The Kids Are All Right*****

Annette Bening and Julianne Moore, together, have seven Oscar nominations, but take into account that they were nominations, not wins. The Kids Are All Right has not only the most previously Oscar nominated talent, but also a good chance at finally bringing home some gold for at least one of its stars.

In The Kids Are All Right, Jules (Julianne Moore) and Nic (Annette Bening) are a lesbian couple that both have a child using the same anonymous sperm donor. The children, named Laser (Josh Hutcherson) and Joni (Mia Waikowska), who are now in their teenage years, become eager to search for their biological father.

When the kids find their father, Paul (Mark Ruffalo), their first meeting goes well. The twist comes when the kids decide to keep this meeting from their mothers, and continue to create a relationship with Paul. A few humorous scenes later, Laser accidentally reveals the truth about what they have been hiding from their moms.

Jules and Nic agree to meet Paul and hopefully build a relationship with their children's father. The emotional roller coaster that becomes the life of this once-happy family becomes heart-wrenching as well as stressful.

As I mentioned, Julianne and Annette have never won an Oscar, and unfortunately at the end of the night, one will still be Oscarless. It looks like Julianne will come that much closer to being the Susan Lucci of the Academy Awards. Both women were strong in their roles, but Annette has the heavier material as well as a more powerful delivery in the emotional scenes. Her shining moment is during the dinner scene toward the end of the movie where Annette delivers an outstanding silent performance. Her demeanor and facial expressions are classic Annette, and my bet is that this could be her Oscar moment.

Julianne has become an Oscar darling, with the majority of her nominations coming from playing roles of 1950's housewives. In The Kids Are All Right she is also a housewife, but a modern day one to say the least. We might have to hold our breath a little longer to hear Julianne's name on Oscar nomination day, but I think she has good chance at becoming a five-time Oscar nominee.

In addition, Mark Ruffalo, Josh Hutherson, and Mia Waikowska are marvelous in their respective roles. Mark plays the biological father with a bit of confusion and grace that works well when trying to find his spot in a very modern family.

The Kids Are All Right will definitely walk away with multiple nominations: best picture, two for supporting actress, as well as original screenplay. I think what is exemplified in this film is the same effect Little Miss Sunshine had in 2006 and Juno in 2008. These films are all such crowd pleasers. They give you a little more than you expected, and will keep you talking about them for months.

The Social Network*****

I remember when Facebook was strictly available for college students only. I remember when there was no way to upload photos and put them into an album. I also remember when I logged on once a week and maybe had a single new friend notification. You would think that was decades ago, but it was only five. 619 friends and a blockbuster film later, Facebook is no longer my dorm room activity, but a movie about the changing of societal paradigms of a new generation.

The Social Network begins in 2003 when Harvard undergrad Mark Zuckerberg (Jessie Eisenberg) is at his computer creating a website that rates the attractiveness of females on the Harvard campus. He was then sentenced to six months of academic probation for his exploiting website. However, there was one positive thing that came of his indescretion. The fact that Mark was able to create such a remarkable site in hours caught the attention of twins Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss (Armie Hammer) become interested in Mark's skills and wanted him to be a part of their business scheme to create a social network for Harvard students.

The events that follow and the chaotic twists and turns that involve Napster founder Sean Parker (Justin Timberlake), take The Social Network from just a Facebook movie into a movie with enough suspense, drama, and legal complications that fictional films could only hope to accomplish.

Giving you a complete rundown of all the entanglements Mr. Zuckerberg faces would not only spoil this amazing film, but would confuse you more then the movie actually does when viewing it. The film is presented in a way that shows Mark testifying in two lawsuits, and the director, David Fincher, creates a film that allows the viewers to really get involved in the legalities of what happened in the conception of a website that now has more than 500 million friends.

Jessie Eisenberg is an extremely talented actor. From the moment he hits the screen as Zuckerberg, you can't help but notice the resemblance between the two. The frustration he showcases throughout the film, as well as his confusion surrounding whether or not to trust the people who are quickly brought into his business venture, are award worthy in every way.

Armie Hammer has the great pleasure of playing twins. One actor, two roles, a task that would be somewhat easy if the charters were fictional. However, Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss are real people, and Hammer brings both brothers a sense of individuality, while making sure that the audience is able to differentiate the two.

Justin Timberlake is surprisingly acceptable as Sean Parker, and we finally see Timberlake portray a character that is beyond his musician persona. He was a great fit for the film, and perfect in bringing out the arrogance and trouble that Parker endowed.

I haven't mentioned Andrew Garfield yet in my review, not because he wasn't memorable, only because writing a movie review I pick and choose what is important in my synopsis. Garfield plays Eduardo Saverin, Zuckerberg's best friend, although as the movie progresses the friendship slowly deteriorates. The emotion you feel for Eduardo toward the end of the movie is well acted by Garfield, and, in my opinion, the underdog of this film.

You can definitely expect a nomination for Eisenberg, and if he wasn't a "newcomer" I would put his odds pretty high in winning. Hammer should get nominated for his dual performance, but preseason award shows haven't shown him much love. Timberlake is getting a similiar reception. The film will be the front-runner for best picture along with director David Fincher. Also, as I mentioned earlier, Andrew Garfield deserves a nod in the supporting category too, but unfortunately I don't see three actors from this film getting recognized in the same category. We can keep our fingers crossed for one at least.

