Review: "The Theory of Everything" (****½)

Felicity Jones and Eddie Redmayne star in "The Theory of Everything."

I’ve been very reluctant to write this review for James Marsh’s “The Theory of Everything.” I saw this movie a week ago and have since been chewing on my thoughts and feelings surrounding this film. You know that you get feeling where sometimes you enjoy something so much that you just want to keep it all to yourself? I don’t want to share it because I don’t want to risk someone not feeling the same way. That, and more simply, it was my experience; I don’t think anyone else deserves it something that was mine. But in this instance, I’ll suck it up, because this is a movie so absolutely worth seeing. “The Theory of Everything.” It was devastatingly poignant and magnanimously visceral.

Atlanta review: "Mud" (****½)

Tye Sheridan, Matthew McConaughey and Jacob Lofland star in "Mud"

Filmmaker Jeff Nichols has made a name for himself crafting nuanced stories that capture the Southern experience in whatever form it may take. In 2011, Nichols and his stars, Michael Shannon and Jessica Chastain, received a myriad of honors for "Take Shelter" (including the coveted #10 spot on my year-end list). His latest feature, "Mud," debuted at Cannes to acclaim from critics and audiences alike– setting off on an impressive buzz ride leading up to its theatrical release next month.

My dream Oscar ballot, 2013

The 85th Academy Awards are this Sunday and though you've already seen my top 20 films of 2012, I also want to share what I would've nominated in other categories. While my ten Best Picture nominees are my top ten films; my other 'nominees' have shifted a lot in the past couple of months since I've been able to revisit certain films, catch some that I missed earlier and really get to see certain players make their case on the press circuit. This is probably similar to my personal Georgia Film Critics Association ballot from early January, but I'm sure there have been some shifts and substitutions. It's a fun time of year, but I'm looking forward to some resolution on Sunday.

From the French Quarter to the SoChi District: "Tchoupitoulas" (****½) and "The Man Who Ate New Orleans" (***½)

Contrasting portraits of the Big Easy; "Tchoupitoulas" (top)
and "The Man Who Ate New Orleans" (bottom)

Aside from both being gritty, distinctly Southern cities full of life and history, Macon and New Orleans don't have too much in common. That didn't keep the Big Easy from having a formidable presence at this year's Macon Film Festival. "Beasts of the Southern Wild" was chosen to close out the 8th annual fest, providing Maconites with one last chance to see it on the big screen before it competes for four Academy Awards this weekend. But before Hushpuppy and her ancient aurochs ruled the screen last Sunday, two NOLA-set documentaries won audiences over.

"Tchoupitoulas" and "The Man Who Ate New Orleans" helped inject some character into the already strong lineup; as if the Macon Film Festival wasn't already bursting at the seams with atmosphere– with the Magatinis flowing and people from all walks of life making their way down Cherry Street in between theaters.

The Best Films of 2012

Instead of going with the usual speech about the subjective nature of film criticism and how one might see this as a weak year, another as a strong year– I'll just say that it was a great year. Perhaps me getting into the swing of life as a critic helped me feel this way. Perhaps we just lucked out with a lot of great films being released in 2012. I can't say, really, but I'm thankful to have seen so many good motion pictures. 

I'm particularly grateful that so many of them featured at festivals in Georgia. "Rabies" and "Restoration" were screened at the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival. "Welcome to Pine Hill" showed at the Atlanta Film Festival. "Amour," "Rust and Bone" and "Silver Linings Playbook" all featured in Savannah. If you aren't checking out your local film festivals, you are missing out! Sure, you caught plenty of these at your local cinema at some point. But an energy is present at festivals that you can't find elsewhere. You never know when a film is going to come out of nowhere and slap you in the face.

Georgia Film Critics Association 2012 winners

Jennifer Lawrence wins one of four GFCA awards for "Silver Linings Playbook"

The 2012 Georgia Film Critics Association nominations were just announced Monday, but winners have already been declared. Just as "Silver Linings Playbook" led the pack with eight nominations, David O. Russell's film walked away with four wins, including Best Picture, Best Actress (Jennifer Lawrence), Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Ensemble.

