Bad Teacher - Cameron Diaz's Comedic Comeback?

Bad Teacher - It reminds me of the early days of Cameron Diaz comedies - the foul-mouthed, raunchy, not-afraid-to-be-dirty and ugly, like There's Something About Mary and The Sweetest Thing. The Cameron we fell for, but could still hang with. I actually want to see this one. Watch the trailer but be warned, Cameron be droppin' F-bombs like crazy!

Also in the movie, everyone's favourite friendly-giant, Jason Segal, who is a comic genius of today's Judd Apatow-loving generation. (I could watch him in Forgetting Sarah Marshall over and over again!) Plus, Phyllis from The Office - and who doesn't love anyone from The Office?!

Even Justin Timberlake doesn't seem too bad in this, although he needs to stop pretending he's a geek. He's too good-looking to simply put on a pair of nerdy glasses and try and convince us he's a loser. Then again, he was in NSync.

Hank Moody: The Californication Conundrum

Hank Moody - The epitome of 'tragically flawed', Californication's lovable loser is a chain-smoking alcoholic, a self-destructive sex-addict. Actually, scratch that - he's not so much self-destructive as he is destructive, since his destruction not only has to do with him but the 'loves' of his life: Karen and their daughter, Becca.

So why do we love him and continue to take his side, even when he does literally the unforgivable? Hank isn't exactly a stand-up guy, so why does the audience keep tuning in to see his never-ending downwards spiral? Why do all the ladies love him, and how is every single woman he meets, drawn to him, no matter how secure and independently successful she is? And despite how gorgeous Karen's new man (Michael Ealy) is, why do I keep hoping she'll go back to Hank?

As humans, we enjoy watching those around us fail, maybe because it makes us feel better about ourselves. We like train wrecks like Jersey Shore and Lindsay Lohan because they're far enough away from our realities that it's OK to watch and laugh at. Or, maybe we appreciate characters like Hank because they're not perfect and therefore we relate to them and their many flaws.

He is good-looking and has a way with words that's pretty swoon-worthy. And sometimes it's bad-ass that he's nonchalant about everything, even if that happens to include the two people he claims to love, Karen and Becca. Ultimately, I think we care because despite his shortcomings, he's a dad that would literally do anything for the few people he cares about.

Either way, despite his issues, we love him, and as Karen so eloquently explained to Abby, here's why:

“I think the world see’s Hank as this fabulous fuck-up. And I know that guy – I’ve spent a lot of time with that guy. But I’m better acquainted with the other guy. The one that listens and hears everything. The one that looks at you and sees right into your soul. The one that makes you believe in every fucking fairy tale that you’ve ever been told. Ultimately, I may not even be the woman who gets to enjoy the man that I know he can be, but I still want the best for him because I want the best for my daughter.” - Karen

2011 Oscar Predictions

With the elusive and always-fascinating James Franco hosting this year (oh yeah, and that Anne Hathaway girl from Princess Diaries too), I couldn't be more excited for the 83rd Annual Academy Awards. This year's films really pushed the envelope, emotionally and physically (although I probably say that every year). The Fighter and The King's Speech inspired us, reminding us about determination and going against all odds, The Social Network really spoke to the Facebook-obsessed society we have become, and Toy Story 3, well, it kind of just made me cry and want to be a kid again.

Just like every year, I do have some issues with the nominations - I'm still a bit pissed that Blue Valentine didn't get nods for Best Picture and Best Actor (Ryan Gosling). And I really did think The Town deserved a Best Picture nod too, but I don't know, maybe that's just because I have a thing for films about Baaahston.

Now that we're only nine days away, I've officially put down my personal Oscar predictions this year, to see how accurate I am come the morning after.

Get your own official Oscar Ballot and see how well you do.

Oh, and being a huge James Franco fan, I have to mention that he just joined Twitter! As if a 140-character limit would ever be enough for this overachiever; for his first tweet, he made a video. Love it.

"a guy trying to keep it together while falling apart" - Californication

New additions to the season 4 Californication cast bring with them, added dysfunction and more misunderstandings to be had. This show's got so many familiar faces now it's like watching an episode of Entourage.

Zoe Kravitz - Yes, that's the genetically blessed daughter of Lenny Kravitz and former Cosby Show good-girl, Lisa Bonet (who now, weirdly goes by the name Lilakoi Moon...huh?). Zoe's the bad-ass, lead singer of Queens of Dogtown, Becca's band, and the daughter of Karen's dreamy, new, blue-eyed beau.

