By Dave Montalbano

http://cinemadave.livejournal.com

Of the nine Best Picture Nominations, “Silver Linings Playbook” is the most domestic motion picture. It has a leading man (Bradley Cooper) who was once People Magazine’s sexiest man of the year, the hottest young actress in the movies today (Jennifer Lawrence), a master thespian (Robert DeNiro) and Jacki Weaver, an actress who has become an overnight sensation after four decades of film work in Australia. Throw in Director David O. Russell and the Weinstein brothers’ marketing blitz and Silver Linings Playbook has the potential to garner a few Oscars.

This film is a comedy drama about a Philadelphia family. Pat Jr. (Cooper) is released from a mental institution and moves in with his parents, Pat Sr.(DeNiro) and Dolores (Weaver). As part of his therapy, he takes therapeutic dance classes with Tiffany (Lawrence), a woman with her own self-esteem issues.

Silver Linings Playbook is a lively film with genuine moments. As the bipolar Pat Jr., Bradley Cooper invites the audience to ride the emotional roller coaster from sorrow to joy.

Benh Zeitlin spent almost two years writing his script for Beasts of the Southern Wild. With practically no money, Zeitlin cast New Orleans locals and directed his movie in approximately 36 days. After a successful screening at the Sundance Film Festival, his film became an overnight sensation when the print was purchased by Fox Searchlight.

While the trailer leaves one wondering if they are watching a poor man’s Godzilla featuring giant Pot-Bellied pigs and a haunted child, “Beasts of Southern Wild” is a simple coming-of-age film shot documentary style.

Quvenzhané Wallis portrays Hushpuppy, a feral 6- year-old little girl who lives in the swamps with her angry, but dying father (Dwight Henry). As she copes with the reality of floods, fires and hurricanes, Hushpuppy finds more terror in her nightmares involving rampaging Beasts.

Last, but not least, The 2nd Annual Blues Film Festival will commence Feb. 16-17 during the Riverwalk Blues Festival in Downtown Ft. Lauderdale. F o r d e t a i l s and showt i m e s , v i s i t www.riverwalkbluesfestival.com and www.bluesfilmfest.com