Golden Globe Awards...Winner's circle! Avatar, Meryl Streep, Up in the Air...

Dexter actor scoops up gold!

The Hollywood Foreign Press gave the nod to the almighty buck, an usher stepped on the beautiful train of a young starlett's evening gown, and a couple of presenters raised an eyebrow or two with odd-ball behaviour that didn't sit well with the audience.

There weren't too many surprises when the gold trinkets were hauled out, either, at the 6th Annual Golden Globe Awards televised last night on NBC.

For me, there was much to crow about, though.

A number of the nominees I was pulling for - and raved about in movie reviews over the past few months - landed on top of the Hollywood Tinsel (and won out despite fierce competition).

For example, on the heels of the release of Julie & Julia, I raved about Meryl Streep's performance early last year.

Post: 08/12/09

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2009/08/julie-juliasidesplitting-comedy-signed.html

After all, her portrayal of legendary chef - Julia Child - was a stand-out entertaining performance.

"I just want to say that in my long career, I've played so many extraordinary woman that I'm getting mistaken for one," Streep laughed on stage after scrambled up to accept the coveted honor.

"It's clear that I'm the vessel for other people's stories and other people's lives."


Jeff Bridges also got the nod for best actor (Crazy Heart) for one of the most remarkable acting stints of his entire career.

The crowd gave a standing ovation to Bridges, a veteran actor much-loved by fans and insiders-alike.

Post: 12.02/09

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2009/12/jeff-bridgesrobert-duvall-maggie.html

Of course, the big splashy moment of the star-studded night, belonged to James Cameron.

With AVATAR, Cameron firmed up the notion that the Foreign Press is not only impressed by big bucks box office receipts - but inclined to single-out studio-backed blockbuster films - as well.

I was rooting for AVATAR (the remarkable imagery, imaginative technology, and execution completely wowed me) in spite of the fact the Sci-Fi action-thriller was flawed along crucial plot-lines.

Post:  01/03/10

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2010/01/avatarstale-plot-but-stunning-images.html

At the podium, the "King of the World" excitedly gushed:

"'Avatar' asks us to see that everything is connected, all human beings to each other, and us to the Earth. And if you have to go four and a half light years to another, made-up planet to appreciate this miracle of the world that we have right here, well, you know what, that's the wonder of cinema right there, that's the magic," Cameron said.

Although I felt Colin Firth deserved a Golden Globe for his insightful nuanced performance in Ford's - "The Single Man" - I was also pulled in the other direction by the competition.

Next year, Colin!

I was thrilled that screenwriter - Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner - won for the their offering "Up in the Air".

The George Clooney film was timely and well-written, after all.

Post: 01/03/10

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2010/01/up-in-airgeorge-clooney-shines-in.html

Chrisoph Waltz was hilarious in Inglourious Basterds & the Foreign Press recognized that.

Post: 08/22/09

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2009/08/inglourious-basterdsalmost-genius.html

Regular readers of the Tattler are keenly aware that I am always plugging "Dexter".

Michael C. Hall is the only actor who looks fabulous! darling with splatters of blood on his delicious person from head to toe!

I raved about Robert Downey Jr. in "Sherlock Holmes", too, so that bow was anticipated also (to say the least).

Post:  12/25/09

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2009/12/sherlock-holmesrobust-turkey-with-lots.html

"The Hangover" took the prize for best comedy, a surprise to some.

Sandra Bullock, as expected, was honored for her well-acted role in "The Blind Side."

"The White Ribbon" which sold out early yesterday afternoon at the theatre at the Embarcadero mall nabbed Foreign Language Film kudos.

Mo'Nique accepted her Golden Globe for a performance (Precious) that many found heartbreaking.

"Up" received a statuette for Animated film & for Michael Giacchino's score.

"The Weary Kind" ("Crazy Heart) - a haunting beautiful ballad - won for best song (written by Ryan Bingham & T Bone Burnett).

Wnnner's Circle

Television

Series Drama:
 "Mad Men" (AMC)

Drama Actress:
Julianna Margulies
"The Good Wife"

Series Musical or Comedy:
 "Glee" (Fox)

Actor Musical or Comedy:
Alec Baldwin
 "30 Rock"

Actress Musical or Comedy:
Toni Collette
"United States of Tara."

