18th ANNUAL SCREEN ACTORS GUILD AWARDS® RECIPIENTS

18th ANNUAL SCREEN ACTORS GUILD AWARDS® RECIPIENTS

THEATRICAL MOTION PICTURES

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role
JEAN DUJARDIN / George - "THE ARTIST" (The Weinstein Company)

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role
VIOLA DAVIS / Aibileen Clark - “THE HELP” (DreamWorks Pictures / Touchstone Pictures)

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role
CHRISTOPHER PLUMMER / Hal - “BEGINNERS” (Focus Features)

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role
OCTAVIA SPENCER / Minny Jackson - “THE HELP” (DreamWorks Pictures / Touchstone Pictures)

Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
THE HELP (DreamWorks Pictures / Touchstone Pictures)
JESSICA CHASTAIN / Celia Foote
VIOLA DAVIS / Aibileen Clark
BRYCE DALLAS HOWARD / Hilly Holbrook
ALLISON JANNEY / Charlotte Phelan
CHRIS LOWELL / Stuart Whitworth
AHNA O’REILLY / Elizabeth Leefolt
SISSY SPACEK / Missus Walters
OCTAVIA SPENCER / Minny Jackson
MARY STEENBURGEN / Elaine Stein
EMMA STONE / Skeeter Phelan
CICELY TYSON / Constantine Jefferson
MIKE VOGEL / Johnny Foote

PRIMETIME TELEVISION

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries
PAUL GIAMATTI / Ben Bernanke - “TOO BIG TO FAIL” (HBO)

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries
KATE WINSLET / Mildred Pierce - “MILDRED PIERCE” (HBO)

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series
STEVE BUSCEMI / Enoch “Nucky” Thompson - “Boardwalk Empire” (HBO)

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series
JESSICA LANGE / Constance - “American Horror Story” (FX)

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series
ALEC BALDWIN / Jack Donaghy - “30 Rock” (NBC)

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series
BETTY WHITE / Elka Ostrovsky - “Hot In Cleveland” (TV Land)

Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series
Boardwalk Empire (HBO)
STEVE BUSCEMI / Enoch “Nucky” Thompson
DOMINIC CHIANESE / Leander Cephas Whitlock
ROBERT CLOHESSY / Ward Boss Jim Neary
DABNEY COLEMAN / Commodore Louis Kaestner
CHARLIE COX / Owen Sleater
JOSIE & LUCY GALLINA / Emily Schroeder
STEPHEN GRAHAM / Al Capone
JACK HUSTON / Richard Harrow
ANTHONY LACIURA / Eddie Kessler
HEATHER LIND / Katy
KELLY MACDONALD / Margaret Schroeder
RORY & DECLAN McTIGUE / Teddy Schroeder
GRETCHEN MOL / Gillian Darmody
BRADY & CONNOR NOON/ Tommy Darmody
KEVIN O’ROURKE / Mayor Edward Bader
ALEKSA PALLADINO / Angela Darmody
JACQUELINE PENNEWILL / Lilian
VINCENT PIAZZA / Lucky Luciano
MICHAEL PITT / Jimmy Darmody
MICHAEL SHANNON / Agent Nelson Van Alden
PAUL SPARKS / Mickey Doyle
MICHAEL STUHLBARG / Arnold Rothstein
PETER VAN WAGNER / Isaac “Icky” Ginsburg
SHEA WHIGHAM / Sheriff Elias Thompson
MICHAEL KENNETH WILLIAMS / Chalky White
ANATOL YUSEF / Meyer Lansky

Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series
Modern Family (ABC)
AUBREY ANDERSON-EMMONS / Lily
JULIE BOWEN / Claire
TY BURRELL / Phil
JESSE TYLER FERGUSON / Mitchell
NOLAN GOULD / Luke
SARAH HYLAND / Haley
ED O’NEILL / Jay
RICO RODRIGUEZ / Manny
ERIC STONESTREET / Cameron
SOFIA VERGARA / Gloria
ARIEL WINTER / Alex

SAG HONORS FOR STUNT ENSEMBLES

Outstanding Action Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture
HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS: PART 2 (WARNER BROS. PICTURES)

Outstanding Action Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Television Series
GAME OF THRONES (HBO)

LIFE ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Screen Actors Guild Awards 48th Annual Life Achievement Award
MARY TYLER MOORE

Movies Scheduled for the Week of 1/29 - 2/4

So did y'all watch the SAG Awards? Please use our Facebook page to post your opinions and feedback.

The Moderator is happy to report that rejecting errant posts have proved to be an effective deterrent for replying to the list. At least it does for some people. There are a few who keep sending their post....the same post...hoping one will stick perhaps? Obviously they don't read the Sunday rants. Also you have to put in the correct designator on the subject line. It's a few people who chronically don't do it, the moderator has been helping them out, but that stops this week. If you get your post back, please review, correct, resend.

Sending multiple posts to the list written a few different ways will not get your message out there faster. Remember the moderators have lives and can't always get to the email basket, especially when they are standing in line themselves with their stupid phones.

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January 29 - February 4, 2012

Sun
1/29

Mon
1/30

Tue
1/31

7:00 pm
Woman in Black
Cinemark West Plano

7:30 pm
Woman in Black
AMC Northpark

Wed
2/1

7:30 pm
Act of Valor
Cinemark West Plano

7:30 pm
Salmon Fishing in the Yemen
tba - Dallas

Thu
2/2

7:00 pm
The Vow
AMC Northpark

7:30 pm
Pina in 3D
Studio Movie Grill Dallas

Fri
2/3

Sat
2/4

10:30 am
Journey 2: The Mysterious Island
tba - Dallas

Chicano Movie Review: THE GREY

Chicano Movie Review: THE GREY, starring Liam Neeson who plays Ottway, the person who is hired to protect the workers in the wild of the Alaska oil rig pipeline... On there return trip home, the plane crashes and they are stranded without food, shelter in the wilderness y pa acabar de chingar there is a hungry pack of wolves after them, Will They Survive? You will have to see the movie to find out... This pelicula has a great storyline, the scenery is awesome, the action scenes will have you at the end of your seats, Liam is one bad vato in this movie... Some people think this movie is a great film and some felt let down by it... Personally im in the middle... I will rate this flick a: MAS O MENOS....


Chicano Movie Review
http://www.facebook.com/people/John-Davila/767345981

The Grey

Director Joe Carnahan who wrote The Grey with Ian Mackenzie Jeffers steps away from the frenetic action films like the A Team and Smoking Aces to a more serious and realistic subject. It was produced by Ridley and Tony Scott among others. At first glance it seems like a typical ten little Indians plot where characters are eliminated one by one. Like the red uniforms on Star Trek you don't notice them or remember their names. But Carnahan give the film a more contemplative aura with Liam Neeson's hunter John Ottway moody narration.

Ottway works at the end of the world in the dark winter of Alaska's wilderness for a refinery. As a sharpshooter he's in charge of keeping the pipeline workers safe from marauding creatures like wolves and bears. The roughnecks that are attracted to this type of work in the middle of nowhere are mostly ex cons, fugitives, drifters and @-holes, men not fit for mankind. Ottway keeps himself pretty separate from the rowdy bunch while he is haunted by memories of his wife (Anne Openshaw). He writes a letter to her but doesn't send it. Suicidal Ottway almost gives in to his malaise until he hears the wolves.

