Mike Browne’s Blog

Sick of all the politics that go along with big awards shows like The Oscars. Check out Razzies.com – Home of the Golden Raspberry Award Foundation. Every year just before the Oscars they give awards for the worst films over the past year. This year’s big winner was (of course) the horrific ben-nifer offering, Gigli!

I’m actually considering a membership in the voting body for the Razzies. Membership comes with two tickets to next year’s gala in CA. If we can’t get to the Oscars why not go where we’re wanted?

Now that the whole planet is super-sized on massive serviings of sliced potato and sugared carbonated water McDonalds is admitting supersizing ain’t such a healthy idea. So now they’re dumping supersize portions.

Why do you think that is? Is the corporation is genuinely concerned for their patrons? Uh, no. It’s more likely the fact that people, like myself, who have taken an interest in our health have stopped eating what they offer. I can come up with no better way to lure us back than with feigned ‘concern’ for our health. Balderdash I say! If you haven’t yet read it and continue to gorge yourself with Wretched Ronny’s junk food you could check out Fast Food Nation. I haven’t thought the same way about food since.

Interesting news regarding findings by the Mars Rover, Opportunity, announced today. Could it be that this is only the beginning of findings on the red planet? Is there still any water in liquid for left on the planet? I guess we’ll find out as NASA explores further. The possibilities for future findings are exciting.

All the pictures here are safe for work, but imply something else entirely.

WARNING: Don’t bother with the “Other excellent stuff” links they are the real thing. Ugh!

With the popularity of Mel Gibson’s movie Aramaic is making a resugence. You can learn some Aramaic phrases for yourself right here.

One of my faves:

Baseem, ellaa saabar naa d-etstebeeth yateer b-Lebeh d-Gabaaraa!

Not bad, but I think I preferred Braveheart.

Here’s the list of winners from last night’s Oscars. There were no really big surprises. I was wrong about my pics for best picture and adpated screenplay, the Lord of the Rings – Return of the King won them both. I can’t say I was disappointed to see Peter Jackson and the rest of New Zealand accepting Oscars for absolutely everything they were nominated for. They were snubbed for the two years previous but you got the feeling all of these Oscars were not just for the third film in the trilogy but for all three. It’s nice to see a filmmaker who’s work I’ve followed for quite some time truly make the leap from independent horror films to the biggest and most ambitious film project to this point in film history.

Sophia Coppola got her one, sad little Oscar for Best Original Screenplay. Though I thought her film was best this year, I do understand why it didn’t win.

Sadly, I nailed the acting categories in a previous post. Having to listen to the unprepared and often arrogant Sean Penn stumble through his speech was irritating to say the least. Hey Sean, when you can’t come up with anything else to say, sit the hell down and spare us your drivel. Sean Penn should have received an Oscar for his portrayal of Jeff Spicoli in Fast Times at Ridgemont High, then never been allowed to work (or speak again).

Poor Bill Murray looked as though he were going to cry, but Johnny Depp looked truly happy for Penn. Renée Zellweger pretended to look surprised when she got the nod for Best Supporting actress for Cold Mountain, as did Tim Robbins as Best Supporting Actor for Mystic River. Charlize Theron was very gracious and also unsurprised by her win as Best Actress in Monster. Sigh! It’s all over for another year.

Check out the recap of last night’s game. The Canucks played with the heart and determination that has been missing of late. Hopefully they can keep it up well into the play offs.

The Canucks finally beat the Sharks and at a crucial time as well. After losing 8 of the last 10 meetings with San José the Canuckleheads pulled a rabbit out of their hats in the form of their defensemen Mathias Ohlund who scored a goal and Brent Sopel (struggling defensively of late) who assisted on Ohlund’s marker and scored two goals of his own including the game winner in OT.

The team only has 18 more games to go before the playoffs and are within two points of Colorado who currently lead the division. Tomorrow night the Canucks battle the St Louis Blues in what promises to be a spirited affair. Watch for Bertuzzi and Pronger, the two big 44’s, to be in each other’s faces all night long.