As you must know by now, I have opinions. I'm not always qualified, but I have 'em, and I'm not shy about it. I got a mouth on me. So to keep you occupied and [hopefully] amused whilst I research my Oscar post, (yes, research - it's gonna have some actual facts in it, kids!), here are some random rants and raves, in no particular fashion:

RAVE - "The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada" -  Tommy Lee Jones, he of the relief map face and the cold diesel engine with a twang voice, has almost never disappointed as an actor. Even in a total shit movie, (can you say "Volcano"?), he shines. But as a director (and producer) he's even better! The real trick here is he directs not only himself, in a role he was seemingly born to, but an odd, quirky, deep cast, including Dwight Yoakam and Levon Helm (of The Band), and all are really great. With a truly off-center, original storyline that is beautifully written, stunningly shot, (mostly on his own South Texas ranch), and perfectly paced, this film is just a real, unexpected treat. Do not miss it.

RANT - NBC's Coverage of The Winter Olympics - I'm not much of a sports fan, but I do love a good, televised spectacle. I think it's that train wreck thing. And that's just what watching this is like. Bob Costas, usually a pretty smart sportscaster, had run through Roget's by the third night and has been floundering since. The production's terrible, the reporting and commentary worse. (Did you know Dick Button was still alive?) And all the "filler", those little lifestyle/location pieces, are insipid as are the reporters doing them. I'm certain this is not what the ancient Greeks had in mind. Did they have luges?

RAVE - Countdown with Keith Olberman - Who remembers Keith as a CBS sportscaster? Who remembers he got fired for being way too smart for the room? I do, so it was with glee that a while ago I discovered this iconoclast's MSNBC news-and-newsmakers of the day show. His dry sarcastic wit is given full reign here, but don't let that put you off. He's smart. Real smart. His interviews are thoughtful and highly informative for the viewers and interviewees alike, his questions never run-of-the-mill. His "Oddball" segment rivals anything Bill Maher does, without the goofy smirk. You'll enjoy yourself and learn something. Who knew? (And see if you recognise his "sign off").

RANT - The Tonight Show with Jay Leno - Can someone please explain this show's popularity to me. Better yet, can you please explain how he keeps his lips from chapping kissing so much celebrity ass. Does the word shill have any negative connotation anymore?

RAVE - iPod - I'm a techno junkie. I inherited it from my father, who sadly died before the computer age really hit. But he had every gadget of his day, and then some. He was not so much fascinated by them, but fascinated watching other people be fascinated by them. His office was always chock full of stuff to keep his clients distracted from the business at hand. It inevitably worked. I actually like them for myself, and how they all enrich my life. Besides my Smartphone, my iPod is my favorite. The fact that I can carry my very extensive CD collection in my pocket and listen to whatever I want whenever and wherever I choose is astounding. I was late in getting one, and haven't bumped up to the video version yet, but in a very short time, I can no more imagine life without my iPod than I can, say, touch tone phones, color TV, and microwave ovens. "Nuff said. 

RAVE - AirAmerica Radio - Yes, I've just completely identified myself as a lefty-pinko-liberal ,W-disliker, (what's to like?), but I gotta tell you, when it comes to getting the unvarnished truth out, this is the place. Yes, they're all liberals, (though Ed Shultz is a former conservative Republican who became too disenchanted), and yes, they may be slanted in their content choices. Oh, and a big yes, Al Franken's a bit pedantic for my taste, albeit still quite funny. But the times I'm usually in the car, there's the aforementioned Ed Shultz and the former Air Forcewoman, Randi Rhodes. Ed is one of the smartest, fairest broadcasters I've ever heard. No matter how hard the Bushies try to get his goat, he stays fair and balanced, (see FOX, there's a way to actually be that). And Randi is just an America loving, bullshit-in-government hating ball of ranting energy. You think I rant....? (here in L.A. it's on KTLK-AM, 1150) You gotta listen to this.


Now, see, there were more Raves than Rants. Who says I'm negative?

Next up - Oscar.... out of the garbage can on Sesame Street, onto Phillip Hoffman's mantle...Get settled...