(Written Review by RichWhite & Video Review by ThunderE)

Once again the nice people at WOM World Nokia (@WOMWorldNokia) lent me a trial device for 2 weeks, this time in the form of the E6. For the uninitiated, the E6 follows on from the excellent form factor of the E71, E72, E63 etc., except that this one has the standard portrait QWERTY and a touch screen, which should suit most people. Crucially, the device tailors to those who do and do not like touch screens, because everything can be done without touch. As with the E7, you can scroll the home screens using the cursors, so no need to swipe.

The E6 was a slight departure to me because I’ve only used touchscreen devices since I had the Nokia 5800 back in 2009, and I wasn’t sure how I was going to get on with the buttons. Still, it wouldn’t be an objective review if you didn’t look at something you may not like, right?

First things first, hardware. One of my biggest gripes with phones in recent years is removing the back cover to access the battery, the covers never feel quite strong enough as you prise them open from one corner (and if anyone is wondering, the worst back cover I have seen in my entire life is on the Samsung Galaxy S 2. I’ve seen sturdier pieces of bread). Nokia really solved this problem on the E6 though, because not only is it made of strong plastic, but it also has a small switch and when you flick it the back cover simply unclips and lifts up at the bottom, in a similar way to many remote controls. You can remove that cover all day every day and never worry about it breaking. Perfect.

Specs

• 2.46” Touch screen, Resolution 640×480
• OS Symbian OS (Anna)
• Candy style device
• portait QWERTY keyboard
• 8GB SD expandable to 32GB
• 8MP reamer camera (720p Recording)
• Front facing camera for  video chat
• GSM/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900
• WCDMA 850/900/1700/1900/2100
• Automatic switching between WCDMA and GSM bands
• GPRS/EDGE class B, multislot class 33
• HSDPA Cat9, maximum speed up to 10.2 Mbps, HSUPA Cat5 2.0 Mbps
• WLAN IEEE802.11 b/g/n
• Capability to serve as data modem
• Capability to serve as mobile WiFi hotspot
• Support for MS Outlook synchronisation of contacts, calendar and notes.

The rest of the phone is typical Nokia build – solid. The physical buttons feel nice and do not move around under the fingers like some BlackBerry’s are known to do, and just above them, next to the ‘call’ and ‘end call’ buttons, are shortcut keys to contacts, calendar, email and inbox. These look like capacitive buttons but they do in actual fact depress with a satisfying click and simultaneously reassuring you that you won’t accidentally open something by brushing it lightly.
The keyboard itself is very good, the buttons are slightly raised in the middle thus increasing accuracy. My one complaint is that the buttons are narrow and I always thought I would hit the wrong one – that being said, I never did hit the wrong one even when typing quite fast, so the design team clearly did something right.

Nokia E6 VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Considering the Nokia E6 is a business phone, it does have a very good camera. The camera opens fast and takes fast pictures, the only downside being the same as the E7 – it’s EDoF (full focus) rather than auto-focus like the N8. I’m aware that this is because of it being E series not N series, and yes the 8MP shooter takes very, very good pictures, but it would still be good if Nokia made a phone that combined all their stunning features into one or two devices. That said, the E6 does come with a HDMI port, so you can either play HD presentations to your colleagues or just kick back with some popcorn after a hard day in the office and stream a film to your TV. Business meets pleasure – and that sums up the E6 to a tee.

The E6 came bundled with Anna, the long-awaited update to Symbian. First impressions are the icons really do make it look more fresh, and the E6 has 4 home screens – although I’m not sure if this is an Anna feature or just because the E6 has a screen half the size of other touchscreens. Realizing it was running Anna the first thing I did was try the browser to see if it had improved. The aesthetics are slightly different, with a ‘back’ icon and a ‘minimize/maximize’ icon in the left and right corners respectively, ala MicroB on the N900, and by clicking ‘options’ the user can now open multiple windows. In my E7 review I mentioned that the browser did not render a blog properly, showing only a checkered page with blurred text on it, and I stated I hope this gets fixed in the update. Well, I’m pleased to say that it was fixed in the update, and the page renders exactly like it does on the SGS2, N900, Opera, and pretty much everywhere else I tried it. The browser is also faster than the one on the current firmware, so another welcome addition.

