Here We Go Again

Thank God for the inside voice...

It’s awards season again, the first of the bunch kicked off last night. I’m happy to say I didn’t watch. Instead the Mr. and I chose to watch the new version of Ben Hur. Which despite reviews from the critics, we loved. I’m not surprised though, since the producers Roma Downey and Mark Burnett are out as Christians (a group critics seem to love to marginalize and criticize).

I made a decision long ago to simply “unplug” from the things in entertainment that go against my morals, values and beliefs. All too often instead of celebrating good art (which unfortunately these days is so few and far between), it winds up turning into a half-baked political pontification session.

Well apparently last night was no exception. The Hollywood mucktey mucks did not disappoint this year, and their brave leader was none other than Meryl Streep. After the movie was over, I picked up my phone and there it was, all over social media and the news. So of course I had to go find a clip and see for myself what all of the hullabaloo was about. My inside voice was going “watchu talkin bout willis” while I almost spilled what was left of my dunkins decaf all over my lap.

Now I’m not going to pick it apart because I do believe we are all entitled to our own opinions. To think for ourselves, to be what we want and to not let others do our thinking for us. I will say this though… her entire argument and character assassination of Donald Trump was based on a total lie.

I wonder though... where pray tell were all of the Hollywood "defenders of the disabled" last week when a disabled boy was held hostage and tortured for up to forty eight hours on Facebook live by four african american teenagers while they screamed obscenities? What was that? Crickets... that's what I thought.

Lies, misrepresentations, things taken totally and utterly out of context, are exactly what almost the entire news media or her precious “profession of journalism” did throughout the entire election season. All in a planned correlated effort not to get to the truth (that she said in her speech she is worried about protecting), but to hide the truth from the American public. In order to elect or shall I say coronate their hero none other than Hillary Rodham Clinton.

To their shock and horror it did not work. The American people chose instead to unplug just as I have from the media propaganda. Donald Trump brilliantly decided to go around the media and take his message straight to the American people. Thank God it worked because I honestly do not believe America could have survived a Hillary presidency. It would have been the nail in the coffin for our country after eight years of the Obama nightmare.

Am I being hypocritical for lambasting Meryl for having an opinion when I clearly have my own? Noway hosay. Meryl is entitled to have all the opinions she wants. The problem is when she goes on national television and broadcasts that opinion on a show that is not about politics; that further perpetuates a story that is based on a total lie. Sorry, but that is just plain ignorant in my opinion.

Hollywood is so mortified by the thought of a Donald Trump presidency that they have taken to making these pathetic PSA videos being shared all over social media. The funniest thing about them is these actors are all going on and on about the Constitution and our founding fathers, when 99.9% of them would not know the constitution if it bit them in the butts. Really can you imagine some of them passing a simple quiz about our nations actual founding history?

When uninformed people with a worldwide platform insist on pontificating publicly and perpetuating lies it is dangerous. Have an opinion, yes be involved, disagree even, but for the love of God please, please, please get your information from somewhere other than the mainstream media (and if I have to explain what the mainstream media is then I rest my case).

These Hollywood celebrities whine that the “majority” of the American people voted for Hillary, blah blah blah… they are having temper tantrums because they say the American people did not get who they voted for.

Newsflash to all the Hollyweird crybabies: the American people got exactly who we voted for. We the American people (you know the people in flyover country, the Christians, the silent majority) got exactly what our founders so brilliantly and uniquely created. They set up a system to prevent mob rule and tyranny. Since the Electoral College didn’t go their way now they want to abolish it. Had Hillary won though, they would all be praising the brilliance of it all, hypocrites.  

So please stop whining, stop making PSA’s. Trump is President. Get over it, just like we all had to for the last eight years. Go back to making movies, art and hopefully one day you will wake up to your stupidity. If not, you’ll most assuredly find yourself four years from now, and God willing eight years from now in an America that is greater and stronger than ever before (no thanks to you).

Blessings, Love & Music,
Ava xo
www.avaaston.com

Joy

It's finally here! In fact I'm so happy about it I've been humming a little tune all around the house for weeks now. "I've got the joy, joy, joy down in my heart..." Joy about what Greek Girl you may be wondering?

The new movie Joy starring cutie patootie Jennifer Lawrence? No, but it was a fantastic movie that I highly recommend! The characters were all very well developed, and it's a super feel good film that gets a big fat thumbs up and five stars from this film critic. 

If not that, what pray tell could be causing all that "joy" I am talking about? Why The Biggest Loser premiere of course! Why on earth am I so excited about a TV show one may wonder? Well hello... it has many of my favorite elements: sneakers (my number one favorite shoe to wear), people doing things they thought they couldn't, inspiration, drama. Sure in my opinion the show will never be the same without Jillian, but it's still incredibly inspiring, and never fails to have me in tears at some point during an episode.

I have been so inspired by some episodes in the past that I have even written lyrics to songs from watching. So for me it's a win-win. 

New year, a new chance to get up to bat and swing for one's goals and dreams in life. We all have them, many start out strong at the beginning of the year and for a multitude of reasons peter out and end up quitting. For me it is magical to watch people who have tried time after time, after time to achieve a goal who have never been able to do it, finally break through and get it done. It's just my happy place. 

Society today has so many tools to be healthy and live longer, yet it seems is getting more and more unhealthy by the second. Your body is a miracle. When you treat it right by feeding it the right things and making fitness a part of everyday (just like brushing your teeth) the results are remarkable. That's why I love the show so much, it demonstrates this principle in such a dramatic way on such a large scale, literally. 

I think everyone has the ability inside them to blast through barriers... it's just a matter of will. Not a matter of "can", but a matter of "if". Excuses can be made for everything, everyone has something. Not everyone has the "physical capability" to be an olympic athlete, this I know very well. Accidents, disabilities, many things can make a person think they "can't" be physically fit. The truth of the matter is though that there is a modification for almost everything. There is some kind of physical activity that everyone can do, and once one changes their mentality from can't to can... the entire world can change. 

So you can be your bottom dollar I'll be parked in front of the TV watching. With a hot cup of happiness a la Dunkin's in my hands (with Truvea instead of sugar of course). Will you? If not my hope is that 2016 is a year for everyone to reach beyond their limits and break though barriers to reach goals and dreams they have buried on the inside. Remember, everything is possible... you just have to believe. Happy 2016!

Blessings, Love & Music!
Ava xo
www.avaaston.com

Damned If Ya Do Damned If Ya don't

Don't See, Don't Buy...

With so much junk and minutia being passed off as "entertainment" for what is seeming like forever one would think that people, in particular Christians would be happy to see projects coming out that have anything to do with the bible. Surprisingly though it seems to be the total opposite.

Ironically Christians seem to be the first ones to jump on the "boycott" wagon starting virtual internet crusades for people (meaning Good Christians) to not see a particular project. We've all seen them bombarding our Facebook news feeds where this organization or that one is on a mission spread the word to make sure something tanks. I find this not only silly but also hypocritical.

You would think that after things like oh let me see where shall I begin?... Beyonce's Super Bowl halftime show where she pranced around dressed like a 1920's hooker dancing like a stripper on a pole in front of millions of people including children. Lets not forget Miley's twerking escapades, I know I know she is only "expressing herself" (remember when Madonna did that? oh to go back to the days when Madonna was being "Shocking"). We also have the gay agenda being shoved down the throats of every man woman and child in this country (personally I don't care what people do in their bedrooms but don't call me hateful because I believe "marriage" is between one man and one woman). Then there's Islam Ignorance, you know that "peaceful religion" which in reality is a sick twisted violent and barbaric cult being not only tolerated but promoted all over the country. Meanwhile Christians are silenced as being hateful and bigoted. God out of the workplace, out of schools, out of government, and what do we have? Chaos. Watching all this happen right in front of our very eyes one would think that a Christian would be happy, not just happy but giddy to see some form of entertainment coming out whether it be a film, TV miniseries, music artist, heck even a preacher on TV, something, anything that has to do with the bible and not a half naked person, violence, or foul language being passed off as "art".

