Manhattan - Day 1

Well, somewhat of an inauspicious beginning to my New York adventure. Started off the morning by spilling my entire Starbucks, grande halfcaf down the front of my jeans, followed in the early afternoon by some piano sized piece of street dirt blowing into my eye (I can still feel it there) and then capping off the evening with a pigeon crapping on my arm. Is someone trying to tell me something? The rest of the day was relatively uneventful, a nice visit to Bryant Park and brunch with my friend David, the actor. Tomorrow evening is the Barnet opening at the National Academy and one of the reasons I came to New York in the first place. So, onward and upward, don't let the bastards get you down, don't cry over spilt milk (or halfcafs), etc., etc., etc.

I'm going to bed.

Dworkin, The Rings - a process study

Ringing True

On June 7th at Lincoln Street Center for Arts and Education an exhibition of selections from Mike Dworkin's Ring series of paintings & prints opened. My film about Mike and his work was screened as part of the evening. Here are a few shots from the evening's festivities.

Photos courtesy of Alan LaVallee

Saturday in the Park with David

Oscar Night

Well, tonight is the big night and so here is my list of who will and who should win tonight.

Actor in a Leading Role

will win Colin Firth

should win Colin Firth

Actress in Leading Role

will win Natalie Portman

should win Natalie Portman

Actor in a Supporting Role

will win Christian Bale

should win John Hawkes

Actress in a Supporting Role

will win Melissa Leo

should win Melissa Leo

Director

will win Tom Hooper

should win David Fincher

Original Screenplay

will win David Seidler, The King’s Speech

should win David Seidler, The King’s Speech

Adapted Screenplay

will win Aaron Sorkin, The Social Network

should win Aaron Sorkin, The Social Network

Best Film

will win The King's Speech

should win The Social Network

My favorite films of 2010

Social Network

All things being equal(which of course their not) this is my favorite film of the year. Not to jump on the band wagon with all the other individuals and organizations that have named it the year's best, but simply because it really is a great film.

Jack Goes Boating
A solid performance that we've come to expect from Philip Seymour Hoffman, but it's as director here for which he deserves the accolades. This film is quirky and touching with characters you really become invested in.

Shutter Island
I'm not the biggest fan of the horror genre but Martin Scorsese makes Scorsese films whatever genre he happens to be working in. Simply amazing filmmaking.

The Kings Speech
I didn't love this film as much as some, but great performances from Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush and Helena Bonham Carter and a wonderful script landed it on my list.

Alice in Wonderland
No one uses the medium the way Tim Burton and here he's back with his buddy Johnny Depp - come on, what's not to love!

The Fighter
The performances in this film are what makes it work for me. Not the best directed or written film you'll see, but Christian Bale, Amy Adams and Melissa Leo all deserve Oscars.

Toy Story 3
Animated or not one of the most touching, funny and just plain entertaining films of this or any year. Anyone who doesn't see this film just because it's animated is really missing out.

Black Swan
I loved this film for a number of reasons - because I've spent a bit of time shooting ballet myself in the past few years, because I've been a Natalie Portman fan since Beautiful Girls and because Aronofsky has the ability to pull us in and make us a bit uncomfortable at the same time.

Please Give
A little film from earlier in the year. Cathrine Kener who's worth watching even in a so so film, this time in a really good one. Funny, touching and relevant.

True Grit
This film makes my list because, just the thought of bringing the Brothers Coen and Jeff Bridges back together was something to be excited about. Yes, this is the most "normal" film the Coens have done and sure there's a bit of the "Dude" in Bridges' Rooster Cogburn - but hey, it's all good.

Solitary Man
Since he found his way back in the great film Wonder Boys a few years back Michael Douglas has perfected the lovable scoundrel. Solitary Man is another great performance in a solid film.

Christmas in California

Season Greetings from Sunny, Laguna Beach California. Here's wishing a Merry Christmas to you and yours on this special day. Health, happiness and much Love to all!

Hello from Princeton

Back in New Jersey for a short visit, so this morning I'm writing to you from the stately lobby of ye ol' Nassau Inn in the heart of Princeton's Palmer Square. I'm sitting across from a huge fireplace that has a quiet flame dancing inside it and with the cold wind blowing outside this morning, it's a welcome sight. Princeton is all wrapped in its Holiday Best, and not much has changed since I called this town home. Though I lived here for the better part of twenty years and left just a little over five years ago, it seems like a lifetime away.

Walking through the hall here in the Inn where I would frequently stop by a bank of phones to check my office messages, I found an empty wall that now holds only a framed reproduction of a painting - how the world and my life has changed in such a relatively short time. Ohh, my cell's ringing! have to go.