Whenever I hit a writing block, such as I am tonight, I always go to a movie that makes me feel. I write what I feel and sometimes when I put words down, I think to much and stop writing from emotion, and that's what usually puts a wall in front of me. Tonight I searched for Up and that unforgettable four minutes where there is no dialog, only pictures and music. And within that four minutes and 21 seconds, I giggle, dote on and get welled up with tears. 

Why?

Because in a series of four minutes, I met a couple in love, excited for their life together. In four minutes I saw this husband and wife make a home for themselves, plan to have a family, and cope with the devastation that they may never come. And still they move forward and plan to take the vacation of their lives, and they save, and then get a set back, and save and get a set back. Until the two are old and gray and by the time Carl plans their trip, Ellie is gone. (I am tearing up just typing it.)


Did I mention that in this four minutes none of the characters are talking, only showing? It's okay, I'm sure you cried watching this too. And if not this movie, maybe Toy Story 3, or if you're a real hard ass  maybe Armageddon? Which movies made you both laugh and cry, I'm curious to know.

I didn't get a ten year reunion, but looks like I'll get it next year - with a little added bonus.

Jason Biggs, Seann William Scott, Alyson Hannigan, Thomas Ian Nicholas, Chris Klein, Eugene Levy, Tara Reid, Eddie Kaye Thomas, Jennifer Coolidge and Mena Suvari are all set to return and they also get a new face: Katrina Bowden - the ditzy girl from 30 Rock. Can you believe so far, the American Pie franchise has grossed more than $700 million worldwide?American Pie was the class of 1999's theme movie. It was our generation's defining high school movie. And now that the gang's all getting back together, I can't wait to get my third helping of American Pie.
Will you be watching? Theater or DVD?

Not that this kind of stuff intrigues you, but when I think of the classic old black and white, I think something slower, simpler, and innocent. Well, humans have always been human, and a girl (albeit in the 1930's) had to do what a girl had to do to make a name for herself. 

In the Czech movie Ecstasy, Hedy Lamarr is a young bride (Eva) who is "not taken care of by her man (Adam)." So, like the woman in "Lady Chatterly's Lover," she takes up with a local farmer instead. And yes, she is nude. Swimming in the lake alone. 
Peeps were not cool with this back in the day, and so the movie was censored for two years in Germany and prohibited in the U.S.

But Lamarr would entertain audiences in the U.S. eventually. Born Hedwig Eva Maria Kiesler (she changed her name to pay tribute to the late Barbara La Marr who died of an overdose), Lamarr was more than a pretty face: she was an inventor of a system of synchronized switching - a device that would help war time radio transmission. Ahead of its time, the Navy passed on it. 

She died of natural causes at the age of 87 and her ashes were spread over Wienerwald forest in her mother country. 

A classic I was embarrassed to admit I hadn't seen yet, but knew I had to. 

If you also haven't seen Casablanca, you're missing out on a slice of American culture. You see, this movie is Titanic epic, one that revolves around two lovers at a time of political chaos, and that is tragic as much as it is classic love. 

But amorous as Bergman and Bogart seemed on camera, the two were happily indifferent to one another on set. Could it possibly be that their lack of rehearsals prior to filming affected their camaraderie? Or perhaps it was the fact that neither were ecstatic about their roles in Casablanca? Also they didn't see eye to eye LITERALLY. Seems Bergman's 5'9" height caused Bogart to stand on blocks when he was in a scene with her. 

Either way, both were notorious for their marital infidelity-- Bergman with her leading men usually, and Bogart with non- co-stars minus Lauren Bacall-- but somehow never crossed that line with each other. 

At the very least, let's hope these two found Casablanca to the beginning of a beautiful friendship together. 

When I am reminded that the Golden Globes are less than a week away, I become a little uneasy about which movie I hope will win Best Picture. True I have now seen every movie on that list, and this one is at the top of my list!

Contending against Black Swan, The King's Speech, Inception, and The Social Network, The Fighter will compete among the best of the year. If you haven't already seen it, this what you are missing out on: 

This movie is about two brothers who both box-- the older, Dicky (Bale), a local celebrity after beating Sugar Ray Leonard in a match years before. But once drug-addicted Dicky is thrown in jail, Micky (Wahlberg) humbly steps out of his brother's shadow to continue to fight. His family feels betrayed by Micky's decision to train under new management, but he continues with the full support of his girlfriend Charlene (Adams). When Dicky is released from jail, he is sober and ready to train Micky again, causing friction between family and girlfriend.If you can manage to sit through 2 hours of a shirtless Wahlberg hitting a punching bag while making smoochy-face with Amy Adams, then you'll have no problem watching this yourself to see the outcome. 
Though Wahlberg is the lead actor, playing real-life fighter Micky Ward, it's Christian Bale and Amy Adams who bob and weave the best performances. These two are also nominated in the Best Supporting Actor/Actress categories at the Golden Globe and SAG Awards. 

You should watch this. I promise, it won't hurt a bit.

12 years ago, a screenwriter wrote Blue Valentine. In 2003, Michelle Williams read it and loved it. On set a year ago, Derek Cianfrance (writer/director) told her he's glad she liked it, buuuuut, its obsolete and a new script is now in place.

Blue Valentine had a tumultuous journey before it hit screens. According to the producers, this movie had two actors on board 6 years prior: Williams and Gosling. But when financing finally got situated, the actors' schedules were not in unison. Finally, as fate usually has it, the window of opportunity opened. And Cianfrance wanted part of the financing of the movie to go toward Williams and Gosling shacking up-- like a real married couple, so that they can get into character. Of course they didn't LIVE there overnight, but they did stay there all day for a month and spent time with their "daughter" from time to time. He asked them to develop a relationship and get to know each other until shooting began. Well, shooting the lovey-dovey stuff was just a breeze for the actors. They got along just great. But, when it came time to film the feisty, bitter scenes, Cianfrance wanted the feelings to be organic. Williams had a hard time disliking her co-star, but Cianfrance explained to her just how important it was that they adopt these real emotions. 

The words: blue, Valentine imply exactly what this movie is about: love, but sad love. A marriage the sways from tender to worn, from passion to dissatisfaction. This movie provides what not many do: realness and honesty. Never do you see a soft lens used here. You almost feel like you're actually a fly on the wall in a married couple's life. And as you're taken back to the past and to the present, you see love juxtaposed from beginning to end. 

The movie, though hyped for its sexual content is really no worse than something like Love and Other Drugs. I suppose that what is more raw is the truth of the movie, which is the most difficult to face-- that love sometimes is just not enough. The conclusion is that not every ending is a happy one, and just like the title suggests love can be bittersweet.  

There are two types of movies I HATE to watch: boring OR violent. The Killer Inside Me fit the latter. Casey Affleck stars with lead ladies Jessica Alba and Kate Hudson in a thriller based in the 1950s. After a passionate and tempestuous relationship begins between sheriff Lou Ford (Affleck) and prostitute Joyce (Alba), the protagonist Lou becomes violent and sociopathic. 

Truth be told when I wasn't disturbed by the violence I was bored. Since this was based on a book, I'm sure there's a lot missing that's supposed to make you somehow identify with the "protagonist" but there is none of that in the movie.

This movie was as painful to watch as An American Crime with Ellen Page and Catherine Keener.

When the movie was over, I was relieved, but had to follow it up with some really cheesy chick-flick type stuff to flush out the awful imagery. Even Jessica Alba herself walked out halfway through the screening!

What's interesting is how many times this film was supposed to be made. Once in the '80s with Demi Moore as the prostitute; again in the late 90s but after September 11, it was deemed too violent. Another version was to include: Casey Affleck, Reese Witherspoon (girlfriend),  Maggie Gyllenhaal (prostitute).

Anyway, if you can stomach movies like this, do watch. Casey Affleck deserves at least a nomination for his depiction of this callous murderer. Plus the film noir elements make this an almost beautiful canvas. 

Everybody loves movies but what about the real devout filmie? You know, the one who knows every line from every movie and can tell you who was in what and with whom they worked with before. How do you know what they love above the rest or have not seen yet? Here's a cheat sheet of items they might enjoy seeing in their stocking stuffers:

• Netflix or Blockbuster memberships: Online streaming, 24/7 access to hundreds of movies, this can't be beat. Do your research on which plan is better for you or them, but start here if they don't already have this. 
• Fandango giftcards: No matter which theater is near, Fandango does not restrict which theater at which to view the latest blockbuster. 
• SceneIt? games: Man are these fun! Anyone who loves cinema loves the challenge of recalling movie quotes, years, actors, and directors. There are even different SceneIt versions for different areas of interest.
• Roger Ebert's, The Great Movies: This book is filled with all kinds of stats and pictures of many classic movies that your film lover is or will be familiar with.
• Variety or Hollywood Reporter subscriptions: Hardcore movie lovers aren't pleased by actors gossip or what E! reports, we want to know the facts on studios and directors. These are expensive memberships, but well worth it if your filmie is ambitious about making it into the industry.
• Film Independent: I should be a paid correspondent for these people! This membership is for an indie film maker or even someone who just wants to be a part of  movies or cool screenings. Visit their website for details. 
• Computer Programs: If you've got a few extra bills to drop and your filmie is serious about writing, editing, or composing, I'd say investing in an industry-standard program is a huge tool for them. These programs vary in price so you may have to ask them first before purchasing, but these are vital if they have a dream of making it into the business. 
• Personalized collection: You know your own filmie better than I do, so you know their favorite movies, flavor of popcorn, and places to eat. Try making a gift basket including some of these items. No one ever lets movie tickets go to waste or doesn't watch their favorite flick with commentary. 

In essence, movies unite people by communicating unforgettable experiences. Whether you're behind the camera or in front of a Blu-ray player, your filmie will love you for knowing exactly what they wanted. You can tell them Film Child helped you, and you're welcome.  :)

Winter's Bone, a Spirit Award nom in many categories, is a bold drama about a 17 year old girl who is the sole caretaker of her two younger siblings and incapacitated mother. When her meth-cooking father doesn't show up to court, her family's home is at risk to be taken for bond. The heroine is forced to track down her father and in the process meets other hard-edged people who warn her not to say anything. 

The film is based on a book with the same name written by Daniel Woodrell. I did not read the book, but I could not imagine I would after 10 pages in. The movie is grim and slow, and altogether just depressing. I mean, can you imagine the tone on that kind of set? J-Law (my cool way of referring to Jennifer Lawrence) was a believable 17 year-old matriarch and feminist. And the story line ain't bad (now I'm talking country too): cinematography was effective, directing on point. But minus its cinematic accolades, I think its slow pace is not for everyone. 

For a full list of awards this one has been nominated for (as far as Spirit Awards are concerned), visit this page.