Inception

☆☆☆☆1/2

+
Leonardo DiCaprio, as Dom Cobb a thief skilled in stealing secrets in an individual’s dream state, leads an all-star cast (Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ellen Page, Ken Watanabe, Cillian Murphy, and Marion Cotillard) in this exciting sci-fi thriller with a perfect ending.
_
Some may find the story confusing (and a little long)…stick with it and the details will be revealed as the film progresses.

Moviegoers will be talking about this one after leaving the theater.

Rated PG-13
2 hr. 28 min.

www.inceptionmovie.com

The Sorcerer's Apprentice

☆☆1/2

+
Nicolas Cage stars as Balthazar Blake a sorcerer living in present-day Manhattan…searching for his magical protégé. After finding and training Dave Stutler (Jay Baruchel) in the art of magic they set out to defend the city from Blake’s arch-nemesis.

The special effects steal the show in this fantasy adventure.
_

Maybe if we recast a few actors, change the script, and add more magic…it would be better.


Rated PG
1 hr. 52 min.

www.sorcerersapprentice.com

Despicable Me

☆☆☆1/2

+
In this animated comedy, the world's greatest villain Gru (Steve Carell) plans to steal the moon, but three orphan girls get in the way.

Steve Carell adds the fun in an outstanding performance, but Elsie Fisher as Agnes gets the biggest laughs…”It’s so fluffy. I’m going to die!”

_
Don’t leave too early…stay through the credits.

2-D…3-D…you decide?

Rated PG
1 hr. 35 min.

www.despicable.me

I Am Love (Lo Sono L'amore)

☆☆☆

+
Set in Milan, Italy this dramatic love story follows, wife and mother, Emma Recchi (Tilda Swinton) as she pursues a risky passion.

Tilda Swinton gives a flawless performance (in Italian).

The cinematography is beautiful…

_

but may be considered heavy-handed and self-conscience.

This film lacks character development and emotional depth…I expected to be moved.

Rated R
2 hr.

www.iamlovemovie.com

Cyrus

☆☆☆

+
In this enjoyable dramatic comedy, John (John C. Reilly), a divorcee with no social life, meets Molly (the pitch-perfect Marisa Tomei). Although she appears to be the perfect woman, John discovers there is another man in her life.

The craziness begins as we get to know the other man, Cyrus (Jonah Hill).
_
The relationship between Molly and her son Cyrus is unusual and bordering on disturbing.

Rated R
1 hr. 32 min.

www.cyrus

The Twilight Saga: Eclipse

☆☆☆

+
In the third installment of the “Twilight Saga,” while several mysterious murders are taking place in Seattle, Bella (Kristen Stewart) must choose between her vampire boyfriend Edward (Robert Pattinson) and her werewolf friend Jacob (Taylor Lautner).

The “newborns” storyline and the extra action make this romantic fantasy a little more fun.

-
Dialogue, meant to be serious, had viewers laughing throughout the film.

Put shirts on Jacob and the pack…it’s just gratuitous.


Rated PG-13
2 hr. 4 min.

www.eclipsethemovie.com

The Last Airbender

☆☆

+
In M. Night Shyamalan’s fantasy adventure, the Fire nation has declared war on the Air, Water, and Earth nations. Aang, the young Avatar, must develop his skills and stop the Fire Nation.

Strong special effects are key in this family film.
-
Confusing plot, silly dialogue, and some terrible acting ruin this movie.

Save your money…it’s not necessary to see “The…Airbender” in 3-D.
The craze has taken over to allow studios to charge more money.


Rated PG
1 hr. 43 min.

www.thelastairbendermovie.com

Winter's Bone

☆☆☆☆

+
In this award winning (Best Picture Sundance Film Festival), well-acted, engaging, dramatic thriller, Ree Dolly (Jennifer Lawrence), who lives in the Ozark Mountains with her brother, sister, and sick mother, faces great danger as she searches for her drug-dealing father.

The story provides hope,

-
but this is not a happy film…may even be considered grim.

A little more of an emotional connection would make this a perfect film.


Rated R
1 hr. 40 min.


www.wintersbonemovie.com

Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work

☆☆☆☆

+
"Joan...Work" is a funny, touching and honest glimpse into the comedienne's struggle to stay on top in the entertainment industry at the age of 75.

