R.I.P.: Ernest Borgnine (1917-2012)

If you want to see just how great Ernest Borgnine could be when working with the right material, and the right director, take a look at the above short, part of the 2002 anthology film September 11. Borgnine passed away Sunday at age 95. He'll be missed. You can read my CultureMap tribute to the legendary Oscar-winner here.

Sean Penn: Cradle Robber?

I have lived long enough to see Jeff Spicoli become the December in a May-December romance. Just what I need to see as I trudge through the last three months before my 59th birthday. Sigh.

Blast from the past: Sean Penn talks about The Crossing Guard

After looking at this interview for the first time in nearly 15 years, my first reaction was: "Damn! I can't believe I didn't ask him a single question about Jack Nicholson!" On the other hand, Sean Penn is very forthcoming while talking about another actor in The Crossing Guard -- the under-rated David Morse, who also starred in Penn's The Indian Runner. As for Crossing Guard itself, this is what I wrote a few years back:

It's too long, too unfocused and way too self-indulgent. But in the end, none of this matters. Sean Penn's second effort as a director-screenwriter is compelling and emotionally resonant ways that more conventionally well-made films never manage to be. Jack Nicholson gives one of his finest performances as Freddy Gale, a jewelry store owner whose daughter was killed by a drunken driver six years before the story begins. Since then, the devastated Freddy has remained alive only by nursing the hope that he will be able to kill John Booth (David Morse), the man who accidentally killed his daughter. But as the guilt-racked Booth is released from prison, it becomes very clear that perhaps neither man really wants to live much longer. Throughout Crossing Guard, Penn has a tendency to sledgehammer his way through walls rather than simply opening doors. Even so, he always gets where he wants to go -- to that dark corner of our hearts where we can forgive no one, not even ourselves. Co-star Anjelica Huston has a couple of terrific scenes as Freddy's ex-wife, a woman with her own share of guilt, fear and loathing.

Oscarcast: First impressions

Hugh Jackman as host? Excellent. How excellent? Ask him back for next year, please. Hey, anyone who can give a shoutout to Francois Truffaut is a keeper, OK?

Past Actor/Actress nominees praising and presenting current nominees? Smart innovation, effectively executed, worth keeping as a new tradition.

Overall? Best Oscarcast in years. Seriously.

Oscar winners? No real complaints. I would have loved to see Frank Langella grab the Best Actor prize -- but Sean Penn is a worthy choice. Kate Winslet earned her gold. Other winners? Again, no real complaints.

Oscar poll

OK, you folks have decided that Mickey Rourke (46 %) should edge out Frank Langella (30 %) and Sean Penn (23 %) in the Best Actor race. (Neither Brad Pitt nor Richard Jenkins got any votes at all. Make of that what you will.) So now I'm asking: What's your pick for Best Picture? You can vote over on the right hand side of the blog until 6 pm CST Sunday (Feb. 22).

l want you to put your hands together, ladies and gentlemen, and give a warm New Orleans welcome to Bradgelina

They're moving to my hometown, and are already looking to get more involved in local charity work, according to US Magazine: "The couple hopes to raise awareness for the hurricane-devastated Gulf Coast region." Angelina is interacting with non-celebrity moms, with Brad is continuing his efforts to encourage construction of environment-friendly homes.

So I would just like to go on record as saying that, henceforth, anyone who makes a snotty remark about Pitt or Jolie can kiss my ass. OK?

And for pretty much the same reason: Spike Lee and Sean Penn are off-limits, too.