squid and the Whale
Sarah Jessica Parker, The Family Stone
Reese Witherspoon, Walk the Line
***Finally, Reese Witherspoon can be recognized as a real actress. I've always liked her in her lighter faire films, but this one really allows her to showcase her versatility--AND she sings!
Best Actor (Musical or Comedy):
Pierce Brosnan, The Matador
Jeff Daniels, The Squid and the Whale
Johnny Depp, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Nathan Lane, The Producers
Cillian Murphy, Breakfast on Pluto
Joaquin Phoenix, Walk the Line
***Again, an actor that deserves the recognition, but rarely gets it. Joaquin Phoenix will win.
Best Supporting Actress:
Scarlett Johannson, Match Point
Shirley MacLaine, In Her Shoes
Frances McDormand, North Country
Rachel Weisz, The Constant Gardener
Michelle Williams, Brokeback Mountain
***If Brokeback has a sweep, my guess would be on Williams. But this is such a diverse category where every actress is deserving. Weisz would be my choice, but I wouldn't be disappointed with a win from MacLaine or McDormand.
Best Supporting Actor:
George Clooney, Syriana
Matt Dillon, Crash
Will Ferrell, The Producers
Paul Giamatti, Cinderella Man
Bob Hoskins, Mrs. Henderson Presents
***A wasted nomination on Ferrell, in a slot that should have belonged to Matthew Broderick. I'm going to put my bets on Hoskins, but it would be wonderful to see Giamatti win, too.
Best Director:
Woody Allen, Match Point
George Clooney, Good Night and Good Luck
Peter Jackson, King Kong
Ang Lee, Brokeback Mountain
Fernando Meirelles, The Constant Gardener
Stephen Spielberg, Munich
***It's interesting that they chose to reward Peter Jackson with a nomination and not Rob Marshall for the more artistic Memoirs of a Geisha. Everyone else seems to fit, but expect Ang Lee to win.
Best Drama Series:
Commander in Chief
Grey's Anatomy
Lost
Prison Break
Rome
***Well, if Prison Break weren't in the mix, I'd go with Lost. But, since Prison Break IS in the mix, I'm going with that.
Best Actress (Drama Series):
Patricia Arquette, The Medium
Glenn Close, The Shield
Geena Davis, Commander in Chief
Kyra Sedgewick, The Closer
Polly Walker, Rome
***I have a feeling the Golden Globes will properly recognize Glenn Close, shutting out the woman who unfairly beat her at the Emmy Awards, Patricia Arquette. Although, Geena Davis is proving herself quite the talent on the small screen. Her performance in the pilot episode alone is worthy of an award.
Best Actor (Drama Series):
Patrick Dempsey, Grey's Anatomy
Matthew Fox, Lost
Hugh Laurie, House
Wentworth Miller, Prison Break
Kiefer Sutherland, 24
***I'm going to go out on a limb and say Patrick Dempsey, although Hugh Laurie could win it.
Best Musical or Comedy Series:
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Desperate Housewives
Entourage
Everybody Hates Chris
My Name is Earl
***This is possibly the strongest group of nominations in this category in years. Curb Your Enthusiasm is always a critic's darling, but I think this year it will be between Everybody Hates Chris and My Name is Earl. I'm going with Earl.
Best Actress (Musical or Comedy Series):
Marcia Cross, Desperate Housewives
Teri Hatcher, Desperate Housewives
Felicity Huffman, Desperate Housewives
Eva Longoria, Desperate Housewives
Mary Louise Parker, Weeds
***Huffman has her name on the big Best Actress award for Transamerica, so it would be a crime to not give the award to Marcia Cross or Mary Louise Parker. Parker has an edge.
Best Actor (Musical or Comedy Series):
Zach Braff, Scrubs
Steve Carrell, The Office
Larry David, Curb Your Enthusiasm
Jason Lee, My Name is Earl
Charlie Sheen, Two and a Half Men
***Jason Lee will win.