Check Out Scholarship Opportunities on Falcon's New Blog

Hello World Family, Falcon here with the new blog connected to my book release: http://parentsstudentsdebtfree.blogspot.com Check out this blog for the latest in undergrad, graduate and doctoral scholarship, internship and stipend opportunities. I just posted three new opportunities NOW! Check them out. All this is in anticipation of my new book, DEBT FREE COLLEGE: GET IN, STAY IN, GRADUATE DEBT FREE There will be TONS of valuable information in the book for less than the price of coffee for a week. One book, save thousands....sound like a good deal? Why did I write this book? Because Dove and I learned a lot during the process of her education, especially about what families are NEVER TOLD about looking for scholarship opportunities, study and organizational skills, working with admissions offices, etc. We want you to know what we learned because it will save you money. Thank you for your loyal support of Falcon and Dove. Now, students, get over to the new blog and check out all the cool stuff! Keep an eye on it. Subscribe if you will. After all, it is FREE! Peace, Falcon and Dove

Acceptance week for college students:What to do right now!

Hello World Family of students about to go to college! NOTE: There was a computer glitch when posting, so none of the paragraphs came out correctly. Sorry about the giant blob:) The information is too important to miss, so I went ahead and posted it anyway. I will correct the problem as soon as I can-thanks, Brothers and Sisters.! This is the week! Many high school students who have applied to college in the standard admission cycle are now about to receive their answer on acceptance to various universities in the U.S. Some important points: Evaluate your acceptance letters (and possibly the accompanying financial aid-merit aid information0 carefully. Sit down and review the literature carefully. Take all costs into account and remember to include meal plan and campus housing costs. If a merit aid scholarship provided by the school includes a scholarship for housing, this is a very good thing. If it doesn't, or you don't know if it does or doesn't, contact your admissions counselor and find out immediately. This is a very important issue. Be ready to pay that matriculation fee in the next 30 days or so. It could be hundreds of dollars, so make sure you set aside some cash to pay it. IT YOU CANNOT AFFORD THE FEE, CONTACT YOUR ADMISSIONS COUNSELOR IMMEDIATELY! There may be money available to cover than expense for a student who intends to attend that given school. Ask, there is no problem with that. Everyone today understands money is tight for everyone. Ask for what you need, and don't be afraid to ask. If you also have a grants-in-aid award (sports award for DI, DII, and NAIA; DIII does NOT award sports grants-in-aid. Please see http://www.ncaa.org/ or http://www.naia.org/.) find out if this is a full, half or amount centered award. Make sure your GPA stays up along with your standardized test scores to ensure that you stay eligible your freshman year for participation. It is also important because many universities have an 'automatic merit money' system that entitles you to scholarships based on getting a certain score on your SAT or ACT along with maintaining your GPA. DO NOT SLACK NOW! Many top schools make your acceptance contingent on continuing to perform well through the end of the year. Don't slip now. ACCEPTED STUDENT VISITS If you can go and visit, Falcon recommends that you do so. Don't visit every school you are accepted to if you visited them for consideration when you applied, but absolutely visit your First Choice school again to ensure that they really are the best match. Every one should be very nice to you on these visits. If they aren't, consider your attendance there. After all, this may well be the best you and your family are ever treated there. If they aren't nice now, what will they become later? You need to know they appreciate your presence. After all, you are going to spend thousands of dollars there. You may spend more money in college that you do on your house. You need to feel that they appreciate your investment and future accolades for that university. If they don't...reconsider your choice. It's about you, not the name of the school or the so-called prestige. If they aren't doing their best for you....next. SEE THE RESIDENCE HOUSING-not just the model. Freshman students often can only stay in certain dormitory housing. See where you are actually going to live. EAT AT THE CAFETERIA-find out how good (or not) the food is now. That may determine what kind of meal plan you choose, if you have a choice. Find out if it carries over from semester to semester or if it expires. Unused meals mean lost money-make sure you know what the circumstances are. BEFORE YOU GO TO VISIT: Make an appointment to see the Career Services department and have a sit-down. Even if you don't know what you major will be, you need to know that this department is as sharp as the academic departments at your chosen school. Education is essential, but if the career services department of your university is weak, it will make it harder for you to get a job. Not good. Schedule a meet with financial aid, especially if you have gaps in your financing. See if they have a little more money for a department scholarship, alumni, etc. that can help you close the gap without loans. LOANS SHOULD BE USED AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE! You will carry that debt forever until you pay it off. Bankruptcy will NOT get rid of it. If a school seems less interested in giving you merit money for your excellent performance in high school and more interested in steering your parents towards a PLUS loan, run for the door! Make sure you tell them why you are running for the door. They may suddenly realize they may have additional areas to tap that reduces your loan liability. Many schools for years had agreement with lenders and did very little to help alleviate that initial funding gap. The rules have changed, the market has changed, and so that behavior must change. It is easier for them if you just get a loan. That is not easier for your life. Knock down that funding gap as much as possible as soon as possible. Don't sign ANYTHING involving loan funding you don't understand. Have it explained and if needed, take it home and have a family discussion or high school guidance counselor discussion before signing your life away. FALCON'S NEW BOOK: I will have a book out in April on this subject as well as trying to attend college debt-free. It can be done. THE PARENTS/STUDENT'S GUIDE TO DEBT FREE COLLEGE: GET IN, STAY IN, GRADUATE DEBT-FREE will hit the streets (and the kindle, iPad, and other electronic device) soon! It will be cheap-less than a week's worth of fancy coffee, so get it! The advice will save you $$$. Continue to do your scholarship applications on sites like fastweb.com Always ask the university if there is something else you can apply to to garner more scholarship money. One more thing... If you didn't get in to the school of your dreams, the dream is not over. You should have applied to several universities-First Choice, Good Match, and Safety. If you didn't, apply to a rolling admission school ASAP. The situation will be fluid so stay on top of things. One school doesn't make your destiny. You are the magic behind the effort. You can do well someplace else. DO NOT GET DOWN ON YOURSELF!!!!! Hear me?! This is Falcon Mommy speaking! You are awesome and have a lot to offer. Take your best game to the place you are meant to be. If it's not your First Choice, so what?! This is not an obstacle, this is a opportunity. Grab it. Peace, Falcon and Dove