Setting up the phone is as easy as it always is with Nokia – insert SIM, start device sync and it pulls all the data from the other Nokia. Couldn’t be easier and it works every time. What amazed me the most about this device though was the battery life. The E7 impressed me, getting a good two days out of it with usage. The E6 though arrived at my door with 20% charge on a Friday. I set it all up, did some browsing on Wi-Fi and had Bluetooth on. I left it idle until Monday to see how it fared – by the end of that day it was still on 20%. By Tuesday after making some calls and sending a decent batch of text messages it finally dropped to 10%. It took another two days to die. Even on standby, for a phone to go 6 days on 20% charge is impressive. To go that long with Bluetooth on, Wi-Fi on, some calls, texts and browsing and initial set up is almost miraculous.

The Nokia E6 is a fantastically capable device that truly deserves its place in many people’s hands. For me, I use my devices for too many varied things to go back to such a small screen, but the E6 fits so perfectly in the hand, has so much functionality, has unbeatable hardware and performs superbly on all fronts that I am considering purchasing one as a work phone. For those of you on a touch device like the N8 or E7, Anna is a great update and Belle is not far behind, so the future looks good for Symbian users.

If you don’t need a large screen, seriously consider the E6. It’s like the secretary you can take home to meet your family – a real mix of work and play.

IGN has complied a list of 13 Movies that should have been trailers  and not made into feature lengthen movies

Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace

“Every Saga Has a Beginning.” In retrospect? That tagline sounds more and more like a threat.

Spider-Man 3

It showed us the promise of an all-or-nothing fight involving Sandman, Spidey, Venom, Harry in a paint-gun mask AND a taxi suspended above a construction site with Venom webs.
“This could be the end…of Spider-Man,” the worried newscaster said, moments before racing to an epic action montage finish. We hate it when fictional characters are right.

ign has more and I would agree with most of their selection, say for  Battle for Los Angeles Check out the rest here

Police say a Connecticut man called 911 to ask a dispatcher how much trouble he could get into by growing one marijuana plant, then was arrested.

Farmington police say a dispatcher told 21-year-old Robert Michelson on Thursday night that he could get arrested for growing pot, and Michelson said thank you and hung up.

Officers went to Michelson’s house and seized a small amount of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Michelson has admitted he bought seeds and equipment for growing.

Michelson was released on $5,000 bail after being charged with marijuana possession and other crimes. A woman who answered the phone at his home Friday said he wasn’t available for comment.

via AP

its finally here after years of rumors and speculation. The iPhone 4 will be released on the Verizon Wireless Network.

• Key Features
  CDMA only on LTE
  5MP camera/ HD recording
  Facetime
• Pricing
  16GB – $199
  32GB – $299

Available Feb 10th to order

So many of you out there think T-Mobile doesn’t do enough for the existing customer so this one’s for you. As of right now and I’m willing to bet this deal won’t last for long T-Mobile’s customer loyalty department has the T-Mobile G2 for free on any qualified to upgrade line. You MUST be fully qualified to upgrade and say “contract” to the automated system in order to reach the appropriate department. Go. Fast. Now.

Via Tmonews

Ok. We all do it, but do we do it well? This is a quick helper for the guys who use lines such as “nice rack”.  This may work sometimes, but lets try and improve your odds.

This report claims complementing a woman on her lips gets the best feedback. Has anyone anything to say about the lips being the best point to flirt on? You can read more here.

Fulling slide out QWERTY keyboard, with a 4 inch tilting touchscreen; powered by symbian 3 and an 8 megapixel camera the E7 looks like a solid business phone

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PRESS RELEASE

Nokia announces powerful family of smartphones and Ovi services at Nokia World showcase; vision of location-based future brought to life
London, UK – At Nokia World, the destination for people passionate about mobility, Nokia today announced a family of smartphones powered by the all new Symbian platform which brings significant enhancements in speed and ease of use. The new devices, which are tightly integrated with enhanced Ovi services and apps, reinforce Nokia’s vision of a mobile industry that is increasingly being defined by socially connected, location-based devices and experiences.

