The Genius of Taylor Swift

                Taylor Swift knows exactly what you think of her, and she’s capitalizing on it quite remarkably. It’s all part of her genius.

                I don’t use the word genius lightly, but when it comes to Swift and music, it fits. She’s an exceptional songwriter and storyteller, and she’s an energetic and lively entertainer and performer.

                There’s the perception that is more than overplayed out in the public arena. Swift is a boy crazed, play the victim whiner. It’s an opinion that is not based in fact, and says more about the patriarchal society we live in than it says about her as a person.

                There’s discomfort when a young woman displays confidence and speaks out telling her own truths. There’s discomfort when a young woman achieves such a high level of success. Society reacts by attempting to knock her down a peg—to put her in her place so to speak.

                Luckily, those attempts are proving futile. With the release of her newest album, 1989, Swift became the only artist in music history to sell more than one million copies of a single album in a single week three separate times. Her two previous releases, Speak Now (2010) and Red (2012), were the other two albums that helped her reach this feat.

                Swift is not just another pop star. Her music has a refreshing candor and depth than many of her peers’ lack in their works. And, she’s not afraid to use the negativity thrown at her in her favor.

                Take for instance the first single released from 1989, “Shake It Off.” She speaks to the accusations that she cannot keep a man and flippantly yet poignantly writes the naysayers off.

                The video for the album’s second single, “Blank Space,” furthers her new self-aware attitude in the best way possible. It’s an absolute brilliant video where Swift not only pokes fun at herself, but taunts those that choose to hurl insults her way.

                It’s electrifying when art is so clever and spot on, and that is the genius of Taylor Swift.

Operation Oscar 2014

A week from today is the 86th annual Academy Awards. I have succeeded in seeing every film nominated in the major categories--Best Picture, Directing, Acting and Writing. I've also managed to see a few others as well. Here's a rundown of the major categories with my favorites and predictions. I've also posted some additional commentary in each category.

In each category, I've ranked each nominee from my favorite to least favorite.

Best Picture

As usual, there is a wide variety of films this year. It's always hard comparing the films because they're so different. This year was an interesting year for me. Usually the films I enjoy the most and think are the best are the ones I would want to watch over and over. 12 Years a Slave was the best film for me, but I don't know if I could watch it again. It's tough to sit through, but it's an important film. Based on a true story, it's a beautifully written tragic story. The performances by the actors are amazing, and the scenery is beautiful. I think it deserves to win. Her was the film the surprised me the most. It's a great portrayal of relationships. It's also a beautifully shot movie--I loved the futuristic aspect of the film. The Wolf of Wall Street is an important story for people to see in light of the financial crash in 2008. It's another film with great acting and a great script. I really enjoyed Dallas Buyers Club, Philomena and Nebraska. All three films made me laugh and cry. (I cried much more than laughed during Dallas Buyers Club.) The other three films on the list would not have been included if it were up to me. Captain Phillips is a good movie, and Tom Hanks was great in it, but it just wasn't as good as the others for me. American Hustle and Gravity are highly overrated in my opinion.

1.      12 Years a Slave

2.      Her

3.      The Wolf of Wall Street

4.      Dallas Buyers Club

5.      Philomena

6.      Nebraska

7.      Captain Phillips

8.      American Hustle

9.      Gravity

Prediction: 12 Years a Slave

The experts seem to be split on 12 Years a Slave and Gravity. Maybe it's just wishful thinking, but I feel like 12 Years a Slave will prevail. There's strong support for American Hustle as well. The way the Academy tallies votes for Best Picture, any of those three films could win.

Best Director

Martin Scorsese did a great job with The Wolf of Wall Street and deserves to win. I would also be thrilled if Steve McQueen won for 12 Years a Slave. As great as that movie was, there were some interesting directional choices that didn't quite work for me. Overall, it was good, but those few shots give the edge to Scorses for me.

1.      Martin Scorsese – The Wolf of Wall Street

2.      Steve McQueen – 12 Years a Slave

3.      Alexander Payne – Nebraska

4.      David O. Russell – American Hustle

5.      Alfonso Cuaron – Gravity

Prediction: Alfonso Cuaron - Gravity

I think Alfonso Cuaron has a strong lock on this category. There's a chance Steve McQueen could play spoiler with 12 Years a Slave, which I'm hoping for (since I don't think Scorsese has a chance).

