Twenty Bold Predictions on the 2011 Oscars*

1) The Artist will shock absolutely no one by winning Best Picture. It’s a silent movie and there are a lot of old heads in the Academy who will feel really good about themselves by carrying it to a Best Picture Oscar.
2) There will be a shocker in the Best Actor category. George Clooney already has an Oscar and people will not want to vote for the French guy who didn’t do any talking (Jean Dujardin). The vote will be split between Gary Oldman for Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and Brad Pitt for Moneyball. This leaves the winner as Demian Bichir, star of the little-seen Bicycle Thieves rip-off A Better Life.

Time for a Random List: The Ten Best Films by Woody Allen

In tribute to Woody Allen: A Documentary, a two-part special from PBS's American Masters television series.

10. Match Point (2005)
9. Deconstructing Harry (1997)
8. Husbands and Wives (1992)
7. Hannah and Her Sisters (1986)
6. Celebrity (1998)
5. Sleeper (1973)
4. Sweet and Lowdown (1999)
3. Crimes and Misdemeanors (1989)
2. Manhattan (1979)
1. Annie Hall (1977)

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New to the Collection: Gran Torino

Every time Saucy adds a new DVD to his increasingly mammoth film collection, he will take the time to provide five indelible scenes that convinced him to spend his hard-earned sheckles on something he could have gotten for free with a DVD burner and a Netflix subscription. Unless he doesn't feel like writing about five scenes, at which point he will write about something else. This installment discusses Gran Torino, the 2008 film by very old yet very accomplished director and actor Clint Eastwood.

When I first saw Clint Eastwood's Gran Torino in the theater, I knew that I liked it. However, I don't think I knew that I liked it as much as I do. It got to the point where every time it was on HBO, I was sticking with it. Sometimes five minutes. Sometimes ten. If it was anywhere remotely near that scene where Eastwood gets out of the truck and has a showdown with three black street toughs, only to gain their respect by mocking a white guy trying be "down" by chatting urban slang, I would wait as much as a half-hour. That's just a totally inexplicable yet completely enjoyable scene.

Playing Hooky: A Wonderful Day of Film in the City!

Oh my gosh, I almost forgot to tell you, my rabid fan(s), about my wonderful day in the city! It was Monday! I go into work after a terrific Father's Day weekend, and I see that several of my co-workers are out for the day. I check my Inbox. I have nothing pressing. There are some little things I could do to bide my time, but nothing that absolutely demanded my presence. A decision was made straight-away: I was blowing the chicken coop and heading out to see some movies. I decided not to tell my wife because she would make me feel bad about going (although I told her later because I have an incredibly wicked guilt complex due to Catholic upbringing and general neurosis). Anyway, I checked the movie times, put in the PTO request, and prepared for a day of frivolity rare in my recent experience.