40th death anniversary of Jim Morrison

July 3 marks the 40th death anniversary of Jim Morrison, the legendary singer of rock band the Doors.

Jim Morrison died at the age of 27. He was found dead in a bathtub in his Paris apartment by his longtime girlfriend Pamela Courson. No autopsy was performed that led to many conspiracy theories.

Fans from all over the World including the Philippines have special ways to commemorate the occasion and celebrate Jim Morrison's massive contribution to music.


Jim Morrison was Born in 1947 in Florida, he was named James Douglas Morrison. His father Steve Morrison was an Admiral in the U.S. Navy and his mother Clara Clarke Morrison was a daughter of a Lawyer from Wisconsin.


Jim Morrison is a rock legend and he's also an author of different books of poetry. He recorded his own poetry in a studio way back March 1969 in Los Angeles.

Morrison was ranked No. 47 on Rolling Stone's "100 Greatest Singers of All Time"


Jim Morrison will always be remembered as one of the greatest rock stars, he is an icon.

Space Shuttle Launch

Feb. 24, 2011 - Thursday is the launch of NASA ( National Aeronautics and Space Administration) Discovery space shuttle at 4:50 p.m. Today Thursday, ET from Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida and it'll be aired live over PlayStation Home. There are six astronauts for the mission and will provide Permanent Multipurpose Module.

Its a space enthusiast at all so be part of history please do inspire everyone to watch this unforgettable launch live.

Houston, St. Louis & Florida Name Their Favorites

I'm just going to keep using this one photo I concocted below until people stop with the Hailee Steinfeld is a supporting actress in True Grit meme. I've even seen her so labelled IN REVIEWS that have nothing to do with Oscars. Oscar culture has truly distorted all concepts of narrative in our modern society. I realize that I'm the lone ornery voice of dissent but, so what? I'm demonstrating my own true grit; Hailee would be proud of me... well, except for the part where I wouldn't nominate her.

But, the ageism and sexism of movie awards is really getting to me this year, sorry.

Mattie Ross (Hailee Steinfeld), the captain of True Grit's ship.

Fact: No teenage boy who was leading a picture like True Grit (just imagine the gender reversed) would ever win any awards beyond "breakthrough." Remember when Leonardo DiCaprio won all those statues for his wildly acclaimed "supporting" work in This Boy's Life (1993) and Jesse Bradford won all those awards for King of the Hill (1993)  and Christian Bale won those same prizes for his debut "supporting" work in Empire of the Sun (1987) and Max Records won them for supporting all of those Wild Things Whereever They Were last year and remember when...

No, neither do I.

Pretend Hailee was a boy and imagine her chances competing against Bale or Rush. HA! Like that would ever happen. People respect veteran actors too much to take their trophies away from them. But put a young girl up against a veteran actress and the veteran actresses are toast. They get no respect.

Anyway... if you wanna discuss what Texas, Missouri and Florida critics are honoring, keep on readin'.




Houston
Best Picture The Social Network
Best Director David Fincher, The Social Network
Best Actress Natalie Portman, Black Swan
Best Actor  Jesse Eisenberg, The Social Network

Best Supporting Actress Hailee Steinfeld, True Grit
Best Supporting Actor Christian Bale, The Fighter
Best Screenplay Aaron Sorkin, The Social Network
Best Documentary Restrepo
Best Foreign Film The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
Best Animated Film Toy Story 3
Best Cinematography Wally Pfister, Inception
Best Original Score Hans Zimmer, Inception
Best Original Song “We Are Sex Bob-Omb!”, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (music and lyrics by Beck)
Worst Picture Jonah Hex
Humanitarian of the Year George Clooney
Lifetime Achievement Award Sissy Spacek

• I can't feign more anger at the Hailee Steinfeld True Grit thing but to say that it's the single biggest category fraud since Jamie Foxx as "supporting" in Collateral. Moving on... it's the usual suspects here so... moving on.
  
  Oh P.S. Sissy Spacek is a Texan but she's definitely a good choice for lifetime achievement. What would be even better than a lifetime achievement prize would be a role worth her time. When is that coming?

