Thoughts and FYCs

1) The LAMMYs are here, folks! Here is my banner-

If you would like, please do vote for me in these categories. You can see my blog's design and this is a Weekly Thoughts post. As for Funniest Writer- Q: What is red and smells like blue paint? A: Red paint. *drops the mic and walks away*

The entire Eligibility List is out and I would be checking them out soon. However, I already know that two blogs that I will be voting for a lot are And So It Begins... and Cinematic Corner. Alex Withrow is a shoo-in for the Most Knowledgeable Writer. Dude has watched every movie ever, seriously! And though Being Norma Jeane is in the Best Design category too, Sati's site is, and this is probably the highest praise I can give to anything, the Ryan Gosling of blogs. It's gorgeous! Also, I am conflicted between Alex's "In Character" thingies and Sati's "Visual Parallels" for Best Running Feature.

2) Anyways, getting back to film world, Steven Spielberg was in India recently and is thinking about making a film about the India-Pakistan-Kashmir conflict. Woah! A part of me thinks it will be brilliant and a part of me, i.e. the part that remembers Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom only far too well, is scared. That was one ridiculously inaccurate and racist film and was saved only because Harrison Ford is a god. One of the names being thrown about for the Bollywood cast of the Kashmir film is that of Anushka Sharma, which is awesome because she is a wonderfully charismatic and beautiful actress who can actually act- a rarity in Bollywood. I guess I do want this to happen. Also if Spielberg comes to Calcutta, I'm sooooooooo stalking him.

3) Jane's Got a Gun. I don't really have anything funny to say about that. I don't need to. *drops the mic and walks away*

4) Ryan Gosling is apparently taking a break from acting. RUBBISH, I TELL YA'! Yes, him directing How to Catch a Monster is the single-most awaited event of my life right now, but still. He's an amazing actor! He can't talk all this crap. In the meantime, some stills from his upcoming potential epic, Only God Forgives have been released.

5) Speaking of, my ovaries explode and go to heaven at 7:32 in this video-

This film will be the death of me. It's going to be really experimental though, so I am a tiny bit scared too.

6) TV talk- Season 3 of American Horror Story will be called American Horror Story: Coven. So witches it is, and glamorous ones at that. Can't wait! Bates Motel started this week and it wasn't half bad. Freddie Highmore's face is really weird and distracting, though not in a good way, but he was pretty creepy as Norman Bates. I thought Vera Farmiga's Mrs. Norma Bates was exactly like how I had imagined her to be, except she's obviously much prettier. Girls, thankfully, had a pretty great season finale. Was anyone else reminded of Manhattan's Isaac Davis when Adam ran across Brooklyn streets to Hannah? They are both completely insane romantic gestures if you think about it.

7) Trailers- Despicable Me 2 looks fun enough. You know, I would really like to have some minions. THE BEST STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS TRAILER YET! As much as I love Kirk and Spock, I am definitely going to end up siding with Benedict Cumberbatch's villain. I know it.

8) Oh and have you guys been listening to Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere. It's absolutely fantastic. Everyone in it is doing a great job, with special props to Scottish king, James McAvoy and the angel of voices, Benedict Cumberbatch (yes, I did just write that. It's allowed because it's true).

9) New header and sidebar pictures. YAAY!

10) Finally, Matt Smith wants to be a Bond villain. I don't know if he's menacing enough to be a main villain, but he can be like a side-villain and fight Q. I would really, really, really like that. So would, it seems, Sir Ian McKellen-

Would not mind sharing Matt Smith with him one bit. Nope.

Please vote and adieu!

Thoughts

         Hello folks. It's 12/12/12 today which really does not have any significance but everyone seems to be going crazy about it. There are pregnant women who have scheduled their deliveries for today. Like how messed up is this world? Anyways, I know I have been too lazy to write this post for the past two weeks but I will make amends now. My thoughts, twelve in all because well duh-

1) Guess who crossed the 400 films mark for this year? Yippee!

2) Everyone, please join Stevee's totally brilliant blogathon. There are very few hours left, but you can do it! This is my entry.