At the end of their tour of duty the workers are rotated out and flown back to civilization. The bad winter rocks the plane and quickly they are descending to their doom. Most of the men are panicking but Ottway despite his fear buckles himself to both seats in the most horrific plane crash filmed to date. Ottway finds himself in the middle of snow storm with only a sweater on. Dazed and walking to access his situation he finds the wreckage burning, bodies everywhere. The survivors in shock, cold and injured are helped by Ottway's instinctive survival skills. That is until they realized that they are surrounded by wolves. Lots of wolves. Everyone is of different opinions of what to do next but when one of the men is dragged off by a wolf, then they agree with Ottway to make it to the tree line and walk out of the wilderness instead of hoping for rescue.

The journey is somewhat expected, but the execution is tense and exciting. Filmed in Smithers, British Columbia in real snow, icy winds, and sometimes 37 below Celsius adds to the desolate atmosphere. The drudge through the snow, the threat of predators, the infighting that occurs when machismo goes head to head seem all too real. Although some points like falling in a freezing river and not getting hypothermia seems a reach. One by one the men become wolf fodder (a mixture trained animals, puppets and CGI). Everyone's eventual demise seems inevitable.

Frank Grillo as the combative Diaz stands out. Dermont Mulroney as the family man who is in a situation way over his head, and Dallas Roberts as a voice of reason are the only characters you get to know although it's hard to tell who is who with the heavy coats, beards and hats.

“Once more into the fray. Into the last good fight I’ll ever know. Live and die on this day. Live and die on this day.” This is the mantra that keeps Ottway from giving up throughout the film. It's the mantra that you may want to recite during the movie and you may want to remember to bring a sweater. Also, stay for an extra scene at the end of the credits. However the ambiguity may confuse rather than enlighten.
(Review by reesa)

Man on a Ledge

Jumping off a building doesn't exactly seem the best way to go. But in Nick Cassidy's plan it's a sure fire way of attracting attention and distracting the cops. Director Asger Leth and writer Pablo F. Fenjves have created a typical Hollywood thriller in what is typical January movie.

After breaking out of prison Nick Cassidy (Sam Worthington) goes to the Roosevelt Hotel in NYC and asks for a particular room 2105 checking in with the name of Walters. He orders room service and wipes his fingerprints off everything before taking a deep breath stepping out of the window onto the ledge of the 21rst floor. (Interesting side note: No blue screen was used. The look of fear on Worthington's face is real as it truly was his first time outside of a building at the height even though he was secured by wires). It doesn't take long for the people below begin to notice and gather. Seen it all police psychologist Jack Dougherty (Ed Burns) is on the scene first but Nick asks for Lydia Mercer (Elizabeth Banks) by name. Among her colleagues she has the reputation of being the Grimm Reaper as her last intervention was with a rookie cop who eventually jumped off the bridge. She doesn't really want to take on another job but the case is looking interesting. The lack of fingerprints leads her to seek out more information, plus the man on the ledge seems to be well informed about who she is and police procedure. Nick feeds her just enough tidbits to buy time.

Turns out that Nick was once a NYPD officer who was sentenced to 25 years in Sing Sing for stealing a huge diamond from real estate tycoon David Englander (Ed Harris). You know right away that he was set up because Englander is such a malicious character who seems to have some police officers and the mayor in his back pocket. It seems that Englander used Nick to collect $40 million dollars in an insurance scam. For the past 3 years Nick has been planning to prove his innocence. This involves younger brother Joey (Jamie Bell) and his girlfriend Angie (Genesis Rodriguez) doing some Mission Impossible stuff in the building across from where Nick is staging his suicide threat. The banter between these two is probably worth a movie of their own.

Like Colin Farrell in Phone Booth, Worthington spends most of the movie in one place or pacing on the a few inches of the ledge. Fortunately the camera tracks the supporting players machinations like Kyra Sedgwick as reporter Suzie Morales (!?!) looking for the big story, Titus Wlliver as Dante Marcus who wants to send in the swat team after getting pressure from Englander and Anthony Mackie as Mike Ackerman, Nicks old partner who gets progressively nervous as the film goes on. There's a few exciting moments as expected form a heist/revenge/thriller. However those moments lose momentum from waiting for the plot and the pieces to fall into place. It takes so long for Lydia to figure out what's happening, Like Contraband that just opened, Man on the Ledge is relies on cheap thrills to get the audience into the theater. But after you know what happens, you forget about it quickly.
(Review by reesa)

84th Academy Awards Nominee's

http://www.oscars.org/awards/academyawards/84/nominees.html


Actor in a Leading Role

* Demián Bichir in "A Better Life"
* George Clooney in "The Descendants"
* Jean Dujardin in "The Artist"
* Gary Oldman in "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy"
* Brad Pitt in "Moneyball"

Actor in a Supporting Role

* Kenneth Branagh in "My Week with Marilyn"
* Jonah Hill in "Moneyball"
* Nick Nolte in "Warrior"
* Christopher Plummer in "Beginners"
* Max von Sydow in "Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close"

Actress in a Leading Role

* Glenn Close in "Albert Nobbs"
* Viola Davis in "The Help"
* Rooney Mara in "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo"
* Meryl Streep in "The Iron Lady"
* Michelle Williams in "My Week with Marilyn"

Actress in a Supporting Role

* Bérénice Bejo in "The Artist"
* Jessica Chastain in "The Help"
* Melissa McCarthy in "Bridesmaids"
* Janet McTeer in "Albert Nobbs"
* Octavia Spencer in "The Help"

Animated Feature Film

* "A Cat in Paris" Alain Gagnol and Jean-Loup Felicioli
* "Chico & Rita" Fernando Trueba and Javier Mariscal
* "Kung Fu Panda 2" Jennifer Yuh Nelson
* "Puss in Boots" Chris Miller
* "Rango" Gore Verbinski

Art Direction

* "The Artist"
Production Design: Laurence Bennett; Set Decoration: Robert Gould
* "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2"
Production Design: Stuart Craig; Set Decoration: Stephenie McMillan
* "Hugo"
Production Design: Dante Ferretti; Set Decoration: Francesca Lo Schiavo
* "Midnight in Paris"
Production Design: Anne Seibel; Set Decoration: Hélène Dubreuil
* "War Horse"
Production Design: Rick Carter; Set Decoration: Lee Sandales

Cinematography

* "The Artist" Guillaume Schiffman
* "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" Jeff Cronenweth
* "Hugo" Robert Richardson
* "The Tree of Life" Emmanuel Lubezki
* "War Horse" Janusz Kaminski

Costume Design

* "Anonymous" Lisy Christl
* "The Artist" Mark Bridges
* "Hugo" Sandy Powell
* "Jane Eyre" Michael O'Connor
* "W.E." Arianne Phillips

Directing

* "The Artist" Michel Hazanavicius
* "The Descendants" Alexander Payne
* "Hugo" Martin Scorsese
* "Midnight in Paris" Woody Allen
* "The Tree of Life" Terrence Malick

Documentary (Feature)

* "Hell and Back Again"
Danfung Dennis and Mike Lerner
* "If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front"
Marshall Curry and Sam Cullman
* "Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory"
Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky
* "Pina"
Wim Wenders and Gian-Piero Ringel
* "Undefeated"
TJ Martin, Dan Lindsay and Richard Middlemas

Documentary (Short Subject)

* "The Barber of Birmingham: Foot Soldier of the Civil Rights Movement"
Robin Fryday and Gail Dolgin
* "God Is the Bigger Elvis"
Rebecca Cammisa and Julie Anderson
* "Incident in New Baghdad"
James Spione
* "Saving Face"
Daniel Junge and Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy
* "The Tsunami and the Cherry Blossom"
Lucy Walker and Kira Carstensen

