Second Chance Saturday: 4

This Saturday posting is now dedicated to the songs, music videos, albums, movies, and anything else that deserves a second chance. Whether it was poorly received by others, not given enough attention, or just wasn’t seen or heard of by many, it’s time that I give it the proper attention and credit it deserves.

And what better way to start this off than with the outstanding woman that is Beyoncé. I know what you’re thinking, “what is there that Beyoncé has done that needs a second chance?” Well besides a couple of her movies (Fighting Temptations, Obsessed…) when it comes to her music, 4 is seriously and mistakenly underrated.

She was away from the game for a couple of years. She took time off for herself, and everyone (myself included) was waiting for the day when she would return. And she did so with such dignity, maturity, and grace. “Run the World (Girls)” is a big song, it should have been given more respect than it actually received! She continued her girl-power demeanor, she showed up and killed it when she performed at both the Billboard Music Awards and Oprah’s finale spectacular. And let’s not forget about the fierceness she brought to the video.

Then we have “Best Thing I Never Had”, a bittersweet anthem that proves Beyoncé still has some angst towards previous flings. In the spirit of “Irreplaceable”, she looked towards a brighter day, a time in her life now when she can laugh about being with the wrong man, and being eternally grateful for the love and life she has now.

Next up was “Countdown”, in the same field with party songs like “Get Me Bodied”, “Freakum Dress”, and “Upgrade U”. She went hard in every way possible. From the beat intertwining 70’ funk and 80’s pop/R&B, she counts down the things that have her all dressed up in love. And could anyone else catch the foreshadowing of “trying to make us 3” lyric…

And then we get to “Love on Top”, my absolute favorite from the album. I was a fan from the second I heard the song on the day the album was released. There was something so beautiful and so pure about it. It brought back the days of Earth, Wind, & Fire, with a touch of 80’s Whitney Houston and “P.Y.T.” Michael Jackson. And when you really listen to the lyrics and her voice, you can just feel how happy she is and what a great man she has in her life. And let us certainly not forget her genius performance at the VMA’s when she (as only Beyoncé can do) announced to the world that she and her hubby Jay-Z were bringing a baby into the world!

With the singles aside, everything about the album is a step up from her previous efforts (which are all outstanding in their own ways). It blends well, they all complement each other so well, and they show us a mature, beautiful woman reaching the age of 30, with all of the great things she’s accomplished in her life.

In a nutshell: we have the beauty and grace in “1+1”, the bitterness and strength in “I Care”, the longing and heart-wrenching in “I Miss You”, the retro and upbeat “Party”, the Chi-lite’s-inspired throwback in “Rather Die Young”, the honesty in “Start Over”, the experimental genius in “End of Time”, the pure and powerful “I Was Here”, the fun jam “Lay Up Under Me”, the funky fierceness in “Schoolin’ Life”, and the sensual seduction in “Dance For You”.

It was shut out from the Grammy’s (minus the one nomination it received for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for “Party”). It deserved an Album of the Year, Best Pop Vocal, Best R&B Vocal, and certainly a Best R&B album nomination, never mind the fact that none of the singles reached the Top 10 on the charts in the US. The album still debuted at #1 the week it was released, but in the year of ADELE, it didn’t match the same kind of success. Nowadays, music is all about the thumping bass, the pop lyrics, the party rocking, and the techno craze that doesn’t seem to be going away all the time. Everything on the radio (while catchy and fun) sounds like one mega song. But then there are gems like ADELE and Beyoncé who release pop music that’s different and original. Sure she has her influences, but Beyoncé stayed true to what SHE wanted to sing and write about. And now that she’s 30, happily married, and a glowing mother now to her baby Blue Ivy (a stage name all on its own), I urge everyone who hasn’t yet given this album a listen to a second chance!!!

2012 Academy Award Nomination Predictions

In a perfect world of nominations (in my opinion at least) these would be my choices for who should get nominated this year at the Oscars…

Best Picture

1.) The Artist

2.) The Descendants

3.) The Help

4.) Moneyball

5.) Hugo

6.) Bridesmaids

7.) War Horse

8.) Midnight In Paris

9.) Drive

10.) Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows, Part 2

Since the rules have changed, there’s no knowing exactly how many films will be nominated for this category (just that the possible nomination count will be between 5 and 10). So in order, I’ve placed the movies I’d like to see nominated for the big one of the night…

Best Director

Michael Hazanavicius – The Artist

Alexander Payne – The Descendants

Nicolas Winding Refn – Drive

Martin Scorsese – Hugo

Steven Spielberg – War Horse

The Artist is bound to receive plenty of nominations throughout, so no surprise to see Hazanavicius nominated here. Alexander Payne is another shoe in, along with Scorsese (who won the Golden Globe). Spielberg seems like a good fit, and I’d love nothing more than to see a worthy nomination for Refn with Drive.

