Oscars Shine all Month at the Bloomfield Library

March 5, 2012 – THE HELP

In Mississippi in the early 1960s, a would-be journalist (Emma Stone) causes an uproar when she writes a book based on interviews with the town’s African-American housekeepers.  This powerful film, based on Kathryn Stockett’s best-selling novel, was nominated for 4 Oscars including Best Picture and 3 Best Performances (Viola Davis & Jessica Chastain).  Octavia Spencer won Best Supporting Actress – 2011 – Color – 146 minutes – PG-13.

March 8, 2012 – MIDNIGHT IN PARIS

A delightful fantasy film about a Hollywood screenwriter, Gil (Owen Wilson), traveling in Paris with his fiancée (Rachel McAdams) and her family. Gil, struggling with his first novel, hopes to find inspiration in the city that the influenced the legendary writers and artists of the 1920s. Nominated for 4 Oscars including Best Picture, Best Director, and winning for its Original Screenplay (Woody Allen) –2911 – Color - 94 minutes – PG-13.

March 12, 2012 – BEGINNERS

Ewan McGregor stars as Oliver, the son of a 75 year-old Christopher Plummer) who comes out of the closet when his wife dies.  Oliver, who has difficulty committing to any relationship, watches his father find happiness with a young male lover (Goran Visnjic).  Plummer won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor – 2010 – Color - 105 minutes – R.

March 15, 2012 – IDES OF MARCH

An idealistic campaign manager (Ryan Gosling) for the Democratic presidential candidate (George Clooney) is exposed to the dirty side of politics. This political thriller was co-written and directed by Clooney and he received a Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar nomination- 2011 – Color – 101 minutes – R.

March 19, 2012 – MARGIN CALL

The New Yorker called this thrilling film about a fictional investment firm “easily the best Wall Street movie ever made.”  At the start of the 2008 financial crisis, a young analyst (Zachary Quinto) realizes that his firm will soon owe more than its total worth.  Senior executives must decide whether to save their jobs at the expense of millions of investors.  The all-star cast includes Kevin Spacey, Stanley Tucci, and Jeremy Irons.  J.C. Chandor’s screenplay was nominated for an Oscar - 2011 – Color – 107 minutes – R.

March 22, 2012 – REAL STEEL

Action packed science fiction film set in 2020 where robot boxing is a major sport. Charlie Kenton (Hugh Jackman), a down on his luck boxing promoter, is hoping his underdog fighting robot can be a champion. As he struggles for success, Charlie is reunited with his son, Max (Dakota Goyo), who refuses to let his father give up. Nominated for an Oscar for Best Visual Effects - 2011 – Color - 127 minutes – PG-13.

March 26, 2012 – DRIVE

A Hollywood stuntman and getaway driver (Ryan Gosling) finds trouble when he helps a neighbor (Carey Mulligan).  Albert Brooks won Best Supporting Actor from the New York Film Critics Circle and the National Board of Review for his performance as mobster Bernie Rose.  This action drama was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Sound Editing - 2011 – Color - 98 minutes - R.

March 29, 2012 – MONEYBALL

Entertaining true story about Oakland Athletics general manager Billy Beane (Brad Pitt) and his attempt to assemble a baseball team by using computer-generated analysis, a technique that changed the game of baseball forever. Nominated for 6 Oscars including Best Picture and Best Actor (Pitt) – 2011 – Color – 133 minutes – PG-13.