Florida
Best Picture: The Social Network
Best Actress: Natalie Portman, Black Swan
Best Actor: Firth, The King’s Speech
Best Supporting Actress: Melissa Leo, The Fighter
Best Supporting Actor: Christian Bale, The Fighter
Best Director: David Fincher, The Social Network
Best Adapted Screenplay: Aaron Sorkin, The Social Network
Best Original Screenplay: Christopher Nolan, Inception
Best Cinematography: Wally Pfister, Inception
Best Visual Effects: Inception
Best Art Direction/Production Design: Guy Dyas, Inception
Best Foreign Language Film: I Am Love
Best Animated: Toy Story 3
Best Documentary: The Tillman Story
Breakout: Jennifer Lawrence, Winter’s Bone
Golden Orange: Matthew Curtis, Enzian Theater and the Florida  Film Festival

• More usual suspects as Natalie Portman begins to take the critical lead (after a slow start where she didn't manage either of the important coastal awards, LAFCA or NYFCC).
  
  Of note: Inception fared better than usual here. I do think it's still going to have a very high nomination count at the Oscars.

St. Louis

Best Picture The Social Network
Best Director David Fincher, The Social Network
Best Actress Natalie Portman, Black Swan
Best Actor  Colin Firth, The King's Speech
Best Supporting Actress Melissa Leo, The Fighter
Best Supporting Actor Christian Bale, The Fighter
Best Adapted Screenplay Aaron Sorkin, The Social Network
Best Original Screenplay David Seidler, The King's Speech
Best Documentary The Tillman Story
Best Foreign Film MicMacs
Best Animated Film Toy Story 3
Best Comedy Scott Pilgrim vs. The World
Cinematography Roger Deakins, True Grit
Best Music The Social Network
Visual Effects Inception
Artistic/Creative Film (Arthouse) MicMacs
Moving the Medium Forward Award Inception
Special Merit (Scene) (tie) 127 Hours (zoomout when first trapped) and Inception (zero gravity hallway)

• Nathaniel R Award For Altruistic Groupthink: To all minor critics organization who make blogging easier by choosing all of the same films and performances to award. For the ease and speed of copying and pasting, my fingers and wrists thank you!

Oh and one more thing before I forget...

Mattie Ross (Hailee Steinfeld), the captain of True Grit's ship.

Ban Greyhound Racing in Florida in 2011

The state of Florida is one of only seven states in the U.S. that still allows the "sport" of greyhound racing to continue within its borders. Recently, in Ebro, Florida, a racetrack owner was arrested on suspicion of having killed at least 32 of his dogs. The racing park in Ebro is also under investigation on suspicion of animal neglect and cruelties, as many of the dogs are left to suffer when the racing season is not underway.

While the Florida legislature has, in the past, worked to prop up this failing industry, it is long past due for them to take steps to get rid of it entirely. Let the lawmakers in the Sunshine State know that you want to see an end to this cruel form of entertainment.

Please take action and sign up...

Ban Greyhound Racing in 2011

Wesley Snipes awarded 3 year jail term

Hollywood actor Wesley Snipes has been ordered a three year jail term for tax-related crimes. Florida Judge William Terrell Hodges rejected a request from Snipes' lawyers to review his sentence and grant a new trial.

In April 2008, Snipes, 48, was found guilty of deliberately failing to file tax returns for 1999, 2000 and 2001.

He then launched an appeal and has been on bail ever since.But finally the judgement has been passed and people feel that it was the right decision. His lawyer will appeal to Supreme court now. Wesley, however, remained calm and positive throughout. He showed no anger or bitterness. 

But I don't really get it...the man must be quite rich. He has a name in the industry and has done many cool movies. And tax related crimes is not good. This is bad.

Spirit Airlines Strike 2010

Spirit Airlines is now canceling some of its weekend flights in anticipation of a pilot strike.

Pilots of the Spirit Airlines warned and threatened that they will go on strike if their salaries are not increased up to the ones being earned and accepted by other competitive airline pilots. Spirit Airlines' pilots are fighting for better work rules and demanding more pay and benefits.


Negotiations between Spirit Airlines and its pilots were extended for two hours, the union said early Saturday.

The cancellation of flights was expected to affect thousands of travelers. Spirit Airlines travels from different airports in the eastern U.S., through Fort Lauderdale, Florida. to points in the Caribbean and Latin America.