Monday, February 23, 2009

Sound Mixing with Resul Pookutty

I'm not really quite sure what a sound mixer does, but Resul Pookutty gave the most heartfelt acceptance speech for his Oscar win. I usually tune out when they get to the technical awards, but he had my attention from the moment he began to tearfully express his gratitude. There were a lot of nice speeches, and of course I cried when Heath Ledger's family accepted his award, but Pookutty's so sincere thank you just made me really happy for him, and for India!



Watch it when you get a chance, it's pretty short and worth the watch, or re-watch!




Sunday, February 22, 2009

Academy Award Winners Update

**UPDATE : The Winners**



In BOLD if I chose correctly

Heath Legder wins Best Supporting Actor

Penelope Cruz wins Best Supporting Actress

Milk wins Best Original Screenplay

Slumdog Millionaire wins Best Adapted Screenplay

WALL-E wins Best Animated Film

Man on Wire wins Best Documentary

Slumdog Millionaire wins Best Score

Slumdog Millionaire's "Jai Ho" wins Best Song

Departures wins Best Foreign Language Film

Danny Boyle, of Slumdog Millionaire, wins Best Director

Kate Winslet wins Best Actress for The Reader


Sean Penn wins Best Actor for Milk

Slumdog Millionaire wins Best Picture



I have to say, even though it ran 26 minutes over, I really enjoyed this year's Awards! I really wish Mickey Rourke had won, but I'm really happy with all of the other winners. I HAVE to see Slumdog Millionaire! So, I went out on a limb and predicted a 75% success rate, but alas, I only had 70% correct, but I still that's pretty good.



Stay tuned tomorrow for my first ever "Best and Worst of the Academy Awards." Let me know your favorite parts and what you didn't like.



Ex. I loved Angelina Jolie's green earrings, but I think Jennifer Aniston had the best dress, between the two of them.


The 81st Annual Academy Awards - My Predictions








I love the Oscars! And part of what I love most is picking out who I think is going to win. I'm just doing the"non-technical" categories. I don't know anything about edit splicing or sound engineering, so if I chose winners for them, it would be an uneducated guess.

So here are my predictions- AND I'm going to go out on a limb and predict that I will have a 75% success rate- I'm feeling lucky, what can I say?!


Best Supporting Actress: Amy Adams


Best Supporting Actor: Heath Ledger


Best Actress: Kate Winslet


Best Actor: Mickey Rourke




Best Film: Slumdog Millionaire

Best Animated Film: WALL-E



Best Director: Danny Boyle- Slumdog Millionaire



Best Foreign Language Film: Waltz With Bashir




Best Documentary: Man on Wire


Best Score: Slumdog Millionaire

Best Song: Slumdog Millionaire, Jai Ho


Best Adapted Screenplay: The Reader (okay, I actually think it's going to be Slumdog Millionaire, but I'm tired of winning all the awards!)

Best Original Screenplay: Milk

Friday, February 20, 2009

A Helping Hand

Every day I read something on someone's blog that makes me want to cry. I get sucked into their stories and as I read about them, I want more than anything to be able to help in some way.


Since I'm not a millionaire, or a hundred thousand-aire, or a ten thousand-aire, (get the picture) and I don't have any connections with clout, I realize that there isn't much that I can do. So I've decided that each week I'm going to post links to these blogs and help spread the word and their stories. Little prayers from around the globe can go a long way and you never know who might be reading!


This week, these are the families that are need of some help, earthly and spiritually:



The Karg Family - Pregnant with twins, one died in utero and the other little girl is back in the hospital, fighting for her life.



The Freeman Family
- Little girl born 3 months premature, now 8 months old, only 6lbs 4ozs., and still has never come from the hospital.

The McClenahan Family - Their baby daughter, Cora, died this month. She went to the doctor for an ear ache and was diagnosed with cancer- 4 weeks later she unexpectedly died. They are building a playgound at their church in her memory.


The Johnson Family - Their little boy, Cody, was just given weeks to live after a very long struggle, and fight, against cancer.


Each time I read these families' blogs, I almost always end up in tears- yet, I am compelled to keep reading. Their stories remind me to be thankful each day for the gift of my healthy, beautiful daughter.


Every week I will post about new families that are need of help, but feel free to let me know about others that I'm missing or if there is someone that you'd like me to write about.

The Best Chocolate Cake/Brownies, EVER

I got this recipe from Pioneer Woman, but made a few changes. I didn't put nuts in the icing, but if you want, the real recipe calls for pecans. I also used unsweetened cocoa powder instead of sweetened, and trust me- it was plenty sweet!



I also didn't have buttermilk on hand, so I made my own buttermilk- 1 tablespoon of lemon juice and then add enough regular milk so that it equals 1 cup. Let it sit for 5 minutes and Voila, buttermilk. Then just add how much the recipe calls for.



This was seriously the best chocolate cake/brownies that I have ever tasted. I hope you enjoy!



Combine in a mixing bowl:

  • 2 cups flour
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

In a saucepan, melt:

  • 2 sticks butter
  • Add 4 heaping tablespoons cocoa.

Stir together


  • Add 1 cup boiling water, allow mixture to boil for 30 seconds, then turn off heat.


  • Pour over flour mixture


  • Stir lightly to cool

In measuring cup, pour 1/2 cup buttermilk.


Add:

  • 2 beaten eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda

Pour buttermilk mixture into butter/chocolate mixture.



Stir together with a wooden spoon




Pour into sheet cake pan

Bake at 350-degrees for 20 minutes

While cake is baking, make icing:


  • Melt 1 3/4 sticks butter in a saucepan.
  • Add 4 heaping tablespoons cocoa, stir to combine, then turn off heat.


Add:


  • 6 tablespoons milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 lb minus 1/2 cup powdered sugar

Stir together

Pour over warm cake


Spencer LOVED It!