And the Nominees Are

Happy Academy Award Nomination day!

James Franco & Anne Hathaway, the 2011 Oscar hosts

With the 83rd annual Oscar Awards just a little over a month away, nominees were announced this morning. The list of Best Picture noms isn't surprising anyone. In case you haven't heard, the nominees are:

Black Swan

The Fighter

Inception

The Kids Are Alright

The King's Speech

127 Hours

The Social Network

Toy Story 3

True Grit

Winter's Bone

I haven't seen all of the above and therefore, have no right whatsoever to offer my opinion on which film should take home the gold. However, this is my blog and I do what I want. In a perfect world, Toy Story 3 wins. Tell me you don't have the same wish. Tell me!

The King's Speech received the most nominations with 12, and will probably win a hearty handful of awards, which just annoys me. I can't understand the appeal of Colin Firth. He bores me to tears unless he's being chased in the falling snow by a lunatic in tighty whities (named Bridget Jones).

If Toy Story can't pull through, I'll be satisfied if The Social Network takes home the Best Picture prize. Based on its success at the Golden Globes, it's a likely possibility. The movie about Facebook certainly kicks ass.

My Favorite Thing About 'Community'

I recently flew through season one of Community. GET ON THIS SHOW, if you haven't already. It's the funniest, most adorable, most endearing sitcom I've enjoyed in a long time.

I could rave about it for days, but I won't do that just yet. For now, I'd simply like to point out that I wouldn't mind if every episode featured Jeff Winger (Joel McHale) in nothing but his striped briefs. HOLY HELL. Be still my heart!

I'm addicted, I think it's sickness

I hate how much I enjoy this.

Wonder what it's like having Ashton Kutcher as a dad? Check out the video below of the former Michael Kelso and his step-daughter, Scout (daughter of Demi and Bruce), singing a lovely little ditty they co-wrote about coffee.

Jimmy & Ashton's Water War

Seriously, who's idea was this and why can I not have a job that requires such creativity?

This week on Late Night, Jimmy Fallon invited guest Ashton Kutcher to play a game he called "Water War". It's just like the card game, War, but the winner of each round gets to throw a full glass of water in the other player's face.

Ashton won the first round and gladly soaked Jimmy.

Jimmy beat him in the second card flip. **When watching the video below, please pay special attention to how demonically excited Jimmy is to throw water in Ashton's face. It's uh-mazing.**

Unfortunately, Jimmy lost in every other round of the ridiculous game and got face-full after face-full after face-full of water.

For whatever reason, this stupid segment brought me into such a fit of hysterics that I watched it and then immediately rewound it and watched it again. Alone. Laughing my ass off. Enjoy, friends. Let me know what you think.

A Red Apple in a Pile of Green Apples: Brett Loewenstern

Two episodes in and this is by far the most impressive audition of Idol season 10. How does that voice come out of this kid?



Side note: What is Steven Tyler smoking? Whatever it is, please don't cut off his supply. I'm obsessed. Every time he opened his giant mouth and let out a wail for no apparent reason, I loved him so much more. His best quote of the two night premiere came after he and the other judges attempted to convince a stubborn and exceptionally awful contestant that he was in fact an exceptionally awful singer. Tyler asked him in all seriousness, "Did you eat paint chips as a child?" Zing!

Snowing in Taylor's House

This is me swallowing my pride, admitting to you that I love this song and the corresponding music video.

Someone's all grown up. If you don't believe me, watch this:



Guess what, haters? I don't see any fairytales here. No magical moments. No butterflies or castles or ball gowns. Heck, there isn't even curly, golden hair. Or pants! Oh my GaGa.

Taylor Swift's newest music video for her sad, regretful "Back to December" (rumored to be about Taylor Lautner) is quite the opposite of a fairytale in fact. I see tears and loneliness and a pretty sincere portrayal of the unfortunate pain that can only be caused from a broken heart.

I think it's beautifully done, despite the fact that it makes me feel cold, like when I watch Titanic. I'm sure that was the director's intention. Like I said, there'e nothing warm and fuzzy about these lyrics: So this is me swallowing my pride, standing in front of you, saying I'm sorry for that night, and I go back to December all the time, It turns out freedom aint nothin' but missin' you, wishin' I'd realized what I had when you were mine...

Certainly a tearjerker. Certainly not something an innocent, naive little girl could come up with.

My favorite part is when it starts snowing inside Taylor's house.

Anne's the Purrrrrfect Choice

News was announced this week that Anne Hathaway has been cast as Selina Kyle, a.k.a. Catwoman, in Christopher Nolan's third Batman flick, to be released in 2012. Meow!