So to me when I see crusades for people to boycott a film, artist, or preacher it makes me laugh inside. First thing... this is to all the "Super Christians" of the world, get off your moral high horse. The only perfect person ever was Jesus. We're saved by Grace that can't be earned. Not one of us was there when the bible was written. Second it was written by whom? Man, which is what? Human. Therefore not perfect, and it has been translated how many times? In how many languages? My point is, arguing over potato vs. potato-to kind of things is silly and very counter productive. We have one job as followers of Christ, that is to go and spread the "Good News" period! Jesus was clear when he gave us The Great Commission. In Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV)

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Reading that I don't see Jesus telling them to: go around poking your nose in other Christians business to make sure they are living right according to your standards of interpretation of the bible, or to judge every book, film, TV program to see if it is "biblically accurate". Do you? Yet so many Christians get so wrapped in judging other Christians life and work, rather than spending their time much more fruitfully by working to reach souls for the Kingdom. Working instead to reach the people of the world who do not know the peace that passes all understanding, the love above all other loves, found only in one place... Jesus.

The thing the haters are missing is, you are not going to reach people by walking in and slapping them in the face. So many people in todays world are so lost, hurting so bad, and have been so judged, they are simply not going to respond to that kind of message, they just aren't. So in a modern world, when an artist takes a different approach to telling a story or to open the dialogue we shouldn't be working against them. Now if someone is putting out a film that has blatant fabrications like I don't know saying something like Jesus was married or something like that then of course that is something to not support or be a part of. However when someone is mad because a good looking actor is cast in a movie or miniseries as Jesus, to me that signals something off with the accuser.

For films like Noah where everyone is losing their minds about the portrayal of God as angry and it being made by a non Christian film maker, again all I can say is HELLO it's HOLLYWOOD. It was never portrayed or promoted to be a learning tool for a bible study. It's a Hollywood Film, and should be taken as such, entertainment. Christians should know the bible well enough to discern what is entertainment. For some who worry that non believers who would be watching the film might walk away from a Hollywood film with that being their only and final idea about God, again is silly and small minded.

Any Christian who has accepted Jesus into their heart knows they responded to his knock. He knocks, and knocks, and over time some shorter, some longer than others, but every person who accepts him into their heart does so in response to his knocking, him initiating it. He comes to us, he died for us. To the non believer watching that film, it just opens the door, it opens the door to faith. It opens the door even with all of it's "biblical errors" as one might be concerned about, it still opens the door to a belief in a creator, in something that is bigger than yourself. That's the point the haters are missing, even if the film maker didn't intend it to.

It's the same with what I like to call "Pastor Derangement Syndrome" that so many Christians of today seem to be infected with. So many people are quick to watch an edited "snipit" of an interview or sermon and believe the point the editor made it to have. Yet will not sit through and entire episode or sermon of said pastor or evangelist to see the truth of what they really preach. The thing is everyone responds differently to different people. We are all different. If X,Y, or Z pastor is on TV and reaches one just one soul for Christ and turns that soul around, who am I, you are the next guy to criticize them? I certainly don't want to be standing before God explaining why I spent so much time badmouthing people sharing the gospel.

My ultimate point is with the Miracle of Easter coming, it saddens me to see so many "Christians" slamming so many other Christians or projects that could really help to change what we see in pop culture. We all know that pop culture is a total mess. Everywhere we turn it's sex, sex and more sex. Want to sell toothpaste? Sex. Want to sell a car? Sex. Want to sell a house? Sex. For crying out loud we have a TV Show called "Dance Moms" where people are dressing up their five to seven year old little girls in red lipstick and fish net stockings and false eye lashes, spending obscene amounts of time and money to ensure their child leave the competition with a trophy? Good grief!

