The Golden Globes: the films

If you did not watch the Golden Globes last night, let me fill you in on what you missed: Ricky Gervais was a bore, the fashion choices of Hollywood celebrities at award shows continue to baffle me, and a movie that you probably haven't seen won several awards. Meryl Streep was bestowed with another trophy to add to her collection. In sum: nothing groundbreaking took place.

A mostly-silent film about Hollywood in the 1920s, “The Artist,” was favored in three categories – Best Motion Picture for Musical or Comedy, Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy (Jean DuJardin), and Original Score. Along with “The Artist,” “The Descendants,” is also considered to be one to beat at the Academy Awards, taking top honors for Best Motion Picture, Drama, and Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama (George Clooney). Michelle Williams won Best Actress for her portrayal of tragic screen goddess Marilyn Monroe in “My Week with Marilyn” in the Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy category, and the ineffable Streep for her role as British political powerhouse Margaret Thatcher in “The Iron Lady” on the Motion Picture, Drama side.

This is what I find to be so frustrating about cinematic award season: living in a small town in Chautauqua County, many of the contenders aren't being shown here. In fact, sometimes we're lucky if some of the most accolade-accruing movies make it to one art house theater in a suburb of Buffalo. What's a film fanatic to do?

Here's what you can see without traveling far. Nominee in the drama category, “War Horse,” and Best Animated Feature Film winner “The Adventures of Tintin,” are currently showing at the Dunkirk Movieplex. "War Horse" will also be screened at the Fredonia Opera House on Feb. 4 and 7. “Hugo,” for which Martin Scorcese won in the Best Director category, will be shown at the Opera House Jan. 28 and 31. “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,” is now showing at the Dunkirk Movieplex; the film was nominated for Best Original Score and the lead, Rooney Mara, for Best Actress in a Motion Picture, Drama (I believe Mara was robbed – Streep is undeniably, consistently great but if you've seen Mara's performance, you'll understand). Another multiple nominee, “50/50,” will be playing at the Reg Lenna Civic Center in Jamestown on Feb. 3 and 4. I have yet to see “War Horse” or “Tintin” so I cannot weigh in on those films but “Hugo,” “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” and “50/50” were all spectacular and are three of my favorite films from 2011.

What about the some of the big winners and potential Oscar contenders? (However, the Golden Globes have proven to NOT be indicative of what will happen at the Oscars – read this most informative article that clears up this misconception). For now, it will involve a trip to the Buffalo area. The following listings include the nearest theater us residing in northern Chautauqua County:

- “My Week with Marilyn” is showing at Dipson McKinley Mall 6, 3701 McKinley Pkwy., Hamburg.

- The Regal Quaker Crossing in Orchard Park is showing “The Descendants,” “The Iron Lady,” and “Carnage.” The theater is also playing “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy,” which was not nominated for a Golden Globe but could make it into the Oscar race – Colin Firth is in it after all.

- “The Artist” is showing at Dipson Eastern Hills Cinema 3, 4545 Transit Road, Williamsville.

Luckily, some films, such as “The Help” (simply a delightful movie), are already out on DVD or are offered On Demand on Time Warner Cable – and just in time, as the cabin fever begins to set in.