Johnny Simmons

Meryl Streep fans either get me really annoyed or really amused. Okay, not all her fans…but those rabid ones that will not rest until she earns her third Oscar. But who am I to judge? I have my own people I get fanatic about…and to each his own. Ne c’est pas? Anyhow, this is not a post about Ms. Streep…well not really. I understand that Meryl is one of the few older actors that is still constantly working…because you know everyone cowers in fear when she demands a role… but there are a few other great stars with two Oscars who deserve a third. But will they ever get that elusive third Oscar…I don’t think so…I hope…but I don’t think so. This isn’t a list of persons who deserve that Oscar more than Meryl. That’s debatable. Obviously. It's just a list of good actors [some working more than others] who should be giving Meryl a run for her money as far as that third Oscar is concerned.                                                                                                                                                                    

Best Actress – The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie

Best Supporting Actress – California Suite

I am content watching her act in her sleep in The Harry Potter films, but I know she’s still got a lot of life left in her. And thus, I am patiently waiting…patiently waiting…of course she may not win. That is likely…but if she gets another plum role like she did in Gosford Park that would please me very much. As much as I love that other Dame, you have to admit that when Maggie does it well she is one fire...and that is not a question. 
                                                

Best Actor – My Left Foot

Best Actor – There Will Be Blood

Daniel Day Lewis is magnificent. This man is so talented…but we already know that. I’m not crazy enough to think he’ll win that third Oscar for Nine [cross fingers]…but I think he’ll win it sometime though. Just because he is so talented…and just because he’s so talented…and just because… okay you get the picture. But really. I can think of five outstanding performances from him.He's just that good...or maybe I'm just obsessed. Either way. I want him to get that third Oscar.

Best Supporting Actress – Hannah & Her Sisters

Best Supporting Actress – Bullets Over Broadway

I like Brenda Fricker, but Wiest should have won an Oscar for Parenthood. That would have given her three. Diane Wiest reminds a whole lot of Marcia Gay Harden and that’s one of the reasons that I like her. But she’s also a really good actress – so there’s that. She’s doing her thing on In Treatment [which won her an Emmy], so she still can act. So somebody needs to give her a role.A nice juicy leading role. I'd just like to see her carry a film on her own.
                                                                      

Best Supporting Actor – The Usual Suspects

Best Actor – American Beauty

We need a revival of Kevin Spacey. He can still act – that I am sure of. But he needs to win an Oscar. Okay, scratch that. He needs a good role. He doesn’t have to win an Oscar…but I won’t mind…I really would not mind if he wins another Oscar. Just because he’s that good…and just because anyone who can go toe to toe with Annette Bening deserves some accolades…again and again…
                               
                                                                                                  

Best Actress – Norma Rae

Best Actress – Places in the Heart

Sally seems quite content getting the Emmy love on ABC’s Brothers & Sisters, but it would be nice to see her back in the movies. She won two Oscars in a relatively short time and she knows that Oscar really likes her…so it wouldn’t be that hard for her… I mean, who out there wouldn't like to see her back on the big screen. Who does not like Sally Field. She's like Julia Roberts...older and with more talent.

  
Dustin Hoffman
Whatever happened to Dustin? He needs to get back in the game. Actually he’s not been that out...at least he’s still doing movies. I’ve always liked him in comedy but Last Chance Harvey wasn’t quite right for the job. Something a little more profound – or original maybe. I do think he has at least one good performance left in him.
                                                                       

Emma Thompson

Best Actress – Howards End

Best Adapted Screenplay – Sense & Sensibility

This is a cheat. I know. But Emma is one of my favourites and she just needs a good role. She was good in Last Chance, Harvey…though it was lightweight and I loved her in Stranger Than Fiction. I wonder if her bit role in An Education is any good. I don’t realise I miss her until I see her again. I’m a bad fan…
                                                                   

Best Supporting Actress – Tootsie

Best Actress – Blue Sky

Jessica Lange is wonderful. Most persons are mixed when it comes to her…and although she may not be one of top 20 or so…she’s high up. It would have been great if Grey Gardens was a cinematic release…as it is though I’m ready for her to get a good role because she can still act like hell. So now, she needs a role to give her a reason to act…like hell.

