83rd Academy Awards: Complete list of winners with links and nominees

Kodak Theatre, Hollywood, California

On Sunday, February 27, 2011, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences celebrated their 83rd awards ceremony by bestowing the coveted Oscar®, which honors the film industry’s top choices for outstanding achievements in motion pictures.

The live red carpet event and awards ceremony, held at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, California were viewed online and televised around the globe to more than 200 countries.

Below is the complete list of nominees and winners. To find out more about each film and individual award recipient, simply click on the highlighted link and you will be taken to the Internet Movie Data Base for further information, which includes movie trailers, ratings and individual biographies. 

BEST PICTURE

127 HOURS (Fox Searchlight)
An Hours Production Christian Colson, Danny Boyle and John Smithson, Producers
BLACK SWAN (Fox Searchlight)
A Protozoa and Phoenix Pictures Production Mike Medavoy, Brian Oliver and Scott Franklin, Producers
INCEPTION (Warner Bros)
A Warner Bros. UK Services Production Emma Thomas and Christopher Nolan, Producers
THE FIGHTER (Paramount)
A Relativity Media Production David Hoberman, Todd Lieberman and Mark Wahlberg, Producers
THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT (Focus Features)
An Antidote Films, Mandalay Vision and Gilbert Films Production Gary Gilbert, Jeffrey Levy-Hinte and Celine Rattray, Producers
Winner    - THE KING'S SPEECH  (The Weinstein Co)
A See-Saw Films and Bedlam Production Iain Canning, Emile Sherman and Gareth Unwin, Producers
THE SOCIAL NETWORK (Sony Pictures)
A Columbia Pictures Production Scott Rudin, Dana Brunetti, Michael De Luca and Ceán Chaffin, Producers
TOY STORY 3 (Walt Disney)
A Pixar Production Darla K. Anderson, Producer
TRUE GRIT (Paramount)
A Paramount Pictures Production Scott Rudin, Ethan Coen and Joel Coen, Producers
WINTER'S BONE (Roadside Attractions)
A Winter's Bone Production Anne Rosellini and Alix Madigan-Yorkin, Producers

BEST ACTOR

JAVIER BARDEM – BIUTIFUL (Roadside Attractions)

JEFF BRIDGES – TRUE GRIT (Paramount)

JESSE EISENBERG –THE SOCIAL NETWORK (SONY Pictures)

Winner    - COLIN FIRTH – THE KINGS SPEECH (The Weinstein Company)

JAMES FRANCO – 127 HOURS (Fox Searchlight)

BEST ACTRESS

ANNETTE BENING - THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT (Focus Features)
NICOLE KIDMAN - RABBIT HOLE (Lionsgate)
JENNIFER LAWRENCE - WINTER’S BONE (Roadside Attractions)
Winner   -  NATALIE PORTMAN - BLACK SWAN (Fox Searchlight)
MICHELLE WILLIAMS - BLUE VALENTINE (The Weinstein Co)

BEST ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

Winner   - CHRISTIAN BALE - THE FIGHTER (Paramount)
JOHN HAWKES - WINTER’S BONE (Roadside Attractions)
JEREMY RENNER - THE TOWN (Warner Bros)
MARK RUFFALO - THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT (Focus Features)
GEOFFREY RUSH - THE KING’S SPEECH (The Weinstein Company)


BEST ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

AMY ADAMS - THE FIGHTER (Paramount)
HELENA BONHAM CARTER - THE KING’S SPEECH (The Weinstein Company)
Winner   - MELISSA LEO - THE FIGHTER (Paramount)
HAILEE STEINFELD - TRUE GRIT (Paramount)
JACKI WEAVER - ANIMAL KINGDOM (Sony Pictures Classics)

BEST ANIMATED PICTURE

HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON (DreamWorks Animation)

THE ILLUSIONIST (Sony Pictures Classics)

Winner   - TOY STORY 3 (Walt Disney)

BEST DIRECTOR

DARREN ARONOFSKY – BLACK SWAN (Fox Searchlight)

JOEL AND ETHAN COEN – TRUE GRIT (Paramount)

DAVID FINCHER – THE SOCIAL NETWORK

Winner   - TOM HOOPER – THE KINGS SPEECH (The Weinstein Co.)