Fans know Joan Rivers' work, but this documentary shows a very personal and endearing side of the actress/comedienne.
-
This one is for adults only.
Strong language and content.

Rated R
1 hr. 24 min.

www.joanriversapieceofwork.com

Knight and Day

☆☆☆1/2

+
June Havens (Cameron Diaz) finds herself in the middle of a secret mission with undercover agent (Tom Cruise) in this action-packed romantic comedy.

Diaz and Cruise make a good team in this fun summer ride.

-
Sure the plot is preposterous…just sit back and have fun.

Rated PG-13
1 hr. 50 min.

www.knightanddaymovie.com

Toy Story 3

☆☆1/2

+
The toys are back (Tom Hanks is back as Woody, Tim Allen as Buzz Lightyear, and Joan Cusack as Jessie) in this animated, action-adventure that is fun for the family (especially the young ones).

Gotta love the toys...

-
but you don't have to love the story. Once again we find the toys separated from Andy and struggling to get back home.

The 3-D is fun, but may not be worth the extra money.

Rated G
1 hr. 43 min.

www.disney.toystory3

The A-Team

☆☆☆

+
"The A-Team" (Liam Neeson, Bradley Cooper, Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson, Sharlto Copley), a group of war veterans accused of committing a crime, are out to clear their names in this wild (and at times funny) action adventure.

Outrageous, well-planned, well-executed and fun to watch covert "ops."
-
So many bullets and so many missed targets!

Don't leave too early...quick scene after the final credits.

PG-13
1 hr. 57 min.

www.ateam-movie.com

Killers

☆☆

+
Ashton Kutcher stars in and produces this romantic comedy where the new groom has a "killer secret."

Katherine Heigl (who always lights up the screen) and Catherine O'Hara, (who always delivers the laughs) give it all they've got...
-
...but they still can't completely save "Killers." Poor dialogue, uneven acting, and a slow start really destroy this film.





Rated PG-13
1 hr. 40 min.

www.killersfilm.com

Sex and the City 2

☆☆☆☆

+
Two years later the ladies (Sarah Jessica Parker as Carrie, Kristin Davis as Charlotte, Cynthia Nixon as Miranda, and Kim Cattrall as Samantha) are back dealing with the challenges of motherhood, careers, and relationships in this entertaining sequel filled with laughs, tears...and of course high fashion.
-
Viewers may need to be familiar with the series (or the first installment) to truly have fun with "Sex...2."

Rated R
2 hr. 26 min.

www.sexandthecitymovie

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time

☆☆☆1/2

+
The enjoyable and action-packed “Prince…” (based on a video game) finds Prince Dastan (Jake Gyllenhaal) and Princess Tamina (Gemma Arterton) on a quest to save a magical dagger that can turn back the hands of time.
-
Even though it's probably just Disney fun, contemporary language/phrases ("Is that all you've got?" and "I don't trust the government. That's why I don't pay my taxes.") take viewers out the movie time period.

PG-13
1 hr. 56 min.

www.princeofpersia

Babies

☆☆1/2

Guest Reviewer: Rory Baker


+
In following four different babies from around the world, Mongolia, Namibia, San Francisco and Tokyo, from birth to first steps, the director did an visually stunning job of filming within their natural environments, without forcing an agenda or bias.

-
Although this movie shows universal development, I was hoping for more contrasting and comparing of the children's outcomes from the varied environments, including social and economic status.

Rated PG
1 hr. 20 min.

www.babies

Shrek Forever After

☆☆☆☆

+
Shrek, board with his day-to-day life, makes a deal with the evil Rumpelstiltskin that turns his happy life upside down.

"Shrek Forever After" (starring Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, Antonio Banderas, Julie Andrews, Jon Hamm, John Cleese, Jane Lynch, Kathy Griffin, Mary Kay Place, Meredith Vieira) is packed full of fun, good music, 3-D, and a touching story.
-
So many stars...and too little screen (voice) time for Jane Lynch, Kathy Griffin, and Jon Hamm.

Rated PG
1 hr. 33 min.

www.shrek.com

Iron Man 2

☆☆☆1/2

+
Billionaire inventor Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.), who lives a double life as a billionaire inventor and superhero Iron Man, is not only facing powerful enemies (Ivan Vanko played by Mickey Rourke) but is also under pressure to share his advanced technology with the U.S. government.