Film Editing

* "The Artist" Anne-Sophie Bion and Michel Hazanavicius
* "The Descendants" Kevin Tent
* "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" Kirk Baxter and Angus Wall
* "Hugo" Thelma Schoonmaker
* "Moneyball" Christopher Tellefsen

Foreign Language Film

* "Bullhead" Belgium
* "Footnote" Israel
* "In Darkness" Poland
* "Monsieur Lazhar" Canada
* "A Separation" Iran

Makeup

* "Albert Nobbs"
Martial Corneville, Lynn Johnston and Matthew W. Mungle
* "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2"
Nick Dudman, Amanda Knight and Lisa Tomblin
* "The Iron Lady"
Mark Coulier and J. Roy Helland

Music (Original Score)

* "The Adventures of Tintin" John Williams
* "The Artist" Ludovic Bource
* "Hugo" Howard Shore
* "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy" Alberto Iglesias
* "War Horse" John Williams

Music (Original Song)

* "Man or Muppet" from "The Muppets" Music and Lyric by Bret McKenzie
* "Real in Rio" from "Rio" Music by Sergio Mendes and Carlinhos Brown Lyric by Siedah Garrett

Best Picture 84th Academy Awards Nominee's

* "The Artist" Thomas Langmann, Producer
* "The Descendants" Jim Burke, Alexander Payne and Jim Taylor, Producers
* "Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close" Scott Rudin, Producer
* "The Help" Brunson Green, Chris Columbus and Michael Barnathan, Producers
* "Hugo" Graham King and Martin Scorsese, Producers
* "Midnight in Paris" Letty Aronson and Stephen Tenenbaum, Producers
* "Moneyball" Michael De Luca, Rachael Horovitz and Brad Pitt, Producers
* "The Tree of Life" Nominees to be determined
* "War Horse" Steven Spielberg and Kathleen Kennedy, Producers

Short Film (Animated)

* "Dimanche/Sunday" Patrick Doyon
* "The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore" William Joyce and Brandon Oldenburg
* "La Luna" Enrico Casarosa
* "A Morning Stroll" Grant Orchard and Sue Goffe
* "Wild Life" Amanda Forbis and Wendy Tilby

Short Film (Live Action)

* "Pentecost" Peter McDonald and Eimear O'Kane
* "Raju" Max Zähle and Stefan Gieren
* "The Shore" Terry George and Oorlagh George
* "Time Freak" Andrew Bowler and Gigi Causey
* "Tuba Atlantic" Hallvar Witzø

Sound Editing

* "Drive" Lon Bender and Victor Ray Ennis
* "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" Ren Klyce
* "Hugo" Philip Stockton and Eugene Gearty
* "Transformers: Dark of the Moon" Ethan Van der Ryn and Erik Aadahl
* "War Horse" Richard Hymns and Gary Rydstrom

Sound Mixing

* "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo"
David Parker, Michael Semanick, Ren Klyce and Bo Persson
* "Hugo"
Tom Fleischman and John Midgley
* "Moneyball"
Deb Adair, Ron Bochar, Dave Giammarco and Ed Novick
* "Transformers: Dark of the Moon"
Greg P. Russell, Gary Summers, Jeffrey J. Haboush and Peter J. Devlin
* "War Horse"
Gary Rydstrom, Andy Nelson, Tom Johnson and Stuart Wilson

Visual Effects

* "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2"
Tim Burke, David Vickery, Greg Butler and John Richardson
* "Hugo"
Rob Legato, Joss Williams, Ben Grossman and Alex Henning
* "Real Steel"
Erik Nash, John Rosengrant, Dan Taylor and Swen Gillberg
* "Rise of the Planet of the Apes"
Joe Letteri, Dan Lemmon, R. Christopher White and Daniel Barrett
* "Transformers: Dark of the Moon"
Scott Farrar, Scott Benza, Matthew Butler and John Frazier

Writing (Adapted Screenplay)

* "The Descendants" Screenplay by Alexander Payne and Nat Faxon & Jim Rash
* "Hugo" Screenplay by John Logan
* "The Ides of March" Screenplay by George Clooney & Grant Heslov and Beau Willimon
* "Moneyball" Screenplay by Steven Zaillian and Aaron Sorkin Story by Stan Chervin
* "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy" Screenplay by Bridget O'Connor & Peter Straughan

Writing (Original Screenplay)

* "The Artist" Written by Michel Hazanavicius
* "Bridesmaids" Written by Annie Mumolo & Kristen Wiig
* "Margin Call" Written by J.C. Chandor
* "Midnight in Paris" Written by Woody Allen
* "A Separation" Written by Asghar Farhadi

Movies Scheduled for the Week of 1/22 - 1/28

K. It's gotten to the point where this weary moderator is going to try a different tack in fighting off those annoying posts that come here instead of to the person to whom it's addressed. Or the post does not include the right subject heading (yes, the moderator has been kindly changing them so it conforms and informs (and frankly it's like being in a co-dependent situation). So from now on all those posts that were being deleted will not be "rejected". That means that it's returned back to you so you know you did bad,so fix it, send to the right person, and try again. So don't kill the messenger. You've been warned.

When your email has been hacked it gets rejected too so that you know that your email server is sending us virus infected garbage. Change your password, the world goes on.

Don't forget the announcements for the Academy Award nominees will be aired on Tues, 1/24, 7 AM. You have a favorite? Post your comments to our website at here or on our Facebook page.

January 22 - 28, 2012

Sun
1/22

Mon
1/23

7:30 pm
This Means War
tba - Dallas

Tue
1/24

7:30 pm
The Grey
AmStar Cinemas 14

7:30 pm
Man on a Ledge
tba - Dallas

Wed
1/25

7:30 pm
Act of Valor
AMC Northpark

7:30 pm
The Vow
Studio Movie Grill Dallas

Thu
1/26

7:30 pm
Man on a Ledge
Cinemark West Plano

Fri
1/27

Sat
1/28

10:30 am
The Big Miracle
AMC Northpark

Adventures of Tin Tin Review by Wyatt Head

The Adventures of Tin Tin- A film that goes way beyond any "normal 3-D" animation and installs something of new human-like quality to the animated screen. The film itself carries a great story that is filled with a charisma and a ton of good suspenseful sequences.

Red Tails- This wildly new film has just the right amount of thrill and just the right amount of sadness and just the right amount of humor. This film made you feel like you were in the sky watching the planes. This is easily one the top 5 films of the new year (including future films).

Haywire

MMA champion fighter Gina Carano should be the next Wonder Woman in case they ever decide to make the movie. Fighting under formidable names such as Crush or Conviction Dallasite Carano is totally believable as a contract black ops agent in Steven Soderbergh's movie Haywire. Written by Lem Dobbs (The Limey) the convoluted plot only serves to show off Carano's impressive fighting skills while surrounded by big name actors that struggle to make the movie more interesting.

Carano plays Mallory Kane who works for independent contractor Kenneth (Ewan McGregor). The movie starts with her meeting with a fellow agent Aaron (Channing Tatum) at a small town cafe. Aaron was working with her at their last job in Barcelona. He wants her to go with him and acts like everything is fine but he can see in her eyes that she's not going. When he throws a cup of hot coffee in her face all hell breaks out. Some of the coffee shop patrons help her out giving her time to grab bystander Scott (Michael Angarano) to use his car to escape. She begins to tell him her story as the incredulous Scott applies first aid to the grazed bullet wound in her arm while she's driving his car evading the police.

