Best Picture nominees – Oscars 2010

Well the Oscar’s have now come and gone, but here is a rundown of the 10 prestigious films that were nominated for Best Picture.
  
1) Avatar: This big budget film directed by James Cameron may very well revolutionize the way we watch movies. Many complain the script could use some work but visually nothing can top this movie! Nominated for a total of 9 Oscars.

2) The Blind Side: nominated for best picture and best actress (Sandra!) this movie tells the true story of Michael Oher, a homeless boy who turns his life around to become an All-American and first round draft pick for the NFL.
3) District 9: is the story of An extraterrestrial race forced to live in slum-like conditions on Earth suddenly finds a kindred spirit in a government agent who is exposed to their biotechnology. Nominated for 4 Oscars.

4) An Education: tells the story of a sixteen year old girl coming of age in the 1960s. After meeting an older playboy she is swept up into what she thinks is the sophisticated world she longs for. Nominated for 3 awards.

5) The Hurt Locker: Nominated for 9 Oscars this movie directed by James Cameron’s ex-wife Kathryn Bigelow tells the story of an elite squad in Iraq.

6) Inglorious Basterds: In Nazi-occupied France during World War II, a group of Jewish-American soldiers known as “The Basterds” are chosen specifically to spread fear throughout the Third Reich by scalping and brutally killing Nazis. This movie is up for 8 awards.

7) Precious: Based Off the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire: this emotionally draining film tells the story of an overweight and pregnant illiterate teen from Harlem who is invited to enroll in an alternative school that may change the course of her life. Nominated for 6 awards.

8) A Serious Man: nominated for 2 awards this dark comedy centered on Larry Gopnik, a Midwestern professor who watches his life unravel when his wife prepares to leave him because his inept brother won’t move out of the house.

9) Up: It’s rare to see an animated feature up for Best Picture but this story of a 78-year-old grumpy man tying balloons to his house and going on a trip to South America with a young boy in tow captured the hearts of all who saw it. Up for 5 Oscars, including Best Animated Feature.


10) Up in the Air: up for six Oscars this movie starring George Clooney tells the story of a man whose job has him traveling around the country firing people. Ryan Bingham is leading an empty life out of a suitcase until his company ‘grounds him’.

And if you all were buried under a rock the past couple days…’The Hurt Locker’ rocked the 2010 Academy Awards, grabbing a total of 6 Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay. Director, Kathryn Bigelow, won Best Director – becoming the first woman to ever score that award. ‘The Hurt Locker’s’ most hyped competitor, ‘Avatar’ took home 3 Academy Awards.
By Lauren Keane-Farrell

Megan’s tips for perfect spring break tanning

Spring break is here and for some of us it’s a chance to get out of the cold and into the sun! But before you go off to enjoy whatever beach you may be going to, make sure to keep your skin protection in mind. Here are some great tips for making sure that you come back from spring break with a great tan and not a nasty burn!

· Try buying your sunscreen ahead of time at your local drug store. Hotel gift shops tend to overcharge.

· DON’T BE AFRAID! The more sunscreen the better. You can never put too much on, so be liberal in applying!

· Make sure to use a sunscreen with at least a 15 SPF. That way you will be sure to protect yourself from sunburn or even sun poisoning.

· Waterproof sunscreen is always best. If you use a waterproof sunscreen then you won’t have to reapply every time you get in and out of the water!

· Make sure to pack a hat or cover up so you can be protected from the sun when you’ve had enough of the rays.

Have a great spring break everyone and remember to protect your skin and stay safe!!

by Megan Lynch

Where to go for Spring Break…Heather’s AU shout out!

Spring Break is finally here! So AU students… What is the BEST Spring Break location? Mexico, Florida, or Home Sweet Home?

Mexico:
We’re talking Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, Cabo San Lucas, and Acapulco. The ultimate resorts, with miles of beach to rock those beloved flip flops on.
Florida:
Could be anywhere from Miami to Daytona Beach. During the day its all about fun in the sun and in the eve, nightclubs for dancing.

Home:
There’s nothing like going home, seeing family and old friends and having mom cook that special meal you like. You may not get the bronzed look but you will for sure get the down time you desire.

It’s a tough choice! Everyone loves warmth and sand after re-occurring snow storms and midterms. But the idea of home cooked meals and free relaxation at home isn’t too shabby either.

So I asked and the AU population answered. Most students said the best spring break location would be either Mexico or Florida because its a complete escape from the current weather situation. Not to mention spending it with college friends in a new sociable place would be enjoyable. There were several students however that after stating that Mexico or Florida would be the best, went on to explain that really home can be the best spring break location because its a way to save money. In addition they can just have friends come stay with them instead of booking flights and hotels.

