Last year, I had the time of my life at Sundance. This year, I am checking another pop culture experience off of my wish list. I just registered for a 4-day pass to Comic-Con 2008, which is taking place in July down in San Diego.
         
 

For those who aren’t giant geeks, allow me to attempt to paint a picture of Comic-Con for you. Imagine a huge convention center. Now picture thousands of people roaming row after row full of booths and vendors…promoting new comic books, unveiling new superhero toys, etc. But above and beyond that, there are panel discussions that everyone clamors to attend, because previously unreleased information about and footage from certain shows and films in progress are unveiled (panelists in prior years have included Kevin Smith and the producers and casts of Lost and Heroes). Dreamy, right?

So I have several months to prepare, network and get some official JOpinionated swag made to dole out to new friends and fellow Lost fans. Are you or anyone you know going? If so, drop me a line so we can meet up!

Quantum of Solace. That is the title of the next 007 film. I liked it better when it was simply Bond 22. I’m sure the film will kick ass, much like Casino Royale did. So I suppose a questionably lame title will suffice.

I’m sure that both the new Indy and the new Bond films will also rake it in this year, and I admit that I will be among the masses clamoring for tickets to both when they open.

Psst…take a look.

What do you think? Feel free to leave comments either here or there. That’s right, I’m asking you to take sides in my virtual divorce.

I received a surprising number of emails, calls and IM’s about Heath Ledger’s death immediately after the news broke early this afternoon. I suppose that as someone who writes about the entertainment industry, people might be interested in my response. But I do not usually address celebrity life or gossip, and I try not to fuel general speculation (at least on paper, here in this space). However, tonight I feel compelled to talk about Heath Ledger. Very compelled.

I haven’t seen the recently released I’m Not There, in which Ledger is one of six actors who represent the stages of Bob Dylan’s life (Cate Blanchett was just nominated for her version). But here are my top Heath Ledger films, in order:

• The groundbreaking Brokeback Mountain, as Jake Gyllenhaal’s tormented, closeted cowboy
  
• The guilty pleasure teen movie 10 Things I Hate About You, with Julia Stiles
• The 70′s skateboarding docu-drama Lords of Dogtown, with Emile Hirsch
  
• The gritty Monster’s Ball, as Billy Bob Thornton’s son
  

Heath Ledger was a very talented man, and he was also a son, a brother and a father. His death at age 28 was premature and shocking. He seemed to respect his craft and his body work reflects a great career. I will always appreciate his brave choices on the big screen, as well as his desire to retain privacy in a world where uninvited paparazzi inevitably accompany the spotlight.

Here are the 2008 Oscar nominations in the major categories, followed by my quick (j)opinions.

Actor in a leading role

George Clooney (Michael Clayton)

Daniel Day-Lewis (There Will Be Blood)

Johnny Depp (Sweeney Todd)

Tommy Lee Jones (In the Valley of Elah)

Viggo Mortensen (Eastern Promises)

Actor in a supporting role

Casey Affleck (The Assassination of Jesse James…)

Javier Bardem (No Country for Old Men)

Philip Seymour Hoffman (Charlie Wilson’s War)

Hal Holbrook (Into the Wild)

Tom Wilkinson (Michael Clayton)

Actress in a leading role

Cate Blanchett (Elizabeth: The Golden Age)

Julie Christie (Away from Her)

Marion Cotillard (La Vie en Rose)

Laura Linney (The Savages)

Ellen Page (Juno)

Actress in a supporting role

Cate Blanchett (I’m Not There)

Ruby Dee (American Gangster)

Saoirse Ronan (Atonement)

Amy Ryan (Gone Baby Gone)

Tilda Swinton (Michael Clayton)

Best animated feature film 

Persepolis

Ratatouille

Surf’s Up

Directing

The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (Julian Schnabel)

Juno (Jason Reitman)

Michael Clayton (Tony Gilroy)

No Country for Old Men (Joel and Ethan Coen)

There Will Be Blood (Paul Thomas Anderson)

Original score

Atonement

The Kite Runner

Michael Clayton

Ratatouille

3:10 to Yuma

Original song

“Falling Slowly” (Once)

“Happy Working Song” (Enchanted)

“Raise It Up” (August Rush)

“So Close” (Enchanted)
“That’s How You Know” (Enchanted)

Best Picture

Atonement

Juno

Michael Clayton

No Country for Old Men

There Will Be Blood

Adapted Screenplay

Atonement (Christopher Hampton)

Away from Her (Sarah Polley)

The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (Ronald Harwood)

No Country for Old Men (Joel & Ethan Coen)

There Will Be Blood (Paul Thomas Anderson)

Original Screenplay

Juno (Diablo Cody)

Lars and the Real Girl (Nancy Oliver)

Michael Clayton (Tony Gilroy)

Ratatouille (Brad Bird)

The Savages (Tamara Jenkins)

Usually I am quite grumpy when these are revealed, as personal favorites are oft overlooked. However, I am more than satisfied with the following:

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR CATEGORY
In my humble opinion, this is the toughest category to choose from, and the most deserving group of actors. Though I thought that Philip Seymour-Hoffman was the best part about Charlie Wilson’s War, I don’t think this is the role that will add another golden statue to his collection.  Comic relief isn’t usually rewarded by the Academy. Although…he might win based on his stellar work in two additional films this year (Before The Devil Knows You’re Dead and The Savages).  As I mentioned in my last post, Hal Holbrook was mesmerizing in Into the Wild. I wasn’t emotionally connected to the journey of the lead character until he interacted with Holbrook. Sad, beautiful and very effective. Of course, Javier Bardem might win based on his eyes and that haircut alone; I haven’t seen No Country For Old Men yet, but just watching Bardem in the trailer creeps me out.

JUNO
Holy sh*t, this is fantastic! I totally believe that Diablo Cody deserves the recognition for her refreshing Original Screenplay. Earlier this month in a review of the film I mentioned that Jason Reitman’s work behind the camera should not be overlooked….and voila!  Reitman gets his very first Academy Award nomination and his movie gets a Best Picture nod. So sweet. And then there is Ellen Page for Best Actress in a Leading Role. Amazing. Fitting. I love it.

LAURA LINNEY
Like Blanchett, I enjoy just about everything she does. I’ve been hearing buzz about Linney’s performance in The Savages since I tried to get tickets to it at Sundance a year ago. Good for her. One of these days she’ll join the ranks of the rare few who have actually earned Academy Awards. And I have to say, of all of my predictions from October, I am proud that this one became a reality.

VIGGO MORTENSEN
Yes, he wrestled and killed two thugs while completely naked. But one scene does not a movie make, nor does it deserve a Best Actor nod. Eastern Promises was disappointing. End of story.

Thoughts?