Who will take home Oscars at the 84th Academy Awards? Make your predictions here!

How to play: It’s easy! Enter your name and contact information and then select whoever you think will win. All answers are multiple choice, exception for the two tie-breaker questions which require a numeric answer. Categories are weighted with a total of 100 possible points.

Prizes will be awarded for First, Second, and Third places. Winners will receive an Ambler Theater Oscar statuette and free passes. A special award will be given if the winners are in attendance at our Oscar Party.

What is Screen Watch? Each week, we post a collection of images, trailers, videos, and articles on the film industry as it relates to the Ambler and County Theaters. We are also now proud to feature your testimonials and pictures of your at the theater. Do you have something that you think we will find interesting or should be included? Email it to ccollier@renewtheaters.org.

[Above] Drew Abbate, owner and head chef at the Vine and Fig Tree Bistro (across the street from the County) recreated Barad-dûr as a Croquembouche (cream puff tower).

Oscar Death Race has been frantically trying to watch every Oscar-nominated film and break down who should win.

Douglas Trumbull Plans to Reinvent Cinema beyond either Cameron or Jackson.

Jean Dujardin’s Villain Auditions from Funny or Die

Disney has produced a video guide for Digital Projectionists.

The Artist cleans up at the BAFTAs sweeping the major awards.

Warner Brothers puts Wizard of Oz DVD on moratorium until 2013.

Entertainment Tonight’s video of Uggie attending an Academy Awards dinner.

David Bordwell’s new post on Digital Cinema focusing on Virtual Print Fees.

A Wellesley College and the University of Minnesota study shows online video pirating does not hurt US Box office.

“Wes Anderson from Above” supercut by kogonada.

Trailer for Wes Anderson’s newest film Moonrise Kingdom.

Testimonials

I have to compliment the County’s and Ambler’s staffs on how spotlessly clean the theaters always are. Patrons really appreciate how your staff rushes into the theaters after every show to pick up stray bits of popcorn and other debris. The last time I was at an area multiplex there was enough popcorn just along the main aisle to fill a large container and the theater itself was littered with so many drink cups and other trash that I hated to sit down. It’s just one more reason why your theaters are so superior to others. – June Ulkoski

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Thanks to KC Biedlingmaier, Ben Skamla, Drew, Abbate, June Ulkoski, Shane Jenkins, and John Toner for sharing articles for this week’s post. Have an article you think we should share? How about a testimonial or a picture of you at the theater? Send it to ccollier@renewtheaters.org.

Want more? Read the previous edition.

Last month we asked you to list your favorite films of the year and that we would compile all of your responses into one master Top 10 List. Well, we have dug through all of your great submissions and are proud to announce the results!

We calculated our master top ten based on a weighted system. We awarded 10 points to a first place, 9 point to second, 8 to third, and so on. If the films were given in no order, each film was worth 2 points. For those who just listed only one favorite film, that vote was given 7 points.

We had a lot of fun calculating this list and guessing which films would come out on top. The race for the top three spots was very close. All within 5 points of each other! Without further ado, here are your favorite films of the year!

#10   The Ides of March

Ryan Gosling stars in Director George Clooney’s behind-the scenes exploration inside the vicious world of political campaigning. Sharp dialog and tension permeate this engrossing drama.

#9   My Week with Marilyn

Michelle Williams commands the screen as Marilyn Monroe. Director Simons Curtis’s film about filmmaker Colin Clark’s (Eddie Redmayne) magical week with the Blonde Bombshell.

#8   The Guard

Gerry Boyle (Brendan Gleeson) isn’t your typical guard in this outrageous film, and FBI agent Wendell Everett (Don Cheadle) can’t decide whether he’s insane or brilliant. With laughs and drama around every turn, director John Michael McDonagh’s movie is one of the best of the year.

#7  Hugo

Director Martin Scorsese’s love letter to film captured the hearts of many film goers this year. Based on the book by Brian Selznick, this fantasy tale is one for the ages.

#6   Tree of Life

Starring Brad Pitt, this film about life and everything it holds is a beautiful singular vision from the mind of Terrence Malick.

#5  Drive

A tale of a Hollywood stunt Driver (Ryan Gosling) who gets in over his head and has to protect the people put in harm’s way. Director Nicolas Winding Refn’s direction grabs you by the lapels and never lets go.