Robert Downey Jr. leads an all-star cast (Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle, Scarlett Johansson, and Sam Rockwell) and delivers the fun in this entertaining film.
_
Less action than "Iron Man."
Don't leave too early! You'll miss an important scene.

PG-13
2 hrs. 4 min.

www.ironmanmovie.com

La Mission

☆☆☆1/2

+
Benjamin Bratt stars as a reformed ex-con father who is devastated when he discovers that his son has been living a secret life in this heart-wrenching family drama.
-
The message along with the Mission lingo and lifestyle are heavy handed.

Rated R
1 hr. 57 min.

www.lamissionthemovie.com

The Eclipse

☆☆

+

Michael Farr (Ciarán Hinds), who is adjusting to the death of his wife and raising their two kids alone, has been seeing and hearing strange things in the house late at night. He isn't sure if he is simply having terrifying nightmares or if his house is haunted.

The story has tremendous potential.

_

The characters, their relationships, and the intriguing question of ghosts vs. nightmares are not fully developed in this slow moving film.

Rated R

1 hr. 28 min.

www.theeclipsefilm.com

Kick-Ass

☆☆

+
Dave Livewski, inspired by comic books and a genuine feeling that it's time to put a stop to crime, becomes Kick-Ass, a superhero with no powers. Eventually Red Mist, Hit Girl and Big Daddy join his vigilante team fighting drug dealers and vandals.
A Few Laughs

_

"Kick Ass" suffers from an identity crisis. Is the movie for adults or kids? Is it an action adventure, comedy, or crime fighting drama.
Leave the young ones at home.
Violence, Strong Language, Nudity, Sexual Situations

Rated R
1 hr. 57 mins.

www.kickass-themovie.com

City Island

☆☆☆☆

+
Andy Garcia and Julianna Margulies star as Vince and Joyce Rizzo, the parents of a dysfunctional family who avoid the truth at all costs in this entertaining dark comedy.
"City Island" has more depth than expected.
-
Italian Stereotypes
Parts are Predictable

Rated PG-13
1 hr. 40 min.

www.cityislandmovie.com

Date Night

☆☆☆

+
Tina Fey and Steve Carell star as Claire and Phil Foster, a New Jersey couple who just want to have a dinner date in the city. This comedy duo make this crazy story of a date gone wild fun.
_
Outrageous Story

Rated PG-13
1 hr. 28 min.

www.datenightmovie.com

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

☆☆☆1/2

+
In this engaging Swedish triller (based on Stieg Larsson's novel) Mikael, an investigative reporter, is hired by a wealthy businessman to look into the disappearance of his missing niece.
_
In Swedish w/ English subtitles
Violence
Violent Sexual Situations

Not Rated
2 hr. 32 min.

www.dragontattoofilm.com

Brooklyn's Finest

☆☆1/2

+
"Brooklyn's Finest" stars Richard Gere, Don Cheadle, and Ethan Hawke as three New York City police officers who are leading conflicted lives.
_
Tough to watch a film that offers very little hope for the three main characters.
Violent...Keep the kids at home.

Rated R
2 hr. 20 min.

www.brooklynsfinestthemovie.com

The Last Song

☆☆☆1/2

+
"The Last Song," based on a novel by Nicholas Sparks, is the moving story of teenager Ronnie Miller (Miley Cyrus) who is sent to spend the summer with her estranged father Steve Miller (Greg Kinnear).
_
Bring the tissues.
Predicable

Rated PG
1 hr. 47 min.

www.thelastsong.com

Clash of the Titans

☆☆1/2

+
The kids will enjoy "Clash..." (remake of the 1981 original) starring Sam Worthington ("Avatar," "Terminator") as Perseus, demigod son of Zeus, who leads the fight against the gods on behalf of mankind.
-
Save a few dollars, and forgo the disappointing 3-D version. It has been reported that "Clash..." was converted to 3-D in post-production because of the success of "Avatar."

Rated PG-13
1 hr. 58 min.

www.clashofthetitans.com

Green Zone

☆☆☆

+
Matt Damon gives another good performance as Chief Warrant Officer Roy Miller who is unsuccessfully searching for Weapons of Mass Destruction in Iraq.
-
We lose a lot of the action visuals due to the hand-held camera.
Uneven film quality as the director goes from regular cameras to hand-held.