Highlights include:
- Three new smartphones, Nokia E7, Nokia C7 and Nokia C6, which join the previously announced Nokia N8 to form a family of Symbian products. – The latest version of the Symbian platform brings more than 250 new features and improvements and retains the familiarity enjoyed by millions of smartphone users worldwide;
- Showcase of the Nokia N8, the ultimate entertainment smartphone and world’s best cameraphone;
- Availability of a richer Ovi Store experience – starting with the Nokia N8 – that includes a friendlier look and feel, and more popular and unique apps and games;
- The latest beta release of free Ovi Maps with new pedestrian and motorist features.
"Today our fight back to smartphone leadership shifts into high gear," said Niklas Savander, Executive Vice President, Markets, Nokia. "Despite new competition, Symbian remains the most widely used smartphone platform in the world. Our new family of smartphones introduced today feature the all-new Symbian OS, rewritten to be faster, easier to use, more efficient and more developer friendly." Savander also commented on the high level of anticipation for the Nokia N8. "Based on the level of consumer interest and the highest online pre-orders in Nokia history, we expect big things from the Nokia N8."

A smartphone for everyone.
In addition to the Nokia N8, the new family of faster, more intuitive Symbian smartphones includes:
- Nokia E7 – the ultimate business smartphone. With Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync on board, the Nokia E7 provides direct, real-time and secure access to corporate email inboxes and other personal applications. Equipped with a 4-inch touchscreen display featuring Nokia ClearBlack technology for improved outdoor visibility and a full keyboard, business users will find the Nokia E7 is the perfect shape and size to work on documents, review spreadsheets, or read and edit slides. For corporate peace of mind, a combination of business grade security solutions is available. Estimated retail price is EUR 495, excluding taxes and subsidies.

As a smartphone family, the Nokia N8, Nokia E7, Nokia C7, Nokia C6 share several similarities. All are built on the new version of Symbian, the world’s most popular smartphone platform. It strikes a balance of innovation and intuition offering a variety of improvements and features such as support for multiple homescreens, visual multitasking, gesture-based interactions and a noticeable reduction in prompts — all while presenting a familiarity that means millions of people can pick up one of Nokia’s new smartphones and instantly know how to use it. People will also discover free Ovi Maps, access to Ovi Store, messaging, social networking and other experiences that come standard across all of these smartphones.

The Nokia E7, Nokia C7 and Nokia C6 are all expected to begin shipping before the end of the year.
…with content for everyone

The new family of Symbian smartphones will include a completely updated Ovi Store experience. The new store experience is driven by a friendlier user interface and a new collections feature to quickly access popular apps and games available now, or soon, such as foursquare, Angry Birds, Need for Speed Shift and Real Golf 2011. Additionally, Ovi Store will continue to offer exclusive apps including Audiotube, Tesco and others along with favorites such as Fring, Shazam, and Asphalt 5.
For developers, the uniform Symbian platform together with the Qt development environment enables easy smartphone application creation and extensive reach.

A mobile world centered on where you are
Free access to Ovi Maps, the world’s most comprehensive walk and drive navigation, to Nokia smartphones was only the start. With the latest beta release of Ovi Maps, available for download today, people will benefit from new features and even greater map detail. Ovi Maps beta adds visibility to subways, trams and trains in 85 cities around the world, real-time traffic, safety alerts in or out of navigation mode, visibility to parking and petrol stations, and speed limit warnings. In addition, people can use the improved search capabilities and share their location immediately via text messages or email to other browser-enabled phones.

New gear for on-the-go
Nokia also showcased the Nokia Bluetooth Stereo Headset BH-905i offering an improved audio experience with active noise cancellation and a collection of five unique new Bluetooth headsets designed for a variety of needs, including hands-free multitasking, talking and navigating in the car with voice guidance.

Please visit www.nokia.com/press for press materials, including photos and product information. For more information on Nokia World 2010, please visit: http://events.nokia.com/nokiaworld.

Me like. Enough said.

Ok, I have watched a lot of films in my day. A lot. More then my fair share. My High school years (well, from Sophomore year when I used to sneak out during study halls onward) were spent watching a lot of movies. A LOT of movies. In college, we had a free station that would show 2 movies a day every 3 hrs, basically 6-8 movies a month. Basically my relaxing time was better spent watching film – hundreds of films – Just because I wanted to absorb the film. It is in watching Julie & Julia that, for the first time I can ever recall, asking myself “am I watching brilliance? When you are watching something transcendent, do you realize it, or only upon later reflection does it become clear? When seeing history, do we honestly know it is historical, or is it just another moment that because supreme after we dwell on it?”

