North Texas movie news and notes: Oscar buzz edition

by John P. Meyer

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In which we learn that cheesing off the old gypsy woman is still not a smart move.

With the announcement of Oscar nominations this Tuesday, the buzz ratchets up a notch. Will your favorite movie, actor, and/or director be going home with a golden statuette? Or will he or she be among those smiling and clapping for the cameras disingenuously while that other lucky SOB takes the stage to make a long-winded and rambling acceptance speech?

There are two ways to experience the Oscars. You can sit at home in front of the TV in your bathrobe and slippers eating bon bons (and I'm not making any value judgments here), or -- if you're the sort who prefers company (and more formal attire) -- you can make a social occasion out of it and join an Oscar watching party. We know of at least three local big-screen viewing opportunities on Oscar night (March 7), though only one of them is sanctioned by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

The other two are:

1) Sponsored by local movie sites Red Carpet Crash, The MungleShow, and BigFanBoy.com (along with Lone Star Beer and the Dallas Observer), this one takes place at the Lakewood Theater. Admission is FREE, though you can buy a $10 VIP pass that gets you reserve seats and all the national beer of Texas you can drink.

2) Just announced at press time (such as it is here in the wacky world of virtuality), Gordon and the Whale.com will host an Oscar night event at the Angelika Dallas. Details for this one will be forthcoming.

On February 18, there'll be a red carpet premiere and fundraiser for Torey's Distraction at the Angelika Film Center in Dallas. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Torey’s Distraction Fund housed at The Dallas Foundation.

The film follows the lives of three children with Apert Syndrome – a rare genetic condition that causes skeletal mutation and craniofacial anomalies. This moving documentary, directed by Tisha Blood, was produced by Melina McKinnon of M3 Films and King Hollis of Media 13. (McKinnon is married to DALLAS Film Society Chairman of the Board Michael Cain.)

NOTE that though the event is being characterized as a "Dallas premiere," Torey's Distraction did in fact play to audiences at the AFI Dallas International Film Festival in 2009.

A spooky (though not necessarily scary) note from the folks at Texas Frightmare Weekend (aka Loyd Cryer): They've designated an "official school." (Huh?) That's right, Westwood College is now the official school of Texas Frightmare Weekend.

Oh, and they're adding John Stockwell to their lineup of notable Christine-themed attendees. Stockwell joins director John Carpenter and co-stars Keith Gordon and Alexandra Paul, already on the guest list. Stockwell played Dennis Guilder in the movie, and has since gone on to direct four episodes of The L Word. (Which I consider a career step in the right direction, personally.)

Jeff Bridges starrer Crazy Heart opens this Friday at Rave Ridgmar, Rave Northeast Mall, Starplex Movie Tavern at Hulen, Starplex Movie Tavern at W.7th St., AMC Grapevine Mills, and Harkins Southlake Town Square -- so those of you on the western side of the DFW continuum need no longer travel to the Angelika Dallas to catch the show, which is nearly certain to net a Best Actor Oscar for Bridges. (And you can quote me on this.)

Here's some From Paris with Love video, including the official trailer, along with commentary clips from John Travolta and co-star Jonathan Rhys Meyers. (NOTE how Rhys Meyers tilts his head to one side, mimicking the tilted Eiffel Tower on the poster behind him. Coincidence? I don't think so.)

Here's a photo gallery from the forthcoming The Wolfman starring Benecio Del Toro, Emily Blunt, and (Sir) Anthony Hopkins, courtesy of Universal Pictures. (Stylish! Atmospheric! Menacing!)

The last time we encountered a gypsy woman hurling curses, things turned out badly for Alison Lohman (ref. Drag Me to Hell).

And finally, here's a look at the trailer for Diary of a Wimpy Kid, coming to theaters on April 2. It's a live-action adaptation of Jeff Kinney's illustrated novel about a wise-cracking junior high school student -- and it looks like a lot of fun.

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