Nerd in the 'Noke

Lincoln (2012), PG-13, 150 minutes - When it comes to movies, I've always enjoyed period pieces.  Give me a film that provides a glimpse into another time and I'm happy.  I've also always enjoyed a well made biopic.  Luckily for me, these two genres often times go hand in hand.  In this case, Steven Spielberg covers both genres with an excellent film that focuses on the final four months of our 16th President's life, including his push to get the 13th Amendment to our Constitution passed in order to abolish slavery. Most biopics tend to cover an entire lifespan, but Spielberg decided to narrow his focus on a fraction of Abraham Lincoln's life that had the most lasting effects on our country (Tony Kushner's screenplay draws heavily from Doris Kearns Goodwin's novel 'Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln').  He takes a look behind the scenes and shows us Lincoln's mindset after having made the Emancipation Proclamation and bei...

Lincoln (2012) – Daniel Day Lewis?  Steven Spielberg?  Historically based period piece?  I was sold on this film before ever seeing the trailer.  After seeing the trailer (and the rest of the unbelievable cast that this film boasts), I am adding it to my short list of absolute must see theatrical views (along with Skyfall and The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey).  Day Lewis is joined by Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Tommy Lee Jones, Jackie Earle Haley, Jared Harris, Sally Field, John Hawkes, David Strathairn, and many others (more recognizable by face than by name).  I am very much looking forward to seeing Daniel Day Lewis’ take on one of our most popular presidents during a pivotal time in our country’s history.  Lincoln hits theaters on November 16th, which will be here before we know it!

Winter’s Bone (2010), R, 100 minutes – Winter’s Bone is a dank and cold drama/thriller that I never would have checked out had my friend Chris not mentioned it one conversation over beers. So when he was back in town almost a month later we decided to give it a look down at the local art house theater, the one place in town that consistently screens such films. And I’m glad we did. Winter’s Bone is based in the Ozark Mountain region and revolves around Ree (Jennifer Lawrence), a 17 year old girl who gets by day by day supporting her family (mother, two younger siblings) in the absence of her drug peddling father who has recently been arrested. Things get more complex when the local Sherriff (Garret Dillahunt) stops by to inform Ree that her father put up the family house and land in order to post bail. If he doesn’t show up at his hearing, they lose it all. Ree vows to make sure that her father shows up and begins hunting him down by contacting some not so nice family members a...