« January 2007 | Main | March 2007 »

February 26, 2007

Oscar Winners

So...did you print an Oscar ballot last night and play along? I did and things, well, didn't go so well. I picked nine winners last night, but I have to admit I voted more for "who I think should win" rather than "who will win." Big Mistake.

As a result, Mrs. Ravin' with Ravens kicked my ass — she picked three more winners than me. Perhaps we should trade jobs? Not a chance! Oh well, onto a few tidbits from last night's broadcast...

* I'm betting last night's Oscars won't win an Emmy this year. It suffered from some technical issues, including fuzzy sound (and I'm not talking about the intended sound editing jokes).

* Line of the night goes to an ancient Clint Eastwood after he kept screwing up a presentation, "I should have brought my glasses." Yeah.

* Jerry Seinfeld told three or four jokes. Only the first one was funny. The others, about how he can just throw away his trash on the ground at movie theaters, was mean and sounded familiar.

* Martin Scorsese deserved an Oscar...just not for "The Departed." "Goodfellas" is a much better movie.

* How's this? I thought "Little Miss Sunshine" and "Babel" were better than "The Departed." Reason No. 101 why I am not a member of The Academy.

* Jennifer Hudson almost had a wardrobe malfunction while performing a "Dreamgirls" song last night. Her chest was flyin' all over the place. Yikes.

* I thought it would have been really cool last night if Al Gore announced what he still may announce. But I guess "Meet the Press" is a better venue.

* Your host, Ellen D., waving a script at "Marty" was classic. Overall, I thought she was pretty funny, but lose those white shoes, girl.

That's all for now. Back to work I go.

Latah,
Andy

Posted by Andy Ravens at 10:30 AM | Comments (1)

February 23, 2007

Oscar Sunday

Posted by Andy Ravens at 1:57 PM | Comments (0)

February 21, 2007

McSpinoff

Posted by Andy Ravens at 1:51 PM | Comments (0)

Grey's Anatomy: Location to be Determined

The Wall Street Journal reports ABC is fast tracking a "Grey's Anatomy" spinoff show that will feature Dr. Addison Montgomery-Shepard (Kate Walsh). The Web is full of speculation that the Grey's will turn into a franchise with several spinoffs, similar to CBS' CSI series.

There's no word on who will join the cast, but the show will air its pilot this May. In other Grey's news, there's still speculation that major cast members will be killed off — but with this new twist, perhaps they'll just switch hospitals and cities.

If you are curious about the long time between posts I've got an easy answer — I was on vacation. I have a tan, but it's fading faster than you can say, "Kiss me, I'm Irish."

Posted by Andy Ravens at 1:35 PM | Comments (0)

February 8, 2007

Lost Re-Cap

I'll eat my words from yesterday. "Lost" was pretty good last night. Pretty, pretty, pretty good, Larry David.

In fact, the first episode of this season's second half reminded me of Season One, when the action, drama and surprises shocked your heart. There was no better moment last night than when Juliet's ex-husband is struck by that bus, which curiously had the words "Apollo" splashed over it. Mmmmm.

We also learned more about that evil Hanso Foundation (which is likely backing some biotech company that's not located in Oregon) and that Juliet, is in fact, a prisoner of the "Lost" island just like Jack.

Speaking of Jack, it was nice to see him back in command of things and acting like a true leader. The same goes for Kate, who nearly shot that guard's knee cap off.

Latah,
Andy

Posted by Andy Ravens at 1:03 PM | Comments (1)

February 7, 2007

Question...

Posted by Andy Ravens at 2:23 PM | Comments (0)

If I'm lost...will you find me?

I was going to count the number of days it’s been since a new episode of ABC’s “Lost� aired, but, well, I’ll do what the show’s producers do all too often: Leave the answer to a simple question a mystery.

Too many new faces and too many — way too many — unanswered questions have plagued the series, which started to take a nosedive when Season Three began last fall. ABC, hearing criticism that it aired too many re-runs last year, choose to air six new episodes in a “mini fall season� and then another 16 straight starting tonight at 10.

One major problem: Who the hell can remember what’s going on? Ah…leave it to ABC to fill in the gaps tonight at 9 when “Lost� executive producers Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse host some kind of re-cap show that will probably help — a little bit.

Sounds like I’m a bit angry about the show’s direction, huh? Well, I’m actually more disappointed because the show got off to such a great start.

Season Two’s first episode thankfully answered what the heck was in The Hatch. But, that answer only brought more questions — which is fine — however; when you raise too many questions that can never possibly be answered in timely fashion — that’s where you’ve got problems — and really long run-on sentences like this one (my apologies to all of my teachers who taught me how to write at West Elementary School in Andover).

