Continuing our “Oscar Winners” theme, Cindy and Andrew Johnson will present The Artist, 2011’s Best Picture winner among multiple Oscar and international film awards. Shown in black and white, the film takes us back to the world of silent films in 1927. A young dancer, Peppy Miller, has a chance encounter with major film star George Valentin, a meeting that will dramatically change her life – and his. In addition to all the awards, The Artist was highly praised by most critics. One critic at the Cannes Film Festival termed it “a surefire crowd pleaser and a magnificent piece of film-making.”
“A married couple are faced with a difficult decision – to improve the life of their child by moving to another country or to stay in Iran and look after a deteriorating parent who has Alzheimer’s disease.” So begins a review of this highly acclaimed, award winning Iranian film released in 2011. In addition to numerous awards across the globe, A Separation won an Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film in 2012, only the second Iranian film to do so. While submerging us into a culture alien to us, its themes and messages are universal. Laura Temple and Andy Wood will lead our post-film discussion.
Following our discussion, anyone who cares to remain (but feel free to make it a short night if you wish!) will watch the made-for-TV opera Amahl and the Night Visitors, by Gian Carlo Menotti. This production debuted on Christmas Eve, 1951, was performed live on NBC-TV, and was actually the very first presentation on “Hallmark Hall of Fame.” And for any opera-phobes out there, it is sung in English! We will be watching the 1955 version. No formal discussion is planned after the showing, but you’re welcome to stick around and chat if you wish.
A 1980 release and Robert Redford’s directorial debut, Ordinary People is quoted as “the painfully emotional story of the disintegration of a perfect family.” The film features outstanding performances from Mary Tyler Moore, Donald Sutherland, Judd Hirsch, Timothy Hutton, and Elizabeth McGovern in a heart-wrenching portrayal of a family trying to come to terms with the death of one son and attempted suicide of the surviving son. The movie garnered an Academy Award for Best Picture and earned three other Oscars as well. Pastor Jim McDonald will lead the post-movie discussion.
Roger Ebert says “Here’s one way to look at “Catfish.” Some filmmakers in New York City, who think they’re way cool, get taken apart by an ordinary family in Ishpeming, Michigan.” So begins Ebert’s positive review of this quirky and engaging documentary (or is it just a hoax?), which was shown at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival. 
What do you get when you cross a hopelessly straight starving actor with a dynamite red sequined dress? You get America's hottest new actress!
"Departures," the winner of 10 Japan Academy Awards and the Oscar Winner for Best Foreign Film at the 2009 Academy Awards, tells the story of a young man Daigo Kobayashi and his wife who, down on their luck, move back to his small hometown to start over. When Daigo answers an advertisement seeking a person to work in the area of "departures," he assumes that he will be applying for a job associated with travel. To his surprise, however, he discovers the job entails training to become a "Nokanshi," a funeral professional who prepares the deceased for burial and entrance into the next life. He reluctantly takes the position. But, while learning his craft and working with the families of the departed, Daigo embarks on a spiritual journey as he begins to experience the joy and wonder of living. A funny, moving, powerful story, "Departures" is a true delight.
We continue with our look at genres with a classic Western, Rio Bravo, which debuted in 1959. The film is a beloved John Wayne western and features many well-known Hollywood stars of the era, including Dean Martin, Ricky Nelson, Ward Bond, Angie Dickinson, Walter Brennan….you get the “picture.”! Well-known director Howard Hawks, whose work spanned genres from silent films to screwball comedies, teamed up with John Wayne in several Westerns, but none were better known than Rio Bravo. Does the sheriff prevail over the bad guys or do they win out?
This 2010 award-winning documentary follows the life of Ayrton Senna, a world champion Formula One race car driver, during his extraordinary career and life Described as “humble, almost shy, and fiercely patriotic” in one review, Senna is a Brazilian hero on and off the race track, donating millions to his beloved country. On the race track he is described as “sublime, spiritual, yet on occasion ruthless,” especially in his rivalry with the French race car driver Alain Prost. Senna is considered in some circles to be the greatest Formula One racer of all time; in Brazil he is regarded as a saint. Be assured, you do not have to be an auto racing fan to enjoy this film.
Paul Giamatti stars in Win Win, a drama-comedy about Mike Flaherty, a struggling lawyer and part-time wrestling coach who must resort to scheming to keep his floundering law practice afloat. Complications arise in his home life as well, forcing Mike to become creative to get out of all his predicaments. With comedic overtones, Win Win promises to be a delightful movie.
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We practice loving acceptance of each person and respectful discussion
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