Put Your Seat Back In the Upright Position

We just returned from a trip to south Florida to visit my parents. I learned on this trip that it is easier taking three kids on a plane than driving 13 hours each way (though JetBlue did not serve Cracker Barrel). On the flight home, an older gentleman in the seat in front of me decided to recline his seat even though I had a 10-month old Luigi on my lap. I was not happy by this since there's already limited room on airplanes and this made it even less comfortable.

At several moments in the flight, I put the tray table down (and up) and Luigi cried or touched the back of his seat. Apparently, even though I couldn't see him, the guy gave dirty looks back each time this happened. Look, I understand that you (meaning the guy) paid for the flight and have the right to recline your seat. I also understand that you're old, lived a full life, and feel that you earned the right to do what you want. However, don't expect a 10-month old to sit quietly the entire flight, especially when you take away 35% of the space he has.

As a side note, as you can see by the rather poor picture, I watched part of Crazy, Stupid, Love on the flight, a much better film with Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling together than La La Land. I'm not sure if this is an underrated movie or just a rated film. Regardless, it's a good movie, even if it's just for the fight scene between Gosling, Steve Carell, Kevin Bacon, and John Carroll Lynch. You may not know the name, but you know JCL.

Anyway, if that guy (not John Carroll Lynch) is in front of me on my next flight with my family, and he reclines his seat again, I'll make sure to have Pedro Tulo sit behind him, and I know my 4 year old will kick his seat a few times!

Sean's 2017 Oscars Picks

Since the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences denied my request for media credentials for this year's Oscars, I considered boycotting the festivities. Instead, I'm using this for motivation so that the Academy will not only accept my application in the future, but actually invite me to be at the ceremony. Despite only seeing a couple of movies in the theater last year, here are the correct picks for who will win on Sunday night.

Best Picture: La La Land

A movie celebrating Hollywood? Of course this will win.

Actor in a Leading Role: Denzel Washington, Fences

Casey Affleck was the early favorite, but there are allegations of sexual assault against him. The Academy doesn't want to celebrate him, so they'll give the award to Denzel.

By the way, if Affleck does win, does Minnie Driver (who is terrific in the TV show Speechless) trash her home or hotel room since she will be the only major character of Good Will Hunting without an Oscar?

Actress in a Leading Role: Emma Stone, La La Land

Everyone loves Emma Stone. She dances, she's funny, and she previously received a nomination for Birdman, meaning that the Academy feels that she "paid her dues."

Actor in a Supporting Role: Mahershala Ali, Moonlight

When LL Cool J remakes Mama Said Knock You Out, he's going to change the line to:
Just like Mahershala Ali
They called him Cassius

Actress in a Supporting Role: Viola Davis, Fences

She's really good.

Animated Feature Film: Zootopia

This was one of the biggest grossing films of 2016 and was really good.

Directing: Damien Chazelle, La La Land

I saw Whiplash last year, so give him Chazelle the award for that.

Documentary (Feature): O.J.: Made in America

I wrote about this already. Even though this really is a TV show rather than a movie, this was amazing.

Foreign Language Film: The Salesman (Iran)

As soon as Trump instituted the travel ban that would prevent anyone from Iran, including the director of this film, from flying to the US, you knew he would win.

Music (Original Song): How Far I'll Go from Moana

The two songs from La La Land will cancel each other out, and the Academy will help Lin-Manuel Miranda get closer to his EGOT.

Writing (Adapted Screenplay): Moonlight

Everything I hear is that this film should win the Oscar for best picture. This is the consolation prize.

Writing (Original Screenplay): La La Land

This is La La Land's night.


Essentially, I told you win so you don't have to watch now. (Well, unless you want to see the speeches.) Of course, don't tell the Academy this or they may rescind my invitation!