3) Th e awards season is fully underway now, and very soon we will be getting the nominations for Golden Globes and Screen Actor's Guild. So far, many critics' groups have given their prizes. Ryan has compiled most of them and Squasher has all the Critics Choice Awards nominees. Zero Dark Thirty and Katherine Bigelow are clearly emerging as the frontrunners for Best Film and Best Director. Best Actor seems to be Daniel Day Lewis's thing, although Bradley Cooper is definitely getting a lot of momentum. I guess Best Actress will be between Jessica Chastain, Jennifer Lawrence and maybe even Emmanuelle Riva. Best Supporting Actor seems like an odd field this year as the prophesied winner, Leo Di Caprio for Django Unchained, is not getting that much attention and one of his biggest competitors is co-star Samuel L. Jackson (poor Leo). One sure winner though is going to be Anne Hathaway for Les Miserables in the Best Supporting Actress category. What I am really getting excited about is the inclusion of films like Beasts of the Southern Wild and The Perks of Being a Wallflower in these awards as they aren't very, for lack of a better term, "Oscar bait-y". Also Skyfall and nominations for Javier Bardem and Judy Dench in Critics Choice is kind of awesome.

4) Ugh Dane DeHaan will play Harry Osborn in The Amazing Spider-Man 2. Another reason why I will have to see this monstrosity.

5) The Oscars music department has released all the eligible candidates for Best Original Score and Best Original Song. While what gets nominated is yet to be seen, but my favourite score of the year, i.e.,  Moonrise Kingdom by Alexandre Desplat is ineligible, so that sucks. Best Original Song looks quite good though, but yet again one of the best moments of 2012's films was "Who Were We" in Holy Motors and that is not eligible.

6) Cate Blanchett will play the Evil Stepmother in Mark Romanek's live action take on Cinderella. I love this. In spite of the recent fairy tale movie busts, Blanchett is a gorgeous villain (I even loved her in Indiana Jones: Kingdom of the Crystal Skull) and Romanek's Never Let Me Go is one of the most beautiful films I have ever seen. Also one of the front-runners to play Cinderella is her Hanna co-star Saoirse Ronan, so I really hope this happens.

7) I have seen Oldboy from the Vengeance trilogy, which I loved. Sympathy for Lady Vengeance is another film in the trilogy, and its Hollywood remake is being made with the amazing Charlize Theron as the lead. I am becoming quite the Theron fan now and I am super excited for this.

8) George Clooney's next film is going to be plenty awesome, as far as the cast is concerned. The Monuments Men will now have Clooney's buddy Matt Damon joining Cate Blanchett, Daniel Craig, Jean Dujardin, Bill Murray and John Goodman. The premise is very cool. It will be a WW2 drama based on a true story about a group of British and American art experts who have to track down some of the most valuable art works stolen by the Nazis.

9) Stoker has another sexily creepy poster out. I am getting really impatient to watch this film now. Also the first picture of The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug is out. It's so sparkly. To be honest, this will be the Hobbit movie I want to watch the most because it is using the best asset of Benedict Cumberbatch- his god-like voice *swoon*.

10) Oh btw, how do you like the Christmas banner? Wasn't Winona the prettiest?

11) Trailers- Oblivion starring Tom Cruise. It looks very bland to me. I so do not give a shit. I would say the same about The Lone Ranger except my loyalty to Johnny Depp forbids me to. But seriously dude, wtf? Kind of like Armie Hammer, however. A Bollywood trailer, Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola, is something I really want to watch because 1) Anushka Sharma, 2) Vishal Bharadwaj, 3) Imran Khan and 4) Pankaj Kapoor. Deadfall, which has Eric Bana, Olivia Wilde, Sissy Spacek and Kate Mara. I am a bit intrigued by it, to be honest. Especially because of the cast. After Earth is the new film from M. Night Shymalan starring Will Smith and Jaden Smith. I am not sure about it because it could be really interesting or really stupid. Remember when Jaden Smith was an adorable little kid? Why must they grow up? Man of Steel's first trailer is finally out, and well, I am not as buzzed about it as everyone else. I mean I will definitely watch it, but as Joker would say, "Why so serious?" I get it that this is following The Dark Knight trilogy's footsteps, but the grim tone actually suited someone like Batman. And this trailer is even less fun than the trilogy's trailers. Also I need more Amy Adams and Michael Shannon to get truly excited. A slightly happier second trailer, please? In TV land, Girls is back and it looks really really funny. So excited! Also Masters of Sex with Michael Sheen and Lizzy Caplan looks like fun. Finally, we have the trailer/teaser of the week- Star Trek Into Darkness. In spite of that ridiculous name, it is one of my most highly anticipated film of 2013 and Cumberbatch's eeie-tastic voice in the teaser has pumped me up even more. Bring it on!