Rated R
1 hr. 54 min.

www.greenzonemovie.com

Chloe

☆☆☆

+
Julianne Moore gives an excellent performance as Catherine, a desperate wife who is convinced that her husband (David played by Liam Neeson) is having an affair.
Amanda Seyfried as Chloe also turns in a solid performance.
_
Predictable
You may find yourself asking "Why..." a few times.

Rated R
1 hr. 36 min.

www.chloe.com

How to Train Your Dragon

☆☆

+
Hiccup (Jay Baruchel), the young Viking on the island of Berk, doesn't have what it takes to slay a dragon...much to Dad's (Gerard Butler...the best voice actor in the film) disappointment.
More fun in 3-D.
_
"How to Train..." lacks laughter and heart.
Jonah Hill and Kristin Wiig's talents are lost in this film.

Rated PG
1 hr. 38 min.

www.howtotrainyourdragon.com

The Ghost Writer

☆☆

+
A mildly interesting film where British ghostwriter (Ewan McGregor) is hired to complete the memoirs of a former British Prime Minister (Pierce Brosnan). As “The Ghost” begins to write he slowly uncovers some secret information.
_
"The Ghost..." has so much potential, but really falls short.
Labeling this movie as a thriller is completely inaccurate.

Rated PG-13
2 hr. 9 min.

www.theghostwriter.com

Alice in Wonderland

☆☆☆1/2

+
Director, Tim Burton, and Johnny Depp, as the Mad Hatter, add a little extra fun to this classic story.

Great visuals...see it in 3-D.
-
Even with Depp's performance and Burton's "spin," this is still an odd story with weird characters.

Rated PG
1 hr. 48 min.

www.aliceinwonderland.com

Academy Award Winners 2010

Motion Picture: “The Hurt Locker.”

Actor: Jeff Bridges, “Crazy Heart.”

Actress: Sandra Bullock, “The Blind Side.”

Supporting Actor: Christoph Waltz, “Inglourious Basterds.”

Supporting Actress: Mo’Nique, “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire.”

Director: Kathryn Bigelow, “The Hurt Locker.”

Foreign Film: “El Secreto de Sus Ojos,” Argentina.

Adapted Screenplay: Geoffrey Fletcher, “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire.”

Original Screenplay: Mark Boal, “The Hurt Locker.”

Animated Feature Film: “Up.”

Art Direction: “Avatar.”

Cinematography: “Avatar.”

Sound Mixing: “The Hurt Locker.”

Sound Editing: “The Hurt Locker.”

Original Score: “Up,” Michael Giacchino.

Original Song: “The Weary Kind (Theme From Crazy Heart)” from “Crazy Heart,” Ryan Bingham and T Bone Burnett.

Costumes: “The Young Victoria.”

Documentary Feature: “The Cove.”

Documentary (short subject): “Music by Prudence.”

Film Editing: “The Hurt Locker.”

Makeup: “Star Trek.”

Animated Short Film: “Logorama.”

Live Action Short Film: “The New Tenants.”

Visual Effects: “Avatar.”

Click here for Oscar© Highlights

2010 Oscar® Predictions: Who Will Win and Who Should Win?

☆Who Will Win?

Who Should Win?☆

BEST PICTURE
Avatar
The Blind Side
District 9
An Education
☆The Hurt Locker
Inglourious Basterds
Precious☆
A Serious Man
Up
Up In The Air

BEST ACTOR
☆Jeff Bridges, Crazy Heart☆
George Clooney, Up In The Air
Colin Firth, A Single Man
Morgan Freeman, Invictus
Jeremy Renner, The Hurt Locker

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Matt Damon, Invictus
Woody Harrelson, The Messenger
Christopher Plummer, The Last Station
Stanley Tucci, The Lovely Bones
☆Christoph Waltz, Inglourious Basterds☆

BEST ACTRESS
☆Sandra Bullock, The Blind Side
Helen Mirren, The Last Station
Carey Mulligan, An Education
Gabourey Sidibe, Precious☆
Meryl Streep, Julie & Julia☆

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Penelope Cruz, Nine
Vera Farmiga, Up In The Air
Maggie Gyllenhaal, Crazy Heart
Anna Kendrick, Up In The Air
☆Mo'Nique, Precious☆

