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Home Screening Room – Searching for End of Watch

This week, there are a couple of REALLY good films that are coming home to Blu-ray/DVD. And they are things you just may have missed in theaters, but you should pick up now and at least take a peek at them.

This Week's Big Releases

End of Watch - Rated R (Jake Gyllenhaal, Michael Pena, Anna Kendrick)

For a Good Time, Call - Rated R/Unrated (Ari Graynor, Lauren Miller, Nia Vardalos)

The Imposter - Rated R

Searching for Sugar Man – Rated PG-13

This is a really good list of titles this week that I’d recommend you search out and at least take a peek at. End of Watch was a gritty and hard hitting film that had me enthralled. Michael Pena and Jake Gyllenhaal deliver astounding performances. The grittiness even gets a bit hard to watch at times simply because it feels truly real. For a Good Time, Call is a fun film that I assume has even more to enjoy on Blu-ray. And finally The Imposter and Searching for Sugar Man are really solid documentaries that even those that don’t like documentaries will enjoy. Check out these two to get a feeling for all that a documentary can provide. I’ve got some trailers below.

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Also New This Week

Abel’s Field – Rated PG (Kevin Sorbo, Samuel Davis)

Death Race 3: Inferno – Rated R (Luke Goss, Danny Trejo, Ving Rhames)

Derby Dogs – Rated PG (Tandi Wright, Vince Martin, Dai Henwood)

Fat Kid Rules the World – Rated R (Jacob Wysocki, Matt O’Leary)

Nature Calls – Rated R (Rob Riggle, Johnny Knoxville, Patton Oswalt)

Nobody Walks – Rated R (Olivia Thirlby, John Krasinski)

noobz – Rated R (Jason Mewes, Blake Freeman)

The Paperboy – Rated R (Nicole Kidman, Zac Efron, John Cusack)

Pina – Rated PG (Bow Wow)

Universal Soldier: Day of Reckoning – Rated R/Unrated (Jean-Claude Van Damme, Dolph Lundgren, Scott Adkins)

What a crazy list of titles…the faith based Abel’s Field brings a starring role for Kevin Sorbo. Fat Kid Rules the World is from Matthew Lillard. The Paperboy landed Nicole Kidman a Golden Globe nom. Nature Calls is loaded with funny people.

And the curious title for me…is Universal Soldier: Day of Reckoning… It’s Van Damme and Lundgren back together again!!! Let’s take a look at that trailer below…

Final Score

End of Watch is really an intense film that should be watched. Loved it in a major way as it is VERY underrated.The documentaries of the week are well worth watching. Both Searching for Sugar Man and The Imposter are well made and well worth your time.

Pop Popcorn, Do the DietDew, and Bust out the Blu and remember to Save Me A Seat!

Real Milwaukee - January 18, 2013

This week's visit to Real Milwaukee...I discuss..the bad movies, 6 to see before the big awards and... A shocking revelation from me...that may stun everyone...(then again it may not...) Check it out. PS -- There is even a shot of the "Hoff" in this clip.









If you can't see the video above, click on the link below for the site.

Real Milwaukee, January 18, 2013

Home Screening Room – Get Taken, for a Second Time

2013… It’s a new year for the Home Screening Room column and that means…a new take on this column… I hope you enjoy the new look and thoughts!

 

This Week's Big Releases

The Posession - Rated PG-13 (Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Kyra Sedgwick)

Taken 2- Rated PG-13 (Liam Neeson, Famke Janssen, Maggie Grace)

To Rome With Love - Rated R (Ellen Page, Woody Allen, Jesse Eisenberg)

Won’t Back Down – Rated PG (Viola Davis, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Ving Rhames)

A variety of titles this week, headed by the second film in the Takenfranchise, and one of quite a few of these titles that wasn’t shown to me in theaters. One that was shown, Won’t Back Down…didn’t quite live up to what I had hoped for given the pedigree of those involved.

Although I’m not necessarily psyched to add any of these titles to my library, these all are good to take a peek at for the right crowd.

Also New This Week

Allegiance – Rated R (Bow Wow)

Branded – Rated R (Max Von Sydow, Ed Stoppard, Leelee Sobieski)

Counterpuch – Rated R (Danny Trejo)

Detropia – Not Rated

Men of a Certain Age: The Complete Second Season

Merlin: The Complete Fourth Season

Not a total interesting group and by no means a complete list…but TV fans the big ones include two cable series.

