Handy Dandy Movie Guide for Awards Season

Professional football championships are nearly over, basketball and hockey seasons are in full swing, baseball season is dormant (although I have already heard people making plans for visits to spring training sessions).

My favorite season of all...Movie Awards season, is right now!

Just thought I would give a synopsis and my lil' ol' humble opinion on some of my favorite films from 2011:

Carola's MUST-SEEs:

(Disclaimer: If the stories or themes are not of interest to you, it is no longer a "Must-See.")

Hugo (PG): Received the most Oscar nominations than any other picture. A Martin Scorcese film for the whole  family. Our family saw this over Thanksgiving. A wonderful story, and also a wonderful, whimsical book. You may know Marty for his more adult, some say (including me) violent films, such as The Departed (I loved this) or Goodfellas (husband's fave). I learned through watching Scorcese interviews, his passion and purpose for Hugo is to bring film preservation to light. Ben Kingsley is phenomenal, Sacha Baren Cohen, delightful. The visions of Paris through a young orphan's eyes is stunning.

Moneyball (PG-13): Based on the true story of the Oakland A's baseball team and how general manager Billy Beane (Brad Pitt) successfully restructured the club by choosing players based on mathematical statistics and computer-generated guestimates. Loved it, took my kids to it. A universal tale about examining life and having the guts to stand up and do things differently.  That this is based on real events just makes the message that much better.

Crazy, Stupid, Love (R):  Way, back last July this little movie with that-guy- that-used-to-be-on-NBC's-The-Office was released. Ryan Gosling (hotness alert, females!) plays a younger buddy trying to help his newly separated friend (Steve Carell, still hot, also!) be cool and get chicks. Julianne Moore and Emma Stone play amazing and strong female roles. A hilarious, adult look at life, marriage, family, and will make you think. A great date movie; not for kids.

My Week With Marilyn (R): Based on Sir Lawrence Olivier's employee's account of a week spent shooting Monroe flick The Prince and the Showgirl in England. Given our fascination with models, actresses, and Marilyn specifically, this film gives a rare view of Marilyn as her "real self" from a young man's point of view. Michelle Williams is absolutely fantastic, showing Marilyn as fearful, passionate, and a desperate desire to please those around her. Kenneth Branagh is a strong Sir Lawrence.

Midnight in Paris (PG-13):  My favorite movie of 2011. I hesitate to state Woody Allen wrote and directed, as it seems, much like White Castle hamburgers, people either *LOVE* or *HATE* Woody. Well, if you fall under the latter category, FORGET he wrote and directed it. This is a delightful story of a hopeless romantic writer, visiting Paris with his fiancee (Rachel McAdams). He somehow encounters writers and artists from the past, and also delivers a lovely message about being true to yourself and addresses the yearning we have for another place or time. Again, my favorite. (Warning:  If you intensely dislike Paris or France, skip this one.)

Carola's COULD-SEEs (If it sounds good to you):

The Descendants (R): George Clooney stars in this family drama set in Hawaii.  His wife is dying, he discovers she was cheating on him, and there is a major family real estate deal pending, with the decision-making responsibility on his shoulders. A man's struggle to be a good husband and father while facing his wife's infidelity and death at the same time...it's a good film. Probably have to be a Clooney fan to enjoy, but "enjoy" may not be the best word to use considering Clooney's Matt King is pretty miserable throughout the film.

The Iron Lady (PG-13):  If you love Meryl Streep and/or Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, definitely see this. Meryl is amazing as Thatcher.  In an early scene, my mother and I thought Meryl was actually video footage of Thatcher herself for a minute. Other than that, the film does not provide many facts about Thatcher's life or accomplishments. Much of the film speculates about what is happening in Thatcher's mind during her descent into dementia.  These parts are very sad.  Again, Streep produces a spectacular portrayal of Margaret Thatcher.

Carola's FUN-SEEs:

Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol (PG-13): We took the kids to see this one. It was like a roller coaster ride at times: thrilling, grip your seat, hold your breath, can't wait to see what comes next!  This film is visually stunning, especially the scenes in Dubai (dust storm!). A really fun movie. I was surprised it held up as well as it did, being the fourth in a franchise. That guy from The Hurt Locker, Jeremy Renner, is great, and the dude from Shaun of the Dead (Simon Pegg) provides appropriate comedy relief. Tom Cruise appropriately delivers as tragic, sexy hero Ethan Hunt.

There's my short guide to the year's films. On my NEXT-SEE list is The Artist. I've heard only fantastic things about it, just haven't made it out yet! Enjoy...and to quote one of my heroes, Roger Ebert, see you at the movies!