Enjoy the break wherever you may be! Beach or Snow, its still a break from class and we can all agree thats awesome!


by Heather Sinclair

Jackie’s Vancouver Hotties!!!

Check out some of the athletes that cranked up the heat both on and off the ice and snow in this year’s Winter Olympics in Vancouver:

Torah Bright
  
Lest you think that Australia is all sunshine and beaches, Torah Bright’s gold medal in the women’s half-pipe should tell you otherwise. Though the Aussie lives and trains in Salt Lake City, Utah now, she grew up on the slopes of Cooma, Australia. Want to emulate her hotness for yourself? Check our her signature collection of ski and snowboard wear for Roxy.

 Shani Davis

While drooling over Apollo Anton Ohno, don’t forget his fellow American hottie speed skater, Shani Davis. Davis became the first African American to win an individual gold medal at the Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy four years ago, and he delivered again this year, with a gold and silver medal in the 1,000 meters and 1,500 meter races respectively. He’s not satisfied with his performance though, and has his eyes on the next Winter Olympic games in Sochi, Russia.

Ryan Miller

Though Team USA succumbed to the Canadians in the end, this Michigan native was decisive in securing the silver medal for the Americans. Ryan Miller’s goal tending prevented 36 of 39 shots on goal from the home team, earning him the MVP award for his team (and hottie status!).

Joannie Rochette

This 6-time Canadian figure skating champion eyed a medal going into the Olympics, but it was her steely determination in the wake of her mother’s sudden death that put the whole world on her side. Her bronze medal finish and extreme poise and composure under such difficult circumstances launch her into super hottie status.


Lindsey Vonn

Don’t let her angelic blond hair and sparkling blue eyes fool you: Lindsey Vonn is no less than a demon on skis. With huge expectations for big wins on her shoulders, Vonn fought through a shin injury to leave Vancouver with a bronze medal in Super G and a gold medal in ladies downhill skiing. And if that’s not enough, her Sports Illustrated photo spreads should put to rest any lingering doubts about her “hottie” status.


Emil Hegle Svendsen

This Norwegian-born biathlete may have finished second in the 10km spring event, but he made up for it with gold finishes in the 20 km Individual and 4×7.5 km relay. With looks like this, who could resist giving him every medal possible?

by Jackie Chi

Kaitlyn’s Spring Shopping List

Hey There Fashionistas!

Fashion Week just wrapped in New York City and the designers did not hold back on spring inspiration.Now, we all get to return to our natural habitats for Spring Break, therefore, we will get to return to the shops that we are used to navigating.

With that in mind, I have created a list of the best pieces to look for when doing your shopping over break.

1) Spring is all about PASTELS. Look for a variety of pieces in soft pinks, blues, yellows and purples. I would advise that you also purchase a great pair of destroyed denim to pair with the pastels, to offset the sweetness.

2) Another trend is MILITARY INSPIRED pieces. Look for khaki shorts and skirts, as well as military styled jackets. Surprisingly, camouflage has been featured in all the best fashion magazines recently, and it looks great! Just use it sparingly in outfits to keep the look chic.
3) You should also pick up a pair of WEDGES. Wedge heels are great because they help you get your feet used to walking in heels again, but maintain a stability, all while looking extremely cute! The best part is they can work equally as great into summer, so you can wear them for a long time to come.

4) Lastly, do yourself a favor, and buy a great pair of SUNGLASSES. Sunglasses add instant glamour to any outfit, and you can start wearing them immediately. And with sunny days headed our way, they will be sure to get put to use.

I hope you have a wonderful break and remember to start preparing you spring wardrobe while at home!

XoXo-Kaitlyn Wozniak

Noreen’s Travel Tips

8 Tips for Traveling this Spring Break

by Noreen Raja
I love going on trips! There can be no greater thrill than visiting new places, meeting new people and immersing myself in foreign cultures… But sometimes, there we find we are way over our heads when it comes to travel and sleep accommodations, spending money wisely and what to pack. It can be a bit overwhelming at times. Here are a few helpful hints to keep you from losing your head while traveling this spring break.
1. Try to stay in a hotel! Hotels separate you from truly experiencing your vacation. When you stay in a hotel, you are feeling all the comforts you have in your home and having the “fake” experience.

2. Coordinate your clothes around one or two basic colors. This cuts down on the number of shoes and accessories you have to bring. Which leads into the next travel tip…

3. I know this one’s a hard one— I might be hypocritical in offering this piece of advice BUT take as few clothes as possible. It is never easy lugging around more than you need and you also increase the chance of losing luggage in between travel.
4. Plan accordingly! If you are going to Ireland, do your research and bring a plastic raincoat and obviously, if you are traveling to the Sub-Saharan desert bring some sunscreen. Be a smart traveler and bring what you know or strongly think you will need.

