The top two:
The Social Network:
(current DVD release date: Jan 11, 2011, although films that get heavily nominated often delay their release date until after the Oscars)
Winner Best Film: New York Film Critics, Los Angeles Film Critics, National Board of Review;
Nominated for Best Film: Golden Globes and Best Cast for the SAG’s.National Board of Review named Jesse Eisenberg as the Best Actor of 2010 and he is nominated for a SAG award.
Director, David Fincher won Best Director from the New York Film Critics, Los Angeles Film Critics, National Board of Review and is nominated for a Golden Globe. (The Directors Guild Awards will be announced on Saturday, January 29, 2011. I am sure he will get a nomination!)
Freaks and geeks and Oscar buzz. The Social Network follows Mark Zuckerberg (played in a delightfully juvenile way by Jesse Eisenberg) in the development of Facebook. As the tagline says, “You don’t get to 500 million friends without making a few enemies”. Watching socially inept twenty-somethings getting back at each other has never been so fun (or disturbing). (In case you can’t tell…I really liked this film!)
The King’s Speech:
Nominated for Best Film: Golden Globes
Awarded Best Actor – Colin Firth: New York Film Critics, Los Angeles Film Critics; Nominated for Golden Globe and SAG award
Well, they had me at Colin Firth. Come on girls, can I have an “oh yeah”. Ever since he can out of that lake in Pride and Prejudice, Mr.
Firth has had a loyal female following. What’s nice is that he can act as well. Last year he came close to getting his first Oscar for “A Single Man” and I would think that he has a very good chance of winning this year for “The King’s Speech”. The film follows the story of King George VI of Britain (Queen Elizabeth II’s father), who assumes the throne after his brother George abdicates to marry Mrs. Simpson. Unfortunately, the new king has a dreadful stutter and is not exactly and inspirational speaker to move the masses as WWII takes over Europe. In steps Geoffrey Rush as a therapist with unorthodox methods. Their hilarious and heartfelt interactions form the heart of this film as the King changes from a stuttering introvert to the leader of a nation.Other top runners:
The Kids are Alright: (currently available on DVD at HBPL) (Awarded
New York Film Critics Best Actress to Annette Bening and Best Supporting Actor to Mark Ruffalo. Bening is also nominated for Best Actress SAG and Golden Globes; Ruffalo a SAG. The film is nominated for a Golden Globe.)The Fighter: (SAG and Golden Globe nominations for Mark Wahlberg, Melissa Leo, Christian Bale and Amy Adams. Melissa Leo was awarded Best Supporting Actress from the New York Film Critics and Christian Bale won Best Supporting Actor from the National Board of Review. The film is nominated for a Golden Globe.)
127 Hours: (Based on the book, “Between a Rock and a Hard Place by Aron Ralston; available at HBPL) (SAG and Golden Globe nominations for James Franco)
Toy Story 3:(currently available on DVD at HBPL) (Awarded Best Animated film from Los Angeles Film Critics and National Board of Review; nominated for a Golden Globe.
I hope your Christmas (and/or holiday)obligations don’t get in the way of seeing all the nominated films this year!
Have a wonderful celebration season (no matter what you choose to celebrate!)
Let the games begin!