Best Actor

Chiwetel Ejiofor gives such an incredible performance in 12 Years a Slave. I think he deserves to win. I would be really happy for Leonardo DiCaprio if he won as well. He's an incredible actor, and this is his fourth Oscar nomination--and this year marks the 20th anniversary of his first Oscar nomination (Best Supporting Actor in What's Eating Gilbert Grape). Every man in this category was exceptional in my opinion. I thought Christian Bale was the best part of American Hustle. I was glad to see him included in this category.

1.      Chiwetel Ejiofor – 12 Years a Slave

2.      Leonardo DiCaprio – The Wolf of Wall Street

3.      Christian Bale – American Hustle

4.      Matthew McConaughey – Dallas Buyers Club

5.      Bruce Dern – Nebraska

Prediction: Matthew McConaughey
This seems to be one of the more fluid races of the season. Matthew McConaughey's great work in Dallas Buyers Club has already won him several awards, including a Golden Globe and a SAG award. I think it'll also earn him an Oscar. Don't count out Leonardo DiCaprio though. There's a late surge of support for him. On the other hand, Chiwetel Ejiofor, who was a frontrunner earlier in the awards season, seems to be fading.

Best Actress

There just isn't anyone that can do what Meryl Streep can do. I know she's not going to win, but let's be honest--she gave the best performance of the year. She was incredible in August: Osage County--a movie that didn't get enough love from the Academy. Cate Blanchett was really great in Blue Jasmine. She's such a great actress as well. I really think Emma Thompson should have been nominated. She would easily be third on this list. (Also, for anyone that thinks I'm too biased in favor of Meryl Streep, see my rankings for Best Supporting Actress, and for the record, I didn't rank her first in 2009.)

1.      Meryl Streep – August: Osage County

2.      Cate Blanchett – Blue Jasmine

3.      Judi Dench – Philomena

4.      Sandra Bullock – Gravity

5.      Amy Adams  - American Hustle

Prediction: Cate Blanchett - Blue Jasmine

I'd be shocked if Cate Blanchett didn't win this race. Amy Adams is most likely to play spoiler, followed by Sandra Bullock. 

Best Supporting Actor

Jared Leto hasn't acted in six years. His comeback performance is incredible. Michael Fassbender is also amazing in 12 Years a Slave. The other performances aren't as powerful in my opinion.

1.      Jared Leto – Dallas Buyers Club

2.      Michael Fassbender – 12 Years a Slave

3.      Barkhad Abdi – Captain Phillips

4.      Jonah Hill – The Wolf of Wall Street

5.      Bradley Cooper – American Hustle

Prediction: Jared Leto - Dallas Buyers Club

Of all four acting races, this one seems to be the one that is the most settled. Expect to hear Jared Leto's name called on Oscar night. 

Best Supporting Actress

Julia Roberts is my favorite actress. I've loved her for as long as I've been old enough to enjoy movies. She's great in August: Osage County. I'd love it if she won. However, Lupita Nyong'o's performance in 12 Years a Slave is nothing short of breathtaking and heartbreaking. She brings such depth to the role of Patsey. I think her performance was the best, and I'll be rooting for her. As an aside, I loved June Squibb in Nebraska. She was so funny. I'd love to see her in more roles.

1.      Lupita Nyong’o – 12 Years a Slave

2.      Julia Roberts – August: Osage County

3.      June Squibb – Nebraska

4.      Jennifer Lawrence – American Hustle

5.      Sally Hawkins – Blue Jasmine

Prediction: Lupita Nyong'o - 12 Years a Slave

This race is a close one between Lupita Nyong'o and Jennifer Lawrence. I think (and hope) Nyong'o will win. 

Best Adapted Screenplay

As a writer, I love the writing categories. These are all good screenplays. No disrespect to Billy Ray, but I'd be happy with any of the first four on this list winning. Captain Phillips just doesn't quite hold up to the others in my opinion. I really enjoyed Before Midnight and the two predecessors in the trilogy. It told an interesting story and I thought it provided thought provoking insight on life and relationships. I'm going with John Ridley's adaptation of 12 Years a Slave just because it's such a compelling story.

