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Monday, March 15, 2010

R.I.P. Corey Haim

If you grew up in the 80's then you have been kicked in the head the last year with 80's Iconic deaths. Corey Haim is a big one, not much of a surprise, but still big. The pretty one of the legendary "Two Corey's" probably should have died in 1991 when his career did. He would not have been regarded the same way River Phoenix, but still he gave us enough good times that I think he would have been known as a great "could have been" instead of the joke that he became. Five years when you are a kid seems like twenty years, and we got a good five out of Haim from 1984 to 1989. Here are my favorites from the non bitter Corey. 6) Secret Admirer- to be fair this a C. Thomas Howell movie, but Haim is great as his theiveing kid brother. 5) License To Drive- At the peak of their "Corey" Powers, this was my most anticipated Corey movie ever. It's not as easy to watch now, but still a lot of fun. The movie is a time capsule and it proved that Billy Ocean had no ceiling when it came to movie soundtracks. 4) Silver Bullet- Really underrated horror film from the 80's. Great cast, good story, and Haim as a wheelchair bound firework weilding Werewolf hunter. It's got Busey in it so you know it's good. 3) Lucas- "Throw it to Lucas!" Great coming of age drama about a nerd who rightfully gets made fun of for being different. This is easily Haim's best acting role of his career. Great before they were stars cast with Charlie Sheen, Winona Ryder, and Jeremy Piven. Sheen is so cool in this that he doesn't even fall for the slow clap at the end, he just bangs a locker. 2) The Lost Boys- Good Vampire film that could have been great if Richard Donner would have directed instead of Schumacher. It still really holds up today and is probaley Haim's best all around film. I still can't forgive the Rob Lowe poster and this film says "Michael" about as much as Lebowski says "Fuck". Besides that a solid film. 1) Dream A Little Dream- talk about guilty pleasure, this movie works on me the same way Saved By The Bell does. It's not Haim's best film, but if you throw all these DVD's in front of me and I can only pick one, it's definatly the Dream. Great cast, stupid dancing, Salenger's twins, Adler, McNamera, Robards, Body Switching!!!! I'm gonna bust! This film is so good it killed the Corey's forever. In later years Feldman became a bitter former child actor, while Haim became just a sad Casio playing has-been. I really felt sorry for the guy and what a sad, but expected, ending.
R.I.P. Peter Graves
Another big part of my childhood gone with the death of the great Captain Oveur from the groundbreaking Airplane movie's. Yes I also love the Sequel, Graves is also great as Price in Billy Wilder's classic Stalag 17.

Friday, March 5, 2010

Cody's 2009 Oscar Predictions


Welcome to my 2nd annual Oscar Predictions. 2009 was a little better than 2008, but not by much. This what I think will win, not what I want to win.

Best Picture- Avatar. This is a shame, but Avatar will win just for the effort and the industry needs this. I think Inglourious Basterds is by far the best film of the year and will come in second place which means nothing. Up and The Hurt Locker are the only really good films nominated this year. Ignored: It's already ridiculous the Academy went to 10 nominations this year and they still couldn't get it right. Moon, The Road, and Fantastic Mr. Fox are better than 8 of the nominations and I rather read stereo instructions for 2 hours than ever watch The Blind Side.

Best Actor- Jeff Bridges. This seems like a slam dunk win for Bridges, but I was happy to see Jeremy Renner nominated. Ignored: Rockwell for Moon and Viggo for The Road! Robbed, Robbed, Robbed! I tell ya! I also liked Matt Damon in The Informant!

Best Actress-Sandra Bullock. I think I just puked in my mouth a little. Looks like Erin Brockovich wins again, what a weak catagory. Ignored: Can't think of anything.

Best Supporting Actor- Christoph Waltz. Nothing touches this performance, nothing! Best performance of the year by far! Ignored: Anthony Mackie and Ralph Fiennes in The Hurt Locker. Michael Fassbender and about 4 others in Basterds.

Best Supporting Actress- Monique. Haven't seen this film, but she will win. I also thought Vera Farmiga was really good in Up In The Air. Ignored: Diane Kruger and Melanie Laurent for Basterds.

Best Director- Quentin Tarantino. I hope the Acadamy relizes this catagory is for directing actors and not spectacles. Everyone is good in Basterds and no one is good in Avatar. I wouldn't be super pissed if Bigelow wins, but QT is the best director of the year. Ignored: Duncan Jones for Moon and John Hillcoat for The Road. I am still in shock that these films were shut out this year.

Original Screenplay-Inglourious Basterds. The one category that there is always justice, I think this is a sure thing. I was happy with Up being nominated. Ignored: MOON!

Adapted Screenplay-Precious. This should be a strong catagory this year, but nominating the wrong films made it weak. Ignored: Harry Potter, Fantastic Mr. Fox, The Road. All of these films are better than the nominated ones.

Cinematography- The White Ribbon. You ever play roulette? Always bet on Black and White! This is yet another weak catagory because the wrong films were nominated. Christian Berger's photography is breath taking and easily the best looking film of the year, but if Lord Of The Rings can win then anything can win. Ignored: A Serious Man, Fantastic Mr. Fox, Where The Wild Things Are, shall I go on? 80% of the films relesed this year look better than Harry Potter and Avatar.

Editing-Avatar. If you win editing then it's a 90% chance you win Best Picture, but Basterds and Hurt Locker deserve it more. Ignored:Moon, Fantastic Mr. Fox, Up, and The Road.

Foreign Film- White Ribbon. If you are nominated for another catagory you win.

Best Animated- Up. Same as above. Up and Mr. Fox were two of the best films this year.

Art Direction, Make Up and Costume Design-The Young Victoria. The title says it all. Ignored: Where The Wild Thigs Are.

Sound Editing,Mixing, and Visual Effects-Avatar. SLAM Freaking Dunk!

Score-Avatar. Ignored: Where The Wild Things Are, Moon, and Black Dynamite.

Song- The Weary Kind-Crazy Heart. T-Bone!

Documentary- Burma VJ. Food Inc was ok and I did enjoy The Most Dangerous Man, but Burma is what the Acadamy looks for in a Doc.

Doc.Short-Rabbit a la Berlin- It's about The Berlin Wall, That's Oscar gold next to Nazi films.

Short Film-Kavi. It takes place in India and after Slumdog these films are right behind Nazi's and The Berlin Wall.

Short Animated- A Matter Of Loaf and Death. Two Words, Wallace & Gromit!

Well thats it! Please send some feed back and let's hope I did better than last year.