Diane Keaton... Razzie Nominee?

Since it's Oscar time, it's also Razzie time, which means the worst of the worst in filmdom is nominated for the Golden Raspberry Awards, better known as the Razzies.  As expected, Lindsay Lohan's I Know Who Killed Me was nominated, and the film's star, who hasn't had a hit in years, was also nominated.  Eddie Murphy was nominated for the terrible Norbit - no surprise there.  

But there was a surprise amongst the nominees this year... Diane Keaton for Worst Actress in Because I Said So.  Could this be? Diane Keaton, an Oscar-winning actress who gave brilliant performances in Annie Hall, Looking for Mr. Goodbar and Marvin's Room, shined alongside Woody Allen in his early films and has had a successful film career well into her 60s, nominated for WORST actress?

2007 was not a good year for Keaton. Last year we got Because I Said So and Mama's Boy.  Keaton has always had a unique appeal on the screen, but in the last year, terms such as "shrill" and "annoying" were being used to describe her performances.  I admit I saw Because I Said So last year in theatres, only because my friends wanted to see it and nobody was interested in my film choices. It wasn't as bad as I expected, but it still sucked. Keaton should have known better -- when Mandy Moore is playing your daughter, you know your film is in trouble (what was the last good Mandy Moore film? Is there a good Mandy Moore film?). 

I found Keaton's performance as Moore's overbearing mother overdone, and yes, shrill.   The script was terrible, for sure, but her performance was overindulgent and she gave into her excesses at every opportunity.  I know it's harder for actresses in their 60s to find good roles, but Keaton generally has good taste. She still looks fab, and she has has given some great performances in the past few years. How about 2003's Something's Gotta Give or 2005's underrated The Family Stone? So, perhaps this was a simple misstep in a mostly sparkling career. 

However, 2008 is not looking much better. Keaton's latest movie, Mad Money, is bombing in theatres. I haven't seen it yet, but judging from the previews, it looks like a stinker.

I hope Keaton finds a role worthy of her talents. For a woman who has had such an impressive career, it's unfortunate that she finds herself amongst nominees like Lohan and Jessica Alba. 

La-di-dah!

Freemasons

In the past few years, the remix/production team of the Freemasons have added their magic touch to dance remixes of Faith Evans' "Mesmerized", Luther Vandross' "Shine", and most notably remixing a number of Beyonce's hits including "Deja Vu" and "Ring the Alarm".  Their mixes are high energy, great for both club dancing and working out at the gym.

Now, they are not on remixing songs for the clubs, but producing for artists' albums, and they've come up with a real winner for Kylie Minogue's latest album, X. Their collaboration on "The One" is arguably the best song on Kylie's comeback album.  Driven by a pulsating electronic beat, "The One" has a great euro '80s touch to it.  I hope it is released as a single.

The Freemasons also produce some of their own songs.  Their latest is a dance cover of Alanis Morissette's "Uninvited" featuring vocals by Bailey Tzuke. Surprisingly, Morissette's brooding song works very well as a dance song, although I do prefer Morissettes's anguished vocals to Tzuke's sweet voice. But, once again, the Freemasons provide an irresistible beat. 

Go to www.amazon.com or iTunes to hear/download the Freemasons.

Where is the Oscar buzz for Gordon Pinsent?

Last night, Julie Christie won a Golden Globe for Best Dramatic Performance by an Actress for Away From Her. This is yet another step closer to Oscar for Ms. Christie. I think Christie was great in Away From Her, but where are the accolades for Gordon Pinsent, who plays Christie's husband in Sarah Polley's directorial debut? As good as Christie is in Away From Her, Pinsent is the one who carries the film, and is the film's emotional anchor.

I suspect the snubbing of Pinsent has to do with the fact that he has not made it a habit of appearing in many American productions, film or television. If you look at his resume on IMDB, you will see a long list of Canadian productions. Perhaps many people in America do not know who he is, but after watching his performance in Away From Her, how can anyone not think his performance ranks up there with George Clooney in Michael Clayton or Johnny Depp in Sweeney Todd?

Is this a snub of Canadian talent? After all, Sarah Polley herself has not been nominated in many directorial categories. Although Away From Her has received much praise from critics, and has made many top ten lists for '07, I believe that the film's awards will go mainly to Christie.

