Word is that director/brother-in-law Casey Affleck is looking for buyers for the possibly-but-unlikely-to-be real Joaquin Phoenix documentary about Phoenix's transition from actor to hip hop musician or some such. I am beyond trying to figure this cat out. I'm sure the movie will explain everything, but what explanation would we really want to hear, anyway?

"It's real." Okay, then record something.  Commit to the music.

"It's fake." Psych? Thanks for wasting our time, but Robert Downey Jr.'s our movie boyfriend now, so what are you going to do?

It's a truth universally acknowledged that there an Academy member in possession of a ballot is in want of taste. Combine that truth with the fact that this has been a crap year for movies, yet the best picture category has been expanded to 10 nominations, and you're set for disappointment. You can view the complete list of nominations here. Expect to say "No" at least once per (major?) category. Actually, I'll do it for you:

Performance by an actor in a leading role

• Jeff Bridges in "Crazy Heart" (Fox Searchlight)
• George Clooney in "Up in the Air" (Paramount in association with Cold Spring Pictures and DW Studios)
• Colin Firth in "A Single Man" (The Weinstein Company)
• Morgan Freeman in "Invictus" (Warner Bros.)
• Jeremy Renner in "The Hurt Locker" (Summit Entertainment)

No:  George Clooney and Morgan Freeman. Yes: George Clooney, "Fantastic Mr. Fox," Sharlto Copley, "District Nine." Also wouldn't have minded an out-of-left-field, Johnny Depp/Pirates of the Caribbean-style nod (not a win, mind) for Robert Downey Jr. in Sherlock Holmes, but I guess he got one of those last year.

Performance by an actor in a supporting role

• Matt Damon in "Invictus" (Warner Bros.)
• Woody Harrelson in "The Messenger" (Oscilloscope Laboratories)
• Christopher Plummer in "The Last Station" (Sony Pictures Classics)
• Stanley Tucci in "The Lovely Bones" (DreamWorks in association with Film4, Distributed by Paramount)
• Christoph Waltz in "Inglourious Basterds" (The Weinstein Company)

No: Pretty much anyone who isn't Christoph Waltz. Yes: Everyone else in "The Hurt Locker," Peter Capaldi, "In the Loop."

We've already talked Slapsgiving, so if you are bored tonight and in need something other Thanksgiving-related entertainment (especially since The Vampire Diaries and Supernatural aren't back until January), I recommend that Thanksgiving episode of Buffy (with Angel!) or Home for the Holidays, an underrated Jodie Foster-helmed Holly Hunter and Robert Downey Jr.-starring movie about a black sheep who comes home just for the day. Not everything in it has aged that well, but it's still a perennial favourite for holiday cheer.

Oh, and add half a cup of grated cheddar to your green bean casserole. Delicious!

In case you haven't already checked them out, this week's YouTube picks are now up.There's four (4!), which should provide you with four perfect, if short, escapes from your workday. Plus, hotties! You're welcome.

Okay, they're from Ocean's Eleven and Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. But check them out!

I don't know because I don't watch that sort of thing,* but apparently the New Moon trailer premiered at the MTV Awards.  Can't tell which part is funnier: that they focus so heavily on what's, as I recall, they first two chapters of the book; that I'm supposed to believe Bella could outrun Laurent for even a second; that a guy who is part wolf would be body hair free (but the vampire has chest hair? c'mon); or the wolf. See for yourselves:

[video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSFMmkMfQ5Q 560x340]

As always, don't forget to open the post as its own page to view the video. 

I'm obviously already pumped for anything that stars two of my fantasy draft picks, but the new Sherlock Holmes trailer also looks like more fun than director Guy Ritchie's ever had before. I could do without so many of the bullet-speed action sequences that litter the trailer, but that's small potatoes. I think I might starting liking Jude Law again.

[video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CY7n9OGU-i0 560x340] 

Note: click on the title to open this entry as its own page to view the video or just click on the link above.