Is she sexy enough for fanboys? Can the woman who began her career in The Princess Diaries convince us as Catwoman? Does she have enough sass to piss off Bruce Wayne?! Guess we'll just have to wait and see.

I'm optimistic.  I'm pro Anne. Always have been, always will be. She's a fantastic actress and that's why Christopher Nolan chose her. If you've no faith in him, you're out of your mind. I've heard a lot of negativity and I just don't get it. Nolan knows what he's doing.

Hathaway is not the obvious choice and that makes it even better. It's sort of a mysterious decision, don't you think? She reportedly beat our Keira Knightley and Jessica Biel for the role. Those two would have been too predictable.

Congratulations and thank you, Chris Colfer

"To all the amazing kids who watch our show...who are constantly told 'no'...by bullies at school that they can't be who they are...well, screw that, kids." - CC

Chris Colfer won his first Golden Globe award last night for his role as the openly gay, musically brilliant Kurt Hummel on Glee. His acceptance speech brought me - and his cast-mates - to tears. I wish more people in the world today had his strength, confidence and undeniable charm. He's going to change the world. Call me crazy, but I'm quite confident in this.

Did you love Leighton Meester's dress? Me, too.

'V' Alien Eats Rat, Loses A Viewer

I’m done with V.

As soon as queen alien Anna opened her mouth, revealed those hideous fangs, swallowed that giant rat whole and then regurgitated it into the baby alien disguised as a cute human baby’s mouth – I knew I’d never watch the show again.

Enough is enough.

On top of this nasty alien regurgitation nonsense, the plot is moving too slowly and therefore, going nowhere. I can’t watch such grotesqueness. I think I originally enjoyed this show because for me, it meant LOST’s Juliette had come back to life. In actuality, I’ve no interest in continued dedication to this silly show. So long, V. Take care of Sawyer’s girl for me.

If you can stomach it, watch the rat scene for yourself below:

Baby, It's Cold Outside

Walking home tonight in the falling snow, I was miserable. It was so goddamn cold I couldn't feel my fingers or my toes. My thighs were in pain, frozen to the bone. I cursed with every step I took, stomping on slippery sidewalks.

In the midst of my gloom, I passed a couple duet-ing “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” on the top of their lungs. My initial reaction was, ya think?! Tell me something I don't know!!!!! 

I didn't actually say that out loud. 

Thing was, they actually had decent voices and were kind of totally adorable holding hands, singing together as they strolled along.

I could still hear them several blocks away. Suddenly, my bad day didn’t seem so terrible. I smiled. Then I laughed. I couldn’t stop laughing. I burst into hysterics, walking alone in the empty street.

I turned my face up to the snow. Giant flakes stung my cheeks before melting down my face, dripping onto my scarf, rolling down my neck. Flakes froze to my eyebrows, stained my leather boots, soaked my coat. I stuck my tongue out and caught a few for fun, grinning into the light of the street lamp.

The wind picked up, but I slowed my pace. You’re living in Brooklyn, Jenny, I thought. Get over your whining and look around you!

My day wasn't much fun, my head aches, my feet are sore. But, baby, it’s not that cold outside, so suck it up and smile. =)

It's The 0-1-1 Son

Introducing one of my most favorite things so far about the new year...



Wake up and be gone Rita!

'New York Times' Delivers Yoko’s Message

Apparently subscribers to the NY Times received a special message from Yoko Ono this morning. Each issue included a poster reading “War is Over” - part of Yoko's (and John's) message to spread world peace.

In a tweet early today Yoko asked readers to display the signs in visible, public places to spread the message. I’m not a subscriber of the newspaper (as I cannot afford such extravagancies), but I would very much like to get my hands on a copy because you know I’ll do as Yoko commands and hang that ish in my window for all of Brooklyn to see.

On her Imagine Peace website, she wrote:

Dear Friends

Download, print & display these posters
in your window, school, workplace, car
and  elsewhere over the holiday season.

Send them as postcards to your friends.

We say it in so many ways, but we are one.

I love you!
yoko 

If you’d like to join Yoko and I, click HERE to download a copy of the poster to print out and hang in your window. And if you don't speak English, it's cool because Yoko came prepared. She's made a "War is Over" poster in over 100 languages.

In a similar story, there was a small box under my Christmas tree this year with a tag on it reading To Jenny, From Yoko. Inside were a pair of peace sign earrings. I love my mom.

