The Empire Project

Yesterday I posted about how I was considering starting a blog solely for my trip to New York. Well, I decided to go through with it. I've already posted on it, although it'll sort of lay dormant until I'm actually in New York.

What I'd like it to become is a venue for people to make suggestions for what I can do in the city, read about some of my experiences and hopefully even more.

Click here to read The Empire Project

If you have any ideas of what I could do with a blog during my internship at NBC, please leave a comment. I could really use suggestions.

Empire state of mind

So I've bid the fabulous Lex Vegas farewell, and I'm back in Cincinnati. I have a lot to do before I leave for New York next Saturday, so naturally I'm blogging instead of doing what needs to get done. I guess the main reason for that is I'm not really sure where to start. I'm gone for 2 months, so I'm essentially moving there. The question now is deciding what I need to bring with me. I need to buy more shirts, ties and dress pants. I need to figure out how to fit my life into a 40 lb suitcase and carry-on bag.

I face another decision. I want to write more. This is the perfect outlet but I haven't been disciplined enough. I've notice people write some really cool stuff when they write in the midst of a big project or event in their lives, and New York offers me just the opportunity. I need to decide whether or not to start a separate blog that will be exclusively for my experiences there, or incorporate them into The Ktulu. I have a week to decide. Each has its benefits.

A week and some change to go and then I'm in the Big Apple. I can't believe its already here.

Editor in Chief

I'm not one to toot my own horn, whatever that means, but some things have happened lately that I'd be crazy not to be proud of. It has been a crazy year. I started as an assistant features editor, and moved to features editor second semester. I then pursued an internship with NBC in New York for the summer, and I was lucky enough to land it. I start in May and couldn't be any more excited.

Then, last week, after a grueling hour-long interview I learned that I had been selected to be editor in chief for the Kentucky Kernel for the 2010-2011 school years. It is an unbelievable opportunity and I fully intend to make the best of it.

To read the brief story, click here

I was "Justified"

I've recently began to realize that FX is building quite the arsenal of TV shows. I personally only follow the comedies like It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia and The League. However, they just premiered a new show tonight called "Justified" starring Timothy Olyphant. I was sold from the moment I saw the trailer, but the show didn't dissapoint. Set in Kentucky (partially in Lexington) the show follows Raland, a cop who is sent back to Kentucky after questionably shooting a man on site in Miami. He runs into old friends and enemies, and the show has a craft for building tension.

Check out the trailer for the season and give it a try on tuesdays at 10 p.m. on FX. FX.com also posts their shows online for those that want to see the first episode and don't feel like trying to figure out when it re-airs this week.

What an ending...

I almost had a heart attack. This highlight doesn't do it justice. If you watched live, you know what I mean.

Soon enough

I'm about 12 hours away from break. One midterm separates me from freedom. After it's over I promise I'll stop neglecting you. Until then I have to play catch up for my Survey of American Lit class. But I promise tomorrow night when I get home, I'll dake a memory dump all over my laptop. There's all kindsa shit to discuss.

It's not that exciting. Sorry to the 1-3 of you that still waste you're time reading this thing. I'm doing what I can. Bare with me. One day, I'll blow you away with something amazing. One day.

Till then, here is a story I did for the paper about artists across the country who have written original songs about the UK basketball team. The videos are embedded into the story. So enjoy. They're pretty cool. I'll embed them below in case you're too lazy to read the story I wrote.

Puttin the "Hurt" on the Oscars

I made some good picks and I made some bad ones. Recapping the results of the Oscars, I still stand by what I believe should've won in many categories, while others were simply a result of having not seen the film (Crazy Heart- I'm sure Jeff Bridges deserved it). In all, I felt the Oscars was extremely well done. Creating the most successful film of all time speaks enough for Avatar, although I believe much of that goes to its directing, for which I think Cameron should've taken the statue rather than Bigelow. Hurt Locker was a good film, but not the best of the year. The problem is, its hard to pinpoint which should've beat it, between Basterds, Avatar and Up in the Air.

I am proud to say that I called Cristoph Waltz winning an Oscar 6 months ago immediately after watching INglourious Basterds on opening day. Me and everyone else who saw it. But still.

Most importantly for the night, for those who don't know me and who aren't aware of my massive crush for Sandra Bullock, it only grew tonight. I think Caret Mulligan deserved to win, but my heart was for Bullock. What was most impressive to me, however, was her speech. She is elegant, funny and delivered a message bigger than her or the movies she acts in.