In all the films, all my years (good god we are now discussing 1/2 of my life – GULP) I know I have seen greatness. I have watching things that have moved me to tears (Notable example: Last episode of Six feet Under. I sobbed like a baby, then re-watched it again 5 years later: same reaction), things I have known were great upon the first viewing (Helen Mirran in The Queen, Forrest Whittaker in Last King of Scotland, No Country for Old Men, Their will be Blood), watched countless academy worthy films to the point where I can see the wins from almost a mile away.

And then there is Meryl Streep. As Julia Child. Talk about a perfect storm.

From the first moment, millisecond, wisp of time in this film, she WAS Julia Child. There was no Meryl Streep, there was nothing but Julia. She channeled the American cooking icon to her core, to the very pearls and apron, to the touches of grace and her laugh. Every moment about this screamed Julia. That was when I snapped myself back (on purpose – for this piece – if I wasn’t going to write I would have simply settled in and drown myself in a sea of Meryl glory!) and thought “My God… I have never seen or felt this before. It is like knowing your witnessing greatness, in a once in a lifetime act”

I sort of remember feeling like this when I watched Robert Downey Jr in “Chaplin”, though not to this extent. The only times I truly remember it are in the line of sports. In August 2007, the Red Sox were on their way to winning the first pennant in the AL east that I can ever recall (clearly that is – I kinda remember 95, but it was more hazy) when a rookie, in his 2nd start threw a no hitter. I remember dashing downstairs, leaving my GF upstairs in bed to watch the last 1 1/2 inning of the game. I remember where I was (the Kinvara) and who I was hugging (strangers – everyone I could) when the sox won Game 7 of the ALCS in 2004. I remember game 4 of the ALDS in 99 when John Valentin hit 7 RBIs (including 2 Homers) to bring the sox back to beat the indians in the series, and in game 5 of that series, Pedro coming in relief, pitching 6 no hit innings HURT. Big Papi (Best clutch hitter. Ever. Enough said).

My point is: the greats always have a way of raising things to the next level. You never know when that level is going to come, and never know when it is going to peak. You sit back, jaw agape, and try to take in every moment they are playing. Acting is no different – if your very gifted, however, your career last longer then any pro athlete – even golfers (seriously – is there any other pro sport where you could be 55 or 60 and still, possible compete? Jack Nicklaus won the Masters at 46, and still was competing at age 65).

All that being said, I spent 2 hours and 2 minute awestruck by Meryl. Completely awestruck. She was Julia in every way.

The most decorated living actress should now make room for her next Oscar on the mantle.

Bill Simmons (Page 2 writer for ESPN.com) equates different game situations to what he calls “Levels of Losing”, each one is a different level of loss that your own sports team goes through now and again. Specifically, there are (in his most recent update) 16 levels of loss, Ranging from the “Princeton Principle”, when your team is expected to lose the big game against a vastly more talented foe, all the way to “Stomach Punch” (The sudden gut punch situation that leave you breathless, in writhing pain with no idea what you do next) and The “Goose/Maverick Tailspin” (taken from Top Gun, it is when you are watching terrible things unfold with no power to stop them, yet you’re along for the ride because your a part of this en masse).

The reason I bring these are up is because I see a personal connection with the people Ryan Bingham (Played by George Clooney) meets with daily face one of those two inevitable ends. I have been there in both – One job I watched it for 2 weeks going down the drain and could have possibly stopped it by begging and pleading for my life, the other was as harsh as a straight shot of moonshine down a sober man’s throat – harsh, burning, gut wrenching to the core. Your job is your relationship, for better or worse – sometimes it leaves you, sometimes you leave it. Sometimes it is amicable; most of the time, someone is left in pain.

Clooney plays a Termination specialist (Jokingly referred to in the office as “Terminators”) flying around the country firing people from their jobs for companies he is contracted to do terminations for. He spends 300+ days a year on the road (he states that the previous year he spent only 43 days in his apartment). he keeps everything separated – the people he sees in a day he will never see again, never stays in the same city 2 nights in a row, is always on the move isolated from the rest of the world, even a stranger to his own family.

I sat here, enthralled by all this and moved by my own sense having been on the other side of this and wondered: Why is Clooney nominated for an academy award? I wondered this for exactly 45 minutes and 30 seconds. Finally I see – Clooney gives a speech about how having relationships with anyone can weigh you down. Funny and impassioned (in a presenter-esque way) my first instinct was this was George Clooney’s “Greed” Speech (Parallel between Michael Douglas in his Academy Award winning role as Gordon Gecko in 1987′s “Wall Street”)

It was as if my eyes had opened.

I felt like I looked at Clooney differently for the rest of the film. Finally, for the first time, I can see his solace, his vulnerability, his sorrow, his sweet and poignant side that I have been waiting for years to see. I have known he has has a role like this in him, and I simply cry out for “More!” – though his role didn’t change much begining to end, it is instead you change perceptions for the better.

Jason Reitman has a touch as a director not often seen in this day and age. Young, Still evolving, he is learning how to let the seen grow on his own – the screenplay is the seed, the talent is the water and fertilizer, he is simply the gardener, letting the flower bloom. He adds a soft touch and grace to this, allowing it to take you emotionally through the story, not just being wrapped up in the characters.

Vera Farmiga (as Alex Goran) and Anna Kendrick (as Natalie Keener) do well sharing not only the screen but occasionally stealing the spotlight from Clooney (not an easy task) but they are not academy worth in these roles. Though both strong and capable, neither is true an Oscar worthy performance.

Those of us (and I certainly hope I am not the only one) who can remember when Planes, Trains and Automobiles came out, remember the follies of travel well; this film takes up back with fond memories to that time. 23 years later, we finally have a film worth to live up to that. A finely woven story, with solid to superb performances with only the hint of touches needed by the director.

Even now, 1 hour after the film ended, I still have these swirling emotions inside, and a tear in my eye – I might need to watch it again just to try to figure out why.

Animated films don’t tend to fare well outside of the animation categories. In fact, rarely are they nominated for the top prizes by the Academy (the last Best Picture nomination for an animation was Beauty and the Beast in 1992), but with this years “Up”, Disney has once again breathed new life into this genre.

The simple story of an old man, his youthful (all be it accidental!) sidekick on an impromptu ride of adventure. It is a simple story, laced with sorrow, that leads us gently on the sweet, wonderfully grandiose adventure into fantasy – into every child’s “what if my house could fly!” daydream on a sunny summer day, flights of whimsy combined with the child-like idea of adventure and fun, with a larger then life background of the entire world – literally – right at your doorstep.

As we have come to expect in recent years, I was surprised to find that this was not your typical Disney script – I have always stated that Disney does best when they create their own stories, not taking pre-packaged fairy tales and remaking them for epic films. When they work from a new, original place, they can create virtual (literally!) wonders before our very eyes. The characters develop in a smooth, subtle way that you know why they react the way they do in each and every situation. There is no backstory, no mystery, no ill-will. It is a simple tale, but arranged in an eloquent way as to reward all levels of understanding with it.

I do not foresee this breaking in to become the first animation to win best picture – though it is a wonderful film, and will more then likely take the Best Feature Length Animation award, and the story is well written, and powerful, with a simple message behind it: For the ones we love deeply, we will go to the ends of the earth to keep our promises to them.

With sadness comes hope.

Thats the overwhelming sentiment I have about the film “Precious”, the story of an unfortunate incest survivor whose own father is the father of her own 2 kids. Layered amidst flights of fancy to escape the harsh realities she is trying to face, the protagonists struggles to find not only self worth, but security and well being in a world she doesn’t trust.

Precious (Played by Gabourey Sidibe) was not a deep character to play, suffering with her secrets and pain in silence. The only joy you ever see from the character comes from her daydreams, fantasies, and flights of fancy, her escape for reality. Otherwise, the character did not call for much from her, not enough to warrant a best actress nomination, let alone a win. Mo’Nique (As Precious’ mother) has the range necessary for an Oscar: prone to fits of sudden rage and anger, a character you can both pity and despise at the same time. For the first time in any role I have ever seen her in, she actually come across as vulnerable, moving, strong yet out of control.

Only one other time in the Academy’s history has an Afri can-American film maker been up for Best Director (John Singleton, Boyz n The Hood), so Lee Daniels is in rarefied air at this point. The film is solid from a film makers standpoint, and he draws a good performance from Gabourney Sidibe, and a very good performance from Mo’Nique, otherwise, the film isn’t spectacular – the story itself, powerful, dramatic, dark and cruel – give the film the backbone it needs to stand. Otherwise, the would just be another offering.

The feeling I have, after watching the film, is that Mo’nique will probably be the only one walking away with hardware Oscar night – though, it is possible that writer Geoffry Fletcher might get a statue of his own.

Just after my Birthday, I went out with Thunder E to see District 9. Afterwards, he stopped for dinner, and I joined him – while waiting for his food I made 2 calls. To both people I said "I just watched my first Academy award film of the year."

I cannot believe I forgot saying that; that I had forgotten feeling.

After re-watching the film, I remember why. It is an alien/action film, yes – but it is more, it is a drama that builds to the action, not like Transformers (for example) where the drama is a by-product of, and moments filling between the action and violence. It is less like Die Hard, where the is violence, and you know more is coming, and in between there is a witty line to cut the silence; the action and violence (and what spectacular violence it is!) almost feels justified, that the panic and very survival of the protagonist lies on a "its him or its me" principle for survival

Just to be synoptic (without giving away too much of the plot line), in 1982, an alien space craft started hovering over South Africa, and has not moved since then. The aliens aboard were brought into an area just outside of Johannesburg named "District 9" where it is simply an impoverished shanty town, a haven for the crime and corrupt (and the Nigerians – Sorry Thunder E, Just had to toss that in there!) where no police or humans dare go. The issues begin when the government decides to move all the inhabitants to District 10 240 kilometers away.

To weight this film as an academy nominated best adapted screenplay, I must first ask why? Yes, the screenplay is nomination worthy – it is creative, twists and turns, develops characters at a pace that draws you in – But this is adapted off a 10 min short by Neill Blomkamp and Terri Tatchell, who happen to be director/writers on this as well. Could it not be considered for best ORIGINAL instead? As far as best picture, I had a feeling 6 months ago I would see it here – though I was not assuming there would be 10 nominations. Regardless, this is a an academy quality film. Will it win? I doubt it will for best picture – But best Adaptive – it has a good shot.

I am all atwitter (yes, I just said “atwitter”. Get over it.) about this week. First, it is Super Bowl week, a magical week where football comes to a magnificent head and blows its shoulderpadded load all over sports fans from coast to coast. Ask a football fan who they think is going to win, and they will give you a step by step breakdown of the season, who has the better secondary when in a 3rd and long scenario when blitzing 4 and the free safety in the A gap (I know – for those who aren’t football fans like I, you just read white noise. Yes you CAN read white noise. read the previous sentence and see if any of it makes sense). But other then my irrational obsession with football, this is ACADEMY NOMINATION WEEK! I am so over stimulated viscerally (since this NEVER happens, them both occurring the same time!) that I actually haven’t stopped talking for an entire day about the Oscars or football. And with some people, BOTH! By Sunday, the phrase “Who’s going to win” will have crossed my lips no less the 2,173 times, and made those closest to me contemplate the benefits of murder. Just to be clear: Yes you go to jail, and might be forced to give up “lovin’” to a large man named Bruno, but you never have to cook your own food again, or wash your cloths, plus prison workout are notoriously harsh, whipping you into the best shape of your life. So it isn’t all bad. But I digress…

This might be an odd choice – picking my favorites to win BEFORE viewing all the films. In fact, it probably would never work EVER. But, every year before the football season even starts – in fact, immediately AFTER Sunday’s game, the pundit’s will be picking NEXT years SuperBowl match-up. It is one of the glories of sport – you have a small pool in which to pick from, and you have basically a 1 in 16 shot of getting a team in the SuperBowl right. So, in that spirit, I will be picking My favorites for each category NOW, and then as I watch and review the films individually, my opinions might change. So we will see how this little experiment holds out. So, without further adieu…

BEST PICTURE
Good God… 10?! TEN BEST PICTURES NOMS….!?
Settle in for a second. think how much a waste that is. there is no runner up statuette. No Bronze Oscar for 3rd place. Just one. Why do we need 10?! In past years, yes, that might have been needed, even necessary. But this year? Look at the list, and you can find four films that can be scratched off right away (My thought on that: would Up, The Blind Side, District 9 or An Education be on this list in ANY other year?) My front-runner is “A Hurt Locker”. Now, I must admit, when it came out in theaters, I was not overly enthusiastic on it. However, I am hearing good things (yes, I saw it too, and was impressed) and think it has an excellent shot. All that being said, it is James Cameron’s “Avatar” that steals the glory – though I do think that there is a chance you might see Lee Daniel’s up there for “Precious”

