This year, an enterprising group of local writers formed the Indiana Film Journalists Association. Founded "to
promote quality film criticism in the Hoosier State," it includes Ed Johnson-Ott of Nuvo, Matthew Socey, host of WFYI's
Film Soceyology, Joe Shearer of Indy.com, freelance critic and blogger Christopher Lloyd and others, including yours truly.
Tonight, we get together to hash out our picks for the year's Best Film, Best Actor/Actress, Best Director and lots
more. We'll also be debating who should win the Hoosier Vision Award, celebrating an Indiana-connected person who has contributed
to the art of film.
With this crew of passionate film writers, fisticuffs aren't out of the question. I expect
the discussion to get fairly heated.
Although I haven't seen as many films as the other voters (and will be abstaining
from some of the categories where I'm ill-prepared), I will be advocating for the likes of "The Fantastic Mr. Fox,"
Hal Holbrook's performance in "That Evening Sun" (yes, films screened at the Heartland Film Festival and Indianapolis
International Film Festival count) and Christoph Waltz or Jackie Earle Haley, who both gave outstanding performances in botched
films ("Inglourious Basterds" and "The Watchmen").
We'll be announcing our picks on or around
Dec. 14.
If you were at the meeting tonight, what films and performances would you be championing?
Your
thoughts?
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If not, I'll understand - and it's probably just as well because I was planning to spend the evening catching up with my own blogging anyway - but man, I bet that is going to be a fun and interesting meeting tonight.
I would like to be present just to soak up the professional critic talk, if that makes sense.
I have not seen enough movies in theatres this year to champion any title in particular, though. I will read with interest your group's picks.
Hope Baugh
Indy Theatre Habit
Best Director New Moon
Best Actor Chris Pine Star Trek
Best Actress Meryl Streep Julie & Julia
Supporting Actor Quinton Aaroan Blind Side
Supporting Actress Amy Adams Julie & Julia
These are my picks of movies I have seen and are out as of right now. Here is my picks with movies still to come out.
Best Picture Avatar
Best Director Avatar
Best Actor Robert Downey JR Sherlock Holmes
Best Actress Rachel Mcadams Sherlock Holmes
Supporting Actor Quinton Aaroan Blind Side
Supporting Actress Rachel Weiz Lovely Bones
Hope you like my two sets of picks.
As I was scrolling through a list of the movies released in 2009, I realized that there weren't that many good movies out - at least in my opinion, this year. If there's an "Original Screenplay" category, I would vote District 9. It was such an original movie. It's one of the most original movies I've seen in a VERY long time and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Both entertaining and thought provoking. For pure entertainment - Star Trek was excellent, beginning to end. If The Wrestler can qualify, I would vote that in as a contender at least, for best movie. I've heard good things about The Hurt Locker, but haven't seen it yet. Also that Meryl's performance in Julie & Julia was fantastic, but Meryl can do no less.
I'll look forward to your picks!