Remember, you heard it here first . . .

My predictions for this year’s Oscar winners are:

Best Actor  - Jeff Bridges

Best Actress - Meryl Streep (Sorry Sandra!)

Best Supporting Actor - Christoph Waltz

Best Supporting Actress - Mo’Nique

Best Animated Feature - UP

Best Art Direction - Avatar

Best Cinematography - Avatar

Best Costume Design - The Young Victoria

Best Director - Katherine Bigelow

Best Documentary Feature - The Cove

Best Documentary Short - The Last Truck - Closing of a GM Plant

Best Editing - The Hurt Locker

Best Foreign Language Film - The White Ribbon

Best Makeup - Star Trek

Best Score - Avatar

Best Song - The Weary Kind (Crazy Heart)

Best Short Animated Film - A Matter of Loaf and Death

Best Live Short - The New Tenants

Best Sound Editing - Avatar

Best Sound Mixing - Avatar

Best Visual Effects - Avatar

Best Adapted Screenplay - Up in the Air

Best Original Screenplay - Inglorious Basterds

and Best Picture - Avatar!

Don’t say I didn’t tell ya in advance.  Enjoy the show!!

MR B

Regan’s 2008 Best, Worst and Oscar Picks!
 

You know, a lot of people don’t really grasp the importance of my yearly movie picks and predictions.  Yes, we are in a recession now, and yes we continue to be bogged down by two wars in the Middle East, but does anyone out there REALLY know how I stand on the five nominated films for Editing?  Hmmm??
 

Now, since my Oscar contest (now up and running at www.reganburns.com thank you very much) has gone global, I have had to do away with the practice of posting ALL of my Oscar predictions online in advance.  I mean; after all, the true point of the contest is to try and beat me, right?  And let’s be honest, nobody is going to beat me.  But, since I know at least two of you are chomping at the bit to hear my thoughts, I will give you SOME of the winners for this coming Sunday night’s event. 
 

And of course, my picks for the Top Ten Movies of 2008 as well as the the 10 Worst.  So much to get to . . . let’s go!
 

Best Supporting Actor
Do we really have to discuss this??  I should really just rip up anyone’s ballot that doesn’t have Ledger down.  However, in my heart, I will always have a soft spot for the comedic performances.  Hey, acting is easy, comedy is HARD!
 

Who I Think Should Win – Robert Downey Jr.
Who Will Win – Heath Ledger
 

Best Supporting Actress
We all know that traditionally, this is the category that makes or breaks an Oscar contest winner.  We’ve seen so many dark horses win this one year after year.  This time around, it’s hard to predict yet again. All five nominees actually have a shot.  Marisa has won before, but I think was overshadowed by Mickey.  Amy Adams was great, but will also be eclipsed by her fellow nominee from Doubt.  Unfortunately, Taraji P. Henson is up for a movie that is quickly losing momentum.  So, it’s going to go to Penelope Cruz or Viola Davis.  The academy has a love/hate relationship with Woody Allen movies, but Ms Cruz does have a lot of buzz.  However, I like the Academy giving something to Doubt since the movie received so many nominations in other categories.
 

Who I Think Should Win – Viola Davis
Who Will Win – Viola Davis
 

Best Animated Film
See note about ripping up your ballot from above if you have anything other than Wall-E.  BUT, don’t completely rule out Kung Fu Panda.  Remember when a horrible movie called Happy Feet beat Cars a couple of years ago.  You just never know.
 

Who I Think Should Win – Wall-E
Who Will Win – Wall-E
 

Best Screenplays
These two are both a lock.  Bet the farm.  However, I don’t agree with one of them. J
 

Who I Think Should Win Best Adapted Screenplay – Slumdog Millionaire
Who Will Win – Slumdog Millionaire
 

Who I Think Should Win Best Original Screenplay – In Bruges
Who Will Win – Milk
 

Best Foreign Language Film
This is a race between France’s The Class and Israel’s Waltz with Bashir, and I’m really struggling with this one.  The Class has the most momentum now but it’s from FRANCE!  Waltz with Bashir won the Globe and it’s from ISRAEL!  And unfortunately, I haven’t been able to see any of the Oscar nominated foreign films this year. Hmmmm.
 

Who Will Win -  I may kick myself over this one . . .The Class
 

Best Director
The best director always mirrors the winner for best picture, right?  Yep!
 