BEST DIRECTOR
James Cameron, Avatar
☆Kathryn Bigelow, The Hurt Locker
Quentin Tarantino, Inglourious Basterds
Lee Daniels, Precious☆
Jason Reitman, Up In The Air

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
☆The Hurt Locker
Inglourious Basterds☆
The Messenger
A Serious Man
Up

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
District 9
An Education
In The Loop
Precious☆
☆Up In The Air

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
Ajami, Israel
El Secretro de sus Ojo, Argentina
The Milk of Sorrow, Peru
Un Prophete, France
☆The White Ribbon, Germany☆

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM
Coraline
Fantastic Mr. Fox
The Princess and The Frog
The Secret of Kells
☆Up☆

ART DIRECTION
☆Avatar
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus☆
Nine
Sherlock Holmes
The Young Victoria

CINEMATOGRAPHY
Avatar
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
☆The Hurt Locker
Inglourious Basterds
The White Ribbon☆

COSTUME DESIGN
Bright Star
Coco before Chanel
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus
Nine
☆The Young Victoria☆

DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
Burma VJ
☆The Cove☆
Food, Inc.
The Most Dangerous Man in America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers
Which Way Home

DOCUMENTARY SHORT
☆China’s Unnatural Disaster: The Tears of Sichuan Province
The Last Campaign of Governor Booth Gardner
The Last Truck: Closing of a GM Plant
Music by Prudence☆
Rabbit à la Berlin

FILM EDITING
Avatar
District 9
☆The Hurt Locker☆
Inglourious Basterds
Precious

MAKEUP
Il Divo
☆Star Trek☆
The Young Victoria

ORIGINAL SCORE
Avatar
Fantastic Mr. Fox
The Hurt Locker
Sherlock Holmes
☆Up☆

ORIGINAL SONG
Almost There, The Princess and the Frog
Down in New Orleans, The Princess and the Frog
Loin de Paname, Paris 36
Take It All, Nine
☆The Weary Kind, Crazy Heart☆

ANIMATED SHORT
French Roast
Granny O’Grimm’s Sleeping Beauty☆
The Lady and the Reaper (La Dama y la Muerte)
Logorama
☆A Matter of Loaf and Death

LIVE ACTION SHORT
The Door
Instead of Abracadabra
Kavi
Miracle Fish
☆The New Tenants☆

SOUND EDITING
☆Avatar☆
The Hurt Locker
Inglourious Basterds
Star Trek
Up

SOUND MIXING
☆Avatar☆
The Hurt Locker
Inglourious Basterds
Star Trek
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

VISUAL EFFECTS
☆Avatar☆
District 9
Star Trek

Oscar ® Nominated Short Films (Animated)

☆☆☆1/2
“French Roast”
Click here to watch "French Roast

☆☆☆☆
“Granny O’Grimm’s Sleeping Beauty”
Click here to watch "Granny O'Grimm's Sleeping Beauty"

☆☆1/2
“The Lady and the Reaper (La Dama y la Muerte)”
Click here to watch "The Lady and the Reaper (La Dama y la Muerte)"

☆
“Logorama”
Click here to watch the "Logorama" (TRAILER ONLY)

☆☆☆1/2
“A Matter of Loaf and Death”
Click here to watch "A Matter of Loaf and Death" (TRAILER ONLY)

Shutter Island

☆☆☆1/2

+
In this psychological thriller, U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels (solid performance by Leonardo DiCaprio) investigates the disappearance of a dangerous patient who escaped from a hospital for the criminally insane on Shutter Island.

"Shutter Island" will keep you guessing.
-
Watch out for "spoilers" (reviewers, etc.).

Rated R
2 hrs. 18 min.

www.shutterisland.com

Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief

☆☆

+
Demi-God Percy, son of Poseidon, has been accused of stealing Zeus’ lightning bolt. He and his friends band together to catch the true lightning thief in this action-adventure-comedy...that the young ones may enjoy.
-
"Percy..." gives us some "X-Men" powers and a little "Harry Potter" magic along with uneven acting, and a story that doesn't work as a comedy, action, or adventure.

Rated PG
1 hr. 59 min.

www.percyjacksonthemovie.com

The Last Station

☆☆☆1/2

+
Christopher Plummer stars as novelist Leo Tolstoy and Helen Mirren as his wife Sofya in this historical drama that depicts the last year of the author's life where he struggles with family conflicts related to his fortune.

