Zeitgeist: Addendum

So, in response to the previous post, there's a sequel to the first movie "Zeitgeist" called "Zeitgeist: Addendum". I actually quite enjoyed the sequel a lot more than the first movie. The facts seem more accurate and what's expressed seems to be better researched. I suppose it corresponds better with my personal world vision, though I have to say, despite my optimism, I highly doubt that we'll achieve a Utopian society as suggested here. Still, a better way to kill time than to watch some ridiculous romantic dramas or whatever else people watch these days.

Today's Random Picture:

Zeitgeist

Lately, my brother Kennet has been getting really into conspiracy theories and somewhat extreme/pessimistic world view lately. Recently, he sent me a link to an online movie called "Zeitgeist", which, out of curiosity, I ended up watching.

Although I do agree with some aspects of issues concerning the Federal Reserve (this is a pretty known fact if you do at least some independent research, but the facts on Christianity are off. I'm not Christian by no means, but "December 25" doesn't have anything to do with any religious figure's "birthday". Christmas is on December 25th because there used to be the Pagan winter solstice around this time and thus, Christmas, almost by default fell on this day and it has nothing to do with the other "gods" (which, by the way, most of the information is off and unfounded/no data can support the movie's claims. As for the 9/11 conspiracy theory... well, I somehow can't believe that the government is behind it. If it really is a government conspiracy and it was planned... well, then I guess I'll have to give up any hope I have for my country. Just thought I might comment on it, if Ken actually ends up reading this post and for anyone interested in killing some time and watching a free online movie.

Today's Random Quiz:

You Are a Dove

You believe that it's important to keep the peace. There's too much fighting in the world these days. You understand why conflict happens, but more importantly, you understand its effects. You know that you can't bring about world peace. However, you do believe that all of your actions have consequences. You try to do your part by being compassionate and seeing both sides of things. Whenever possible, you try to mediate disputes.

Are You a Hawk or a Dove?

Results of the 2010 Academy Awards

Interestingly enough, the one film of the nominees for best picture I watched (The Hurt Locker) won! The rest of the awards are below, with the winners in bold font.

Best Motion Picture of the Year

The Hurt Locker (2008)

Avatar (2009)

The Blind Side (2009)

District 9 (2009)

An Education (2009)

Inglourious Basterds (2009)

Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire (2009)

A Serious Man (2009)

Up (2009)

Up in the Air (2009)

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role 
Jeff Gridges for Crazy Heard (2009)George Clooney for Up in the Air (2009)

Colin Firth for A Single Man (2009)

Morgan Freeman for Invictus  (2009)

Jeremy Renner for The Hurt Locker (2008)

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role
Sandra Bullock for The Blind Side  (2009)Helen Mirren for The Last Station (2009)

Carey Mulligan for An Education (2009)

Gabourey Sidibe for Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire (2009)

Meryl Streep for Julie & Julia (2009)

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role  
Christoph Waltz for Inglourious Basterds (2009)Matt Damon for Invictus (2009)

Woody Harrelson for The Messenger (2009)

Christopher Plummer for The Last Station (2009)

Stanley Tucci for The Lovely Bones (2009)

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role  
Mo'Nique for Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire (2009) 
Penélope Cruz for Nine (2009)

Vera Farmiga for Up in the Air (2009)

Maggie Gyllenhaal for Crazy Heart (2009)

Anna Kendrick for Up in the Air (2009)

Best Achievement in Directing  
Kathryn Bigelow for The Hurt Locker (2008) 
James Cameron for Avatar (2009)

Lee Daniels for Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire (2009)

Jason Reitman for Up in the Air (2009/I)

Quentin Tarantino for Inglourious Basterds (2009)

Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen  
The Hurt Locker (2008): Mark Boal 
Inglourious Basterds (2009): Quentin Tarantino

The Messenger (2009/I): Alessandro Camon, Oren Moverman

A Serious Man (2009): Joel Coen, Ethan Coen

Up (2009): Bob Peterson, Pete Docter, Thomas McCarthy

Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published
Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire (2009): Geoffrey Fletcher 
District 9 (2009): Neill Blomkamp, Terri Tatchell

An Education (2009): Nick Hornby

In the Loop (2009): Jesse Armstrong, Simon Blackwell, Armando Iannucci, Tony Roche

