2009 Howard M. Shum Awards

What are the best in 2009? Read on.

Best Film - “Avatar” Written and directed by James Cameron. Not only is this is a visually mind-blowing film, but it is also well acted and written. Cameron takes the time to set up the wondrous alien world and the characters and by doing so we connect with them and the environment. The all cumulates into an amazing achievement.

Best Director - James Cameron, “Avatar” Cameron has no peer. He moved up the measuring stick for films in terms of visuals and imagination. He gave people a reason to go to the cinema.

Actor - Nicolas Cage, “Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans” Cage takes a risk in his crazy over-the-top performance as a corrupt cop. He succeeds.

Actress - Michelle Monaghan. “Trucker” Michelle gives a great performance as a woman who doesn’t have the mindset to raise a kid.

Foreign Language Film - “The White Ribbon” Written and directed by Michael Heneke. Heneke brilliantly explores the roots of evil in a small German village right before World War I.

Screenplay - “Inglourious Basterds” by Quentin Tarantino. If the bulk of your movie is a bunch of people siting around and talking in a foreign language and it is still captivating, that’s got to be good writing and acting. I also like how Tarantino continues to ignore Hollywood screenwriting formula and take a novelistic approach to writing.

Cinematographer - Robert Richardson “Inglourious Basterds” This is also Tarantino’s visually best looking film. The shot of Mélanie Laurent as Shosanna in a red dress by a circular window is classic. The drawing here is of Mélanie.

Television Show Drama (tie) “Lost” and “Breaking Bad” Great writing and acting that takes chances and don’t rely on formula. The characters are affected by the situations they go through and don’t revert back to how there were as the show began like almost all other shows.

Television Show Comedy “Curb Your Enthusiasm” After all these years Larry David still has it. The show is hilarious and it was great seeing the cast of “Seinfeld” reunite. It was also interesting to see David’s creative process, albeit in a fictional way, of using incidents in his life for material.

TV Presenter - Alexa Chung “It’s On with Alexa Chung” I don’t why her show didn’t get renewed. Alexa is funny and managed to do goofy stuff on her show without being stupid.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas.

Jessica Hart

Here is a drawing I did of Jessica Hart.

Candice Swanepoel

Here's a quick watercolor drawing I did of Candice Swanepoel.

Fringe

Here are some drawings I did of Lance Reddick as Agent Broyles and John Noble and Jasika Nicole as Walter Bishop and Astrid from "Fringe." John Noble is an underrated actor. As Walter he can go from whacky to pathos in a snap of a finger and it comes off as sincere.

Doutzen Kroes

It seems like a good time for me to do another drawing of Doutzen Kroes.

Edward and Bella

Here is a drawing I did of Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart as Edward and Bella from "New Moon." No, I have not seen nor read "Twilight" or "New Moon." I saw the photo this is based in the L.A. Times last week and felt like drawing it.

Orianthi

I enjoyed watching Orianthi shred her guitar in Michael Jackson's "This is It." I also like her new single "According to You." This is a drawing I did of her. Check out her music if you haven't already.

Tom Ford

I saw "A Single Man" tonight. It's written and directed by Tom Ford, based on a book by Christopher Isherwood and stars Colin Firth and Julianne Moore. It's about a professor in the early 1960s who loses his longtime partner and contemplates suicide. Tom Ford is not only a great fashion designer, but he also has chops as a filmmaker. Check out his film.

Emily Blunt

Here's a drawing I did of Emily Blunt. Go watch her new film "The Young Victoria."

Bad Lieutenant

I saw "Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans" tonight. It's directed by the great Werner Herzog, written by William Finkelstein, and stars Nicolas Cage and Eva Mendes. It's about a bad homicide detective trying to solve the murder of five people as madness happens around his life. Cage's good crazy over-the-top performance is a sight to behold. Herzog shows what a versatile filmmaker he is. It's a film worth watching.

Here is a drawing I did of Eva.

The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus

I saw "The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus" tonight. It's directed by Terry Gilliam and written by Gilliam and Charles McKeown. It's visually gorgeous and imaginative. Tom Waits is great as the devil. Check it out.

Amber Heard

It would be really cool if Amber Heard starred in a film based on my comic book "Hyperkinetic" or one of my screenplays. If only I was represented by a powerful agency like WME. Wait a minute, I am represented by WME...

Here's a drawing I did of her.

Vena Cava

This is a drawing I did of fashion designers Sophie Buhai and Lisa Mayock.

Michelle Monaghan

Those of you who know me or regularly read my blog are aware that Shane Black's "Kiss Kiss Bang Bang" is one of my favorite films. One big reason is Michelle Monaghan's awesome acting in it.

In her new movie "Trucker" (written and directed by James Mottern), Michelle gives an Academy Award winning performance. At times when there is no dialogue, the camera lingers on Michelle's face and you can feel her emotion. Only great actors can do that. Check out the movie.

Here is a drawing I did of Michelle from "Kiss Kiss Bang Bang."

Katelin

Here's a drawing I did of my friend Katelin.

Natalia Vodianova

I haven't drew Natalia Vodianova in a while so here she is.

Zombieland and Batgirl (not related)

I saw "Zombieland" tonight. It's written by Rhett Reese & Paul Wernick and directed by Ruben Fleischer. If you want to have a good time at the theater, go watch this movie. It's funny and clever with cool visual action. I like the interaction between Woody Harrelson's badass zombie killer character and Jesse Eisenberg's nerd sidekick character. Amber Heard has an excellent cameo in the movie though I'm sure most people will be talking about a hilarious surprise appearance by an A-list celebrity. Go watch it before people spoil it for you.

Here is a drawing of Batgirl I did.

Emily

Here is another drawing I did of Emily DiDonato.

