Who I Am

Hi there! My name's David Gaillardetz. I am from Boston, but I am a Senior at Saint Louis University and am studying Child and Family Social Work. Liberal. Catholic. LGBT Ally. Singer. Activist. Cinephile. Avid reader. Lover, not a fighter. I am 21 years old, a twin, and proud of it! I LOVE musicals, Bruce Springsteen, and anything with an acoustic guitar. I watch Game of Thrones, the West Wing, Doctor Who, Modern Family, The Hunger Games, Lost, The Walking Dead, Glee, The Big Bang Theory, Ellen, and How I Met Your mother. I am a huge movie buff. Did I mention I love reading? I am very passionate about working with kids, gay rights, social justice, and equality for all. I love reading, I am in the middle of 6 different books right now. Like I mentioned earlier, social justice is something I care deeply about, so a lot of my posts relate to that as well. I think that love and beauty can be found all around us, and my goal is to do what I can to bring that reality to life. Enjoy! :-) PS- More often than not, if you are following me, I will follow you. :-) Want to know more? Ask me! Gracias!

[2murgatroyd]

The beginning of love is the will to let those we love be perfectly themselves, the resolution not to twist them to fit our own image.

Thomas Merton, The Way of Chuang Tzu

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My house sigil: "Challenge thy mind. Expand thy heart."

[the-illborn-usurper]

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So glad to see Thomas Sangster in Game of Thrones as Jojen Reed! Not only does this character have seriously interesting potential, but Sangster is a great young actor and can do awesome things with this character. Plus, he is very charming and attractive, which can't hurt. :-)

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[bookwormanimals]

[goshyeahspielingpeter]

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This is wonderful. I have always felt I was Peter Pan at heart, and this picture makes my heart smile. :-)

[lesmeangirls]

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Best moment at the Golden Globes by far! So funny! Will Ferrell and Amy Poehler present Best Actress in a Comedy/Musical.

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A fresh and original take on Les Miserables.

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Awards time

For the first time in a while, I can honestly say I thoroughly enjoyed the Golden Globes.

Tina Fey and Amy Poehler were hilarious, and the presenting duo of Will Ferrell and Kristen Wiig was brilliant.  

Ben Affleck is such a classy guy and an entirely deserving director. Who would've thought?

Speaking of classy, Daniel Day-Lewis's speech was funny, charming, and humble. He is the greatest actor of our time, and he doesn't let that fact get to him. He is my favorite by far, and I hope he makes history by earning his 3rd Best Actor Oscar this year.

I am excited, because for once going into Oscar season, it seems the Oscars will be surprising and unexpected. The field is still wide open, and the movies nominated are mainly quite deserving. Many of those nominated made my "top 10" list.

Just in case any of you are curious:

David’s Favorite Movies of 2012 1. Beasts of the Southern Wild 2. Silver Linings Playbook 3. Moonrise Kingdom 4. Lincoln 5. Argo 6. Life of Pi 7. The Impossible 8. Les Miserables 9. Zero Dark Thirty 10. Holy Motors Honorable Mention Cloud Atlas, Django Unchained, Looper, End of Watch, The Sessions, Perks of Being a Wallflower

[deanslisters]

#48 Beasts of The Southern Wild Quvenzhane Wallis, Dwight Henry Directed by Benh Zeitlin (Theater)

Enchanting cannot even explain the magical effect of “Beasts of The Southern Wild.” I was completely engulfed into this fairy tale about Hushpuppy (Quvenzhane Wallis) and her journey of survival and strength. Located in a bayou in Louisiana, this self-reliant community of people faces a storm that will melt the ice caps and release huge creates named “auruchs.” Looming is her father’s death as it’s evident by his failing health. Hushpuppy is in a race to learn as much as she can before her father departs and the place she calls home completely disappears.

“Beasts” is narrated by the exquisitely talented Quvenzhane. Through her eyes, we see the struggles of her community. At the same time, we see how she looks above the adversities of their environment and keep holding on to the willpower to live. The relationship the film shows between Hushpuppy and her dad is mesmerizing. Her father, who believes in tough love, has a depth of sadness that he refuses to show. He believes that exposing his daughter to the wild will ultimately help her. Dwight Henry, who plays the father has such an authentic portrayal to his menacing but loving character. The scenes with Quvenzhane and Dwight are both joyous and heartbreaking. Here lies two individuals who decline the idea of showing sorrow as they believe that that is weakness which will result in their demise. In the last moments of the film, they converse with few words and tears- an astonishing commanding display of every human emotion.

The cinematography is dreamlike. The writing is superb. But the original score by Dan Romer and director Benh Zeitlin is what takes me on a ride emotionally. The use of music along with the decaying nature and charming narration is pure cinematic magic. This film wouldn’t be as successful the wonder that is Quvenzhane Wallis. She made the film at 5 years old but delivered pure authenticity flawlessly. She is Hushpuppy. She display the wonderment a child would have but the glare of a mature woman set to conquer the world. It’s amazing that despite most of her scenes require her to react to what is happening around, she tells the story through her gaze and her body. At such a young age, it’s highly impressive to see a child who understands that characters are tools that help tell a story. Quvenzhane’s innocence and deliverance in the film is heartfelt, passionate and wonderfully bewitching. This film has told a story that touched me and left me inspired. It tells you that some of the greatest lessons from life comes from the relationships we build and the faith that we keep. This spellbinding masterpiece is not just an independent gem, but  this is one of the year’s best films.

****(4 Stars)

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I would even give it 4 1/2, though I entirely agree with everything said. I truly breathtaking movie, and one that deserves every award it receives. I still can't believe it didn't get a nom for best original score. :-/ Oh well.

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So I am actually pretty excited for the Oscars this year.

This year has seen many good films and, would you believe it, some of them were actually nominated! Who would've thought?

I must say that my biggest disappointment was Ben Affleck's not receiving a Best Director nomination.

BUT, it goes hand-in-hand with my most exciting moment when I heard Benh Zeitlin nominated for Beasts of the Southern Wild (my favorite movie of the year). For a first-time director, that is pretty huge and very much deserved.

My second biggest disappointment was in Best Original Score, that neither Cloud Atlas nor Beasts of the Southern Wild received nominations. Seriously, go listen to them and tell me they don't deserve it. Truly beautiful.

All in all, I am fairly pleased. Seeing Zero Dark Thirty tonight and Django Unchained tomorrow to finish up all of the films nominated for awards. Can't wait!

[chlotothe]

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Who shall win? 

[jenniferlawrencedaily]

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Jennifer and Bradley at the CCAs

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Jessica Chastain. Critics Choice Movie Awards for Best Actress - Drama

Daniel Day Lewis. Critics Choice Movie Awards for Best Actor - Drama

Anne Hathaway. Critics Choice Movie Awards for Best Supporting Actress

Quvenzhane Wallis. Critics Choice Movie Awards for Best Young Actress

[atticuzfynch]

When it all goes quiet behind my eyes, I see everything that made me flying around in invisible pieces. I see that I’m a little piece in a big, big universe.

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I really hope she wins Best Actress! I really don't think it'll happen, but here's hoping!