I’m still patiently waiting for Nine to come out. The recent news that many of the songs have been cut has been somewhat disconcerting, but I have faith in Rob Marshall, and way more faith in Anthony Minghella, so I’m holding out. Meanwhile, I’m thinking about musicals when musicals were the thing and have such compiled a list of my nine favourite musical scenes. Don’t look for anything recent, because it won’t be here.

#9 – The Man That Got Away from A Star is Born [1954]
I absolutely love this song. Alex in Movieland was saying the other that he’s not very impressed with Judy’s acting in this role, sensing a sort of coldness from her. I’m not that harsh but it’s not my favourite Judy acting moment, but this song is still really good and this wonderfully directed scene from George Cukor is beautifully done.

#8 – I Have Confidence from The Sound of Music [1965]
It’s a tough choice for the best song from this musical and my favourite is probably the hauntingly beautiful Something Good. But I love this particular scene. Maria’s just found out that she’s leaving the convent, but wonders what time of a governess she’ll be. I know others will remember 'My Favourite Things' and 'Do-Re-Mi', but this remains as the iconic scene from The Sound of Music for me [just barely edging out 'Sixteen Going on Seventeen'].

#7 – Cool from West Side Story [1961]
Aah. This is another tune I’m biased towards. This scene, though, is just really well directed. I was always more a fan of the Jets than the Sharks [just as the preferred the Montagues to the Capulets]; and it was unfortunate that the Jets’ women couldn’t have larger roles. This number is really good though, and I like the wittiness of having Ice sing about staying Cool. I’m tempted to say that this is the best stand alone song from the movie…

# 6 – Cabaret from Cabaret [1972]
Mien Herr is the best performance number for Liza and Maybe This Time is the most poignant, but this is the most iconic. This scene is just well done. Every nuance every line, every shot… Bob Fosse really deserved this Oscar for direction. The scene just plays wonderfully.

#5 – Feed the Birds from Mary Poppins [1964]

I remember this song disconcerted me as a child. This is the best song of the film, hands down. Julie Andrews is always great when she gets emotive. And it’s more special too because of Jane Darwell’s cameo as The Bird Lady. It’s nicely envisioned with the snow globe as the template turning it into a most magical and poignant experience.

#4 – The Yellow Brick Road from The Wizard of Oz [1939]
This is definitely the song that sticks with you. As the two [then three, then four] friends travel down this famous road with that little black down, this recitative continues. From the slightly idiotic dancing, to the glint of the ruby slippers on the yellow road, the splash of Technicolor… it’s all just lovely.

#3 – Put On Your Sunday Clothes from Hello, Dolly! [1969]

Hello, Dolly! Is too often forgotten when we remember musicals of the 1960/1970 period. If you haven’t seen it, go and get it now. The colour, the movement, the dancing it all seems really busy, but it all still works. Barbra Streisand is at her best playing the loquacious Dolly Levi and you can just see the fun she’s having. It’s a feast for the eyes and ears.

#2 – Tonight [Reprise] from West Side Story [1961]
Sung just before the fateful rumble this is done by the ensemble. There is not a false moment in this number. The dark light shrouding Anita is suggestive not only of a romantic encounter but also seem to foreshadow the imminent deaths. The shades of red is mesmerising, the cutting from the Jets to the Sharks and back again. The audience is on their toes. And the song ain’t too bad either.

#1 – Willkommen from Cabaret [1972]

What’s my number one? It’s Fosse again. Joel Grey is delightful as the androgynous Emcee and I can’t help but love the covert sexual references to the guys and the girls. I dare you not to tap your feet along. This song is just really catchy tune. A perfect opening number…actually, it’s a perfect number period.

This list, like many that I do, is arbitrary somewhat though. So, tell me what I missed. What I overvalued. What you’d glorify. Which musical sequences get your feet tapping?

#9 - Cougar Town/The Middle
Hopefully Courteney Cox does good work on this if not I'm sure Patricia Heaton won't disappoint. Why do I think ABC is invincible? I have no idea. It's not like they haven't totally effed me up before...

# 8 – Glenn Close aka Damages
Do I really need to explain this? Glenn Close being a major bitch. Ummm what is else is there to see. I want to be there when she crashes and burns.

