Nine Review

Federico Fellini is either very pleased that his film 8 ½ is still considered relevant in 2009, or is rolling over in his grave at the razzle dazzle treatment it was given in Nine. The bigger question is who decided 8 ½ needed a remake? Fellinis’ work was that of a master, so why the need to re-create what has already been done so well.

Many audience members saw only the previews and walked in expecting a film along the lines of Moulin Rouge, what they got was Fellinis’ film within a film concept merging with Moulin Rouge spectacle.

While the musical numbers kept me entertained and awake at points, the rest of the film left me wondering why I didn’t just stay home and watch the original. It is after all the version done by an Italian master. Such a master in fact, the scenes at the beach with Saraghina, played by Fergie, looked as though they had simply been cut out of the original and implanted in this version. At least when they decided to remake Psycho shot for shot, they kept the title.

As for the performances, Daniel Day-Louis had the hard task of stepping into the role of Guido, formerly portrayed by Italian actor, Marcello Mastroianni. His method acting style did him a great service in this; however he still was not an Italian man, in an Italian film, about Italy. Marion Cotillard however, was brilliant as Guido’s tortured wife Louisa, a minimal woman in Guidos’ fantasy life, and a force in his reality. In the end however 8 ½ was a great classic that did not need a Hollywood revival.

And the nominees are....

Lets talk Golden Globe nominations-announced today there were some surprises, many multiples, and a few head scratchers...

Best Motion Picture:
Avatar---Im a little amazed this non-drama, special effects laden flick made it in. But I guess its a sign of the times.
The Hurt Locker
Inglorious Basterds
Precious-This was a no brainer, and hopefully a big winner!
Up in the Air

Best Perfomance by an Actress in a Motion Picture-Drama
Sandra Bullock-her performance in The Blind Side was heartwarming...and yes, she is a double nominee.
Emily Blunt
Helen Mirren
Carey Mulligan
Gabourey Sidibe-Again, Precious should be the big winner, and so should this young lady.

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture-Drama
Jeff Bridges
George Clooney
Colin Firth
Morgan Freeman
Tobey Maguire-Please, and thank you. The first performance where he wasn't playing himself, or some costumed superhero...this performance was raw, real, and emotionally charged.

Best Motion Picture-Musical or Comedy
(500) Days of Summer
The Hangover
It's Complicated
Julie and Julia
Nine-While it has yet to be released here, from what I hear-its must see, must love...but this jury is still out.

Best Performance by an Actress Motion Picture-Musical or Comedy
Sandra Bullock-One for drama, one for comedy...this women can do it all.
Marion Cotillard
Julia Roberts
Merly Streep
Meryl Streep-Yes, twice in one category!! For Julie and Julia, and It's Complicated. Twice as nice, or two times to lose?

Best Performance by and Actor in a Motion Picture-Musical or Comedy
Matt Damon
Daniel Day-Lewis
Robert Downey Jr.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt-New to the category, lets see if he can get out from under the odd-teen he is known for playing.
Michael Stuhlbarg

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
Penelope Cruz
Vera Farmiga
Anna Kendrick-From Twilight background, to keeping up with George Clooney...its been a big year for her.
Mo'Nique-While her performance was immense, the Golden Globes love Penelope Cruz...We will have to see.
Julianne Moore

Best Performance by and Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
Matt Damon-Invictus, looking for Victory?!
Woody Harrelson
Christopher Plummer
Stanley Tucci-The Lovely Bones got pretty left out...way to go Stanley Tucci.
Christoph Waltz

There were a great deal of films that have yet to be seen by the general public, lets hope the Golden Globe committee picked well. We will have to see!!
Guess they don't think much of The Lovely Bones? or Where the Wild Things are?

Well, its onto Television:

Best TV series-Drama
Mad Men-Surprise? I think not.
Big Love
House
Dexter
True Blood

Best Performance by an Actress In A Television Series - Drama
Glenn Close-A Globe favorite, its usually between her and the fierce Kyra Sedgwick...but there could always be a sleeper in the group.
January Jones
Julianna Margulies
Anna Paquin
Kyra Sedgwick

Best Performance by an Actor In A Television Series - Drama
Simon Baker-So Good...But I don't think its going to happen
Michael C Hall
Jon Hamm-The globes have a tendency to love a show into all categories, sometimes this can be good-sometimes it leads to a short show shelf life. (Ugly Betty anyone? Lost? Yeah, far from dominating anything...)
Hugh Laurie
Bill Paxton

Best Television Series - Musical Or Comedy
30 Rock
Entourage
Glee-GLAD FOR GLEE!!!
Modern Family-Um, Really?
The Office

Best Performance by an Actress In A Television Series - Musical Or Comedy
Toni Collette-Love her and her show, but it hasn't been on in a while...so?
Courtney Cox
Edie Falco
Tina Fey
Lea Michele-She sings, she dances, she acts the everything out of it!!

