'Downton Abbey' Available Now

i am not quite finished with 'downton abbey' here. i just want you to know seasons 1 and 2 are available for rental or purchase on dvd and blu ray. there is a reason this series is giving bps stations there highest ratings. these two seasons add up to better viewing than any of the oscar films of 2011. i know that's kind of dogmatic. well it is! and it's the truth.

i will give my review in the next day or so. if you expect anything less than glowing you'd be wrong.

Sunday Viewing

'army wives' is back with season 6 on lifetimes. over at abc 'gcb' starts it's run and stars kristen chenoweth so i'm there for the first outing for sure.

What You May Have Missed

Well the Oscars and every other award of the season are now behind us. it was a pretty good year for film lovers but not a great year. Though I believe most of the films nominated for Oscars this year would never have been considered in another better year. My personal tastes vary so there was enough to satisfy my movie going pleasure.  So as the award season becomes a distant memory and the winners, like them or not, are part of film history it's time to rent or not rent what your may have missed. what did you miss? well with dvd's, blu ray and streaming you can now catch up most of the 2011 movies currently or soon. here's your rental guide to films you may want to finally see. 

Currently available for purchase or rental

''Sarah's Key'': This remains my favorite film of 2011. A secret, a key and a mystery  touches the heart and speaks to the soul. Kristen Scott Thomas shines. What more can i say? Please see it. ****stars

''Melancholia'': Kirsten Dundst gave the best performance by an actress in this film this year. Meryl got the Oscar; Kirsten got the shaft. Melancholy and a planet called melancholia collide as the apocalypse draws near. For film lover's only. ****stars

''Contagion'': I liked this better on second viewing when i finally got into the 'docudrama' style storytelling of a fast acting killer virus across the globe. A great cast in a good film. ***stars

"The Descendants'': This is a gem. Of all the Oscar nominated films it will be most remembered 50 years from now when Best Picture Oscar winner 'The Artist' will be but a footnote in Oscar history. George Clooney shines as a Hawaiian land baron who can't win an argument with a 10 year old. Kudos to all involved. ***1/2stars

''War Horse'': I'm not sure why this bombed at the box office. It's a good film in the grand old epic style set during World War 1 and it's a boy and his horse. It's a big screen film and may get lost with home viewing no matter how big your hdtv. Give it a try non the less. ***stars

''Tree of Life'': A difficult film  but a great film. Like 'Melancholia' it is for film lover's only. Film lover's not movie lover's. There is a difference. It's been reported many many people demanded their money back at theaters not getting this apocalyptic drama. I can understand that. It is not for everyone. Brad Pitt and Jessica Chastain are wonderful. ***stars

''Rise of the Planet of the Apes'':  This remains one of the best films of 2011. It is simply wonderful and far better than any of the past 'ape' films. It boasts one of the years best performances by Andy Serkis in 'performance capture' that the Oscar's refused to acknowledge. Shame on them! ***1/2stars

"Twilight Breaking Dawn Part 1": The best in the series. If you are into this series of vampires , werewolves and humans it's a must see. If not then just move on. ***stars

''Hugo'': It won five technical Oscars which was fitting as it was a good technical film. It advanced 3D amazingly. And that's about it. A total bore about the history of film that was about 30 minutes too long. If anyone other than Martin Scorsese had directed this it would have been dismissed as the dullest film of 2011. Rent at your own risk as it may be coma inducing. **stars

"Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close": What were Sandra Bullock, Tom Hanks and director Stephen Daldry ("The Reader", "The Hours") thinking? This is extremely lousy and incredibly awful post 9/11 film. The second worse movie of the year after "Young Adult". Forget about it! *star

''Whistleblower'': One of the lost films of 2011 centers on UN peacemakers complicit in human sex trafficking in post war Bosnia. Rachel Weisz uncovers the truth in this lost gem. It's an important film and as always Ms. Weisz delivers the goods. ***stars

''My Week with Marilyn'' and 'The Iron Lady'' both boast brilliant performances in less than stellar films. They should be seen for the amazing actresses, Meryl Streep as Margaret Thatcher and Michelle Williams as Marilyn Monroe, alone. Forget the weak screenplays involved and enjoy the tour de force performances. I give both **1/2 stars

Oscar's Best Picture Winner 'The Artist'' is still in theaters near you and does not yet have a dvd release date.