Our Statement to Allegheny County Council

Infrastructure Compromise

by Stephanie Simmons

Part of sensible terra-based risk assessment analysis includes the evaluation of the collective geology of a given region, and its existing assets or detriments to a given approach or technology.

In the case of unconventional horizontal acquisition of natural gas in the Marcellus black shale, there is no evidence that real world environmental hazards and their history as well as legacy were included in the assessment. Apparently, nor were migration problems, structural integrity, or transfer and transport incidents. At a 4.5% accident rate, this particular form of gas acquisition has exceeded the mere 1.4% accident rate of coal mining over its entire historic existence. This does not include the number of accidents that may have a gas migration and contamination component. No one wants to think of the implications of that.

Even in the vacuum that was black shale gas acquisition assessment by the industry, risk was labeled as high by those consultants paid to assess this approach: high risk to workers, and even to the shale itself. Supporting documents are included.

An already aging infrastructure in the commonwealth does not lend itself well to a geological approach that would without a doubt advance deterioration of said infrastructure by increasing instability of the sedimentary layer and strata, as well as filling substrate vacated by gas vapors with sand insufficient to support between 7,000 and 10,000 ft of low and high volatile bituminous coal, anthracite, various combinations of soil, limestone, quartz, the presence of Cd, Cs, Pb, Hg, Strontium, radon, methane, aquifers, underground streams, the Wisconsin Glacier and the proverbial partridge in a pear tree.

The process of acquisitioning the natural gas within the shale along a pre-Jurassic fault line releases salts that are highly corrosive and acid pH so low that macroinvertebrates and macrophytes cannot thrive in it. Soil pH is impacted as well, creating a highly undesirable environment for any infrastructure that touches air, soil, and water in this region.