Ex-Marine Mallory and Aaron were running an op set up by Kenneth and government guy Coblenz (Michael Douglas) and Rodrigo (Antonio Banderas) a contractor from Spain to rescue a Chinese dissident jounalist in Barcelona. When that was done she was sent to Dublin to work with a British agent Paul (Michael Fassbender) who she is supposed to pretend they are a couple supposedly so he can gather intel at a party. But things go amiss and Mallory realizes that she is being set up to take a fall. To find out who set up the double cross she has to get out of Dublin and back to the states to protect her father John Kane (Bill Paxton) living in New Mexico.

Technical adviser Aaron Cohen who specialized in counter terrorism training for the US military worked with the fight choreographer J.J. Perry a 5th degree black belt designing a form of fighting he nicknamed “gun-jitsu” which is mixed martial arts and muay thai kickboxing. Soderberg emphasizes the the action by not cutting away from the point of impact to get the full effect of her power blows. She runs across rooftops and bounds between building with ease. There isn't any sped up shaky camera action. The action is filmed in real time. At one point Kenneth warns Paul not to underestimate Mallory because she's a woman and she proves that with deadly precision.

The film itself is basically a B movie with an A-List cast. It almost has a 70's Euro feel with the jazz soundtrack and the grainy picture. The dense plot of who is doing what and why is not all that surprising in the end nor is it necessary. All you need to watch is the amazing Gina Carano. It will now be harder to believe these pretty skinny starlets trying to look like they can take care of business after seeing the real thing. Hopefully Gina will usher in a new kind of role model where it's OK to be athletic and healthy and kick*ss.
(Review by reesa)

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close

Not everyone really wants to see another 911 movie. The thought of it will probably keep viewers away from the theaters. But they will miss a wonderfully moving and interesting story adapted by screenwriter Eric Roth from Jonathan Safran Foer's 2005 novel about a young boy connecting with his father who died in one of the towers on what 10 year old Oskar calls “the worst day”. Director Stephen Daldry who has worked so well with young actors in Billy Elliot draws out an intense and fascinating performance by new comer and Kid Jeopardy winner Thomas Horn.

Oskar and his family live in NYC with his parents Thomas and Linda. His dad spends a lot of time with Oskar playing a game called Reconnaissance Mission. Thomas likes to stimulate his Asperger's afflicted son precocious mind with puzzles that require him to think and focus. His last charge to Oskar was to find the missing 6th borough of NYC. A year after his father dies in the attack, Oskar discovers a mysterious key inside his father's closet with the name “Black” attached. He thinks it is another quest and transverses the surrounding boroughs by looking for someone by the name of “Black” from the phone book listings hoping anyone recognizes the key. He keeps a complicated chart to track all the people making a plan each day. Oskar with a tambourine in hand to calm his anxieties walks all over the city since he's public transportation phobic. He meets up with Abby and William Black (Viola Davis and Jeffrey Wright) while they are in the middle of an argument. Oskar who normally has a difficult time communicating with people in general meets with various people who connect with Oskar's plight in some personal way or reject his visit completely. With his fast stream of consciousness speech he narrates the story while working out the emotional turmoil that haunts him from the day his father died.

His mother effectively under played by Sandra Bullock was always the outsider in her husband's and Oskar's adventure seeking games. She is working out her own guilt and depression having talked to Tom while she watched the towers burn and collapse from her workplace window. Oskar talks more to his grandmother (Zoe Caldwell) who lives across the street. He becomes friends with the grandmother's mute renter (Max von Sydow) who helps Oskar on his quest. And becomes a sounding board for Oskars' unvocalized rage.

The streets of NYC is like another character in film. The camera follows and generously spotlights those areas that most people don't see. The photography brings the city closer and more real as we follow Oskar's journey. As well as the people who all been touched by the tragedy in some way. Opinions on this movie was been varied from being a contrived over sentimental tear jerking drivel to a wondrous and emotional tale of healing. In any event, Thomas Horn will hopefully continue with this career path as his performance is quite remarkable. This movie is more than just another reminder of that “worst day”. It's a film that shows that we are all connected in our grief and our will to remain.
(Review by reesa)

Red Tails

George Lucas' passion project for the past 20 years heralds his recently announced retirement from blockbuster movies to smaller films. Lucasfilms produced this latest feature on the struggle of the Tuskegee airmen directed by Anthony Hemingway from a screenplay by John Ridley and Aaron McGruder. Terrence Howard and Cuba Gooding Jr. had previously played WWII Tuskegee pilots in other projects are back as the men in charge of the unit that is now in Italy running missions that involve ground movements or as one character says “he bombs traffic”.

Racism was still very common and evident in the military when “Negro's” were still considered too incompetent to handle flying. The prevailing attitude was based on a 1925 Army College study that concluded blacks were mentally inferior to white men. The airmen proved their worth with the Tuskegee experiment but despite their excellent flying skills were not allowed to engage in air combat. Col. A.J. Bullard (Terrance Howard) fights against the typical attitudes and roadblocks with intelligence and military fortitude. Not all officers are prejudiced and believe in the 332nd Fighter Group. They are given a mission which they successfully complete so General Luntz (Gerald McRaney) wants them to try a new strategy escorting his bombers.

The story is focused on a small group of fliers “Easy” Martin Julian (Nate Parker) the Captain, his second in command hotshot “Lightning” Joe Little (David Oyelowo), “Ray Gun” Ray Gannon (Tristan Wilds), and “Deke” David Watkins (Marcus T. Paulk). Martin comes from a well to do family and is college educated with daddy issues which causes him to drink and fly. His friend Joe is a risk taker in the air and doesn't follow his Captain's orders so he can add notches to his fighting record. Ray doesn't want to be called Junior anymore as the youngest flier. Deke thanks Black Jesus every time he flies. Despite their skills the soldiers who are all officers are turned away from the officers club until the bomber crews welcome them for their successful protection. Because really it would be bad juju to anger your escorts. There's lots of big speeches about how “we deserve to fight for our country!” angst, lot of praying, white soldiers realizing that their brothers of color are actually good guys, there's Lightning's romance with Sofia (NCIS: Los Angeles' Daniela Ruah) of the picture perfect Italian village.

But the real stars of the movie are the planes. The stock composite characters who play the pilots are shown to be flying P40 War Hawks which at the time were not in the best condition but they were armed with 650 caliber machine guns capable of taking out out trucks and trains. When they are allowed the mission to escort the bombers, Col. Bullard agreed only if they got new planes. The silver shiny P51 Mustangs were then painted with a red nose and tail to make them more distinctive in the air. The aerial footage of the Red Tails fighting the German ME 109's were stunning and exciting. Later they had run-ins with the new German jet fighters who were too confident against the ace flying skills of the Tuskegee airmen. The filmmakers too great pains regarding the accuracy of the aircraft.

Unfortunately the movie was bogged down with stilted and clumsy dialogue. The main German ace pilot kept issuing these trite threats that has one waiting for him to say “I'll get you my pretty and your little dog too” before curling his mustache. The movie plays like a WWII propaganda film or an historic comic book with the stereo typical characters. The writers and director have mostly who worked in television paced the story as if to be ready for commercial breaks. Granted there's a lot information to layout regarding the struggle to create a coherent story. Their story deserves better treatment than this film allows. The Tuskegee airmen have long been an inspiration that will hopefully encourage young people to Google their accomplishments.
(Review by reesa)

Golden Globe Winners 2012

Winners names are in bold print:

MOTION PICTURES

— Picture, Drama: "The Descendants," "The Help," "Hugo," "The Ides of March," "Moneyball," "War Horse."