Best Actor

George Clooney – The Descendants

Jean Dujardin – The Artist

Michael Fassbender – Shame

Ryan Gosling – Drive

Brad Pitt – Moneyball

Clooney has already won every major acting award this season so far, and Dujardin is second to Clooney this season as well. Fassbender and Pitt are great supports in this category. But the fifth slot I’d love to see for Gosling in Drive.

Best Actress

Viola Davis – The Help

Meryl Streep – The Iron Lady

Tilda Swinton – We Need To Talk About Kevin

Kristen Wiig – Bridesmaids

Michelle Williams – My Week With Marilyn

Viola Davis was snubbed of a win at the Golden Globes (even though I do love Streep). These 2 can be certain that they’ll be battling it out again for the Oscars (although I’m pulling for Davis to win). Williams has already won rave reviews and the Golden Globe for her work as Marilyn Monroe, and Swinton has been earning lots of attention for her little seen film. But a surprise nomination that I hope sneaks in there is Wiig for her hilarious role in Bridesmaids. After seeing this movie time and time again, she deserves some big time recognition for her work.

Best Supporting Actor

Kenneth Branagh – My Week With Marilyn

Albert Brooks – Drive

Jonah Hill – Moneyball

Christopher Plummer – Beginners

Andy Serkis – Rise of the Planet of the Apes

Branagh, Brooks, and Hill are the same bunch who are getting nominated in this category this season. But expect a shoe-in with Plummer to receive both the nomination and the win. The dark horse I’d love to see recognized in this group would be Serkis for his impressive work in Rise of the Planet of the Apes.

Best Supporting Actress

Bérénice Bejo – The Artist

Jessica Chastain – The Help

Melissa McCarthy – Bridesmaids

Octavia Spencer – The Help

Shailene Woodley – The Descendants

Bejo and Chastain are sure to earn nominations. But expect Spencer to sweep up both the nomination and the win in this category. Woodley deserves recognition for her impressive work in The Descendants, but I’m pulling even more for a nomination for McCarthy. Along with Wiig, she was one of the driving forces behind the humor in Bridesmaids.

Best Animated Feature

The Adventures of Tin-Tin

Kung Fu Panda 2

Puss In Boots

Rango

Rio

With all of the wins they’ve been getting so far, expect to see nominations for Tin-Tin and Rango. But let’s not forget about Puss in Boots who has been right there along with the other nominations. Kung Fu Panda 2 and Rio feel like good fits as well if this category gets 5 nominations this year.

SMASH REVIEW: A "Smash" Indeed!

Its tough trying to find originality these days, especially when it comes to music, movies, and television. Even with a “fresh, original” show like Glee, it still is inspired by musical numbers, covers of famous songs, and typical high school storylines. While they are influenced by works that have come before, the show still offers their own sense of originality that makes it lovely to watch every week. So you can imagine my surprise when I first heard that NBC picked up a little show called Smash, said to be in the same caliber with Glee, in that it’s a musical show that revolves around a musical show. For me, I had to wonder where the originality was in that. But after seeing the pilot episode three times in one week (yes, it’s my new obsession), I think I have the answer. Smash is an entertaining concept, the cast is talented, and the music is phenomenal!

The idea behind Smash (so I’ve picked up so far) is that every season, we’ll get to go behind the scenes of how a musical is created and brought to life on the stage. As far as the originality goes, it sounds like a concept that has been done before. But there’s something so wonderful and refreshing about it that makes it all work for the better. Sure, like I mentioned before, the ideas that have obviously been inspired by Glee are noticeable. First there’s the obvious one word title. But even Katharine McPhee acknowledged what kind of stamina Glee has had on television. “’We're just actually really grateful that Glee has opened the door,’ she said. ‘And has made music work on television’” (MTV News). What I’ve also been excited about is how executive producer Steven Spielberg described his idea for creating the show. If I’m not mistaken, every season will go behind the scenes of creating a new Broadway musical. If there’s enough interest in the show they create, they’ll look into actually producing it on Broadway in real life. Who knows if they’re still thinking that way, but the idea is intriguing.