I just think we have far more important things to worry about than to complain because "The Bible", "Son Of God" movie or miniseries or films like "Noah" are out. Christians are not complaining about things like "Dance Moms", "American Idol" (um hello look at the second word in that title please), "Secret Lives of Nashville Wives", and the list goes on. Christians will boycott "The Bible" miniseries yet not any of the above mentioned items. In my mind it's time to do a gut check about what we spend our time doing and or working against. Kudos when people stand up for Duck Dynasty and films like God's Not Dead, but we have a lot more standing up to do. That is unless you're perfectly happy with the status quo and the decline in the moral fabric of our society. On the other hand if you want to see more half naked Beyonce, Katy Perry, twerking, no consequences and losing your freedoms more by the day. Then by all means, boycott away... just sayin.

Blessings, Love & Music ~
Ava :D xo
www.avaaston.com

Can't Wait

I know where I'll be January 10th!

The Holidays have come and gone, we've had not one but two major snowstorms and we're officially into the New Year.  Something I always love doing in January is checking out the new movies coming out.  Personally I have been waiting (a little bit like a kid on Christmas morning waiting to open presents) for one film in particular.  Can you guess what it is?  Drum Roll...

Lone Survivor.  Gee bet ya didn't see that one coming.  Yes it's true Greek girl loves movies about boxing and our military.  Especially when they are based on a true story. Super especially when they star one of my favorite actors.  So of course it should come as no surprise that I have been waiting like a kid on Christmas morning for this film to open, so I can be first in line with a BYOB cup of Dunkin's hidden in my purse (hey they don't sell my favorite coffee at the movies what can I say) and a popcorn.  Popcorn and coffee?… YES that's how I roll.

The Mr. is an Air Force Veteran and my mom works for the Military Order of the Purple Heart which has partly influenced my love and appreciation for our men and women in uniform.  However anyone using their noggin should appreciate them really.  I mean since the beginning of our nation it has been our men and women in uniform who have stood up and kept us free.  They go to places and endure things that most of us would not be able to stomach for a day let a lone months if not years on end.  It is my opinion that they are not thanked often enough and above anything that they should not have to wait for anything.  Especially for medical care for ailments that were sustained while standing up and serving our nation.  The VA Hospital System is well lets just say less than efficient and thousands of our finest end up getting lost in the system, wait for months and years for appointments, and in many cases end up worse off than the original reason they sought treatment in the first place.  If any "healthcare" system needed fixing in this country it was the VA, yet they say that is what The Affordable Care Act was modeled off of… Lord help us!

OK so back to the movie…  Lone Survivor is Based on the failed June 28, 2005 mission "Operation Red Wings".  Four members of SEAL Team 10 were tasked with the mission to capture or kill notorious Taliban leader Ahmad Shahd.  It stars Mark Wahlberg and when I saw the preview a few months ago the waiting began.  Not only does it look like a great film, but I really respect the comments Mark Wahlberg made after hearing Tom Cruise's idiotic remarks about being an actor can be compared to the job of a solider.  With good reason at a press event Mark went off, as anyone with even half of a brain in their coconut knows an actor and a solider hello, no comparison.  Saying so is beyond insulting.

The other thing I like about Mark Wahlberg besides his acting is he seems to be very down to earth.  So many media figures let success go to their heads, they end up living in excess, partying, leave their spouses and children yada yada… Mark Wahlberg works very hard physically to train for various roles, stays in excellent shape and has had so much success yet seems to stay grounded as a family man, married with children and even going into business with his family in a restaurant called "Wahlburgers".  In fact he will be starring along with his mom and brothers in a new reality series on A&E about the Restaurant.  Which I most definitely will be tuning into.  

So on January 10th your happy friendly Greek Girl next door will have her butt parked in the theatre with Dunkin's and popcorn in hand watching Lone survivor.  In the meantime say "Thank You" to a Veteran today.  There are so many ways we can help people, and yes even the little things matter.