Up in the Air (2009): Jason Reitman, Sheldon Turner

Best Achievement in Cinematography 
Avatar (2009): Mauro Fiore 
Das weisse Band - Eine deutsche Kindergeschichte (2009): Christian Berger

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009): Bruno Delbonnel

The Hurt Locker (2008): Barry Ackroyd

Inglourious Basterds (2009): Robert Richardson

Best Achievement in Editing 
The Hurt Locker (2008): Bob Murawski, Chris Innis
 Avatar (2009): Stephen E. Rivkin, John Refoua, James Cameron

District 9 (2009): Julian Clarke

Inglourious Basterds (2009): Sally Menke

Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire (2009): Joe Klotz

Best Achievement in Art Direction 
Avatar (2009): Rick Carter, Robert Stromberg, Kim Sinclair 
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (2009): David Warren, Anastasia Masaro, Caroline Smith

Nine (2009): John Myhre, Gordon Sim

Sherlock Holmes (2009): Sarah Greenwood, Katie Spencer

The Young Victoria (2009): Patrice Vermette, Maggie Gray

Best Achievement in Costume Design 
The Young Victoria (2009): Sandy Powell 
Bright Star (2009): Janet Patterson

Coco avant Chanel (2009): Catherine Leterrier

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (2009): Monique Prudhomme

Nine (2009): Colleen Atwood

Best Achievement in Makeup
Star Trek (2009): Barney Burman, Mindy Hall, Joel Harlow 
Il divo (2008): Aldo Signoretti, Vittorio Sodano

The Young Victoria (2009): John Henry Gordon, Jenny Shircore

Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Score 
Up (2009): Michael Giacchino
Avatar (2009): James Horner

Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009): Alexandre Desplat

The Hurt Locker (2008): Marco Beltrami, Buck Sanders

Sherlock Holmes (2009): Hans Zimmer

Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Song 
Crazy Heart (2009): T-Bone Burnett, Ryan Bingham("The Weary Kind") 
Faubourg 36 (2008): Reinhardt Wagner, Frank Thomas ("Loin de Paname")

Nine (2009): Maury Yeston ("Take It All")

The Princess and the Frog (2009): Randy Newman ("Almost There")

The Princess and the Frog (2009): Randy Newman ("Down in New Orleans")

Best Achievement in Sound Mixing 
The Hurt Locker (2008): Paul N.J. Ottosson, Ray Beckett
Avatar (2009): Christopher Boyes, Gary Summers, Andy Nelson, Tony Johnson

Inglourious Basterds (2009): Michael Minkler, Tony Lamberti, Mark Ulano

Star Trek (2009): Anna Behlmer, Andy Nelson, Peter J. Devlin

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009): Greg P. Russell, Gary Summers, Geoffrey Patterson

Best Achievement in Sound Editing 
The Hurt Locker (2008): Paul N.J. Ottosson 
Avatar (2009): Christopher Boyes, Gwendolyn Yates Whittle

Inglourious Basterds (2009): Wylie Stateman

Star Trek (2009): Mark P. Stoeckinger, Alan Rankin

Up (2009): Michael Silvers, Tom Myers

Best Achievement in Visual Effects 
Avatar (2009): Joe Letteri, Stephen Rosenbaum, Richard Baneham, Andy Jones 
District 9 (2009): Dan Kaufman, Peter Muyzers, Robert Habros, Matt Aitken

Star Trek (2009): Roger Guyett, Russell Earl, Paul Kavanagh, Burt Dalton

Best Animated Feature Film of the Year 
Up (2009): Pete Docter 
Coraline (2009): Henry Selick

Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009): Wes Anderson

The Princess and the Frog (2009): John Musker, Ron Clements

The Secret of Kells (2009): Tomm Moore

Best Foreign Language Film of the Year
El secreto de sus ojos (2009) (Argentina) 
Ajami (2009)(Israel)

Das weisse Band - Eine deutsche Kindergeschichte (2009) (Germany)

Un prophète (2009) (France)

La teta asustada (2009) (Peru)

Best Documentary, Features 
The Cove (2009): Louie Psihoyos, Fisher Stevens 
Burma VJ: Reporter i et lukket land (2008): Anders Østergaard, Lise Lense-Møller

Food, Inc. (2008): Robert Kenner, Elise Pearlstein

The Most Dangerous Man in America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers (2009): Judith Ehrlich, Rick Goldsmith

