READ TODAY'S STORIES AND E-EDITION SUBSCRIBE |  CONTACT US |  SIGN IN

Print story only Print story with comments Email Twitter Facebook Pinterest
See "The Cove," and watch for more Oscar docs
Published: 11/23/2009 5:58 PM
Last Modified: 11/23/2009 5:58 PM

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences produced its short list of documentaries, whittling down 89 entries to 15 that will now be considered for the ultimate five nominations.
The good news: “The Cove,” the brilliant picture (currently playing at Circle Cinema) that exposes the killing of thousands of dolphins annually in Japan in such a unique way (read my 4-star review at tulsaworld.com/movies) is on the list. It might be the favorite.
I say that because of the disappointing news: Some of the year’s best works were left out in the cold. I admit to having not yet seen 11 of the films on the short list (many of these make their way to theaters after being nominated), but three I have seen that did make the short list — “Valentino: The Last Emperor,” “Food, Inc.” and “Every Little Step” — could have been replaced by three better ones.
“Anvil! The Story of Anvil,” a sort of real-life Spinal Tap movie, was a rock doc filled with heart and humor. “The September Issue” featuring Anna Wintour assembling Vogue’s annual doorstop edition was an irresistible look at the devil herself donned in Prada. “Tyson” was a blow-by-blow account of Mike Tyson’s rise and fall.
More good news: The Circle Cinema has played several titles, and operator Clark Wiens confirmed that the theater will be seeking multiple films from the remaining short-list nominees. Check the Internet Movie Database for information on these documentaries: “The Beaches of Agnes,” “Burma VJ,” “Facing Ali,” “Garbage Dreams,” “Living in Emergency: Stories of Doctors Without Borders,” “The Most Dangerous Man in America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers,” “Mugabe and the White African,” “Sergio,” “Soundtrack for a Revolution,” “Under Our Skin” and “Which Way Home.”
The Academy Award nominations are announced Feb. 2.




Reader Comments



To post comments on tulsaworld.com, you must be an active Tulsa World print or digital subscriber and signed into your account.

I See Movies for Free

“I was born a poor, black child” … not me, actually, but Steve Martin’s character in the “The Jerk.” That absurd opening line is just one of the absurd number of film facts, quotes and minutiae contained in movie critic Michael Smith’s brain, at his disposal to toss out on a moment’s notice. It’s a key requirement as Tulsa World film critic to know these things. Michael learned a few other life facts along the way (seven years as a Crystal’s Pizza & Spaghetti manager) before attempting journalism and joining the Tulsa World in 1996, where he’s covered everything from a school shooting in Fort Gibson to a tornado in Stroud to witnessing an execution. A little community theater coverage was sprinkled in there, too. Movies engender many of his happiest memories, from standing in line for “Star Wars” and “Grease” at the Southroads Cinema to the James Bond and Pink Panther movies that always premiered at the enormous Continental Theater.

Follow Michael Smith on Twitter

Subscribe to this blog



Archive

 
Michael Smith's Blog Archive:

2/2013  1/2013  12/2012  11/2012  10/2012  9/2012  
8/2012  7/2012  6/2012  5/2012  4/2012  3/2012  
2/2012  1/2012  12/2011  11/2011  10/2011  9/2011  
8/2011  7/2011  6/2011  5/2011  4/2011  3/2011  
2/2011  1/2011  12/2010  11/2010  10/2010  9/2010  
8/2010  7/2010  6/2010  5/2010  4/2010  3/2010  
2/2010  1/2010  12/2009  11/2009  10/2009  9/2009  
8/2009  7/2009  6/2009  5/2009  4/2009  3/2009  
2/2009  1/2009  12/2008  11/2008  10/2008  9/2008  
8/2008  7/2008  6/2008  5/2008  4/2008  3/2008  
2/2008  1/2008  12/2007  11/2007  10/2007  9/2007  
8/2007  7/2007  6/2007  



michaelsmithTW
michaelsmithTW
"Avengers" assemble in new trailer http://bit.ly/ykKVoY
12 months ago
First look: "The Avengers" poster http://bit.ly/A1PXxV
12 months ago
@jwfyler That's what we call a prediction, my man....just sayin'…
12 months ago
So what will win best picture next year? Give it some thought for a while, because that's a wrap for tonight!
12 months ago
@anna1781 Hilarious, I thought that same thing the first time I saw him at Golden Globes!
12 months ago
Big winner tonight: producer Harvey Weinstein. "The Artist" wins 5 Oscars, "The Iron Lady" goes 2-for-2, even wins best documentary.
12 months ago





Home | Contact Us | Search | Subscribe | Customer Service | About | Advertise | Privacy
Copyright © 2013, World Publishing Co. All rights reserved.