So I Say Thank You for the LAMMYs...

*I don't know why but I've had 'Thank You for the Music' in my head all day. Probably because Shep. Burman is Swedish and obviously when I think of Sweden I think ABBA.

Yep.

I'm not gonna lie, the last twelve months have been great (if we were only talking in blog terms). Winning Best New LAMB last year, getting a casual call from Paramount Studios, upping the hits, upping the followers, upping commenters, getting nominated for five LAMMYs this year...I don't like to boast or to toot my own horn, but I can't help but be immensely proud of what I've achieved.

Now while this year's LAMMYs have had a few humps and bumps, and I admit I was damn near to quitting the blogosphere when I read some of the things that were typed and published over the past week, they've been pretty good. I say this because it was great to see my fellow LAMBs getting rewarded for their efforts, and also because I snagged a couple myself. The first was a win for Best Rating System, which I am quite grateful for. Of course, you all love Tommy Wiseau and his masterpiece, The Room! A shout out must go to Random Ramblings of a Demented Doorknob, Go See Talk, French Toast Sunday and the runner up, 3 Guys 1 Movie.

Also, while I may not have won this award, I'm pretty freaking stoked with the result. Now, I was pretty happy just getting nominated for Best Blog. It meant a lot. I didn't have high hopes for much more than that. Then, as I was straightening my hair (a lot of use that did, a mere minute later the rain got to it), I started crying tears of joy in my bathroom. Because I got runner up. For Best Blog. Now, most of you would be casual as about it, but I went into full girl freak out mode. I totally wasn't expecting that much. Unfortunately, I had to run to school during a storm, which caused my phone to stop working because of the supposed water damage, and then I've had to go through this entire day with hailstorms followed by sunshine followed by a huge rainstorm and then another hailstorm. The weather couldn't get me down. I'm on cloud nine. I know that I don't deserve such an honour, but I'm glad that whoever voted for me saw something in this little old blog of mine.

The real congratulations goes to the winner, Man I Love Films, my fellow runner upperer Ryan at The Matinee, and the other nominees: the team at Anomalous Material, Ruth at FlixChatter, Dan at Fogs' Movie Reviews, John at The Droid You're Looking For. All such professional, great bloggers who inspire me, and deserve every inch of praise they get.

Anyway, this is the end of another year of LAMMYs. Here's to another year of hopefully successful blogging from your favourite 16 year old Dannevirkean!

May in Movies (and LAMMY news!)

This month has been good, but it has also been bad. More than anything, it's been extremely busy, though. Too much school work, no spare time. Which is why I haven't been watching that many movies. And unfortunately, writer's block came for another harsh visit.

However, the end of the month has been filled with so much joy you have no idea. Early yesterday morning, I had a few tweets at me congratulating me for some LAMMY nominations, but no-one stated what they were. So I had to rush around the house downloading the podcast and then listening to it. In amidst all of that, I jumped around every time I got a nomination, only just remembering that I had to actually get ready for school. Part way through straightening my fringe I heard that I got nominated for Best Blog. I mean, come on guys, Best Blog? Me? Part of that category? Wow, I'm humbled. I honestly can't believe you thought of little old me down in Dannevirke (which you haven't heard of), New Zealand (which you most likely haven't heard of). I was so excited that I told anyone who listened, and a few teachers spread the news to other people I don't even know. So thank you, guys, the town's abuzz (yeah, I know I take it too seriously). Anyway, catch the full lineup here, but here's what I'm nominated for:
-Best Rating System - Hehe, you like my The Room rating then? I totally think that Random Ramblings of a Demented Doorknob should take this, since poor old Nick can't get Best Blog Name any more. Also in contention is Go See Talk, French Toast Sunday and 3 Guys 1 Movie.
-Best Awards/Festival Coverage - I really appreciate that my little Annual Awards Nerdism was remembered here, but it's nothing compared with Never Too Early Movie Predictions, The Matinee, Bonjour Tristesse or Big Thoughts from a Small Mind.
-Best Running Feature - Again, I really appreciate that a few of you thought of A Conversation With... in this one (and sorry it's taking the week off). Duke & The Movies' Battle of the Directors, Fogs Movie Reviews' Movies that Everyone Should See, True Classics' Pioneers of Animation and my personal favourite Rachel Reel Reviews' Saturday Sims Screenshots all provide tough competition.
-Best Design - Wow, I'm really glad I spent one whole Friday at home to reinvent my blog, because not only am I really happy about it, a lot of other people are too. I really don't stand a chance against the widgety ones from The Matinee, French Toast Sunday and Man I Love Films. And I especially don't stand a chance against Sati's amazing Cinematic Corner. Seriously, vote for her.
-Best Blog - I don't care if I don't get any votes in this category, I'm just happy to be nominated. I mean, I realise that I'm the Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close of the race, but I'm totally cool with that. Man I Love Films, The Matinee, Anomalous Material, Fogs' Movie Reviews, FlixChatter and The Droid You're Looking For are all great sites, and all very worthy of winning this award.