#4  Moneyball

Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill stars in is fantastic “Inside-Baseball” drama about a Manager who has to pull together a team to beat those with a much larger budget.  A classic tale were strategic thinking champions over money. With easily some of the greatest dialog of the year and great direction by Bennett Miller, Moneyball hits it right out of the park.

#3  The Descendants

Matt King (George Clooney), a Hawaiian native, has to deal with his wife’s past indiscretions while balancing his parenting and family responsibilities. Shailene Woodley and Amara Miller are wonderful as King’s daughters, with performances that are striking in their uniqueness and realism. Funny, honest, and heart-warming Alexander Payne has created a fantastic film.

#2  The Artist

A view into Hollywood’s Golden past with the style of today. Jean Dujardin and Bérénice Bejo stars in this incredible tribute to silent film. Acting as a showcase of how far we have come in cinema as well as how expression is universal, Michel Hazanavicius’s masterpiece will stay in our hearts forever.

#1  Midnight in Paris

Woody Allen creates another memorable classic with this whimsical journey through Paris, its art, and history. Fantastic dialog and wonderous performances from Owen Wilson and a great ensemble cast is what made Midnight in Paris your favorite film of the year!

Let us know what you think of these winners? Did our formula calculate them correctly? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below.

What is Screen Watch? Each week, we post a collection of images, trailers, videos, and articles on the film industry as it relates to the Ambler and County Theaters. Do you have something that you think we will find interesting or should be included? Email it to ccollier@renewtheaters.org.

A hard drive (above) containing a DCI-compliant version of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. This is how  commercial films are being distributed instead of on 35mm and why we need to switch to digital projection.

Interview with Stewart Craig, Oscar nominee for Art Direction for Harry Potter.

Uggie takes a publicity tour

Why are there Nine Best Picture Nominees? An explanation of how the votes are tallied.

Leonard Maltin on movie promotions.

Digital conversion is spreading across Europe.

The Astor theater talks about their Digital concerns.

A Brief History of Title Design from Ian Albinson.

Movie Title Sequences from 99% Invisible by Roman Mars

The Artist blooper reel.

Uggie at the Golden Globes.

The Iron Lady is causing a stir in Britian as many remember Thatcher in different ways.

David Bordwell’s musings on Digital Cinema.

A Guide to Understanding Tinker Tailor

As 35mm Film Dies, How Do Revival Theaters Cope? in The Atlantic

Thanks to Shane Jenkins and John Toner for sharing articles for this week’s post. Have an article you think we should share? Send it to ccollier@renewtheaters.org.

After the jump is the list of nominated films that played on our screens this past year.

THE ARTIST: 10 Nominations
Actor In a Leading Role | Actress In a Supporting Role | Art Direction | Best Picture | Cinematography | Costume Design | Directing | Film Editing | Music (Original Score) | Writing (Original Screenplay)

MONYBALL: 6 Nominations
Actor In a Leading Role | Actor In a Supporting Role | Best Picture | Film Editing | Sound Mixing | Writing (Adapted Screenplay)

 THE DESCENDANTS: 5 Nominations
Actor In a Leading Role | Best Picture | Directing | Film Editing Writing (Adapted Screenplay)

MIDNIGHT IN PARIS: 4 Nominations
Art Direction | Best Picture | Directing | Writing (Original Screenplay)

TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY: 3 Nominations
Actor In a Leading Role | Music (Original Score) | Writing (Adapted Screenplay)

THE TREE OF LIFE: 3 Nominations
Best Picture | Cinematography | Directing

MY WEEK WITH MARILYN: 2 Nominations
Actor In a Supporting Role | Actress In a Leading Role

THE IRON LADY: 2 Nominations
Actress In a Leading Role | Makeup

BEGINNERS: 1 Nomination
Actor In a Supporting Role

DRIVE: 1 Nomination
Sound Editing

THE IDES OF MARCH: 1 Nomination
Writing (Adapted Screenplay)

JANE EYRE: 1 Nomination
Costume Design

MARGIN CALL: 1 Nomination
Writing (Original Screenplay)

ANONYMOUS: 1 Nominations
Costume Design

Want to know more: Check out the full list of Academy Award Nominated films. Speaking of the Oscars, join us Sunday, February 26th and celebrate the Ambler and the top movies of 2011. We will be celebrating with incredible food & drink, live music, and most importantly: the Academy Awards on all three screens in stunning HD. Purchase your tickets today!