Agyness Deyn

Here's a drawing I did of Agyness Deyn based on a photo by Steven Meisel.

Siobhan Dillon

Had it been up to me, I would have chosen Siobhan Dillon to win "How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?" but alas, the world has yet to succumb and do as I wish. Oh, well, here's her consolation prize, a drawing by me.

Emily DiDonato

Emily DiDonato is blowing up super quick in fashion. She is going to be huge. Here's a drawing I did of her.

Marisa Miller

Here's a drawing I did of Marisa Miller based on a photo.

Lindsay Ellingson

Here's a drawing I did of model Lindsay Ellingson. I dig her look.

Bar Refaeli

Here's a drawing I did of Bar Refaeli.

Doutzen Kroes

The world screams for another drawing of Doutzen Kroes by me and I oblige. Okay, maybe it was just the voices in my head.

It's On With Alexa Chung

My favorite new TV show of the summer is "It's on with Alexa Chung." Alexa is pretty witty when she goes off script. Here's a drawing I did of her.

Hannah Holman

Here is a drawing I did of model Hannah Holman.

Taylor Swift

Here's a drawing of Taylor Swift that I did based on a photo. I don't think I quite nailed her likeness as I did in previous drawings, but other than that, I'm pleased with the drawing.

Li'l Katie

This drawing cracks me up every time I look at it. It might be only funny to Katelin and me though.

I saw (500) Days of Summer tonight. If you're looking for a good funny movie to see this weekend this is your flick. It's directed by Marc Webb and written by Scott Neustadter & Michael H. Weber. It stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel. It's about a guy who is obsessively in love with a girl and can't move on when she already has. This is a smart movie, so if you're an idiot go watch something else. With films such as "Brick," "The Lookout," and this one, Gordon-Levitt is one of the best young actors on my short list.

"Lost" - Alex

Here is a drawing I did of Tania Raymonde as Alex from "Lost."

More Doutzen

Who should I draw? Doutzen Kroes again? Okay.

Doutzen

My go to girl, Doutzen Kroes.

Megan Fox

Why is Megan Fox doing every other comic book movie except one based on one of my vast creations? I think the reason is because she shakes it like a ladder to the sun. Here's a drawing I did of her.

Emma Watson - Burberry

Here's a drawing I did of Emma Watson based on her ad for Burberry shot by Mario Testino.

Marvel Masterpieces III Artist Proofs

Here are my Marvel Masterpieces 3 Artist Proof Sketch Cards. E-mail me if you want to buy any.

Li'l Katelin

My friend Katelin was telling me about when she was a kid she had a big afro and once tried to befriend a squirrel. Her mom freaked and quickly put a stop to it. I, of course, decided to depict this incident in cartoon form. Now when Katelin becomes a serial killer you will know why.

More Irina

Another drawing of Irina Shayk by me.

More Alexa Chung

Here's another drawing I did of British TV presenter and soon to be American TV presenter Alexa Chung. I think she's going to do well here as long as MTV lets her keep her whacky personality and doesn't try to change her.

Bruce Campbell - "Jack of All Trades"

Here's a drawing I did of Bruce Campbell in his funny spy show "Jack of All Trades." Apparently I was the only person to ever watch it when it aired on TV. You can see episodes on hulu.com.

Olivia Dunham - "Fringe"

Here's Anna Torv as Olivia Dunham in "Fringe." She's a good actress with a very expressive face.

Natasha Henstridge

Last week I had a meeting at Mosaic. In the reception area, I met actress Natasha Henstridge. She was nice and cool. Here's a drawing I did of Natasha based on a photo.

Krysten Ritter - "Breaking Bad"

Another current TV show I like a lot is "Breaking Bad." It has good writing and solid acting. Things actually happen to the characters and they don't necessarily go back to how they were when the episode begins like almost all of boring network TV. It doesn't go on formula. Here is a drawing one of the actresses on the show Krysten Ritter.

Land of the Lost

I saw an advance screening of "Land of the Lost" (written by Chris Henchy & Dennis McNicholas and directed by Brad Silberling) tonight. As a kid, I was aware of the show, but never watched it because if I was watching TV on Saturday morning it's going to be cartoons and not cheap live-action stuff. The movie which stars Will Ferrell, Danny McBride and Anna Friel is hilarious and adventurous.

Ferrell play a scientist with a crazy time warp theory who is made into a laughingstock by the evil TV news reader Matt Lauer. A young Cambridge educated scientist played by Anna Friel convinces Ferrell's character that his theory isn't whacked and he finishes his dimensional machine. They go to a cave (lead by tour guide Danny McBride) where the tachyon readings are strong and end up in another dimension where there are dinosaurs, lizard men, and monkey men.

I think this movie is aimed at kids, but there are a bunch of funny sex jokes that will go over their heads. I say this as a compliment, no one in film or TV plays a redneck jerk better than Danny McBride. It's a fun movie and worth watching.

Doutzen Kroes

It's time for another Doutzen Kroes drawing.

Another Taylor Swift

Here's another drawing I did of Taylor Swift.

Mr. Eko - "Lost"

Here's Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje as Mr. Eko.

Nikki - "Lost"

Here's Kiele Sanchez as Nikki from "Lost."

My favorite character from "Lost" is John Locke because he is a man of faith who believes he is special (and might be proven right).

My second favorite is Mr. Eko because he is too is a man of faith and also a badass ass kicker.

My next favorite is Nikki because Kiele Sanchez is by far the best looking cast member ever on "Lost." Yes, I'm easy that way.

Alexa Chung

Here's a drawing I did of super cute British TV presenter Alexa Chung.

Irina Shayk

A drawing I did of Irina Shayk based on a photo.