Oscar Predictions
I published these Oscar Predictions a month ago. Still stand by them. What are your picks?
The Sure Thing
ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE – Jeff Bridges will prevail. Colin Firth was likely the best actor in ‘A Single Man’ and George Clooney’s role in ‘Up in the Air’ is a personal best. Bridges is not only outstanding in ‘Crazy Heart’ but Lloyd Bridge’s boy paid his Hollywood dues for decades and will be rewarded.
ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE – The Mo’Nique juggernaut continues to roll as the co-star of ‘Precious’ will pick-up her Oscar. Both Anna Kendrick and Vera Farmiga are phenomenal in ‘Up In the Air’ as no doubt are Penelope Cruz and Maggie Gyllenhaal in theirs. It is tough to beat a drug-addicted abusive mother on any Oscar night.
Most Likely
BEST PICTURE – ‘Avatar’ will soar in this category. A dazzling display of color , technology and box office power, this is the type of picture the Academy wants to promote. Its competition will receive other statues, but James Cameron will be ‘King of the World’ or at least Pandora.
ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE – Christoph Waltz as Col. Hans Landa is so deliciously evil in ‘Inglourious Basterds’ that he stole every scene and heist the Oscar as well. His closest competitor is Christopher Plummer in ‘The Last Station.’
Longer Shots
ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE – Meryl Streep and Helen Mirren are wonderful nominees, but my money is on Sandra Bullock in ‘The Blind Side.’ Not only did she exceed expectations in this role, but like Jeff Bridges, the perky costar of ‘Speed’ has paid her holiday dues.
BEST DIRECTOR – At the Screen Actors Guild Awards John Cameron was surprised with the best director award. He was convinced his former wife, Kathryn Bigelow, would win with ‘The Hurt Locker.’ The movie’s intensity is incredible. Jason Reitman of ‘Up In The Air’ will push Bigelow, but who can argue with the King of Pandora? The prize goes to his ex.
Snowfall Derby – Part III
A storm is coming. Our snow comes from the North and the West, but this storm is coming from the opposite directions. It is a ‘Nor’easter,’ like the one that sank George Clooney in ‘The Perfect Storm.’ Local weather persons are giddy. Rather than the ½” to 2” brushing, they are forecasting a foot or more along with winds up to fifty miles per hour. Finally, they can be blown about in their hooded jackets with the station’s decal, just like their peers in the South. This is a snowstorm on steroids.
As of this morning the Snowfall Derby is: Syracuse – 85.9”; Baltimore/Washington – 80”; Philadelphia – 73.1”; Rochester – 71.6”; and Buffalo – 68.8”. A comment came in from Atlanta demanding they be entered into the derby. The writer insisted their 4.5” season-to-date accumulation is harder on Atlanta than a few feet in Rochester. I wanted to write back that we will still be shoveling while Atlanta is complaining about pine dust in 70 degree weather. It is never good to dry-up the few comments I receive.
This is called ‘heart attack’ snow, the heavy and wet stuff. There are too many casualties each year shoveling a small pathway. Wind is major problem. A foot of snow, chased by high wind, will pile drifts to roof tops. Talk about claustrophobia when I opened the garage door, a few years ago, and faced a dark wall of the white stuff.
Yesterday, my students at our state university in Brockport wanted to know if classes will be cancelled. I told them it was up to Governor Patterson. A chorus of ‘what does Albany know about our weather?’ came from the desks. I wanted to morph the conversation into the role of government in business, but why throw cold snow in the lap of high class participation?
The best thing to do as a blizzard nears is to join the mob at the grocery store grabbing all of the water, toilet paper and Oreo cookies. Now, it is time to stoke up the fireplace, relax and study the snowfall derby scorecard. All of our competitors, except maybe Buffalo, will be hit by this storm. Philadelphia and Baltimore will melt well before we move across the 100” milestone. Syracuse remains a problem. Oh well, time to cozy under a blanket and watch the Winter Olympics. What’s this? My television is fuzzy. Uh oh, the lights are blinking.
Cajun Potions
The old man knelt on the stage by his case and then carefully removed a banjo covered with decades of Mardi Gras scars. Placing the instrument close to his ear, he alternately strummed and adjusted its strings. Satisfied, he eyed the crowd. In the shadows by the juke box a familiar face waved her floppy straw bonnet at him. The old man acknowledged by tipping his stovepipe hat, revealing a mahogany scalp with patches of cotton around the ears. He turned to a half dozen other musicians, all tooting or taping, and shouted over the noise. “Boys, we needs to heat this place up. The devil’s visitin tonight.”
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Snowfall Derby – Part 2
Rochester finally surpassed Buffalo by almost an inch of snow. A Canadian storm missed them and nicked us. Unfortunately, it piled a half foot on Syracuse enabling our eastern neighbor to lead the snowfall derby by a foot. Current score: Syracuse 75.9”; Rochester 63.8”; and Buffalo 63.1”. The home team is improving with at least six frigid weeks to go. I am not seeing many smiles or hearing any cheers.
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Grand Prix of Recalls
I once owned a sporty red Pontiac Grand Prix coupe. Enjoyed it, but too often Pontiac asked me to come in for a recall. One time it was the windshield wiper wiring. Another time it was a fuel pressure regulator. Finally, Pontiac needed to replace the steering pinion bearings. Between 1965 and 2007 the Pontiac Grand Prix faced 38 recalls. Wow!
I bring this up due to all of the news and anxieties around Toyota gas pedal defect. 2.3 million cars and trucks are being recalled bringing investigation threats from Congress and a “leave your Toyota at home” advice from the Secretary of Transportation. By the way Mr. Secretary is the primary interface between the White House and our government’s recent acquisition, General Motors.