I’ll try to be optimistic tonight when I sit down and figure out this puzzle, but one common phrase that’s been running ‘round the Internet will keep buzzing in my head: Jack Bauer would have been off that Island in a second.

Other TV highlights:
“Bones,� 8 p.m., Fox
“Friday Night Lights,� 8 p.m., NBC
“American Idol,� 9 p.m., Fox
“Criminal Minds,� 9 p.m., CBS
“CSI: NY,� 10 p.m., CBS

Movie of the Night:
“Match Point,� 11:55 p.m., HBO

Posted by Andy Ravens at 2:13 PM | Comments (0)

February 6, 2007

Homer's Oscar Picks

Here's a little promo I got in my e-mail today from the folks who are promoting "The Simpsons Movie."

HOMER SIMPSON'S OSCAR® PICKS
BEST PICTURE: “Little Miss Sunshine.� I just love the idea of a family where the son
can’t talk and the grandfather dies. The feel-good hit of the year!
BEST ACTOR: Forest Whitaker –“The Last King of Scotland.� He didn’t just chew the
scenery, he ate the cast.
BEST ACTRESS: I pick the only one of these ladies who’s a true American–Penelope Cruz.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: Mark Wahlberg. I love how at the end of the movie he kills Matt Damon. Whoops, I gave it away.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Sharon Stone–“Basic Instinct II.� Write it in, people.
OUTSTANDING ANIMATED FILM: “The Simpsons Movie.� “Cars� has talking cars, but we have talking people.
BEST SONG: How can you go against the most crowd-pleasing musical ever: “An Inconvenient Truth.�
BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE: “Jesus Camp.� I always wanted to know what Jesus’s last name was.
BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT SUBJECT: Who cares? Get off my awards show. I want more close-ups of Jack Nicholson laughing.
MOST UNBELIEVABLE SNUB: “Dreamgirls.� I can’t believe this wasn’t up for Best Picture – especially after Eddie Murphy played the parts of all the girls. The only thing missing was the
flatulent, foul-mouthed Granny. Thank God there was a great one in “The Queen.�

Posted by Andy Ravens at 3:29 PM | Comments (0)

February 5, 2007

You call that comedy?

Posted by Andy Ravens at 2:11 PM | Comments (0)

February 2, 2007

Feel the Force?

Posted by Andy Ravens at 1:02 PM | Comments (0)

Forever "Lost?"

Perhaps “Lost� executive producers Carlton Cuse and Damon Lindelof finally have a clue. After losing viewers to CBS’s average crime drama, “Criminal Minds,� “Lost� will begin airing 16 new episodes at a new time (10 p.m.) on Wednesday.

It’s fairly unprecedented for a popular show to switch timeslots, but when you’re losing a fight you shouldn’t, drastic measures must be taken.

“Lost� lost its audience because it fails to answer the viewer’s most burning questions in a timely fashion. It’s possible to keep suspense and give away a few answers, Mr. Cuse and Mr. Lindelof. Just check out NBC’s “Heroes,� which knows when to give it up and when to hold key plot points just a little longer.

A great story in today’s USA TODAY has “Lost� officials promising more answers. New commercials airing on ABC also offer similar promises. We’ll see.

According to USA TODAY’s piece, we’ll learn: how Locke ended up in a wheelchair; how Jack got his tattoos; Ethan’s story; about Desmond’s premonitions; the effects of the purple sky; and perhaps a glimpse into Desmond’s lost love, Penny’s life.

Penny — if you remember Season Two’s cliffhanger — apparently lives in the outside world and found the island. That subject was ignored in Season Three’s first six episodes. Stupid move.

Attention “Star Wars� and hi-def geeks! Set your DVR’s for Saturday at 2 p.m. on HBO HD because “The Empire Strikes Back� will air. Looks like the original trilogy is making a move from Cinemax (HBO’s sister channel) to HBO. Niceeeee.

Have a good one!
- Andy

Posted by Andy Ravens at 11:54 AM | Comments (0)

February 1, 2007

Almost Famous

"School Ties," the major motion picture that was filmed in Lowell, Concord, Acton and Groton in 1992, airs tonight at 6 on HBO and HBO HD. The story of anti-Semitism at a 1950s prep school features several Greater Lowell familiar faces.
Bonus points to anyone who can pick out Sun Lifestyles reporter Nancye Tuttle, who has a cameo. Here's a hint: Pay close attention to any crowd shots during the football game.
Also be on the lookout for local stars Ben Affleck and Matt Damon. The film stars Brendan Fraser.
HBO will re-air "School Ties" on Feb. 5, 8, and 12. Check out The Sun on those days for airtimes.

Latah,
Andy

Posted by Andy Ravens at 1:43 PM | Comments (0)