Oscar® nominations for both Christopher Plummer and Helen Mirren
_
"The Last Station" doesn't evoke the emotion that many would expect in a film telling the story of Tolstoy's final year.

Rated R
1 hr. 52 min.

www.thelaststation.com

82nd Academy Award® Nominations

2010 Oscar® Nominations:

Best Picture
“Avatar” James Cameron and Jon Landau, Producers
“The Blind Side” Nominees to be determined
“District 9” Peter Jackson and Carolynne Cunningham, Producers
“An Education” Finola Dwyer and Amanda Posey, Producers
“The Hurt Locker” Nominees to be determined
“Inglourious Basterds” Lawrence Bender, Producer
“Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire” Lee Daniels, Sarah Siegel-Magness and Gary Magness, Producers
“A Serious Man” Joel Coen and Ethan Coen, Producers
“Up” Jonas Rivera, Producer
“Up in the Air” Daniel Dubiecki, Ivan Reitman and Jason Reitman, Producers

Actor in a Leading Role
Jeff Bridges in “Crazy Heart”
George Clooney in “Up in the Air”
Colin Firth in “A Single Man”
Morgan Freeman in “Invictus”
Jeremy Renner in “The Hurt Locker”

Actor in a Supporting Role
Matt Damon in “Invictus”
Woody Harrelson in “The Messenger”
Christopher Plummer in “The Last Station”
Stanley Tucci in “The Lovely Bones”
Christoph Waltz in “Inglourious Basterds”

Actress in a Leading Role
Sandra Bullock in “The Blind Side”
Helen Mirren in “The Last Station”
Carey Mulligan in “An Education”
Gabourey Sidibe in “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire”
Meryl Streep in “Julie & Julia”

Actress in a Supporting Role
Penélope Cruz in “Nine”
Vera Farmiga in “Up in the Air”
Maggie Gyllenhaal in “Crazy Heart”
Anna Kendrick in “Up in the Air”
Mo’Nique in “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire”

Animated Feature Film
“Coraline” Henry Selick
“Fantastic Mr. Fox” Wes Anderson
“The Princess and the Frog” John Musker and Ron Clements
“The Secret of Kells” Tomm Moore
“Up” Pete Docter

Art Direction
“Avatar” Art Direction: Rick Carter and Robert Stromberg; Set Decoration: Kim Sinclair
“The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus” Art Direction: Dave Warren and Anastasia Masaro; Set Decoration: Caroline Smith
“Nine” Art Direction: John Myhre; Set Decoration: Gordon Sim
“Sherlock Holmes” Art Direction: Sarah Greenwood; Set Decoration: Katie Spencer
“The Young Victoria” Art Direction: Patrice Vermette; Set Decoration: Maggie Gray

Cinematography
“Avatar” Mauro Fiore
“Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” Bruno Delbonnel
“The Hurt Locker” Barry Ackroyd
“Inglourious Basterds” Robert Richardson
“The White Ribbon” Christian Berger

Costume Design
“Bright Star” Janet Patterson
“Coco before Chanel” Catherine Leterrier
“The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus” Monique Prudhomme
“Nine” Colleen Atwood
“The Young Victoria” Sandy Powell

Directing
“Avatar” James Cameron
“The Hurt Locker” Kathryn Bigelow
“Inglourious Basterds” Quentin Tarantino
“Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire” Lee Daniels
“Up in the Air” Jason Reitman

Documentary (Feature)
“Burma VJ” Anders Østergaard and Lise Lense-Møller
“The Cove” Nominees to be determined
“Food, Inc.” Robert Kenner and Elise Pearlstein
“The Most Dangerous Man in America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers” Judith Ehrlich and Rick Goldsmith
“Which Way Home” Rebecca Cammisa

Documentary (Short Subject)
“China’s Unnatural Disaster: The Tears of Sichuan Province” Jon Alpert and Matthew O’Neill
“The Last Campaign of Governor Booth Gardner” Daniel Junge and Henry Ansbacher
“The Last Truck: Closing of a GM Plant” Steven Bognar and Julia Reichert
“Music by Prudence” Roger Ross Williams and Elinor Burkett
“Rabbit à la Berlin” Bartek Konopka and Anna Wydra

