Screeners, Screeners, Screeners!!!

The final bundle of Film Independent’s screeners for the 25th Spirit Awards actually arrived yesterday. Now I have six DVDs to watch and my plan is to have viewed them all by the end of next week. The participating films in the screener program are varied in genre and nominations. They are:

Amreeka: Nominated for Best Feature (Christina Piovesan, Paul Barkin), Best Female Lead (Nisreen Faour), Best First Screenplay (Cherich Dubis)

Anvil! The Story of Anvil: Nominated for Best Documentary (Sacha Gervasi)

Easier With Practice: Nominated for Best First Feature (Kyle Patrick Alvarez, Cookie Carosella), Someone To Watch Award (Kyle Patrick Alvarez)

The Messenger: Nominated for Best Supporting Female (Samantha Morton), Best Supporting Male (Woody Harrelson), Best Screenplay (Alessandro Camon, Oren Moverman), Best First Feature (Oren Moverman, Mark Gordon, Lawrence Inglee, Zach Miller)

Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire: Nominated for Best Feature (Lee Daniels, Sarah Siegel-Magness, Gary Magness), Best Female Lead (Gabourey ‘Gabby’ Sidibe), Best Supporting Female (Mo’Nique), Best Director (Lee Daniels), Best First Screenplay (Geoffrey Fletcher)

The Vicious Kind: Nominated for Best Male Lead (Adam Scott), Best Screenplay (Lee Toland Krieger)

Ready, insert DVD, press start. . .view!

25th Spirit Awards logo from Spirit Awards website

J. D. (Jerome David) Salinger – Wednesday 1 January 1919 – Wednesday 27 January 2010

Upon hearing of the death of J. D. Salinger, I went in search of my copy of The Catcher In The Rye. Unhappily the book is missing from my library collection. No matter. It was The Catcher In The Rye that helped me through my own adolescent journey and gave me reassurance that I would make it to the other side. Until I read that novel, I was in despair of survival. An explanation of how I, a black, middle-class, public school educated, teenage girl related so well to a white, upper-class, prep school educated, teenage boy protagonist is not to be had - it is a mystery to be embraced. And I am forever grateful for it.

So, Jerome David Salinger, may you rest well in whatever afterlife there may be. Know that there are many of us who found solace in Holden Caulfield’s story – a variation of our own many individual ones. Thank you J. D.


The Catcher In The Rye book cover image from Wikipedia

Ravenous Ravens Devour Pathetic Patriots

A nightmare of a morning at Sonny McLean's as a packed house witnessed the New England Patriots completely fall apart at the sure-football hands of the Baltimore Ravens. Unbelievably, for Pats fans, the game was decidedly over halfway through the first quarter. And the Pats continued to reinforce that fact throughout the remainder of the game. Excuse me - not game, rout. New England suffered its first home playoff loss since 1978 and it was a horrible way to end the streak with a score of 33 to 14.

All was not sadness at Sonny's on this last Sunday football game for the season. The former owner of Sonny McLean's, Jim, had returned to California after spending six weeks in Massachusetts. It was good to see his familiar face around the bar. Jim is not sure what he will do next, but he will be around here for awhile. Also returning from back East was Lisa who experienced the new high tables and chairs for the first time, which she liked. Additional rare faces in attendance were Caroline and another Lisa, who raffled off a signed Tom Brady jersey with the proceeds going to Hollywood HEART. After today's rout, the jersey is sure to have decreased in value! And speaking of raffle, I won a blue Patriots adjustable cap at halftime - my second (and last) raffle win of the season. A few weeks ago I won a throwback red T-shirt which had the name Boston Patriots on it. Guess there is some good fortune in my life.

There was lots of commiserating (among the less than packed crowd that remained until the last play) after the game. Now will have to put this horror of a season-ending game behind all of us. The Celtics and Bruins are still playing, but I am looking forward to when the Red Sox begin their season. Gave out a few Red Sox Box cards before leaving Sonny's. Not sure if I'll be back before baseball season begins, but I will be back to my favorite New England sports living bar!

Baltimore Ravens logo from team website.