The New Oscar Generation 2011

Nikki Northstrom is officially feeling old.

And for the first time in Oscar history will hosts from my generation attempt to entertain the aging, yet still relevant, Hollywood greats. And in order for my generation to appeal to the boomers, this generation of actors will have to entice them with legitimate roles in biopics of artists that defined the generations before. James Franco is gaining appeal from his days in Freaks and Geeks to the recent portrayal of Beat poet, Alan Ginsburg in Howl. I like my actors obscure, weird, and offbeat and Franco is one that hasn't shown his best work yet, despite his nod for 127 Hours. Anne Hathaway is still a force and positioned herself well for the 2014 nominations as she will be portraying Judy Garland in the adaptation of Gerald Clarke's biography, Get Happy: The Life of Judy Garland. She got the chops and she is no stranger to play complex roles as she did in, Rachel Got Married. The two of them will be interesting to watch in an award show context, but I'm looking forward to it. Hosting the Oscars is a crap shoot for many, and it appears the Academy of the Motion Picture Arts & Science is looking for a fresh concept. This may work. (Drinking game: Any mention of of Garland, Get Happy, or the Oz, take a shot. If any mention of Freaks and Geeks, take two. Thanks to IFC, Freeks & Geeks is gaining popularity with a new audience)

In my last blog, I gave my two cents on both the Social Network and The Fighter. There is not much I want to add to that conversation other than the biggie. Social Network will not take the big win. The Golden Globes plays into the media hype because, well, they are the media. The Academy will not follow suit in this category. Personally, the four movies I watched twice were: Black Swan, The Fighter, Inception, and The King Speech. Didn't get a chance to watch only two: The Kids Are All Right, and Winters Bone. So, my voting is very skewed this year. Here are my top three Best Picture choices.

The King Speech
I'm one of those people that can go to the movies by herself with a tub of extra buttery popcorn and my current read and be happy. The theater was packed for a Saturday matinee and the audience received the movie very well. We shared collective laughter during Lionel's and Bertie's exchanges and tears when the soon-to-be Queen Elizabeth consoled her reluctant King. There are movies I want to craw into and due to my love of English royal settings, this is one of them. Colin Firth, as always, stoic and reserved plays the part predictably well. However, I could. not. keep my eyes of him. When an actor performance mesmerizes me, you have my vote for Best Actor, and I don't think you were trying. Damn your talent.

True Grit
I'm not too hard to please, really. Not very high maintenance, or so I think. Complex, yes, but I do like the simpler things in life. For Christmas I told my husband that I really, really want to go to the Warren in Old Town, and have dinner at my favorite movie theater.We went on a Wednesday during the holidays where the tickets were $5! Tried to catch an early evening show, but geez everyone in Wichita was there and only one movie was not sold out. Sad we couldn't have dinner , but glad we waited to catch True Grit for the late show. I'm not into Westerns and I'm not into John Wayne at all, so it is no wonder I made it to this with an open mind. I knew I would love cinematography on the big screen and thought the Warren would be the venue to watch. Based on my die hard Duke fans, I heard they really liked this version. According to my ultra hip and well informed Nemmie, this version was supposed to be the original one. I'm also one of those purists that believe all original films should never be remade, such as The Manchurian Candidate. FOR SHAME! Well, only the critically acclaimed masterpieces, and the original True Grit, is not one of them. The 2010 version is fantastic. If Hailee Steinfeld wasn't up against Melissa Leo, she would be my pick for Actress in a Supporting Role. I actually loved this movie and the ensemble performance more than I anticipated The Dude, himself, outshone the Duke's original performance. But not enough to garner the big award. Sorry, Dude, I gave it Colin.