My Love for Lisbeth Salander Grows

"She had stared at him for a whole minute and decided that she did not have a grain of feeling left, because it would have been the same as bleeding to death." - The Girl Who Played With Fire

Vampire Diaries Execs Search for Klaus (I vote Brody)

Entertainment Weekly’s resident Vampire Diaries fanatic, Mandi Bierly (who should hands down be my best friend), recently announced on EW.com that the show’s producers are currently searching long and hard to find the perfect actor to portray the character of Klaus - the oldest, meanest and most dangerous vampire in the Diaries world.

Viewers (like yours truly) are eagerly anticipating Klaus’ introduction on the show. While we haven’t yet met the malicious fanger, we know he’s nastier than the stank of the garbage I just removed from my apartment. And that, my lovely readers, is a vile stank.

Apparently, well over 100 actors have read for the role, but no one has been cast.

If you check out the comment section following Mandi’s article, tons of readers posted who their desired Klaus would be. While many of the suggestions are fun (ie: Jason Dohring, Charlie Hunnam, James Franco, Jared Leto...) my favorite submission is a geeky chic blast from my beloved past. That’s right. Some genius reader suggested ADAM BRODY for the role of Klaus. AKA Seth Cohen. AKA love of my 17-year-old self’s life.

Klaus in skinny jeans and Death Cab tees? I’m all for it!

While execs from the show say they’re searching worldwide for the ideal actor (and I will admit an accented Klaus could totally work for me) and will most likely choose an unknown, Brody would continue Diaries status of hip, cool awesomeness. Maybe Brody isn’t the toughest dude, but if you saw him in Jennifer’s Body you know he can pull off creepy and sadistic (the guyliner helped). His sarcasm and wit alone would suffice. I’d love to see Damon try to keep up!

Steven Tyler Blows Roof Off Kennedy Center Honoring McCartney

This post is in thanks to my dear mother. During one of our morning chats on my walk to the subway, she told me about the Kennedy Center Honors special. She only watched of course because the love of her life my father Sir Paul McCartney was among those honored.

In case you don't know, the Kennedy Center Honors is an annual honor given to those in the performing arts for their lifetime of contributions to American culture. Obviously, Paul's recognition is way past due. He shared the evening with Oprah Winfrey, Merle Haggard, Jerry Herman and Bill T. Jones.

Mom couldn't get over how boring the entire production was - that is, until Steven Tyler took the stage as the final act to pay homage to the Beatle. I'm sure, like me, you're wondering why in the hell the Aerosmith frontman was the chosen one for the dedication. The answer is beyond me, but I'll take it because Tyler nailed it.

Performing the last few songs off Abbey Road, Tyler rocked the Kennedy Center. Paul looked pretty pleased, as did Oprah and a randomly spotted John Lithgow. See for yourself below:

pound my steering wheel

we yell to the windshield

i’m finally home

i’m finally home

Mr. Schu's Abs Grace Cover of 'Men's Health'

Doesn't get much more Gleeful than this, my friends.

You may say I'm a dreamer...

Tonight my roommate and I honored John Lennon, as today marks the 30th anniversary of his tragic death.

We gathered our Lennon memorabilia from around our apartment and set up a shrine, so to speak. We lit all the candles and tea lights we could find. Then we set up my iHome and played all four versions of "Imagine" that are on my iPod: Lennon's album version, a live version, the Glee version, and of course, GaGa's rendition.

I even put on my John and Yoko shirt for the brief occasion.

Rest in peace, John Lennon.

Paramore Playing God or GaGa?

Paramore’s Hayley Williams seems to have taken a tip from mamma Monster and you know I’m all for it.

In the band’s latest video for the superb “Playing God”, leading lady Hayley poisons her male band mates’ tea. Coincidentally, that’s precisely how Lady GaGa got revenge from an eye-patched Eric Northman Alexander Skaarsgard in her “Paparazzi” video. I guess poisoned tea is the way to get rid of unwanted boys, eh ladies? (Poisoned honey works too – just ask Beyonce.)

Check out Paramore’s “Playing God” video here:

And of course, see GaGa kill off that Viking vamp Skarsgard here:

Little Monster Casserole

I set an extra place setting at our table in case GaGa stopped by with her Little Monster casserole.

She posted this pic on her Facebook page today with the caption: "Little Monster casserole, Brooklyn bitch."

Happy Turkey Day, monsters!

Protecting Myself From 'Glee' Toilet Chatter

I haven't been writing and I owe my readers, especially my number one fan (my mom), a super huge apology. I promise I'll be back with a ton of posts soon. There's a lot going on in the wild and crazy world of Jenny from the Blog. Things are finally coming together for this gal! I'm sorry that in the process of gettin' it together I've neglected you.

So, I'll do my best to make it up to you. As I re-introduce myself to the blogosphere, I bring you a fantastic story that I know you're going to enjoy. . .

Part of the reason I've been MIA is because I recently moved to a big city and started a cool new job at an up and coming website. Awesome, right? I feel so modern and hip and grown-up!

This afternoon I ran to the ladies room before taking off for the Thanksgiving break. All of the stalls but one were filled so I jumped into the vacant one. A group of other girls in the other stalls were in the midst of discussing last nights episode of Glee. 

Now, in addition to the move and the new job, add to the mix a brand new apartment - an apartment that is still without a television. How am I surviving? Not entirely sure, but I do intend on buying an HD-TV on Black Friday with the little amount of money I have leftover from first months rent, the security deposit, the brokers' fee, my monthly metro card, etc. Whatever, a good television is mandatory.

So anyways, the girls are talking about Glee, which I of course missed since I am sans television. I had no idea who these ladies were, as the up and coming website employees a lot of people, many of whom I haven't yet met.

This is what I overheard:

"Did you finish watching Glee last night?"

"Yeah! It was so good! It was sad, but so great!"

I became frantic. Good?! Sad?! What the heck did I miss? What was I to do? They were going to ruin it for me! I could NOT allow them to continue this Glee toilet chatter. Their conversation needed to end before I swirlied myself into oblivion. How could I escape this tragedy?

Well, I did what any Gleek would do in my position. I swallowed my pride, took a deep breath and shouted from my stall at the end of the row, "NO SPOILERS!"

Silence. Not even a laugh. Not even a forced laugh. Just silence.

And then a quiet, questioning, "Ha...who is that?"

Me: "Ha! Ha! Ha! It's Jenny!" (As if they have any idea who Jenny is.) "Sorry! I missed the ep!"

Silence.

Alas, I made an ass of myself, all in the name of Mr. Schuester.

I hope you've missed me. I hope you're glad to have me back. I hope you want to hear more about my exciting new life in this big city. Cross your fingers I don't get stampeded at Walmart as I attempt to purchase said HD-TV.

As I excuse myself to watch "Furt" I leave you with this fun clip from a recent Glee episode (hope you love the rendition as much as I did!):

Fun fact! Glee's cover of Katy Perry's "Teenage Dream" is now the shows fastest selling single to date, blowing "Don't Stop Believin'" out of the water.  Do it, Blaine!

Samantha's 'Vampire Diaries' Text Message Commentary

I FINALLY convinced someone to watch The Vampire Diaries and I could not be more pleased with her reaction. She's been texting me her thoughts on the blood, drama and sex appeal of the show every step of the way.

Samantha, thank you for having faith in me and trusting me when I told you Vampire Diaries was totally worth your time. As an avid Edward Cullen/Eric Northman fan, I knew you'd fall fast and hard for the Salvatore brothers. As I mentioned to you earlier, your Vampire Diaries commentary text messages are my favorite thing in my life right now. Keep 'em coming, girlfriend.

I've decided to string said text messages together for entertainment purposes. Keep in mind, these text messages blew up my iPhone in a matter of maybe one week. WARNING: Sam tends to overuse exclamation points. Don't be frightened. She's a jolly, jubilant gal with lots of much-appreciated pep. See below:

• Ok, so Vampire Diaries gets a huge thumbs up
• OMG! Yes yes yes! That's Boone right?
• I like Matt - the ex bf.
• OMG I love, I repeat, LOVE Vampire Diaries
• I just watched the episode where Damon killed the teacher and Stefan made the football team
• Vampire Diaries...can they revoke an invitation into the house? Like on True Blood? (NOTE: I also got this girl hooked on True Blood. She dressed as a Merlotte's waitress for Halloween. I'm so proud.)
• OMG I'm so glad Vicki is dead and by the way and I love Lexy.
• O. M. G. Damon. Stefan. I love them both in their own way! And yes, thank you Vampire Diaries for writing in that magic (re: Damon dancing around the house with his shirt off before turning Vicki into a vampire and killing her)
• I really like Matt! Haha!
• I'm a full on Stefan lover.
• OMG DAMON KILLED LEXY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
• Seriously sad about Lexy...
• I'm so sad for Damon. And Stefan and Elena and everyone at the end of this episode.
• God, Damon is so HOT! I cannot even stand it!!!!!!!!!!!
• I kind of want them to get the tomb open.
• OMG!!!!!! They all just went into the tomb, except Stefan
• I AM GOING TO DIIIIIIIIIIIIIE!!!!!!!
• OMG I'm so sad for Damon. So so sad!!!!!!!
• Stefan has a drug/blood problem! Uh oooooooooooohhhhhhhhhh!!!!
• Of course Damon steps in to escort Elena at the ball.... How chivalrous!
• O.M.G. I love it!!
• I'm so close to the finale!!!!!!!

