OSCAR NIGHT 2011 | The Social Network

I kind of worship at the altar of intention and obstacle. Somebody wants something. Something's standing in their way of getting it. They want the money, they want the girl, they want to get to Philadelphia — doesn't matter. And if they can need it, that's even better.

Aaron Sorkin shares this quote in an interview with Esquire Magazine that nicely sums up the plot in The Social Network where we meet several characters, based on real people, who have some fairly strong intentions. What makes the film so intriguing is when intentions collide becoming obstacles for other people's intentions. The dialog is sharp, fast-paced, and witty - a lot like The West Wing. The opening scene, where Zuckerberg's girlfriend dumps him, is a cutting verbal melee of sarcastic jabs and assaults.

I enjoy debate, and I relish this kind of rapid-fire, attack parlance which fills the entire film. The frame work of the movie is a series of flashbacks filling in the details of two lawsuits: one from the Winklevoss twins and the other from the co-founder of Facebook, Eduardo. The jumping timeline keeps things exciting, and the relentless pacing requires the audience to be very active viewers.

I "liked" the movie (sorry, had to be done) quite a bit. It ranks pretty high on the list of 25 movies to see before Oscar night 2011. The way I finally sorted out the top five was to use my wife's criteria of how badly do I want to see that movie again. I challenged myself to consider if these five were all playing on the TV at the same time, what channel would I flip to. With that criteria, The Social Network landed number four. Up next, The King's Speech.

RANKING of OSCAR 2011 MUST-SEES (so far):

1. True Grit
2. Winter's Bone
3. Black Swan
4. The Social Network
5. The Town
6. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
7. Inception
8. Toy Story 3
9. How to Train Your Dragon
10. The Fighter
11. The Kids Are All Right
12. Animal Kingdom
13. Alice in Wonderland

What did you think of the movie? Would love to read your thoughts in the comments section.

OSCAR NIGHT 2011 | The Fighter

Another underdog sports story inspired by a true events. Think Rocky, Rudy, or Invincible (which also starred Mark Wahlberg). Sure it's uplifting and stirring, but also predictable and formulaic; however, the plot does serve up three supporting role nominees:

• Christian Bale as Dickie Eklund, a crack-addicted, has-been boxer who once knocked down Sugar Ray Leonard. I enjoyed the scene where he finally comes to grip with fact that HBO is making a documentary about his drug use and not his "come back."
• Amy Adams as Micky's girlfriend and number one supporter, Charlene. I love the scene on her front porch where she threatens Micky's sister and then follows through by taking her down.
• Melissa Leo as Alice, Micky's chain-smoking mother/manager. She's more concerned about the next paycheck and her older son Dickie than Micky's career as a boxer.

All three deliver spot-on performances. For the actors supporting role Oscar, I think John Hawkes delivers the win for Winter's Bone. But in the actress category, the two top performances from my perspective are the crazy mothers: Jacki Weaver in Animal Kingdom and Leo. Overall, The Fighter ranks below the animated films on my list of 25 movies pushing The Kid Are All Right down another spot.

RANKING of OSCAR 2011 MUST-SEES (so far):

1. True Grit
2. Winter's Bone
3. Black Swan
4. The Town
5. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
6. Inception
7. Toy Story 3
8. How to Train Your Dragon
9. The Fighter
10. The Kids Are All Right
11. Animal Kingdom
12. Alice in Wonderland

OSCAR NIGHT 2011 | Black Swan

We all know the story. Virginal girl, pure and sweet, trapped in the body of a swan. She desires freedom but only true love can break the spell. Her wish is nearly granted in the form of a prince, but before he can declare his love her lustful twin, the black swan, tricks and seduces him. Devastated the white swan leaps of a cliff killing herself and, in death, finds freedom.

Thomas Leroy, artistic director of a New York City ballet company, sets the stage for their opening production of Swan Lake. Nina, played by Natalie Portman who is nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role, lands the lead role and struggles to overcome her uptight, unrealistic standards for perfection and her overbearing, over controlling mommy dearest.

He picked me, mommy! I'm the new swan queen!

Nina's stark swings from sweet, perfect ballerina to dark, paranoid nutcase earns her a spot in the elite league of crazy chicks, which includes:

• Peyton in The Hand that Rocks the Cradle (played by Rebeca De Mornay, I don't care what my good friend Jill says)
• Hedy in Single While Female (Jennifer Jason Leigh)
• And, of course, Alex in Fatal Attraction (Glenn Close)

I won't discuss the big difference between Nina and her psycho peers for fear of spoiling to movie for those that haven't seen it yet. The movie is a little didactic at times, especially when Thomas is coaching Nina with statements like, "Perfection is not just about control. It's also about letting go. Surprise yourself so you can surprise the audience. Transcendence! Very few have it in them."But they never feel forced, just blatant as he calls out the constant white swan vs. black swan struggle.

I loved this suspenseful, creepy thriller. I truly jumped in my seat at least three times. It scores number three on the list so far, and I think Natalie Portman earns the Oscar.

RANKING of OSCAR 2011 MUST-SEES (so far):

1. True Grit
2. Winter's Bone
3. Black Swan
4. The Town
5. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
6. Inception
7. Toy Story 3
8. How to Train Your Dragon
9. The Kids Are All Right
10. Animal Kingdom
11. Alice in Wonderland