10 FAVORITES (26) - Happy Birthday, Mr. Sondheim!!!

Today is a very special day for those of us who follow musical theatre.  Two very important people in Broadway history share this day as their birthday.  Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber, composer of hit musicals The Phantom of the Opera, Cats and Evita, is celebrating his 63rd birthday.  And legendary musical composer Stephen Sondheim is happily going onto his 81st year.  Now, we can devote a list of 10 FAVORITES to Lord Lloyd Webber next year.  I want to focus on Mr. Sondheim.  Last year, the composer was bombarded with a year-long of celebrations worldwide in honor of his 80th birthday.  I feel that was appropriate, but, today, not one mention of his birthday.  And he is 81!  People seem to forget about the year following the milestone.  And Sondheim is such a legend that he should be celebrated every year.  So, this week's 10 FAVORITES, on this Sondheim's birthday, is devoted to the great songs that he wrote throughout his long career in the Broadway theatre.  Now, this list is only dedicated to the songs he wrote both the music and lyrics to, even though he wrote the lyrics to landmark shows like West Side Story and Gypsy (two of my favorite musicals of all-time!).  So, without any further stalling and information, here are: 

THE 10 BEST STEPHEN SONDHEIM SONGS

SONG #10

A Little Priest

from Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

First Heard: Broadway, 1979

When Sondheim was writing his opus Sweeney Todd, he came upon the last line of the first Act of Christopher Bond's gothic play about the murderous barber: "And the two fell into each others arms with laughter."  Sondheim knew this was a moment to musicalize and what resulted was one of the cleverest and most devious duets in Broadway history.  The song is always a showcase for the actors playing Sweeney and Mrs. Lovett, as demonstrated below by George Hearn and the great Angela Lansbury (Broadway's original Mrs. Lovett).

SONG #9

Unworthy of Your Love

from Assassins

First Heard: Off-Broadway, 1990

The idea of putting a love ballad into a show about Presidential assassins (and would-be assassins) is only something someone like Sondheim could pull off.  To have John Hinckley (who attempted to assassinate President Reagan) and Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme (who attempted on President Ford's life) sing to the objects of their affection (Jodie Foster and Charles Manson, respectively) while plotting their actions feels like something out of a counterculture novel or a film by Truffaut or Kubrick! Yet, it is one of the most poignant ballads Sondheim has ever written (despite the disturbing imagery even in the regional production shown below).

SONG #8

Everybody Ought to Have a Maid

from A Funny Thing Happened On the Way to the Forum

First Heard: Broadway, 1962

This is probably Sondheim's funniest and most delightful song.  The context of the song doesn't really matter (and the farcical story is too complicated to explain anyway!). But the actors performing it (whether it be in a full-fledged production or a concert, like below) seem to have so much fun with the lyrical content and the bright melody, that one doesn't care WHY the song is being performed.  Just that it's being performed!

SONG #7

Every Day a Little Death

from A Little Night Music

First Heard: Broadway, 1973

Within Sondheim's light-hearted musical based on Ingmar Bergman's Smiles of a Summer Night, this poignant duet sung by wives struggling to come to terms with their husbands' blatant infidelities blew me away the first time I heard it (in a local regional production).  The melody is haunting but it is Sondheim's lyrics that struck me hardest with the ladies singing about dying every day and suffering the indignities of being lied to and humiliated.  Then, the lyric about men being "stupid and vain" just threw me for a loop and made me really think about the way our society treats women and fidelity.  Below, Carol Burnett and Ruthie Henshall beautifully sing the song in the Sondheim review Putting It Together.

SONG #6

Sunday

from Sunday In the Park With George

First Heard: Broadway, 1984

This was my mother's favorite Sondheim musical and every time the show (or the soundtrack) got to this song, her eyes would well up with tears.  Not only is it a very moving and powerful song, but it also has a very natural quality to it.  The way it moves and flows musically is such a typical Sondheim "build."  The song is about the people in the Georges Seurat painting noticing the beauty in their every day lives and what it brings to their existence (at least on the metaphorical level!).  It certainly makes me think about the things I notice, especially on Sundays!  Below, Bernadette Peters leads a chorus of singers in the song at a Sondheim concert at Carnegie Hall.