12) Finally, ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce the latest addition to my fake husbands list-

From now on, kindly refer to me as Mrs. Logan Lerman. Thank you.

Okay tata!

Making the Case for Best Ensemble Cast for The Avengers

     
           Stevee at Cinematic Paradox has come up with an excellent blogathon in which we get to write about films that will not feature highly in the awards season that is more or less already upon us.

          Now most cinephiles I know are greatly obsessed with awards, including yours truly. We immediately start thinking "Oscars" when we like a particular element of a recent film. Stevee's blogathon is tapping into this habit of ours and taking it further to mostly be about the films that won't actually make it through even though we want them to. It is kind of depressing to write about them because our convictions will not translate into physical awards in most cases, but it is also kind of relieving because at least we have voiced our support. I commented on Stevee's post about how I wish she had done this blogathon last year and all my feelings towards the Harry Potter films and their relationship with big award shows would have gotten a much needed avenue. Still, I am glad she has started this brilliant blogathon  and for this year, I will make a case for The Avengers getting nominated for the Screen Actor's Guild Best Cast Award.

          Having just watched the superhero blockbuster bonanza that is The Avengers for the fourth time, I am still amazed by the fact that it works so well. And the biggest reason for that is the cast. I do indeed find it hard to believe even now that a film with these many heroes, many of which have been the star in their own more than adequate films, can use each and every one of them and the other characters this economically. Every person in the film has their specific role to play- no one is wasted, no one overexposed.

          Each character and actor has his or her own fan-following after the film, who can actually justify their choice. Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark/Ironman is, as someone said, one of the most ideal casting choices of the last decade- he is hilarious and heroic. Bruce Banner/Hulk finally gets the perfect duality between a being a being a big green rage monster and a meek genius thanks to Mark Ruffalo's acting chops. Scarlett Johannson's Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow is one of her best performances to date. The dry wit and total badassery is to die for. Chris Evans was born to play a superhero, and his Steve Rogers/Captain America is as courageous and sincere as ever. Chris Hemsworth's Thor makes one truly believe that he is some sort of a god- he just looks and feels that mighty. One of the biggest surprises of the film was Jeremy Renner's Clint Barton/Hawkeye, who in spite of being the new comer to the group, fits right in and gives off this aura of cool. Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury makes even the cheesy lines sound infinitely awesome (a stereotype, but still a total fact). Clark Gregg as Agent Phil Coulson ends up being the hero for many people, because he is the ordinary man in these extraordinary circumstances, and Gregg owns that role. Finally we have Tom Hiddleston's star-making turn as the villain god Loki who is just snarky and grand and a believable adversary for all these heroes. Even Stellan Skarsgård, Colbie Smulders and Gwyneth Paltrow are perfect in their minor roles.

        Joss Whedon directs all these actors and characters in many situations where they verbally and physically spar and that further shows how evenly matched everyone is. Though obviously aided by visuals, the final action scenes with all the Avengers actually working together is so much fun and satisfying to watch. I say satisfying because we see the relationships and arcs of the various characters throughout the film and it is literally awesome to see them all come together at the end.

       Now I know that The Avengers will almost certainly not even be considered for the SAG Best Cast Award. The fact that it is a superhero movie, its massive box office earnings, people's preference towards the other big superhero film of the year etc. will be massive obstacles in its path and I doubt even poor Hulk can remove them with all his strength. We will have the usual suspects being nominated instead, the "Oscar-friendly" kind, which isn't something I abhor but I wish people would look beyond that.