Blessings, Love & Music,
Ava :D
www.avaaston.com

Sick and Tired

The components of a muckery sandwich.

I'm beginning to wonder if I have been cast in the sequel to the movie Groundhog Day starring Bill Murray.  Only this time the story focuses around a Greek Blonde girl who has been sick with Bronchitis and laryngitis for about a month that just goes on and on and on and on.  Can you guess what the title of this sequel is?.... "Bronchitis Muckery".

Seriously.  It all started when the yearly "Babysit Moms Dogs Episode" was coming to an end.  See my mom has to go away for training every year for her job with the Purple Heart.  So guess who watches her two fur kids?  Yup you guessed it....  Which was so much more fun this year since now instead of four of our own fur kids, we have five since we rescued little "Pepe" back in October.  Well as much fun as it was taking care of Seven, yes I did say SEVEN dogs for three weeks was... I was quite happy when my mom came to get her fur kids to take them home to her house.

That was until my mom and step dad walked in the house hacking their brains out.  So after a short trip out to eat they loaded up their fur kids and off they went.  The next morning... I woke up feeling a little off.  Wasn't really worried as mom said they had both taken a full week of antibiotics while she was away and they were "not contagious" anymore.  Yeah Right Mom!  Forward to the next day... I start to sound like a chain smoker and it all went downhill from there.

So here we are about a month later and not one but three trips to the Dr., three rounds of antibiotics, and after a chest x-ray to make sure I didn't have a pneumonia, now add to that steroids to help break up the muck in my chest, Nasonex nasal spray, Allegra, MucinexDM, and an inhaler... And I still feel like I have an iron lung.  Good grief!  The worst part is the Dr. even told me this time I have to hang up my sneakers until I'm better.  No more working out, too much stress on my body while it's trying to heal. ;( Total Muckery!

It was so bad that the other night while doing updates to social media I had a coughing fit while drinking Green Tea (I know you were expecting it to be Dunkins decaf) with my mac laptop on my lap.  At the same time the tinniest of the Aston fur kids "Itty Bitty" had a mini nervous breakdown when the Oreck Air machine made a zap noise from a piece of dust going into it.  Well during his little breakdown he jumped out of the covers up onto my lap knocking the tea where?  Onto my laptop of course.

Yeah it was pleasant.... So the following morning it was off to the Dr., pharmacy, then to Apple to replace the damaged parts.  Thank God it wasn't worse, I think it was saved by a new track pad and battery.  Time shall tell.

So after all this Muckery you could say Greek Girl is sick and tired of being sick!  I did get my voice back (not for singing yet) but the bronchitis lingers.  I'm am hopeful that this last round of medicine and being hunkered down with the humidifier almost 12 hours a day is going to get it out!  All's I'm sayin is July and 85 degrees can not come soon enough for me!

Moral of the story... keep the liquids away from the laptop.  Or better yet don't watch your moms fur kids ;D Either way, hope you have a smile and a beautiful day!

Blessings, Love & Music ~
Ava :D xo
www.avaaston.com

Another Hollywood Remake

If It Ain't Broke Don't Fix It...

So was it just me or was anyone else sitting there saying to themselves "They're going to what, whatchutalkinboutwillis?!?!" When Yahoo splashed the news tidbit about Dirty Dancing being remade. This is again a case of a situation causing the Greek Girl to temporarily loose her filter. Seriously, note to Hollywood: STOP remaking movies and start finding original screenplays.

My only issue with this is that it doesn't "need" to be remade.  There is an old saying, "If it ain't broke don't fix it." Ah hello? Bueller, Bueller?  Anyone?  Is Hollywood listening?  For crying out loud there was talk about remaking Ferris Bueller and even The Breakfast Club.  Like I said, I get the idea of doing a remake, but at least do it from something from 50 years ago or at least a movie that in it's first go-round was not so hot.

So what is my point?  As an avid filmgoer and an actor I love to watch new movies. Nothing is better than watching a new story never before seen be told and unfold before your eyes.  Who wants to watch the new version of Grease or Dirty Dancing?  We know the story,  we know what happens,  we know how it ends, period.  There are tons of amazing screenwriters and screenplays just waiting to be made.  Is it so hard to think outside of the box and make an actual "original" movie vs. the "Hollywood formula" remake with the same 10 actors in it?

Okay, here are some movies I think are okay being remade:

• Anything with Charlie Chaplin
• Any silent movie
• Three Stooges (in production now)
• Little Rascals
• Mr. Ed

Here are others that just cannot be remade (at least until they are 50 years old):

• Dirty Dancing
• Grease
• The Outsiders
• The Breakfast Club (they'll just ruin it with arbitrary nudity and crass language)
• Rocky (any of them)
• E.T.
• Jaws
• Ghost Busters
• Back to the Future

You get my drift as this list can go on for infinity.  The point is it gets old seeing movies over and over as a remake with the same 10-15 actors.  Time for some originality Mr. Demille.

Blessings, Love & Music,
Ava xox

www.avaaston.com

Fireworks

Amazing :D

NOTE: IN THE SPIRIT OF THE 4TH OF JULY HOLIDAY AND TO KEEP MY NOGGIN SAFE AND SANE, I WILL NOT BE POSTING A NEW BLOG UNTIL TUESDAY JULY 6TH! 


So.... What are you going to do for 4th of July?  That seems to be the big question on everyone's mind the last week or so.  No need to ask what old man Brick's will be doing, I'm sure he will do like he always does, wear his circa 1986 white jeans and make a trip to Mc Donald's.  But wait a minute, he does that every day, so what makes that special for the 4th of July?... hmmmm

What is the Greek Blonde Girl gonna do for the 4th of July?  I have a nice muckery free weekend planned.  I am going to do what any red blooded american girl would do ~ and go shopping of course!  The 4th of July is a great time to putz around my favorite outlet mall and find treasures.  I also like to hit a good TJ Max (since I am a Maxinista afterall), Marshall's, and more than likely will make a trip to Kohls.

Unless I am out of town doing a show or an acting job, when I am at home in the Hudson Valley (just outside NYC)  I pretty much have a few things I regularly do when the 4th of July rolls around.  Since it is America's birthday the only proper thing to do is have a slice of Apple pie, don't mind if I do. ;D One of the weekend days I like to spend doing yard work.  Yes I have to do my own yard work, and yes I know if Mr. Bricks would hurry up and get me a record deal I would have someone to do the yard work for me. Until then, it's greek gardening 101 at the Aston House.  Since I'm severley allergic to poison ivy/oak/sumack that grows amuck in my yard, I always have to be uber careful to wear gloves, and try my darndest not to touch anything the gloves touched (always easier said than done).  Even though I rarely make it through a summer without an episode of it, I just can not resist the urge to get out and make the flower beds looks pretty.

After yard work is done, I usually find time to get in a good run, a few hours laying in the sun, and having a cookout with family & friends.  The following day I like to spend shopping. Who doesn't love a good sale & hitting Woodbury Commons just makes me giddy.  There are tons of of my favorite stores there: Coach, Nike, Michael Kors, Burberry, Kenneth Cole, and it's outside so it is a great way to spend the day.  Walking, shopping, enjoying the fresh air, and they have an ice cream & hot dog stand.... hello!!! Yes we all know I'm a health nut and normally eat super healthy, but hey it's 4th of July, I work out like a maniac and a kiddie size ice cream and one hot dog with mustard & sauerkraut never killed anyone.  Everything in moderation, right. Well, that is everything except shopping.  Kidding. ;D

Depending on when I get shopped out, hitting a good movie always makes me smile.  I'm really looking forward to seeing The New Transformers movie, Dark of the Moon !! Everyone knows how much I love the Bumble Bee Camaro... and the characters Bumble Bee & Optimus Prime are two of my favorites!!! Can't wait to see what happens in this installment!

Last but not least.... No matter where I happen to be on the 4th of July, I HAVE to see fireworks.  It's not negotiable... it's just not.  4th of July = fireworks, it is that simple! I love America & there is nothing more American than seeing a gorgeous display of fireworks on the 4th of July... and there is no place I love watching it more than the annual Macy's 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular!  I like to find a remote secluded spot to watch on my car from the Jersey side of the Hudson. Who wants to be stuck in traffic after they're done right?....  I can't think of a better way to round out the holiday weekend than to lay on top of my car enjoying the view and reflecting on all the fun of the weekend.

So what's on your agenda?  Whatever it is, I hope you have a safe, fun & wonderful Holiday!

Love & Music ~
Ava :D xox

Ava the Greek Predicts the Oscar

Ok, I'm Ava the Greek and not Jimmy the Greek. I have put all of the crap about all of the movies that I watched in 2010 and crammed it into my Greek little noggin and now I would like to present my 2011 Oscar predictions.

Drum roll please.

Actor in a Leading Role

James Franco - 127 Hours

Actor in a Supporting Role

Christian Bale - The Fighter.   First, this is a movie about boxing... Hello...that's my favorite  kind of movie ! Remember my blog about my love affair with the Rocky Movies?  (Also I loved Cinderella Man) ... now as for his acting performance - insane. Christian is hands down one of the best actors of our lifetime. He always transforms himself into these outrageous characters. Who cares if he is cocky as some say, because  seriously the dude has a lot going on in his coconut and is insanely talented. If he does not win he will go down with actors who were robbed of the Oscar in my Greek noggin/ Another great Oscar robbery was Joaquin Phoenix for Walk the Line. and Viggo Mortensen for Eastern Promises. Two acting performances that were just so brilliant for the transformation into the characters that they will live on forever in my mind.

Actress in a Leading Role

Who I want to win: Jennifer Lawrence for Winter's Bone - It was an incredible performance.  Who I think will win: Natalie Portman for Black Swan since she is the darling this year. I was not that impressed with this film. I think they took the A - bus on the story. It had way too much sexual content in it... they could have shown the struggle and conflict within a dancer and all of her problems without going all college freshmen fantasy on it. Really, I know I'm no Steven Spielberg, but it's just my two cents. She's a great actor and all, but I think she has done better work - just sayin'.

Actress in a Supporting Role

Melissa Leo - The Fighter.  Seriously have you seen how gorgeous this woman is in real life? She morphed into a worn haggard old-looking mother way beyond her years. The accent was spot on and she must win this. If not, she goes down with actors I previously mentioned who were robbed, period and I might just have to throw a sneaker through my television set.

Animated Feature Film

I honestly havent seen so it's not right for me to comment, but from the trailers and clips I have seen of them... How to train your Dragon, it has an animal in it, so I  have to pick it. I am sure that is how many members of the Academy cast their votes anyway.

Art Direction

Inception.  This is a groundbreaking piece of artwork and truly beautiful film making.

Cinematography

Inception.  Mostly for same reasons as above.  The film is simply gorgeous photography... A  total work of art.

Costume Design

Kings Speech or True Grit, both are period pieces and tougher to dress 'em up.

Directing

Hmm this is tough. I'm torn... The Fighter - since I love all boxing movies. But it is a true story and I love a good comeback - any story where the human spirit to overcome wins out, that is for me. And, they did an amazing job on this film. but.... if it does not win, I want the Social Network. This film was brilliant and really captured the essence of FB and how it has changed all of our lives. Hang on..gotta go change my status update...

OK, I'm back now...

Music (Original Score)

This is easy... Social Network - amazing.  Hands down!!

Music (Original Song)

Okay I cant believe I'm saying this because normally I am not a fan of actors who decide.... oops I think I wanna  be a singer now. But I do love her as an actor - and she does a decent job on this movie. But the writing - really pulls at the heartstrings. So after all that, I'm picking "Coming Home" from Country Strong - Music and Lyric by Tom Douglas, Troy Verges and Hillary Lindsey.

Best Picture

The fighter.  Obviously for the same reasons about this movie I listed above. I love a good comeback, it's about fighting, and it is a true story... the acting was superb and the main reason I think it will win Best Picture is that my manager Mr. Bricks wasn't in it!!

Visual Effects

Hereafter or Inception - both amazing visually and simply spectacular visual effects and gorgeous works of film art.

Writing (Adapted Screenplay)

Social Network. This film did an incredible job of documenting how Facebook has changed almost everyone's life. Well written. I had read the book  "The Accidental Billionaires: The Founding of Facebook, A Tale of Sex, Money, Genius, and Betrayal" and I was anxious to see the movie and how it was adapted.

Writing (Original Screenplay)

The Fighter.  It's a true story...  it was awesome in every aspect you can measure.. and like I have said a bazillion times already, it is about boxing (again, my favorite  type of movie) and it is about a good comeback. you just cant beat that!!! Am I repeating myself?

OK, there are a few other categories like sound editing and short films live action, short films animated, etc that I did not go out on a limb and make a prediction about because well, quite frankly I just don't care who wins in those categories.

And for those of you have asked if I am going to be at the ceremony, the answer is sadly, no not this year. If Mr. Bricks hasn't gotten me a record deal yet, I really had no faith he was going to get me on the red carpet for the Oscars. So you can just sit back pop some popcorn and watch them at home like I will be doing.

But next year -- that's a whole other story, baby!

Blessings,

Ava

xox

When All Else Fails - I Go To A Movie

Next to writing and recording songs, working out, shopping for sneakers, eating chocolate, or drinking a fresh cup of coffee one of my next most guiltiest pleasures in life is going to the movies. Maybe it is the actor in me, but there is something magical about sitting in a darkened room with a ginormous screen to watch a story unfold in front of your eyes. Yeppers, the silver screen! It's all very 1940's Hollywood tinsel town to me.

I think most single movie theatre screens are about 30-foot by 70-foot, however the screens in multiplex theaters are usually much smaller and you don't get the same experience. For me, I must see movies in the single theatre with the full screens, it's just how I roll.  Even with all of the elaborate home theaters I have seen built-in other celebrities' homes, like on MTV Cribs,  you still can never duplicate the movie going experience of a real live movie theater. Sorry, Lil' Bow-Wow, Shaq and Diddy the movie rooms in your cribs  just don't pass the Blonde Greek Girl's definition of a  real movie theater - just sayin.'

Last night I snuck away from my day-to-day life to finally go see the "Little Fockers". Spoiler Alert: At the end.....No worries, I won't ruin it for you. I will just say I thought there were some really great funny moments in this movie. It certainly didn't disappoint me. I felt for a sequel, it held its own against the 2000 original, "Meet The Parents" and the 2004 previous sequel, "Meet The Fockers." It's an awesome trilogy.  I think Ben Stiller and Robert De Niro are comic gold... they are so funny together.

I tried to get my manager Mr. Bricks to just throw caution to the wind and go see a movie as well. But his response was a non-response. It was just sort of grunt. I've been thinking, Mr. Bricks certainly grunts a lot, just like my dogs. Maybe Bricks is part Pekingese? I dunno, what do you think?  I am pretty sure the last movie Mr. Bricks saw in a theatre was "True Grit" --the original, with John Wayne way back in 1969 -- that was light years before my time!! Maybe if Mr. Bricks got out more and enjoyed a few movies he would learn to speak without grunting as much. I'm sure having a manager that is not part Neanderthal would help me get a record deal a little bit sooner -- again, just sayin'.

If you can't find me, you can always check in the local movie theatre. Now you know a secret of mine....when all else fails, I go to a movie!

Blessings,

Ava

xox