Seth Meyers and John Oliver on coal and hawks for Cut Your Energy Costs Day and Save the Eagles Day

Happy National Cut Your Energy Costs Day and Save the Eagles Day!  These are the two national days I promised to celebrate at the end of both 'Wonder Woman' joins 'The Shape of Water' and 'Get Out' among PGA film and TV nominees and 'The Shape of Water' and 'Coco' -- fantasy and diversity both winners at the Golden Globes.  Instead of celebrating energy conservation, I'm celebrating something that will reduce the cost of energy.  Newsy reports Commission Shuts Down Rick Perry's Proposal To Prop Up Coal, Nuclear.

The Federal Energy Regulation Commission rejected Perry's proposal to subsidize coal and nuclear plants.

Yes, that was a dumb idea that was going to add carbon dioxide, soot, mercury, and radiation to the atmosphere and cost Americans more money, too.  It was such a dumb idea that Seth Meyers made fun of it and Perry in The Check In: Rick Perry and the Department of Energy.

Seth checks in on Rick Perry, the man President Trump chose to lead the Department of Energy, an agency that Perry once wanted to abolish.

The last time I posted Seth Meyers making fun of Perry, I told my readers to expect Aggie jokes whenever I blogged about him again.  I think the clips Meyers used satisfy that promise.

Meyers mentioned Bob Murray and Murray Energy, which reminded me that I mused about "following up on Last Week Tonight with John Oliver's 'Coal,'" which won Television Episodic Comedy at the 2017 Environmental Media Association Awards for film and television.  Murray and his company play a major role in that segment, so I think now is the opportune time to post it.  Follow over the jump.

'The Shape of Water' and 'Coco' -- fantasy and diversity both winners at the Golden Globes

I wrote "I'll have more on the speculative fiction winners in movies tomorrow.  Stay tuned" to conclude Oprah, 'Big Little Lies,' and 'The Handmaid's Tale' win and say #TimesUp at the Golden Globes.  It's time to follow up on that promise about the Golden Globes movie nominees.

While "The Shape of Water" was the most nominated film with seven nominations, it won only two awards, Best Director and Best Original Score, falling behind "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri," which earned four statuettes and tying "Lady Bird."  That written, it was the most recognized speculative fiction film as well as a victory for diversity.  Watch Guillermo del Toro Wins Best Director at the 2018 Golden Globes.

Guillermo del Toro accepts the award for Best Director at the 75th Annual Golden Globe Awards.

I called Del Toro one of the big name directors along with Christopher Nolan and Steven Spielberg.  I also wrote "'I'm rooting for Nolan,' but I'm not optimistic."  I was right to not be optimistic.  I should also root for Del Toro.

As for the next category, I wrote "I still think Zimmer will pull this one off for 'Dunkirk,' but I'm beginning to worry about Alexandre Desplat and especially John Williams winning instead."  Again, I was right to worry.  Watch The Shape of Water Wins Best Original Score at the 2018 Golden Globes.

Composer Alexandre Desplat accepts the award for Best Original Score at the 75th Annual Golden Globe Awards.

Now I'm going to have to listen to the soundtrack.

The one category that was almost guaranteed to produce a speculative fiction winner was Best Motion Picture — Animated, which I thought would go to either "Coco" or "The Breadwinner" with "Coco" having the edge based on what I wrote in 'The Shape of Water' leads speculative fiction at the 2018 Critics' Choice Movie Awards.  I was not disappointed, as Coco Wins Best Animated Motion Picture at the 2018 Golden Globes.

Writer and director Lee Unkrich accepts the award for Best Motion Picture - Animated at the 75th Annual Golden Globe Awards.

I've written about my visit to Oaxaca and its observation of the Day of the Dead, so I would enjoy this movie.  I would also enjoy its songs, including the one I expect to be nominated for an Oscar, "Remember Me."  I'll be listening to them right after I finish the soundtrack to "The Shape of Water."

Follow over the jump for other winners for diversity and speculative fiction at the Golden Globes.

Oprah, 'Big Little Lies,' and 'The Handmaid's Tale' win and say #TimesUp at the Golden Globes

The Golden Globe Awards took place last night and, like last year, Hollywood got political.  Unlike last year, it wasn't about bashing Trump, although Seth Meyers did some of that.  Instead, it was about fighting against sexism and for women's equality.  CBS This Morning summarized the theme of the evening in Oprah and Time's Up put women at center of Golden Globes.

