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

Tiger returns; It's Oscar Night!

Hello World Family,
This is Falcon with some quick news. In case some of you worldwide did not hear, Tiger Woods will play in the Accenture Match Play Championship beginning February 25 at Dove Mountain (they built a new Ritz-Carlton there). His new son has arrived (congrats to the entire family: Tiger, Elin, Sam, and new son Charlie Axel), and Tiger apparently feels that the leg is ready for some competitive action. Welcome back, Tiger.

It is the biggest night for films...the Academy Awards. Get the snacks ready, invite the friends over, and prepare for some top secret surprises! There are some special things planned this year, including guest appearances and unique ways to present the awards. You have our predictions, Brothers and Sisters, so enjoy the event. We will of course be back with you about the winners this week.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend, Family!
Peace, and with much love for you all,
Falcon and Dove

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