But the real gem here is the fantastic documentary, Detropia that will make you weep for the Detroit that once existed. A fabulous look at something that can be hard to look at, this is my first must see on DVD.

And the curious title for me…is Branded…let’s take a look at that trailer below…

Final Score

I recommend checking out Detropia for doc fans.

Branded has me curious.

And Taken 2 will probably be the big rental of this week.

Pop Popcorn, Do the DietDew, and Bust out the Blu and remember to Save Me A Seat!

Milwaukee Film Festival 2013

The 5th Annual Milwaukee Film Festival is planned for September 26 - October 10, 2013.

In 2012 the festival had attendance over 50,000 and 77 sold-out film screenings according to Milwaukee Film.

The cool thing about the film festival for me personally is the last 2 years have featured to of my favorite documentaries to be released.

In 2011 the festival had The Interrupters, a film that took on the gun crimes of Chicago on the streets of Chicago...head on. The brave men and women of the group are doing their part to help at the most direct levels.

And in 2012, the US premiere of Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God was an amazing look inside the Catholic churches priest sex abuse scandals. Director Alex Gibney delivers a haunting and moving tale of lies, coverups and hope for the survivors.

While Mea Maxima Culpa was on the Academy short list for the Oscar, it didn't make the final cut (which is about as egregious as the snub of Ben Affleck and Kathryn Bigelow...but that's another story).  Before I get too high on my horse with it, the 4th Milwaukee Film Festival DID feature 3 of the 5 nominees in the final Documentary category and is proving to be a place that midwestern viewers can count on for that programming.

Most of the details are still to come include the Call For Entries, Venues, Ticket Options and the like, but if the past couple years are any indications... the fall in the Milwaukee area will be hot!

Sold-out crowd at the Oriental Theatre for the MFF 2012 Opening Night Film, Starbuck 
(photo credit: Jennifer Johnson)

Oscar Noms on the Day of the Critics' Choice Movie Awards

Well here it is...Oscar noms this morning...on the day of the Critics' Choice Movie Awards. That means some of the below candidates are going to be in a VERY good mood at tonight's award show on The CW at 8ET/7CT.

Best Picture
Amour
Argo
Beasts of the Southern Wild
Django Unchained
Les Miserables
Life of Pi
Lincoln
Silver Linings Playbook
Zero Dark Thirty

Actor in a Leading Role
Bradley Cooper, Silver Linings Playbook
Daniel Day-Lewis, Lincoln
Hugh Jackman, Les Miserables
Joaquin Phoenix, The Master
Denzel Washington, Flight

Actor in a Supporting Role
Alan Arkin, Argo
Robert De Niro, Silver Linings Playbook
Philip Seymour Hofman, The Master
Tommy Lee Jones, Lincoln
Christoph Waltz, Django Unchained


Actress in a Leading Role
Jessica Chastain, Zero Dark Thirty
Jennifer Lawrence, Silver Linings Playbook
Emmanuelle Riva, Amour
Quvenzhane Wallis, Beasts of the Southern Wild
Naomi Watts, The Impossible

Actress in a Supporting Role
Amy Adams, The Master
Sally Field, Lincoln
Anne Hathaway, Les Miserables
Helen Hunt, The Sessions
Jacki Weaver, Silver Linings Playbook

Animated Feature Film
Brave
Frankenweenie
ParaNorman
The Pirates! Band of Misfits
Wreck-It Ralph

Cinematography
Seamus McGarvey, Anna Karenina
Robert Richardson, Django Unchained
Claudio Miranda, Life of Pi
Janusz Kaminski, Lincoln
Roger Deakins, Skyfall

Costume Design
Anna Karenina
Les Miserables
Lincoln
Mirror Mirror
Show White and the Huntsman

Directing
Michael Haneke, Amour
Benh Zeitlin, Beasts of the Southern Wild
Ang Lee, Life of Pi
Steven Spielberg, Lincoln
David O. Russell, Silver Linings Playbook

Documentary Feature
5 Broken Cameras
The Gatekeepers
How to Survive a Plague
The Invisible War
Searching for Sugar Man

Documentary Short Subject
Inocente
Kings Point
Mondays at Racine
Open Heart
Redemption

Film Editing
Argo
Life of Pi
Lincoln
Silver Linings Playbook
Zero Dark Thirty

Foreign Language Film
Amour
Kon-Tiki
No
A Royal Affair
War Witch

Makeup and Hairstyling
Hitchcock
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
Les Mierables

Music (Original Score)
Anna Karenina
Argo
Life Of Pi
Lincoln
Skyfall

Music (Original Song)
Before My Time, Chasing Ice
Everybody Needs a Best Friend, Ted
Pi's Lullaby, Life of Pi
Skyfall, Skyfall
Suddenly, Les Miserables

Production Design
Anna Karenina
The Hobbit: An Unexpeted Journey
Les Miserables
Life of Pi
Lincoln

Short Film (Animated)
Adam and Dog
Fresh Guacamole
Head Over Heels
Maggie Simpson in "The Longest Daycare"
Paperman

Short Film (Live Action)
Asad
Buzkashi Boys
Curfew
Death of a Shadow
Henry

Sound Editing
Argo
Django Unchained
Life of Pi
Skyfall
Zero Dark Thirty

Sound Mixing
Argo
Les Miserables
Life of Pi
Lincoln
Skyfall

Visual Effects
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
Life of Pi
Marvel's The Avengers
Prometheus
Snow White and the Huntsman

Writing (Adapted Screenplay)
Argo
Beasts of the Southern Wild
Life of Pi
Lincoln
Silver Linings Playbook

Writing (Original Screenplay)
Amour
Django Unchained
Flight
Moonrise Kingdom
Zero Dark Thirty

The ceremony is Sunday, Feb 24 at 7E, 4P LIVE on ABC.

What do you think?

CCMA 2013 - 1 Day to the Awards

Ok, so we are to that point. The awards from the 2013 Critics' Choice Movie Awards that will set the tone for the rest of the awards season. With nominations due from the Academy on the same day as our awards show, it could be an interesting night on The CW.

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE

Brave

Frankenweenie

Madagascar 3

ParaNorman

Rise of the Guardians

Wreck-It Ralph

WILL - ParaNorman?

SHOULD - Wreck-It Ralph / ParaNorman

The first truly wide open animated race in awhile. I think ParaNorman seems to be tracking towards a win, but I'm a big Wreck-It Ralph guy with it's crazy detail from a video era that is long in the past. Brave also has an outside chance here...man...I don't know who wins.

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM

Amour

The Intouchables

A Royal Affair

Rust and Bone

WILL - Amour

SHOULD - Amour

Amour is tracking here to be the winner in this category, though there are a number of folks in the camp of Rust and Bone as well. After learning about my group, I just think Amour wins.

BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE

Bully

The Imposter

Queen of Versailles

Searching for Sugar Man

The Central Park Five

West of Memphis

WILL - Searching for Sugar Man

SHOULD - Mea Maxima Culpa (Searching for Sugar Man)

Look...I always get my favorite doc snubbed from this category...so I will lobby forever for the one that I liked the most. Last year it was The Interrupters and this year Alex Gibney's Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God just grabbed me in ways that no other film did. Sugar Man is really good, no disrespect to anyone on that...so that would be ok. There is also the chance that the big newsmaker movie Bully could come through here, it wouldn't surprise me.

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

Quentin Tarantino – Django Unchained

John Gatins – Flight

Rian Johnson – Looper

Paul Thomas Anderson – The Master

Wes Anderson & Roman Coppola – Moonrise Kingdom

Mark Boal – Zero Dark Thirty

WILL - Quentin Tarantino or Mark Boal

SHOULD - Rian Johnson

It's no secret...I loved Looper. The biggest reason for why I loved it was an amazing/midbending script that told a story you could talk about for HOURS after the film ended. Our group does love Quentin though (which was part of the surprise behind the muted campaign for Django).

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY

Chris Terrio – Argo

Tony Kushner – Lincoln

David O. Russell – Silver Linings Playbook

David Magee – Life of Pi

Stephen Chbosky – The Perks of Being a Wallflower

WILL - Chris Terrio 

SHOULD - Stephen Chbosky or David O. Russell

This award will probably spread the wealth around for the night...but the two films, Silver Linings Playbook and The Perks of Being a Wallflower were able to tell some very personal stories in film. And that is a good thing. Perks is a very underrated film that has the story at its center and really works.

BEST ACTOR
Bradley Cooper – Silver Linings Playbook
Daniel Day-Lewis – Lincoln
John Hawkes – The Sessions
Hugh Jackman – Les Miserables
Joaquin Phoenix – The Master
Denzel Washington – Flight

WILL - Daniel Day-Lewis, Lincoln
SHOULD - Daniel Day-Lewis, Lincoln

No offense to a number of talented actors here, but nobody embodied the role quite like Daniel Day-Lewis. He became President Lincoln with all his faults and mannerisms. In another year...if you took Day-Lewis out of this  category, this might have been an interesting throwdown. Cooper delivers probably his best performance of his career. Hawkes continues a fantastic run of great performances. Phoenix is amazing as the student in a film where the acting is better than the film. Denzel is steady as usual and Hugh proves he can do it all. But make no mistake...this will go home with Daniel Day-Lewis.

BEST ACTRESS
Jessica Chastain – Zero Dark Thirty
Marion Cotillard – Rust and Bone
Jennifer Lawrence – Silver Linings Playbook
Emmanuelle Riva – Amour
Quvenzhane Wallis – Beasts of the Southern Wild
Naomi Watts – The Impossible

WILL - Jessica Chastain, Zero Dark Thirty
SHOULD - Jessica Chastain / Jennifer Lawrence

Lawrence delivers on her young promise in the amazing Silver Linings Playbook and was probably in the lead for the award right up until Zero Dark Thirty was seen. Chastain goes through an amazing transformation and her dogged determination shines in Zero Dark Thirty. But there are some wildcards here....Quvenzhane is loved by our group and Naomi Watts is amazing in The Impossible.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

Alan Arkin – Argo
Javier Bardem – Skyfall
Robert De Niro – Silver Linings Playbook
Philip Seymour Hoffman – The Master
Tommy Lee Jones – Lincoln
Matthew McConaughey – Magic Mike

WILL - ??? (Matthew McConaughey)
SHOULD - ??? (a six way tie?)

This and the next category (Supporting Actress) gave me fits before I sent my ballot in. I can make an amazing case for everyone nominated. Alan Arkin was absolutely wonderful as a director of a fake movie (but was John Goodman just as good there). Javier Bardem gave us a Bond villain we all could agree on; he nailed it. Robert De Niro's face as he tries to calm the out of control Bradley Cooper down in Silver Linings showed pain and we felt it with him. Philip Seymour Hoffman delivered a mast acting class in his role in The Master. Tommy Lee Jones killed his role in Lincoln and was able to elicit all the right emotions, at the right time. Matthew McConaughey was even campaigned for by Steven Soderbergh. I'm still conflicted, I'll be as interested as anyone on Thursday night to see this winner.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Amy Adams – The Master
Judi Dench – Skyfall
Ann Dowd – Compliance
Sally Field – Lincoln
Anne Hathaway – Les Miserables
Helen Hunt – The Sessions

WILL - Amy Adams, The Master
SHOULD - ??? (Amy Adams)

Like actor, I really like all of the nominated performances. I think the most likely play here is the group comes down to Amy Adams and Sally Field. The others either weren't campaigned hard enough or have other minor factors that will work against them. But like Supporting Actor I liked everyone here....man I'm conflicted!

BEST DIRECTOR
Ben Affleck – Argo
Kathryn Bigelow – Zero Dark Thirty
Tom Hooper – Les Miserables
Ang Lee – Life of Pi
David O. Russell – Silver Linings Playbook
Steven Spielberg – Lincoln

WILL - Ben Affleck
SHOULD - Ben Affleck

Call it a hunch...nothing more. When we are at this point in the night...none of these films are in the "It was a pleasure just to be nominated category"...all could win. See them all!

BEST PICTURE

Argo

Beasts of the Southern Wild

Django Unchained

Les Miserables

Life of Pi

Lincoln

The Master

Moonrise Kingdom

Silver Linings Playbook

Zero Dark Thirty

WILL - Argo/Lincoln/Zero Dark Thirty
SHOULD - Argo

Look - Argo was my top film on my list last year...and it made that for a reason. I just re-watched my top 4 Argo, Zero Dark Thirty, Lincoln, Silver Linings Playbook and I'm still happy with my decision. Though I would feel happy for ANY of those titles to walk away a winner.

I'm ready for tomorrow night...are you? The CW at 8/7CT will be results central. Sure I'll live tweet and post some thoughts...but stay tuned...it will be a fun ride!

CCMA 2013 - 2 Days to the Awards

The Critics' Choice Movie Awards have always had a couple of unique awards that some organizations haven't and this year we've added even more. As a fan of ALL movies, and not just the few that get in the mix at the end of the year, I'm ecstatic that we have included a number of new categories. Let's take a look...some have had some of these categories, but here is our look ahead at Thursday night's awards on The CW.

BEST YOUNG ACTOR/ACTRESS 
Elle Fanning – Ginger and Rosa
Kara Hayward – Moonrise Kingdom
Tom Holland – The Impossible
Logan Lerman – The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Suraj Sharma – Life of Pi
Quvenzhane Wallis – Beasts of the Southern Wild

SHOULD - Quvenzhane Wallis – Beasts of the Southern Wild
WILL - Quvenzhane Wallis – Beasts of the Southern Wild

The first real new brainer in this group. Such a good performance that it is talked about in the grand scheme for an acting award period. Though really solid performances abound here, it is Quvenzhane's to take home. I was particualry fond of Logan Lerman in The Perks of Being a Wildflower and Tom Holland in The Impossible. Hold the film on their shoulders type of performances that just worked.

BEST ACTING ENSEMBLE
Argo
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
Les Miserables
Lincoln
Moonrise Kingdom
Silver Linings Playbook

WILL - Les Miserables
SHOULD - Argo

Look, Argo was an ensemble film. Without all of the small roles working at their peak, this wouldn't be such a great film. There are a lot of people who wan to get some awards the way of Les Miz, so I thinik that they may carry the category...but it SHOULD be Argo.

BEST ACTION MOVIE
The Avengers
The Dark Knight Rises
Looper
Skyfall

WILL - The Dark Knight Rises
SHOULD - The Dark Knight Rises

There are a number of films that this group will want to award this to. I see a camp heavy behind Skyfall and there are the amazing fans of The Avengers. I think from start to finish The Dark Knight Rises is the favorite here. (Looper will win in the Sci/Fi Horror cat).

BEST ACTOR IN AN ACTION MOVIE
Christian Bale – The Dark Knight Rises
Daniel Craig – Skyfall
Robert Downey Jr. – The Avengers
Joseph Gordon-Levitt – Looper
Jake Gyllenhaal – End of Watch

WILL - Daniel Craig, Skyfall
SHOULD - Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Looper

I really like Looper and it gets even better with every thought I make about it. The story is out of sight amazing and the performances sell it like nothing else. I also REally REALLY like End of Watch. Personally I liked Michael Pena there, but Jake is really good as well.

BEST ACTRESS IN AN ACTION MOVIE
Emily Blunt – Looper
Gina Carano – Haywire
Judi Dench – Skyfall
Anne Hathaway – The Dark Knight Rises
Jennifer Lawrence – The Hunger Games

Will -- Who knows? Anne Hathaway
Should - Anne Hathaway, Jennifer Lawrence

Ok, so I'm torn here. I think our group will go Hathaway's way as a combined award here and with Les Miz. It's not the way it should go, but I think that will be it. Lawrence really worked in The Hunger Games and Gina Carano was a revelation in Haywire (though obviously raw). Plus -- Emily Blunt ... well I've already professed my love for Looper....so she's got that going for her.

BEST COMEDY
Bernie
Silver Linings Playbook
Ted
This Is 40
21 Jump Street

WILL - Silver Linings Playbook
SHOULD - Ted/21 Jump Street

Look...true comedy is really hard -- Comedies, when they miss, end up on worst of the year lists. And when they hit, they should be rewarded as well. I think the group goes Silver Linings Playbook...even though I wouldn't really call that a comedy per se. Funny at times, yes,... but there is more drama there than anything. To me, Ted and 21 Jump Street brought the belly laughs out of me. Those two films are both very deserving, and I hope one of them pull an upset.

BEST ACTOR IN A COMEDY
Jack Black – Bernie
Bradley Cooper – Silver Linings Playbook
Paul Rudd – This Is 40
Channing Tatum – 21 Jump Street
Mark Wahlberg – Ted

WILL - Bradley Cooper - Silver Linings Playbook
SHOULD - Bradley Cooper / Channing Tatum

Bradley Cooper had the best performance in this category. But Tatum may be a winner because of his popularity in the category. I've got to believe that Cooper is the winner though.

BEST ACTRESS IN A COMEDY
Mila Kunis – Ted
Jennifer Lawrence – Silver Linings Playbook
Shirley MacLaine – Bernie
Leslie Mann – This Is 40
Rebel Wilson – Pitch Perfect

WILL - Jennifer Lawrence, Silver Linings Playbook
SHOULD - Jennifer Lawrence / Rebel Wilson

I just rewatched Pitch Perfect and Rebel Wilson will win this award someday if she continues. She's absolutely hysterical in her role as "Fat Amy". But it is consinderably smaller than the role of Jennifer Lawrence and Lawrence's role is really career changing. I love them both PLUS -- Leslie Man, Mila Kunis and Shirley MacLaine -- if I attended this year I'd want to search these actresses out!

BEST SCI-FI/HORROR MOVIE
Cabin in the Woods
Looper
Prometheus

WILL - Looper
SHOULD - Looper

Looper was just a crazy good Sci-Fi ride. The film is pulled together by a tight script - hence the nomination for Rian Johnson in the screenplay category. To me, there is one standout film here. Cabin in the Woods is a fun treatment...and a fun film. But I don't think it's as good as Looper. And Prometheus seems to have a love/hate relationship out there...so much so that I can't see it winning.

And there are some of the fun things that we have to offer...TUNE IN to The CW on Thursday night to see who wins, and who is excited after being nominated for Oscar that morning.

Tomorrow: The Biggies!

CCMA 2012 - 3 Days to the Awards

Over the next couple of days, I thought I'd take a moment to look at the Critics' Choice Movie Awards categories...

Who Should Win?
Who Will Win? 

And....what else do I have to say????

Let's talk today about some of the tech awards...and the music...

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Life of Pi – Claudio Miranda
Lincoln – Janusz Kaminski
Les Miserables – Danny Cohen
The Master – Mihai Malaimare Jr.
Skyfall – Roger Deakins

WILL -- I think Janusz Kaminski...though Deakins is close.

SHOULD -- Roger Deakins created a visual experience with Skyfall...but I would lean Kaminski...but just barely.

Cinematography can set the tone for the evening...a Lincoln win here, could mean good things for the rest of the night.

BEST ART DIRECTION
Anna Karenina – Sarah Greenwood/Production Designer, Katie Spencer/Set Decorator
The Hobbit – Dan Hennah/Production Designer, Ra Vincent & Simon Bright/Set Decorators
Les Miserables – Eve Stewart/Production Designer, Anna Lynch-Robinson/Set Decorator
Life of Pi – David Gropman/Production Designer, Anna Pinnock/Set Decorator
Lincoln – Rick Carter/Production Designer, Jim Erickson/Set Decorator

WILL - Lincoln

SHOULD - I though the Art Direction in The Hobit was pretty darn good.

I think this may go to Lincoln. I believe there is a real affection for Lincoln among the BFCA.

BEST EDITING
Argo – William Goldenberg
Les Miserables – Melanie Ann Oliver, Chris Dickens
Life of Pi – Tim Squyres
Lincoln – Michael Kahn
Zero Dark Thirty – William Goldenberg, Dylan Tichenor

WILL - Zero Dark Thirty

SHOULD - Argo/ZDT - Either Argo or Zero Dark Thirty should prevail from this list of nominees. Hopefully that will be the case.

BEST COSTUME DESIGN
Anna Karenina – Jacqueline Durran
Cloud Atlas – Kym Barrett, Pierre-Yves Gayraud
The Hobbit – Bob Buck, Ann Maskrey, Richard Taylor
Les Miserables – Paco Delgado
Lincoln – Joanna Johnston

WILL - Les Miserables

SHOULD - Les Miserables

Everything worked in the costume department for Les Mis, and that will probably lead to a win for them.

BEST MAKEUP
Cloud Atlas
The Hobbit
Les Miserables
Lincoln

WILL - Cloud Atlas

SHOULD - Cloud Atlas

Love or hate Cloud Atlas, the makeup was amazing. To be able to transform the actors in the film across generations of time really was special.

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS
The Avengers
Cloud Atlas
The Dark Knight Rises
The Hobbit
Life of Pi

WILL - The Avengers

SHOULD - Life of Pi

Look -- I think the group wants to give The Avengers a win somewhere and this spot may be the place that works. Though Life of Pi did an amazing job of creating a vision, mostly in a single boat...and for that I think it was special...but some of the other films are as well... I can't get a good read on my group when it comes to the tech awards.

BEST SONG
“For You” – performed by Keith Urban/written by Monty Powell & Keith Urban – Actor of Valor
“Skyfall” – performed by Adele/written by Adele Adkins & Paul Epworth – Skyfall
“Still Alive” – performed by Paul Williams/written by Paul Williams – Paul Williams Still Alive
“Suddenly” – performed by Hugh Jackman/written by Claude-Michel Schonberg & Alain Boublil & Herbert Kretzmer – Les Miserables
“Learn Me Right” – performed by Birdy with Mumford & Sons/written by Mumford & Sons – Brave

WILL - Suddenly from Les Miserables

SHOULD - Adele's Skyfall -- come on ... let's here it for Bond Songs!!!!

BEST SCORE
Argo – Alexandre Desplat
Life of Pi – Mychael Danna
Lincoln – John Williams
The Master – Jonny Greenwood
Moonrise Kingdom – Alexandre Desplat

WILL - Lincoln / John Williams

SHOULD - Argo - Alexandre Desplat

Some heavy hitters here...I'm going with Alexandre Desplat for Argo...but I know full well that John Williams may be a winner.

There are the tech awards and songs tomorrow I'll get to a look at the CCMA special awards and Wednesdaty...it will be the biggies...so sit back, relax and Save Me A Seat -- the awards are coming to The CW so tune in...PLEASE!

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2012 .. The 12 Best of 12!

Ah 2012…you’ve been good to us at the movies.

Even the bad movies have been good, in their own ways.

Movies like Battleship (big, loud and tons of action…despite its problems). Rock of Ages – which was glorious 80s hair band rock despite the problems that were there.

But on the good side, I had 4 big titles that I had considered for my top spot…and even as I’m typing this, I wonder if I've got them in the right order.

This year…with it being 2012…I decided to have a Top 12 of 2012. That said…there’s at least 12 other films that I wanted to give some love to … so here’s the films that didn't quite make the top 12 list.

In no particular order…

The Hunger Games, Moonrise Kingdom, Safety Not Guaranteed, The Invisible War, Beasts of the Southern Wild, Detropia, Perks of Being a Wallflower, Smashed, The Sessions, Celeste and Jesse Forever, This is Forty and Life of Pi

All these films had something extra special about them that made an impression with me…but I limited myself to 12 and some had to go…if I did this list another day…films like Life of Pi and Beasts of the Southern Wild could be on my list…but they are not.

Also there is a big * on the list. As of this writing I had not seen Django Unchained. It could have made my list, so I reserve the right to later add an extra title if I feel it is worthy after I get to see it. It was not offered to screen prior to the Critics’ Choice Movie Awards nominations.

So what did make the list…well here you go… my favorites of 2012.

12. Pitch Perfect

I really expected nothing from this film. Literally just another meaningless teen comedy was all I anticipated when I sat down in the theater. Instead I got a smart, witty and repeatedly watchable film that took movies like Mean Girls and Bring It On and mashed it up with the success of shows like Glee to create something that will be enjoyed for years.

11. 21 Jump Street

You always run the risk when you remake a television show that you anger the fans of that show. When Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill were taking on the roles I was worried the fun would be gone. But boy was I wrong. Jonah Hill took pride and ownership in the original thought and made it something fun and yet still maintained its integrity. Funny and an altogether laugh riot, Jump Street will be watchable again and again.

10. Skyfall

Bond is back and the first scene in the film is so intense that you’ll just wonder how it can maintain the excitement. It does and with a great villain like Javier Bardem on board for the ride, it’s a film that even folks who aren’t fans of the Bond films. Daniel Craig rocks as Bond and you will leave shaken…not stirred.

9. Ted

This film is wrong on so many levels. But that is what makes it so right. No denying, Seth MacFarlane can make people laugh with edgy and fun humor. Ted is a talking bear that looks like the perfect childhood friend; that belongs NOWHERE near your children as he is as raunchy as it gets. But if you are an adult…this could be just your cup of stuffed fun.

8. Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God

The second year in a row that my favorite documentary of the year was shown to me at the Milwaukee Film Festival and that is a testament to the documentary programming crew there. The story of priest sex abuse in Wisconsin and how some very diligent individuals searched for justice is truly fascinating and heartbreaking at once. Director Alex Gibney has a way with telling stories like this that shows an extremely rare combination of heart and empathy to go along with the pit bull nature of the facts. This film will not leave you silent after you see it.

7. Wreck-It Ralph

My favorite animated film this year, Wreck-It Ralph has the ability to combine the modern animation capabilities with classic games and keep the classic game motions intact. Voices are spot on, colors bright and vibrant and the right mix of comedy, music, story, and visuals make this my favorite animated journey this year. You won’t wreck your night watching this film.

6. Looper

Rian Johnson delivers probably one of the most underrated scripts this year and a sci-fi journey like nothing you’ve seen before. Joseph Gordon-Leavitt and Bruce Willis hit their roles out of the park and it’s a film that needs to be seen multiple times to truly be appreciated for all of its subtleties. A wonderful journey that when it’s over you feel like you need to go forward in time to tell your future self how good it is.

5. The Dark Knight Rises

After the last Batman film, The Dark Knight, there were a number of folks that looked at this and were disappointed. But this film goes deeper into Batman and doesn’t rely on the bad guy. Bane is interesting, but of course, he doesn’t hold the overwhelming charisma that Heath Ledger brought as the Joker. But the new characters portrayed by Anne Hathaway and Joseph Gordon-Leavitt are a great addition. This is Christian Bale’s movie, and he rises from the shadows of Ledger.

4. Silver Linings Playbook

Any of the top 4 movies on my list could be interchanged. I could make a case for Silver Linings Playbook as my favorite film this year just as easily as the next three films. Jennifer Lawrence grows up here and is spectacular. Bradley Cooper does things that we have rarely seen from him before and you just want to embrace him. And with a supporting cast including Robert Deniro, Jacki Weaver and Chris Tucker…it is well worth the time. Study your playbook, this film has more than a silver lining.

3. Lincoln

Steven Spielberg’s labor of love is an amazing cinematic journey. The period leading up to the abolishment of slavery lends itself to an incredible film. And when your film features the best acting performance of the year in Daniel Day-Lewis alongside supporting performances from Sally Field, Tommy Lee Jones and a cast that is one of the best of the year. This is an amazing piece that will stand the test of time and should be watched. History is kind to us as moviegoers in Lincoln.

2. Zero Dark Thirty

What can I say about Kathryn Bigelow? She is amazing. Can I profess my love now? Whatever she does I want to see, especially if there is a military focus. The story of the search for Osama Bin Laden and one woman’s quest to not give up the fight is an amazing look at a complex situation. Spanning 10 years, the film does an incredible job of showing the drive and determination of one woman amidst the changing landscape. Jessica Chastain drives the search for the most notorious criminal in recent history. This military action/drama/thriller will have you thirsting for more.

1. Argo

I really loved this film. The tale that Director Ben Affleck brings to life will intrigue and entertain. The Iran hostage crisis was really focused around the large group and the largely unknown story of the covert operation that created a science fiction film as the backbone of a miraculous rescue. The story behind Hollywood’s help of our government in their time of need makes for good film. Affleck is becoming extremely more and more adept at creating a story and crafting a tale in such a manner that appeals to a broad audience. There is an excellent supporting cast here with John Goodman and Alan Arkin among others and with Affleck in the lead, the film is in good hands. The line in the movie is “argo” eff you self….well you won’t need to do that after seeing this one. Instead I say “argo” tell a friend as this is one of the best of the year.

So there you have it…my take on some of the best movies of 2012 – There are others I didn’t mention here as well, that were VERY good films…but you eventually have to stop with these things…so that’s what we do. I really had a good time at the movies this year…and I can’t wait to see what 2013 has in store for us!

Until then, Sit Back, Relax and Save Me A Seat.