Coming soon the lesser seen but mostly critically acclaimed films of 2011 released or soon to be released on dvd and blu ray that may or may not have played at a theater near you due to limited releases.

A Glee Moment Part 2

some of glee's other better musical moments this year

'i feel pretty/unpretty'

'red solo cup'

'smooth criminal'

'never can say goodbye' (just how wonderful is dianna argon?)

'marry you'

'somewhere'

'i will always love you'

'l-o-v-e'

Davy Jones with 'Pleasant Valley Sunday': R.I.P.

A Glee Moment Part 1

glee is one of the most frustrating shows ever. it is so damn erratic. when it is good it is often very good and when it is bad...well it sucks.

but today i want to celebrate the very good. these three songs appeared in the last episode of what is now being called the winter season. these three performances are not just good. they are quite wonderful bordering on great.

'cough syrup'

'fly/i believe i can fly'

'here's to us'

{to be continued}

If It's Wednesday It's Time for Some Revenge

and emily vancamp and madelein stowe make it all the sweeter

new promo that premiered during oscar ceremonies

Some Nice Oscar Shots

Some Nice Oscar Shots

The Top Five and Meryl Pulls It Out

84TH Annual Oscar Winners

List of the 84th Annual Academy Award winners announced Sunday:
1. Best Picture: "The Artist."
2. Actor: Jean Dujardin, "The Artist."
3. Actress: Meryl Streep, "The Iron Lady."
4. Supporting Actor: Christopher Plummer, "Beginners."
5. Supporting Actress: Octavia Spencer, "The Help."
6. Directing: Michel Hazanavicius, "The Artist."
7. Foreign Language Film: "A Separation," Iran.
8. Adapted Screenplay: Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon and Jim Rash, "The Descendants."
9. Original Screenplay: Woody Allen, "Midnight in Paris."
10. Animated Feature Film: "Rango."
11. Art Direction: "Hugo."
12. Cinematography: "Hugo."
13. Sound Mixing: "Hugo."
14. Sound Editing: "Hugo."
15. Original Score: "The Artist."
16. Original Song: "Man or Muppet" from "The Muppets."
17. Costume Design: "The Artist."
18. Documentary Feature: "Undefeated."
19. Documentary Short: "Saving Face."
20. Film Editing: "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo."
21. Makeup: "The Iron Lady."
22. Animated Short Film: "The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore."
23. Live Action Short Film: "The Shore."
24. Visual Effects: "Hugo."

And the Winners in the Most Predictable Year Ever Will Be....

will meryl upset olivia? doubtful.

will clooney upset jean dujardin? i can only hope.

the rest are a lock.

here's to a better film year in 2012.

Kate at the at the Ceasar Awards Where She Picked Up an Honorary Award Friday Night

Oscar Past

haven't gotten into the oscar mood this year which is surprising. there are 2 reasons. the first was the cancer treatment knocking the hell out of me. the second was the lack of really good films this year. most of the best pic nominees would be also rans in other years. nothing really stuck out for me. maybe the treatment. maybe the films. probably a bit of both.

so here's a look back to better days:

Michelle Dockery of 'Downton Abbey'

michelle charms on dave letterman

downton's michelle joins the ranks of my fave brit actresses: maggie, judi, julie, keira and kate. as they did it took but seconds for me to respond to that certain something that makes me want more and then more still. talent plus a look, their own special look, combine and create something unstoppable. ms dockery is marvelous. don't believe me? well then do not take my word for it. rent 'downton abbey'.

R.I.P. Whitney

when i heard the news last weekend my reaction was the cynical 'of course. what did you expect to happen?' have i mellowed over the past week? no, not really. i am still cynical. but a great voice is silenced. that is what i need to give notice of: the voice. just the voice as i can now only wonder what if. what if ms houston had just listened to the lyrics she was singing in this song: 'on my own'' which is the one i'll remember most and be wishing she had also!

Treatment Finished

time to heal now that the cancer treatment has ended. and time to catch up on things i think. catching up with 'downton abbey' season 2 currently. still loving it.

so indulge me with giving you this video capturing the wonderful and beautiful michelle dockery as lady mary crawley. i am loving michelle. always loved 'angel of the morning'. quite fitting for lady mary.

more on season 2 to come

If You Missed Madonna at the Super Bowl Here Goes...

