Oscars, Part Deux

I best catch up. The Oscars are this Sunday and I have so many posts needing to be published. Today I have my thoughts on the Supporting Acting categories (AKA, the sympathy/make-up awards). And for dessert, a brief thought on best song.

Best Supporting Actor

Kenneth Branagh, "My Week With Marilyn"
Jonah Hill, "Moneyball"
Nick Nolte, "Warrior"
Christopher Plummer, "Beginners"
Max Von Sydow, "Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close"

The Academy Awards does this thing where they nominate famous actors who have been around for decades. Sometimes the performance is deserving, but most of the time it feels like a life-time tribute. It’s like when Judy Dench won for her performance in “Shakespeare in Love”. Her overall screen time had to be less than five minutes. That’s a glorified cameo role. Sure, she was playing the Queen of England and she is great in most of her films (and should have won for her performance in “Mrs. Brown”), but was it really deserving of the award for best supporting actress? I think not. And this is what we see with the nominations of both Christopher Plummer and Max Von Sydow. Plummer did a good job in “Beginners”, but I actually found myself more intrigued by Ewan McGregor’s performance (in case you forgot, he was not nominated). From all appearances, Plummer’s going to win.

Best Supporting Actress
Berenice Bejo, "The Artist"
Jessica Chastain, "The Help"
Melissa McCarthy, "Bridesmaids"
Janet McTeer, "Albert Nobbs"
Octavia Spencer, "The Help"

It’s nice to see the academy break out of the mold and nominate a comedic performance. Melissa McCarthy was hilarious and I was glad to see her get the nomination. Now, she won’t win. We all know this. Even though you’ll see some unexpected wins in the supporting categories, the Oscars still skew for the dramatic. There are some wonderful performances in this category and I’d be happy if any of these women won (except Janet McTeer, because again, what is with this “Alfred Nobbs” nonsense?).

Best Original Song
"Man or Muppet," The Muppets; Music and Lyric by Bret McKenzie
"Real in Rio," Rio; Music by Sergio Mendes and Carlinhos Brown, Lyric by Siedah Garrett

Muppets. Hands down. I have much love for Bret (one half of Flight of the Conchords, New Zealand’s number two folk band) and “Man or Muppet” is such a perfect blend of sincerity and hilarity.

Winter in the Manglos House

This time of year brings back years worth of memories from life in the Manglos household. It was an exciting time, full of speculation, good food and wagers. And one man. Oscar.

In my family the big television event every winter was the Academy Awards. The excitement started around December, when the studios would release all their Oscar hopes for the world at large. My family would pick our favorites, wait for nominations, and even occasionally watch some of the other award shows. Then, there was the ballot. Each year the newspaper would print a ballot in the Show section (this was before you could print one out online…yes, I am old). Every family member would sneak away with the ballot and make their picks.

The night of the show my Mom and I would watch all the pre-shows and Dad would go to pick up dinner. We loved to see what the stars were wearing and eagerly awaited Billy Crystal’s monologue (and yet, I’m not too excited that he’s hosting this year – go figure). There would be sad moments, when your pick for supporting actress lost, and cause for joy when your guess on Documentary Short Subject happened to win. But the absolute best moment was when you realized you had the most wins on your ballot and could jump, yell and gloat around the house. Not that I ever did that… Plus, the winner was awarded a dinner at the restaurant of his/her choice.

I don’t always get to watch the Oscars these days, but there’s still that sense of excitement as it approaches. So, here are some thoughts on this year’s nominations and more. I’ll try to post one category every few days. However, I’m not going to look over every category. Because who really cares to hear my thoughts on Best Sound Editing. I don’t even know if I have much to say on that category except it’s usually the place where lame action films sneak in (Hello “Transformers” 3, 4, 8 – which one are they on now?).

Today, I’ll begin with Best Actress:


Best Actress
Glenn Close, "Albert Nobbs"
Viola Davis, "The Help"
Rooney Mara, "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo"
Meryl Streep, "The Iron Lady"
Michelle Williams, "My Week With Marilyn"

I really want Viola Davis to win! There, I said it. Her facial expressions alone in “The Help” were so brilliant and conveyed so much. You looked into her face and saw her story. I think Davis’ main competition will be Meryl. And I get it. She is a fabulous actress. In everything she’s in. Even “Mama Mia”. Yes, I like that movie. It has ABBA and is set in the Greece isles (even Pierce Brosnan’s awful singing couldn’t ruin it for me). She is supposed to be excellent as Margaret Thatcher, even though I’ve heard the movie itself is a bit of a dud. But still, I want to see Davis win.

Michelle Williams did a great job as Marilyn Monroe and really fleshed her out past her bombshell persona. As for Glenn Close, she is a talented actress, but did anyone even see “Albert Nobbs”? How did she get nominated? I’m still confused on that one.

What are your thoughts on this category? I'd love to hear!

(Note: The picture in this post is of Jack Palance doing his one-armed push ups on stage. One of my favorite Oscar moments. Celebrity egos + alcohol = hilarity)

Week 1 - Advent

Hope?

Do I choose to engage
in hope,
Or do I detach
and avoid?

I fear the pain and devastation
of hope unmet.

Can I enter into longing?
Can I trust that it will be for an end?