To exacerbate this already critical element, water treatment plants have been changing their preferred method of treatment away from chlorine to other water purifiers that are more stable, but high acid themselves. This is due to the presence of bromides that come hand in hand with this development. Some forms of treatment already in use in Allegheny County will dissolve rubber, leech old sediment, heavy metals including lead, and other hazards out of aging pipes and directly into businesses and households. Remediation equipment is cost prohibitive per household in a county with the largest population of elders on fixed income in the nation, whose remaining population (thanks to legacy pollution) is living on average 10.34 years less than our comparable neighbors.

For infrastructure in our region, this is the Perfect Storm of stupid, as threats come from every angle originating from a single source-a pebble drop called black shale natural gas acquisition that has concentric circles of impact so profound that it will impact the infrastructure of every community. The endocrine disrupting chemicals used by the dozens in this industry also have an impact as they combine further with legacy challenges like AMD and now the 21st century xenobiotics.

This industry evaluated its turn of the 20th century technology that was abandoned long ago by those thinking it was too dangerous and resurrected it for profit based on short sightedness and flawed science whose shabbiness will lead us to a domino effect incidence-one that will put first responders, 80% of whom are volunteers in this commonwealth in harm's way without proper equipment, training, compensation, or reimbursement.

Water is our sacred currency. We cannot survive without it, and WE are the infrastructure than cannot be replaced.

OSCAR PREDICTIONS; CBS and Coyote Medicine

Hello World Family,
Falcon here. We have two big entertainment issues to tackle today: The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences, and the CBS network karma of irony. Let's start with the latter.

There is someone in the upper eschelons of the CBS network right now that is wondering if maybe the network can get a do-over for the season. First, they cancel shows that are actually popular with heavy viewership (think 'Ghost Whisperer" and the NBC transfer "Medium"), and then the principle actor for one of their biggest cash cows "Two and a Half Men" does a meglomaniac self-implosion and they have to cancel taping for the rest of the season for 'reasons'.

This is what ya call ironic. CBS took two shows that had nearly 8 million viewers each and cancelled them with episodes still in the hopper. Why? Good question. I have a feeling someone doesn't necessarily like either show's subject matter, but you know what? Nothing speaks louder than ratings. What was Wednesday night's number three cable show in prime time? Syfy's "Ghost Hunters". Yeah, the plumbers from Rotor Rooter with an established hunt gone to television. They rock. The viewers certainly think so...so must the advertisers. I love that ghost hunting Turbo Tax commercial...hysterical.

And there lies the problem: it's about the money. CBS stayed quite vested in a sit-com that has Charlie Sheen playing....well, er.., um...himself. He's the highest paid actor on television (that's acting?). He has now tanked: addiction he believes he has conquered single handedly, a marriage eroding and Charlie's mouth on speed-spill about what he REALLY thinks about his bosses. Yikes...maybe the women centered murder shows with ghosts and psychics WERE alright after all:) Let's be honest here: when did 8 million viewers per show become a fail? 'Lost" had that many when they decided to renew for another season at ABC. Is it because they were shows were the protagonist was a woman? Now, before you dismiss that, name the other CBS shows with women at the center of the narrative plot...take your time....oh yeah, "The Good Wife". That's more ensemble, really, but you gotta love the title.

If I were an executive at CBS, and I was looking to May sweeps, I MIGHT consider bringing those "Medium" episodes out of the vault (or get them shot on the lot this late winter) and put that back in its usual slot. After all, what have you got to lose? Right now, on Fridays at 8pm, I am watching the Travel Channel...

One lesson may be learned from this: maybe a narrative program with 8 million viewers won't get cancelled again for awhile.

That's what you call karma, CBS...ain't that a b----?!
Hey, well, it's all good! You still have NCIS! Love that show!

Now, on to the Oscars! What will win, how many, and who may get passed by?
First of all, if you are nominated, you are awesome! Second, great hosts-Anne and James-how cool! So who do Falcon and Dove think will win?