# 7 – The Good Wife
Why do I think this is going to be good? CBS has disappointed me too often and yet I keep coming back. Maybe it’s because they took over Medium that I have newfound faith in them. Maybe it’s because Julianna Marguiles is one of the few things I ever really loved about E.R. Maybe it’s because I want to see if Chris Noth can be anyone but Mr. Big. I don’t know. Whatever it is, they actually have me thinking that maybe, just maybe, this won’t be a suck fest.

# 6 – Jane Krakowski
I’d have put Jane Krakowski and the cast of 30 Rock, but I don’t really care about the cast of 30 Rock. I don’t even care about the actual story on 30 Rock. Once Jane has a nice, juicy part I don’t care. I see only Jane… only Jane.

# 5 Marcia Cross and the rest of the Desperate Housewives
I’m treading carefully when it comes to Desperate Housewives lately. Teri Hatcher continues to annoy the shit out of me, but I’m still there. I wonder if Neal McDonough is going to be back… Will they give Dana Delaney a back bone? And now with Edie gone is Wisteria Lane going to become a slut free neighbourhood? That seems wrong.

# 4 – Glee
I’m very anxious as to how this venture is going to turn out. And then I heard a rumour that the darling Kristin Chenoweth is going to be guest starring which will be fantabulous if it’s true, seeing that she’s out of employment and all… still Kristin Chenoweth or no Kristin Chenoweth this looks good and I’m anxiously anticipating.

# 3 – The Office
Yay! Bring back The Office. I doubt my beloved Amy Ryan will be back but I sincerely miss those folks at Dunder Mifflin. I wonder when Pam is going to pop [out her baby I mean], how and if Dwight and Michael will make up, if they’ll give the hilarious Kelly any more screen time. What the hell is going to happen to Ryan now that he's been demoted.? Again. Will he dye his hair back? I just can’t wait for the best comedy on TV to return.

# 2 – Leighton Meester and Gossip Girl
Aah. Teenage angst. What’s more enticing? Leighton Meester is quickly becoming my favourite actress under 25, all that’s left for her to do is make a movie which I hear she might be doing soon. So there. other than her and Westick, though, the cast of Gossip Girl generally bores me. still, teenagers who think they’re adults. It’s been done before but not half as good. I’m in.

# 1 – Justin Chambers, Katherine Heigl and Grey’s Anatomy
Say what you want, but I love Grey’s Anatomy. Right now, it’s my favourite show on TV and with the cliffhanger [not quite] that was the season five finale I can’t wait to see how they resolve it. Chambers and Heigl have been my favourites on Grey’s Anatomy since the beginning and Ellen Pompeo has been doing some of her best work since the Second Season. But now I hear that she’s pregnant and going on maternity leave which is something of a bummer. Hopefully they’ll have some more screen time for Sara Ramirez who I find very appealing. We’ll see what happens. I’m all in.

I wonder how the hell I'm going to keep up with these shows when school stars. Sigh...

We don’t have the four seasons in my part of the world, but the four seasons are common knowledge. Although I generally think of the entire period from September to December as fall: which is of course inaccurate. Still, I can’t wait for that season that I so lovingly refer to as The Movie Glut Season. And of course that’s why I can’t wait – movies of course. All the movies that I really want to see are going to be coming out in the next four months.

# 9 – Where The Wild Things Are
I didn’t know much about this, but it seemed promising. A little research on the original and it does look good. A quirky 3D experience? Why not?

# 8 – The Princess & the Frog
This is so obviously the little child in me coming out. This was the first children’s book I had. I don’t know where the hell it is right now, but moving on. This is the first conventional animated film Disney has done in a loooong time…and it’s about time because I am sick of 3D. Anika Noni Rose, who deserved an Oscar nomination for giving the best performance in Dreamgirls, plays the first African American Disney Princess in a retelling of the story. I cannot wait, and I hope that the music is good. God, I am such a child.

# 7 – Avatar
James Cameron and Sigourney Weaver? I was in like that and I didn’t know crap about this movie. So I finally got some background information on it, and although one of its selling points is that horrific 3D thing everyone’s been going crazy for, I can’t wait for this. So in the battle of Andrew vs 3D… yeah 3D wins. I am so weak.

