Gee, I'm so stylish!

Thank you, Monty! His reason for giving me this blog award was that my blog is "awesome!" - and I bet the awesomeness of my blog lies in the fact that I update just seldom enough to lose the interest of my blog readers. Or just that I am awesome. Anyway, thanks again, Monty! Check out his blog, if you have a fetish for classic films.

I'm supposed to list seven facts about me, and I'll try to pick a few that aren't too obvious. It may be some repetition since I've done this before, but it was such a long, long time ago that I won't bother to check my old answers.

Then I will pass along this award to seven other bloggers, and let is spread like chlamydia. So here goes:

1. Some time between the age of 10, when I was deeply in love with Johnny Depp in Cry-Baby (who wasn't), and the age of 14 when I wanted to sexually assault Chico Marx every time he played the piano, I had a serious fling with $crooge McDuck. I can't find any word for that kind of infatuation, but I think I really was attracted to the idea of him being an older, wiser dude. With lots of money. Anyway, this little trivia brings the is-manga-pornography-debate to another level, I think.
2. I'm married to the most cynical, intelligent, entertaining (not necessarily haha-funny), non-jealous man that I could find that doesn't want to have kids. Too bad he wasn't rich too, though. But I think that's about to change - he's studying to work at the hospital. My Manolo Blahnik shoes are just around the corner! (That was haha-funny.)
3. My favorite stand-up comedians are Bill Hicks, Eddie Izzard, George Carlin, a couple of Swedish guys you won't care me to name and, recently, also Doug Stanhope. Apart from Izzard, I like my men bitter and broken. And of course, the occasional transvestite always liven things up.
4. I have a thing for taking pictures of dead animals. I don't kill them myself, mind you! But if I run across a dead pigeon that's had its gut ripped apart by crows, I just have to pick up my camera. The whole beauty of death thing, I think. Anyway, my camera is broken now, so I guess Allah was trying to tell me something about my hobbies.
5. I love Braindead (Peter Jackson, 1992), and in my humble opinion that was about the last good move Mr. Jackson did in his career. But money makes the world go 'round, and makes artistic souls cry blood.
6. I'm currently blowing out my brain through my nose. There is nothing as horrible as a bad cold, as any man would say while his wife gives birth.
7. I am a student and the Department of Cinema Studies at Stockholm University, and it makes me feel awesome.

Now to the nominations! Other stylish bloggers are:

Millie at classicforever

Darsh at Happyotter
Mykal at Radiation Cinema!
Avalon76 at Silent Stanzas
Jenny the Nipper at Cinema OCD
Matthew Coniam at The Marx Brothers Council of Britain
Kate Gabrielle at Discovering Dirk Bogarde

Keep up the good work!

Academy Awards predictions

Personally, I am always a bit cynical about the Oscars. The right film seldom gets the prize, or even a nomination - but if a film makes enough money at the box-office it takes all the statues no matter what any sane person thinks.

However. I got this nice little email from vouchercodes.co.uk, that I for some reason do not think is spam since I got the thumbs up on posting a Right Said Fred video on the blog. They obviously have some film fan competition, and the person who makes the most accurate Academy Award predictions wins a $400 (or £250) discount on amazon.com. So why not? I will however only try to predict the awards for the five big categories and the supporting ones, since I will get too depressed guessing what shitty film will win in all categories.

BEST MOTION PICTURE OF THE YEAR

If I were to decide the winner, it would without a doubt be Quentin Tarantino's Inglorious Basterds (2009). But that would be too fair, so I will go ahead and guess James Cameron's Avatar (2009). And no, I haven't seen it and I don't intend to.

CGI masturbation tend to be called "the best film of the year".

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE

Okay, so Jeff Bridges (Crazy Heart, 2009), George Clooney (Up in the Air, 2009) and Colin Firth (A Single Man, 2009) are all nominated. But since Morgan Freeman plays Nelson Mandela in Clint Eastwood's Invictus (2009), I think for politically correct reasons that he will win. No offence - Morgan Freeman is awesome, but so are the others. I hope for Colin Firth, though. Ever since he soaked his white shirt in Pride and Prejudice (1995) he has had a special place in my heart, and A Single Man looks like a pretty awesome, depressing 1960's film. But to make things clear: I believe in Morgan Freeman in Invictus.

