With the 82nd annual Academy Awards coming up on March 7, it isn’t too late for moviegoers who have been procrastinating about watching all the nominated films and performances. Although titles and show times are subject to change, here’s a rundown of what’s now playing in the metro area.
Best picture nominees
“Avatar.” James Cameron’s sci-fi blockbuster is playing in wide release in other formats, but if you’re keen to see it in state-of-the-art IMAX 3-D, you’ll need to visit AMC Barrett Commons 24, Regal Mall of Georgia 20 or AMC Southlake Pavilion. Other major nomination: director. Total nominations: nine.
“The Blind Side.” Filmed here and featuring several local actors in small parts, Sandra Bullock’s football blockbuster is playing at metro theaters, too — the biggest thing to hit Atlanta since “Driving Miss Daisy.” Other major nomination: actress. Total nominations: two.
“An Education.” For those with less commercial tastes, this intimate British character study is playing at Landmark Midtown, Barret Commons and Regal Hollywood. Other major nomination: actress (Carey Mulligan). Total nominations: three.
“The Hurt Locker.” The Barrett Commons and Landmark Midtown theaters are showing last summer’s low-budget Iraq war drama, widely considered a front runner with “Avatar” for top Oscar honors. The film is also available on DVD. Other major nominations: actor (Jeremy Renner), director (Kathryn Bigelow). Total nominations: nine.
“Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire.” This urban drama is playing at metro theaters. Other major nominations: actress (Gabourey Sidibe), supporting actress (Mo’Nique), director (Lee Daniels). Total nominations: six.
“Up in the Air.” A star vehicle for George Clooney as a corporate hatchet man, this sophisticated comedy-drama is playing at metro theaters. Other major nominations: actor, supporting actress (Vera Farmiga and Anna Kendrick), director (Jason Reitman). Total nods: six.
Rounding out this year’s list of 10 nominees are four films no longer in regular theatrical release. But all of them are out on DVD: the sci-fi hit “District 9” (with four nominations); Quentin Tarantino’s World War II caper “Inglourious Basterds” (six); the Coen Brothers’ allegorical “A Serious Man” (two); and the popular Pixar animated movie “Up” (five).
Better yet, three theaters in the AMC chain — Phipps Plaza 14, Colonial 18 and Fork & Screen Buckhead 6 — will showcase all 10 of the best picture nominees in two day-long programs (Saturday and March 6). Passes are available online (amcentertainment.com) or at the respective box offices. A one-day pass is $30; a two-day pass is $50 (at the box office) or $60 (if ordered online).
Saturday (Phipps Plaza and Colonial): “Avatar 3-D” (10:30 a.m.); “Up in the Air” (1:45 p.m.); “Precious” (4 p.m.); “The Blind Side” (6:45 p.m.); “Inglourious Basterds” (9:15 p.m.).
Saturday (Buckhead): “Avatar 3-D” (10:30 a.m.); “Up” (1:45 p.m.); “A Serious Man” (3:45 p.m.); “Precious” (6:30 p.m.); “District 9” (8:45 p.m.).
March 6 (Phipps Plaza and Colonial): “Up” (10:30 a.m.); “A Serious Man” (12:45 p.m.); “The Hurt Locker” (2:45 p.m.); “An Education” (6 p.m.); “District 9” (8 p.m.).
March 6 (Buckhead): “An Education” (10:30 a.m.); “The Hurt Locker” (12:45 p.m.); “Up in the Air” (3:15 p.m.); “The Blind Side” (6 p.m.); “Inglourious Basterds” (8:30 p.m.).
Acting nominees
“Crazy Heart.” This romantic drama about a down-and-out country crooner earned actor and supporting actress nominations for Jeff Bridges and Maggie Gyllenhaal. At metro theaters.
“Invictus.” Actor and supporting actor nominees Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon star in a true story set during a rugby World Cup in post-apartheid South Africa. At Barrett Commons and Town Center Value.
“Julie & Julia.” For her delicious turn as French chef Julia Child, Meryl Streep received her 16th Oscar nomination. Available on DVD.
“The Last Station.” Supporting actor nominee Christopher Plummer plays Russian novelist Leo Tolstoy opposite actress nominee Helen Mirren as his wife. At Lefont Sandy Springs, Regal Tara and Barrett Commons.
“The Lovely Bones.” Stanley Tucci received a supporting actor nomination as a child murderer. Playing at At Snellville Oaks, Barrett Commons and Regal Stadium 22.
“The Messenger.” As an official with the military’s casualty notification department, Woody Harrelson is a supporting actor nominee. At Plaza Theatre.
“Nine.” In this star-studded musical, Penelope Cruz has been singled out with a supporting actress nod. At Barrett Commons, Town Center Value and Picture Show.
“A Single Man.” Colin Firth is a best actor nominee for his role as a gay college professor mourning the death of his lover. At Plaza Theatre, Lefont Sandy Springs, Barrett Commons.
Other notable films
Foreign language nominee “The White Ribbon”(Germany) is at Regal Tara.
Nominees for best animated feature include “Coraline” (on DVD), “Fantastic Mr. Fox” (Plaza Theatre) and “The Princess and the Frog” (at Picture Show and Town Center Value).
Best documentary feature nominees “The Cove” and “Food, Inc.” are available on DVD.
Six of this year’s Academy Award best picture nominees are still playing in theaters around the metro area. “Avatar” (clockwise from top left) is showing in several formats, including IMAX 3-D. Also playing are “The Blind Side,” filmed around Atlanta; “The Hurt Locker;” “Up in the Air;” “Precious: Based on the novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire” and “An Education.” Twentieth Century Fox; Warner Bros.; Paramount; Paramount; Lionsgate Films; Sony Pictures Classics
Rounding out the list of 10 movies competing for the Academy Awards’ highest honor are “District 9” (from left), “Up,” “Inglourious Basterds” and “A Serious Man.” These films are no longer showing in metro theaters (except in AMC’s Best Picture Showcase) but are available on DVD. Sony Pictures; Disney/Pixar; The Weinstein Co.; Focus Features
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