— Picture, Musical or Comedy: "50/50," "The Artist," "Bridesmaids," "Midnight in Paris," "My Week with Marilyn."

— Actor, Drama: George Clooney, "The Descendants"; Leonard DiCaprio, "J. Edgar"; Michael Fassbender, "Shame"; Ryan Gosling, "The Ides of March"; Brad Pitt, "Moneyball."

— Actress, Drama: Glenn Close, "Albert Nobbs"; Viola Davis, "The Help"; Rooney Mara, "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo"; Meryl Streep, "The Iron Lady"; Tilda Swinton, "We Need to Talk About Kevin."

— Director: Woody Allen, "Midnight in Paris"; George Clooney, "The Ides of March"; Michel Hazanavicius, "The Artist"; Alexander Payne, "The Descendants"; Martin Scorsese, "Hugo."

— Actor, Musical or Comedy: Jean Dujardin, "The Artist"; Brendan Gleeson, "The Guard"; Joseph Gordon-Levitt, "50/50"; Ryan Gosling, "Crazy, Stupid, Love"; Owen Wilson, "Midnight in Paris."

— Actress, Musical or Comedy: Jodie Foster, "Carnage"; Charlize Theron, "Young Adult"; Kristen Wiig, "Bridesmaids"; Michelle Williams, "My Week with Marilyn"; Kate Winslet, "Carnage."

— Supporting Actor: Kenneth Branagh, "My Week with Marilyn"; Albert Brooks, "Drive"; Jonah Hill, "Moneyball"; Viggo Mortensen, "A Dangerous Method"; Christopher Plummer, "Beginners."

— Supporting Actress: Berenice Bejo, "The Artist"; Jessica Chastain, "The Help"; Janet McTeer, "Albert Nobbs"; Octavia Spencer, "The Help"; Shailene Woodley, "The Descendants."

— Foreign Language: "The Flowers of War," "In the Land of Blood and Honey," "The Kid with a Bike," "A Separation," "The Skin I Live In."

— Animated Film: "The Adventures of Tintin," "Arthur Christmas," "Cars 2," "Puss in Boots," "Rango."

— Screenplay: Woody Allen, "Midnight in Paris"; George Clooney, Grand Heslov, Beau Willimon, "The Ides of March"; Michel Hazanavicius, "The Artist"; Alexander Payne, Nat Faxwon, Jim Rash, "The Descendants"; Steven Zaillian, Aaron Sorkin, "Moneyball."

— Original Score: Ludovic Bource, "The Artist"; Abel Korzeniowski, "W.E."; Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross, "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo"; Howard Shore, "Hugo"; John Williams, "War Horse."

— Original Song: "Hello Hello" (music by Elton John, lyrics by Bernie Taupin), "Gnomeo & Juliet"; "The Keeper" (music and lyrics by Chris Cornell), "Machine Gun Preacher"; "Lay Your Head Down" (music by Brian Byrne, lyrics by Glenn Close), "Albert Nobbs"; "The Living Proof" (music by Mary J. Blige, Thomas Newman, Harvey Mason Jr., lyrics by Mary J. Blige, Harvey Mason Jr., Damon Thomas), "The Help"; "Masterpiece" (music and lyrics by Madonna, Julie Frost, Jimmy Harry), "W.E."

TELEVISION

— Series, Drama: "American Horror Story," FX; "Boardwalk Empire," HBO; "Boss," Starz; "Game of Thrones," HBO; "Homeland," Showtime.

— Actor, Drama: Steve Buscemi, "Boardwalk Empire"; Bryan Cranston, "Breaking Bad"; Kelsey Grammer, "Boss"; Jeremy Irons, "The Borgias"; Damian Lewis, "Homeland."

— Actress, Drama: Claire Danes, "Homeland"; Mireille Enos, "The Killing"; Julianna Margulies, "The Good Wife"; Madeleine Stowe, "Revenge"; Callie Thorne, "Necessary Roughness."

— Series, Musical or Comedy: "Enlightened," HBO; "Episodes," Showtime; "Glee," Fox; "Modern Family," ABC; "New Girl," Fox.

— Actress, Musical or Comedy: Laura Dern, "Enlightened"; Zooey Deschanel, "New Girl"; Tina Fey, "30 Rock"; Laura Linney, "The Big C"; Amy Poehler, "Parks and Recreation."

— Actor, Musical or Comedy: Alec Baldwin, "30 Rock"; David Duchovny, "Californication"; Johnny Galecki, "The Big Bang Theory"; Thomas Jane, "Hung"; Matt LeBlanc, "Episodes."

— Miniseries or Movie: "Cinema Verite," HBO; "Downton Abbey (Masterpiece)," PBS; "The Hour," BBC America; "Mildred Pierce," HBO; "Too Big to Fail," HBO.

— Actress, Miniseries or Movie: Romola Garai, "The Hour"; Diane Lane, "Cinema Verite"; Elizabeth McGovern, "Downton Abbey (Masterpiece)," Emily Watson, "Appropriate Adult"; Kate Winslet, "Mildred Pierce."

— Actor, Miniseries or Movie: Hugh Bonneville, "Downton Abbey (Masterpiece)"; Idris Elba, "Luther"; William Hurt, "Too Big to Fail"; Bill Nighy, "Page Eight (Masterpiece)"; Dominic West, "The Hour."

— Supporting Actress, Series, Miniseries or Movie: Jessica Lange, "American Horror Story"; Kelly Macdonald, "Boardwalk Empire; Maggie Smith, "Downton Abbey (Masterpiece)"; Sofia Vergara, "Modern Family"; Evan Rachel Wood, "Mildred Pierce."

— Supporting Actor, Series, Miniseries or Movie: Peter Dinklage, "Game of Thrones"; Paul Giamatti, "Too Big to Fail"; Guy Pierce, "Mildred Pierce"; Tim Robbins, "Cinema Verite"; Eric Stonestreet, "Modern Family."

— Cecil B. DeMille Lifetime Achievement Award: Morgan Freeman.

Movies Scheduled for the Week of 12/15 - 12/21

Don't forget tonight is the Golden Globes! Hopefully you be watching the festivities, the pretty people, the awkward TV announcers dissing the clothes, and Ricky Gervais dissing everyone else. Do you have any favorites? Who Post them to our Facebook page.

Since we can't go a week without the moderator gripe:
The moderators do not personally have passes to distribute to y'all. Sometimes the studios allow us to offer them which we put in the file section of the group pages. We have to enter the contests just like everyone else. So you should too. And another thing please stop asking for passes when there are contests running. Enter the contests on your own. If they award them and you didn't get one, then you can ask others. But don't have others do the work for you. We tell you in plenty of time. No excuses unless you are a newbie. Newbies go to the archived messages and see how and what posts are allowed before posting.

And folks don't forget we have a calendar on our group pages. If you have a question on when and where it's screening go their first and stop sending those questions to the group that will only be deleted.

