Hold on to your butts, we've got ground to cover today! I don't mean category-by-category reactions to the recently released Academy Award nominations. Fuck 'em. I'm super-truly-excited that Winter's Bone got a Best Picture nom and all, but the only statue I care about is for cinematography. And if Matthew Libatique does not win for Black Swan, then I will do something rash and my blood will be on Oscar's golden hands. I'd like to thank the Academy - for nothing.
Speaking of dumbass decisions, by now you may have heard that Dark Knight director Christopher Nolan went and (mis)cast Anne Hathaway as Catwoman in the Batman blockbuster's follow-up, The Dark Knight Rises. Maybe she can break into song and smile that goodie-goodie smile after she finishes engaging in criminal activity in a skin-tight costume with a whip for a weapon/accessory. Did the jerks who listen in on my phone calls for national security purposes neglect to report to Nolan that I casually suggested Eva Green (aka Casino Royale's Vesper)? Congratulations, Chris - you may as well have cast Reese Witherspoon.
Ashley Lindstrom addresses her critics here.
Congratulations are also in order for James Spader, who turns 51 on the 7th. Suggest readers celebrate with a pervy Spader triple-feature: sex, lies, and videotape, Secretary, and Crash. The other Crash. If you rent the one that's directed by Paul Haggis and isn't NC-17, you're disavowed.
February is obviously a time for commemorating something of far more import than a pervy, middle-aged actor. It's Black History Month, and San Antonio is observing the remembrance with film. On the 5th, the Cody Library will feature an African-American cinema experience at 3 p.m., and the Carver branch is showcasing a film series honoring African-American history at 6 p.m. on the 8th, 15th, and 22nd.
Texas Public Radio is also paying tribute to African-American history during the second half of its weekend-long winter series. On February 20 at the Bijou, TPR will present Cabin in the Sky and Spike Lee's Malcolm X at 11:45 a.m. and 1:45 p.m., respectively. Prices available at tpr.org/cinema. I'll drop another hint next column.
Know what I'm tired of dropping hints about? Festival deadlines. As such, I'll keep it short and sweet: San Antonio Neighborhood Film Project = February 18. San Antonio Film Festival = February 25. See sahearts.com and safilm.com for everything else I've committed my limit of ink to. XO.