# 6 – Agora
Rachel Weisz. Yeah! She’s essentially carrying the film, which I don’t think she’s ever done before. So, this is a great opportunity for her. This looks like an action drama and given the teaser information I’ve gotten about it, I cannot wait!

# 5 – Bright Star
I’m sort of hooked on British Period films, and although I know Jane Campion is not going to go exactly conventional I cannot wait. I like literature and I heard that Paul Schneider is good in it. I'm still holding out that Ben Whishaw will be good in this though, although Oscar will undoubtedly overlook him.

# 4 – An Education
Ah, the British. I love them. This is not a typical British Period film but it’s not exactly far off. Mulligan impressed me in her bit role in Pride & Prejudice and Sarsagaard deserves a plum role. I’m still hopeful about Rosamund Pike and I must have been the only person who enjoyed Chocolat and Alfred Molina in it. So…count me in.

# 3 – The Lovely Bones
Aaah. Rachel Weisz. I had a major crush on her in The Mummy and it sort of intensified with The Constant Gardener. Soairse Ronan – hopefully I can believe her as someone other than uber bitch Briony Tallis. Stanley Tucci – finally he’s getting a plum role after years of insignificant crap. And they gave him hair, which is good. And finally Mark Wahlberg, after Max Payne he can only go up. Peter Jackson has done Heavenly Creatures, The Lord of the Rings, King Kong and they have all been good. This looks promising. Oh and don't think I forgot Susan Sarandon. She ruled the Oscars in the 90s and finally she's back in business. I'm just hoping that this performance is worthy of her.

# 2 – Shutter Island
Scorsese is my favourite director and I loved his last feature so I’m all in for this one. Not only does it have Leo and Emily Mortimer which would have been enough it also has Mark Ruffalo. Add that to two great actors – John Malkovich and Patricia Clarkson who need some awards recognition and what do you have? Me waiting patiently. What the hell more do you need? Seeing that the AMPAS don't worship him like they do Eastwood I fear that they'll not embrace this film. I don't really care though. It's going to be great and I'm going to love every second.

# 1 – Nine
I cannot wait. Unlike other recent musicals I’ve been invested in the music of Nine before the movie came so I’m already imagining how it’s going to line. And boy, I cannot wait. Of course, that just means I’ll be more disappointed if it sucks – or if they cut the songs. But I’m optimistic; in fact I’m very confident. And I’m waiting (im)patiently.



What are you looking forward to in the fall?

#9 Miranda Richardson Sleepy Hollow
I've always been a fan of Miranda and she is wonderfully macabre in this dual role. It's a pity Burton never worked with her again, because no one gives her any roles at all.

#8 Michael Keaton Beetlejuice
I don't know if this qualifies as an 'iconic' role, but Keaton was a hell of a lot of awesome playing the title character.

# 7 Johnny Depp Sleepy Hollow
Too low for Depp, perhaps. Wrong film? I don't think so. This is before he went off the deep end of course. Depp was tops in this film. This was a really good Burton piece.

# 6 Martin Landau Ed Wood
The only Burton actor to win an Oscar. For a decade where so many good supporting roles were looked over [Pitt, Fiennes, Rush] for their freakishness they didn't hold back with him.

# 5 Jack Nicholson Batman
He will always be THE Joker. And that's as it should be. He is the best.

# 4 Albert Finney Big Fish
Finney has always been a reliable supporting actor and yet they snubbed him for a quite poignant performance. This being the same Academy who nominated him for Erin Brockovich...

# 3 Helena Bonham Carter Sweeney Todd
I was torn between this and her incredible voice work in Corpse Bride. They were both really good.

#2 Ewan McGregor Big Fish
Criminally ignored at the major awards that year this is his best performance. He owned the role. If you don't believe go see it. If you still don't believe...ummm...why not?

# 1 Michelle Pfeiffer Batman Returns
Nathaniel calls it the best superhero performance ever, and he may not be wrong. 1992 was a horrible year in film and they couldn't recognise her for this blockbuster...and they nominated her that same year for Love Field. Sigh!

What are your fave Burton performances? Or do you not like him?



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