BEST PICTURE

"The Artist" - I haven't seen it. I might go. It would be interesting to see the style movies used to be done. I enjoy going to the movies and have silent movies to thank for starting it all.

"The Descendants" - Saw it but it wasn't my type of movie. I thought George Clooney and the actors did great. I just prefer different.  This was like a movie for the Lifetime Channel.  On the other hand my sister, Wendy, posted on Facebook that she loved it.  That is what is great about movies, music, books and art, there is something for every taste.

"Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close" - I haven't seen this yet. I probably will. I heard Tom Hanks talking about the movie. He said something very provocative. "We know how we felt on September 11th and how the events that day changed everything but do we remember September 10th? We talk about how we should treat each day as though it were going to be our last and be sure the people we love know we care however busy lives and irritations at each other sometimes get in the way and things go unsaid, unforgiven. Maybe we should live each day like we wish we had on September 10th." 

"Hugo" - I enjoyed this movie.  It was a little slow to start but had a special spirit about it.

"Midnight in Paris" - I saw this movie because I had a free pass. I went back for a second time because I loved it. I will probably buy it when it comes out and gets to the $5.00 bin. It is a magical story.  It is one of the first movies from Woody Allen that I have enjoyed. The scenery and feel are wonderful.  It may be that the storyline features a restless author and lets me glimpse some of my favorite artists from the past that charmed me. I am surprised to see it nominated for best picture but loved it. I will no doubt watch it again and again.   

"The Help" - Great movie. Enjoyed it. The performances were awesome. This movie definitely deserves to be a Best Picture nominee.

"Moneyball" - I love sports and enjoyed this movie very much. It seems strange that the candidates for Best Picture seem to come from movies that are released late in the year.  Some have just barely hit theatres. I wish I could remember the titles of some of the movies I enjoyed during 2011 that captivated my interest. This movie was good, very good but not best of the year.

War Horse" - I haven't seen this movie. I have heard that it is amazing. I tend to stay away from war movies.

I enjoy going to the movies. I enjoy the whole experience: the big screen, the popcorn, sitting in the dark with friends while we are transported to another time or place.  My one criticism and shout-out to the studios making movies would be, "Please don't make everything in 3-D." I don't need my movies to jump out at me and it costs anywhere from $3.00 to $4.50 more to see these shows.  They won't let you bring in your own glasses. I have a basket overflowing with them. 

Movies I have seen recently and enjoyed:  A Joyful Noise (Awesome, I want to get the soundtrack someday), Sherlock Holmes and MI-5 The Ghost Protocol (I loved the action in these movies but think Tom Cruise should keep his shirt on.) Contraband (Had lots of twists, it was a little raw but good) Two movies I saw that I would love to unsee and found disturbing were The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.

My nephew, Josh enjoys movies and we have similar tastes but not always. He enjoyed The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. He had read the books.

I am not one for watching all the award shows on TV, so I may miss the Oscars however my thanks go out to the many people who make movies. I enjoy your work. Thank you, please continue.