THE KING'S SPEECH*****

Last year we had The Young Victoria, this year we have The King's Speech; both were great movies about royalty with phenomenal acting. However, where The Young Victoria lacked, The King's Speech delivered.

King George VI (Colin Firth), also known as Bertie, is crowned King of England after his father passes away and his older brother abdicates the throne. Bertie is reluctant to take over the position because of a frustrating and embarrassing speech impediment.

Bertie's wife, the Queen of England (Helena Bonham Carter) meets with a speech therapist named Lionel(Geoffery Rush) to help her husband overcome his issue with speaking in public.

Bertie and Lionel create a love/hate relationship throughout the move, allowing the audience to follow a friendship form from frustration into an empowering achievement.

What makes The King's Speech such a remarkable movie is the acting. Colin Firth is yet again extraordinary. Last year he was nominated for his role in A Single Man, a role many said was his best yet. Now, a year later, he has achieved the impossible; another once-in-a-lifetime performance. The way he delivers such a vulnerable side of King George VI and the effortless speech impediment is what Oscar winners are made of.

Geoffrey Rush is great as always in his role as the therapist. Watching the Firth and Rush on screen together is a wonderful moving-going experience. They create a powerful duo that you can't take your eyes off of. While I don't want to give the ending away, watching these two in the final scenes of the movie is gratifying emotional connection. It is a moment that truly captures the journey both men have been on together.

Helena Bonham Carter plays the Duchess very well. It's interesting to see her play a more serious, stripped down character. Earlier in the year she was the Queen of Hearts in Alice in Wonderland in stark contrast to her role as the Queen of England in The King's Speech. She played both roles fantastically, achieving fiction and real life with perfection; only Helena could pull it off.

Look for The King's Speech to get a slew of Oscar Nominations, if not the most out of any movie this year. Firth is the front runner to win best actor, and Bonham Carter, along with Rush, will definitely receive nominations in their respected categories. If any movie gives The Social Network any competition for Best Picture, The King's Speech will be it!

THE FIGHTER****

Historically Oscar's follow boxing movies and this years no exception. The Champ (31'), Rocky (76'), Raging Bull (80'), Ali (01'), and Million Dollar Baby (04') are just a few of the boxing movies that seemed to infatuate an audience and mesmerize the Oscar voters. Note to self: To win an Oscar, act or write a boxing movie.

It sounds easier said then done. However, with the recent success of boxing movies and the odds of winning an Oscar, let alone a plethora of nominations, it looks like The Fighter is another notch on Oscar's bedpost.

Of the group of boxing movies released in the last decade The Fighter definitely stands head and shoulders above the rest.

Set in the early 90's in Lowell, Massachusetts, The Fighter follows the relationship of brothers Mickey Ward (Mark Walhberg) and Dick "Dicky" Eklund(Christian Bale). Mickey is a successful boxer on the road to competing in his first world title and Dicky is a past successful boxer who is now training Mickey.

The film follows Mickey's struggles to be trained by his brother who is a drug addict and irresponsible to say the least. Also, their mother Alice (Melissa Leo), doesn't help the chaotic situation by trying to get Mickey on the right track to being the next big thing to come out of Lowell.

Mickey meets Charlene (Amy Adams), and his infatuation with her as well as his ability to separate himself from his family only causes more problems for what becomes of a very dysfunctional family.

The movie has Oscar written all over it. Though overall I wouldn't name it the best of the year, in the acting categories look for The Fighter to capture some well deserved nominations. First and foremost Melissa Leo is spot on as Alice. From the moment I fell in love with her in 2009's Frozen River (which she was nominated for), I couldn't take my eyes off her during this movie. For me, she made The Fighter a contender at this years awards. She transforms herself with ease into a dedicated, chain smoking, and loose-mouthed mother.

Christain Bale is phenomenal as Dicky. The weight loss makes him almost unrecognizable, and his ability to take the audience into his drug addiction with such vulnerability is something only a great actor can do. His performance definitely outshines Mark Walberg's, which is not an easy thing to do. Though his performance was good in this movie, to say it was great would be overstatement. I'm sure he'll walk away with a nomination in the best actor category, though what should have been Mark's movie ended up becoming Christian's.

Amy Adams is surprisingly proficient as Mickey's love interest. I've never been the biggest fan of Amy's movie choices, but the way she plays Charlene will definitely become a highlight of her career. She play's the role in a very Tonya Harding-like resemblance, even down to the god-awful 90's permed hair.

If The Fighter can keep its momentum for the next month, it has a great chance at being tough competition in the best picture category. Like I said, it's not the best film of the year, but definitely has one of the best ensembles.

OSCAR'S 2011!

Well, it's that time of year again and I'm ready more then ever to start sharing my Oscar reviews with all of you! It seems like I'm a little ahead of the game this year compared to years past. I have already seen a good amount of potential Oscar nominated movies and can't wait to see many more!

The nominations are not announced until January 25th, but with the Golden Globe and SAG nominations already out, it gives us a good idea of what movies will eventually get Oscar nominations.

I will do my best to keep this blog updated as soon as I see a potential Oscar contender! Like years past, this blog is not here to detail every twist and turn in the movie, I may even forget to mention some pivotal moments. This is a blog about my opinions about great Oscar movies and will hopefully help readers decide what films to see before the big night!

Let's get started!

The Oscars air February 27th on ABC this year.