5. Jeans. Jeans are awesome! It never takes them long to dry and you can get multiple wears in before you have to wash them or put a new pair on.

6. Take your major credit cards, such as, Visa, Master Card and American Express. Also get some traveler’s checks before you leave. If your location does not accept the American currency be sure to get your money exchanged! You don’t want to be stranded in a foreign country without money.
7. Be open to new things! Some of the food may seem unusual and some of the customs may appear ridiculous but remember the things you eat and do back home might be strange to these people too. Try new things and explore! It can be really rewarding.

8. Don’t forget to bring a camera! If you forget, you can always buy a disposable at the airport or in any convenient store, but a digital camera is what it’s all about… Making the memories that will last forever is what’s important this spring break!

So, take what you will but I have to say if you follow any of my traveling advice then at least be open to new things. Do something crazy! Try something you have never done before! Trust me it will all be worth it. Safe travels!

Where has StarStudded been lately?

StarStudded has been off the air for 3 weeks now…so what is going on???

Well guys, the technology at ATV has been acting-up and we have not been able to produce new episodes. We filmed and edited a new of StarStudded on February 17, however Final Cut Pro didn’t export properly and the audio was, for a lack of better words, “jacked-up.”Long story short…Final Cut is broken right now, so we cannot produce new shows.

This week we will be having another blog episode with some fun segments to get everyone ready for spring break! Make sure to stay updated on the blog for the latest news.

We hope to produce a special fashion episode after spring break (March 17) covering the hits and misses of the Golden Globe’s, the Grammy’s and the Oscar’s.

Stayed tuned and don’t worry – StarStudded will be back in action soon!

10 Valentine gifts to give your man if he’s been good!

Here is Glamour Magazine’s 10 Valentine’s Day gifts for the well-behaved man in our life! 

1. A home-cooked dinner with a main course that used to moo.
 
2. The Sexy Text of the Month Club!
 
3. A one hundred percent lovely, genuine, handmade, handwritten card.

4. A trip to the animal shelter: you know he wants to!
 

  

5. A full-on, wild steam-up-the-windows make-out session in the backseat of his car.

  

6. New jeans that look hott on him (OK, they are a gift for you too).

  

7. A first edition, maybe even signed, of The Book That Changed His Life.

  

8. His name surrounded by a heart, stamped in the snow – possible readable from outer space!

  

9. Your ex-boyfriend’s love letters, shredded.

  

10. You, in the tightest party dress you own. The one that leaves you both breathless.

  

Happy Valentine’s Day!

  

StarStudded Couples Update


Jamie Lynn Spears has split from Casey Aldridge, with whom she has a 19-month-old daughter. Spears made headlines in 2007 when she announced that she was pregnant at the age of 16. A year later, rumors spread that she and Aldridge, now 20, were engaged after she began wearing a diamond ring. It now looks like all plans are off as the two have called it quits.


Since the Super Bowl victory on Sunday night, Reggie Bush and Kim Kardashian have been inseparable. So, what is the next step for Kim and Reggie? It looks like the two are planning a romantic vacation to somewhere warm and tropical. This hott couple will surely be steaming up the beaches this Valentine’s Day!

And it looks like things aren’t looking as optimistic for former Playmate Kenra Wilkinson and colt playing hubby Hank Baskett, as Wilkinson was photographed crying after her husband’s Super Bowl loss.

High Scool Musical stars Vanessa Hudgens and Zac Efron are moving in together! A source told the press that the pair are spending a lot of time together and decided to just move in together.

“When Vanessa was apart from Zac while filming her upcoming movies Beastly and Sucker Punch, she realized how much she missed him and loved being around him all the time. When she got back to LA, she told him she wanted them to move in together.”

Sexy, single Jennifer Aniston was spotted with Gerard Butler in Mexico this weekend where she was celebrating her 41st birthday with a group of friends. Last month, the two were spotted laughing and spending a lot of time together at the Golden Globes.

Nick Jonas and Selena Gomez were spotted out together for the second time this week! The rumored couple had their first bowling date after Nick did the “We Are The World” recording and then, the pair was seen at dinner together in Beverly Hills. Although they were with a group of people a source told E! Online that, “they were by each other’s side the whole night.” So does this mean that Nick and Selena are seriously dating? Only time will tell…

Doritos: Dog gets revenge = #1 Super Bowl Commercial

New Orleans celebrates as the Saints come home after their super bowl victory over the Colts this weekend. It was certainly an exciting game and as 97 million people worldwide tune in Sunday night to watch the game, we know that the game was not the only thing they are looking forward to! The commercials this year were certainly funny, cute, interesting and well thought out. This year Doritos, Bud Light and many celebs were among the more popular ads.

The number one commercial this year:
Doritos: Dog gets revenge