Juno MacGuff: Nah… I mean, I’m already pregnant, so what other kind of shenanigans could I get into?
-Juno

…And listen to soothing lyrics of Dr. Dog. They are a new and relatively unknown band. They are probably the best band so far this decade. Listening to them is like listening to The Beatles, so you can’t go wrong there. So if you’re looking for something new please try this wonderful band. Spread the word.

http://www.drdogmusic.com/
http://www.weallbelong.net/

In honor of the possibility that the brilliant but canceled TV show, Arrested Development, may become a movie (cross your fingers) I was pondering who my favorite character on the show may be. Many comedy shows have one clear favorite character, but Arrested has so many funny, unique characters that it’s impossible to choose. If you are lucky enough to have seen the show (and if you haven’t yet, go watch it now) can you pick a favorite character? Is it sexually confused (or just plain stupid) Tobias (pictured)? Sheltered and child-like Buster? Idiotic, failed magician Gob? His puppet Franklin? Racist Lucille? Awkward George Michael? Other?

Let me know what you think. And in the coming weeks look out for a compiled list of the greatest TV show characters of all time. And at least one person from Arrested has to make it on, so which should it be?

Mr. Blonde: Are you gonna bark all day, little doggy, or are you gonna bite?
-Reservoir Dogs

Pixar films always portray the lives of something beyound the human world we actually know so little about. Toys, bugs, fish, and now rats. We see sympathy for these new creatures and after watching you may even think twice before poisoning them. That is part of Pixar’s unique genius. Ratatouille joins this pantheon.
Remy (Patton Oswalt) is a French rat with a unique sense for food. He’s forced to smell for rat poison to protect his family until one day he is seperated from the rest of them and ends up in Paris. Here, he follows his heart and ends up working in a fancy restaraunt, helping out a struggling chef. However, it’s hard for Remy to become truly professional because of rat and human relationships.
Most Pixar films (excluding The Incredibles) portray humans in the background almost as caricatures. Ratatouille is the first film that solidifies a strong bond between the human and natural world. Both a rat and a human are shown deeply and interacting with each other as well. This emphsizes the two worlds misunderstandings of each other which will seem to never end.
Like all Pixar films, Ratatouille is a film that extends beyond just being a film for children. The story and characters are something a little kid would love and the humor and lessons are something only a teen or adult would truly get. Everyone should see it.
The film is the most unpredictable kids movie I’ve ever seen. Hell, calling it a kids movie sounds cruel. This is one of the few animated films I could truly relate to. Remy’s search for meaning and identity resonates to my search (and that of ever teen’s) of who they truly are and where they truly belong and who to stay loyal to. What is more important, family or breaking free. Ratatouille is a savory and moving comedy for all. Dig in and enjoy.

Here are a few films and actors that unjustly received no love from the Academy:

Knocked Up/Superbad- In a year that redefined comedy, Judd Apatow and his loyal crew reigned. Apatow struggled for fame with such underrated comic gems as Freaks and Geeks and Undeclared but finally rose to fame as Knocked Up and Superbad reached the $100 million mark. Who would’ve known that the awkwardness of high school or an unplanned pregnancy could be so funny? Too bad the Academy didn’t notice.
Heath Ledger- The actor broke through in 2005 with his haunted cowboy in Brokeback Mountain and three years later; his life was tragically cut short. In one of his last roles, Ledger proved his ability with his version of a young and rebellious Bob Dylan in I’m Not There, a performance that was overshadowed by Blanchett. Even if the Academy looked away, this performance will always be remembered as that of a budding legend who died to young.
The Simpsons Movie- It took nearly two decades to get to the big screen but it was worth the wait. Matt Groening adapted his show into something deeper then an extended episode while hitting the audience with non-stop laughter. Oh Academy, couldn’t you have at least given a break for poor Spider Pig?
Josh Brolin- Javier has gotten all of the attention, but people seem to be forgetting the true heart and soul of No Country for Old Men. It rests in the good guy, Brolin, as a hunter who stumbles upon the cash. It may be a film without a true emotional center but once he goes down, something seems missing. To put it short, he is sly, funny, and truly convinvcing. May Brolin have a bright future ahead of him.
Paul Dano- Here’s another great actor overshadowed by another character. Day-Lewis dominates every frame of There Will Be Blood, but Dano’s misguided preacher deserves praise as well. He acts like a crazy priest you’d see shouting tounges on Church TV perfectly and manages to shock with his character’s unpredictable turn. Going from a silent teen in Little Miss Sunshine to this role, Dano proved his range. Despite the snub, Dano has a promising future up the road.