Best Picture: The King's Speech
Best Director: probably Tom Hooper, but the Coen Brothers may pull off an upset for "True Grit"
Best Actress: Annette Benning, "The Kids are Alright" very tough category.
Best Actor:very, very tough category, but it's his time: Colin Firth, "The King's Speech"
Best Supporting Actress: impossible category; would love Helena, but Melissa or Amy got this.
Best Supporting Actor: Geoffrey Rush...Christian Bale or Mark Ruffalo would be cool, too.
Best Animated Feature: "Toy Story 3", but we would love to see a tie with "How to Train Your Dragon"
Best Foreign Language Film: "Biutiful"
Best Original Screenplay: The Fighter or The King's Speech
Best Adapted Screenplay: "127 Hours" or True Grit"
Best Documentary Feature: Well, now here's a tough one. We hope "Gasland" wins, but we know what a hard category this will be. "Waste Land" and "Exit Through the Gift Shop" may compete.
Best Original Score: Alexandre Desplat, "The King's Speech"
Best Visual Effects: Go old school-"HP: DH 7" or "Inception"
Best Cinematography: "Black Swan" or "The King's Speech"
Best Sound Mixing: "Inception" magnificent job
Best Sound Editing: wow...this is tough. Pittsburgh's shot, "Unstoppable" was extremely well done. "True Grit" was incredible, and "Inception" was a masterpiece.
Best Costume Design: "The Tempest"
Best Art Direction: Can't we just give it to all of them?:)
Best Make Up: "The Wolfman" old school wins again

We didn't do every category...some are just too close to call, and some we didn't see enough films in the category to make a real assessment.

We wish all the nominees well, and are so glad there was such a strong group of films, actors, and performances in both skilled and technical areas this year.

Enjoy!
Peace,
Falcon and Dove

Charles Constantino Publishing Acquires Song Catalog

Charles Constantino Publishing acquires song catalog of Core808 record label

By Core Media House L.L.C.

Dated: Jan 12, 2011

Charles Constantino Publishing becomes exclusive administrator of catalog of original songs released onCore808 labelCharles Constantino Publishing has become the exclusive publisher of the catalog of original songs released on Core808, the California-based record label and multimedia-production company.

The original songs released on the Core808 label include As Close as This, written by Taisen Abreu, Tony Anthony, Duncan Osorio, Paul “LP” Yang, and Jason Zulueta; Childhood Games, written by Taisen Abreu, Tony Anthony, Duncan Osorio, Travis Stine, and Paul “LP” Yang; and Easy, written by Brian Gallagher, Tony Anthony, Paul “LP” Yang, and Renee Hums. The original songs also include Know My Name, written by Jonathan Jury and Alex Taimanao, and Miss Us, written by Taisen Abreu, Tony Anthony, Duncan Osorio, Paul “LP” Yang, and Jason Zulueta.

The recordings by Pure N8ive of As Close as This, Childhood Games, and Miss Us are available on the Internet at iTunes.com. Easy, performed by artist Core808, is available at Amazon.com. Know My Name, performed by Pure N8ive featuring J. Jury, Alex Taimanao, and Travis Stine, is available at iTunes.com. In addition, Pure N8ive has a merchandising deal with Lost Kingdom Klothing. Charles Constantino Publishing—a member of ASCAP, the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers—is also the exclusive publisher of the songs, Free Your Mind (Tara Na) and Today or Tomorrow. Charles Constantino, Chad Gontkovic, and William Rose wrote Free Your Mind (Tara Na), performed by Somerhill and available at Amazon.com. William Rose and Charles Constantino wrote Today or Tomorrow, also performed by Somerhill and available at Amazon.com.

The Recording Academy selected Free Your Mind (Tara Na) and Today or Tomorrow for inclusion on the 52nd Grammy Entry List in the categories of Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals and Best Rock Song. “The Core808 record label approached me with the idea that Charles Constantino Publishing administer he original songs released on the label,” says Charles Constantino of Charles Constantino Publishing. “I welcome the Core808 label to Charles Constantino Publishing.”