Anyway, things I've seen this month are...

Movies I hadn't seen until the month of May...

Tyrannosaur - Despite my pleading, my father wouldn't order this for Blockbuster. Which is a shame. Then again, we are the shop that is only getting one copy of The Artist. Someone send me funding so I can pay for an extra three copies? I can't seem to convince anyone that it won Best Picture.
We Bought a Zoo - This was kinda cute, but it was too long and the music wasn't so great. What the hell was up with Elle Fanning? She was nuts in that movie!
Dead Man Walking - I don't know why, but Sean Penn makes me uneasy.
Amelie - Yeah yeah yeah, I only just saw it. I liked it a lot. Such whimsy. Amelie has just about the same outlook on life as I do.
Children of Men - This movie was bloody brilliant. In fact, I just can't believe that there was a movie like this was made so recently.
Restless - This movie gave me such grief. I tried to watch it on my laptop before I watched War Horse, but it wouldn't work. So then we just watched War Horse, which ran on quite late. So I tried to watch it in my bedroom, but it wouldn't work. After all that, it worked in the lounge...but I didn't enjoy it very much.
Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows - Too much slow-mo. Too long. My dog was far more interesting.
Straw Dogs - I have the original one in my room. I'm going to watch it soon. I just feel like I've been a little too heavy on the rape movies lately. (by the way, this one wasn't so great.)
The Hunter - Surprisingly entertaining, for an Australian film. Willem Dafoe is another guy who makes me uneasy.
Cleo from 5 to 7 - Yeah, this is the kind of movie I watch on a Friday night while everyone's out partying. I loved it. Plan to review it next week.
Heathers - I will not let go of my campaign to get Winona Ryder a good comeback.
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy - People keep asking me about this movie, for some odd reason. And then I just go crazy about how complicated it is. Anyway, I really like the poster I have of it by my bed now.
Leon: The Professional - It was funny seeing Gary Oldman play a quiet good guy and then a weird bad guy in the same week. What an actor.
The Artist - Ha, it finally came to the local cinemas last week. It'll be out on DVD next week. Again...someone please send me funding so more people in Dannevirke can see it?
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest - Yes, I saw this for the first time this month, too. Wow, Jack Nicholson is quite an actor.
Dolphin Tale - This reminded me of the really bad movies that were on at midday when I was a kid. Which dragged it down for me. While we're at it, why was this in 3D?
Journey 2: The Mysterious Island - Ummmm, yeah. You know it was a bad month when I watched this.
Mr. Nice - Just to see my darling Christian McKay. He was in it for about 20 minutes. YES. It was quite a good movie, too. Rhys Ifans rocks.
Pina - I like dancing, but this was a strange movie. I guess it is quite interesting seeing 'experimental' movies.
Young Adult - The more I think about this film, the more I like it. Charlize Theron is awesome.

Movies I've seen before but felt like watching again because I'm cool like that...

Me and Orson Welles - I'm gonna keep beating the Christian McKay drum until we can make a band (hahaha).
War Horse - I LOVE THIS MOVIE. I need to get a T-shirt screaming that out to the world.
The Muppets - Going to watch this again tonight with my friends. So excited. I'm gonna sing along to all the songs.
Hugo - Can't say this held up too well on a rewatch, but Helen McCrory was awesome in this.
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo - After watching this again I can't stop listening to the soundtrack. Has everyone seen the packaging for this DVD? Isn't it the awesomest thing ever?!
The Descendants - I admit to liking it a little more this time round, but I don't understand why everyone loves it. Plus, Shailene Woodley and Judy Greer were a million times better than George Clooney. Just saying.

What about you? Seen anything good this month?

For Your Consideration: Cinematic Paradox for the 2012 Lammys

Okay...let me tell you a little story. Last year I half-heartedly put my name forward to get a LAMMY nomination. Let's just say, I wasn't expecting a nomination. Down the other side of the track, I got two nominations: Best New LAMB and Best Rating System. That was a pretty big deal for me. Then, one morning, while I was recuperating from getting my tonsils out, I saw that my blog had been voted as the Best New LAMB for 2011.

That. Was. Huge.

To most of you, these blog awards are just for fun, and that's fine. But come on, we all like to be recognised that way. When I won the award, I basically leaped out of bed and started screaming before I realised that the tonsillectomy didn't leave my throat in such a good condition. And you know what? It may sound stupid, but when people in little old Dannevirke found out about this win they went wild. I still get people to this day congratulating me on that win, even though it happened nearly a year ago.