The Golden Globes made history with a message of female empowerment that put women at the center of the glitzy awards show. Women and men attending the ceremony wore black to call attention to gender inequality and sexual misconduct in Hollywood and beyond. Entertainment Tonight's Kevin Frazier reports.

For all her cultural heft, I've only mentioned Oprah once before when John Oliver made a running joke out of her at this year's Emmys even though she makes an appearance in "Food, Inc."  It's about time I mentioned her again.  The idea of her running for President in 2020 would make for interesting blogging, but I'm not convinced that the Democratic Party is as ready for a celebrity takeover the way the Republican Party was for Trump in 2016.  Keep reading to see if I'm right.

The story extended well beyond Oprah.  Follow over the jump for other clips about the social justice theme of last night's awards.

Facts and fancy about feisty lemmings for the first Norther of 2017!

Happy Norther!  What is Norther?  It's a fake holiday created by John Michael Greer the Archdruid in response to my telling him about Wester and its animal mascot, the Wester Squirrel.

Druids would likely demand a Souther and a Norther, too, with a Souther Wombat and a Norther Lemming as animal mascots; I'll leave you to decide what if anything they do with goodies.

Ah, but which solstice gets which holiday?  At first, I was not amused by your suggestion, as I thought one parody holiday was enough.  Then I slept on it and not only was I OK with it, I decided that Norther would come after the Winter Solstice and Souther would come after the Summer Solstice.  Why would a lemming visit in the middle of summer?

As a result of that conversation, Norther takes place on the first Sunday after the first full moon after the Winter Solstice, which is today.

Enough of the salutations -- time for the celebration.  In lieu of the Norther Lemming dropping off presents into the ocean, I'm taking a cue from Silly Squirrels for Happy Wester 2017!  Here are three videos showing lemmings being entertaining, although 3 Facts About Lemmings from SciShow does more telling than showing.

Lemmings are small, thickset vole-like animals that live in the Arctic tundra. They live in a harsh environment, are super-cute, kinda mean, and totally misunderstood. But here at SciShow we're going to set the record straight with 3 Actual Facts About Lemmings.

SciShow didn't explain how lemmings are "kinda mean," but Fearless attack lemming - World's Weirdest Events: Episode 2 - BBC Two does.

The humble lemming isn't exactly known for its ferocity. Yet this particular rodent will try to fend off all predators. Chris Packham takes a closer look at this very unusual creature.

Wow!  That's one fierce little animal!  Perhaps that's why lemmings took on the roles of warriors in Norm of the North.



This is still Sunday, so count this clip as the entertainment feature for today.  Yes, Entertainment Sunday still exists, even though I'm doing much more searching for a good fantasy than dealing with reality these days.

Also, I called today "the first Norther of 2017."  Why?

The next Norther will be January 7, as the full moon falls on New Year's Day, so there will be a Blue Moon on January 31.  Speaking of blue lunar holidays, the first full moon after the 2018 winter solstice will fall on Saturday December 22nd, so there will be a second Norther on December 23.  Blue Norther on Festivus!

That's why.  I get to do this all over again in 11 months.  Maybe I can find a video about a lemming feat of strength or airing of grievances by then.

Once again, Happy Norther!

'Wonder Woman' joins 'The Shape of Water' and 'Get Out' among PGA film and TV nominees

As I wrote in yesterday's entry about the WGA film nominees, ""The Shape of Water" and "Get Out" have been nominated in every major awards show so far, the 2018 Critics' Choice Movie Awards, AFI Awards, Golden Globe Awards, and SAG Awards."  Therefore, it should come as no surprise that both were nominated in the Producers Guild of America (PGA) Awards for The Darryl F. Zanuck Award for Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion Pictures, the PGA equivalent of Best Film.

The surprise comes from which speculative fiction movie earns the third spot that all awards shows so far have given to either science fiction or superheroes.  At the Critics Choice Awards, that distinction went to "Blade Runner 2049."  The AFI Awards bestowed the honor to "Wonder Woman."  Both the Golden Globes and SAG Awards recognized "Downsizing" for Hong Chau's performance, as did the Critics Choice Awards.  The WGA Awards made "Logan" the third nominee for Adapted Screenplay.  The PGA Awards followed suit, giving "Wonder Woman" one of the eleven nominations (there was a tie for tenth), making it the third speculative fiction film to be recognized in the most prestigious motion picture category at these awards.