1.      John Ridley – 12 Years a Slave

2.      Terrence Winter – The Wolf of Wall Street

3.      Steve Coogan, Jeff Pope – Philomena

4.      Richard Linklater, Julie Delpy, Ethan Hawke – Before Midnight

5.      Billy Ray – Captain Phillips

Prediction: John Ridley - 12 Years a Slave

The screenplay categories can often be more up in the air than other categories, but John Ridley seems to be a strong favorite here.

Best Original Screenplay

Just like above--no disrespect to Eric Warren Singer and David O. Russell--but I'd be happy with any of my top four winning this race. Nebraska was a clever, original story. Her was just above and beyond great for me. I was surprised actually--but it was incredibly well written. I'm really rooting for Spike Jonze.

1.      Spike Jonze – Her

2.      Bob Nelson – Nebraska

3.      Craig Borten, Melisa Wallack – Dallas Buyers Club

4.      Woody Allen – Blue Jasmine

5.      Eric Warren Singer, David O. Russell – American Hustle

 
Prediction: Eric Warren Singer, David O. Russell - American Hustle
This looks to be a close race between American Hustle and Her. I'm mostly picking American Hustle because I don't expect the film I want to win to actually win--plus the Academy really likes Russell and they love this film. With it likely getting shut out of the other big categories, I expect the Academy to throw a bone its way with this award.

So, there are my thoughts on the major categories. Agree? Disagree? What do you think? Leave a comment and let me know.

Oscar Nominations - Predictions

Bright and early tomorrow morning, the Oscar nominations for this year will be announced. This is my stab at predicting what will be nominated by the Academy. Keep in mind I haven't seen all of the films yet. This is just based on years of Oscar watching and knowing what the Academy's tastes are and who they like. I'm sure, as always, there will be a surprise or two. But, this is what I expect to happen.

Best Picture  - There will be anywhere between 5-10 nominees in this category. So, here are my predictions ranked 1-10; 1 being what I think is most likely to be nominated. I personally think there will be 8 nominations--so my top 8 are what I'm thinking will be nominated.

1. 12 Years a Slave
2. Gravity
3. American Hustle
4. Captain Phillips
5. The Wolf of Wall Street
6. Her
7. Saving Mr. Banks
8. Nebraska
9. Philomena
10. Dallas Buyers Club

- Potential Surprises - Inside Llewyn Davis

Best Director

1. Alfonso Curon, Gravity
2. Steve McQueen, 12 Years a Slave
3. David O. Russell, American Hustle
4. Paul Greengrass, Captain Phillips
5. Spike Jonze, Her

- Potential Surprises - Martin Scorsese, The Wolf of Wall Street; Alexander Payne, Nebraska

Best Actor

1. Chiwetel Ejiofor, 12 Years a Slave
2. Matthew McConaughey, Dallas Buyers Club
3. Bruce Dern, Nebraska
4. Tom Hanks, Captain Phillips
5. Robert Redford, All is Lost

- Potential Surprises - Leonardo DiCaprio, The Wolf of Wall Street

Best Actress

1. Cate Blanchett, Blue Jasmine
2. Sandra Bullock, Gravity
3. Judi Dench, Philomena
4. Emma Thompson, Saving Mr. Banks
5. Meryl Streep, August: Osage County

- Potential Surprises - Amy Adams, American Hustle 

Best Supporting Actor

1. Jared Leto, Dallas Buyers Club
2. Michael Fassbender, 12 Years a Slave
3. Barkhad Abdi, Captain Phillips
4. Daniel Bruhl, Rush
5. James Gandolfini, Enough Said

- Potential Surprises - Bradley Cooper, American Hustle; Jonah Hill, The Wolf of Wall Street; Tom Hanks, Saving Mr. Banks (Note: Actors may only be nominated for one performance.)

Best Supporting Actress

1. Lupita Nyong'o, 12 Years a Slave
2. Jennifer Lawrence, American Hustle
3. Oprah Winfrey, The Butler
4. June Squibb, Nebraska
5. Julia Roberts, August: Osage County  

 Best Original Screenplay

1. American Hustle
2. Blue Jasmine
3. Nebraka
4. Her
5. Inside Llewyn Davis

- Potential Surprises - Dallas Buyers Club  
Best Adapted Screenplay 

12 Years a Slave
Before Midnight
The Wolf of Wall Street
Captain Phillips
August: Osage County

- Potential Surprises - Philomena