SONG #5

Pretty Women

from Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

First Heard: Broadway, 1979

Sondheim is very good at contrasting the images in his shows with the poetic content of his songs (as demonstrated above with "Unworthy of Your Love" from Assassins).  In Sweeney Todd, the most beautiful song comes at a time when the main character (Sweeney) is preparing to murder his customer (the wicked Judge Turpin).  As Todd takes his sweet time with his revenge, he lulls the Judge with a gorgeous tune about the aesthetical pleasures of the opposite sex.  The song is SO beautiful that the audience forgets for a moment what Todd is planning to do with that razor!  See below, in Tim Burton's 2007 film version starring Johnny Depp and Alan Rickman.

SONG #4

Being Alive

from Company

First Heard: Broadway, 1970

Every time I hear this song, I fall in love with it more and more.  Company was a landmark show about several characters who surround the life of a bachelor named Bobby.  Bobby, in typical late '60s-early '70s style, is a cad who cannot commit and flits from relationship to relationship.  In this finale song, Bobby finally states what he really wants out of life and, of course, it is to not be alone.  This powerful song is really a masterful wake-up call for those who strive to find love and companionship in this world (especially when it is sung by the likes of Raul Esparza in the 2006 Broadway revival of the show).

SONG #3

Move On

from Sunday In the Park With George

First Heard: Broadway, 1984

While "Sunday" was the song that made my mother cry, this was the song I always looked forward to because it was the "closure" song (not the finale, mind you, just a song about closure).  What do you do when you feel emotionally spent (whether it be after a break-up or a medical emergency or a world crisis)? You move on to the next thing and that is what Sondheim captured so well in this song.  Plus, the way original Broadway stars Mandy Patinkin and Bernadette Peters sang this song together was so hauntingly beautiful that you couldn't feel anything but hopeful at the end of it.

SONG #2

Children Will Listen

from Into the Woods

First Heard: Broadway, 1987

This, for me, is one of Sondheim's most achingly beautiful songs and one of his most important lessons to the world (because, after all, artists are nothing if they are not teachers!).  In a show about fairy tales and what happens after "happily ever after," the moral of the story is to be careful with what we say to children because they DO listen, watch and behave from example (NO, this is not a PSA, everyone!).  The song, each time I hear it, makes me want to be more responsible and ensure the future by showing a good example for younger generations.  Hey, even older generations could use good examples too!  Below, Bernadette Peters leads the Original Broadway Cast in the song as it builds into the finale of the show.

AND...

SONG #1

Broadway Baby

from Follies

First Heard: Broadway, 1971

Look at the title of this Blog!  How could this song NOT be the #1 choice?!?  Sondheim's pastiche song (a pastiche song is a tune that mimics another musical style) about the showbiz hopeful trying to make it on the Great White Way has always felt like an anthem to me and several of my fellow theatre-folk (and has become a standard audition song for many actors!).  But it doesn't just apply to Broadway.  The singer, when you strip away the stardust notions and vernacular terms, is just someone with a dream, and who can't relate to that?  Ultimately, we are all people chasing our dream whether it be in finance, politics, religion, athletics or the entertainment world.  And Sondheim never put it better than in this song, as seen below where several seasoned actresses sing the song honoring the great stage actress Julie Harris at the Kennedy Center.

HAPPY 81ST BIRTHDAY MR. STEPHEN SONDHEIM!!!

May you be a "Broadway Baby" forever!

Next week, an April Fools' Day themed 10 FAVORITES!