Here is the entire field from Deadline Hollywood.

The Big Sick
Producers: Judd Apatow, Barry Mendel

Call Me By Your Name
Producers: Peter Spears, Luca Guadagnino, Emilie Georges, Marco Morabito

Dunkirk
Producers: Emma Thomas, Christopher Nolan

Get Out
Producers: Sean McKittrick & Edward H. Hamm, Jr., Jason Blum, Jordan Peele

I, Tonya
Producers: Bryan Unkeless, Steven Rogers, Margot Robbie, Tom Ackerley

Lady Bird
Producers: Scott Rudin, Eli Bush, Evelyn O’Neill

Molly’s Game
Producers: Mark Gordon, Amy Pascal, Matt Jackson

The Post
Producers: Amy Pascal, Steven Spielberg, Kristie Macosko Krieger

The Shape Of Water
Producers: Guillermo del Toro, J. Miles Dale

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Producers: Graham Broadbent & Pete Czernin, Martin McDonagh

Wonder Woman
Producers: Charles Roven & Richard Suckle, Zack Snyder & Deborah Snyder

Toss out one of the nominees and that could be the Oscar field for Best Picture.  As for which one that might be, I'd pick either "I, Tonya" or "Molly's Game" if "Wonder Woman" is to make the cut.

By the way, "Get Out" is already a winner, as Deadline reported ‘Get Out’ To Receive Producers Guild’s Stanley Kramer Award.

The PGA will bestow its 2018 Stanley Kramer Award on Get Out, Jordan Peele’s social horror thriller that has been one of the most buzzed-about, and lucrative, movies of 2017. The honor will be given out during the 29th annual PGA Awards set for January 20 at the Beverly Hilton.

The Kramer award honors a production, producer or other individuals “whose achievement or contribution illuminates and raises public awareness of important social issues.” Last year, Jeff Nichols’ Loving won the award.

Congratulations!  I can't think of a better film for this honor.

Any show that has an award for animated features automatically recognizes speculative fiction.  Here are the nominees from the PGA.

The Award for Outstanding Producer of Animated Theatrical Motion Pictures:

The Boss Baby
Producer: Ramsey Naito

Coco
Producer: Darla K. Anderson

Despicable Me 3
Producers: Chris Meledandri, Janet Healy

Ferdinand
Producers: Lori Forte, Bruce Anderson

The Lego Batman Movie
Producers: Dan Lin, Phil Lord & Christopher Miller

The four highest grossing animated movies of last year, which I listed in Celebrate National Science Fiction Day with 'The Last Jedi' atop the 2017 box office, are all nominated, "Despicable Me 3," "Coco," "The LEGO Batman Movie," and "The Boss Baby."  Based on box office, "Ferdinand" might come as a bit of a surprise, as it just passed "The Lego Ninjago Movie" but is still behind "Cars 3," "The Emoji Movie," and "Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie."  I wouldn't have expected any of them to be nominated.  In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if "The Emoji Movie" earns a Razzie or two.  Instead, I thought one of "Loving Vincent" or "The Breadwinner" might earn the fifth spot.  Nope, the story of the gentle bull gets it.

Enough with movies.  Follow over the jump for the three television categories with speculative fiction nominees.

Celebrate National Screenwriters Day with science and speculative fiction among WGA film nominees

Happy National Screenwriters Day!  Just like National Science Fiction Day, this is a real national day, which I'll explain over the jump.  First, I'll celebrate screenwriting by highlighting the science and speculative fiction films among the WGA Awards Film & Documentary Nominees reported by Deadline Hollywood.

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

The Big Sick, Written by Emily V. Gordon & Kumail Nanjiani; Amazon Studios
Get Out, Written by Jordan Peele; Universal Pictures
I, Tonya, Written by Steven Rogers; Neon
Lady Bird, Written by Greta Gerwig; A24
The Shape of Water, Screenplay by Guillermo del Toro & Vanessa Taylor; Story by Guillermo del Toro; Fox Searchlight

"The Shape of Water" and "Get Out" have been nominated in every major awards show so far, the 2018 Critics' Choice Movie Awards, AFI Awards, Golden Globe Awards, and SAG Awards.  I should not be surprised that their excellence began with a great original script.