Visit Core808, the record label and multimedia-production company, at

http:// www.facebook.com/Core808?v=wall

Visit Charles Constantino Publishing at http://www.charlesconstantino.com/

Listen to clips of Pure N8ive at http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/pure-n8ive/id412034920

Listen to a clip of Easy at http://www.amazon.com/Easy/dp/B002CDCW8G/ref=sr_shvl_album_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1294780602&sr=301-1

Listen to a low-fidelity clip of Free Your Mind (Tara Na) at

http://www.amazon.com/Free-Your-Mind-Tara-Na/dp/B001NS9D7E/ref=sr_shvl_album_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1294781376&sr=301-1

Listen to a low-fidelity clip of Today or Tomorrow at http://www.amazon.com/Today-Or-Tomorrow/dp/B001OKJOJI/ref=sr_shvl_album_2?ie=UTF8&qid=12947813

Tags charles constantino publishing, core808, pure n8ive, somerhill

The Region of Champions

Hello Black and Gold Family,
Wherever in the world you are, this is a time of reflection for us all. I know, there's a Super Bowl to be played, and another championship to be won. Stairway to Seven. I suggest that the championship has already been won. How? We have a team that exemplifies all that we are in this region and beyond: Champions.

This region is the place where sacred rivers meet to form a third that feeds the soul waters of a hemisphere. This is the place where an entire revolution was forged and wars were won. I congratulate the Pittsburgh Steelers for their talent, versatility, humility, faith, and determination. I also congratulate Steelers Nation, no matter where you are on the earth. This team is you, my brothers and sisters. They are you.

Do we make mistakes? Yes, and we take responsibility for them, too. We don't always get a fair shake, but we don't let that stop us. We are like a phoenix, rising out if its own ashes to rebuild, reinvent, rediscover ourselves...so is our team. Our teams are a reflection of us.

We expect greatness, we get it because we expect it. We fight, kick, and scratch for every bit for as long as we have...so does our team. Those men reflect what we inspire, and in turn, they inspire us. It is a symbiotic relationship. The Steelers have a foundation of the Rooney family, a coaching staff of tireless warriors, and a team of steel giants. I have news for you: so are you.

You, Steelers Nation have sacrificed and fought and built and thrived in some of the worst conditions imaginable to build a global world that understands the meaning of sacrifice and solidarity. We built ships, barges, unions, and green initiatives. We helped win wars, and even stopped a few along the way. We fight to honor our elders and our children because we know every person makes a contribution. Black and gold is not just our team colors, it is a symbol of who we are.

Our hands are blackened with work and sweat, but we don't complain. We sacrifice and struggle, but we get up and keep fighting. We have mined coal, dug ditches, climbed poles, changed diapers, stocked gunpowder and raised our fists high. We may have been afraid, but we never ran. We have died for what we believe. We have stood proud when victorious. We have prayed for winners and strugglers. We let go of regrets.

Our hearts are pure gold. Yellow means illumination and enlightenment, hope and constancy. We are black and gold. We are introspective, hard-working, and hearts of pure delight. We are the embodiment of passion.

This is who WE are. This is who the Steelers are. We are all one family. We always have been.
Where we are, goes the walk of champions. We are strong, and our teams reflect that, from little league and high school to college and professional sports.

They are us, Champions. They are we. Celebrate today. Celebrate every day. We are living the dream.

Peace,
Falcon and Dove

OSCAR NOMINATIONS ANNOUNCED!

Hey World Family,
Falcon here with the assessment of the Oscar nominations announced this morning in Hollywood. No surprises with the Best Picture nominations, but some surprise snubs.

THE KING'S SPEECH, a film I absolutely loved gets the most at 12 nominations, with TRUE GRIT in at 10, no shock there. TOY STORY 3 becomes only the third animated film in history to be nominated for Best Picture, but we also have an expanded category to 10, so that also helps.
BLACK SWAN, FIGHTER, THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT, WINTER'S BONE, INCEPTION, 127 HOURS, THE SOCIAL NETWORK, all expected, and in the running...but with 10 films the category for Best Director remained at 5, so someone would be left out.