Black Swan
When I first watched the preview I said about what half of America was saying: "Fight Club, but with ballerinas. It's on!" As much as I think I'm original, I guess I'm plugged into collective thought. Tchaikovsky is my favorite composer and according to one of my favorite, but dated, book (1976 version) stated that Swan Lake is one of the best ballets and most challenging to ballerinas. I am still fascinated that the off stage music was a variation of Swan Lake, but backwards. Brilliant. Two of my favorite young actresses that will stand the test of time Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis had a rather mild sex scene by Darren Aronosky's standards. Go watch, Requiem for a Dream, and get back to me. Speaking of . . . Barbara Hershey must have watched Requiem and channeled her inner, yet, younger version of Sara Goldfarb, on the verge of cracking herself. Going on my intricate love fest of this movie, is that magical realism played a part of the fantasy/dilusion of Nina Sayers' Kafka-like metamorphosis. Re-watching the movie I was able to confirm my original perception of mirrors in every scene, because I love a good mirror and tend to hold myself back in collecting them to fill space for this house. Recently watching this movie for the second time I was able to take it all again and find it is still brilliant.

Better than True Grit and The King Speech. Method acting, the drive, and the fierce competitive nature that many don't know is truly Portman. I'm biased about ballet dancers. Couldn't tell you if her techniques were lack luster, but her entire performance was exceptional. Doubt she will find a role like this again. So, enjoy every moment. Fingers cross this isn't your swan song. Best Actress goes to Portman. This is our generation's year.

(p.s. To PYT, you are about the most gorgeous person I know, personally from my past and my favorite dancer of all time. Well lets say they were obviously looking for someone tired and old to play Beth. You are too gorgeous for this role, but my sources say you nailed it. Can't wait to see you get your big break!)

2011 Oscar Picks
Best Picture
Black Swan

Actor in Leading Role
Colin Firth

Actor in a Supporting Role
Christian Bale

Actress in a Leading Role
Natalie Portman

Actress in a Supporting Role
Melissa Leo

Animated Feature
You-are-no-Up Toy Story 3

Director
Darren Aronosfsky

Foreign Language Film
Biutiful

Writing Adapted Screenplay
Arron Sorkin

Writing Original Screenplay
Christopher Nolan

2011 Golden Globe Predictions!

Been a busy year for Miss Northstrom in 2010 so movie and television viewing has been set aside to make way for overpriced textbooks and research databases. Miss Northstrom went back to school last June and now it is time to catch up to the pop culture world of award shows and year end wrap ups. Did I miss one of the best years in film and television or hard up for some entertainment?

After a nice matinee with half of Joplin attending the 2 p.m. showing of, "The Kings Speech," I sat in my car and couldn't figure out what picture I liked more. It's not the Oscars, it is the freakin' Foreign Press award show for goodness sakes. Each film warranted a good experience each in its own way. So I shall predict and keep my Oscar worthy movie comments until later.

If the Foreign Press follows their trend like last year's Avatar nod when later the Hurt Locker won the Oscars, then my prediction is that, The Social Network will win. The hype, the relevance and contribution to the social revolution that weaves in and out of the subplot, the lure of Mark Zuckerburg, stories of the first scene of fast paced sharp witted dialogue that is truly Aaron Sorkin's signature infused with a director's 99 takes to make the scene perfect, these are the stuff that turns and churns the interwebs. And who stalks the interwebs the most for relevant, article/blog worthy themes, that would be the press.

I wish to add one award not given in any ceremony, Best Ensemble in a Motion Picture goes to The Fighter. Every single actor was awesome in their own right. I couldn't take my eyes off of Christian Bale, Melissa Leo, and all of the sisters. Phenomenal! Bale's Dicky Ecklund's and "don't-call-him-Marky-Mark" Walhberg's Mickey Ward singing Whiteshake's, "Here I go Again," while walking out to the ring in the movie's final match epitomizes the desperation and determination of these characters. This scene is great because the audio of the crowd is toned down while the dubbed audio is played out to show Ecklund's enthusiasm and support for his brotha as Ward is mouthing the words with less energy and reluctance in his first attempt for the title.

Reality television has been my downfall. I like to chalk it up to watching something mindless that doesn't require a lot of thought and interaction since the ole brain has been fried trying to study teacher employment policies and why a teacher would show About Last Night to a bunch of high school students to illustrate Oscar Wilde's, "Our Town."