Who I Think Should Win – Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire
Who Will Win – Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire
 

Best Actor
If most critics were picking this award, it would probably go to Frank Langella for Frost/Nixon, but since I believe 7 people saw that movie, he’s done.  Richard Jenkins?  Great performance and it was an honor to be nominated.  And Brad Pitt mostly worked the makeup, let’s be honest.  Yes, we all know this is the big one of the night.  Everyone wants to know, will it be Mickey or will it be Sean?  It’s hard to compare the two. Two completely different types of performances, two completely different roles.
 

Who I Think Should Win – Mickey Rourke
Who I Think Will Win – Sean Penn
 

Best Actress
There are the other three and then there is Meryl and Kate.  Let’s be honest, Meryl gives WAY better acceptance speeches, and don’t think that doesn’t play into it a little bit!  The Academy LOVES a great speech.  But Meryl may have been just a little too theatrical this time out of the gate, and Kate is due.
 

Who I Think Should Win – Melissa Leo
Who Will Win – Kate Winslet
 

Best Picture
After 6 ½ hours of build up, there won’t be much tension in the auditorium Sunday night when they finally arrive at the last award of the evening.
 

Who I Think Should Win – Slumdog Millionaire
Who Will Win – Slumdog Millionaire
 

“Hey, wait a minute Regan.  What about the rest of the categories?  Who do ya have for Costume Design?  Best Live Short?  Come on!”  Sorry folks but that will have to remain a secret until after Sunday night.  I can’t tip my hat to the millions of people who will be attempting to beat me in my Oscar contest at www.reganburns.com, can I?  But if you REALLY need to know the winner in one of the smaller categories, just to show up the folks at your workplace, drop me a line and maybe I can slip ya some insider information. J
 

So, is Slumdog Millionaire MY pick for the best movie of the year?  Did The Hottie and the Nottie make my list of the 10 Worst?  Did I sit through Fool’s Gold?  Am I on board with the hype around Benjamin Button?  What the hell are MY PICKS FOR THE 10 BEST AND WORST FILMS OF 2008???  Shall we find out?
 

10 WORST FILMS OF 2008
 

As always, I preface this list by stating that in my old age and with my kids demanding more and more of my precious time (who the hell do they think they are?) it is more difficult than ever to see as many films as I did in my early years.  With that said, keep in mind that I did not see The Hottie and the Nottie, Witless Protection, Fool’s Gold, The Love Guru, Meet Dave, In the Name of the King, Disaster Movie or a hundred other films that I’m sure merited being on this list.   But first, a few special awards . . .
 

Most Off -Key Performance – Pierce Brosnan (Mamma Mia).  I would love to know what agent told Pierce he would be great for a musical.  And are they looking for clients?
 

Most Nausea Inducing Movie – Cloverfield.  If I want to watch shaky handheld camera work for an hour and a half, I’ll pop in my wedding video.
 

Most Guilty Pleasure – Step Brothers.  Ok, REALLY stupid movie, but I gotta tell ya, I laughed pretty hard.
 

Worst Attempt at a British Accent – Demi Moore (Flawless).  And here is the funny part.  Her character is American!
 

Most Disappointing Movie of the Year – The Pineapple Express.  Cheech and Chong rest easy.  You’re still the kings.
 

Worst Plot Twist – Vantage Point.  Really?  Two William Hurts??
 

And, my 10 WORST FILMS OF 2008 . . .
 

10. Untraceable – Did you forget about this one?  So did I.
9. The Happening – So let me get this straight.  I’m suppose to be afraid . . .of myself???
8. Indiana Jones and The Something to do with Aliens – When Spielberg dies, he’ll roll over for this one.
7. Prom Night – Made the original with Jamie Lee look like Network.
6. Semi Pro – I did like this movie the first four times I saw it. (Blades of Glory, Talledega Nights, etc)
5. The X-Files: I Want to Believe – No, I really don’t.
4. Meet the Spartans – I never thought I’d say these words, “Method Man, you are no Leslie Nielsen.”
3. Be Kind, Rewind – This one should only be distributed on VHS.
2. Eagle Eye – I had to leave the theatre 20 minutes early for an appointment and I was grateful.
1. Funny Games – Pure and utter garbage.
 

And now to the happy stuff.
 

First off, my apologies to The Reader, Happy Go Lucky, The Class, Waltz with Bashir, Snow Angels, Gran Torino, Vicky Christina Barcelona, Rachel Getting Married, and Saw V.  I’m sure all of you were worthy of making the Top Ten list, but unfortunately, I was busy that night.
 