Which Way Home (2009): Rebecca Cammisa

Best Documentary, Short Subjects 
Music by Prudence (2010): Roger Ross Williams, Elinor Burkett 
China's Unnatural Disaster: The Tears of Sichuan Province (2009) (TV): Jon Alpert, Matthew O'Neill

The Last Campaign of Governor Booth Gardner (2009): Daniel Junge, Henry Ansbacher

The Last Truck: Closing of a GM Plant (2009) (TV): Steven Bognar, Julia Reichert

Królik po berlinsku (2009): Bartosz Konopka, Anna Wydra

Best Short Film, Animated
Logorama (2009): Nicolas Schmerkin 
French Roast (2008): Fabrice Joubert

Granny O'Grimm's Sleeping Beauty (2008): Nicky Phelan, Darragh O'Connell

La dama y la muerte (2009): Javier Recio Gracia

Wallace and Gromit in 'A Matter of Loaf and Death' (2008) (TV): Nick Park

Best Short Film, Live Action 
The New Tenants (2009): Joachim Back, Tivi Magnusson 

The Door (2008): Juanita Wilson, James Flynn

Istället för abrakadabra (2008): Patrik Eklund, Mathias Fjällström

Kavi (2009): Gregg Helvey

Miracle Fish (2009): Luke Doolan, Drew Bailey

Today's Random Quiz:

You Are Hockey

Tough, athletic, and not afraid of a fight. You don't mind putting your body on the line!

What Winter Sport Are You?

Quality, Not Quantity

The Oscars are supposed to be held today, according to my sister who wants to study film. I really haven't been keeping up with pop culture media, so I was clueless when it came to most films. Last year, best picture went to Slumdog Millionaire, which I really loved and think it deserved. This year, I can't say I have a favorite; the nominees are:

Avatar
The Blind Side
District 9
An Education
The Hurt Locker
Inglourious Basterds
Precious
A Serious Man
Up
Up in the Air

Of these, I've only seen The Hurt Locker, which was a good, but not great movie. I have a vague idea about Inglourious Basterds and Up. Up in the Air and Avatar were recommended by many but Avatar was also said to be extremely overrated, especially according to my brother and sister. I trust them because we generally have similar tastes, so I'm sure I wouldn't like Avatar that much. Apparently, Avatar = Disney's Pocahontas, except with amazing graphics. It might be a visually pleasing movie, but that doesn't mean it deserves best picture if the plot is one that's been rehashed and is unoriginal. Sure, it sold the most tickets, but things like this should be about quality, not quantity.

Can't say I'm expecting much since I probably won't watch the Oscars anyway. Not just that, but I almost never agree with the movie that wins best picture. Last year was an exception since they actually picked the film I would give the Best Picture Award to, which normally never happens. Since I'm apathetic this year, I just spent most of my free time baking/cooking:

Lemon-molasses glazed salmon over a tossed salad

American Southern biscuits

Whole wheat spaghetti with broiled salmon topped with a curried vegetable sauce and a lemon wheel

Today's Random Quiz:

You Would Win Best Documentary Feature

You are very curious about and engaged with the world. Everyone is interesting to you. You have a variety of interests, and you delve into them quite deeply. People are impressed by the sheer quantity of stuff you know, and you're learning more every day. However, you're not just informed. You also are very informative. You share what you know in an engaging and interesting way.

What Would You Win an Oscar For?

World of Film

World Map according to average budget per feature film... and the winner goes to...

*drum roll please*
... New Zealand?!?!?!?!?

Surpringly, despite American films dominating popular culture worldwide, New Zealand averages higher dollars/film than the United States! I guess it seems shocking, but in spite of all the Hollywood blockbusters, there are many, many independent and low-budget films being produced in the United States, which might account for the unexpected discrepancy.

The country dominating according to the cartogram of feature film production per capita is...
Iceland?!?!?!?!?

I definitely did NOT see that one coming. Then again, if you think about it, Iceland has, what 300,000 people give or take a few thousand? I imagine that it's not that hard to produce a good number of movies per year, giving it a good per capita ratio. Denmark and Slovenia are doing quite well in terms of per capita ratio in film as well. Hong Kong isn't doing too shabby either.

Finally, overall feature film production...
Japan and India are gigantic on this map. France and Spain look like they're competing for dominance in Europe and on the African continent, I'm safely assuming that the winner is Nigeria.

These maps are all credited to: