Get Ready, Cause Here I Come

I feel bad that I have been neglecting the blog as of late. I apologize, and am trying to get back into the habit of writing on a weekly (if not daily) basis. A lot has happened between today and my last post.

Marathon training is continuing to go well - we have a 14 mile group run tomorrow, which I'm a little excited about. I've ran the route once before, I've got my Powerbar Gel blasts (woo!) and I'll be bundled up -- the forecast temp at 8am? 6, but it will feel like -11. Coach Rick is bringing in a sports psychologist to talk to us before we head out. I'm looking forward to hearing him speak, as I said before, Coach Rick has told us that running is 30% physical and 70% mental. I have been having some slight anxiety about the Marathon the past week or so, I'm hoping that Dr. Grayson Kimball (that's who's coming to speak) will help quell my nerves. Expect and update either tomorrow or Sunday.

Also, after MONTHS of waiting, I finally made the big purchase I've been wanting to make since last July. Drum roll please....I'm now the proud owner of a 32G iPhone 3GS! HOORAY! It is pretty much as amazing as everyone says it is, and I would go so far as to say it's life-changing. Ok, so maybe that's a bit of a stretch, but it's definitely awesome. So many fun FREE apps! Plus, it's really great to have a phone, iPod and web browser all in one device. As many of you know, I have a somewhat unhealthy obsession with movies and film. Next Tuesday is the announcement of the nominees for the 2010 Academy Awards. Before I get into my predictions list, I realized that I've neglected to do a Top 10 list for the year. Let's start with the honorable mentions that just missed out: (500) Days of Summer, Broken Embraces, Fantastic Mr. Fox, The Hangover, I Love You, Man, In the Loop, Sherlock Holmes, Up

And now for the Top 10 (in alphabetical order)

An Education - Lone Scherfig's coming of age drama set in 1960's London is typical tale of the difficulties of growing up, but it rises above cliche thanks to the fantastic performances of Peter Saarsgard, Alfred Molina, Emma Thompson and Carey Mulligan, who gives a star-making turn as Jenny. The beautiful settings of London and Paris and the swinging soundtrack don't hurt either.

Avatar - James Cameron's follow-up to his 1997 behemoth Titanic was nothing short of exhilarating, and made everyone (well, at least me) want to move to the far-away moon of Pandora. While the story/plot may have left something to be desired, Avatar was a visual masterpiece. And the N'avi were pretty cool looking too. Seeing it in IMAX 3-D also added to the experience - if you haven't seen it, see it that way.

District 9 - Neil Blomkamp's little sci-fi movie that had an intense guerrilla marketing campaign was the sleeper hit of 2009. Sharlto Copley gives a breakout performance, and who thought you'd actually sympathize with the Prawns? Its thinly veiled commentary on actual events in Apartheid-era Johannesburg made it all the more resonant.

Inglorious Basterds - Leave it to Quinten Tarantino to re-write history where the Jews kill the Nazi's. With one of the most original screenplays of this (or any) year and a uniformly excellent ensemble (special mention goes to Christoph Waltz, who gives the performance of his career), Basterds may be a little violent, but it's a bloody (pun intended) good film.

The Messenger - This quiet, but incredibly powerful film about an Army Staff Sergeant who joins the Army Casualty Notification services. Ben Foster, Woody Harrelson give incredible performances and make a great onscreen duo, and Samantha Morton breaks your heart as an Army widow.

Nine - For the critical drubbing this movie got, I was ready to be disappointed. I wasn't. In the least. It was flashy, sexy and beautifully shot. And that cast. STUNNING. Yes, Rob Marshall used the same fantasy device for the musical numbers as he did in Chicago, but I dare you not to want to clap at the end of "Be Italian". Marion Cotillard is outstanding as the suffering wife, and Penelope Cruz couldn't be more luminous.

Precious - One of the year's most difficult films, Precious is none-the-less an uplifting film, one that inspires hope out of tragedy. But let's be honest, you saw Precious for two of the most stunning performances I've ever seen - a sensational debut from Gabourey Sidebeas the titular character and a jaw dropping, tour-de-force performance from Mo'Nique as the monstrous Mary Johnson. The final scene between Mary, Precious and Ms. Weiss is devastating.

Star Trek - the major blockbuster of the summer that had fanboys all over the world geeking out months before it's release. I was dragged by my roommates to see it in IMAX, and count me as one of the converted. It was an old fashioned, audience pleasing, action-adventure flick. Sometimes I need to realize that all films aren't created to be high art.

Up in the Air - The third feature from Jason Reitman follows George Clooney as Ryan Bingham, a corporate downsizer who has a penchant for racking up frequent flyerr miles, traveling alone, and not much else. His entire world is turned upside down with the arrival of Natalie (the fantastic Anna Kendrick) and Alex (Vera Farmiga) who teach him about relationships. It's issues of unemployment and a down economy also make this great film extremely timely.

The White Ribbon - Michael Haneke's film is a Gothic thriller for grown ups. Winner of the 2009 Palm d'Or, The White Ribbon, beautifully shot in black and white, takes place in pre-WWI Germany and deals with mysterious goings on in the small village. You wonder what evils the children may be capable of later in life - say about 20 years down the road. Haneke leaves the viewer to connect the dots.

Ok, so I'm going to be a little bit like the NBR and name a #1 film and a Top 10. My number 1 film of 2009?

The Hurt Locker - Kathryn Bigelow's commentary on the current situation in Iraq is a taught thriller, and one that you can't really shake for quite some time. It's interesting that the film takes a neutral stance on Iraq, and is anything but preachy. It's a simple statement of facts, and leaves the view to draw it's own conclusions. The film is anchored by the performances of Anthony Mackie, Jeremy Renner and Brian Geraghty. It gives a face and human emotion to the situation in Iraq, and presents the argument that for some, combat is the place the feel most comfortable.

PHEW! That was quite an update. I'm off to the UMass/BU hockey game at Agganis, and I'll be back later this weekend to report on the run as well as give my Oscar predictions.