In all it was a great Oscar night with countless deserving films. Hopefully the next 365 days offer us a new set of great films. Most likely not 10 worth nominating, but we can all hope, can't we?

And the Oscar goes to...

Well, we don't know yet. But seeing as I've taken the time to watch all 1o of the best picture nominees, I'm going to offer up my guesses. Now, granted, I have not seen some of the candidates for best actor/actress and some of those, but I have seen a majority. So here is what we are looking at.

Best Picture Nominees-

Avatar

The Blind Side

District 9

An Education

The Hurt Locker

Inglourious Basterds

Precious

A Serious Man

Up

Up in the Air

Favorite to win: Inglourious Basterds

I had trouble deciding this category, partly because of the amount of good flims up this year, and even more so deciding between this, Avatar or Up in the Air. Each film is so vastly different. However, I feel the screenplay for Inglourious Basterds takes the cake and the acting is on par with the others. Had Avatar had a bit more of an original plot, I think it would take the cake hands down.

Best Directing Nominees-

Avatar (James Cameron)

The Hurt Locker (Kathyrn Bigelow)

Inglourious Basterds (Quentin Tarantino)

Precious (Lee Daniels)

Up in the Air (Jason Reitman)

Favorite to win: Avatar (James Cameron)

This was tough. In my opinion it came down to Tarantino and Cameron, and the only weak spot in Avatar was its unoriginal plot- something that doesn't affect the direction. Cameron should take home another.

Actor in a Leading Role Nominees-

Jeff Bridges (Crazy Heart)

George Clooney (Up in the Air)

Colin Firth (A Single Man)

Morgan Freeman (Invictus)

Jeremy Renner (The Hurt Locker)

Favorite to win: George Clooney (Up in the Air)

I have only seen 3 of the films in this category, and unfortunately I missed Crazy Heart, and I've heard Bridges was outstanding. However, I have to go off of what I've seen, and Clooney delivered a great performance for Up in the Air.

Actor in a Supporting Role Nominees-

Matt Damon (Invictus)

Woody Harrelson (The Messenger)

Christopher Plummer (The Last Station)

Stanley Tucci (The Lovely Bones)

Christop Waltz (Inglourious Basterds)

Favorite to win: Christoph Waltz (Inglourious Basterds)

This was the category in which I had the least trouble choosing. From the moment I finished watching Inglourious Basterds last year, I said he should win an Oscar. And I still think he will.

Actress in a Leading Role Nominees-

Sandra Bullock (The Blind Side)

Helen Mirren (The Last Station)

Carey Mulligan (An Education)

Gabourey Sidibe (Precious)

Meryl Streep (Julie & Julia)

Favorite to win: Carey Mulligan (An Education)

While anyone who knows me knows my love for Sandra Bullock, unfortunately I think she will be edged out by the young Winchester native. Mulligan delivered an outstanding performance in An Education and I hope she doesn't get the shaft in favor of her elderly peers.

Actress in a Supporting Role Nominees-

Penelope Cruz (Nine)

Vera Farmiga (Up in the Air)

Maggie Gyllenhaal (Crazy Heart)

Anna Kendrick (Up in the Air)

Mo'Nique (Precious)

Favorite to win: Mo'Nique (Precious)

While each of the ladies from Up in the Air delivered memorable performances, the portrayal of an evil mother in 1980s Harlem by Mo'Nique was unforgettably wicked. She should take home the statue on this one.

Animated Feature Film Nominees-

Caroline

Fantastic Mr. Fox

The Princess and the Frog

The Secret of Kells

Up

Favorite to win: Up

It's the only animated film up for Best Picture. Enough said?

Best Art Direction-

Avatar

The Imaginarim of Doctor Parnassus

Nine

Sherlock Holmes

The Young Victoria

Favorite to win: Avatar

It is unfortunate for other art directors that this movie came out the same year as theirs. I don't see much competition here.

Best Original Screenplay Nominees-

The Hurt Locker

Inglourious Bastereds

The Messenger

A Serious Man

Up

Favorite to win: Inglourious Basterds

I simply think this was the most well-written movie in the fields this year. Tarantino should take home the little gold man for this one.