January 15 - 21, 2012

Sun
1/15

7:00 pm
Golden Globe Awards
Your TV

Mon
1/16

7:30 pm
Haywire
Angelika Dallas

Tue
1/17

7:30 pm
Haywire
AMC Northpark

7:30 pm
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
Cinemark West Plano

Wed
1/18
7:00 pm
The Big Miracle
tba-Plano

7:30 pm
Man on a Ledge
Cinemark West Plano

7:30 pm
Haywire
tba - Dallas

7:30 pm
The Grey
Studio Movie Grill Dallas

Thu
1/19

7:30 pm
Red Tails
AmStar Cinemas 14

7:30 pm
Haywire
AmStar Cinemas 14

Fri
1/20

Sat
1/21

Iron Lady

The great Meryl Streep is one of the greatest actresses of our times. Back when she was getting her MFA from Yale School of Drama Times magazine touted her as THE actress to watch. Since then her chameleon type skills has kept her from being stereotyped into the usual ingénue rom-com roles. Her latest effort as the Prime Minister of Great Britain has already got her on the short lists for best actress awards. It's too bad the movie doesn't live up to the promise of her performance.

British theater director Phyllida Lloyd (Mama Mia) and screenwriter Abi Morgan (Shame) concentrates on Margaret Thatcher's later life while telling her story of her rise in politics through flashbacks. Starting out with an older Thatcher who is getting a little forgetful with old age and Alzheimer's. She's watched over by a staff of people who panic when she goes out to the corner store for milk and talking to her dead husband Denis (Jim Broadbent). Nothing like her former self she wields little power but is politely treated by the current heads of state with reserved respect. Her rise of power from the daughter of a store keeper to the conservative leader of Britain is offered up in small snapshots of her younger years played by Alexandra Roach and how she met and married Denis Thatcher (Harry Lloyd as the younger Denis). Denis is impressed by her opinionated stance on politics and becomes her biggest supporter during her years in parliament despite the time it takes away from their growing family. Episodic moments cover her handling of the Falkland Islands war, IRA terrorist bombing and her rise to prime minister, as well as the betrayal of her cabinet that eventually ended her tenure that lasted from 1979 - 1990.

It's unfortunate that these moments were not captured in a coherent story. The movie is all over the place and doesn't really offer any real insight into the actual woman. She may have been ambitious, opinionated whose outlook was influenced by her father. But it barely covers the struggle she must have gone through while working in a male dominated political machine where women were still expected to stay at home. And it gives lip service on how she influenced the world by breaking class and gender barriers except for having to endure the typical stereotypical male harassment. Little time is spent looking at the person as a whole. Even her image consultants only refine the image of Thatcher as a world leader. But how she felt about this, how her politics influenced Britain or how she dealt with the world in general are only sound bytes.

Streep visually captures Thatcher's look and mannerisms with her usual impeccable talent. There isn't one scene where you don't buy her portrayal of Thatcher. In fact your memory may erase the actual visage of Thatcher and replace it with Streep as Cate Blanchett did did with Queen Elizabeth. The movie does manage to carry a certain gravitas to the proceedings, and the costume and art direction look amazing. But Thatcher as a person and her impact on today's politics will have to be left for the History Channel to cover.
(Review by reesa)

Contraband

Director Baltasar Kormákur is a well known and critically acclaimed actor in Iceland besides being a director, producer and writer. He starred in 2009 film Reykjavík-Rotterdam from which screenwriter Aaron Guzikowski remade into Contraband starring Mark Wahlberg, Giovanni Ribisi, Kate Beckinsale and Ben Foster. A typical January movie which promises more than it delivers.

Wahlberg plays Chris Farraday who had gotten out of his lucrative smuggling game to concentrate on his wife Kate (Kate Beckinsale) and his two young son by working is own business installing security alarms. His brother in law Andy (Caleb Landry Jones) gets into trouble when he attempts to smuggle in some drugs on a container ship and has to dump the 10 lbs of coke into the ocean when the Custom Border Patrol raids the ship. Andy was doing the job for Tim Briggs (Giovanni Ribisi) the brother of Chris's old smuggling partner who is sleazy mean slimeball of a human being who wants his the full cost of the product. Chris tries to reason with him and pay it back in time as a favor. But Briggs is getting pressure from his bosses who want to get Chris back in the game by giving him 2 weeks to come up with $700,000. Chris goes to see his father Bud (William Lucking) in prison who was proud that Chris is out of his illegal operation, but realizes that he's got to do what he's got to do. So Bud uses his influence to get him papers to work on his ship that's going to Panama. He leaves his shady best friend Sebastian Abney (Ben Foster) to keep an eye on his wife and kids.

Chris refuses to run drugs and opts to smuggle in counterfeit money. The most interesting part of the movie is watching Chris using his well honed skills with the help of his friendly accomplices on board the ship. He doesn't flinch when the Captain (J.K. Simmons) who doesn't appreciate his appearance on his ship due to his reputation and the ships police force all seem to have it in for him. At one time this job used to go smoothly, but there's added pressure due to Briggs terrorizing Kate and the kids to the point where they have to stay with Sebastian. Chris has to do things he would normally refuse which of course goes all sideways like run another operation for Panama bad guy Gonzalo (Diego Luna) before they have to get the fake money on the ship before it leaves the dock.

The first half of the movie sets up the characters and the relationships as well as featuring the back streets and atmosphere of New Orleans. If there was a fast forward button it would have been utilized here. The second half is the smuggling operation where Chris has to be one step ahead of everyone else. Wahlberg has that macho guy he plays in most movies down to a science although he's a more thoughtful actor than the usual types like Jason Statham or Vin Diesel. Beckinsale as the loving wife is needlessly abused by Briggs as a tension getting device. One would think if your husband is running something dangerous for a crazy bad guy and you can't use the police for protection then you would take measures to keep safe and not leave your doors unlocked. Also brother Andy is so frustratingly stupid to keep getting in trouble which of course gets Chris in even more hot water. More satisfying is the ending where everyone gets their comeuppance. It just took too long to get there.
(Review by reesa)

Joyful Noise

In the small depressed town of Pacashau, Georgia the only thing it has going for it is the Divinity Church Choir who under their beloved choral director manages to win choir competitions. When he suddenly passes his position goes to gospel traditionalist Vi Rose Hill and not the former director's widow G.G. Sparrow. Director/writer of the feel good musical hit Bandslam's Todd Graff fills Joyful Noise with a Sister Act sort of sensibility of trying to update a stale musical style to something hip and modern.

Dolly Parton plays the quirky rich lady in town who rubs Vi Rose (Queen Latifah) the wrong way at every opportunity especially when it comes to the direction in which to take the choir. Pastor Dale (Courtney B. Vance) tells them in no uncertain terms to cooperate or the choir may be disbanded due to budget cuts. They have to win the competitions or the choir is history. Enter G.G.'s grandson Randy (Jeremy Jordon) who ran away from his parents and takes a shine to Vi Rose's 16 year old daughter Olivia (Keke Palmer) who is the star singer. Vi Rose considers Randy a bad boy which of course is the main attraction for Olivia. It also grates that Randy is an excellent vocalist who wants to add some current elements into their music. Especially after their recent competition bombs miserably because it can't stand up to the other flashier choir groups.

The rest of the cast includes the stereotypical crop of racial diversity where everyone gets along. There's the Asian man looking for love with the large woman of color, there's Randy's rival for Olivia with womanizer black teen Manny, then of course there's the bickering between Vi Rose and G.G. Their rivalry culminates into a showdown of wits at the local restaurant where Vi Rose points out the overdose of plastic surgery on G.G. which makes Dolly's visage distracting. Vi Rose also has issues with her kids and their soldier father who rather re-up than come home to the family. Their Asperger son Walter (Dexter Darden) whose musical genius is tapped by Randy's tutelage. Daughter Olivia blames her mom for her dad's absence. G.G. hides her grief for her dead husband. All of this is supposed to add weight to the story, but only makes it bog down. The confrontation between Vi Rose and her husband Marcus (Jesse L. Martin) was the only part that exhibited any real honesty.

