Enough Already!

Enough already, over the course of the past three episodes of the Sopranos it has become abundantly clear that the show just isn’t the same without James Gandolfini as Tony Soprano. Sometime prior to the third or fourth season there was a demand on his part for more money as his recurring role, and speculation as to whether the show would continue on without him.

Episodes two and three of season six has Tony laid up in a hospital, not breathing on his own in a coma. Unfortunately the show has gone absolutely nowhere since Corrado “Junior” Soprano shot his nephew. Sure there may have been some power struggles among the lower ranks, but nothing has been done to promote a story line other than Tony struggling for his life, which takes up about one tenth of the show.

He has been wondering around not really knowing who he is, with recent events which occurred in his real life mixing with his dream world. There is all sorts of symbolism which are represented in this world, like a Finity Family reunion representing the afterlife, or his (well, Mr. Finity’s briefcase) representing his real life. Perhpas even the name "Finity" representing a finite amount of time Tony has left before his "associates" get tired of him and plot to clip him?

Edie Falco (Carmela Soprano) may be a fine actress, Steve Van Zandt, and Michael Imperioli work great in supporting roles, but even their combined strength simply can’t carry the show much further. It was a struggle getting through these two episodes because crying and bickering will only carry a show so far. Pining over some ones eventual collapse or recovery just doesn’t make for good television, especially given the history of quality the Sopranos has displayed.

Get Tony out of the hospital and get the show moving along. Simply put – it cant last any longer without him as the main lead.

Question of the Moment

Often times I have heard people discuss the topic, “If you could have any super power, what would it be?” Well let’s narrow down this and say, if you could have to power of invisibility or the power of flight which would to prefer to have, and of course why would you choose that particular power over the other?

Did you already decide? Was it spur of the moment, or did you really think about the unique potential each one really offers?

The power of flight is something mythical in my opinion. It is something humans have always thought of doing, and it currently done with the aid of machinery. This type of power would almost be one to be flaunted, because people are going to see you zipping around the clouds, or wondering how you got somewhere with a fantastic “wind-blown” look. Would it be more for the extroverted personality, one who enjoys putting their skills on display, or is that something you would like to do?

Then there is the power of invisibility, opening many doors of possibility. You would be able to get away with many many things, and even have the potential of living a complete a life which isn’t dominated by a nine to five job because you could get anything you wanted without being noticed; if you wanted that is. You could see movies for free, spy on people, hop on a plane and zip off on some exotic vacation, find out what people are really saying behind alleged “closed doors”.

So for all the loyal and causal readers alike, take a moment to think about this and leave a comment which you would choose.

Personally, I like the power of flight over invisibility,

Calling My Shot

Place your bets, call your shots, and give your local bookie a ring ~ its Oscar time. So in the spirit of making you the reader think I know more than I really do I am going to pick the winners for this year. Mind you, I haven’t seen a majority of these films, but I will try to offer brief explanation to my picks. With out much more to do…the nominees

Best Actor in a Leading Role

• Philip Seymour Hoffman Capote


• Terrence Howard Hustle & Flow


• Heath Ledger Brokeback Mountain


• Joaquin Phoenix Walk The Line


• David Strathairn Good Night, And Good Luck

Phillip Seymour Hoffman has been doing a fantastic job in a number of movies over the last few years. He has gotten snubbed in the past and the judges know that he has, his year he is due, that is money.

Best Actress in a Leading Role

• Judi Dench Mrs. Henderson Presents


• Felicity Huffman Transamerica


• Keira Knightley Pride & Prejudice


• Charlize Theron North Country


• Reese Witherspoon Walk the Line

The Desperate Housewife isnt going to get it, and neither is the Monster Baller, Charlize Theron. This year will go to the Legally Blond Reese Witherspoon for her role in the tale of Johnny Cash. *I have not seen any of these movies thus far.

Best Actor in a Supporting Role

• George Clooney Syriana


• Matt Dillon Crash


• Paul Giamatti Cinderella Man


• Jake Gyllenhaal Brokeback Mountain


• William Hurt A History of Violence

Paul Giamatti chose a heck of a year to give a great performance in Sideways last year going up against Clint Eastwood, Leonardo DiCaprio, Johnny Depp, and Don Cheadle. He didn't even get nominated, so this year he will taste the snub, Matt Dillon is my choice. He gave a heck of a performance in Crash playing the role of a seemingly racist LAPD officer, and has earned the statue. Hmm, so far I have given the Oscar darling of 2006, Brokeback Mountain a doughnut thus far, shall we continue...?

Best Actress in a Supporting Role

• Amy Adams Junebug


• Catherine Keener Capote


• Frances McDormand North Country


• Rachel Weisz The Constant Gardener


• Michelle Williams Brokeback Mountain

This is a complete roll of the dice, and well why not the Constant Gardener getting a little somethin' somethin'?

Best Achievement in Directing

• George Clooney Good Night, and Good Luck.


• Paul Haggis Crash


• Ang Lee Brokeback Mountain


• Bennett Miller Capote


• Steven Spielberg Munich

Yup, Ang Lee is going to win this award for his work on Brokeback Mountain. For all the hype and praise this movie has received I don't see any other real competitor.

Movie of the Year

• Brokeback Mountain


• Capote


• Crash


• Good Night, and Good Luck.


• Munich

Oh, it hurts to do that because Crash really is a fantastic movie, and really is my *real* pick for the winner, but I see the Broke machine leaving with one of the large awards it was nominated for. There seemed to be two major players with this one, Brokeback Mountain and Crash, both which have received hype as of late making it seem like a two film race. Wouldn't it be funny if Good Night, and Good Luck won?

So there it is, let me know what you think if you comment before the awards start. If you post after, you can thank me for helping you make all that money with my predictions. Isn't there some sort of percetage involved? ;-)