Miniseries or Movie:
 "Grey Gardens" (HBO)

Actor Series Miniseries or Movie:
 Kevin Bacon
"Taking Chance"

Actress Series Miniseries or Movie:
Drew Barrymore
"Grey Gardens"

Supporting Actor Series Miniseries or Movie:
 John Lithgow
"Dexter"

Supporting Actress Series Miniseries or Movie:
Chloe Sevigny
 "Big Love"

http://www.julianayrs.com

SAG...to vote down elitism? Ben Affleck, Kevin Bacon, Ethan Hawke, shame on you!

He that brings home the bacon, votes!


When the news broke that Kevin Bacon, Ethan Hawke, and Ben Affleck signed a petition - along with fourteen hundred other disgruntled actors in the union - to bar members working less than one day a year from voting on upcoming contract negotiations, my reaction was,

"Shame on you, folks!"


Imagine the audacity of those elitist bozos!
In a nutshell, these hyperactive thespians argue that if actors aren't working regularly, they may be inclined to support a walkout by actors if it comes to a show down over contract issues in June.

Baloney!

Sure, performers have a run of unemployment on occasion; in fact, a drought may span over a few years. That is the nature of the beast!

Flying high in April, shot down in June.

Don't kick a dog when it's down, dudes!

If the "Rebel 1400" had their way, SAG would become a cast system, rife with 1st and 2nd-class citizens. Bad move!

Sorry, guys. All actors were created equal!

If you ask me, this handful of upstarts have been wolfing down too many sprinkly-faced doughnuts at craft service in the morning - and as a consequence - their brains have rotted away from the deadly sugar rush!

Currently, any member in good standing can vote on upcoming contracts. And so, the tradition should remain.

I bet the producers are rubbing their hands with glee on the sidelines.

Never heard of the old phrase,

"Divide and Conquer?"

Too much junk food, rotting their brains!

Rails & Ties...Eastwood's daughter directs!

Occasionally, life's path twists and turns in unfathomable ways with no apparent rhyme or reason; but, each step may ring true along the way, nonetheless.

Such is the case with Kevin Bacon's theatrical release aptly titled "RAILS & TIES".

Imagine this scenario...

In one part of town , a desperate mother prepares to commit suicide to end her emotional pain.

Across town - another struggles valiantly to deal with a terminal illness which threatens to end her life - long before she's prepared to let go.

What kind of justice does God mete out, anyway?

Fortunately, the filmmakers don't venture there.

Instead, with a competent no-nonsense first-time director at the helm - Alison Eastwood (yeah, Clint's daughter) - a thought-provoking tale unfolds which impacts.

Through a glass darkly, universal themes about - survival, forgiveness, and compassion - rear their ugly head.

Without any apologies, the filmmakers force the audience to stare mortality in the face!

An engineer is barrellin' down the track one crisp morning when he spies a car parked on the rails ahead.

In a split second, the railroad worker (Bacon) must render a tough decision.

Should he tug on the emergency brake - in a bold-faced effort to avoid hitting the car - and run the risk of derailing the train?

Or - in the alternative - play it by-the-book.

When a young mother dies because of the difficult choice he makes, there is a full-scale investigation, and Bacon is placed on suspension until such time as the facts can be determined.

To complicate matters, Bacon is not only forced to grapple with his wife's terminal illness, but suddenly deal with a reality that has somehow eluded him until now.

It gnaws at him - too late - that he hasn't been a particularly thoughtful or dotting husband.

Is it possible to still mend those wounds?

As Bacon's character deals with the dilemmas, the young man who lost his mother in the rail tragedy, arrives on his doorstep demanding answers.

Well, maybe God's mysterious plan is suddenly apparent, and the Universe is unfolding as it should!

"Rails & Ties" is a modest film in many respects.

But, it is so beautifully crafted - that in one unsuspecting moment - it will tear at your heartstrings - with devastating effects

As usual, Marcia Gay Harden was a revelation in a finely-tuned performance.

Mr. Bacon delivered a measured understated performance - a little too minimalist in nature for my taste at times - but kudos to the maturing actor for pulling off a characterization that does resonate.

As to Alison Eastwood - well - it's evident she has a great directorial career ahead of her.

I, for one, shall be looking forward to her next project with great enthusiasm, whatever it may be.