Prediction: Avatar. Hopeful: The Hurt Locker. Dark Horse: Precious

BEST DIRECTOR
Maybe it is just me, but isn’t it a huge misnomer that the Best Director DIDN’T direct the best film? Shouldn’t that be the case? Wouldn’t the best director ALWAYS make the best film?

Not when James Cameron is making a film.

Ok, Ok, that is just me being bitter. James Cameron knows how to shoot an epic, visually stunning film. The way he creates a scene that is brilliant before your eyes borders on genius. There in lies the problem. If he worked for McDonald’s, He would make 1 Big Mac a day, it would cost 43 dollars (even though the menu said $4.95) look like the most incredible Big Mac ever. But there lies the problem: Once you eat it, you realize it taste just like every other Big Mac, and, even though it is pretty, you walk away still feeling a little hungry, like something was missing. Ladies and Gentleman: AVATAR!

Maybe I am not being fair, having not seen it yet. But – I somehow doubt it.

Prediction: A Hurt Locker Hopeful: Up in the Air Dark Horse: Avatar

BEST ACTOR
At first glance – I was shocked, and thought: “My God – this is the weakest Best Actor Class I can EVER imagine!” Jeff Bridges? Clooney? Jeremy Renner? You cannot be serious…
But then I thought about it. Jeff Bridges has always been around in that arena of “he could be brilliant or nuts – time will tell”. In a hybrid story of Waylon Jennings and Merle Haggard, I keep picturing “The Dude” as Johnny Cash in “walk the line”. Let me put it another way: Remember when Michael Jordan Retired the first time and went away to play baseball, and people thought “its Michael Jordan! He can do anything!” especially to us impressionable 12-13-14 year olds then. Then we saw him hit. and field. and realized that something was not quite right as we watch the HOUSTON ROCKETS win the NBA title TWICE!!!
I am getting that sense of foreboding with Jeff Bridges.

Prediction: Collin Firth Hopeful: Jeff Bridges Dark Horse: George Clooney

BEST ACTRESS
As weak as the men are, the woman are that strong. It is like looking at an amazing cross section of talent, young, in Prime, and older – Maybe some of you remember the 1999 All Star game at Fenway – the all century team – as they announced these hall of famers, every name that came out was bigger then the last, some recently deceased, others long gone, but the chills, the chills you get from seeing Pete Rose on the field, getting a standing ovation, Ted Williams coming out, being announced as “the Greatest Hitter of all time” and throwing the ball to Nomar in his prime… It brings a tear to your eye.

Ladies and Gentlemen…. The Greatest living actress… Meryl Streep.

Prediction: Meryl Streep Hopeful: Helen Mirran Dark Horse: Gabourey Sidibe

Best Supporting
I will group Men and women together for the because… well, I can. Who Do you go with? Those who have been nominated before? What about the ones who already have a statue, do they deserve another? How about those who played creepy, despicable characters? What about a military person (though I am not saying which side he fought on…)? The List could go on… But the roles, they are more limited.

Prediction: Stanely Tucci Hopeful: Cristoph Waltz Dark Horse: Christopher Plummer
Prediction: Mo’Nique Hopeful: Maggie Gyllenhaul Dark Horse: Penelope Cruz

Best Original/Adaptive Screenplay
Someone recently asked me what the difference was between the two.
Seriously.
I blinked until I thought my eyes would shoot out of my head. For those of you who might not know: Best original screenplay is for the film that is a concept created solely by the writer (hence ORIGINAL) where best adaptive is taken from another source (Theatre, novel, ETC)

If this isn’t obvious enough for you, just ask me for a further explanation, leave me your address, and please, don’t mind me when I arrive at your house with a shovel ti crack you over the head.

Prediction: Inglourious Basterds Hopeful: A Serious Man Dark Horse: The Messenger
Prediction: Precious Hopeful: In the Loop Dark Horse: Up In the Air

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