On A Quest For The Best Picture of 2010

Every year I make a mad scramble to catch all the best picture contenders of the current year before the broadcasts of ceremonies such as the Golden Globes, Jan 16, 2011, the SAGS Awards, Jan 20, 2011, and the Oscars, Feb 27, 2011. For these special galas, I sometimes have parties, prepare food and drink, and copy printable ballots for my friends and I to predict and vote on the upcoming winners. For 2010 I am plugging for my favorite movie of all time, True Grit to sweep away all the competition! However, there are a few other contenders in the running, and I saw a couple of them this weekend.
 

The King's Speech with Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush, and Helena Bonham Carter was absolutely outstanding in all categories. These three actors will surely be wearing out the acceptance speech pathways as the ceremonials go on. Besides the great acting abilities of this well planned trio, I loved this movie additionally because it is the true accounting of how King George the VI of England (father of the reigning Queen Elizabeth) handled his paralyzing phobic reaction to speaking as he was unexpectedly thrust to the throne with the abdication of his (wild and crazy) brother, David.

Another great pick is the (quirky like Little Miss Sunshine) favorite, The Kids Are All Right. This delightful little film is funny, well acted, and the perfect movie about a not so perfect family. It deals with heavy issues we are all able to relate to such as a loving but drifting apart couple, a pain staking extramarital affair, and tormented coming of age teenagers. PLEASE, JUST GIVE THE OSCAR ALREADY TO ANNETTE BENING!!!! EXCELLENT ACTING ONCE AGAIN FROM THE WOMAN WHO CONQUERED WARREN WHO??? I must also add that the other cast members were able to keep up with Bening rather nicely.

Movies on the weekends have always been a big part of my life, and these days are no different with a lot of special hours being spent watching gifted people making great films with gigantic messages. In addition to the movies above, I've already seen The Social Network, The Tourist, and Burlesque...will see Black Swan and The Fighter soon. But enough about what I think and do, what do you think will be the Best Picture of 2010 and the one to beat my favorite, True Grit???

Fried Pies of all Kinds

While doing some after Christmas shopping, we stopped in for a tasty fried pie at the newly opened Original Fried Pie Shop in Jacksonville, AR. What a treat! For right at $8.04 which included tax, we shared a huge Chicken Pot Fried Pie and a Pumpkin Fried Pie which were both very delicious. And after talking to the franchise owner, we learned how hot these fried pies are becoming. Business has been steadily booming since opening day a couple of weeks ago. He said the dough is specially made for frying and not baking, making it one of the lightest and tastiest fried pies around. I can vouch for that because fried pies have often bewildered the best of Southern cooks and are pretty hard to master. In fact, my fried pies have been so heavy, it's sometimes difficult to lift one to your mouth! Not so with these scrumptious things.

Hope all works out for this franchise owner who wants to open more Original Fried Pie Shops in Conway, West Little Rock, and other surrounding Arkansas areas. I'm all for good quality food which is expertly prepared and delivered to the consumer at a very decent price!

The Coen Brothers' Remake of True Grit

Was very excited to attend the sneak preview of True Grit the other night at the Rave Theater in Little Rock. Another big hit on the way for the kookie Coen Brothers. You gotta love these guys and their quirky sense of humor, irony, and complete brutal violence that is more often than not displayed in films such as Blood Simple, Raising Arizona, Fargo, O Brother Where Art Thou, and No Country For Old Men...just to name a few of my favorites.

From the ever so reclusive Little Rockian, Charles Portis and his powerful book, True Grit, comes Rooster and Mattie roles that Jeff Bridges and Hailee Steinfeld were born for! Oscar noms for sure, SAGS in the bag...don't know what the Golden Globes' problem is. Matt Damon was good as La Boeuf but not enough screen time as was the case with Josh Brolin as the murdering Tom Chaney. The music and cinematography were spellbinding but, my most favorite scenes were when every time straight talking, slow shooting, Bible thumping, persevering Mattie Ross would tell Rooster a thing or two and Bridges' deadpan expressions of confusedness couldn't believe what was spilling from the wise old soul mouth of a 14 year old girl.

Can't wait to see the movie again when it officially opens on December 22, however I would really Di for a star sighting of my favorite author at his favorite bar. And in my dreams, the ever so reserved, Portis, would give me the interview everyone would love to have about what he really thinks of the new True Grit...Coen style. And if that never happens, Mr. Portis could just place his comment in the box below...