Lord, help my unbelief.

Awake - and risk.
Awake - and trust.
Awake - and open.
Awake - and be.

Church Writings

Last week in church I was struck by one of the passages during our readings. I began to write and by the end of the service, had a little poem. This week, I was taken with the idea of Hope as we enter into the season of Advent. So, hopefully this will begin a series of Church/Advent writings.

Here's the first one (beginning with the passage that inspired the poem):

15 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit[a] of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

-Ephesians 1:15-23

Lord,
Only You can
fill this cavernous
heart of mine.

And yet,
My heart searches
for everything, anything
but the the thing, the who
I truly need.

I cannot quite
internalize the
reality that structures
my life, my existence.

And yet,
This is The Word,
The Truth, The Life;
Thanks be to God.

Meet Harrington

Last weekend my roommates and I were out of town. Upon arriving home, it was discovered that we had a new roomie – a morning dove that had nested on our porch light. I was still making my way back home when I saw the picture L posted on my Facebook. I took one look and immediately christened her Harrington (although it is traditionally a boy’s name). I felt a connection, even before I saw her in person (birdhood?). I loved that this bird felt safe enough to perch on our light. That of all the lights, by all the condos, she chose ours. The next day, as I was recovering from my family reunion and jet lag madness, I thought some more about Harrington. As I passed by her on the way to the laundry room I felt a desire to help her, protect her. As I considered that, I realized that there was nothing I could actually do to encourage that. My greatest gift to Harrington was to allow her space to live and nest and care for her babies when they come. Anything else would interrupt her birdy ways and interfere with her natural instincts. In fact, most anything I could do, runs the risk of harming her.

It reminded me of the ministry of spiritual direction. When I meet with a directee, I am not there to direct his or her life. Neither am I there to fix their problems. Instead, I am there to offer a space. A space to step back. A space to enter in deeper to this life with God. It is a beautiful thing to witness, but I am still tempted to intervene and problem solve. This experience with Harrington has been a gentle reminder as I begin to meet with directees again. I am invited to participate, but I am not called to be God. What a relief!

I do not know how long Harrington will choose to nest here. It may be days, weeks or months. I am grateful that she is here though and how just by being herself, the Lord is teaching and reminding me of how He loves.

Final thought: by having Harrington here, we have literally “put a bird on it”. How hipster of us.

On the Road Again

I both hate and love traveling. I love the excitement of exploring a new place - even an airport. Especially when said airport has yummy french cafes and birds that fly around inside (Terminal 5 at JFK). But trying to sleep on a plane? The worst. I've tried it all, but nothing works. Yet, a day of zombie-like behavior is worth it for an adventure. 

Today's adventure takes me to Syracuse, NY for my Aunt and Uncle's wedding renewal. (On a side note, it was impossible to find a card for that situation. At least it was impossible at Target. How can you give a card saying "Here's to beginning your life together" when they've been married for 30 years?)  The last time I was in Syracuse was 15 years ago - half of my life ago. I was an awkward 15 year old who had just lost all her friends.  This time I come from such a different place. Still a bit awkward, but enjoying it. And more secure with the relationships in my life. Earlier this week I began to feel nervous about the trip, fearing that I would feel left out. It's just now, as I slowly type away on my phone, that I remember the fragile state I was in 15 years ago. And I also remember that I am not there today. I return to New York, holding that 15 year old girl as well as the 30 year old woman, moving forward and allowing this weekend to be what it is. 

Writing a Successful Blog

I met with a friend for lunch yesterday. It was a time to catch up, but also to talk about blogging. I have been more intentional about blogging this past month (mostly because I have had the time in which to do so) and she wanted to pick my brain for any suggestions as she started her own blog. I didn’t have much advice to give. Well, at least not advice that I actually had used in writing my blog. I told her she should have a catchy title, which also captures the essence of what her blog is about. “Jen’s Musings on Life and More”? Well, you know what it’s about (in a very vague way), but it’s not catchy and borders on feeling like a cliché. Although, I do think my other blog follows that advice (Husband Hunters). So, I’m one for two. I told her to set a schedule for regular blogging. Uh…excepting this past month, my posts are few and far between. On both sites. Finally, I recommended she set certain days as theme days (i.e. Wednesdays are funny posts). As that idea came to me I thought to myself “I should try that out”. However, knowing myself, that most likely will not come to fruition.

I have two friends who have started a blog. They have a great concept and have set up a regular rhythm for posting. They’re already being interviewed by other blogs and its one of the pages I follow most regularly right now. I kind of want my site to be that. I keep thinking of “Julie and Julia”, where in the end she gets a book deal. Somewhere in the back of my mind, there’s this hope that someone will read my blog and that will be the avenue to fame and fortune.

Blogging is a strange thing. There are parts of me that just want this to be a place to write honest words and encourage others into their own honesty. I want it to be a place for friends and family to keep up on my life. Yet, there is this quality about blogging, the fact that anyone could access these words, that hits neurotic places within me. See me, see me, see me! I want my writing here to be an aid to my growth as a creative person, not an aid to fill places of my heart that feel lacking. But some days, I just want to let it fill the places that only God can fill. At the end of the day, it’s a hard line to balance and I continually step onto both sides.