We watched the finale together Friday night per my insistence. I wanted to witness her reaction to Catherine and Damon's kiss. A reaction to a scene of that caliber canNOT be translated in a text message. Sam's fingers would have broken at the attempt. She freaked like I knew she would. She is now onto season two. Here are her reactions thus far:

• Damon is SO HOT!!!!!!!!
• Ommmmmmmmggggggg Damon and Katherine.... Omggggggg!
• OMG! She never loved him! It was always Stefan! WTFFFFFFFF? I'll love Damon.
• I do NOT want Elena to HATE Damon! And I think Tyler's a werewolf or something!
• He has to be something supernatural!!!!!!!!
• Ok... I just finished ep 1 of season 2... I'll prob watch at least 2 more eps tonight haha
• Ah to the werewolf thing! And I hate Katherine! And love Caroline as a vamp!
• And I don't believe that Damon has lost Elena forever...
• Katherine is a bitch and I hope Stephan kills her... I really thought he was gonna kiss her!!!!!

I'm SO happy to have someone to finish watching season two with :)

Searching for Dexter, Take 2

The hunt for Dexter Morgan lives on! This morning I woke to an email from a second guy who dressed as my fave blood spatter expert this Halloween. Good morning! Unfortunately, he's not my Dexter. Like Danny S., he went with Dexter's "kill" look as opposed to his everyday, pretend-he's-a-normal-dude look. Now, for those of you who aren't familiar with the television series, please don't get the wrong idea. My mother, for instance, is absolutely horrified. I tried to explain that Dexter is a good serial killer. For whatever reason she couldn't comprehend that and fears I'm inviting a serial killer to hunt me.

My new guy attached pictures of himself in his kill suit (calm down, mom) to his email, which, as you can see, he addressed to Rita. LOVE! His costume rocks. Thanks for sharing, Dex! Check out his note and costume here:


Dear Rita, 


I live in Williamsburg and I was also parading around as Dexter Morgan. I doubt I'm the man you ran into, but I thought I would send you some pics. Please enjoy!


- Dex

Tonight's the Night

Halloween Fangbangin': The Best Sookie, Bill, Eric

I'm True Blood missing to the max. Luckily, I have an excuse to write about it. While I'm sure you witnessed many Sookies, Bills and Erics while trick or treating this Halloween season, I promise you these take the prize.

JULIE STACKHOUSE

Never before have I been more proud of my sibling. She looks just like that Bon Temps waitress (!) complete with an official Merlotte's t-shirt, bottle of True Blood and bloody vampire bite oozing on her neck! What an adorable southern belle she makes. Julie said while dressed like Sookie, people yelled "Sukkeh!" at her all night like that annoying Bill Compton, which brings me to my next costume winner...

ANDY COMPTON

Scranton's Dunder Mifflin Office held a costume contest last Thursday. While I didn't watch the entire episode but am pretty certain Andy didn't win, his version of True Blood's lamest vampire cracked me up. I seriously appreciate the receding hairline and man bangs. Bill's got nothing on his vampire nemesis...

KYLE NORTHMAN

Meet my friend Eric Kyle. Despite what he may tell you, I deserve full credit for this incredible costume. If it weren't for me, he never would have started watching True Blood. I begged him for months to watch it with me, desperately attempting to convince him of it's bloody brilliance. He refused for awhile until finally giving in. And voilà! Here you have the best Eric Northman costume you will ever see in your life. 

If you know me, you know how obsessed in love with the viking vampire I am and have been since season one, episode four when we first met him in Fangtasia. Be still my heart. Therefore, having the above-pictured Eric Northman lookalike in my life is equal parts lucky and torturous. To be honest, I cannot understand how it is possible. How?! How is it possible?! Why?!

A bloody tear! Poor guy needs his Sookie. Or perhaps his Yvetta...

Since Eric Kyle lives in another state, I was unable to witness this transformation in person. It's probably for the best. While I'm terribly, painfully jealous of everyone who saw him last night, I don't want to know what I would have done if I had the opportunity to stand before him. Did I mention he's as tall as the viking with an equally powerful presence that demands your attention? The resemblance is uncanny! And deadly. Be still my heart!