What to see this weekend: Water for Elephants

This book was awesome...so I'm very excited to see the movie this weekend!

What to see this weekend: Win Win

Film Review: Potiche

This French farce has everything I've wanted to see in a comedy for quite sometime and haven't. Set in a small town in 1970s France, the film follows Catherine Deneuve who plays the Potiche or trophy wife of a successful backwards minded businessman. Based on the play of the same name, this delightful comedy is beautifully directed by Francois Ozon. The movie also stars Gerard Depardieu (Cyrano de Bergerac and Green Card) and Fabrice Luchini. The film opens in limited theaters on Friday.

What to see this weekend: Jane Eyre

The newest film adaptation of this classic novel by Charlotte Bronte stars Mia Wasikowska (The Kids Are All Right, Alice in Wonderland) as the titled heroine. I'm a sucker for period pieces and if you are too, you don't want to pass up on this new Focus Features gem. Click here for the official trailer.

What to see this weekend:Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives

Since I'm spoiled and live in a city where even the most obscure of the indie films is screened for the public, I have to recommend this intriguing film set in Thailand about a man who can recall his past lives. Winner of The Spirit Award's Best Foreign Film prize, this is playing all weekend at the Film Forum-209 West Houston.

Woody Allen takes on Paris

It could only be a matter a time of course. Mr. Allen who is famous for his New York City based films, slowly spread his wings and flew across the pond to Europe to tackle on neurosis overseas. With films like Match Point, Vicky Cristina Barcelona and You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger he has slowly begun to explore the potential for Americans to have their misadventures abroad. So it seems to be with his next film Midnight in Paris. The film is a romantic comedy about a family traveling to Paris on a business trip. In the family party is a young engaged couple played by Owen Wilson and Rachel McAdams. No this is not a follow up to Wedding Crashers- but hopefully it will bring about equal laughs.

Other than an elegant backdrop the film also sports a strong supporting cast, including Marion Cotillard, Adrien Brody and Kathy Bates. Of course Carla Bruni is also in it...since she is the first lady of France, would Woody have it any other way? Interestingly enough this lacks a past muse in the picture, but perhaps he has moved on and has set his sights on McAdams for that. Either way, I'm excited for this film to come out in late Spring.

What to see this weekend: A Good Man

This documentary comedy tells the story of an Australian farmer who decides to open a brothel to support his growing family which includes his quadriplegic wife. This doc has been making its way throughout film festivals in Australia and is now playing in NYC, Feb 25- March 3 at Quad Cinema, 34 West 13th Street.

The Best Perfomance(s) of the Year!

While all of the on screen individuals share very little in common with each other, their off screen counterparts have one thing definitely in common: they're great actors.

Actor in a Leading Role Nominees

• Javier Bardem
• Jeff Bridges
• Jesse Eisenberg
• Colin Firth
• James Franco

My Pick: Colin Firth

Actor in a Supporting Role Nominees

• Christian Bale
• John Hawkes
• Jeremy Renner
• Mark Ruffalo
• Geoffrey Rush

My Pick: Geoffrey Rush

Actress in a Leading Role Nominees

• Annette Bening
• Nicole Kidman
• Jennifer Lawrence
• Natalie Portman
• Michelle Williams

My Pick: Natalie Portman

Actress in a Supporting Role Nominees

• Amy Adams
• Helena Bonham Carter
• Melissa Leo
• Hailee Steinfeld
• Jacki Weaver

My Pick: Hailee Steinfeld

And the Oscar goes to...

I have to acknowledge that it has taken me awhile to start writing here again, but I think I can safely say after completing some timely tasks I am back with force. I was a little underwhelmed with the films that came out in 2010, but will also say that a handful of very good work did come out this year. As the 2011 Oscars approach, I find myself reflecting on the categories and their potential new winners. So lets countdown until Sunday with some picks!

Best Picture Nominees:

• Black Swan
• The Fighter
• Inception
• The Kids Are All Right
• The King's Speech
• 127 Hours
• The Social Network
• Toy Story 3
• True Grit
• Winter's Bone

My Prediction: The King's Speech

In all fairness to Winter's Bone I did not see it and if the Oscars are anything like the Grammy's perhaps all bets are off on guessing a winner. If we're trying to predict the Academy's vote however, I think The King's Speech will take Best Picture. A quick rundown on why I don't think the other films will or should not win:

Black Swan- Great performance by Natalie Portman, but compared to the other films on the list, this picture does not seem strong enough to take it. I will always have a soft spot for Vincent Cassel though.

The Fighter-Another good "performance" film. Christian Bale and Melissa Leo propel this film to another level in my opinion. I think their performances should be celebrated, but the overall production will unlikely be victorious on Sunday.

Inception & The Kids Are All Right: Audience movies. My comment is that if the category were not extended to have so many seats, these two would not have made the cut. Worth watching...doubtful either will win.

The King's Speech: This film screams oscar bait. With due respect however- acting was great, writing was amazing and directing was above par. The producers here knew what they wanted, how they wanted it and seemed to get all the pieces of the puzzle to come together and click.

127 Hours: I think this one does have a chance. Good acting, story and directing are all there. I just don't know if it will be the favorite- my gut still goes with the above.

The Social Network: Am I the only person in the world that did not think this movie was that good? Perhaps. Mediocre for me. Jesse Eisenberg does a great Mark Zuckerberg, but can someone explain to me why Rashida Jones is even in the film? Her character serves very little purpose. Sorry fans of this film- sure its with the times but I just don't feel like I ever need to see it again.

Toy Story 3: I would applaud for this to win- although I have not seen it, so I cannot cast my vote. I have only heard good things about this film, but I sense a discrimination against animation in the Academy and don't know if we've progressed to an age where this will come out as the winner.

True Grit: Amazing, amazing, amazing! Will it win? It is deserving, but I think it is at battle with King's Speech and something tells me Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush are going to win the Academy over with their banter in the end.

Tomorrow's analysis: Best Actor & Actress in a Leading Role.