Cinemetography Nominees-

Avatar

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

The Hurt Locker

Inglourious Basterds

The White Ribbon

Favorite to win: Avatar

While I missed out on the White Ribbon, it is hard to see anything putting up a fight with Avatar. I'm not sure if it will be punished by the fact that the movie was almost all CGI, but it shouldn't be. (For those curious as to how the visuals for Avatar were done, check out my January 3rd post on the film)

Other Notables:

Best Visual Effects- Predicted winner: Avatar

Adapted Screenplay- Predicted winner: Up in the Air (Very close second: An Education)

This Summer is the time

Only two of the people involved in the plan are solidly locked in. But we are going to make this happen. Somewhere in the latter half of this summer Joseph and I are going to get 2-3 people to join us in a 2 week cross country trip. We have some ideas for destinations we will be sure to see as we tour the nation, but ideas in the comments section are more than welcome.

We want to spend a night in the desert (Joshua Tree perhaps, thanks Entourage). We want to make it to LA and go around Hollywood. We want to swim in the Atlantic. We want to see Mt. Rushmore. We want to see the Survivor Tree in Oklahoma City. We want to see the Grand Canyon as well as some other sweet cities near there like Phoenix.

There is a lot of cool shit to see in this country and while this list isn't all we have in mind, we need people to make sure we don't forget anything.

Kernel Basement

I think it leads to hysteria. I spend 8 hours a day in the basement of the Grehan Journalism Building working on UK's daily paper. The pay is bad, but there is something about the staff that makes a 40 hour work week, making 50 cents a day not such a bad thing. Talks about Mario Golf while listening to Bob Seger and James Taylor with the Sports and Opinions desks. Wes reminding me the perils of being white. Sure, the future of the paper for next year is up in the air, but all I know is I want to be here.

I realize this was anything but a cohesive post. It was random thoughts and sentences typed in that god forsaken basement.

I just felt like I needed to post.

By the way, keep your eye on the update section of the Oscar post below. I am making progress on the Best Picture list.

I want to care about the Oscars

I love movies. Maybe too much, to the point where I'm not critical enough of the pieces that I'm watching. But often, I find no reason to not be entertained by the piece of escapism on my TV screen.

However, in the past I've always gone about the Oscars by simply rooting for the films that I'd actually seen, rather than what movies are actually best. This year, I have remedied the problem. I have obtained every film on the best picture list that I had not yet seen, and my goal is to watch them all by March 6th. If I find extra time, I'll look into the best actor/actress, supporting actor/actress lists to see if there are films there not on the other lists but thats a secondary priority.

My goal is simply to actually have an opinion about what movie is better than another, and to actually have seen the performances of the individuals up for the acting and directing awards as well.

The Best Picture list is as follows (X's mark the films I have already seen)

Avatar---------------- X

The Blind Side---------X

District 9--------------X

An Education----------X

The Hurt Locker------

Inglourious Basterds--X

Precious--------------X

A Serious Man--------X

Up -------------------X

Up in the Air----------X

I have all of them ready to go, including some of the ones I've already seen but I just want to re-watch and refresh.

One early prediction- I have almost no doubt in my mind that Cristoph Waltz will win best supporting actor for his role in Ingourious Basterds

I am really looking forward to seeing the films for this year. It looks like a pretty solid line-up and I am already having enough trouble choosing who I would pick just out of the handful that I've already seen (probably between Avatar and Ingourious Basterds, but Up in the Air is right there with the pack)

Update: Since the original date of this post I have finished up Blind Side, District 9, Precious, An Education and A Serious man. None affects my original contenders for best picture. The only one left to see is The Hurt Locker which I saved for last on purpose because it seemed the most interesting.

One Flew Over Shutter Island

It's been awhile. I know. My laptop charger broke and they mailed me a new one. But it's here now, just in time for me to tell you what I thought about Shutter Island. I'll fill you in on all the other stuff that's been going on over the past month some time in the near future.

Scorsese is a great film maker. Shutter Island only further showcases this fact. In the case of Shutter Island, he did what he could with what he was given. All of the pieces were there- the movie is well made, the acting is great, and the films 1st and 3rd acts are well written. Unfortunately, for those of you keeping score at home, that poorly written second act makes the whole film fall from what it could have been. The opening 60 minutes craftily build suspense while the final 45 minutes begin to tie the pieces together and have you at the edge of your seat. But the middle of the film lulls so heavily that it almost drops the ball for the entire flick.

DiCaprio is outstanding, and Scorsese creates an eerie setting and design that you won't soon forget. It's just too bad he wasn't handed a stronger script.

If you've seen One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, there are stark similarities. Now, Nicholson is a better actor than DiCaprio and Cuckoo is light years more well-written, but once you see Shutter, you'll see what I mean.

Now to be honest, I am simply being this critical because of the hype behind the film. Had I not seen a trailer or known the director, I would be pleased, and I am still pleased regardless. But it simply could have been better. But the bottom line is that it is worth seeing.