10 FAVORITES (25) - The Best North American Tour!

As much as I would love to go to Europe someday, practicality (and economics!) are forcing that dream to be on hold (at least for a while!).  In the meantime, I encourage all of you to see the beauty that is North America!  Yes, I love my homeland.  Both the United States of America and Canada offer some of the best cities (and sites) in the world.  Every part of the continent has their little something to offer and it makes us who we are.  Whether it be bright neon lights or tall city buildings or majestic mountains or plains ripe with agriculture, each place is unique.  Last week, I gave you my "Wish List" for a European tour.  This week, I want to give visitors to our continent a kind of "Must List" for North America.

QUICK NOTE: I don't mean to leave out Mexico, but I have only been to a small part of it (near the border!).  So, like Europe, Mexico still is on my travel "Wish List."

So here are:

THE 10 BEST CITIES

IN NORTH AMERICA

CITY #10

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA

San Diego has one of the most beautiful views I have ever seen.  Standing on the harbor, the marina or the beach is just amazing with its powerful view of the Pacific Ocean.  In addition to the view, San Diego boasts some of the best sites California's rich history has to offer from Mission San Diego (California's FIRST Mission) to Coronado Island to the world famous San Diego Zoo (always worth a visit!).

CITY #9

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA

The only Canadian city on the list (Sorry Canada!), Vancouver, as most people learned recently from the 2010 Winter Olympics, has so much to offer.  What I love about Vancouver is that it is so urban in its feel (it has one of the best skylines!) with gorgeous gardens to boot.  And yet, you look slightly to the north or to the east and you are blown away by the majestic glory of the North Shore Mountains.  Plus, it is merely a hop, skip and a ferry ride away from the beautiful Victoria Island which features Victoria, British Columbia's capital city.

CITY #8

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA

Each time I have been to the City of Brotherly Love, I have had a good time (and I'm including the great time I had during a lay-over at the Philadelphia International Airport!).  Of course, for me (a history buff), the best part of the city was going to Independence Hall and seeing the site of the Second Continental Congress (where the Declaration of Independence was signed people!).  I also loved stepping outside and viewing the ORIGINAL Liberty Bell (with its crack!).  There are many other great things in Philly including the Philadelphia Museum of Art (whose outside steps were famously featured in the 1976 Oscar winner Rocky).

CITY #7

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON

As a fan of The Wizard of Oz, Seattle is the closest to "the Emerald City" that I will ever get.  From the awe-inspiring view atop the world famous Seattle Space Needle to the hustle and bustle of Pike's Market to the many many many coffee shops, the city always seems to have its finger on the pulse of the generations (maybe thanks to the University of Washington being right there!).  After all, it IS the birthplace of Starbucks, Microsoft and grunge music (three things that helped define MY generation!).

CITY #6

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA

It may not be the most economically sound choice to be on a tourist's "To-Do" list, but the beautiful desert city is worth at least one visit in your lifetime.  If for nothing else, then to go for a walk down Sin City's infamous Strip, which features some of the most amazing and glorious hotels EVER!  My personal favorites include the large MGM Grand, the dynamic Venetian, the delightful Paris, the gorgeous Bellagio (with its dancing fountains!) and, of course, the brilliant New York New York (but we'll get to the why on that one soon!).

CITY #5

WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

This city has always been on my "Love It Or Hate It" list (usually depending on WHO is in the White House or in Congress at the time!).  But despite my "indecision" on the brilliance of the city, my DC experiences have been enjoyable and have made me a better person for them.  In addition to the fantastic National Mall, which features most of the amazing Smithsonian Museums as well as the many monuments and memorials (Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, etc.), the city boasts several sites worth taking a look at.  A few of my favorites include the Arlington National Cemetery, the National Cathedral, Ford's Theatre and the Holocaust Memorial Museum (which is still one of the most powerful and touching experiences I have ever been privileged to have).