I haven't seen the film yet, but I bet Freeman is awesome as usual.

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE

This one is hard. I like both Helen Mirren and Meryl Streep (Julie & Julia, 2009), and I sure hope that Sandra Bullock (The Blind Side, 2009) does not win. If she does, I will run around Norrköping in a toga shouting "Geronimo!" all the way. That is a promise. My guess goes to Helen Mirren in The Last Station (2009). And I haven't even heard of that film.

I don't know. But she's usually good.

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

By God, if Cristoph Waltz in Inglourious Basterds do not win this one, the world will surely die. I want to predict him as the winner, but I will be realistic and go for Matt Damon in Invictus.

Starting to resemble Schwarzenegger back in the days, huh?

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

I like Maggie Gyllenhaal (Crazy Heart - never heard of that film neither). But I will guess for Penélope Cruz in Nine (2009), which looks like a pretty interesting film. I mean, Sophia Loren and my new French favorite Marion Cotillard is in it.

Where can I buy a corset like that?

BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN DIRECTING

Tarantino needs this one. No, he deserves it. Damn it. I guess for James Cameron. Damn, damn, damn. But Cameron will win this. He is very good... at making money. If not the only female director nominated will win this for being a woman, of course. But no, I will go with Cameron. Damn!

He does think he's fucking awesome, doesn't he?

And there they were, my Academy Awards predictions. Check out vouchercodes.uk's discounts at LoveFilm, Amazon.co.uk and Sky (if you for example are interested in watching the Academy Awards live). And for the last time: grab the statue, Cristoph Walz!

A pipe like that has to win him the Oscar.

Another Kreativ Blogger for the road

Was that a too far fetched paraphrase of Dylan's "One More Cup of Coffee"? That's a great song, by the way.

Thank you so much for the Kreativ Blogger award, Andrew! Since I already went through the heart straining procedures of receiving this award and passing it on in October [post], I will just go ahead and include the very sweet description of my blog that was Andrews motivation for giving it to me:

There are many blogs dedicated to classic cinema, I'm following quite a few, but Lolita is one of the best. She makes the classics seem new every day and sometimes she'll even start talking about a current piece. Lolita is fun to read which is always nice and necessary.

That is exactly what I dream that people will feel about my blog, so reading that was a nice pat on the back! Especially since I'm lost in the pessimistic daze of a hangover for the moment. (Has been that a lot recently, hasn't it?)

I will also take this opportunity to congratulate a certain Austrian-Hungarian actor by the name Paul Georg Julius Hernreid Ritter Von Wassel-Waldingau on his 105th birthday. Some of you might recognize him as "Paul Henreid", but that is highly unlikely. Oh, I like that man.

Now, Voyager (1942) could survive a re-watch.

Over the Top blog award

Matthew Coniam over at Movietone News awarded me with the Over the Top blog award, but considering the name of the award... is it really a compliment? But of course, me being over the top is nothing I haven't heard before. So thank you, Matthew! (I ignore all possible hidden insults.)

I'm supposed to answer a few questions and pass on the award to some people. Again, considering the name of the award, I believe I will choose the fellow bloggers who differs most from the masses. Don't be sorry if you're not nominated, though! I always through away blog awards like rice at a wedding, this time I just feel like being more selective:

Kate Gabrielle: Yikes, all her blogs are entertaining! And her flapper doodles are great Christmas gifts, I've discovered.
Elizabeth: The silent queen of the blogosphere - cool as hell. (Or do I mean"Cool as ice"? What a cliché. I'll say "hot as hell", instead.)
MissMatilda: Retro dame, and pretty much how I'd like to be.
Avalon76: I adore her classic film poetry and her wonderfully short, yet covering, film reviews. (Seriously, how do you do it?!)