Best Performance by an Actor In A Television Series - Musical Or Comedy
Alec Baldwin
Steve Carell
David Duchovny
Thomas Jane
Matthew Morrison-Glee God!!!

In other news....Jane Lynch for Supporting Actress on Glee. I hate her character, which means she is THAT good. Neil Patrick Harris-How I Met Your Mother--keeps getting nominated-could he please win?!

Well, lets get to see all the nominations and maybe my thoughts will change...but for now, Nikki knows, and that's what she has to say.

AMA Oh My

American Music Awards brings out everyone, in everything. But with a packed show, full of performances from every music genre it has to be one of the best awards shows there is.

Sure LA shut some streets, but all is fair in awards show land.

So, lets talk fashion, and performances-highlights and low, because that’s what this show is all about. Awards are just an extra perk.

Did Janet Jackson perform in Uggs? b/c she looked a little military elf-ish. Sorry Miss Janet.

Paula Abdul-It was the AMA's not the Emmys, what was with the ball gown?

Kelly Clarkson-the performance dress was a little old for her, but the singing was a good distraction.

Alicia and Jay-Z, NY loves you, if only we loved Alicia’s red carpet dress. Was it denim? butterflies? I only know it was mini. Her solo performance outfit was not much better. Chain link sweater anyone.

Fergie-So the Black Eyed Peas did well, the red-carpet dress was a bit much for me, and Fergie can pull off every type of style, this dress was just a lot. It might have been better short...least her performance outfit was.

The comeback Princess Rihanna-the fashion risk taker looked hot, and that dress could have gone very wrong, but Rihanna can do what she wants and make it hot, just look at the all white bondage style comeback outfit.

Country's got it going on; Carrie Underwood, cute, fun, and man can that girl sing. One of the best powerhouse voices in the industry right now.

Gaga....damn that Lady can sing!! so her clothing is rarely clothing, but with that voice, and creativity, who cares!

Mary J. Blige-she invented the comeback, and she is good at it. Although I'm not sure she ever really left, in order to come back, but hey.

J. Lo-were we supposed to be reminded of her fighting performance in 'Enough'?...or was she just craving a shoe deal?

Whitney-The comeback Queen of the night...She almost looked like the old Whitney, you know, before Bobby and the drugs...and her daughter seemed pretty pleased.

Nelly Furtado carried the fashion plate in her performance w. Timbaland

Quick fashion only comment...Leona Lewis-Sponsored by hefty trash bags? At least she knows her age, unlike Toni Braxton.

All in all-nothing awe inspiring, and nothing scream worthy-least the performances were hot.

Even if Adam Lambert was just weird...it was like odd musical theatre meets club meets david bowie meets creepy broadway revival....PS: When he was sitting in that chair, he touched that girl in way the wrong places! anyone else remember he wasn't the winner of Idol?

However the commercials did make me decide Nine would be this Jewish girls christmas day movie!

Now the biggest results ? of the night...
Gloriana beat Lady Gaga for breakthrough artist of the year? Um, AMA voters say what?! I guess those country fans know how to vote-just look at all the previous Idols gone country...But really people, lets talk.

And why has everyone gone Taylor Swift crazy? yeah, shes cute, and young, and fun, but she needs some live performance singing refinement to be artist of the year. Give the girl something to work towards people!!

Thats all she wrote-and you know, Nikki Knows.

Emmy style, because it matters.

It’s that time again...the good, the bad, and the ugly.

The Good:
--Jennifer Love Hewitt—her soft lemon dress was beautiful on her
--Mila Kunis-was very classic and well fitted-I would have preferred if it was full length
--Sandra Oh-dressed like a lady-and not a crazy cat lady!
--Debra Messing-Great fit, cut, style…but w/her red hair, you dont need a bright red dress.
--Christian Applegate: Always classy, always well done….but it was A LOT of dress for someone so small.
--Julia Louis-Dreyfus: Age appropriate, fit well, great color, and great fabric for the LA heat.
--Kristin Chenoweth-took a fun sparkly risk and it fit her personality perfectly!