But next Tuesday, let's hope that there will be a few surprises when the Oscar nominees are announced. And let's hope one of those surprises is Gordon Pinsent.

Janet Jackson's "Feedback"

So, what's the feedback on Janet Jackson's latest single and video "Feedback"?  Well, the song is getting more radio play than previous flops "I Want You" and "So Excited". But, overall, "Feedback" is looking to be one of Janet's more successful singles in her post-"Nipplegate" career. Personally, I think the song is a step back for Miss Jackson.  It's catchy, but it's also overproduced, with no trace of Jackson's real voice, and it can only be a disappointment when you know she's capable of so much more.

Remember Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814 from 1989? What about The Velvet Rope from 1997? Both great albums with strong production values, good song-writing and a clear vision.

Singles like "Nasty", "Let's Wait Awhile", "Escapade" and "Together Again" had great hooks and you could sense Jackson's individuality and personality shine through. But since 2001's All For You, Janet Jackson is not trying to raise the bar, she's trailing along with the other sexy R&B and pop singers.  The only thing is Janet is older, and now in her 40s, she is trying too hard to look, and sound, younger. 

The Janet from the '80s and '90s was tougher, sexier,  more independent.  But now she just tries too hard to be sexy.  Look at the video for "Feedback". It's a silly space opera where it appears Janet is dancing in milk. It looks cheap, and it's a disappointment from an artist who made groundbreaking videos such as "Miss You Much", "Rhythm Nation" and "If" throughout the late '80s and '90s.

Let's hope Janet's upcoming album Discipline will have a little more depth than what we've heard from her recently.  But I suspect Janet will be playing it safe this time, and will be going for a more youthful sound, similar to Britney's Blackout and Gwen Stefani's The Sweet Escape. 

But Janet Jackson is a talented artist -- she did have an amazing career from 1986 to about 2000 until she started trying to hard to be as sexy and controversial as Madonna. But, Janet, what have you done for us lately?

Oscar Buzz: Jennifer Garner

Over the past few weeks, Juno has become the sleeper hit of the holiday season and is looking to be a front-runner for the Oscar nominations this season.  Both the film's star, Ellen Page, and screenwriter, Diablo Cody, are getting both the Oscar buzz and the praise, and deservedly so. But Jennifer Garner, one of the film's co-stars, is also worthy of praise and an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress.

In the film, Garner plays Vanessa, a seemingly uptight yuppie married to Mark, played by Jason Bateman. When Page's character of Juno gets pregnant, she decides to give up her unborn baby up for adoption to Vanessa and Mark. Throughout the film, we see Vanessa's overwhelming desire to be a mother, a desire that warms both Juno and the audience's heart. The film's best scene is set in a mall, where the expecting (and showing) Juno and Vanessa unexpectedly run into each other, and share an unexpected bond. Garner is simply astonishing in this scene, conveying her character's emotion without uttering a single word. It's the film's emotional highlight. 

I'm afraid Garner's performance will get overlooked in favour of Page and Cody.  But hopefully the Oscar ballots will include Garner's name. 

R.I.P. Music World

As you have probably heard, Canadian music store chain Music World has closed.  The past few weeks, its various stores have been having clearance sales, much to the delight of bargain-hunters.  I do not consider the closure of Music World as significant a loss as the closing of Sam the Record Man last June because MW was never more than a chain that sold the popular music of the day.  It carried the latest chart hits, but never carried an extensive (or varied) catalogue as Sam or HMV, so you could not rely on MW to carry local Canadian talent or that import from England. But the closing of MW once again reaffirms the Canadian music retail scene is on its last legs, and forcing collectors who like to purchase their music via vinyl and CD to switch over to digital formats.  What does the closing of Music World mean for HMV and Sunrise?

Gorgeous!

Idina Menzel, the talented actress/singer/diva, who was so wonderful in the Broadway production of Wicked (and won the Tony for her performance) is releasing a new album in early '08 called I Stand.  But Idina is providing a sneak preview to her album on iTunes with the release of a new digital EP featuring remixes of her new single "Gorgeous", and well, they are... gorgeous!  In particular, the Tracy Young remix is outstanding (Young also did an excellent remix of Idina's "Defying Gravity" from Wicked last year).  So head over to iTunes and download them!