Wednesday, January 28, 2009

The Big Bang Theory

OK, the first time I tried to watch this show, I really didn't like it. Thought it was kind of boring in fact. So, I left it alone and forgot all about it, figuring it wouldn't last long anyway. About a year later, the hubs heard about this show and wondered why I'd never mentioned it to him. He borrowed the DVD of the first season from a friend, and we've been working our way through those episodes.

I'm glad I've given this one a second chance. It's not a bad show really. Even better if you know a "geek" type person to watch it with. My husband understands the way Sheldon, Leonard and their friends on this show think. Basically, he "gets" it. Watching it with him seems to help me understand the humor all that much more myself.

This is a pretty quiet little show...kind of a surprise that sneaks up on you. Some of the laughs are a bit subtle, and maybe that's what makes it work so well. I've always liked Johnny Galecki and am glad to see him back on TV. (This part seems to fit him.) The rest of the cast works well also, fitting together like the "geeky" friends they portray. It's a show worth checking out.

Friday, January 23, 2009

The Oscars

OK, it's that time of year again. Yesterday they announced the nominees for this year's Academy Awards, otherwise known as the Oscars. Not too many surprises actually, although many are disappointed that The Dark Knight wasn't nominated in more categories. Heath Ledger got a nod for Best Supporting Actor, no surprise there, and he was already awarded the Golden Globe in that category. (Incidentally, yesterday was the one year anniversary of Ledger's death. What a huge loss that is still felt in Hollywood.)

The entire list of nominees can be found at http://www.oscar.com/. I will print a few of the major categories here:

BEST PICTURE
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Frost/Nixon
Milk
The Reader
Slumdog Millionaire

BEST DIRECTOR
Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire
David Fincher, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Ron Howard, Frost/Nixon
Stephen Daldry, The Reader
Gus Van Sant, Milk

BEST ACTOR
Richard Jenkins, The Visitor
Frank Langella, Frost/Nixon
Sean Penn, Milk
Brad Pitt, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler

BEST ACTRESS
Anne Hathaway, Rachel Getting Married
Angelina Jolie, Changeling
Melissa Leo, Frozen River
Meryl Streep, Doubt
Kate Winslet, The Reader

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Josh Brolin, Milk
Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight
Robert Downey Jr., Tropic Thunder
Philip Seymour Hoffman, Doubt
Michael Shannon, Revolutionary Road

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Amy Adams, Doubt
Penélope Cruz, Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Viola Davis, Doubt
Taraji P. Henson, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Marisa Tomei, The Wrestler

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE
Bolt
Kung Fu Panda
WALL-E

I love both Josh Brolin and Robert Downey, Jr., but I have to admit that I would really like to see Heath Ledger win, and not just because it would be a sentimental thing. His performance in The Dark Knight was absolutely amazing. He deserved the Oscar for Brokeback Mountain (still can't believe he didn't get it) and he deserves it for this as well.

I haven't seen the movie Bolt yet, but out of the three animated nominees, I'd like to see WALL-E win. That was a great movie.


And the host for this year's awards is Hugh Jackman. YUMMY!!

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

The Inauguration

This was the first inauguration I actually watched, and I'm so glad I did. History in the making today. This was a day I have always hoped I would live to see, but a part of me always thought I would be much older before it happened. This is a wonderful day for our country and our world. Hope is returning, and we will make it to the light if we just work together.

Yes we will!

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Blogs They Are A-Changin'

This is just a note to anyone who might actually read this blog. I am making some changes. First, even though I do watch a lot of movies now (Thank you NetFlix.) I also watch a lot of regular television, and I would like to write about that as well. So, I am changing the name of this blog. (Don't ask yet. Haven't decided.)

Also, since the general set-up is changing, I'll be changing the URL as well. (Didn't know I could do that, did ya'?) Starting...well, let's say Wednesday, January 14, 2009...this blog will be moved to http://www.susansviewinglife.blogspot.com/.

In the meantime, take it easy and keep warm.