ADAPTED SCREENPLAY

Call Me by Your Name, Screenplay by James Ivory; Based on the Novel by André Aciman; Sony Pictures Classics
The Disaster Artist, Screenplay by Scott Neustadter & Michael H. Weber; Based on the Book The Disaster Artist: My Life Inside the Room, the Greatest Bad Movie Ever Made by Greg Sestero and Tom Bissell; A24
Logan, Screenplay by Scott Frank & James Mangold and Michael Green; Story by James Mangold; Based on Characters from the X-Men Comic Books and Theatrical Motion Pictures; Twentieth Century Fox Film
Molly’s Game, Screenplay by Aaron Sorkin; Based on the Book by Molly Bloom; STX Entertainment
Mudbound, Screenplay by Virgil Williams and Dee Rees; Based on the Novel by Hillary Jordan; Netflix

"Logan" is the sole speculative fiction nominee among the adapted screenplay nominees.  I'm pleased but surprised.  If I thought any superhero movie would have earned this honor, it would have been "Wonder Woman."  As The Hollywood Reporter noted, it was eligible.  Still, it can now stand beside "Deadpool" as a superhero film worthy of a WGA nomination.

I'm going to leave fantasy behind to briefly visit reality in the form of science, crime, and politics.

DOCUMENTARY SCREENPLAY

Betting on Zero, Written by Theodore Braun; Gunpowder & Sky
Jane, Written by Brett Morgen; National Geographic
No Stone Unturned, Written by Alex Gibney; Abramorama
Oklahoma City, Written by Barak Goodman; American Experience Films

I've mentioned "Jane" twice before, first in 'Chasing Coral': awards and nominations and looking forward to next year's Emmys 4 and again in The most honored political documentaries of 2017 examine crime, injustice, and the Syrian Civil War.  With this nomination, it now has 11 points in nominations and awards, which ties it with "City of Ghosts."  When I wrote that this biography of Jane Goodall was as good as any of the films in my top five political documentaries of 2017, I wasn't kidding.  I'm quite sure it will be nominated.  Since it is the only shortlisted feature length documentary nominated, I'm moving its chances of winning up to even with "Ex Libris" should both be nominated.

I'd mentioned "Oklahoma City" before in "13th" vs. "O.J.: Made in America" plus other non-fiction political programs nominated at the Primetime Emmy Awards but didn't say a thing about it.  Now that it's earned a WGA nomination, I can see that was a glaring error of omission.  Adding the point for the WGA nomination to its Emmy nomination, it now has two points, which would have qualified it for my top political documentary list.

Follow over the jump for the description of National Screenwriters Day from National Day Calendar, including a cameo by "Deadpool" in the form of the lead actor praising the writers.

Orrin Hatch retires, not the first time I've seen him leave

Last month, I wrote about John Conyers resigning and Sander Levin retiring.  Today, it's MSNBC reporting Utah Senator Orrin Hatch Announces He Will Retire At End Of Term.

The Utah Republican, who has served four decades in the Senate, made the announcement in a video posted to Twitter. Will his empty seat pave the wave for Mitt Romney? NBC’s Katy Tur and Politico’s Jake Sherman discuss.

Yes, Mitt Romney is one of the reasons I care about this news, as Romney was born and raised in Michigan. I even wrote about his high school years in Willard Scissorhands, the Barber of Severe, although I promise not to call him that should he run, win, and oppose Trump from inside the G.O.P.

MSNBC also asked Will Mitt Romney Run For Senate?

Mitt Romney has made it known he’s interested in the Utah Senate seat and polling has been favorable for him in the state.

I'll let the Magic 8 Ball sum up the answer.


In case anyone wonders who the likely Democratic nominee will be, Steve Kornacki showed her name on his screen -- Jenny Wilson, who came in second in the poll.  That's the candidate I expect my middle sister, who lives in Utah, would vote for.  As for likely primary challengers to Romney, pay attention to Mia Love, a U.S. Representative.  She's the kind of candidate both Trump and Steve Bannon would support against Romney.  A name that wasn't up there but might run would be the now retired Jason Chaffetz, who might be induced to throw his hat into the ring, especially if Love does not.