Can you imagine how many people are going to be submitting their own stories, ideas, and original music to the show? That opens up a partnership with up and coming writers, possibly even a contest (like the Glee open auditions) to get your work on television. Think about the revenue that comes with music downloads, Emmy and Grammy awards, merchandise sales for the Smash show, not to mention if the musical they create on television becomes a Broadway production. Then we start to have ticket sales, national tours, cast recordings, Tony and Grammy awards, and let us not forget the tradition of turning Broadway shows into films. Then we get into even more ticket sales, more intrigue since the film version will attract big celebrity names, more Grammy awards and even Academy Awards. And while all of this takes place, Smash will still be on TV creating another new musical every season to start the process all over again! Debra Messing’s character Julia said it best when reading about a stage revival of My Fair Lady. “Doesn’t anyone write original musicals anymore?” Oh the possibilities…

Let’s get into the talent that comes with just one cast. First up is the return of the delightful Debra Messing. I loved her on Will & Grace for 8 seasons, adored her in The Starter Wife, and it’s great to see her back in full form entertaining us all. Then we have a powerhouse icon like Anjelica Huston, who’s impressive career adds yet another strong character in her already large list of women she’s portrayed.

Then we’re given two beams of light with Megan Hilty and Katharine McPhee (or as the promos suggest, INTRODUCING Megan Hilty and Katharine McPhee). Megan Hilty is almost like Broadway royalty. She’s been seen already in  Wicked as the delicious Glinda the good witch, and let us not forget her starring role in 9 to 5 the musical as Doralee Rhodes (the role made famous by Dolly Parton in the film version). Katharine McPhee is most known as the girl with the beautiful voice who SHOULD HAVE won American Idol, but mistakably was shut out by the horrible winner Taylor Hicks. She’s tried the acting thing with The House Bunny (one of my favorites by the way) and a music career (putting her beautiful voice with an impressive and experimental backdrop of pop, rock, soul, R&B, and Hip-Hop). Then comes the other supporting cast members. We have the seductive director Jack Davenport, the gay writing partner who can hold his own Christian Borle, and the gorgeous and perfect boyfriend Razza Jeffrey. Together, this makes one hell of a cast. Beauty, talent, and perfection in one show, I didn’t think it was possible.

And now we get to my favorite part about this show…THE MUSIC! Can we first mention the irony of Katharine McPhee opening the show with “Somewhere Over The Rainbow”? (For those who don’t remember, it was one of the standout performances she did on American Idol).

Smash has brought along the award-winning writing duo Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman (yes, the geniuses behind Hairspray the musical) to bring the intriguing Marilyn Monroe musical to life!

Within the pilot episode alone, we’re given the beautiful and refreshing ballad “Never Give All The Heart”, the cute and upbeat baseball dance number “The National Pastime”, and then we end with the inspiring, heart-clenching powerhouse that is “Let Me Be Your Star”. Megan Hilty and Katharine McPhee bring their A-game with every number.

Hilty has shown a little more range over McPhee though in the pilot. She sings “Never Give All The Heart” with gusto, then plays it down Monroe-style when they record it as a demo (whispers, high notes, and all).

Then she plays up the flirty and seductive innuendos with the breathtaking baseball number “The National Pastime” (taking it back to the glory days of musicals and the terrific dance numbers).

Then comes McPhee and her subtle beauty behind her cover of Christina Aguilera’s “Beautiful”.

As mentioned before, the show ends on several high notes (literally) with the duet “Let Me Be Your Star”. I couldn’t help but get emotional within the last three minutes of the episode. The build-up, the voices, the typical “walking out of a building onto the streets of New York singing” shots, and the different kinds of beauty and power that come from both talented women, it all just takes my breath away again and again!

All in all, it’s a solid win for NBC and everyone behind this genius show. I urge everyone to give this show a chance. It’s light-hearted, it’s intriguing, it’s certainly entertaining, and if you’re not hooked by the promos alone, just wait until those last three minutes of the episode like I mentioned earlier. Let’s celebrate the days of classic dance numbers, stories that create drama, music that tugs at our heart strings, and an ensemble that is worthy of every award possible. Not to mention that we owe it to a network like NBC (that deserves a lot more credit than they are given) to make Smash a SMASH!!!