       I will conclude by saying that a great ensemble piece is one in which every character, big or small, gets to shine but not outshine anyone and I truly believe that The Avengers, of all the movies that I have seen in 2012, achieves this best.

       Case made.

Liebster Award

Sati from Cinematic Corner, Diana from Aziza's picks, Anna from Defiant Success, Alleyandthemovies from Random Film Buff and Andy from The Film Emporium have awarded me with the Liebster Award. 

The Rules:

1. Each person must post 11 things about themselves.

2. Answer the 11 questions the person giving the award has set for you.

3. Create 11 questions for the people you will be giving the award to.

4. Choose 11 people to award and send them a link to your post.

5. Go to their page and tell them.

6. No tag backs.

I'm just going to go ahead and say this- rules will be broken.

11 things about me:

1. I don't know if the above picture is the most accurate depiction of me, but I like it because my wonky eyes in it have been inspired by Adrien Brody.

2. I am quite good at math. Not Matilda-good because I really can't multiply long numbers in my head within seconds, but I can grasp concepts quickly. However once I am done needing them, I delete them from my memory a la Sherlock Holmes.

3. I am an Olympic baby (1992 born). Woo hoo! Still hate sports though.

4. I have always been an actor-obsessed person, so much so that I sometimes divide my life into segments of specific actor-obsession (that might just be the creepiest thing I have ever written). Chronologically, it has been Leonardo Di Caprio, Hrithik Roshan, Daniel Radcliffe, Josh Hartnett, Tom Sturridge, Andrew Garfield and currently Matt Smith. The one actor I have consistently lusted after, since I was about 12 or 13, has been Ryan Gosling.

5. Ryan Gosling was the reason I read 50 Shades of Grey, since he was rumoured to take on the part of Christian Grey. The things I do for that man.

6. Remember when Oscars used to get other people to describe the acting nominees- that always made me cry.

7. I recently got into shit with a teacher of mine because she wrote that Otto Preminger was the writer of some book and I pointed out that he was actually a director, and she refused to believe me and called me an idiot. Ahem...

8. My favourite frozen dessert is raspberry sorbet.

9. I love how Calcutta is often depicted in Hollywood movies. The most recent example is The Avengers of course, where "Calcutta" looked like some famine-raged land from half a century ago. So funny.

10. I am the laziest person I know. Quoting Bukowski, "My ambition is handicapped by my laziness."

11. America's Next Top Model is my one true vice. I need some amount of trash TV in my life. Bring Andre Leon Talley back!!

Question time:

Sati's questions-

1. What is your favorite movie scene?

Jack vs Jack in Fight Club. I just knew then that I will never be the same, and that this film will take over my life. I still cannot understand how Edward Norton and David Fincher did it.

2. Your favorite performance?

Adrien Brody in The Pianist. It makes me cry.

3. Movie character that is most similar to you?

I can't think of just one with all my qualities. A mixture of three maybe- Brian, the brain, in The Breakfast Club, Cecilia in The Purple Rose of Cairo and Bridget Jones in Bridget Jones's Diary- nerdy, film-loving, awkward and unlucky me.

4. Favorite movie quote?

The one I use the most in daily life is "Boo you whore" from Mean Girls. The one I think describes me pretty well is "Christian, you may see me only as a drunken, vice-ridden gnome whose friends are just pimps and girls from the brothels. But I know about art and love, if only because I long for it with every fiber of my being" from Moulin Rouge!. My favourite quote about movies is one by Francois Truffaut, "Film lovers are sick people."

5. What is one movie where you would change actual director/actor/actress for someone else?

I really want to see Jackie Brown as directed by David Fincher. I don't know what it will be like, but I am curious.

6. What is the first film you saw?

I don't know what was the very first film I saw, though I am sure that it was a Bollywood flick. My earliest vivid memory of a cinema hall is when I saw Titanic. I was 5.

7. Would you change any character's fate? If so, whose and for what?

Presently, I would not have that big reveal at the end of The Dark Knight Rises for one of the major characters. THAT WAS SO GAY! Also, I would not let Fred Weasley die *sniff*.

8. Your favorite track from movie soundtrack?

This keeps changing for me. I guess Radiohead's "Talk Show Host" from Romeo + Juliet.

9. What book would you like to see adapted for screen?

I would love a proper Lolita adaptation, with Robert Downey Jr. playing Humbert Humbert. Also I want an animated adaptation of Markus Zusak's The Book Thief.

10. Favorite guilty pleasure movie?

I watch a lot of crappy movies, but then I enjoy them thoroughly. I would say Charlie's Angels, especially for Sam Rockwell.

11. Favorite trailer?

Blue Valentine. It is such a perfect trailer.

Aziza's questions-

1. What's the song that you keep listening these days (the repeat curse)?

"Unknown" by The Maccabees, "Shiny Happy People" by R.E.M. and "How To Disappear Completely" by Radiohead.

2. The last film you saw in cinema? 3 words to describe it please

The Dark Knight Rises. FUCK YEAH CATWOMAN!

3. Childhood crush? 

Leonardo Di Caprio as Jack Dawson when I was 5.

4. Think of a soundtrack of a movie and tell me the best song from it, one that you still listen, years after you've seen the film.

I still listen to "Where Is My Mind?" by The Pixies from Fight Club.

5. What's that one genre of films that you usually don't watch?
Westerns. Snore.

6. If you could adapt a book into a movie or miniseries, what would it be and why?
See question 9 from Sati's questions.

7. Tell me one actor/actress that you would be starstruck by (imagine you walk in a Starbucks and you see him/her 2 feet from you- possible reaction: eyes wide open, legs shaking, suddenly it's hot in the room)
Ryan Gosling. I will melt, but not before embarrassing myself in some awful way before that.

8. If you could recommend a book to your readers, what would it be and why?
50 Shades of Grey, because then they will appreciate the writing in this blog so much more. Okay seriously, I don't know. The Invention of Hugo Cabret maybe, since it is so pretty.

9. How would you describe a perfect (or close to perfect) script? What are they key elements it should have?
I like clever dialogue, well-formed characters, and loads of descriptions (like a Tarantino script).

10. Favorite British actor/actress?
Ewan McGregor and Michael Fassbender for actor; Helena Bonham Carter and Kate Winslet for actress.

11. What did you have for lunch?

Mushroom crêpes and blueberry pancakes. The crêpes were okay, but the pancakes were to die for!

Anna's questions-

1. Any actors you show promise for?
Quite a few actually. I am going to choose Daniel Radcliffe because he was my childhood hero and I really want him to get good roles and show off his acting chops.

2. Anyone you're hoping makes a comeback soon?
Winona forever.

3. Name someone in Hollywood you find overrated.
Channing Tatum. And he keeps coming in good movies- so annoying!

4. What do you do apart from blogging and watching movies?
I used to read a lot, but now I go to college and then come back and fall dead on my bed.

5. What TV shows do you watch?
Doctor Who, Sherlock, Parks and Recreation, Game of Thrones, True Blood, Girls, The Newsroom, New Girl, and of course, America's Next Top Model.

6. Your most prized DVD?
The 2 disc edition of The Social Network.

7. Do you watch movies in theaters more or at home?
Home. Mostly because nothing releases where I live.

8. You have the chance to go back in time to see a film premiere. Which film would you see?
I would love to see The Arrival of a Train at La Ciotat Station by the Lumière Brothers, because it is so iconic. Also the world premiere of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2 at Trafalgar Square.

9. Dog or cat person?
Not an animal person, but I am absolutely terrified of dogs, so I will go with cat.

10. Whose movies have you seen the most of? (This can apply to actors and directors.)
Probably Woody Allen.

11. Name your guilty pleasure.

Tumblr. I have wasted away months of my life on that.

Alleyandthemovies's questions-

1. What made you want to start your blog?

I saw a friend's blog and decided to make one myself. For about a year I didn't know what I was doing and then I sort of got on track.

2. Is there anything else you love to do besides devour films?
See question 4 from Anna's questions

3. Choose out of the two: Magnolia vs. Memento, Forrest Gump vs. Catch Me If You Can, The Jerk vs. Blazing Saddles.
Memento. Forrest Gump. Unfortunately I have not seen either of the films from the last pair, so cannot choose.

4. If you had to choose one movie to watch for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Scott Pilgrim Vs The World, since I notice something new everytime.

5. Is there truly a difference between a movie and a film?
Yes. As my film studies teacher told us, a movie is the actual end product we see, and a film is the roll on which the movie is recorded.

6. What’s your favorite quote about life?

Wow, life... I'll choose two-

"I don't want to end up simply having visited this world."- Mary Oliver

"Yesterday is dead, tomorrow hasn't arrived yet. I have just one day, and I'm going to be happy in it."- Groucho Marx

7. Explain the name of your blog. 
Norma Jeane is Marilyn Monroe's real name and she went from being an ordinary person to someone who will be remembered forever. And the "Being" part is from Being John Malkovich and Being Julia. I guess the name denotes the state of being someone who hasn't yet (hopefully) become what she is meant to be. Yeah, it's a bit sappy, but it does have a nice ring to it :)

8. Has Denzel Washington had his “movie” yet? Tom Hanks had Saving Private Ryan/Cast Away/Forrest Gump, Tim Robbins had Shawshank Redemption, Clint Eastwood had Dirty Harry, and Robert De Niro had Taxi Driver. What’s Denzel’s?
Okay I don't think I have actually seen any Denzel Washington movies except for The Bone Collector (so embarrassed) . But whatever I have seen of Training Day and Philadelphia, I really loved. And he is famous for things like Malcolm X, The Hurricane and American Gangster. So yeah, I do think he has had his movie.

9. Who’s the most important in the filmmaking process: the director, screenwriter, or main actor?

Director. It is his or hers vision. He/she can breathe life into the words of a screenwriter and bring out great performances from his or hers actors.

10. Do you have a Netflix account? If so, how many movies are in your queue?
Nope. No Netflix in India :'(

11. What’s Hitchhock’s best film and explain why.

Psycho. The sense of dread, the look, the lighting, the characters, the shower scene, the flushing toilet, the music. It is just such a masterful thriller, and I love the Hitchcock movies that have a restricted amount of space and what is scarier than the Bates Hotel?

Andy's questions-

1. What was the film that made you feel the most terrified watching?

No Country for Old Men, because of Anton Chigurh. The number of times I had to pause to calm my nerves...

2. Chaplin or Keaton?

Chaplin. I have only watched one Keaton film, which although was brilliant, but does not make me feel as warm and happy as the Chaplin films. Also I have grown up with them, though I would not know the names of many of them. 

3. What is the greatest shift/turnaround of opinion, either positive or negative, you have had after a repeat viewing?

American Beauty probably. The first time I saw it, I was about 13 or 14 and I found the character of Lester Burnham incredibly creepy. When I saw it again at 17, I was completely gobsmacked, and Burnham became one of my most favourite characters ever. I don't think I got past the fact that he fancied his daughter's friend the first time. But I really understood all the themes and motivations the second time.

4. What is your first memorable trip to the cinemas?

Titanic, as I said above. The film was huge in India, and the theatre was packed with people and everyone was so affected by the film. It was magnificent.

5. If you were to add one film to last year's Best Pic nominees to make up 10 what would it have been?

Can't I remove some (I am looking at you, War Horse, The Help and Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close)? Anyways, I would add Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2, because we deserved it damnit!

6. What is your single favourite performance ever?

See question 2 from Sati's lot.

7. What is you favourite animated film?

Ratatouille.

8. What is your favourite era (decade) of cinema?

I used to think the 60s, but I am growing really fond of the 70s. So 70s it is.

9. What is the best film you have seen in 2012 so far?

The Avengers from 2012. In the Mood for Love, My Dinner with Andre and Wild Strawberries in general.

10. Name an underrated television show you feel doesn't get the attention it deserves.

Black Books! Maybe then it can come back. Bernard Black, I love you.

11. Is there a film you feel completely alone in liking/disliking?

No, not really. I really hate Gone with the Wind, but I have friends who hate it too.

The 8 (remaining) bloggers I award the Liebster Award to:

1. Lesya at Eternity of Dream

2. Mette at Lime Reviews and Strawberry Confessions

3. Thaddeus at Net-flixation

4. Teri at Enid's Revenge

5. M. Hufstader at The Smoking Pen

6. SDG at U, Me and Films

7. Stevee at Cinematic Paradox

8. Sam at Duke & the Movies

My questions:

1. What was in Marsellus Wallace's briefcase?

2. Who's head will you go all "Being John Malkovich" in?

3. A cinema personality whose biopic you want to see, and who would play them?

4. A film you wish you lived in.

5. What do you think of when I say Bollywood?

6. Hero, villain or antihero? Also, who is your favourite from the chosen character type?

7. Favourite supporting role of all time.

8. Favourite music video.

9. Favourite cartoon show from your childhood.

10. A film you wish you had made and would have been remembered for.

11. Favourite joke.

Phew! Done. Even if I haven't tagged you, please do answer the questions in the comments.

Thoughts about the Lammys

Due to some really stupid coincidence, this is the second time when the Lammys are here and I am without my computer. This was the reason why I had no idea what was happening last year and couldn't take part in anything. I'm marginally better off this year (with a friend's laptop). Still I wasn't very sure if my blog is good enough for the many categories, simply because I don't blog much, and review even less.

However, I've decided to put a sock in my self-deprecation and rally for my blog, Being Norma Jeane, in three Lammy categories.

Best Blog- 'Cuz why the hell not? You know the whole "How ever it is, it is MINE and I lurve it" concept. 

Funniest Writer- Oh um... A hamburger and a french fry walk into a bar. The bartender says, "I'm sorry we don't serve food here." 

Is that what they want?? I think I can be really unintentionally funny sometimes, and intentionally unfunny other times. Please vote for the former :)

Best Design- Okay so it's off a Blogger template as computer code scares the bejeezus out of me, but I really like the way it looks. I like the colours and the pictures of my favourite things on the sidebar and the rotating banners and the music. If you like it too, please vote.

So there you have it. Have fun voting!

Keep 'em coming - 7X7 Link Awards

The fantastic Diana from Aziza's picks gave me this award. It's nice and fun and I even get to bitch about people. A bit :P Hurrah!

Okay rules-

1) Tell something that no one knows about me- I actually had to take help from my best friend for this. Her first suggestion was obviously to tell everyone I have the awesomest best friend in existence, but I'll use the other one: I have a fetish for red lipstick. I guess it comes from films, especially those set before 60s, where the women always wear red lipstick and they just seem to glow. I think it is endlessly classy and cool and the people who think it is trampy, well I feel sorry for their closed minds and dead souls.

2) Link to one of my posts that I personally think best fits the following categories: Most Beautiful Piece, Most Helpful Piece, Most Popular Piece, Most Controversial Piece, Most Surprisingly Successful Piece, Most Underrated Piece, and Most Pride-Worthy Piece. 

*I can't decide on just one for many of them. I am indecisive too, but you already knew that.

Most Beautiful Piece- Firstly Marie Antoinette vs A Single Man as it compares the two most beautiful films that I have seen. Secondly  this one because like duh (Stevee would be happy).

Most Helpful Piece- Ha why would people come to this blog for help? I don't think I have written anything remotely helpful to anyone, but maybe if by chance film makers come across this post, they will hopefully stop killing kids in films.

Most Popular Piece- Well the one with the most page views has nothing to do with films at all and the views are only on the basis of the pictures. The next one is also because of the pictures but it has film value- my favourite stars in black and white. The post with the most comments is the one on the posters of 2011.

Most Controversial Piece- I think it will have to be my thoughts on morality and films.

Most Surprisingly Successful Piece- Films that made me which I posted during my 18th birthday celebrations. It is a predecessor to my 100 Favourite Films somewhat, but what amazes me about it is that it has no pictures. So I suppose I must have done something right :)

Most Underrated Piece- I guess this is the prime example of my sense of humour totally missing its mark, but I really thought my post about band names made from films was going to become viral or something. 