The Huh:
--January Jones-Battlestar Galactica does formal wear?
--Olivia Wilde-I usually love her, but one look at the back of her dress and it looked like she was zipped into her skin. It just didn’t look right.
--Blake Lively-I think was good, it was a little over-sexed for the Emmys, a little dominatrix with the hair, but it got gossip….Hayden Pantierre pulled of the red dress look a little better in terms of Emmy wear.
--Glenn Close-she wears her sunglasses…at the Emmys?
--Leighton Meister-The dress was light, she constantly looked pissed.
--Victoria Rowell—Umm, Obama already won, yeah.

The Bad:
--Jennifer Morrison’s-asymmetrical red dress was a little to bridesmaid for me.
--Kate Walsh-All the draping and elastic made her look heavy when we all know she isn’t
--Rose Byrne-Pageant, that’s all I’m saying
--Patricia Arquette-maybe if it fit? And wasn’t the same pattern as Liza Minnellis couch?
--Kyra Sedgwick—It was very, ‘I’m divorced looking for a man at my daughters wedding’
--Jon Cryer-Striped vest was a little Mr. Rogers, not so much Emmy.
--Padma Lakshmi-Ummm?! Senorita showgirl?

All in all-lots of hip hugging styles that in general did NOT help anyone. Mermaid style on the red carpet is hard enough; even perfect bodies can look bulky in the hips with this style if not done just right.

And what was with all the closed-toe pumps? It was hot out people, and not the middle of the night. Its called a peep toe, open toe, sandal, something!

Agree-Disagree-its was worn, its been said, it is what it is.

The Emmys actually had some suprises!

The HIT list. Who did it, who didn't and who should have.

1st off-The Emmy gods were smiling on me, and gave me most of the wins I was hoping for in my previous Emmy post.

Lead Actress in a Drama: Glenn Close, Damages

Lead Actress in a Comedy: Toni Colette, United States of Tara!! (My Emmy win wish list)

Lead Actor in a Drama: Bryan Cranston, Breaking Bad (Not mad men-Shocked!)

Lead Actor in a Comedy: Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock

Supporting actress drama: Cherry Jones, 24 (um, ok)

Supporting Actress comedy: Kristin Chenoweth, Pushing Daises (Emmy win list-cant believe it!-Love her!)

Supporting actor drama: Michael Emmerson, Lost (Intrigued by the nom, even more by the win)

Supporting actor comedy: Jon Cryer, Two and a half Men (A little bitter since Neil Patrick Harris should have won)

Best comedy: 30 Rock (Its ok Family Guy, you will get there).

Best Drama: Mad Men

TV Movie: Grey Gardens

Supporting Actor, Miniseries or Movie: Ken Howard, "Grey Gardens,"
Supporting Actress, Miniseries or Movie: Shohreh Aghdashloo, "House of Saddam,"
Lead actress miniseries or movie: Jessica Lange, Grey Gardens

The show itself? The host, was amazing-duh, its Neil Partick Harris…Best speech of the night? Kristin Chenoweth!! Mad Men was slightly less world takeover than expected! All in all it was a pretty good turn around from last years mess. The new 'genre' set-up could use some tweaking, and some of the presenters were a bit odd, but it was far from stale and boring. Good job!

Where has TV gone? The Reality Takeover!

Reality…
Oh reality television….
Let’s talk TV, reality TV. Now there are many types of reality TV….
The reality TV that gets people places and requires at least some kind of talent. American Idol, So You Think You Can Dance, those kinds.

Then there are the for your improvement kids, Biggest Loser, etc.

Move onto the celebrity kind, of which there are two. Let’s try to show we can do something other than what we do, like Dancing with the Stars and the I’m so desperate to revitalize the career I never had, like Celebrity Rehab, The Surreal Life etc.

Then there is the dumpster diving rest of reality. The shows that pin people against each other in ridiculous circumstances only to watch them make fools of themselves and one to win some type of money.

That is not the lowest point either, that would be the re-peat reality. The ones where obscure reality contestants make enough of a fool of themselves to get their own show. Rock of Love got Daisy of Love, I love flavor flav became I Love New York, stuff like that.

Sometimes I’m not sure which is worse, the producers/creators for allowing this crap, or the reality ‘stars’ who have seemingly been on every show on certain networks.