Onward!
 

Most Overlooked Performance – James Franco (Milk).  I actually thought he was the best supporting player in the movie.
 

Second Most Overlooked Performance – Brad Pitt (Burn After Reading).  Forget Benjamin Button.  This was Brad’s best of 09.
 

Scariest Movie of the Year – The Strangers.  Watched it at home, in the middle of the day in a brightly lit room.  Still scared the crap out of me.
 

Best Musical Number – I Wanna Be Sedated (Young at Heart).  The Ramones would be proud!
 

Honorable Mention List
These movies just missed cracking the Top 10, but still deserve a little kudos.  In no particular order . . .
The Bank Job
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Doubt
Ironman
The Visitor
Wall-E
RocknRolla
Young at Heart
Frost/Nixon
&
Redbelt
 

And, my Top 10 Movies of 2008 . . .
 

10. Forgetting Sarah Marshall – Maybe a shock to you, but not to me. 
9. The Dark Knight – Were it not for a so-so ending, this could have been higher up the list.
8. Milk – A little made for TVish at times, but the stellar performances raised the bar.
7. Frozen River – This small and simple movie really sneaks up on ya.
6. Burn After Reading – I know I’m in the minority, but I thought this was spot on Coen Brothers work.
5. The Wrestler – Not just a performance piece, but a movie with real heart.
4. Tropic Thunder – BEST COMEDY OF THE YEAR.
3. Religulous – Funny, insightful, really well executed, and oh so right.
2. In Bruges – Incredible screenplay with three brilliant lead performances.
1. Slumdog Millionaire – This may be the first time ever that my #1 pick will actually win the big one.
 

That’s it for tonight folks.  We ran a little over, so on behalf of everyone here (that would be me) thanks for reading!  Now go fill out your ballots at www.reganburns.com.
 

I look forward to all of your feedback!!
 

Mr B

Hey Everybody,

First off, I hope Santa, or Hanakah Harry or Kwanza Pete or whomever it is that breaks into your home this time of year was good to you.  I received my usual parade of shirts and pants packaged in those depressing rectangular gift boxes that say nothing but disappointment as you see them placed underneath the tree.  “That doesn’t look like it’s going to be a racetrack or a computer”  Sigh.  Grown up Xmas blows.

Well, the 2008 season finale is just about ready to air and it was a fairly normal year.  The tax man fucked me again in December (thank you IRS),  I somehow managed to trick a few people into actually hiring me in this crazy biz that is show, and I continue to be amazed to see my children growing into the amazing little dude and dudet that they are.

In these last few weeks of the year, I filmed a new ad for 21st Century Insurance (coming soon) as well as a guest star role on How I Met Your Mother (coming even sooner).  Cinemania continues to air on AMC (although on hiatus now for the holidays) and will be returning in January with Caddyshack and Blazing Saddles.

Im packing up and heading out to Palm Springs for a little R&R and a lot of golf tomorrow.  My game has actually been pretty good lately.  I’m waiting for the other shoe to fall off.

In the last seven days, both my stovetop and dryer blew up.  Thanks Santa, just what I wanted to spend money on!

My Miami Dolphins are one win away from winning the AFC East Division.  The only person who stands in their way . . .Brett Favre.  Come on Santa, this would make up for the Dryer and cooktop.

Academy Award season is just around the corner.  Make sure to check into www.reganburns.com after the nominations are announced to enter my traditional Oscar contest.  And go see Slumdog Millionaire!!  Will it be my pick for best movie of the year??  My annual 10 Best and Worst Lists are coming soon.

BSG, Big Love, and a little show called Lost are almost here.  I literally just tinkled a little bit in my pants.

I ran 8 miles today and now have blisters on my pinky toes.  I think my shoes suck.

If you want to know what I’ll be doing on New Years Eve, four words . . .napping to Anderson Cooper.

I am tipping my 40 to 2008.  Bring it in 09.

Mr B

TONIGHT ON CINEMANIA . . . Julia Roberts in SLEEPING WITH THE ENEMY.
The show begins at 8:00 PM Eastern Time, only on AMC.Make sure to watch (or set your Tivos) for the only Gameshow in a movie.