Each of the vocalists get their moments to shine through out the film. Parton and Latifah both get their solo numbers with signature country and soul tunes. Look for Kris Kristofferson's duet with Dolly which while earnest is slightly creepy. The competing groups also are on display during the “Joyful Noise” nationals particularly the kids choir who is their main competition. The real highlight to the movie is the music. Upbeat gospel numbers that are allowed full play and not cut off as usual. The exuberance of the musical makes up for the American Idol/Glee presentations which like these shows is easily digestible and quickly forgotten. There's nothing offensive or worrisome so it's good for the whole family if you like this sort of thing.
(Review by reesa)

North Texas Film Critics Association Best of List for 2011

Here are the official results of BEST OF 2011 from the North Texas Film Critics Association annual meeting held at La Madeleine.


BEST PICTURE
War Horse

BEST DIRECTOR
Martin Scorses / Hugo

BEST ACTOR
George Clooney / The Descendants

BEST ACTRESS
Viola Davis / The Help

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Christopher Plummer / Beginners

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Octavia Spencer / The Help

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Janusz Kainski / War Horse

BEST ANIMATED
The Adventures of Tin Tin

BEST DOCUMENTARY
Being Elmo

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
A Separation (Persian: جدایی نادر از سیمین, Jodái-e Náder az Simin)

Movies Scheduled for the Week of 1/8 - 1/14

Lots of movies this week and we start out with a couple of musicals to get it going. Maybe to help you decide you may want to consider the screening of Smash at SMG Dallas where they will be providing a free dessert to everyone, and will be giving away two pairs of tickets to musicals as well. Check out the trailer if you haven't watched it yet:

http://www.nbc.com/smash/video/an-extended-look-at-smash/1327540

Lots of films to choose from this week. Enjoy!

Concerns, complaints, curses. An incident was reported by a group member of someone holding places in line for 18...yes...18 people. Shake your head, gasp in disbelief,this is a little too much, eh? Obviously that person is not part of this group, is clueless on line etiquette, doesn't really care what y'all think, so what can you do? We all have our posses and we all know to keep them in check. Anyone have a solution, please post it on the Dallas Movie Screenings Facebook page. In fact you can use that space to post what your whatevers except for obvious spam.



January 8 - 14, 2012

Sun
1/8

Mon
1/9

7:00 pm
Joyful Noise
tba - Dallas

7:30 pm
Smash
Studio Movie Grill Dallas

Tue
1/10

7:30 pm
Contraband
AMC Northpark

7:30 pm
In the Land of Milk and Honey
Angelika Dallas

7:30 pm
Man on a Ledge
Studio Movie Grill Dallas

Wed
1/11

7:30 pm
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
tba - Dallas

7:30 pm
Man on a Ledge
Angelika Dallas

Thu
1/12

7:00 pm
Joyful Noise
AMC Northpark

7:30 pm
Pickup on South Street
tba - Dallas

7:30 pm
Act of Valor
Studio Movie Grill Dallas

Fri
1/13

Sat
1/14

Pariah

It's hard enough being a teenager, but being a teen of color and a lesbian who is not “out” to her family is an even bigger hurtle to overcome. On the surface, it's probably not the kind of movie that will compel middle American movie goers to rush to the theater. Don't let that fool you. It's a heart felt film about learning the essence of who you are in this world and living to your full potential. There's bound to be some comparisons with Precious in regards to another story of a downtrodden teen coming to grips with emotional adversity, but Pariah stands tall on it's own.

Adepero Oduye gives a remarkable performance as Alike who is struggling to live two lives as the loving daughter of her policeman's father Arthur (Charles Parnell) and her hospital working mom Audrey (Kim Wayans). She leaves for school dressed like a typical teen, but changes before she gets to school to boyish attire like her openly gay best friend Laura (Pernell Walker). Alike is a good student, a gifted writer who gets support and acceptance from her English teacher who wants her to reach a little deeper for her poetry. Laura takes her out to the new night club catering to the lesbian crowd, but Alike, still a virgin, is uncomfortable with this kind of scene. Laura keeps pushing her to hook up with someone, anyone, just to pop her cherry. There's a very funny scene involving experimentation with wearing a strap-on that will probably not sit well with those who are not open minded.

Meanwhile her parents are on edge, their fighting is disturbing to Alike and her sister Shanronda (Sahra Mellesse). Dad is close to his daughter and they play basketball together. But the parents are in denial of their daughter's orientation. Seems like everyone else seems to know but them. They ignore the looks from other people and their side comments. The religious Audrey wants Alike to wear dresses and the pretty new blouse she just bought for her. She believes that Laura is a bad influence. So Audrey sets her up with a colleagues' daughter to walk to school together. At first Alike protests the intrusion, but Bina's (Aasha Davis) similar taste of music opens up a new friendship and a new outlet of experience and heartbreak.

Director/writer Dee Rees expanded her student thesis short film that was accepted to the 2007 Sundance Film Festival. She wrote the script in long hand under the tutelage of director Spike Lee . The project was created on a minuscule budget with a dedicated cast and crew. Rees manages to embody the dialogue with an authenticity and honesty that will relate to most young people searching for their own identities. Pariah is just not about a lesbian young woman in Brooklyn. It transcends beyond a big city subculture to highlight the universal theme of acceptance, self worth, and liberation that no matter what your color or orientation one can't help walking away feeling uplifted.
(Review by reesa)

The Devil Inside

Movies of January 2012 starts the year off with some evil possession genre. One of the trailers advertises the movie being screened in a church while the camera focus is on the audience horrified reactions just like the Parnormal Activity commercials. It also states that the movie is not sanctioned by the Church nor did they aid in the filming. Directed by William Brent Bell who also wrote it with Matthew Peterman, created a supposedly found footage documentary on the case of a woman who allegedly murdered three people during an exorcism.

In 1989 a 911 call is received from Maria Rossi (Suzan Crowley) that three people are dead and she killed them. The police video crime scene which reveals three bloody bodies very graphically. The news reports the incident as a church meeting gone wrong. At her trial Maria is found not guilty by reason of insanity and sentence to a hospital for the criminally insane. She is later transferred by her husband to a hospital in Italy for reasons unknown. Twenty years later her daughter Isabella (Fernanda Andrade) who was 9 years old at the time of the murders tries to find an answer to what happened in case it's something that's inherited. This leads her to Italy where her mother is locked away. She hires Michael (Ionut Grama) a documentarian to film her efforts. Michael must have gone to the Blair Witch School of Photography because his camera work is a bit shaky. They go the Vatican Academy where she visits a class on exorcism. She walks right in with Michael and a camera running and no one notices. Isabella questions some of the students later on the subject. After visiting her mother who has been quiet for the last seven years. Maria doesn't recognize her daughter and then starts speaking in accents before revealing some information that she couldn't possibly know. She then does this banshee scream that freaks Isabella. Showing the recordings to the two young exorcists Ben and David (Simon Quartermain and Evan Helmut) from the class she recruits them to determined if her mother is mentally ill or demonically possessed. David is a doctor and an ordained priest. Ben is the youngest ordained exorcist who used to go with his uncle to exorcisms when he was a boy. The men use unconventional methods combining both science and religion. Since the Vatican changed their policies on this ritual, the "Need Exorcism, Will Travel" team have basically run an off the books service for those in needs. They take Isabella and Michael to witness what they do with a young woman whose body is contorted out of whack from the demon inhabiting her. David keeps an eye on her vitals while Ben does the praying. Isabella's attempts to have to Vatican let the young men try to determine if her mother is possessed or just crazy fails, so she asks her mothers' doctor to let them try. This is when the proverbial stuff hits the fan.

