'Tis the Season

'Tis the Season! No, I don't mean Christmas as that is already over. I mean, Awards Season! Yes, this is the time of the year where all of the "amazing" movies are coming out in order to be in the running for the Oscars. Sure enough, I already feel WAY behind. I acknowledge that the Oscars are months away, and I still have plenty of time. Even with that in mind, I still feel like I have barely seen any of the movies. Part of me always feels the need to see them opening weekend. If that has passed, I start to feel like I'm falling behind.

Movies I HAVE Seen

The Social Network

Potential Nominations: Picture, Director (Fincher), Actor (Eisenberg), Adapted Screenplay(Sorkin), Score, Cinematography, Art Direction

Black Swan
Potential Nominations: Picture, Director (Aronofsky), Actress (Portman), Supporting Actress (Kunis, Hershey), Score, Make-up, Costume, Cinematography, Art Direction

127 Hours
Potential Nominations: Picture, Director (Boyle), Actor (Franco), Score

The Kids Are All Right
Potential Nominations: Picture, Actress (Bening), Supporting Actress (Moore), Original Screenplay

Inception

Potential Nominations: Picture, Director (Nolan), visual effects, sound effects



Others I've Seen
Winter's Bone - Potential Picture, Actress (Lawrence)
Toy Story 3 - Potential Picture, Animated Movie

Love and Other Drugs--Won't be in the running, but it's up for some Golden Globes
How Do You Know-- TERRIBLE movie. Since it's a James L. Brooks movie, you would have thought it could have been in the running. Now that people have seen it, it's definitely not going to be in the running.

Movies I Still Need to See
True Grit
The Fighter
Rabbit Hole
The King's Speech
Get Low
Blue Valentine
The Town
Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps

Even though there are strong contenders, it's too early to name my picks and predictions. I'm planning on seeing some more this week as I have Friday off and Sunday is my birthday. Hopefully I can knock out at least THREE this weekend!

-P McG

Christmas Gift Ideas for Movie Buffs

As many of you may know, I am a guest blogger for my friend, DeeAnn's foodie blog. She asked me to come up with a list of Christmas Gift Ideas for the Movie Buff. I came up with various box sets, essential DVDs, books about movies, and stocking stuffers.

If you have a movie buff in your life, take a look. There might be something that peaks your interest.


http://unleashyourinnerfoodie.com/blog/uncategorized/gift-ideas-for-the-movie-buff-in-your-life/

St .Anthony Main Crawl--Keegan's

Trip#2 Keegan's Irish Pub

Monday, December 6th

IN: 5:33

OUT: 6:52

Being at Keegan's took us right back to the trip Claire, Amy Gerlach, and I went to Ireland in 2008. Don't let Amy fool you, we actually saw a leprechaun in a pub in Dingle Peninsula.

DRINKS:

Paul: 2 pints of Guinness ($4 each during Happy Hour 4pm-7pm)

Claire: 2 Irish Whiskey and Ginger Ales

APPETIZER

St. Brigid's Chips

Nachos made with thick wedge cut fries instead of chips, topped with bacon, scallions, tomatoes and melted cheese. DELICIOUS! Can we say addicting? Don't let me turn this into my late night drunken/hungry/haven't eaten dinner choice.

MAIN COURSES
Paul: Bangers & Mash
Claire: Fish and Chips (advertised as "Best in the Twin Cities")

Paul: I first had Bangers & Mash in Dublin and really loved the dish. It's three sausages in a bed of mashed potatoes surrounded by gravy. There were caramelized onions on top as a garnish as well. These were very flavorful. The spicy sausage added great flavor to the potatoes and the gravy. I would definitely get these again. I can literally see myself getting this EVERY TIME.

Claire: Substituted a cup of potato leek soup instead of the chips, since she just had chips in the St.Brigid's Chips. A smart choice that I probably would not have been smart enough to make. Claire thought the breading was thick, but not too greasy. She highly enjoyed getting the soup. The potato leek actually had chunks of potatoes too!

AMBIANCE
We were delighted to hear live music throughout our meal. Two men were playing at a random table. The lighting was a little darker as well.

Be warned: They don't take American Express and our waitress was a little slow.
Overall: Highly enjoyable for a dinner after work. We both will definitely go back whether it's for dinner, drinks, or St. Patty's Day fun!