CITY #4

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS

I have only been to Chicago once (twice if you count a lay-over at O'Hare!), but I want to go back and go back soon!  I'm sure I didn't see enough of the phenomenal city that one time, but I sure did see a lot.  Union Station and Downtown Chicago (and the glory that is the Sears Tower) was exciting enough for that first moment in the city.  Then there was Grant Park (which I was lucky enough to stay across the street from!).  Going to the Art Institute of Chicago (one of the best Art Museums in the country!) as well as Museum Campus (which features the Field Museum, the Shedd Aquarium and the Adler Planetarium) was one the greatest days in my life and I thank the city of Chicago for that immense pleasure.  And NO, I am not kissing up to Oprah or the President!

CITY #3

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS

I LOVE Boston! No, seriously, Boston is my "go-to" getaway anytime I need a vacation.  There is not one thing I dislike about this city (and I can ONLY say that about 2 other cities!).  The Freedom Trail (which begins at Boston Common and ends at the USS Constitution) is a fantastic way to spend the day.  The John F. Kennedy Library and Museum is amazing (especially for me as my parents and grandparents LOVED him!).  And talk about a college town! When you have Harvard and MIT and Boston College and Boston University, what more do you need?  And for all you Baseball fans, you MUST take a tour of Fenway Park and its Green Monster.

CITY #2

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA

As I said, only 2 cities have ever beaten the hold that Boston has over me.  And one of them is the most personal city on this list.  After all, it is home to Ghirardelli chocolates, Sweet sourdough bread and ME!  Okay, so I live in a suburb of the City by the Bay, but every time I get into the city I am enthralled.  I love to walk down Fisherman's Wharf or shop around Union Square.  I also love the beauty of Golden Gate Park and crazy turns of Lombard Street.  And then I just love to stand outside of City Hall in Civic Center Plaza and stare at the beautiful dome (what other City Hall has a dome, really?!?).  There's always something new for me to discover in the city that I love to call my home (whether I really live there or not!).

AND...

CITY #1

NEW YORK, NEW YORK

If you're going to top my Golden City, then you gotta go BIG and there is nothing BIGGER than the Big Apple.  What can I say about New York City that no one else has ever said?  Whether you are enjoying the animals at the Bronx Zoo or strolling through Central Park or delighting in the history of Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty, the City that Never Sleeps always has something going on (where do you think the name came from?).  What are this Broadway Baby's favorite things in NYC?  My top three would have to be: 3) The artist hangouts in Greenwich Village around NYU; 2) The Museum of Natural History which is a MUST for everyone! and 1) The magnificent glory that is Times Square and the Theatre District (what else?!?).

These are my 10 favorite cities in North America (and believe me the list goes on!).  Next week, I will devote 10 FAVORITES to a very special Birthday boy!

10 FAVORITES (24) - European Wish List!

Hello, my name is Jeremy and I have something shocking to admit. I am a little over 30 years old and I have never been outside North America. I know, I know that I seem worldly and wise to all of you, my loyal readers. But the United States, Canada and (a small part) of Mexico is as far in the world as I have traveled.  In this time when our wallets are not as bottomless as they once were (were they ever?), it is unlikely I will be doing any world travelling in the next couple of years.  As much as I would love to see the beauty of Asia, explore the cultures of Africa and view the wonder that is Australia, there is one continent that constantly comes to mind when asked about my dream vacation: Europe!  Europe is filled with gorgeous countries and cities that are not only historically relevant but they are personally important to me (and my family).  So, this week's 10 FAVORITES is a kind of "Wish List." These are:

10 EUROPEAN CITIES

I WOULD LOVE TO VISIT

CITY #10

BERLIN, GERMANY

Germany, one of the strongest nations today both economically and politically, has an extremely troubled and rocky past.  So, when you say that Berlin (or Munich or Frankfurt!) are on your travel "Wish List," you get the looks.  But Berlin is on my list for a couple of reasons: the main one being is that I can clearly remember being a young boy and watching on television the couple hundreds of young East and West Germans tearing down the notorious wall that once divided the nation.  It would really mean something to me to stand near the place where the wall once stood. (See, I made it through a talk about Germany without making a single Nazi joke! Progress!)