With a young college student living in the household I have been exposed to some good shows like "Glee," "Big Bang Theory," and "Big Love." Chris Colfer brings me to tears, that guy. My hubby was a good influence this year as we spent time watching , "Sons of Anarchy." Love that Leela! Tried to stay true to my NBC shows: "Community," "The Office," and "30 Rock." All a little lackluster this season. "Community," was better in the first season. "Modern Warfare" is hands down best, sexiest episode! They all seem to be missing something. Not sure what that something is, but not worthy of any contention. I'm a little late to the Modern Family party, thanks Jeff, but glad I made it! Only a few episodes in commitment, and I find it hilarious.

So enjoy tonight! Grab that Skinny Girl Margarita mix you always wanted to try as you hang those golden globes on the Christmas Tree you haven't taken down yet. Geez, been busy catching up on all these movies. . . We will be enjoying Miss Northstrom's dad's golden fried chicken with mash potatoes tonight as our big GG dinner, forgoing our appetizer dinner. It's all about hanging out with family tonight.

Salud!

BEST DRAMA PICTURE

The Social Network

BEST COMEDY/MUSICAL PICTURE

The Kids Are All Right

BEST DIRECTOR

Darren Aronofsky, "Black Swan"

BEST DRAMA ACTOR

Colin Firth, "The King's Speech"

BEST DRAMA ACTRESS

Natalie Portman, "Black Swan"

BEST COMEDY/ MUSICAL ACTOR

Johnny Depp, "Alice in Wonderland" (Hated it)

BEST COMEDY/ MUSICAL ACTRESS

Annette Bening, "The Kids Are All Right"

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

Christian Bale, "The Fighter"

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Melissa Leo, "The Fighter"

BEST SCREENPLAY

"The Social Network"

BEST TV DRAMA

"Boardwalk Empire"

BEST TV COMEDY/MUSICAL SERIES

"Modern Family"

BEST TV DRAMA ACTOR

Steve Buscemi, "Boardwalk Empire"

BEST TV DRAMA ACTRESS

Katy Sagal, "Sons of Anarchy"

BEST TV COMEDY/MUSICAL ACTOR

Steve Carell, "The Office"

BEST TV COMEDY/MUSICAL ACTRESS

Lea Michele, "Glee"

BEST TV SUPPORTING ACTOR

Chris Colfer, "Glee"

BEST TV SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Sofia Vergara, "Modern Family"

Did We Forget to Tell You . . .

Well, we couldn't be happier last January to have our new arrival in the Northstom-Bainbridge household. Some of you have met our darling Lisa and have had nothing but wonderful things to say about our new "daughter." I was a little nervous that first week since I knew Mr. Bainbridge would be heading to Vegas for work to leave me here all alone with her; but the adjustment was almost seamless. It has been three months, and we are not ready to give her back anytime soon. Coco Chanel No. 5 thinks Lisa is alright for a hooman.


Well, she looks nothing like us, but she does share our love of Honda Civics. Lisa has my love of reality television and has taught me how to Keep up with Kardashians and understand Big Love. It's been three months and Mr. Bainbridge has already affectionately nicknamed Lisa, "The Prom Queen."

Again we couldn't be prouder to say that Lisa will be graduating from PSU in the Winter of 2010. We are honored to to have Lisa join our tribe from the vast lands of Chanute, the home of the Martin and Osa Johnson Safari Museum. Welcome to our home, hope you like us as much as we love you!

Happy April Fools Day everyone! Enjoy the day with good ole clean fun!

Love the Northstroms-Bainbridge Household.

The Essentials: Movies for Kansans (Part 1)

Never did I believe that I would become a life-long-Kansan. As much as I've resisted that thought in my youth and on our gloomiest winters, life outside of Kansas is unimaginable. So let's embrace the beauty, art, and talent that stem from our amber waves of grain, shall we. Inspired by the likes of TCM Presents: The Essentials, here is the Nikki Northstorm's Movie Essentials Series: Movies for Kansans.

Spring is upon us and I have the urge to run, visit Memorial Stadium in Lawrence, and watch, Running Brave. Running Brave, (1983) is a true story about Billy Mills, the only American, to date, to win the Gold in the Men's 10,000 meter at the Olympics. Mills attended Haskell and won a scholarship to run track and field for the University of Kansas and as depicted in the movie, had a hard time adjusting to life off the reservation and battling prejudices toward Native Americans.