Carla Gugino - You may recognize Hank's new attorney, Abby, as the one-time agent-slash-girlfriend of Vince Chase on Entourage. It was inevitable that she would end up in Hank's bed at some point, since all seemingly-independent and powerful women tend to melt when it comes to him.

Michael Ealy - He's so pretty that I have a hard time looking away from his piercing blue eyes. Making his mark  in Barber Shop, and then later in Beyonce's 'Halo' video, Michael's doing double duty right now on Californication and on The Good Wife (that show's so hot right now).

Rob Lowe - Former brat-packer and West Wing-er, Rob's always kind-of, sort-of around in Hollywood, and is doing a bang-up job as the eccentric and absolutely whacked-out Eddie Nero. His best line so far, "I think we should kill someone tonight. I mean like a hobo or something."

The Vampire Diaries is Really Good - No Joke!

Unless you've been hiding under a rock the past couple of years, you're at least aware of the vampire phenomenon that's taken over. Just like the boyband craze of the 90s, it's everywhere, from tv to movies to books. Well, except for the fact that these vampires stories aren't just for kids - they seem to resonate with ladies of all ages. I credit this, not to the (very poorly written but somehow very addictive) Twilight books, but to cult classic of the last decade: Buffy the Vampire Slayer. You see, that's when vampires in pop culture shifted from being evil, one-sided creatures, to conflicted characters we could actually relate to. Like Angel (Buffy) and Brad Pitt (Interview with the Vampire), we loved them for always being in constant turmoil with their nonexistent souls. Just like we love a bad boy trying to be good.

Anyway, when you move aside all the gorgeous faces (and bodies!) in Twilight, minus Kristen Stewart's constant scowl and mumbling, there's nothing left besides author Stephanie Meyer's message of abstinence and avoiding temptation of the 'forbidden fruit'. Like, we get it, you can't have sex before marriage. If you do, you'll die. Well not quite, but that's how she puts it.

But whether you're Team Edward or Team Jacob, or in my case, Team Eric (True Blood), there are ways to get your Vampire fix without feeling like you're twelve years old. I've already raved about True Blood, but those without cable can still get their fix from The Vampire Diaries.

I'm not even joking when I say that The Vampire Diaries is a quality piece of supernatural television, right there in between the raunchy masterpiece of True Blood and the teenybopper crap-fest of Twilight. Now in it's second season, each episode is gripping from beginning to end, with vampires, werewolves and witches that seem to blend their supernatural lives with high school quite seamlessly.

It's compellingly witty, and each character is conflicted and colourful, (and not bad to look at either), with enough young men (and women) around to satisfy your need for both good boys and bad boys!

Shameless - Nice Day for a (Fake) Wedding

Showtime's Shameless seems to be following the general plot line that basically proves on a weekly basis that the Gallagher kids are NOT alright. Fiona continues to fall for adrenaline-inducing Steve even though she knows Tony's a better guy, Frank is a drunk (as per usual), and once again, this week's episode was filled with a scam (or three), with a fake wedding (in a bar!), a close-call car heist, and a third ball (or as Frank so eloquently put it, his 'third passenger').

Joan Cusack continues to steal the show with her loony-bin issues; every time she wholeheartedly attempts to venture outside her home, it's actually quite heartbreaking to see her fail and breakdown. I'm interested to see more on how her daughter, Karen, handles it. It's obvious she's destructive, sexually promiscuous and screaming for attention by attempting to seduce Frank (gross, even though she's got Lip). But she's a product of her environment, so to speak, with a fucked-up home life like all our principle characters. This past episode, we got to see past the humour and caught a glimpse of the helplessness and disappointment Karen must feel on a daily basis.

We were also introduced to a new (also-crazy) character, Veronica's brother (Anthony Anderson). Of course, only on this show would being Bipolar not be enough. Poor guy's got to have Tourette's and be a Pyromaniac too.

The preview for next week gets back to reality a little bit - or as real as Shameless could possibly get. Fiona's not actually the legal guardian for all her siblings, and she's not exactly doing a great job raising them despite all her efforts. There are severe issues underneath the comedic facade. We've already seen how damaged Debbie is, she did steal a toddler just so she could have someone to play with. Looks like we'll get more insight into Carl, so far the only Gallagher kid we've heard barely a few words from. He's already kind of creepy, microwaving gold fish so nonchalantly. Obviously he has some issues that aren't going unnoticed at school, even if he's being ignored at home.