Film Editing
“Avatar” Stephen Rivkin, John Refoua and James Cameron
“District 9” Julian Clarke
“The Hurt Locker” Bob Murawski and Chris Innis
“Inglourious Basterds” Sally Menke
“Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire” Joe Klotz

Foreign Language Film
“Ajami” Israel
“El Secreto de Sus Ojos” Argentina
“The Milk of Sorrow” Peru
“Un Prophète” France
“The White Ribbon” Germany

Makeup
“Il Divo” Aldo Signoretti and Vittorio Sodano
“Star Trek” Barney Burman, Mindy Hall and Joel Harlow
“The Young Victoria” Jon Henry Gordon and Jenny Shircore

Music (Original Score)
“Avatar” James Horner
“Fantastic Mr. Fox” Alexandre Desplat
“The Hurt Locker” Marco Beltrami and Buck Sanders
“Sherlock Holmes” Hans Zimmer
“Up” Michael Giacchino

Music (Original Song)
“Almost There” from “The Princess and the Frog” Music and Lyric by Randy Newman
“Down in New Orleans” from “The Princess and the Frog” Music and Lyric by Randy Newman
“Loin de Paname” from “Paris 36” Music by Reinhardt Wagner Lyric by Frank Thomas
“Take It All” from “Nine” Music and Lyric by Maury Yeston
“The Weary Kind (Theme from Crazy Heart)” from “Crazy Heart” Music and Lyric by Ryan Bingham and T Bone Burnett

Short Film (Animated)
“French Roast” Fabrice O. Joubert
“Granny O’Grimm’s Sleeping Beauty” Nicky Phelan and Darragh O’Connell
“The Lady and the Reaper (La Dama y la Muerte)” Javier Recio Gracia
“Logorama” Nicolas Schmerkin
“A Matter of Loaf and Death” Nick Park

Short Film (Live Action)
“The Door” Juanita Wilson and James Flynn
“Instead of Abracadabra” Patrik Eklund and Mathias Fjellström
“Kavi” Gregg Helvey
“Miracle Fish” Luke Doolan and Drew Bailey
“The New Tenants” Joachim Back and Tivi Magnusson

Sound Editing
“Avatar” Christopher Boyes and Gwendolyn Yates Whittle
“The Hurt Locker” Paul N.J. Ottosson
“Inglourious Basterds” Wylie Stateman
“Star Trek” Mark Stoeckinger and Alan Rankin
“Up” Michael Silvers and Tom Myers

Sound Mixing
“Avatar” Christopher Boyes, Gary Summers, Andy Nelson and Tony Johnson
“The Hurt Locker” Paul N.J. Ottosson and Ray Beckett
“Inglourious Basterds” Michael Minkler, Tony Lamberti and Mark Ulano
“Star Trek” Anna Behlmer, Andy Nelson and Peter J. Devlin
“Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” Greg P. Russell, Gary Summers and Geoffrey Patterson

Visual Effects
“Avatar” Joe Letteri, Stephen Rosenbaum, Richard Baneham and Andrew R. Jones
“District 9” Dan Kaufman, Peter Muyzers, Robert Habros and Matt Aitken
“Star Trek” Roger Guyett, Russell Earl, Paul Kavanagh and Burt Dalton

Writing (Adapted Screenplay)
“District 9” Written by Neill Blomkamp and Terri Tatchell
“An Education” Screenplay by Nick Hornby
“In the Loop” Screenplay by Jesse Armstrong, Simon Blackwell, Armando Iannucci, Tony Roche
“Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire” Screenplay by Geoffrey Fletcher
“Up in the Air” Screenplay by Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner

Writing (Original Screenplay)
“The Hurt Locker” Written by Mark Boal
“Inglourious Basterds” Written by Quentin Tarantino
“The Messenger” Written by Alessandro Camon & Oren Moverman
“A Serious Man” Written by Joel Coen & Ethan Coen
“Up” Screenplay by Bob Peterson, Pete Docter, Story by Pete Docter, Bob Peterson, Tom McCarthy



www.oscar.go.com

To Save a Life

☆☆☆☆

+
“To Save a Life” is the moving story of two 17-year-old students who were once friends, but high school popularity got in the way…ending the friendship and a life.

