Celluloid Combat

Well, it wouldn't be the Oscars without a nomination for Judi Dench, but really, all I have to say is Alan Arkin. C'mon, people. Have you seen Little Miss Sunshine? 'Cause you're gonna need to. STAT. Don't give me your Dreamgirls shtick, because frankly, the whole musician biopic thing is lost on me for the freakin' third year in a row. Can't take it. And while I high-five you, Jennifer Hudson, I am over you, Jamie Foxx, and certainly do not condone the pompadour of Eddie Murphy. Seriously, though. Arkin (and, of course, Steve Carrell, who can do no wrong) turned Sunshine from what could have been a too-feel-good family flick into just-subversive-enough realism that forced me to remember it for days after my viewing. That's all I'm sayin.' Well, that and Ryan Gosling better win for Half Nelson. The guy is torment. (Forest rules but he’s won so much already.) You can flaunt your opinions just as I am doing now—after a full-on red carpet entrance no less—Sunday at Dallas' Academy-sanctioned Oscar Night America party, hosted by USA Film Festival at Studio Movie Grill, 5405 Belt Line Road. Doors are at 6 p.m., red carpet arrivals begin at 7 p.m. and the telecast gets underway at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $35, $50 and $75 and include a light buffet for din-din. To purchase, call the USA Film Festival at 214-821-6300. To check out the official list of 79th Annual Academy Award nominees, and subsequently let the predictions rip, visit oscar.com/nominees.
Sun., Feb. 25, 7 p.m.