Also, be sure to go to:

http://blogs.amctv.com/future-of-classic/2008/10/sleeping-with-the-enemy-trivia.php

. . .to submit your answer for tonight’s movie prize question and be eligible to win an AMC movie package. And look for the following classics movies on Cinemania in the weeks to come . . .Clear and Present Danger
Caddyshack
Roadhouse
Close Encounters of the Third Kind
The Day the Earth Stood Still
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
&
Blazzing Saddles

Hey Blog Readers,

I know, I know, it’s been awhile.  I’ve been on a Greenpeace raft, trying to block the harpooning of whales off the coast of Iceland the last six months.  No?  Not buying it?  Ok, would you believe I’m working with several top advisors in the Kremlin to work out this whole Russia-Georgia thing?

 Crazy week here for Mr. B and kind of a bummer too.  I’ve had to turn down two jobs in the last week due to “scheduling conflicts.”  I was booked to play the lead in a short film called . . .I forget what it was called, but it was a short film and I was the lead.  Not that big a deal, but I also, yesterday, had to turn down a guest star role on the new CBS series, The Ex-List (http://www.cbs.com/primetime/the_ex_list/).  Unfortunately, both shoot schedules conflicted by one day on the production of my AMC show that films next Tues and Weds.   Basically, I’ve been sitting around for months during the strike doing nothing, and now it all has to happen the same week.  Whatever.  Nothing that a round of 18 holes can’t fix.

Speaking of Cinemania, it is back on the air, this Thursday night at 8:00 PM eastern time on AMC with Ron Howard’s Apollo 13.  And it should be on for awhile. We have 3 more episodes after that in the can and are filming 6 more next week.  So if you love movies, and you love gameshows and you love me, you have nothing to worry about!  However, if you love movies and love gameshows but hate me, you’re screwed.

All else is quiet on the western front.  My son turns 6 this weekend and that means it’s time for a Pool/Make your own Sundae Party!  My daughter is close behind as she clocks in at 3 the first week of September.  No official word on her festivities yet, but I can assure you it will be “off the hook.”

My master bathroom is being remodeled and I can hear the sledgehammers above my head as I type this.  If I stop, that means the whole bathtub (ala The Money Pit) fell through the roof, crushing me to death.  If that’s the case, I leave all my records to Cricket.

Loved The Dark Knight.  HATED The X Files.  Continuing on . . .

Haven’t been running much lately, but trying to get back into the swing of things.  Race season is almost here.

OLYMPICS!  Loving it.  Men’s team took Bronze last night and it should have been Silver, but they chocked big time on horse.  Was still really happy for them.  Keep your fingers crossed for Johnathan Horton in the all around.  Oh, and hear that Phelps kid is doing pretty good in the swimming.

Lovin the two new Ben Folds singles.  Can’t wait to hear the whole album and see him in November!
I need to update my website.  I’ll probably get around to that very very soon.  NOT!

If you are a hacker and live in the L.A. area, make sure to check out my golf club’s website at http://www.myspace.com/lanethandicapclub.  We are always looking for new members . . .as long as you are not a sandbagger!

That’s it.

Be real.

Regan

Yes, I’m 40.

(Deep Breath) . . .I’m 40.  Can’t say I like it, but I’ll learn to deal with it.  I got over that first gray hair on my chest (YES, that’s the only place I’ve gotten one!).  I got over the Dolphins loss to the Redskins in the 1983 Superbowl . . .last week.  And I’ll get over this.  Just give me some time dammit!

I spent my 40th birthday by running my favorite race, The Camp Pendelton Mud Run.  Although I had visions of beating my best time (this was my fifth time running it) it just wasn’t meant to be.  I guess I’m too old now!!  I came in a about a minute and a half slower than last year.  Donuts catch up with ya quickly.  With that said, I still managed to finish 95th out of 2013 folks and took 14th out of 148 men in my age group.  YES, that age group is now 40-44 year olds . . .DAMMIT!

Showbiz is slow right now.  For you folks who have been watching my show Cinemania on AMC, the show will be on a short hiatus now for a few weeks.  The network has decided to re-vamp the show.  What does that mean?  Im not completely sure.  I know they are building a new set (nice!), and that we won’t be interviewing people anymore (not so nice).  From what I can gather, they want the show to focus more on trivia and live interaction with the viewers at home.  Not sure what all of this means, but we will film the next 6 episodes right after the 4th of July.  I’ll let ya know more then.

I’ll be shooting a VERY low budget movie late in July as well.  I play a cop and you’ll get to see my naked ass.  That’s all you need to know right now.  I’ll let ya know when you can start pre-ordering your copies on Amazon.