Ron Burgundy: Brick, where did you get a hand grenade?
Brick Tamland: I don’t know.
-Anchorman

In honor of this Sunday’s Oscar Ceremony, my top 10 list for the week will have to do with the Academy. The Academy gets it wrong A LOT (I’ll get into that another time) but every once in a while, they get it right. Here is a list of the best films to take home the best picture prize:
1) The Godfather- The Academy had the chance to give Citizen Kane an Oscar, but passed. Luckily they didn’t let The Godfather go home empty handed. This brilliant and timeless mob epic was daring and violent for its time and still is today. It also deservedly took home statues for Brando and the screenplay, but strangely Coppola’s direction was passed over. Any which way, this is one of the few winning films that will be revered forever and influence the way films are made today.
2) One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest- What makes this movie work so well is its mixture of comedy and brutal tragedy. Both blended together make this the kind of uplifting film that lifts the spirits and inspires rather than inspire tears from sappiness. It has everything a film needs from great acting, to writing to directing it’s got it all. A truly incredible American drama.
3) American Beauty- Many may call me crazy for mentioning this film in the same breathe as many of these films. In fact, some would rather mention it with The Greatest Show on Earth as one of the worst films to win. I disagree. Because it stays with you. Like Cuckoo’s Nest it provides that rare and impossible mix of comedy and tragedy. It’s also just so daring and doesn’t seem to care whom it may offend. Some accuse of being non subtle, but others don’t see it’s subtle message lying behind it of how despite each characters’ mistakes, there is some feeling you feel at the end that you just have to forgive all of them after getting such a full understanding of the lives they lead. Few films make us feel these incredibly complex emotions.
4) On the Waterfront- “I coulda been a contender” states Terry Malloy (Brando). And this film certainly was, and deservingly so. This drama about a failed boxer (Brando) now working on the docks must come to the decision of whether to defend his wicked union bosses or do the right thing: stand up and rat them out. Coming out in 1954 it won 8 Oscars. Each well deserved. Brando’s performance will never be forgotten as time goes by. Every other performance is great as well, not a single actor is wasted. Still strikingly relevant, On the Waterfront is a devastating tale of betrayal and rebellion.
5) Annie Hall- Rarely is it that a comedy does so well at the Oscars. This year, they’ve done right by mentioning Juno (but unfortunately, totally snubbing Knocked Up and Superbad). However, in the past 30 years the only pure comedy to pick up the statue is Annie Hall. This is Woody Allen’s comic masterpiece, a genius piece of cinema about a neurotic New Yorker’s (Allen) turbulent relationship with a waspy singer (Keaton) and how he comes to terms with himself and his mistakes. The laughs are still as painful and true today. Star Wars might have been up for the award as well, but why have Obi Wan when you can listen to Alvy Singer?
6) The Godfather II- Still unrivaled as the greatest sequel of all time. This was the only film to win best picture along with its counterpart. It’s not as good (then again, what is as good as the original) but it comes pretty damn close. This time, we get to see Pacino in his most understated psychotic role as well as a masterful De Niro performance as young Vito that nearly rivals Brando’s performance in the first film. Although fellow nominee Chinatown was better, this film still packs an emotional punch that most sequels lack.
7) Amadeus- Milos Foreman (Cuckoo’s Nest) gets on the list, again! Here, it’s for by far the best film to win best picture in the 80s. It is the most exciting and inventive period piece I’ve ever seen. It looks historically accurate yet feels young and hip (especially those purple wigs). It’s revenge and jealousy story is odd and original but it truly questions the motives of these two actions. Tom Hulce is fun as the giggling Mozart but F. Murray Abrams’ cold-hearted composer Salieri is the stuff of history.
8) Schindler’s List- It took Steven Speilberg nearly two decades to finally pick up a statue. But this was no sympathy vote, this was a truly deserving win. Speilberg did a beautiful thing for the world and the Jewish community in making this film. It truly informs us of the unspeakable horrors of the Holocaust while uplifitng the audience with the portrayal of one man who found the kindness in his heart to help save thousands of people he thought nothing of. It brings out the absolute worst in humans but then shows the absolute greatest thing a person could do as well. It’s a film that purely, is impossible to dismiss.
9) The Silence of the Lambs- This is the only horror film ever to win a best picture statue. And it is by far, one of the best films of the genre. It doesn’t get scares from relentless gore like most films do but good old fashioned scares arising from terrifying characters. Jodie Foster is one of the great powerful female film protagonists on film while Anthony Hopkins’ Hannibal Lecter rivals Norman Bates in creepiness. The film is fast-paced, the mystery is suspenseful, acting/writing/directing is superior, and most importantly: it’s really scary.
10) Casablanca- I debated what should fill this last spot. There are many worthy contenders but in the end, it would’ve been impossible to exclude this one. Why? Because it’s simply a classic, and simply timeless. I get teary eyed just thinking about it, and that’s a rare feat. Few love stories end the way this one does and are still as effective today as they were 60 years ago. As time goes by, we will never forget Rick’s (Bogart) sacrifice and we will always have Casablanca.
Runner Up: Midnight Cowboy, Unforgiven, Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, Million Dollar Baby, The Departed, The Deer Hunter

What are your favorite best picture winners? Gimme some of your thoughts

Ken Miller: I always say girl plus car equals dead animal.
-Freaks and Geeks

Until 30 Rock and The Office return, I think I’ve found something to occupy my time: Northern Exposure. This quirky comedy follows a Jewish doctor from New York who ends up becoming doctor for a small Alaskan Town. This quirky comedy is filled with great laughs and philosophical moments (thank you John Corbett). It’s something to warm your heart in the cold Alaskan tundra. All six seasons of the 90s comedy are out on DVD for you to discover as well.