When the Cheshire emerges...

Three discussions up tonight...

#1: OSCAR NOMINATIONS

Big day today, with Oscar noms first announced during my slumber. Going through the nominations I was a bit nonplussed about a few of the Best Picture finalists because they haven't come out in Australia yet (so I can only go on the hype).

Really interested to see Silver Linings Playbook now because of all the nods - go Jacki Weaver! She's hardly shown in the trailer and not even named as a major credit but she got nominated for Best Supporting Actress again. Woo!

I do agree with critics that are saying Skyfall missed out though. It got a few nominations but not in the 'bigger' categories where it would've been just as much deserving. I also

I don't like to pick what I think might win because I don't know enough about all the contenders. There doesn't seem to be an overwhelming standout for Best Picture but I'd love to see Argo win. Actor and actress I won't say - I haven't seen any of the Best Actress performances. How sad is that? I feel a bit pathetic.

Take a look and have a think. Let me know your Oscar picks!


#2: AUSTRALIAN OPEN DRAW

Now to tennis and the draw for the Australian Open has come out... I'm excited about the Open any given year, but this year for extra special reason.

I'm going!

So I'm anxious to figure out who I can see but I have an idea.

I'm going on day 2, night 4 and day 5 right?


Because day 5's only a ground pass, I'm focusing on days 2 and 4 where I've got Rod Laver Arena access. The second half of the draw features Juan Martin Del Potro, what could be a cracker between Gail Monfils and Alexandr Dolgopolov if I see it on day 2, Tommy Haas, Roger Federer, Andy Murray and of the Aussies Bernard Tomic and Luke Saville.

And that's just the guys. The second part of the draw includes Sam Stosur, Ana Ivanovic, Maria Sharapova (will bring the earplugs for that one), Venus Williams and Aussies Casey Dellacqua and newcomer Ashleigh Barty.

Not bad at all. Hopeful for Tomic to do well now he's made it to the Sydney International final, and just to see some great games. Shame Hewitt got 8th seed Janko Tipsarevic straight up, I think he's going to have a really tough task.

Tennis fans! Have a look at the full draws and share what you think!


#3: EXPEDIA BLOGGER SEARCH

Winners were announced today. I wasn't one, but I'm fair sure I was a finalist in the Lifestyle category. So I'm pretty happy with that result. Thanks for the votes guys!

***
Did you ever notice how difficult it is to argue with someone who's not obsessed with being right?Why?

This was one of the films of the year. I highly recommend you get your bum on a cinema seat for this one.

Argo (M)

WHILE much of the current focus on the Middle East remains on links within the US, an interesting sidenote remains that Canadian relations with Iran have not always been on positive terms. Their decision last month to sever all diplomatic ties with the country, not for the first time, has sparked political and international debate.

It's timely then that this film should be released, explaining for the first time on film some details behind their disagreements. The Canadians were responsible for harbouring six US embassy employees in Tehran during violent protests in 1979/1980, aimed at the US government for keeping their corrupt leader safe while on his deathbed.

Yes, the US is still involved. And here we see the story of how they were the unsung heroes of the operation to get the group out of the country. As cliched as it seems, this is very much a case of North American partners in crime, something rarely highlighted.

The six escaped to the Canadian embassy, where they stayed for more than two months before CIA exfiltration agent Tony Mendez (Ben Affleck) came on board to create their escape plan. A preposterous plan for an extreme situation, he creates buzz for a sci-fi film that will never be made.

Getting producers, stars and Variety magazine on board are all part of Mendez's plan to have a viable excuse for getting into Iran for location scouting and smuggle the group out as the remainder of his production crew.

Unravelling elements of what those in the business think Hollywood to be as Mendez develops his plan, Affleck the director makes a statement to say he has earned his place among his sort of the day.
His attention to detail and style is remarkable, long shots establishing the story's slow process and effectively ditching the crisp picture we've come to expect for that of 30-year-old quality.

George Clooney and Grant Heslov join Affleck as producers, and together they make a film about a fake film big. John Goodman and Alan Arkin as Mendez's Hollywood contacts are wry and cynical but great assets, and Bryan Cranston again makes an important appearance as CIA buddy Jack O'Donnell. Victor Garber returns to his roots as Canadian ambassador Ken Taylor, while Affleck himself has no conflictions about moving between the front and back of the camera.

Tony Mendez is a simple guy who's having family issues, but the focus never remains on him. The story is well and truly everyone's, something to remember and be able to share. Taking information from Mendez's autobiography The Master of Disguise and article Escape From Tehran by Joshuah Bearman, the film is smooth and engrossing in entirety.

Unlike many other films involving espionage and rescue plots, this story has true heart.