Fearless Oscar Predictions

Here are my predictions for tonight’s Oscars. Going out on a limb in both Best Actor and Best Actress, as if you could call picking Streep and Clooney that.

Updated with winners in Bold. 18/24 this year…

Best Picture
The Artist

Actor In a Leading Role
George Clooney – The Descendants

Actress In a Leading Role
Meryl Streep – The Iron Lady

Actor In a Supporting Role
Christopher Plummer – Beginners

Actress In a Supporting Role
Octavia Spencer – The Help

Directing
The Artist – Michel Hazanavicius

Writing (Adapted Screenplay)
The Descendants

Writing (Original Screenplay)
Midnight in Paris

Animated Feature Film
Rango

Cinematography
The Tree of Life

Art Direction
Hugo

Costume Design
The Artist

Documentary Feature
Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory

Documentary Short
Saving Face

Film Editing
The Artist

Foreign Language Film
Iran, “A Separation”

Makeup
The Iron Lady

Music (Original Score)
The Artist

Music (Original Song)
“Man or Muppet” from The Muppets

Short Film (Animated)
The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore

Short Film (Live Action)
Tuba Atlantic

Sound Editing
Hugo

Sound Mixing
Hugo

Visual Effects
Rise of the Planet of the Apes

Hipness Test 2012

As previously posted, I’m a huge fan of the breakout hit song “Somebody That I Used to Know” by Gotye and Kimbra. But awareness is not high among the masses so I thought this would be a good test of whether you are “hip to what the kids are listening to” these days. So, I posted this on my Twitter feed yesterday:

2012 hipness test: Have you heard “Somebody that I used to know” by Gotye?

So, smug me, I sat back and waited for the expected “who, what?” responses. Instead, I got this response from Jim MacLeod who is one of my 600 followers.

The real test is whether you’ve seen the Somebody cover video by “Walk off the Earth”, where 5 people play 1 guitar.

And do you know what? Jim is absolutely correct. This cover version is absolutely incredible!  Definitely go and buy this on iTunes today! Kudos to Wall off the Earth for a great version. Their YouTube channel has some other interesting covers and originals, too.

Last Week with Paper Newspaper

I called to cancel the San Jose Mercury-News this week. February 17 will be the last day with a paper newspaper. The reasons for dropping the paper shouldn’t be surprising to anyone paying attention to the industry trends, but I’ve long tried to support the paper by continuing to subscribe. But, lately, I haven’t been reading it.

This is how far the last three issues have gotten to being read. Piled in my car, unread.

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The Majesty of Expedition Everest at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Here’s a great photo of the mountain range over at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. This is a shot taken by my wife Julie of the Expedition Everest attraction, and it almost looks like it is a painting and not a photo. This has not been retouched, other than with iPhoto’s ‘enhance’ feature.

everest

Expedition Everest is my favorite attraction at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The ride is thrilling and I love the look of the mountain and the entire section of the park where the ride sits. It feels like you’re walking around in Asia, not Florida.

The Yeti is seen in the attraction, and this was a much-hyped component of the attraction when it opened. Unfortunately, there are problems with the massive figure and it no longer moves. Instead, a flashing light shines on the beast, causing some to call it “Disco Yeti.” And, yes, it’s a bummer. But considering you see the figure for less than two seconds it is hardly a huge disappointment. Especially when even at stationless figure is thrilling. Who wouldn’t want to avoid this paw, eh?

yeti