What has TV come to? Well if you have been watching the news it has recently come to a reality contestants flee across the country as he is wanted in questioning in the brutal murder of his ‘wife’. Not only was the man a multi-show reality addict, but so was the person whose show (Megan Wants a Millionaire) he was currently on. A woman who seems to have an addiction to reality shows that might make her money-she has no problem admitting she’s a gold-digger, she just probably wasn’t expecting one of her suitors to be a possibly married grave-digger.

Reality do me a favor, if you aren’t going to be about a skill, or a talent, cease to exist. Since that won’t happen anytime soon-could you at least do better background/character checks? I mean reality stars in jail, on the run; this is not the direction I want America or its television to go. And people blame video games for brutal behavior.

Lets talk about sex, baby...

Ok, so I'm not old enough to exactly remember old hollywood as its called, but I have a feeling that recently they may have been turning over in their graves.

Has anyone taken a look at movies recently? More importantly, has anyone taken a look at the stars, if you can call them that.

Now to be fair, not all film stars fall into the, hot but not much else category. To those, I say, rock on. Its to the recent onslaught of cant do much more then pout, wear a tight dress, or go shirtless crowd that I feel a new disdain for.

The old hollywood stars were hot to, but in that glam way, not the skank way. And while they were hot, they could also sing, dance and act. Today, all you have to be is hot. Don't agree? Megan Fox-yeah, running around with CG robots-not exactly groundbreaking performance. Lindsay Lohan? Screaming and writhing s neither singing, or dancing. Chad Michael Murray? I don't even want to start. If the best we can do in the future triple-threat status is Zac Efron, I may start crying now.

If these are the stars of tomorrow, now and the future-our future is in serious trouble. I'm from this era, so I get the hot, gyrating, nakedness being a draw. But, I also appreciate being able to walk into a theatre and feeling like I truly saw a performance. I'm getting worried that may not be all that visible if we keep playing hot over ability.

My rant of discontent is placed firmly between opening weekend of GI Joe-and G-force. When did good quality films require art house movie theatres to be seen? When will we make, just for fun-heat-and speed movie theatres. Oh Paper Heart and Inglorious Bastards...please help restore my faith.

Harry Potter and the Half there movie?!

1-if you have not seen Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince-stop reading, if you have not read the book, you may also feel differently.

That being said, having read the books and seen the film all I can say is, where was the book? I walked out of the theatre 2 1/2 hrs after I had walked in and instantly asked myself, 'did anything really happen in this movie?' My answer was pretty close to no.

Yes, Im aware of the hook-ups, and the death. But compared to the book this film was seriously lacking. The death was even minute in the film-whereas it held massive importance and had a much different outcome in the film.
Where was the fight? the fire? the horcrux? Hello! I guess its good the final book will be 2 movies. They will have time to go into EVERYTHING they missed in this one. Otherwise a lot will be missing/confusing or impossible in the end.

And I kinda felt like Ron was rather absent...I know he was there-but his part was so much smaller than Im used to-I missed Ron. Especially since he is supposed to kick a little ass in the book-without Harry. (Quidditch anyone?! Yeah....very downplayed!).

Either way, Iwalked away disappointed-and wondering if the directors hated Dumbledore that much they just didn't care he died.

Heres hoping the 2films 1book idea gives us plenty of time to make up and not miss a thing next time. Maybe they can even give us what we all want....More what happened after info. Like why there is no kid named after certain people who died? Who runs Hogwarts/is still there etc... I just want more about all of them!!

I want it, and I want it now!!

Emmys...oh my!

Alright....Alright so the Emmy noms are out and there are as always some suprises, some disappointments ans some 'please win'. So lets hit the what matters rundown.

Outstanding Lead actor in a Comedy:
Suprises: The Big Bang Theory in with the big dogs
But, with 30 Rock and The Office in the mix, Im thinking something with a little less bang might take home that statue. But I am pleasently suprised by the nom.

Outstanding Lead Actor in Drama:
Oh Mad Men...I do love a good-take over the world, new show on fire, multiple nominee, but I must say seeing Simon Bakers name on the list made me grateful to the Emmy gods.

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy:
Im never amazed by the amount of cancelled shows nominated for Emmys. Isn't an Emmy nomination supposed to be a good thing? When did it become the kiss of death? As much as I love Christina Applegate, for those of you who have seen United State of Tara-Toni Colette is amazing!!
Want to win: Toni Colette-and she has a chance, but Tina Fey might do it again.