So far, I've mentioned two reasons for my interest, Romney replacing Hatch and my family's connection to Utah.  The third is this WXYZ news segment, Bill Bonds confronts Utah Senator Orrin Hatch in 1991 interview, which I watched live.

Legendary WXYZ-TV anchorman Bill Bonds confronts Utah Senator Orrin Hatch in this interview from October 1991. Hatch stormed away from the camera after being pressed by Bond on leaked documents.

Like I wrote in the title, this isn't the first time I've seen Hatch leave.  This time, don't go away mad, Senator, just go away.

NASA looks back at 2017 and ahead to 2018

"I'll return to reality tomorrow with a follow up to Neutron star collision detected and other top science stories of 2017.  Stay tuned."  That's how I signaled that I would continue my look back at science and space at the end of Celebrate National Science Fiction Day with 'The Last Jedi' atop the 2017 box office.  To that end, I'm sharing 2017 - The Year @NASA (Update) with my readers.

2017: A year of groundbreaking discoveries and record-setting exploration at NASA. The Moon became a focal point for the agency, we brought you unique coverage of the first coast-to-coast total solar eclipse in the U.S. in 99 years, we announced the most Earth-size planets ever found in the habitable zone of a star outside our solar system, and more!

That's what NASA did last year.  Some of those projects will carry over into this year, as shown in NASA's 2018 To Do List.

This is NASA's 2018 'To Do' list. The work we do, which will continue in 2018, helps the United States maintain its world leadership in space exploration and scientific discovery. Launches, discoveries and more exploration await in the year ahead.

Both videos show the one thing I like about the Trump Adminstration, its promise to resume and expand crewed space exploration.  As for returning to the Moon, NASA is in a race with SpaceX.  I think NASA has the inside track, but that is no guarantee for getting there first.  Stay tuned, as I plan on reporting on this space race all year long.

Celebrate National Science Fiction Day with 'The Last Jedi' atop the 2017 box office

Happy National Science Fiction Day!  Yes, that's a real day, which I'll explain over the jump.  Right now, I'm following up on the prediction I made at the end of Drink to 'The Last Jedi' and 'Jumanji' atop the box office for Boxing Day 2017.

Finally, "The Last Jedi" is within easy striking distance of "Wonder Woman" and could pass it by this Friday to become the second highest grossing movie of 2017.  It will eventually pass "Beauty and the Beast" to earn about $600 million in domestic box office and well over $1 billion worldwide, becoming the highest grossing film released this year, but that will happen well into January.

"The Last Jedi" passed two of those milestones by New Year's Eve as Newsy reported in 'The Last Jedi' passes $1B at the box office.

Since "the Force awoke" in 2015, each new "Star Wars" film has brought in upwards of $1 billion at the worldwide box office.

The other milestone was passing "Beauty and the Beast" to become number one at the 2017 box office.  Once again, "I wasn't optimistic enough about the movie's performance at the box office!"  Maybe I should increase my projection for its total domestic box office to $700 billion.  Anyone else think so?

Follow over the jump for the story of National Science Fiction Day and how speculative fiction films ended the year at the domestic box office.

Two drum corps and some of my favorite bands marching in the New Year for 2018

Happy New Year!  To welcome in 2018, I'm doing what I promised to do at the end of Farewell to 2017 from YouTube, Google, and Vox.

One last time, farewell to 2017!  Stay tuned for my favorite marching bands and one corps in the Rose Parade today 2018 edition, featuring Two Rose Parade marching bands playing 'Thriller' for Halloween and 'The Commandant's Own' for a drum corps Veterans Day 2017.

I begin with the drum corps, in this case, the Marine Drum and Bugle Corps known as "The Commandant's Own," which is marching down Colorado Boulevard for the first time and didn't participate in Bandfest, so I don't have any footage of them in previous parades or performing their field show before the parade.  Nor do I have a video of them at this year's Drum Corps International (DCI) Championship.  However, I do have a video of them performing three months later in the same stadium at the Bands of America (BOA) Grand Nationals.


Just for fun, here's the Marine Corps Drums at WGI 2017 putting on a winter drum line show.


Not only was that a great show, it looks like it was good for recruiting, too!