CITY #9

PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC

To some this may seem like an odd choice, but when my brother came back from his European tour, I could not stop looking at the pictures of the beautiful Czech capital.  The architecture is so classic and awe-inspiring that it does not surprise me one bit that several filmmakers and movie studios choose to film period films there.  A lot of the structures take the visitor back to a world that seems long forgotten and would be a thrilling addition to any tour of the continent.

CITY #8

VIENNA, AUSTRIA

The Austrian capital city may surprise people by making the list but the city as a rich and glorious history.  Yes, Austria has given us Innsbruck (2 separate Winter Olympics!) and Salzburg (The Sound of Music!), but Vienna has the gorgeous palaces, opera house, museums and capitol building.  Plus, to see the same buildings and walk the same roads that Mozart once did would be a profound honor for me.

CITY #7

AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS

I have had dreams about the iconic Dutch structures and the Amstel River, which is really strange since I have never been there.  Amsterdam was always a fun European capital to say (since you had to say the word "dam!") and, as I got older, the more fascinating place to visit.  Those of my generation (and older) know to which part of Amsterdam I reefer....I mean, refer!

CITY #6

BARCELONA, SPAIN

The only non-capital city on the entire list.  Barcelona has grown in my estimation ever since the 1992 Summer Olympics.  And the more I see films set in Barcelona or hear of a friend or family member's trip to the city, I get envious and I want to hop on a plane to sunny Spain. Hey, I made a rhyme! I hope it doesn't rain. (Okay, let's move on.)

CITY #5

ROME, ITALY

Molto Bene! This is where the Italian in me comes out.  And my Catholic upbringing (and the guilt that goes right along with that!) makes itself known.  But in addition to the Vatican and the beautiful St. Peter's Basillica, Rome is filled with a rich and powerful history.  The Colosseum must be as glorious as a gladiator fight and "funny things" can happen at the forum (or on the way there!). Who could resist the city's Italian charms? So when in Rome, Veni! Vidi! Vici! Wait, that's Latin. Oh well, Ciao baby!

CITY #4

ATHENS, GREECE

One of the most exciting things during my academic life (in both high school and college) was studying the endless supply of classical Greek mythology.  The gods and goddesses were especially fascinating to me (but that's another list!).  I would love to go to Greece and see its original city-state, the birthplace of democracy.  And there's also the Parthenon, the Temple of Zeus and, of course, the Acropolis.  The ancient structures would be fascinating for Greek Myth Geek like me to visit.

CITY #3

DUBLIN, IRELAND

This is the most personal city on the list for me.  Both sides of my family (both grandmothers for that matter) have strong Irish blood in them.  So even though I may be your generic European mutt (Irish, Italian, French, German, etc.), it is the Irish that is most likely the strongest part of me.  To go to Dublin would be what Oprah  calls "a full circle moment."  I would just love to visit the castles, the pubs, the greenery, the pubs, the River Liffey and, oh, did I mention the pubs?  Hey, I am Irish!

CITY #2

PARIS, FRANCE

This city is pretty much a no-brainer.  Almost everyone I have talked to about this list says that Paris has to be on here, whether I really want to go there or not. But it so happens that I would love to go to Paris.  If for nothing else than to just stand beneath the Eiffel Tower.  But there is also Notre Dame de Paris, the Champs-Élysées, the  Louvre Museum and so on and so forth.  So, yes, Paris is truly a place to be in Europe, but it is not THE place to be (for me at least).

AND...

CITY #1

LONDON, ENGLAND

This city has always been a dream of mine since I was a child.  My two favorite cities in the United States are my home base of San Francisco and the bright lights of New York City.  To me (at least based on what I've observed), London seems like both of those cities put together and therefore the European city I would feel most comfortable in.  I could marvel at the glory of the Thames, adore the beauty of Westminster Abbey, see the journalistic bustle of Fleet Street and the political intrigue of Downing Street AND, if I have time, stroll by Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle and give an "'Allo!" wave to "Lizzie" and her regal brood. And of course I must take in a show in the West End!