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama:
Surpise: Mariska Hargitay...at least when you look at the rest of the list.
Predicted win: Elizabeth Moss-Mad Men, although Kyra Sedgwick is loved by the Emmys, Mad Men can seem to do no wrong.

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy:
Neil Patrick Harris....enough said. At least on my end.

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama:
While I am intruiged by the Lost nomination, I still think the Emmy love for Mad Men hasn't worn off yet.

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy:
I am praying the Emmy gods shine down on Kristen Chenoweth and her Pushing Daisies performance. The woman is a petite powerhouse worthy of some big love. While Im hopeful, I have a bad feeling about the rest of the nominees being on shows that are still on.

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama:
Have to love the double support for Greys Anatomy and In Treatment, but I am suprised the Greys nominees don't include Katherine Heigl. Ok, she took herself out last year-but last year her storyline wasn't Emmy strong, this year-it was. Snub-Katherine Heigl, but lets hope for Snadra Oh.

Outstanding Comedy Series:
United States of Tara is missing from this list!!! But Im loving the Emmys Family Guy nod. I mean animation domination for real.

Outstanding Drama Series:
Mad Men-suprise, suprise...no really, all the nominations are deserved. So I'd be suprised to not see the cast take the stage with a win.

Outstanding Children's Program:
Disney Takeover anyone!? So if Hannah Montana wins, do they announce Hannah or Miley? just wondering.

With 22 nominations for 30 Rock and 16 for Mad Men, this could be the type of Emmys where we get real bored of hearing just two shows all night long. Im hoping for at least a few suprises.

Bruno...Harry and Heigl

I've always had a soft spot in my movie loving heart for the month of July. Its like Mega movie month. And this month is just heating up.
Bruno batted first, and according to who you talk to he either hit it out of the park, or didnt even get to bat. Personally, people need to get on the Sacha Baron bandwagon. Love him or hate him the man is brilliant, and very dedicated to his charecters, er, personalities? either way Bruno is fierce.
Bruno was smart taking a week head start on the summer mamoth known only as HARRY POTTER.

Those kids from across the pond might have a bit of a book war going with the hunks of twilight, but for those not keeping notice, the kids across the pond are not such kids anymore. And this flick hits their teen angst wand weilding emotionally distraught stride. All I can say is...I'll see you in the cape-wearing screaming people filled theatres, because as much as I love the Twilight obsession sweeping the nation, Im still standing behind my wand weilding scar bearing fictional heros this week.

Batting the same week-but on a totaly different field is the always pretty Katherine Heigl and her equally handsome counterpart Gerard Butler. The Ugly Truth looks to be that fun, because it hits the truth in the perfectly overly pretty, funny, way that only people as pretty and well timed as these two can do, in the mid summer grab your girls and go flick. Or force your boyfriend to go, and pretend you didn't notice he liked it, and or tried several of the lines/moves used in the film on you within minutes of the credits rolling.

Either way you go, July is hittting its home run loving stride. The heat might be rising outside, but the heat from the screen wont get you burned.

Saying it to be said

Hi all-Im 'Little Miss says it all' and I will-say-it-ALL.
Given this weeks events lets talk the Hollywood death train. The past few weeks have seen alot of Hollywood heavy hitters heading for those pearly gates (assuming they head in that upwards direction).

I've heard of the whole death comes in threes thing, and I see it. But someone somewhere isn't counting because we passed three back before Billy Mays.
We had Ed, Farrah and Micheal. I mean two of those came in one day (causing Farrahs thunder to be much quieter than she deserved). Thats three-it should have stopped there, but this train seems to be on a massive path of destruction.
Granted-none of those following have been as big as the first-its still more than the three generally required.

So are we still counting in threes? have each of these deaths been grouped into their own set, or is there another number this train is going for? So far we have another five added to the mega list of three.
Side note for the day-Anyone else realize Ed Mcmahon died the same month Conan O'Brien (with sidekick Andy Richter) took over for Jay Leno-who had taken over for Johhny Carson (w. Ed as sidekick)?

Its been a sad few weeks in hollywood-hoping it turns around soon so I have something good to talk about.
Other than Megan Fox and her apparent ill-will towards her Transformers acting debut. Honey, you might be hotter than should legally be allowed-but don't blame the robots for your acting. Biting the mega-million dollar hand that feeds is never a bright idea...But then she doesn't have to throw around big SAT words to sound smart...yeah, because thats the only difference between you and Scarlett Johansson.