Sag Winners

THEATRICAL MOTION PICTURES
Best Male Actor in a Leading Role
★ Jean Dujardin, The Artist
Best Female Actor in a Leading Role
★ Viola Davis, The Help
Best Male Actor in a Supporting Role
★ Christopher Plummer, Beginners
Best Female Actor in a Supporting Role
★ Octavia Spencer, The Help
Best Cast in a Motion Picture
★ The Help

PRIMETIME TELEVISION
Best Male Actor, Movie/Miniseries
★ Paul Giamatti, Too Big to Fail
Best Female Actor, Movie/Miniseries
★ Kate Winslet, Mildred Pierce
Best Male Actor in a Drama Series
★ Steve Buscemi, Boardwalk Empire
Best Female Actor in a Drama Series
★ Jessica Lange, American Horror Story
Best Male Actor in a Comedy Series
★ Alec Balwin, 30 Rock
Best Female Actor in a Comedy Series
★ Betty White, Hot in Cleveland
Best Ensemble in a Drama Series
★ Boardwalk Empire
Best Ensemble in a Comedy Series
★ Modern Family

And the Nominees Are!

The nominations for the 84th Academy Awards were announced Tuesday morning in Beverly Hills, CA.  The complete list of nominees are as follows.

Actor in a Supporting Role
Christopher Plummer, "Beginners"
Jonah Hill, "Moneyball"
Kenneth Branagh, "My Week with Marilyn"
Nick Nolte, "Warrior"
Max Von Sydow, "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close"


Actress in a Supporting Role

Jessica Chastain, "The Help"
Octavia Spencer, "The Help"
"Berenice Bejo," "The Artist"
Melissa McCarthy, "Bridesmaids"
Janet McTeer, "Albert Nobbs"


Actor in a Leading Role

George  Clooney, "The Descendants"
Brad Pitt, "Moneyball"
Juan Dujardin, "The Artist"
Gary Oldman, "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy"
Demian Bechir, "A Better Life"

Actress in a leading Role

Meryl Streep, "The Iron Lady"
Viola Davis, "The Help"
Michelle Williams, "My Week with Marilyn"
Glenn Close, "Albert Nobbs"
Rooney Mara, "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo,"

Directing

Martin Scorsese, "Hugo"
Alexander Payne, "The Descendants"
Michel Hazanavicius, "The Artist"
Woody Allen, "Midnight in Paris"
Terrence Malick, "Tree of Life"


Documentary

"Pina"
"Project Nim"
"Buck"
"Bill Cunningham: New York"
"Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory”
 "We Were Here," "Hell and Back Again"

Film Editing

Anne-Sophie Bion, Michel Hazanavicius, "The Artist"
Thelma Schoonmaker, "Hugo"
Michael Kahn, "War Horse"
Kevin Tent, "The Descendants"
Christopher Tellefsen, "Moneyball"
Kirk Baxter, Angus Wall "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,"
Alisa Lepselter, "Midnight in Paris"   

Adapted Screenplay

Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon and Jim Rash, "The Descendants"
Aaron Sorkin, Steve Zaillan, "Moneyball"
John Logan, "Hugo"
Bridget O'Connor and Peter Straughan, "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy"
George Clooney, "The Ides of March"



Original Screenplay

Woody Allen, "Midnight in Paris"
Michel Hazanavicius, "The Artist"
Annie Mumalo, Kristin Wiig, "Bridesmaids"
"Asghar Farhadi, "A Separation"
J.C. Chandor, "Margin Call,"



Foreign Language Film

"Bullhead"
"Monsieur Lazhar"
"A Separation"
"Footnote"
"In Darkness"


Animated Feature Film

"A Cat in Paris" Alain Gagnol and Jean-Loup Felicioli
"Chico & Rita" Fernando Trueba and Javier Mariscal
"Kung Fu Panda 2" Jennifer Yuh Nelson
"Puss in Boots" Chris Miller
"Rango" Gore Verbinski


Best Picture

"The Artist"
"The Descendants"
"Moneyball"
"Hugo"
"The Help"
"Midnight in Paris"
"The Tree of Life"
"War Horse"
"Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close"