louise on the left (coast)

After last night's final Gervais joke on the 2011 Golden Globe Awards  ( Gervais: "And thank you, to God, for making me an atheist." )   I decided to check out some of his older work, starting with more of his thoughts about Atheism.  I realize his parting Golden Globes joke, along with his beliefs, will no doubt ruffle feathers, however I hope some people watch his clip below to hear more about why he's chosen to think as he does.  It's refreshingly open and honest.  And, well, funny.  (Fancy that?) Then I found this really fascinating, but extremely uncomfortable clip of Gervais interviewing Garry Shandling which is so odd.  I mean,  really odd.  So, naturally I just had to include it. Ricky Gervais Meets Garry Shandling - The Highlights:

If Academy Awards were actually given to actors who deserved them, then Melissa Leo would already have a collection of little gold men starting with one for  her work in 21 Grams   ( 2003)  , and another for her role Frozen River   (2009) . Below is a clip from  21 Grams , in case you forgot how great she was in it: In previous years I posted about her previous nominations for an Oscar: Why Melissa Leo Should Win Best Actor (2009) A More Personal Take...Melissa Leo to Win Best Actor (2009) But, the truth is, whenev er  it comes to Leo's work, e veryone in the business knows what those of us growing up with her knew;  Melissa Leo is not just extremely talented, she's also a fearless powerhouse who gives her all for her work.  So today I'm giving a "shout out"  to Leo for her Golden Globe win last night. And I'm stating I've got my fingers crossed (again) that she will also be nominated for her work in  The Fighter , and even, perhaps, make 2011 the

Best moment from the Golden Globes: The Cecil B. Demille award being given to Martin Scorsese last night. I have to say, this was the one moment that ended up staying with me. I mean, consider you have (film titan) Scorsese quoting (literary great) Faulkner. ( go to clip at minute 2:25 ) I f you watch nothing else from the Golden Globes, you have to see this because it's so rich with inspiration. (And it sort-of makes up for Avatar winning best picture.) I've been mulling this quote over all day. To a rainy, southern-Californian, subconscious soundtrack to "Taxi Driver." "The past is never dead. It's not even past." So simple. So liberating. You know, after years of trying to get by in a world propelled by decades of "Oprah" self-help bullshit, I just can't get past how liberating it is to hear someone of substance say this. So, thank you, Scorsese. And Faulkner. And Cecil B. DeMille, and every great artist for bringing us the pric

If you haven't seen it, yet, just get it. Rent it. See it. It's amazing, riveting, moving and is the kind of film that stays with you a very, very long time. This is the kind of work that really does transform the viewer. And, God forbid you one of those lucky bastards who get to actually VOTE for these kinds of things, make sure you view all your screeners and vote with your heart.

Tonight, "Glee" creator Ryan Murphy reminded the Golden Globe audience of the importance of keeping the arts in education. (1:27) And, in light of California's massive budget cuts, we grateful parents of kids lucky enough attend schools, like Orange High School of the Arts, we all say "thank you!" Keep the arts in education. The truth is, we just can't know how great people can be unless we invest in them.