Thanks to everyone who’s reported sightings of my Autotrader and Cocoa Pebbles spots. Ahhh, commercials.  Gotta love em and hate em.

My golf game is horrible lately.  Trying new things with my swing.  I hate people who make it seem easy!
Saw Indiana Jones.  Didn’t like it.  Saw Kung Fu Panda.  Really liked it.

Gonna start mountain biking more this summer, but I’m pretty intimidated by these new lock in shoes and pedals I just got.  Gonna take some getting use to.  Im probably going to really hurt myself.

The World According to Garp is on right now.  What a brilliant movie.

Some of you caught my two episodes of Reno the last couple of weeks.  Thanks again for the kudos.

I’m craving smores.

Master bathroom getting ready to be remodeled.  Pain in my ass!
Like my new Camry Hybrid, but miss my beamer.

Lee the Lizard shorts at www.thrillicious.com.  More to come!

Latest season of Battlestar Gallactica . . .C+

Tiger is the man!
Man Love,

Regan

Hey Gang, Four days until the premiere of my new show . . .

CINEMANIA!!!

It airs every Thursday night at 8:00 PM Eastern time on AMC. YES, I know The Office and Ugly Betty and Survivor and CSI and whatever else is on that night and time as well. That’s what TIVOs are for you moron!

This week’s movie is the original Planet of the Apes. Look for Die Hard, Jurassic Park, The Princess Bride and many more in the coming weeks.

Also, if you are looking for the show on the schedule, it will just be listed under the title of the movie we are showing that week. But trust me, tune in every week at 8, and you’ll see my big mug. And make sure to click the Cinemania logo above and visit our website where you can vote for you choice of the “Classic Moment” from each week’s movie and to read more about the show.

That’s it folks,

Mr B

REGAN’S OSCAR PICKS . . .ARE HERE!

Now; traditionally, with the opening of this blog/e-mail/presentation/whatever you want to call it, you would get a really, witty, smart diatribe on the year in movies that would make cute references too many of the films.  There would be clever anecdotes about how your milkshake has yet to be drunk, or why couldn’t last year’s snakes on a plane just have eaten Alvin’s chipmunks, or maybe even a little nod to how Evan Almighty showed  Mel Gibson the REAL way to make a movie about the bible (Make it PG and add a cute penguin!).  No, you are not going to get something that derivative.  Because I am better than that.  Second thought, I’m actually not.  I am not going to do it because I’m just not that into you. 

Let’s make magic!

Let’s start off with my picks for the 10 WORST FILMS of 2007.

As always, let me preface by stating that with each passing year of my life, it gets harder and harder for me to find the time to watch as many movies as I did in my 20’s.  You all know I’m 31, right?  With that said, in 2007 I was unable to catch screenings of Because I Said So, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (they are still making these?), Kickin it Old Skool  (no, I did not misspell that), Lucky You, Delta Farce, License to Wed, Who’s Your Caddy?, I Know Who Killed Me (Was it the caddy?), Bratz, Rush Hour 3, Good Luck Chuck, or even The Heartbreak Kid, etc, etc, etc.  However, I still managed to waste several 90 minute intervals. 

 Here are the 10 biggest wastes of time of 2007:

10.  Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End – Yes, please, end it. 

9. Hannibal Rising – When did Lecter become the good guy???

8. Music & Lyrics – Hugh Grant is now impersonating Hugh Grant.

7. Wild Hogs – I knew this was going to make the list just from the trailer.

6. Ghost Rider – Somewhere along the line, Nicholas Cage sold his soul to the devil.

5. Next – (See Ghost Rider note)

4. Evan Almighty – You get one Steve Carell.  Now don’t ever do this again.

3. Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer – Wasn’t the first one bad enough?

2. Norbit – Dreamgirls?  Anyone?

And the worst movie of 2007 is . .

1.  Hostel 2 – I enjoy a good horror movie, but come on.  Pathetic.

So, let’s move on to the Oscars, shall we?  We shall begin with some of the smaller categories.

Two of the easiest categories to predict this year (and let’s be honest, most are pretty easy this time around) are the two screenplay awards.  No one is going to stop No Country for Old Men from taking home the adapted trophy and even though Michael Clayton has gained momentum in the original screenplay department, don’t look for it to overtake Juno.

Best Adapted Screenplay: No Country for Old Men 

Best Original Screenplay: Juno