Copenhagen Vigil Today at 5pm Schenley Plaza, Pittsburgh

Hello World Family,
Falcon here with an event for those of you in the Pittsburgh area. Today at 5, there will be an important vigil concerning the issues being discussed in Copenhagen, and what you can do right now to help our leaders, locally and nationally, make the best decisions when it comes to the environment and jobs.

I know it's cold, but the tent is there, and the hearts are warm. Pittsburgh is often called the City of Champions. I think that applies to more than sports teams; it is about the spirit to perservere during challenges and come out on top by supporting your community, your neighbors, your city and your planet. It is critical that we respond like the champions we are today.

College students, I know it is finals week. Come out bundled up and listen to some voices just like you: young, determined, creative, and focused on making a difference. Be inspired by those just like you, listen to some music and then get back to work. You can afford some time to rally for the environment and jobs that you will one day hold.

See you at 5pm. Cold hands, but warm hearts await.
Peace,
Falcon and Dove will both be there!

Guillermo Del Toro should Direct THE HOBBIT

Hey everyone!
This is Falcon...I hope you had a great weekend! Okay, this one has crossed my desk one too many times, and there seems to be some negotiating going on that is causing some doubt as to whether GDT will in fact direct JRR Tolkien's "The Hobbit', set to be released in 2011, with a kind of Red Book of Westmarch connector film to "Fellowship" in 2012.

I am going to keep this simple: Guillermo should direct the films, period. He is immensely talented. He has a bunch of Oscars, and he is a truly passionate student of mythology and lore.

Yes, I am one of those hard-core Tolkien fans that can barely watch the theatrical version of "The Two Towers" because about 80 minutes into the film it takes a hard right turn into the proverbial woods, breaks an axle, and never comes out of the dark corner of ridiculous revision again. The Battle at Helm's Deep saved me from actually leaving the theatre the first time I viewed it in a press screening. There is a difference between artistic license and derailing the plot. There is plenty in that particular middle-child project that suffered immensely from a misunderstanding, or an uninformed impression of how Middle-earth functions, which led to major plot flaws that should have never happened. Everyone knows it; this is the 9000 pound gorilla in the living room...(wow, I guess that film was the next project, wasn't it?)

I know that in the hands of GDT, The Hobbit would be safe from this kind of chicanery. He is well-informed, creative, sensual, and most of all, sees the wisdom of writers' myth as sacred and would never play with it. He has the skill and tenacity to adapt a book without violating its content.

I have every confidence that he would do these projects justice of the highest measure, if simply allowed to do so.

He seems ready to get started. Hopefully, in the near future, we will her a confirmation of his signing on to direct the films. MGM/New Line/Warner Bros. should be extremely happy to have him, and celebrate this blessing.

Oscar Predictions from Falcon and Dove

Okay, Everyone,
Here it is! Our predictions for the Oscars on February 24, 2008. The name in capitals is our choice to win; if there is a name in italics, that is the one we might like to win. If there are two names in italics, that is because we differ on who or what we think will win, and our individual choices are marked.

Everyone enjoy the show this Sunday. Have a great weekend!
Peace,
Falcon and Dove

Best Actor
George Clooney
Daniel Day-Lewis Falcon and Dove agree
Tommy Lee Jones
Johnny Depp Falcon and Dove agree
Viggo Mortensen

Best Supporting Actor

Casey Affleck
JAVIER BARDEM
Phillip Seymour Hoffman Falcon's choice
Hal Holbrook
Tom Wilkinson Dove’s

Best Actress
Cate Blanchett
Marion Coulliard Falcon's choice to win
Julie Christie
Laura Linney Dove’s preferred
Ellen Page (Juno) Dove’s Choice to win

Best Supporting Actress
CATE BLANCHETT
Ruby Dee Falcon says she might get it
Saoirse Ronana
Amy Ryan
Tilda Swinton Dove’s Preferred

Best Animated Feature
Persepolis
Ratatoille Should be a lockup
Surf’s Up

Art Direction
American Gangster
ATTONEMENT Falcon and Dove agree
The Golden Compass
Sweeney Todd Dove’s preferred
There Will be Blood Falcon says this film has a chance to win

Cinematography
Assassination of Jesse James Dove’s preferred
Atonement
The Diving Bell and The Butterfly
No Country for Old Men
There Will be Blood Falcon and Dove agree should win


Costume Design
Across the Universe
Atonement Falcon Dove’s Preferred
Elizabeth: The Golden Age Falcon's choice to win
La Vie En Rose
Sweeney Todd Dove’s Choice to win

Directing
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
Juno
Michael Clayton
No Country for Old Men
There Will be Blood Falcon and Dove Agree

Documentary
No End in Sight
Operation Homecoming
Sicko Should win, we'll see
Taxi to the Dark Side
War/Dance

All really great films. Very, very good.

Documentary Short
Freeheld
The Crown (la Corona)
Salim Bara
Sari’s Mother

Film Editing
Bourne Ultimatum
There Will be Blood
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
No Country for Old Men
Into the Wild

Foreign Language Film
Beaufort
The Counterfeiters
Katyn
Mongol
12

Makeup
La Vie En Rose Falcon's Choice
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End Dove's Choice
Norbit

Music (Score)
Atonement Dove's Choice
Kite Runner
Michael Clayton
Ratatouille
3:10 to Yuma Falcon's Choice

Song
Once
Enchanted has Three
August Rush

Best Picture
ATONEMENT Falcon and Dove agree
Juno
Michael Clayton
No Country for Old Men
There will be Blood Dove’s preferred

We are not reviewing the shorts, we didn’t see any of them

Sound Editing
Bourne Ultimatum
Ratatouille Dove's Choice
No Country for Old Men
There Will be Blood Falcon's Choice
Transformers

Sound Mixing
Bourne Ultimatum
No Country for Old Men
Ratatouille
3:10 to Yuma
Transformers

Visual Effects
The Golden Compass
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End Of the three, this is the best.
Transformers

Writing (adapted Screenplay)
Atonement
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
No Country for Old Men Falcon and Dove thinks it may have a chance
Away from Her
There will be Blood

Writing (original Screenplay)
Juno
Lars and the Real Girl
Michael Clayton
Ratatouille
The Savages Honorable Mention by Falcon and Dove

This is a really strong category