And now, the Q&A:


Where is your phone? Somewhere in the neighbor city, I believe. I would love to see the look of the thief's face if he/she looks through the camera photos of roadkills.
Your hair? What about it? It's dark and in the way.
Your Mother? Ex-hippie with Groucho Marx glasses who love to thrive in gory crime books and TV shows.
Your Father? A John Cleese-lookalike with a taste for heavy metal and Mike Oldfield. (How about that supernatural combination of tastes?)
Your favourite food? Chocolate bars.
Your dream last night? They usually look something like this:

Your favourite drink? Mojito! Oh, and a lovely one I picked up in a classic film drink book - Golden Fizz. A version of Gin Fizz, but with lots of sugar and an egg yolk.
Your dream/goal? Empress of Russia. Or a film critic, whatever is easiest.
What room are you in? The one and only in a one room apartment with cooking corner.
Your hobby? Duh.
Your fear? Spiders with small bodies and long legs. Why do they have eight legs anyway? Freaks.
Where were you last night? At my aunt's, celebrating early Christmas. (I'm 21, what do you think I'm doing a Friday night?)
Something that you’re not? Humble.
Muffins? Well, I'd rather have a chocolate bar or a pack of cigarettes.
Wishlist item? Go pick your favorite: http://www.modcloth.com/ I can just send you my address later.
Where did you grow up? I was born in Norrköping, but I guess I really grew up in a little incest town with banjo music called Gusum. Anyone seen Deliverance (1972)? There you have it.
Last thing you did? Clean my parents' house. Earned me more money than the door-to-door sales job. Sigh. (Again: I'm 21. What am I supposed to do a Saturday night?)
What are you wearing? Random sex questions, yay! Be disappointed: my boyfriend's clothes. The most comfortable outfit when at home.
Your TV? It's there, I guess...
Your pets? Two cats, both in need of straight-jackets.
Friends? A few. Not many people live up to my ideas of "a friend", I'm sad to say.
Your life? Pretty alright. Just won $5 on a lottery ticket.
Your mood? It's snowing outside - makes me peaceful. Growing a wisdom tooth - makes me sad. (It hurts.)
Missing someone? Me, 10 kg ago. Like when I graduated from high school.

Vehicle? No, my 1930's bike was stolen. I gave up on vehicles after that. There will never be another one like you, Cary. (Yes, I named him after Cary Grant.)
Something you’re not wearing? Baseball caps. Or any other caps. And I have never allowed any of my boyfriends to wear one neither. I mean, what are you? Thirteen and just bought your first skateboard? I hate them. Hate 'em! (Hmm, I wonder how my mood really is today...)
Your favourite store? Make Up Store is really fun. Makes me feel luxurious!
Your favourite colour? Red, I guess. Or any happy color.
When was the last time you laughed? Today when watching Marc Bolan (he's hot) high as a skyscraper when singing "Children of the Revolution". (I spent some quality time with my father today on YouTube.) I love that clip. Don't forget to check out that confused guy in a pink t-shirt on the dance floor. Hilarious.

The last time you cried? Several days ago, actually! Tuesday, coming home from that fucking door-to-door job. That was my last work day. No I'm happy again. Free as a bird. Yay!
Your best friend? Me, myself and I. And one or two other people.
One place that you go to over and over? Wayne's coffee.
Facebook? Ha, no. "You have just received a red balloon! Send it to everyone you know!" And all those darn people you went to school with when you were ten who pretend they care about what you're doing today. No, thanks.
Favourite place to eat? Stone oven baked pizza at a restaurant in town called Pappa Grappa. Heavenly.

And thanks Millie for the Vintage Style Award! Read her flattering description of me on her awesome blog here.

Finally! Honorary Oscar to Ms. Bacall

Colorized by Lolita.

As my first female role model (after my mum, I guess), I have always been pretty frustrated that Lauren Bacall never have received an Academy Award. She has deserved it time and time again, and would have been able to receive an Honorary Award since the 1980's. And now, finally, the time has come! This weekend Lauren Bacall accepted an Honorary Oscar statue at the age of 85.

Kreativ Blogger

I have received the Kreativ Blogger award (must be some Swedish, Danish or Norwegian invention with that weird spelling?) from Trixie at That's Just Stupid What You Said - thank you!

There are some rules attached to the award, so here they are:

1) Tell you seven things that you don't already know about me.

2) Name seven other blogs to receive this award.

3) Leave a comment on each of the blogs I have nominated letting them know that I have given them an award.

4) And lastly, thank the blog that gave you the award.

Well, I did rule # 4, I will attend to # 3 as the last thing I do, I will ignore the amount of blogs allowed to nominate in # 2... so I guess I'll take the # 1 rule next!