Share your thoughts with us about the nominations. Who was overlooked? Who was rightfully selected? Are you excited for this year’s Oscar ceremony?

Harry Potter will now be starting at 10:00am instead of 11:00. This is for both the Ambler screening on Saturday, February 4th and the County screening on Saturday, March 17th.

Over a decade ago, three Wizards burst onto the silver screen in what would be the first of eight Harry Potter films. We are excited to bring this first installment back to theaters as part of our Saturday Family Matinee series. But due to some scheduling issues – and the fact that Chris Columbus did not feel the need to cut anything in order to make his big-screen adaptation – we have had to shift the screenings of Harry Potter one hour earlier than our normal Matinee start time.

Costumes are encouraged for both screenings and outfits will be rewarded with free popcorn. Depending on how many participants we have, we might even divide up the theater into seating by Hogwarts house. We welcome any ideas you might have to make these screenings more fun and interactive. Please share any thoughts or suggestions below in the comments section.

This is the third time that John and I have attended the Art House Convergence. This year was the most inspiring and informational trip that we have made. Over the course of four days we met other theater operators with organizations that range in size from single-screen storefronts to cutting-edge, big city facilities. We talked with independent distributors and filmmakers. We met with innovative programmers, customer service experts, education specialists, and equipment representatives.

The Philadelphia area was very strongly represented with not only the Ambler and County Theaters present, but also the Bryn Mawr Film Institute, Cinema 16:9 (Lansdowne), ArtsQuest (Bethlehem), The Colonial Theatre (Phoenixville), and The Civic Theatre of Allentown. We were excited to make stronger friendships with our other local film family and look forward to working together to continue to bring the best films and events to the Greater Philadelphia region.

John Toner addressing the audience of the Digital Cinema Panel. Photo by Chuck Foxen.

The biggest topic of conversation was the Digital Cinema Initiative that needs to be addressed by all of our organizations. Because of the incredible support that we have received from all of our members and fans, we arrived ahead of the rest of the pack in terms of our Digital knowledge and were able to share information and lead the discussion about the digital conversion. John was a panelist in one session on discussing digital conversion and was thanked by many other conference attendees for being a clear voice in the face of this difficult and tumultuous challenge. We learned a great deal from our colleagues and feel confident that we will not only weather this storm, but use it to our advantage to continue to bring you the best films with the best possible presentation.

The other highlights of the trip included Key Note addresses by Tim League, Founder and CEO of Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas, and Ted Hope, Producer/Partner/Founder of Double Hope Films. Both of these esteemed speakers reminded us about our vital role to our communities and challenged us to be better citizens and exhibitors.

Both John and I came away with a number of new tools and ideas which we plan to put into practice in the very near future. We are especially looking forward to working closer with members of the community, local film experts, and colleagues in other theaters to constantly improve our mission of bringing you the best theatrical experience possible.

To learn more about the Art House Convergence, you can explore their website, Facebook page, or follow them on twitter. You can also look back through the #AHC12 hashtag posts on twitter to see all of the discussions that were held at the convergence itself.

[above] Universal Pictures celebrates its 100th Anniversary with restoration of 13 films and updated logo.

Three The Artist-related stories:

• Michel Hazanavicius responds to Kim Novack’s statements about the use of Vertigo theme in The Artist.
• Uggie the dog went on a British press tour.
• Michel Hazanavicius has talking about his next film which will be a WWII drama.

Interview with the cast and director of National Theatre’s new production Traveling Light.

The new trailer for the National Theatre’s upcoming production of Shakespeare’s Comedy of Errors.

Oscar Update: New rules for Documentary Oscar nominees.

Oscar Update: The Academy also revised the Best Picture rules.

The official trailer for the 84th Academy Awards.

A list of memorable moments and images from the movies of 2011.

Three suggestions to the movie industry to lure adults back to the theaters.

Dudeism: A religion based on the philosophy of The Big Lebowski.

 Vitruvian Dude t-shirt from Fashionable Geek.

A letter from Raymond Chandler to Hitchcock about their strained relationship while making Strangers on a Train.

Thanks to Steve Goetz, Geoff Basset, Shane Jenkins, and John Toner for sharing articles for this week’s post. Have an article you think we should share? Send it to ccollier@renewtheaters.org.