Most Pride-Worthy Piece- I have three. First is my goodbye letter to Harry Potter which is really close to my heart. Then my comparison of Holocaust Horrors- Schindler's List and The Pianist, that people actually read. Finally what I think is the best review that I have written, There Will Be Blood.

3) Linkin' on to seven other bloggers-

Sati of Cinematic Corner

Stevee of Cinematic Paradox

Lesya of Eternity of Dream

Cherokee of Feminising Film

Ruth of ...lets be splendid about this...

Mette of Lime Reviews and Strawberry Confessions

M. Hufstader of The Smoking Pen

Hope you liked it.

Ooh it's Awards Time for me as well!

The fantastic Diana from Aziza's Picks has honoured this wee blog of mine with the Liebster Blog Award, which is given by fellow bloggers to certain noteworthy blogs that do not have 200 followers yet. I think it's an excellent way to promote blogs one likes and thinks deserve more recognition.

So for me to be a proper recipient, I have to
1) Thank the award-giver- thank you Diana again. You are awesome :D
2) Put the Liebster Blog Logo on their post- done.
3) Pay it forward as it were to 5 other blogs I think deserve this award. So here it goes-

a) Stevee from Cinematic Paradox who is ab fab and her blog is ahmazing, especially with the new look.
b) Andy from Andy Buckle's Film Emporium whose reviews are always excellent.
c) Mette from Lime Reviews and Strawberry Confessions who loves Bollywood more than most Indian people I know.
d) M. Hufstader from The Smoking Pen and Feed Me A Stray Cat! both which are brilliant blogs- one full of badassery and the other with every thing else.
e) Lesya from Eternity of Dream whose blog is just beautiful to look at and her posts are always great.


Who needs the Oscars eh? This makes me happy :)

Fashionably...or rather Stylishly Late

Oh I'm such a ginormous fool! The very generous Ruth from ...Let's be Splendid about This... gave me the Stylish Blogger Award more than two months ago along with the wonderful Stevee from Cinematic Paradox, and I just found out that being a recipient of this award, I am supposed to write Seven relatively unknown things about me and give seven other bloggers the same award.

So Seven Things About Me That You May Or May Not Know:

1) I don't know what was the first film I watched. This is because my parents conveniently never bothered filling in the Baby Book (I had to fill my brother's). It was definitely a Bollywood film, and I have a strong feeling that it was a Shahrukh Khan film.

2) I'm a Nerd. Yeah...and sort of proud of it. Not only the marks-getting, teacher's-pet part of it, I also enjoy purely academic things like quizzing, debate etc., absolutely despise sports and am very asocial when it comes to things like parties and stuff.

3) I'm scared of most animals. They bite and scratch. I'm actually deathly afraid of dogs. I would probably choose the Exorcist over a dog, they scare me so.

4) I am a Hobbit. There is no other explanation for my height.

5) I love films and books, but especially those which are quotable. The reason why I love so many chick flicks is exactly that- "Oh my god Karen, you can't just ask people why they're white." And though it isn't exactly a good quality, but I would hate a book without memorable quotes- for example Macbeth (which is a play but you get what I'm saying...it's so uninspiring).

6) Remember how in My Girl, Anna Chlumsky's character Vada was a hypochondriac...I'm sort of like that except in place of diseases, I keep thinking I have personality disorders. This was a result of extensive Fight Club viewing, but everytime I hear or read about a personality disrder, I start thinking I have the symptoms. Except OCD...I'm pretty messy.

7) Lastly, I dream about being a director, and auteur, a filmmaker. While he is not my favourite director, I just really admire Peter Jackson for what he did with the Lord of the Rings series. Kubrick had said that it was unfilmable, but Jackson made it happen, in such a larg scale, in such a wonderful way. Too have so much passion for something you love, and then doing it so brilliantly, ain't that the dream?

Seven other Bloggers:

1) Sukaina of She is the Last of English Roses
2) Flora of With Fur Eyelashes
3) Iliana of Tea with Mad Hatters
4) Univarn of A Life in Equinox
5) Fletch of Blog Cabins
6) Michael of Serious Film
7) Anna of Defiant Success