Watching this movie was part of our yearly tradition around track season in order to inspire us enough to qualify for the Kansas Relays. Personally, this film is dear to me and I love watching the movie because the story is really good and the campus of Lawrence is so beautiful. Revisiting the lovely campus reminds me of the one year I did qualify for the Relays. Several themes including prejudices, inter-racial dating, and overcoming the odds are all quite common themes for today's sports movie genre; however, at the time the movie was made, these themes were deemed as "complex" and possibly fresh.

Even though Mills' win is a small part of Kansas history in sports, the movie is worth watching if you are a runner or love anything University of Kansas. To add more to your historic Kansas notes, our dear fellow Wichita East High alum, Jim Ryun, was one of two other Kansans to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics and was Mills' teammate in 1964. This movie is not critically acclaimed and has its cheesy moments. Robby Benson plays the lead role and is best known as the voice of the Beast in the Disney's animated feature, Beauty and the Beast, and directing a couple of Friends episodes. For your random fashionable tidbit pleasure, Benson's most famous sibling is the Shelli Segal. The most notable of all the actors in the movie is Pat Hingle, who plays the famed track coach, Bill Easton. Please note Hingle. Oddly enough, he will have more of a Kansas connection in future blogs that I have lined up.

Since the movie is more than Mills' win at the Olympics, I'm not spoiling anything by posting this awesome Olympic footage of his fantastic finish in the 10,000 meter run here. It has been deemed by track enthusiast as the most exciting Olympic finishes to date.

The local video stores do not carry this movie. I did plan to check the local libraries regarding this copy, but I got sick and didn't have a chance to make the phone call prior to this post. I assume you can check this rare find through the inter library loan or better yet, Netflix.

Sunday at Confession

Oh Heavenly Father, please forgive me for my undying love for anything Anna Farris. Yes, I just said Anna Farris. Forgive me for thinking she is the funniest actress alive today. Yes, she is that funny to me. Have you seen her in any of the Scary Movies? Indeed, Scary Movie, my guilty pleasure, needs to be watched over and over if it is on TBS, Comedy Central, and HBO. She is quite genius. Yes, quite genius. She is the only actress that makes me laugh so hard, I have to leave and go to the bathroom. When asked if the nightly movie preference is, Just Friends, (please) well, you had me at Anna Farris. And man, if only I could watch her sing with Bono as back up so she could hear him sing all Bono-y.

As much as I tried to fight it, I refused to watch the likes of, The House Bunny, because, really, I shouldn't enjoy it, right? I did. My darling husband was watching it and I couldn't resist the lame-o movie, because she drew me in, again, with her Yoda voice to help her remember names. I have resisted from watching many other movies made with her in it and after researching I don't feel as guilty knowing she graduated with an English Literature degree, and was in the movie, Brokeback Mountain, and was an executive producer of the, The House Bunny.

As part of my penance, I will say three Hail Mary's and resist recording any of the Scary Movies, so I can watch it anytime I want and keep it longer than completely necessary. Because one time is just enough, right?

Nikki Northstrom's Oscar Picks and Concerns

Two co-hosts for the Oscars and a diluted-weighted Best Picture category. Could it work?

Just because we are in a recession, doesn't mean we need to sacrifice good taste. At first I thought the Best Picture's category was to dilute the vote so that the Lifetime made for TV movie, The Blind Side, could have a fighting chance to be nominated. But ranking the top 10 movies could be a good thing. At my "real" paying job, I've seen how weighted categories scientifically assess the strengths of a student. One important factor that will help make this work is a reliable and educated scorer. If you are a proud card carrying member of the Academy, rank the top four in any order: The Hurt Locker, Inglourious Basterds, Up, Up in the Air. Take your pick between, Avatar, or, The Blind Side, as a "10." If Avatar, or The Blind Side, wins, I will take your card away from you and personally fund my journey. Because seriously, thou shall not be apart of the Academy. You are not worthy.

Alright, on to my picks.