• I have already mentioned that I love squeezing pimples, so instead I can tell you that I love to photograph dead animals for some reason - the more gore the better. I find it morbidly fascinating and beautiful. Here's a bird, a pigeon, some flies and a squirrel.
• I get anxious when the wind is blowing.
• "I've had many meetings with strangers." Just a quote from A Streetcar Named Desire (1951).
• I once stayed at the psychiatric ward for three nights. I met many interesting people, to say the least... And I brought home one of those comfy nightgowns.
• I have two cats, one of them becoming more and more weird for each day. Seriously, is a cat supposed to sit like this?
• I never liked beer or whiskey, but my boyfriend has taught me otherwise now. A little Laphroaig on the rocks wouldn't be too bad just now...
• I have a little surprise for you in December!

Well now! The award is passed on to:

• Millie at ClassicForever (a blog now looking better than ever!)
• Kate Gabrielle at Silents and Talkies and flapper doodle (one award for each lovely blog)
• Sarah at Cinema Splendor (such a charming blog)
• Matthew Coniam at Movietone News, Carfax Abbey and The Marx Brothers Council of Britain (yes, three awards to one of my blogging icons!)
• Avalon76 at Flappers and Flickers and Silent Stanzas (read her classic film poems if you haven't!)
• Elizabeth at Oh By Jingo! Oh By Gee! and The Flapper's Personal Kinetoscope Parlor (just the blog titles are "kreativ"!)
• Nicole at Classic Hollywood Nerd (old time favorite of mine)
• Casey at Noir Girl (she's a-mazing)
• Mykal at Radiation Cinema! (one of the coolest blogs I've laid my eyes on - fantastic reviews and an amazingly awesome layout)

Congratulations, my creative co-bloggers!

One Lovely Blog Award

The lovely Elizabeth, with the probably cosiest blog ever (I love it), Oh By Jingo! Oh By Gee!, honored me with the One Lovely Blog Award. Thank you so much!

I choose to see this blog award as something other than just "a great blog" award - those I will give the award to receive it because they have truly lovely blogs that make me feel "at home". (How cheesy I am.)

Anyway - a One Lovely Blog Award to the five following blogs, that just make me happy:

Kate Gabrielle at flapperdoodle

Millie at ClassicForever

Matthew Coniam at The Marx Brothers Council of Britain

Jonas Nordin at All Talking! All Singing! All Dancing!

MissMatilda at Matilda's Delights

The rules: Accept the award and post it on your blog with the name of the person that gave it to you. Pass on the award to as many bloggers as you wish and let them know you chose them for the award.

Keep up the good work folk, you make my day! And thank you again, Elizabeth!

Encore du blog award!

Wonderful Kate Gabrielle gave me the Friendly Blogger Award from her new flapper doodle blog. She's so sweet.
I have no idea whether the award means that I'm a friendly blogger, or if my blog is friendly (?), but I'm very grateful! I put my guess on the first alternative, since I don't know how "blog friendly" Betty Page striptease videos and photos of a dead Thelma Todd is...

Anyway - it's time for me to deal the award to friendly bloggers! And the first award goes to... Kate Gabrielle for her original blog Silents and Talkies! That, my dear friends, is a friendly blog! Always interesting, funny and surprising. Check it out if you haven't!


Other blog winners are:

Manuel at Coisas do arco da velha - You'll never know what's up next on his frequently updated blog! Is it classic film stars? Is it surrealistic paintings? Campy film clips or erotic art?

The Classic Maiden - A devoted classic film nerd who updates us of every single film she sees, whether it's pre-code films or Japanese anime. And she has an on-going project of viewing almost all of Kay Francis' films.

Alexis at Ingrid Bergman Life and Films - How could one not love a blog dedicated to everything about and around the Swedish wonder Ingrid Bergman? And when it's done in such an honourable and yet easily accessible way.

Robby Cress at Dear Old Hollywood - It's always fascinating to read about his escapades around and among the buildings of the golden age of Hollywood. Robby writes his posts in a way that makes you feel welcome and absorbed.

C. K. Dexter Haven at Hollywood Dreamland - I always give him an award, and he deserves them all! If you love the gone days of Hollywood, check out this popular blog.

An last, but not at all least: Jonas at All Talking! All Singing! All Dancing! - Jonas specializes in his passion of the early talkie era of Hollywood. Always fascinating reading, and as I said to him a couple of days ago: What lacks in frequency of his blog posts is well covered with quality and passion. This is by far one of my favourite blogs!


I tried to deal the award to blogs that Kate didn't already give it to, and I hope that no one is left crying in despair! If so, maybe he/she/it will be happy by a colorized photo of Gary-the-divine-Cooper and Jean Arthur I made today. Peace out!

I won a Splash Award!

"The Splash award is given to alluring, amusing, bewitching, impressive, and inspiring blogs. When you receive this award, you must:

1. Put the logo on your blog/post.
2. Nominate up to 9 blogs which allure, amuse, bewitch, impress or inspire you.
3. Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.
4. Let them know that they have been splashed by commenting on their blog.
5. Remember to link to the person from whom you received your Splash award."



Thank you, Manuel at Coisas do arco da velha!
And here are the winners of the Splash Award, given by Lolita:


Kate for her blog Silents and Talkies.
Frequently updating her blog, sharing the delight of old music, classic films and her own drawings of actors and actresses.

C. K. Dexter Haven for his blog Hollywood Dreamland.
Pure love and fascination for the past! A great mixture of pictures, trivia and own thoughts.

Raquelle for her Out of the Past.
Always amusing posts with a personal touch. Norma Shearer week was wonderful.

Robby Cress for his Dear Old Hollywood.
A fascination for filming locations, old actors' and actress' villas and all other Hollywood spots with sentimental value for us old-times-devotees.

Alexis for her Ingrid Bergman Life and Films.
Expressing her devotion for Ingrid Bergman and everything around the great actress with blog posts full with information, unusual photographs and film clips. Simply great.

Nicole for her Classic Hollywood Nerd.
A great selection of all the things a classic film devotee would like to read about. The Underdog Series is a really great idea.

Genevieve for her Classic Film Oasis.
Posts with witticism and humour, a really amusing blog to follow.

Elizabeth for her Oh By Jingo! Oh By Gee!.
Almost always creates really interesting and amusing blog posts about actors, actresses and singers that I'v seldom heard of, but always want to look up closer after being introduced to. An inspiring blog, for sure.

The Maiden for her Classic Maiden.
Reports about all the film she sees, foreign as national, and expresses her admiration for Barbara Stanwyck and others in an adorable way.


Taa taa, kittens!

Premio Dardos Award - again!

I've once again received the Premio Dardos Award - this time by the wonderful Millie at ClassicForever. Very honorable! The motivation for giving me the award was very touching. Thank you!

Lolita's blog is one of my newer finds and it is superb! I go there knowing I am going to see something riotously entertaining, but also very knowledgeable and thoughtful. She seriously makes me laugh out loud every time!

And now, the rules of the award:

The Dardos Award is given for cultural, literary, and personal values in the form of creative and original writing. These stamps were created with the intention of promoting fraternization between bloggers, a way of showing appreciation and gratitude for work that adds value to the Web.

The rules are simple:

1. Accept the award by posting it on your blog along with the name of the person that has granted the award and a link to his/her blog.

2. Pass the award to another five blogs that are worthy of this acknowledgment, remembering to contact each of them to let them know they have been selected for this award.

So once again I will give away the Premio Dardos Award to five blogs that entertain and inspire me with their presence!

1. C. Parker at Starlet Showcase - For a blog with glorious pictures of classic moviestars, and the wonderful presentation of the blog owner: Born in the 1950s, basically drunk in the 1970s, and now gliding comfortably toward oblivion.
2. Nicole at Classic Hollywood Nerd - For the wonderful feeling of newborn fascination for the old times and a great choice of photographs.
   
3. Robby Cress at Dear Old Hollywood - For a true love and fascination for Hollywood and that he always has irreproachable, funny and innovating ways to compare past and present.
   
4. Genevieve at Classic Film Oasis - For interesting articles and post, always with a funny twist and sarcastic double-meanings. Read about how to convert the non-classic film fan! Brilliant.
   
5. Kate Gabrielle at Silents and Talkies - For being a lovely woman, eager to share and inspire (and be inspired). See her drawings of classic movie stars!
   

Good luck, kittens!