Anyway, I don't like talking myself up, because most of what I'm about to say is probably untrue. But here are the categories that I'd like to be considered for and why:

Best Blog Okay, I know I probably won't get a nomination here but I would really like one. A little backstory on why I should get a nomination here: I'm 16, I come from a tiny town in NZ, I watch movies other people my age haven't heard of, I blog just about every night even though I'm exhausted from school (seriously, I'm working myself to exhaustion here). Oh, and I got a call from Paramount about something I wrote. Not meaning to gloat, but how many people - 16 year old girls from NZ, no less - does that happen to every day? Exactly. I know I haven't got anything on those super sites, but pleeeeeeeeeease consider me for this!

Best Design I designed it all myself. I think it looks cute. It looks good on an iPad (I checked).

Best Movie Reviewer I admit, I'm not your traditional reviewer - I like to get a bit more personal about my movies. Just see my review of War Horse.

Best Running Feature The 'Conversation' posts are always fun to write, and so are the Lame Trailer Clichés, if I ever get ideas for them.

Best Rating System Because it has a rating from The Room.

Best Festival/Awards Coverage It doesn't have anything on everyone else's coverage, but come on, who didn't enjoy spending time with Fassy, Loki and Owen when awards season was full speed ahead?

Funniest Writer I'm probably not even that funny. But it has been said to me that the Conversation posts are funny, so I'm putting my name forward for this anyway.

And yeah, as my poster says, you should vote for the 16 year old New Zealander! Pleeeeeeeeeeease?!

My Acceptance Speech

This week has been good. Well, apart from getting my tonsils out. But that will pay off in the long run. On Monday, we came second at Stage Challenge. And today, well, Cinematic Paradox was announced as the winner of Best New LAMB at the LAMMYs! Woohoo!

I was totally not expecting that at all. In fact, I wasn't even that bothered to find out who the winner was, because I pretty much knew that it wouldn't be me. But hey, I was wrong, and I won by one vote.

My goodness, thank you to anyone who voted! I was just happy that I got nominated, but winning took it to a whole other level. Call me sad or whatever, but this is like, one of the most exciting things that has ever happened to me!

You have no idea how grateful I am, that 17 people found the kindness in their hearts to vote for a 15 year old girl from Dannevirke, New Zealand. And there are a few people I'd like to thank:

First of all, the obvious people: My family (especially my Mum who has been so kind to me this week...getting me food even though I can't eat it all, driving me uptown to get some chocolate fish, sleeping in that uncomfortable chair at the hospital...), my friends, my teachers, anyone in Dannevirke who has read my blog. Oh yeah, and probably my Dad for owning Blockbuster. Without that shop, I'd probably still be obsessed with horses.

All of the other people nominated in this category. Jack, you amaze me with how much you know. You are such a talented writer, and you have done so well with your blog. To be frank, I'm actually really jealous of the amount of readership you get! James, you are really smart too. I guess that's why you got runner up for the Braniac award! Dan, you have some really cool reviews! And you hated A Nightmare on Elm Street just about as much as me! Haha. Ruth, I'm pretty new to your blog, but it certainly is awesome. Well done for being the runner up! Seriously, how I won against all of these awesome people is beyond me.

And, last but not least, there's whoever voted for me and whoever has read my blog. You know who you are. Especially Lesya and Cherokee. You guys have been around these parts for a long time, and I thank you for that!

Sorry if this post was a little too thankful. Many of the other winners probably just went about their day and didn't think anything of it. But this is amazing to me. And hey, this will probably be the only acceptance speech I ever get to do!

Guess who got a couple of LAMMY nominations?

Well, lotsa people got some nominations. And congratulations to y'all. But, amazingly, Cinematic Paradox managed to score a couple of nominations: Best New LAMB and Best Rating System.

Now, the latter one amazes me, considering those ratings were the result of half an hours boredom at some late hour on a school night. I didn't exactly put much thought into them. Anyway, I am so grateful for the nomination, you have no idea!

I like goats. This one is happy.

Anyway, I totally thought I was gonna get Chris Nolaned (a.k.a snubbed), so this news has been pretty exciting! Now you just gotta help me win! Well, I'm not bothered entirely about winning, because the nominations have been enough. People voted for the 15 year old New Zealander! The one who comes from a town so small it doesn't have one traffic light! Weird, huh?

I guess now is the right time to say "I'M THE SWAN QUEEN!"

This has been all very exciting, but I have study to do. If anyone has extensive knowledge on genetics, I would love some help...

For Your Consideration: Cinematic Paradox for the LAMMYs!

If you are a LAMB, then you are probably well aware that the LAMMY nominations are open. This marks my first year as a LAMB and my first opportunity to be considered for the awards. So naturally, I'd love a nomination! Just one would be great! As seen in my FYC ad are the categories I'd like to be considered for. I'd particularly like to be considered for Best New LAMB. And Best Awards Coverage. You'll find a link to my series of 'Annual Awards Nerdism' in the right sidebar.
With 900 LAMBs out there, I realize it's going to be tough competition, and even tougher for such a small blog like mine to even be given a nomination. But please, I'm begging!

Have a lovely day, wonderful people!