Review: The King's Speech - Colin Firth Finds his Voice

I've mentioned time and time again that in my eyes, Colin Firth has always and will always be dreamy Mr. Darcy. So when I watch a film that makes me completely forget that part of his resume, it's pretty impressive. With the most Oscar nominations this year (at 12), The King's Speech is a royal engagement you should definitely watch before the Academy Awards on February 27th. Garnering nominations for Best Picture, Director, Actor, Supporting Actor AND Supporting Actress, to name but a few, The King's Speech is based on the true tale of stammering King George VI (Queen Elizabeth's Dad).

Colin Firth played this role marvelously, consumed with an air of arrogance, but a reluctant vulnerability, fighting off demons from his traumatizing childhood. When an actor takes on an accent or a specific speech impediment, there's always the risk it could turn out too mechanical or over-the-top. In Colin's case, the stammer was not forced at all. I found myself completely captivated with his story, cheering him on from the sidelines.

But it wasn't him alone, Colin's supporting cast was equally amazing! As his wife (the Queen Mother), Helena Bonham Carter had the supportive wife bit down, with the perfect mix of helpless sympathy and compassion, the way she took on her husband's failures and successes as her own. And as King George's speech therapist, Geoffrey Rush was the only one who seemed to be able to speak to a King with such guts and gusto, with pompous confidence in his own abilities that definitely paid off. The dynamic between these three actors was phenomenal, casting couldn't have been better.

As much as this role didn't make me think of Mr. Darcy, cast members from Pride and Prejudice (BBC) were popping up throughout the film to make sure I didn't quite forget why I love Colin Firth. Don't think I didn't see you, Elizabeth (Jennifer Ehle), and Mr. Collins. By the way, did anyone else get a slight tinge of lingering attraction when Colin's character met  Jennifer Ehle's. Wishful thinking? Swoon.

Marketing Insight from Mad Men

"i don't think anyone wants to be one of a hundred colors in a box"

Peggy Olson - Mad Men

Shameless Gives Lip

SHO.com

After the third episode of Showtime's Shameless, it seems like the, 'let's see how shocking we can be', shenanigans have calmed down a bit and it's starting to get into a more comfortable groove. It looks like each week, a money problem arises, and it's up to the Gallaghers to scheme their way through it, as the dysfunctional family that they are. And they really do take dysfunction to another level, last night kidnapping an old lady from a nursing home, to pose as their dead Aunt Ginger. Well, crisis averted, and Aunt Ginger's social security cheques will continue to help out around the house, at least for now.

Forget nice-guy Tony and even car-thief Steve, Lip (Jeremy Allen White) is the one who's stealing my attention. He's perfect for the role of second-in-command at the Gallagher house. Being forced to be responsible, he has a protective nature just like Fiona, and even makes money off of his smarts, getting paid to write exams for other kids. Plus, that scene with him and Karen, screaming at the roaring trains passing overhead, perfectly reminds us of how frustrating his life really is and how well he handles his situation. In last night's episode, Lip gets a serious beat-down from the brothers of a girl (Mandy) that younger brother Ian rejects. He takes the punishment for Ian head-on and doesn't run away scared, which I loved. You've got to appreciate the natural banter and conversations Lip and Ian have, very typical of real brothers. Lip doesn't rat Ian out to save his own neck, and he throws in a dig about how slutty Mandy is, even though it makes his beating even worse. Gotta love that Lip.

83rd Oscars get Social Media Savvy

This year, the 83rd Academy Award nominations will be announced live and online, via Livestream, which is pretty exciting for movie-addicted, social media enthusiasts (like me). Those of you who'll be at work can watch right along with the press and find out which of this year's memorable film performances got a coveted spot on the list.

Not to be outdown by the upcoming Grammy's, the Oscars are going all out in terms of social media interaction with fans, planning 'Oscar Tweets', and daily online programming to get people hyped up. This year you can not only be on the periphery of the most prestigious, star-studded Hollywood awards show of the year, but you'll get the chance to be engaged in what's happening backstage, behind the scenes.

You can watch the nominees announced live at 8:30 am EST right here. Oscar night is on February 27th so you have just over a month to watch all the nominated films.

Watch live streaming video from academyawards at livestream.com