Best Actor

Jeff Bridges

Best Support Actor

Christoph Waltz

Best Actress

Meryl Streep

Best Supporting Actress

Mon'Nique

Best Picture

The Hurt Locker

Best Director

Katheryn Bigelow

Best Foreign Film

The White Ribbon

Best Animated Film

Up

Best Direction

Avatar

Cinematography

Inglorious Basterds

Costume Design

Coco Before Chanel

Best Documentary

Food, Inc

Best Documentary Short

Last truck: Closing of a GM Plant

Film Editing

The Hurt Locker

Makeup

Star Trek

Best Original Score

Up

Best Original Score

The Weary Kind, Crazy Heart

Best Animated Short

Granny O"Grimm's Sleeping Beauty

Best Live Action Short

Miracle Fish

Sound Editing

Inglourious Basterds

Sound Mixing

Inglorious Basterds

Best Visual Effects

Avatar

Best Adapted Screenplay

Up in the Air

Best Original Screenplay

Inglourious Basterds

Golden Globe Predictions!

Tis the most wonderful time of the year. Ranch stars, olives medley, and mom's cheapo snackies galore shall take up the rest of my evening while I watch the great Ricky Gervais bring on the Golden Globes. Smooth move Hollywood Foreign Press Association. Way to vamp up my already favorite award ceremony.

Why not the Oscars, you may ask? Indeed I do tend to celebrate the Oscars in a more sociable fashion; however, they tend to get a little boring and we must amuse ourselves with conversation, scorecards, food, and drinks. But the Golden Globes! Until today, a first after 15 years, there used to be no host. And that was fine. The awards moved along quickly with no panache. And that was okay. Because the real entertainment is not centered on the stage but at the tables. Seriously. If I was in the industry I would prefer a table with friends, drinks, alcohol flowing, and the banter back and forth in a more relaxed party atmosphere than the stuffy formal ambiance the Oscars portray.

So sit back, don't take it too seriously, enjoy this appetizer before the Oscars air March 7th. Here are my predictions and drinking game!

Drinking Game: Every time someone references the Conan/Leno/NBC debauchery, drink up. Bottom line NBC deserves it.

Nikki Northstrom's Golden Globe Predictions

BEST MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA
AVATAR Lightstorm Entertainment; Twentieth Century Fox
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE –DRAMA
GABOUREY SIDIBE PRECIOUS: BASED ON THE NOVEL PUSH BY SAPPHIRE
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA
COLIN FIRTH A SINGLE MAN
BEST MOTION PICTURE – COMEDY OR MUSICAL
(500) DAYS OF SUMMER Watermark Pictures; Fox Searchlight Pictures
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE –COMEDY OR MUSICAL
MERYL STREEP JULIE & JULIA
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE –COMEDY OR MUSICAL
JOSEPH GORDON-LEVITT (500) DAYS OF SUMMER
BEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM
UP
BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
A PROPHET (UN PROPHETE) (FRANCE)
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE
MO’NIQUE PRECIOUS: BASED ON THE NOVEL PUSH BY SAPPHIRE
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE
CHRISTOPH WALTZ INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS
BEST DIRECTOR – MOTION PICTURE
JAMES CAMERON AVATAR
BEST SCREENPLAY – MOTION PICTURE
JASON REITMAN, SHELDON TURNER UP IN THE AIR
BEST ORIGINAL SCORE – MOTION PICTURE
KAREN O, CARTER BURWELL WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE
BEST ORIGINAL SONG – MOTION PICTURE
«I WANT TO COME HOME» – EVERYBODY'S FINE Music & Lyrics by: Paul McCartney
BEST TELEVISION SERIES – DRAMA
MAD MEN
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES –DRAMA
JANUARY JONES MAD MEN
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES –DRAMA
JON HAMM MAD MEN
BEST TELEVISION SERIES – COMEDY OR MUSICAL
GLEE
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES –COMEDY OR MUSICAL
LEA MICHELE GLEE
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES –COMEDY OR MUSICAL
ALEC BALDWIN 30 ROCK
BEST MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
TAKING CHANCE
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
ANNA PAQUIN THE COURAGEOUS HEART OF IRENA SENDLER
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
KEVIN BACON TAKING CHANCE
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A SERIES, MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
CHLOË SEVIGNY BIG LOVE
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A SERIES, MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
NEIL PATRICK HARRIS HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER