Golden Globes, "Avatar," Orson Welles and more at the movies this week
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Editor's note: Comment on today's "Cinema Chat" for a chance to win free movie tickets to the Michigan Theater. Some time between now and 6 a.m. Wednesday, leave a comment on this column, written by the Michigan Theater's Russ Collins. Offer your opinion on a recent movie you've seen, or on anything Russ mentions. We'll randomly select a winner and notify that person via the email address they signed up with. They will get two passes to a movie of their choice.
Let the awards season begin
The Golden Globe nominations announced earlier this week are the clear beginning of the movie awards season. The parade of “Best of” lists and award nominations started some weeks ago and will continue until the Academy Awards are given out on March 7.
Leading the list of Golden Globe nominated films is “Up In the Air,” the Jason Reitman (“Juno”) film, partially filmed in Michigan, that stars George Clooney. “Up In the Air” opens at the Michigan Theater on Wednesday, December 23, plus elsewhere in the Ann Arbor area. “Avatar,” which opens this week, was also nominated, as was “Inglourious Basterds,” “Precious” and “The Hurt Locker.” Nominated for best musical/comedy film were “(500) Days Of Summer,” “Nine,” “It’s Complicated,” “Julie & Julia” and “The Hangover.” I think it is wonderful that “The Hurt Locker” was nominated — this excellent indie film is on nearly everyone’s top 10 lists. The Golden Globe awards will be bestowed by the Hollywood foreign press corps on Sunday, January 17.
“Avatar”: just enjoy (Don’t be fooled by the hype!)
![Avatar-Movie.jpg](http://www.annarbor.com/assets_c/2009/12/Avatar-Movie-thumb-250x375-19849.jpg)
That being said, everything about the film is well crafted. It's part “Return of the Jedi,” part “Alien” (from the alien's point of view), part “Terminator,” part “300,” part “WALL-E.” “Avatar” is presented as a native people's revenge fantasy that is over-layered with a “Titanic”-worthy love story. I am wondering if the "back to nature" and "corporations and government are evil" sensibilities promoted in the film will transcend the big-budget production values and Hollywood slickness (made possible by big corporations) that is clearly evident in every frame of the film.
Also opening this week
![Me-And-Orson-Welles.jpg](http://www.annarbor.com/assets_c/2009/12/Me-And-Orson-Welles-thumb-300x199-19851.jpg)
“Me and Orson Welles” stars Christian McKay in a brilliant impersonation of the great man, Orson Welles. Teen heartthrob Zac Efron plays a young actor working with Welles in a based-on-fact film about a 1937 Broadway production of “Julius Caesar.” The show business bible Variety raves, “There are moments, especially when Welles is alternating between acting as Brutus and directing everyone else, that it's possible to forget you're watching an actor and really believe you're beholding Orson Welles at work.” Directed by Richard Linklater (“Dazed and Confused,” “The School of Rock,” “Fast Food Nation”), it played the 2008 Toronto Film Festival, where the unlikely Efron-Linklater collaboration found many admirers. “Me and Orson Welles” opens at the Michigan Theater this Friday.
![Red-Cliff-Movie.jpg](http://www.annarbor.com/assets_c/2009/12/Red-Cliff-Movie-thumb-300x175-19853.jpg)
![The-Road-Movie.jpg](http://www.annarbor.com/assets_c/2009/12/The-Road-Movie-thumb-300x200-19855.jpg)
This week’s comedy for the holidays is “Did You Hear About the Morgans?” The preliminary reviews are not so hot. This romantic comedy stars Hugh Grant and Sarah Jessica Parker as a Manhattan couple whose marriage is falling apart. However, when they inadvertently witness a murder they are put in a witness protection program and are relocated to a small town in Wyoming to hide from the killers. This “fish out of water” comedy also stars Sam Elliott, Mary Steenburgen, and Elisabeth Moss.
If you are looking for last-minute holiday gifts you can purchase movie gift cards from the local multiplex theaters or a night out package from the Michigan Theater. And don’t forget to support your favorite local organizations as the end of the year approaches. Whether artistic, educational, religious or human service oriented, all local charities need your support now more than ever! In the United States, 90 percent of charitable gifts come from individuals — not from corporations or foundations — from individuals just like you. Please give generously to the organizations that you care for the most. You’ll feel better and the whole world will benefit!
See you at the movies!
Russ Collins is executive director of the Michigan Theater in Ann Arbor. Tune in to the audio version of “Cinema Chat” on WEMU radio (89.1-FM) each Thursday at 7:40 AM and 5:40 PM, or listen to it online at WEMU's web site.
Comments
ArgoC
Sat, Dec 19, 2009 : 6:48 p.m.
Kinda bummed that the 3D version of Avatar won't be at my local 3D theater, the Michigan. Movie+dinner within a few yards of each other, mmmmm.
Anishinaabe
Thu, Dec 17, 2009 : 7:06 p.m.
I can't wait to see Up In The Air and Avatar over vacation. Although I'm not sure if I'll like the 3-D in Avatar, game changing or not, it makes me dizzy.. : )
Theresa Taylor
Thu, Dec 17, 2009 : 1:52 p.m.
I too am looking forward to finally seeing "The Road." Any idea what in the heck took so long, in terms of it's release? The book is amazing, I hope that they stick to the basic themes.
Jake C
Thu, Dec 17, 2009 : 1:07 p.m.
Most looking forward to seeing "The Road" the "Avatar" this holiday season. The Road was one of the most moving (and bleak and depressing) books I've ever read, but also incredibly rewarding, as strange as that sounds. Hope the movie does the book justice! And as a sci-fi nerd, Avatar just looks very cool, which is mostly what you really need for a good sci-fi movie, right? Hope it lives up the hype!