To paraphrase a frequently used expression around Movieline HQ, "God, can we just end this year?" (Usually minus the capitalization and punctuation, and often flavored with a few dashes of expletive spice depending on the mood of the day.) Finally -- finally -- the answer comes from above: "Yes." But it wasn't all bad -- I even enjoyed some of it. To wit:
· Of Doyennes and Death Threats: Remembering Elaine Kaufman
Probably my favorite story of any year ever.
From the last shocking minutes of Animal Kingdom's Sundance premiere to her inexorable awards-season ascendancy, Aussie legend Jacki Weaver's American bandwagon needed a driver. I was more than happy to volunteer.
· Analyzing Inglourious Basterds Crazy Oscar Finale
Few things last awards season were as exhilarating as Harvey Weinstein's febrile, tireless march down the Oscar warpath on behalf of Inglourious Basterds. I cannot wait to see what he has planned for The King's Speech and Blue Valentine.
· Armed and Dangerous: A Comprehensive Timeline of Everyone Who's Passed Out at 127 Hours
There's nothing quite like being the unofficial arbiter of swooners, pukers, and passers-out at Danny Boyle and James Franco's arm-amputating extravaganza.
· 9 Other Roger Ebert Pans That Would Look Great on a DVD Cover
What if Roger Ebert's worst pans made their ways to DVD covers as readily as his most enthusiastic superlatives? Thanks to an Asian miscommunication and the parallel universe known as Photoshop, now we know!
· Unhappy 20th Birthday, NC-17: 10 Films Burned by Hollywood's Most Restrictive Rating
The dreaded and loathed NC-17 commemorated its 20th anniversary in 2010, but no one was celebrating.
· Robert Duvall: The Movieline Interview
Thirty minutes with Bobby Duvall will be an awfully challenging personal and professional highlight to surpass next year. Bring it on, Terrence Malick!
· Whining Fat Mafia Wins Apology Over Mike & Molly Slam
Mike & Molly is reprehensible on a number of levels, but none more so than the one attempting to fuel some kind of morbid-obesity empowerment trip. Foul, foul, foul.
· The 9 Most Memorable Paycheck Roles in Modern Cinema
John Malkovich and Frances McDormand's participation in Transformers 3 was a new milestone in the long history of paycheck roles. Or was it? This called for an investigation.
· Is This the Greatest Movie Publicity Still Ever?
If there's one publicity photo next year with anywhere near as long (and/or disturbing) a tail as this one of Peter Dinklage in Death at a Funeral, then 2011 should be a very good year.