So that ends my "Wish List" tour of Europe and I hope that it inspired people to add these cities to their lists.  For those who have already been there, don't rub it in! Next week, we'll stay geographical and I will tell you about my favorite cities in North America, since (as I said) is the only continent I've seen!

10 FAVORITES (23) - Best Music Videos (1980-1995)

With a ho-hum Oscars behind us (where most of the awards were predictable and the hosts were less than adequate), I decided its time to jump right back into 10 FAVORITES!

This week, I am stepping away from the world of Hollywood and into the world of Music. More specifically, the Music that I grew up listening to and enjoying. I've mentioned before that I am a child of the 1980's, which was the decade in which Music Videos became the MUST for an artist to thrive in the business. Lately, the Music Video has fallen off the "Relevancy Radar" meaning that while we still can watch a video by say Eminem or Beyonce or Lady Gaga, the video is not as crucial to the success of said artist (thanks to the Internet and music sharing apps like iTunes and Napster). The move towards the Internet not-so-gradually forced a change in MTV's programming habits. What was once a 24-hour Music Video hub is now a place for Reality shows and the like with rarely a video to be shown in-between (but that is a rant for another day!). So, I thought I would dedicate this week's 10 FAVORITES to the songs and Music Videos from my childhood (basically the 1980's and the early 1990's). I'm not going to say much about each video (like 1 sentence!) because I would like to let the Music Videos speak for themselves (thanks to VEVO on YouTube!). Without further adieu, here are:

THE BEST MUSIC VIDEOS

(FROM 1980-1995)

VIDEO #10: Jeremy - Pearl Jam (1993)
For obvious reasons, this song must be on the list.



VIDEO #9: Mary Jane's Last Dance - Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers (1993)
Gotta love those videos with the celebrity cameos!



VIDEO #8: November Rain - Guns 'N Roses (1992)
Only one word comes to mind when I see this video: EPIC!



VIDEO #7: What's Love Got to Do With It? - Tina Turner (1984)
Aretha is the Queen of Soul and Madonna is the Queen of Pop, but Ms. Tina is the Queen of WOW!



VIDEO #6: Janie's Got a Gun - Aerosmith (1989)
Every video has a story to tell and this one just floored me as a kid.



VIDEO #5: Sledgehammer - Peter Gabriel (1986)
Not necessarily the greatest song of the 1980's, but certainly a groundbreaking video.



VIDEO #4: When Doves Cry - Prince and the Revolution (1984)
A majestic video for an amazing song that just gets better each time I hear it. NOTE: The video below is only a clip because the "Purple One" does not wish his music to be available on YouTube.



VIDEO #3: Smells Like Teen Spirit - Nirvana (1993)
The band that captured a generation with this in-your-face musical movement.



VIDEO #2: Like a Prayer - Madonna (1988)
One of the most controversial music videos in my childhood.



AND...
VIDEO #1: Thriller - Michael Jackson (1983)
The Holy Grail of Music Videos Or: The music video by which all other music videos get measured.

Special shout out to VEVO, the YouTube channel from which most of these videos are available!

Next Week: 10 FAVORITES goes to Europe!

My 2011 Academy Award Predictions - Part III

We are less than a week away from Hollywood's annual celebration of the year in films. And I am now on the third and final part of my predictions for the top awards at the ceremony. The past two posts were devoted to the acting awards and I still stand by my predictions (if not too firmly on some of them) that Colin Firth, Natalie Portman, Christian Bale and Melissa Leo will be making their way to the Oscar podium in their respective categories. Now, it is time to talk about the top 2 prizes that everyone REALLY cares about: Best Director and Best Picture.