Haiti instead of Hoops

One of the more proud moments since I've been at this University. Click here to see a video of president Obama thanking the UK basketball team for their efforts in organizing and running the "Hoops for Haiti" benefit. Cool stuff.

Back in the throne

After a seven-year drought since the University of Kentucky found itself at the top of the polls, the 19-0 Wildcats are back on top. What is more amazing is to take a step back and realize that 10 months ago this was a reeling team losing in he NIT. Such is the impact of John Calipari. This time last year the Cats were 16-4, but would finish out the season with a 6-10 record from that point on. This year, they instead find themselves undefeated at 19-0 for the first time in 40 years, and the unanimous number one in the ESPN and AP polls. The slideshow says it all. Superb freshman, and equally fantastic coaching has this team back where it's hungry fanbase wants it. As Pat Forde put it, 7 years is a long time in Cat years.

Below is the Kernel slideshow, which also may I add the UK cheer leading team claimed its 18th championship this year. They have only missed out on the title 2 times in the last 15 years.

Check out the great pics

Back in the spotlight

For just the 20th time ever, Kentucky has taken its place on the cover of Sports Illustrated. In my opinion this is the first huge sign of Calipari making UK a brand once again. The cover features John Wall, likely the number one overall pick of next year's draft. What I like best, is that just like ESPN and all the rest of the outlets, analysts are focusing on him and forgetting about the rest of the firepower on the squad. Sure he is the glue that holds it together, but without DeMarcus Cousins and Patrick Patterson, this team wouldn't be 15-0. The way I see it, I'm fine with teams putting all their focus on Wall. Everyone has so far and we have fared just fine. Hopefully this team can keep its momentum going and keep working towards that one number that matters. 8.

You're on Pandora

I've purposefully waited to post my thoughts on James Cameron's Avatar. I saw the movie on its opening night, and again 3 days later, both times in IMAX 3D. I'm going to avoid any subtlety. The film was absolutely fantastic. It is one of the best if not the best film of the year (only competition coming from Inglourious Basterds). The reason I waited to post my thoughts on the film was simply to wait and see if things progressed in the manner that I thought they would- the film did not start out with immense popularity, mostly due to what I would speculate to be the skeptical feelings towards the "blue people". However, I went to see Sherlock Holmes weeks later and sure there was a good amount of poeple there, but the line for Avatar was out the door, despite a release 3 weeks earlier. Word is spreading, and it should be.

Lets clear some things up. This film is not animated. The CGI is captured and the entire film was acted out. Instead censors and motion capture were applied to the actors using more advanced technology than had ever been used before, and went so far as to develop a system in which Cameron could use a camera that would show him a rough image of what the scenes would look out while they were being acted out. It is tough to explain in detail but you can click here to watch the behind the scenes, which is extremely intriguing. I would've attached a video but the embedding was disabled.

Cameron creates an entire world, unlike anything I have seen before. The color palette is exquisite. The visual affects are stunning and "creative" is a gross understatement to describe the world of Pandora created by Cameron.

When it comes to the films story, it isn't entirely unique. However, the fresh twists, anti-imperialistic undertones, and the loves story all lace together to form one of the best movies of the decade.

I don't want to sit here and give away the story or over-hype the film, but I highly recommend you see it while it is still in theaters, and if you can in 3D. The 3D is by no means necessary but it is something that should be experienced once. I can garuntee that even if the plot lines aren't quite down your alley, you've never seen anything like Pandora. Don't miss out on that, just because you think the cast look like blue cat-people. I can assure you by the end, you won't notice or care.

For those who want to watch the new extended trailer that actually paints an accurate picture of the films plot, the video below does so rather well.

As the Commonwealth turns...

For the past two years Lousiville had begun to surpass its big brother in the world of college basketball. Enter John Calipari. The heated rivalry was drenched in gasoline with the addition of Coach Cal and the first 45 seconds of this game saw more intensity than I have seen from a sporting event in years. Elbows, knees, 6 fouls in 45 seconds including 2 technicals. But what matters most is that despite poor shooting and emotion, the Wildcats downed Lousville 71-62 and moved to 15-0, their best start in over 40 years. I'm hoping now that some of the marquee games are behind them, the Cats can focus on trying to run the table in the SEC. They have a home game against Georgia next Saturday, but 3 days later must travel to Gainesville to take on the Gators. Getting past that game would be a huge step for this rapidly improving, young team.

On on U of K.