Christopher Nolan did not get a Best Director nomination for INCEPTION. Who did?
Aronofsky for BLACK SWAN
Russell for THE FIGHTER
The Coen Brothers for TRUE GRIT
Tom Hooper for THE KING'S SPEECH
David Fincher for THE SOCIAL NETWORK

Here's where the real surprises begin:
BEST ACTOR
Javier Bardem (Buitiful)
Jeff Bridges (True Grit)
Jesse Eisenberg (The Social Network)...WHAT?????????????
Colin Firth (The King's Speech)
James Franco (127 Hours)

I bet Jesse is just as shocked as we are! Personally, I am torn between his performance in ZOMBIELAND and ADVENTURELAND (filmed at Kennywood Park in Pittsburgh-West Mifflin, PA) as some of his best;) Yes, my tongue is firmly in my cheek, but this is so cool! Good for him!

Early predictions in this category are tough, and Dove and I will do our usual Oscar prediction blog right before the big event, but I am going with Jeff Bridges because we all love him so much. If I were going on performance alone, I would give it to Colin Firth. He outdid himself in this role.

BEST ACTRESS

Annette Bening (The Kid's are Alright)
Nicole Kidman (Rabbit Hole)
Jennifer Lawrence (Winter's Bone)
Natalie Portman (Black Swan)
Michelle Williams (Blue Valentine)

All as expected, and this is a very difficult category. I love Jennifer Lawrence, but no one can ignore Natalie Portman's chilling portrayal. Annette Bening was delightful and convincing, so this will be a category to watch.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

Christian Bale (The Fighter)
John Hawkes (Winter's Bone)
Jeremy Renner (The Town)....WHAT???? Seriously? They love you, Jeremy!
Mark Ruffalo (The Kid's are Alright)
Geoffrey Rush (The King's Speech)

So...basically some of my favorite actors are up against each other in this category. I am so glad Mark Ruffalo got a nom here...and Geoffrey Rush and Christian Bale are two of my favorite actors as well. John Hawkes made a believer out of me with his performance...
This category is a complete toss up...

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Melissa Leo and Amy Adams are up against each other (The Fighter)
Helena Bonham Carter (The King's Speech)
Hailee Steinfeld (True Grit)
Jacki Weaver (Animal Kingdom)

This is a fierce category. Jacki Weaver totally rocks, and I hope American audiences will see more of her. ANIMAL KINGDOM is one of those films you only really need to see once...that strong. You should see it, however. Hailee had HUGE shoes to fill, and she did it. Melissa and Amy have delivered two very different, but authentic performances...this will be tough. Helena-I don't care what role you are playing, you put a thousand percent in every portrayal, although my favorite is the completely barking mad Belatrix Le Strange:)

This category is too close to call.

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM

How to Train Your Dragon
The Illusionist
Toy Story 3

I know, TS3 has this wrapped up, but I really, really loved HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON.

BEST SCREENPLAY (Original)

Another Year
The Fighter
Inception
The King's Speech
The Kids are Alright

BEST SCREENPLAY (ADAPTED)
127 Hours
Toy Story 3
The Social Network
Winter's Bone
True Grit

I am sure Dove and I will discuss this at length. Very tough category.

BEST IN ART DIRECTION

Alice in Wonderland
The King's Speech
Inception
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (part 1)
True Grit

This is an impossibly difficult category, witnessed by the fact that we have 5, where in the past some of these technical categories are reduced to three nominations (I don't like that). Every single one of these films is beautifully shot...in very, very different ways. Personally, I would like to give an Oscar to every single one.

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

Inception
True Grit
The King's Speech
The Social Network
Black Swan

This one kinda has Falcon's feathers up...because of her personal BFA in Cinematography. Inception should definitely be here...as should Black Swan and The King's Speech. True Grit is a great film....in this category, I would have put something else in it's place. The Social Network...are you kidding me??? Come on?! Seriously?! Were there not other films during this year whose cinematography was not superior to this film? I can think of a few...more on that later.