BEST DIRECTOR

And the Nominees Are:

Darren Arronofsky, Black Swan

Joel & Ethan Coen, True Grit

David Fincher, The Social Network

Tom Hooper, The King's Speech

David O. Russell, The Fighter

Who Will Win?:

Though he did not win the Director's Guild Award (more on that in a bit), David Fincher is still the favorite to take the Best Director prize on Sunday. His masterful eye was put to excellent use in the flow of The Social Network. He used a lot of the same tricks he used in some of his more avant garde films like Se7en, Fight Club and Panic Room. He also does have a previous Oscar pedigree. Though he was never nominated for any of the aforementioned films (a crime by many film-goers standards), he WAS nominated in 2009 for the emotionally stirring (yet critically rejected) The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. To many, Fincher is due for Academy recognition.

Would Not Be Surprised If...:

With all that being said about David Fincher, his main competition is the man who beat him to the Director's Guild top prize: Tom Hooper, the British director of The King's Speech. It is widely looked at (by most critics that is) that Hooper's DGA win was an anomaly and just the Hollywood community voicing their love for The King's Speech. But, if the Academy feels that the emotionally powerful period piece should win several of its 12 nominations (in addition to Best Actor, which it deservedly is destined to win), Hooper (like Supporting nominees Geoffrey Rush and Helena Bonham-Carter) could get caught up in the sweep leaving Fincher and his Social Network team in the dust.

What About the Other Nominees?:

All five (technically six) of these nominees (at one point or another in their respective careers) were considered Hollywood outsiders. Fincher did not get Academy love until Benjamin Button. And Hooper worked for BBC films and primarily directed TV films (like the award-winning HBO films Elizabeth I starring Helen Mirren and John Adams starring Paul Giamatti). As for the others: Darren Arronofsky, like Fincher, has had acclaimed films that have not been recognized by larger award bodies (The Fountainhead, The Wrestler). David O. Russell has often been accused of being temperamental and such a perfectionist that he has clashed with cast members of his previous films (like George Clooney on Three Kings and Lily Tomlin on I Heart Huckabees). And the Coen Brothers seem to have invented (and sometimes perfected) that of the Hollywood outsider, especially with their early films like Blood Simple and Miller's Crossing. All that being said, Arronofsky and Russell are currently too far outside Hollywood's "In Crowd" and the Coens recently triumphed at the Oscars for what many say was their greatest film (in 2008 with No Country For Old Men). This race is between David Fincher and Tom Hooper. Much like their films are vying for Best Picture (but we'll get to that in a bit!).

And WHERE is Christopher Nolan?:

When the nominations were announced on January 25, there was a cry on the blogosphere heard pretty much around the world: Where is Christopher Nolan's Best Director nomination for Inception? To many (and I am certainly included), the summer blockbuster was one of the most inventive, daring and mind-blowingly provocative films of the year and director-writer Christopher Nolan was largely responsible for its artistry. Unfortunately, his name was NOT amongst the nominees for Best Director. Conspiracy theories filled the blogosphere saying that the Academy does not like genre films, especially genre films that make a lot of money, like Inception. And while that may be true, I would like to give voice to a theory I heard from very few critics but I believe is the real reason behind the snub. While Inception was an artistic wonder from left to right (even in its stellar cast!), compared to the five films that DID get Director nods, Inception is more visually driven than it is character driven (something which all five films nominated are). I realize I may be upsetting several of my fellow fans of the film by saying this, but I would remind them that I believe Inception was one of the best films of the year and no matter how you look at it: Christopher Nolan was snubbed!

AND NOW...

BEST PICTURE

And the Nominees Are:

Black Swan

The Fighter

Inception

The Kids Are All Right

The King's Speech

127 Hours

The Social Network

Toy Story 3

True Grit

Winter's Bone

Intro to Category Breakdown:

Like last year, the Academy has retained the expansion of the category from 5 films to 10. And all 10 of these films were widely acclaimed either by critics or audiences (or both). Unlike last year, where the category's final prize was a wide open race until the final weeks leading up to the ceremony, this year's race has been narrowed down to basically two films contending for the top honor. And either one can take the prize (depending on which pundit you choose to ask!)...