Is 2.3 million recalls some type of record? Not even close!
- In 2009 GM recalled 1.5M Buick’s, Chevy’s, Oldsmobile’s and Pontiac’s for potential engine fires.
- In 2004 GM recalled 4M pick-up trucks for corroding tail gate cables
- In 2004 Chevrolet recalled 1.5M Monte Carlos for manifold fire hazards
- All Corvette convertibles, manufactured in 2008 and 2009, were recalled because their convertible roof covers tended to fly off.
- 127,000 Corvette’s were recalled in 2004 because of a steering lock problem
- SAAB, a GM subsidiary, faced 6 recalls between 2002 and 2008 for a variety of issues including defective head restraints and seat belts.
The list goes on-and-on before we go back into the 1990’s. Let it be known I was born in a General Motors town, and as a UAW card-carrying college student, I sweated two summers in one of their foundries. I also own a 2010 Toyota Camry. It is starting to feel like a muscle car. When I pull up to a cross-walk, pedestrians are nervous walling in-front of my beast. Toyota should be a shame of themselves. However, the White House and Congress should stay out of it. The President and crew must keep a sharp eye on their General Motors subsidiary. According to Advertising Age, General Motors is the only competitor offering a special discount for Toyota trade-ins. That is with U.S. taxpayer money! Ford, Honda, and others are sitting on the sidelines. They know that in the grand prix of recalls, people in glass houses should go easy on the stones.
Brass Dreams
I am cleaning my antique brass bed. The last time I attempted this, over thirty years ago, was embarrassing. After a weekend of scrubbing brass, some stains remained on my hands as I entered the office. A concerned colleague inquired. I explained it was tarnish from my brass bed. He grinned, “You may be holding on too tight.”
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The Sugar Drop Candy Shop
The J-Train rumbled below, vibrating the floors and rattling a chorus line of peanut clusters until they danced on the white-papered shelves. Hilda Schmidt’s bulky frame bulged through her apron as she spit a wad of chocolate into the sink. “You idiot! There’s too much liquor in these rum balls.”
A balding candy maker with a thin mustache dusted a clear plate with powdered sugar. Sunken cheeks implied he sampled far less of the profits than his sister. With the flair of a florist he arranged an assortment of russet treats into a sweet bouquet.
“Are you deaf, Max? There’s too much god damn rum in these chocolates.”
“Hilda, are you concerned about the taste, or my use of your private liquor supply?”
“You know brother; I liked you better as a mourning sad sack than a love sick puppy.”
“Whatever.” Max straightened his bow tie in the reflection of the display case.
Early Oscar Predictions
The nominations are in for the 82nd Academy Awards Nominations. For those who can’t wait until the ceremonies on March 7th, here are my predictions for the major 2010 Oscars.
The Sure Thing
ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE – Jeff Bridges will prevail. Colin Firth was likely the best actor in ‘A Single Man’ and George Clooney’s role in ‘Up in the Air’ is a personal best. Bridges is not only outstanding in ‘Crazy Heart’ but Lloyd Bridge’s boy paid his Hollywood dues for decades and will be rewarded.
ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE – The Mo’Nique juggernaut continues to roll as the co-star of ‘Precious’ will pick-up her Oscar. Both Ann Kendrick and Vera Farmiga are phenomenal in ‘Up In the Air’ as no doubt are Penelope Cruz and Maggie Gyllenhaal in theirs. It is tough to beat a drug-addicted abusive mother on any Oscar night.
Most Likely
BEST PICTURE – ‘Avatar’ will soar in this category. A dazzling display of color , technology and box office power, this is the type of picture the Academy wants to promote. Its competition will receive other statues, but James Cameron will be ‘King of the World’ or at least Pandora.
ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE – Christoph Waltz as Col. Hans Landa is so deliciously evil in ‘Inglourious Basterds’ that he stole every scene and heist the Oscar as well. His closest competitor is Christopher Plummer in ‘The Last Station.’
Longer Shots
ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE – Meryl Streep and Helen Mirren are wonderful nominees, but my money is on Sandra Bullock in ‘The Blind Side.’ Not only did she exceed expectations in this role, but like Jeff Bridges, the perky costar of ‘Speed’ has paid her holiday dues.
BEST DIRECTOR – At the Screen Actors Guild Awards John Cameron was surprised with the best director award. He was convinced his former wife, Kathryn Bigelow, would win with ‘The Hurt Locker.’ The movie’s intensity is incredible. Jason Reitman of ‘Up in the Air’ will push Bigelow, but who can argue with the King of Pandora? The prize goes to his ex.
Those are my predictions. Let’s hear from you.
A Death In A Family
Each day the Christopher Smith family placed a marble in a jar, counting the days their son was deployed in Afghanistan. Less than twenty lined the bottom of the jar when two military officers arrived at their doorstep. Marine Lance Corporal Zachary Smith, 19, and three comrades were killed by a roadside bomb in the Helmand Providence.
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How Mark Twain Saved Heidelberg
In 1945 Allied and Russian troops crushed Germany from the west and east. Berlin, Hamburg, and all the major cities were destroyed by bombers and artillery. General George S. Patton’s 3rd Army roared through the Rhine Valley pummeling Frankfurt and Manheim without mercy. The army raced south and lined its tanks and artillery along the Neckar River. Across the water was the thousand year old city of Heidelberg. The old college town residents took one last look at the ancient walls and cobblestoned streets before fleeing east. To the surprise of both sides, Patton’s guns remained silent and the city peacefully surrendered, preserving a treasure of architecture and culture. Who could imagine the spirit that kept the guns quiet was none other than Samuel Longhorn Clemens, aka Mark Twain.
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