Today's Oscar catchup movie was "Crazy Heart" at the Cinemark in Strongsville. Jeff Bridges gets a Best Actor nomination, while Maggie Gyllenhaal gets a Supporting Actress nod. Bridges stars as a former country music star who is a drunk, playing small venues (like a bowling alley), while a former sideman has hit the big time.

Bridges finally meets up with someone he cares about, Gyllenhaal (a music reporter), in Santa Fe. Gyllenhaal has a son and string of bad relationships and immediately hits it off with Bridges. But she's very leery about Bridges and his drinking. Of course, Bridges seemingly turns a corner, but eventually fucks it up and hits the proverbial rock bottom.

You may as well take no bets on the other nominees. This is the one for Bridges. No way he loses and I don't see this as a Lifetime Achievement Award either. I really believed him as Bad Blake. Gyllenhaal, as well, rebounds from "The Dark Knight" with some really strong work here. Surprisingly, Colin Farrell, yes, that Colin Farrell, does a great job as Blake's sideman who has gone on to super stardom in the world of country music. And has never forgotten who gave him his start. Robert Duvall as a friend of Bridges also has a good, small role. Hell, he was a producer (as was Bridges) and got in on the action. T-Bone Burnett supplies the music, too.

Definitely put "Crazy Heart" on the list of must-sees.

Meal of Links

Sing. Sing a song.Sing out loud. It's good for your brain.

America has talent!

Chickens. I saw chickens in Kauai. But this guy gains a lot from watching chickens. Who knew?

Evan Bayh on why he's leaving the Senate. Then, on CNN today, he said it may take another crisis to get Congress working together again. That's strong stuff.

My Dad must be busy. William Shatner gets the lead role in "Shit My Dad Says". Yesterday, before "The Blind Side", he (my Dad, not Shatner) said they should do without the Sprint ad for turning off your phones. It's the one about "Movies don't interrupt you". He said a screenshot advising you should be enough.

Exercise Yard

Remember the wife-swapping Yankees from the '70s. It'll be a movie. They both pitched for the Indians, not long after the swap went public, but not at the same time.

Visitor

None, on a warmer, sunny Sunday.