Like the Paranormal Activity movies there's a lot of nothing happening to the very end. People talk, discuss, talk over each other, act nervous, frustrated and if you nap through the 2nd and 3rd acts of the movie you haven't missed much. Suzan Crowley's Maria is the only one that could be possibly scary if she was allowed to do more than swear and laugh manically. The movie tries really hard to be scary and creepy. but mostly it's unintentionally funny. The trailer is more interesting than what happens in the movie. See that, save your money.
(Review by reesa)

Writer's Guild of America Award 2012 Nominees

This is just the movie list, for the television nominees go to the website:

http://www.wga.org/awards/awardssub.aspx?id=1516


2012 NOMINATIONS

SCREENPLAY NOMINEES

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

50/50, Written by Will Reiser; Summit Entertainment

Bridesmaids, Written by Annie Mumolo & Kristen Wiig; Universal Studios

Midnight in Paris, Written by Woody Allen; Sony Pictures Classics

Win Win, Screenplay by Tom McCarthy; Story by Tom McCarthy & Joe Tiboni; Fox Searchlight

Young Adult, Written by Diablo Cody; Paramount Pictures

ADAPTED SCREENPLAY

The Descendants, Screenplay by Alexander Payne and Nat Faxon & Jim Rash; Based on the novel by Kaui Hart Hemming; Fox Searchlight

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Screenplay by Steven Zaillian; Based on the novel by Stieg Larsson, originally published by Norstedts; Columbia Pictures

The Help, Screenplay by Tate Taylor; Based on the novel by Kathryn Stockett; DreamWorks Pictures

Hugo, Screenplay by John Logan; Based on the book The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick; Paramount Pictures

Moneyball, Screenplay by Steven Zaillian and Aaron Sorkin; Story by Stan Chervin; Based on the book by Michael Lewis; Columbia Pictures

DOCUMENTARY SCREENPLAY

Better This World, Written by Katie Galloway & Kelly Duane de la Vega; Loteria Films

If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front, Written by Marshall Curry and Matthew Hamachek; Oscilloscope Pictures

Nostalgia for the Light, Written by Patricio Guzmán; Icarus Films

Pina, Screenplay by Wim Wenders; Sundance Selects

Position Among the Stars, Script by Hetty Naaijkens-Retel Helmrich, Leonard Retel Helmrich; HBO Documentary Films

Senna, Written by Manish Pandey; Producers Distribution Agency

Movies Scheduled for the Week of 1/1 - 1/7

Happy New Year movie group!!!! Hope everyone had a very fine holiday and ready for another year of interesting films. Are you looking forward to any movies coming up in 2012? Check out the movies your moderator has seen in 2011 plus the best of list for the year. Please leave your comments on Facebook or here.

Let's start the year with posting the correct way with the proper subject line, and reply to the person to whom it is intended. Don't ask for passes if there are contests pending. Make sure you make the effort on your own. You know the drill. Let's all try to get along and have the best movie year yet!

January 1 - 7, 2012

Sun
1/1

Mon
1/2

Tue
1/3

Wed
1/4

7:30 pm
Man on a Ledge
Angelika Dallas

Thu
1/5

7:00 pm
House of Lies/Shameless
Magnolia

7:30 pm
Devil Inside
AMC Valley View

7:30 pm
Pariah
Angelika Dallas

Fri
1/6

Sat
1/7

10:30 am
Beauty and the Beast 3D
AMC Northpark

Wyatt Head Reviews Sherlock Holmes

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows- A film that strikes lightening to your brain and makes you feel like Mr. Holmes for those two hours in the theater. This film sent the right amount of intensity to everybody in the audience so they weren't scared but were silent in awe.

Reesa's Picks for Year's Best 2011

This is the first time that I have not felt fully invested in my number one movie like last year when Avatar should have won. Whatever film, actor, director is chosen, I'll be perfectly content with the choice. Which is to say, that there were some good movies this year, but nothing screams AMAZING. I loved the retro throwbacks to early cinema with the John Ford like War Horse that is reminiscent of the bigger than life Gone With The Wind type of film. The silent The Artist reminds us of that movies used to be, as does Hugo which schools us on early special effects in pleasant 3D. Adventures of Tin Tin was my pic for best animated that utilized today's technology to it's greatest potential tied with non stop action. Actors were harder to consider because of the remarkable work that was falling through the cracks like A Better Life's Emian Bichir. Thomas Horn for a child and first time actor was believable and moving in Extremely Loud Incredibly Close. Who can't forget Elle Fanning in Super 8? Maybe they should make a category for child actors. Ryan Gosling had a terrific year with Crazy Stupid Love, Drive and Ides of March. I couldn't decide and didn't include him for best actor. I don't think there's any question regarding Viola Davis as best actress although Glenn Close and Meryl Streep were their usual best. Jessica Chastin has been in everything this year and her turn in The Help made her my top choice as supporting actress. As did Christopher Plummer for best supporting actor over my other favorite Nick Nolte. Didn't get to see many foreign films but LOVED the South Korean film Sunny. There were also many documentaries that deserve attention but Being Elmo and Buck rose to the top as being informative as well as entertaining.

Would love to hear your choices for what moved you this year. Please leave your "lists" in the comment section.

BEST PICTURE:
1. War Horse
2. Hugo
3. Extremely Close Incredibly Loud
4. The Artist
5. The Descendants
6. Moneyball
7. Super 8
8. The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
9. Drive
10. Ides of March

DIRECTOR:
1. Steven Spielberg – War Horse
2. Martin Scorsese - Hugo
3. Stephen Daldry – Extremely Close Incredibly Loud
4. Alexander Payne – The Descendants
5. Michel Hazanavicius – The Artist


BEST ACTOR:
1. George Clooney – The Descendants
2. Thomas Horn – Extremely Loud Incredibly Close
3. Jean Dujardin – The Artist
4. Brad Pitt - Moneyball
5. Demian Bichir – A Better Life

BEST ACTRESS:
1. Viola Davis – The Help
2. Michelle Williams – My Week With Marilyn
3. Meryl Streep – Iron Lady
4. Glenn Close – Albert Nobbs
5. Elizabeth Olsen – Martha Marcy May Marlene

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR:
1. Christopher Plummer – The Beginners
2. Nick Nolte - Warrior
3. Kenneth Branagh – My Week With Marilyn
4. Albert Brooks - Drive
5. Andy Serkis – Rise of the Planet of the Apes

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS:
1. Jessica Chastin – The Help
2. Melissa McCarty - Bridesmaids
3. Octavia Butler – The Help
4. Shailene Woodley – The Descendants
5. Elle Fanning – Super 8

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY FILM:
1. Janusz Kainski – War Horse
2. Hugo – Robert Richardson
3. Emmanuel Lubezki – Tree of Life

BEST ANIMATED FILM:
1. Adventures of Tin Tin
2. Arthur Christmas
3. Rango

BEST DOCUMENTARY FILM:
1. Being Elmo
2. Buck

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM:
1. Sunny
2. A Separation