COSTUME DESIGN

The Tempest (LOVE this film)
The King's Speech
I am Love
Alice in Wonderland
True Grit

Very difficult category.

DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
Exit Through the Gift Shop
Gasland
Restrepro
Waste Land
Inside Job

Being from PA, obviously HUGE props to Josh Fox for this nomination for GASLAND. We are fighting for our lives here literally in PA and 22 other states with black shale gas acquisition and production. Water is sacred and the industry apparently doesn't mind poisoning us for profit...again. EXIT THROUGH THE GIFT SHOP is mighty strong, so this category rocks, as usual.

BEST LIVE ACTION SHORT

The Confession
The Crush
Na Wewe
God of Love
Wish 143

This is the best category of the best films of this year, in Falcon's humble opinion. NA WEWE takes place in Burundi in the early 1990s around genocide time. 'Nuff said. THE CRUSH proves 15 minute short films can change your life as you watch an 8 year old fight over his emotions...and his teacher. WISH 143 is directed by Ian Barnes and shows a lot of depth in a compressed space. All of these films are Oscar worthy.

SOUND EDITING
Inception
Toy Story 3
True Grit
Unstoppable
TRON: Legacy

This is an extremely difficult category to make the final cut. High praise for UNSTOPPABLE, (shot in and around Pittsburgh) because it definitely deserves to be on this list. INCEPTION was magnificent, nearly flawless. TRON: Legacy was extremely well edited (even with that 1980 electronica soundtrack running nearly throughout, but that honors the original, so I can't complain too much), and TRUE GRIT has its work cut out for it. TOY STORY 3...look, guys, animation is done differently than live action where sound is concerned...I just don't think these are in the same group together. Seriously, HP:7.1 (Deathly Hallows) should be here instead. It just isn't the same thing. Maybe there should be a separate category for animation and sound...this just isn't it.

SOUND MIXING

Inception
True Grit
Salt
The King's Speech
The Social Network

All of these films had excellent efforts in this category. I wish this one could go to 10, too! :)

VISUAL EFFECTS

Alice in Wonderland
Inception
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (part one)
Hereafter
Iron Man Two

Okay, here is a real heavyweight category. ALICE is great in so many ways; we all know Tim Burton is one of the greatest creative geniuses of our time on film, and he just thrived with his team in this area. Inception is visually challenging and had some of the most challenging on location shoots of the year. Everything was seamless and a lot of this was OLD SKOOL-extremely high praise for this. HEREAFTER was beautifully rendered, especially recreating a tsunami; Iron Man II-fierce! HP: 7.1 has some of the strongest houses on the planet working on visual effects, and it was extremely impressive. Tough, honestly deserving films.

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM

Biutiful (Aljandro Gonzalaz Inarritu) Mexico
Dogtooth (Giorgos Lanthimos) Greece
In a Better World (Susanne Bier) Denmark
Incendies ( Denis Villeneuve) Canada
Outside the Law (Rachid Bouchareb) Algeria

Those of you who frequent the blog know Falcon loves BIUTIFUL and I think this may be the winner...but, wait! How about the 2009 release DOGTOOTH which took forever to get here, but is worth the wait! I am so stoked that OUTSIDE THE LAW made the noms-A magnificent film by a director previously nominated for an Oscar, Rachid Bouchareb about Algiers fight for independence from France through the eyes of three brothers. Then, there is the Canadian film INCENDIES which takes place more in the Middle-east than Canada. Although in French, the film has a global, yet personal message for us all-family, trust, truth, and fight. This is a very strong category.

For a list of all the nominations, visit some of our favorites like:
http://www.imdb.com/

SEE THESE FILMS! See as many as you can. It is very important for small, independent films to be seen. If you haven't seen BLACK SWAN, do Aronofsky a favor and see it; his team had a hard time getting this out in major distribution in a timely manner. It is worth the price...go.

There will be more from us as the time for the awards draws near.
Peace,
Falcon and Dove