This is an important film (with an excellent message) for teenagers to see and discuss with friends and family.
_
It is difficult to assign a star value to a film that is more about the message than the production value or the performances.

"To Save..." is too heavy-handed and too preachy.

Rated PG-13
2 hr.

www.tosavealifemovie.com

The White Ribbon

☆☆☆

+
"The White Ribbon" (Das weisse Band) is a dark, moody (in black and white with no musical score), and compelling drama set in a small village in pre-World War I Germany where strange accidents are occurring. Who is guilty...the children or one of the adults?

Golden Globe winner for best foreign film.



_
"...Ribbon" is a little long and at times a little too slow.
German w/ English Subtitles

Rated R
2 hr. 24 min.

www.thewhiteribbon

Broken Embraces

☆☆☆1/2

+
Penélope Cruz stars in Pedro Almodóvar's romantic drama as Lena, an actress who meets (and has an affair with) director Mateo Blanco played by Lluís Homar. Lena is cast as the lead in what turns out to be Mateo's last movie.
_
Many say "Broken..." is confusing and difficult to follow.

Rated R
2 hr. 8 min.

www.brokenembraces.com

The Lovely Bones

☆☆☆1/2

+
Based on Alice Sebold's 2002 novel, "The Lovely Bones," an engaging thriller about a teenager's death, stars an award winning cast: Mark Wahlberg, Saoirse Ronan, Michael Imperioli, Rachel Weisz, Susan Sarandon, and Stanley Tucci in a Golden Globe® nominated performance as serial killer, George Harvey.

Director, Peter Jackson delivers a solid screen adaptation of Sebold's novel.
_
The "heavenly" special effects may be over-done.
Some, who have not read the novel, have expressed confusion.

Rated PG-13
2 hr. 15 min.

www.lovelybones.com

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus

☆

+
A magical story about a sideshow character who made a deal with the devil.
Jude Law, Collin Farrell, and Johnny Depp signed on (cameo roles) to help complete this film for Heath Ledger, who died before he was able to finish.
_
In this case "magical" does not mean good. This film is dark and confusing.

Rated PG
2 hr. 2 min.

www.theimaginariumofdoctorparnassus

A Single Man

☆☆☆☆

+
Colin Firth gives an exceptional performance as George Falconer, a British college professor who is finding it challenging to deal with life after the death of his partner, Jim (Matthew Goode).
This well-crafted and beautifully shot film, set in Los Angeles in 1962, creates a high level of tension as it takes us through what we think may be the final day in George's life.
Fine performance by Julianne Moore as George's long time friend Charley.
_
May be a little too self-conscience and too focused on beautiful people and things.

Rated R
1 hr. 39 min.

www.asingleman-movie.com

Crazy Heart

☆☆☆1/2

+
Jeff Bridges turns in a gritty and truly excellent performance as Bad Blake, the down-and-out, alcoholic, chain-smoking, has been country music singer in "Crazy Heart."
Maggie Gyllenhaal and Colin Farrell give strong supporting performances as well.
_
May be too slow for some.

Rated R
1 hr. 51 min.

www.foxsearchlight.com/crazyheart

Youth in Revolt

☆☆☆

+
In this fun comedy-romance, Nick Twisp (Michael Cera) falls in love with Sheeni Saunders (Portia Doubleday) while on vacation in a trailer park. In an attempt to get the girl, Nick creates a rebellious alter ego: Francois...who gets him in big trouble.
-
The alter ego story didn't "work" all that well in the film.

Rated R
1 hr. 30 min.

www.youthinrevolt-themovie.com

The Young Victoria

☆☆☆☆

+
Emily Blunt gives an excellent (Golden Globe nominated) performance as the young Victoria in this rich, lavish, romantic drama.

"The Young Victoria" is a sure bet for an Oscar nomination for best costumes and possibly best cinematography.
-
The film may not be historically accurate.

Rated PG
1 hr. 40 min.

www.theyoungvictoriamovie.com

It's Complicated

☆☆☆☆

+
"It's Complicated" is a laugh-out-loud comedy with an outstanding cast (Meryl Streep, Steve Martin, Alec Baldwin, John Krasinski).
Voted Best Ensemble Cast (National Board of Review)
-
Some say the story is just too unrealistic.

Rated R
1 hr. 58 min.

www.itscomplicatedmovie.com