"Skyfall" was another big winner, taking home awards for Best Supporting Actress (Judi Dench), Best Cinematography and Best Original Song. "Beasts of the Southern Wild" won two awards; Best Production Design and Best Score. Director Benh Zeitlin also took the Breakthrough Award, beating the likes of his star Quvenzhané Wallis, Zal Batmanglij, Derek Connolly, Bart Layton and Scoot McNairy. Kathryn Bigelow won Best Director for "Zero Dark Thirty." Other films that took home awards include "Lincoln," "The Master" and "Moonrise Kingdom."

Check out the full list of winners after the jump.

"Silver Linings Playbook," "Beasts of the Southern Wild" lead Georgia Film Critics nominations

The Georgia Film Critics Association has announced their nominees for 2012 and while the usual suspects from the Academy Awards and various other critics groups lead the way, a few surprises can be found. "Silver Linings Playbook" and "Beasts of the Southern Wild" received the most nominations with eight each. Two of the nominations credited to "Beasts," however, are actually Breakthrough nominations for Benh Zeitlin and Quvenzhané Wallis. "Amour," "Lincoln" and "Zero Dark Thirty" each garnered six nods, while "The Master" and "Rust & Bone" earned five a piece.

The success outside of Marion Cotillard's nomination for "Rust & Bone" marks a departure from many other critics groups. Controversial documentary "This Is Not a Film" earned three nominations in the categories of Best Film, Best Foreign Film and Best Documentary. Other highlights include two cinematography nominations for Greig Fraser ("Killing Them Softly" and "Zero Dark Thirty") and screenplay nominations for "21 Jump Street," "The Cabin in the Woods" and "Sound of My Voice." The Georgia-lensed "Lawless" earned two nominations in the Best Song category. 

The Breakthrough Award shortlist consists of directors Zal Batmanglij ("Sound of My Voice"), Bart Layton ("The Imposter") and Benh Zeitlin ("Beasts of the Southern Wild"); actors Scoot McNairy ("Argo," "Killing Them Softly," "Promised Land") and Quvenzhané Wallis ("Beasts of the Southern Wild"); and finally, screenwriter Derek Connolly ("Safety Not Guaranteed").

Check out the full list of nominees after the jump.

"Beasts of the Southern Wild" expanded Georgia dates

Benh Zeitlin's "Beasts of the Southern Wild" has been open for weeks throughout Metro Atlanta and Savannah. Today, my vote for 2012's best film so far opens in some additional Georgia cities. While continuing runs at Tara in Atlanta and Regal Town Center in Kennesaw, the film also opens today at AMC Southlake in Morrow and AMC Stonecrest in Lithonia. In Augusta, you can now see the film at Regal Augusta Exchange. In Columbus, the film is playing at Carmike Hollywood Connection Ritz 10. Lastly, the film continues it's run at Savannah's Spotlight Eisenhower Square 6. If you have the chance, I urge you to check this movie out. You can read out my review of the film here.

Review: "Beasts of the Southern Wild" (*****)

Quvenzhané Wallis stars in "Beasts of the Southern Wild"

Rare is a film that comes along and wins awards at both Sundance and Cannes. Until now, no film that has accomplished both feats has ever been anchored by a five-year-old or set in a place called 'the Bathtub.' After learning that the casting call was for six to nine-year-olds, Quvenzhané Wallis lied about her age in order to secure an audition. Boy, was that a good move! As far as I'm concerned, Wallis' performance as Hushpuppy catapults this film into iconic territory. This is not just a precocious kid getting fed good lines. Wallis' face speaks words that she isn't even old enough to have learned yet.

While no doubt remains that this film belongs to Wallis, her performance is just one piece of a larger puzzle that "depends on everything fitting together just right." Everything fits together more than just right and I'm thrilled to award Benh Zeitlin's "Beasts of the Southern Wild" a five-star rating.