The King's Speech vs. The Social Network

When it comes to this year's Best Picture race, it is contemporary computer geeks versus pre-World War II British royalty. The two films could not be more different, yet they are very similar. Both are films about real life people and both films' "truths" have been called into question by various people. Plus, both films are about men who have difficulty communicating: one through a debilitating stammer and the other through his personality and social demeanor (or lack of one).

When the various critics groups started giving their awards out back in mid-Fall 2010, The Social Network was doing the unthinkable: winning every Best Film prize in sight. Usually the critics are very divided on what is the best film of the year (in 2009, both Up in the Air and eventual Oscar winner The Hurt Locker had the critics groups almost evenly split). But by January 2011, The Social Network seemed unstoppable winning both the Golden Globe and the Critics' Choice Award in the process. And then, overnight almost, the wind changed. The Producer's Guild of America, usually the best barometer to see which film might end up Oscar-bound, chose The King's Speech as the Best Film of the year. Hollywood pundits sat slack-jawed as the British period drama also picked up the Director's Guild award (for Tom Hooper) and the Screen Actor's Guild award for Best Ensemble Cast (that ceremony's top award). As the pundits picked themselves up, the Academy announced their nominations and The King's Speech received the most nods with 12 nominations (same amount of nominations previous Best Picture winners Mrs. Miniver, On the Waterfront, Ben-Hur, My Fair Lady, Dances With Wolves, Schindler's List and The English Patient each received). The Social Network, the clear critical favorite, received only 8 nominations.

With this turn of events in Hollywood, the signs have begun to point towards a possible sweep for the period piece (a genre that was often favored by the Academy in the past, though not in recent years interestingly enough). You see, while critics may carry weight in Hollywood throwing their reviews around as if they were judgments from on high, they alas are not voting members of the Academy (only a few high-profile critics retain that honor). The various Guilds, however, make up for more than 90% of the Academy's voting members. Therefore, the lines have been drawn and it has come down to the inevitable Critics Vs. Hollywood. We've seen this before (in 1995 when Forrest Gump swept Pulp Fiction aside and in 1999 when Shakespeare In Love surprised everyone in defeating Saving Private Ryan). It is the emotionally stirring film that may have struck a chord with the Academy and so, The King's Speech is the strong frontrunner to take the Best Picture prize (though The Social Network could still pull off a win that will both upset and delight many).

The Rest of the Category

With the expansion to 10 films, there are at least 3 films that we can safely say would NEVER have been nominated if the category were its "more traditional" 5 films. Though very acclaimed, 127 Hours, The Kids Are All Right and Winter's Bone fit that bill. Moreover, summer blockbusters like Toy Story 3 and Inception (my personal favorite!) most likely would have had a hard time getting into a smaller category because they are genres that normally have NOT been recognized by Oscar in the past (save for The Lord of the Rings in 2004!). The other three nominees (Black Swan, True Grit and The Fighter) would have had better shots in weaker years. Unfortunately, they are dwarfed by the competition from the two films that have (together) swept all the awards.

Conclusion

What does all this mean? I mean, I could be wrong. Annette Bening and Hailee Steinfeld could find themselves with Oscars on Sunday. The Social Network and The King's Speech could end up cancelling each other out and Inception wins in a sympathy sweep (that would be OK with me!). What it means is that predicting these awards is not an exact science, which I believe is the way many members of the Academy like it. They like keeping their picks secret and they enjoy that shock and awe as the winners are announced on Oscar night. So I, like the rest of you, will watch the ceremony Sunday night and (hopefully) be pleasantly surprised by what the Academy has in store for its worldwide audience.

MY FINAL PREDICTIONS (for the major awards)

Best Picture: The King's Speech

Best Director: David Fincher, The Social Network

Best Actor: Colin Firth, The King's Speech

Best Actress: Natalie Portman, Black Swan

Best Supporting Actor: Christian Bale, The Fighter

Best Supporting Actress: Melissa Leo, The Fighter

Best Animated Feature Film: Toy Story 3

Best Adapted Screenplay: Aaron Sorkin, The Social Network

Best Original Screenplay: David Seidler, The King's Speech