DAVID O> RUSSELL – THE FIGHTER (Paramount)

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY


ANOTHER YEAR, Mike Leigh (Sony Pictures Classics)
THE FIGHTER, Scott Silver and Paul Tamasy & Eric Johnson, Story by Keith Dorrington & Paul Tamasy & Eric Johnson (Paramount)
INCEPTION, Christopher Nolan (Warner Bros)
THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT, Lisa Cholodenko & Stuart Blumberg (Focus Features)
Winner    - THE KING'S SPEECH, David Seidler (The Weinstein Co)

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY

127 HOURS, Danny Boyle and Simon Beaufov (Fox Searchlight)

Winner   - THE SOCIAL NETWORK, Aaron Sorkin (Sony Pictures)

TOY STORY 3, Michael Arndt, Story by John Lasseter, Andrew Stanton and Lee Unkrich (Walt Disney

TRUE GRIT, Joel Coen and Ethan Coen (Paramount)

WINTER’S BONE, Debra Granik and Anne Rosellini (Roadside Attractions)

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM


Algeria, Hors la Loi (Outside the Law) (Cohen Media Group) - A Tassili Films Production
Canada, Incendies (Sony Pictures Classics) - A Micro-Scope Production
Winner   - Denmark, In a Better World (Sony Pictures Classics) - A Zentropa Production
Greece, Dogtooth (Kino International) - A Boo Production
Mexico, Biutiful (Roadside Attractions) - A Menage Atroz, Mod Producciones and Ikiru Films Production



BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN CINEMATOGRAPHY


Black Swan (Fox Searchlight) - Matthew Libatique
Winner   - Inception (Warner Bros.) - Wally Pfister
The King's Speech (The Weinstein Company) - Danny Cohen
The Social Network (Sony Pictures Releasing) - Jeff Cronenweth
True Grit (Paramount) - Roger Deakins
Inception…… http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1375666/
Wally Pfister……. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0002892/


BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE


Exit Through The Gift Shop (Producers Distribution Agency) A Paranoid Pictures Production Banksy and Jaimie D'Cruz
Gasland - A Gasland Production Josh Fox and Trish Adlesic
Winner   - Inside Job (Sony Pictures Classics) - A Representational Pictures Production Charles Ferguson and Audrey Marrs
Restrepo (National Geographic Entertainment) - An Outpost Films Production Tim Hetherington and Sebastian Junger
Waste Land (Arthouse Films) - An Almega Projects Production Lucy Walker and Angus Aynsley


BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT SUBJECT


Killing In The Name - A Moxie Firecracker Films Production Nominees to be determined
Poster Girl - A Portrayal Films Production Nominees to be determined
Winner   - Strangers No More - A Simon & Goodman Picture Company Production Karen Goodman and Kirk Simon
Sun Come Up - A Sun Come Up Production Jennifer Redfearn and Tim Metzger
The Warriors Of Qiugang - A Thomas Lennon Films Production Ruby Yang and Thomas Lennon

BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN FILM EDITING

127 Hours (Fox Searchlight) Jon Harris

Black Swan (Fox Searchlight) Andrew Weisblum

The Fighter (Paramount) Pamela Martin

The Kings Speech (The Weinstein Co.) Tariq Anwar

Winner   - The Social Network (Sony Pictures Releasing) Angus Wall and Kirk Baxter

ACHIEVEMENT IN VISUAL EFFECTS


Alice in Wonderland (Walt Disney) - Ken Ralston, David Schaub, Carey Villegas and Sean Phillips
Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 1 (Warner Bros.) - Tim Burke, John Richardson, Christian Manz and Nicolas Aithadi
Hereafter (Warner Bros) - Michael Owens, Bryan Grill, Stephan Trojanski and Joe Farrell
Winner   - Inception (Warner Bros) - Paul Franklin, Chris Corbould, Andrew Lockley and Peter Bebb
Iron Man 2 (Paramount and Marvel Entertainment, Distributed by Paramount) - Janek Sirrs, Ben Snow, Ged Wright and Daniel Sudick
 

BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN ART DIRECTION


Winner   - Alice in Wonderland (Walt Disney) - Production Design: Robert Stromberg, Set Decoration: Karen O'Hara
Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 1 (Warner Bros.) - Production Design: Stuart Craig, Set Decoration: Stephenie McMillan
Inception (Warner Bros) - Production Design: Guy Hendrix Dyas, Set Decoration: Larry Dias and Doug Mowat
The King's Speech (The Weinstein Company) - Production Design: Eve Stewart, Set Decoration: Judy Farr
True Grit (Paramount) - Production Design: Jess Gonchor, Set Decoration: Nancy Haigh



BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN COSTUME DESIGN


Winner   - Alice in Wonderland (Walt Disney) - Colleen Atwood
I Am Love (Magnolia Pictures) - Antonella Cannarozzi
The King's Speech (The Weinstein Company) - Jenny Beavan
The Tempest (Miramax) - Sandy Powell
True Grit (Paramount) - Mary Zophres


BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN MAKEUP


Barney's Version (Sony Pictures Classics) Adrien Morot
The Way Back (Newmarket Films/Wrekin Hill Entertainment/Image Entertainment) Edouard F. Henriques, Gregory Funk and Yolanda Toussieng
Winner   - The Wolfman (Universal) Rick Baker and Dave Elsey

BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN MUSIC WRITTEN FOR MOTION PICTURES (ORIGINAL SCORE)

127 Hours (Fox Searchlight) – A.R. Rahman

How to Train Your Dragon (Paramount) – John Powell

Inception (Warner Bros.) – Hans Zimmer

The King’s Speech (The Weinstein Co.) – Alexandre Desplat

Winner   - The Social Network (Sony Pictures Releasing) Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross

ACHIEVEMENT IN MUSIC WRITTEN FOR MOTION PICTURES (ORIGINAL SONG)

“Coming Home” from Country Strong (Sony Pictures/Screen Gems) - Music and Lyric by Tom Douglas, Troy Verges and Hillary Lindsey
“I See the Light” from Tangled (Walt Disney) - Music by Alan Menken, Lyric by Glenn Slater
“If I Rise” from 127 Hours (Fox Searchlight) - Music by A.R. Rahman, Lyric by Dido and Rollo Armstrong
Winner   - “We Belong Together” from Toy Story 3 (Walt Disney) - Music and Lyric by Randy Newman



BEST ANIMATED SHORT FILM


Day & Night (Walt Disney) - A Pixar Animation Studios Production Teddy Newton
The Gruffalo - A Magic Light Pictures Production Jakob Schuh and Max Lang
Let's Pollute - A Geefwee Boedoe Production Geefwee Boedoe
Winner   - The Lost Thing (Nick Batzias for Madman Entertainment) - A Passion Pictures Australia Production Shaun Tan and Andrew Ruhemann
Madagascar, carnet de voyage (Madagascar, a Journey Diary) - A Sacrebleu Production Bastien Dubois


BEST LIVE ACTION SHORT FILM


The Confession (National Film and Television School) - A National Film and Television School Production - Tanel Toom
The Crush (Network Ireland Television) - A Purdy Pictures Production - Michael Creagh
Winner   - God Of Love - A Luke Matheny Production - Luke Matheny
Na Wewe (Premium Films) - A CUT! Production Ivan Goldschmidt
Wish 143 - A Swing and Shift Films/Union Pictures Production Ian Barnes and Samantha Waite



ACHIEVEMENT IN SOUND EDITING


Winner   - Inception (Warner Bros) - Richard King
Toy Story 3 (Walt Disney) - Tom Myers and Michael Silvers
Tron: Legacy (Walt Disney) - Gwendolyn Yates Whittle and Addison Teague
True Grit (Paramount) - Skip Lievsay and Craig Berkey
Unstoppable (20th Century Fox) - Mark P. Stoeckinger

ACHIEVEMENT IN SOUND MIXING

Winner   - Inception (Warner Bros) - Lora Hirschberg, Gary A. Rizzo and Ed Novick
The King's Speech (The Weinstein Company) - Paul Hamblin, Martin Jensen and John Midgley
Salt (Sony Pictures Releasing) - Jeffrey J. Haboush, Greg P. Russell, Scott Millan and William Sarokin
The Social Network (Sony Pictures Releasing) - Ren Klyce, David Parker, Michael Semanick and Mark Weingarten
True Grit (Paramount) - Skip Lievsay, Craig Berkey, Greg Orloff and Peter F. Kurland

The Popcorn Report: Guide to this week's movies with ratings and trailers

‘Popcorn’ photo by Petr Kratochvil

It’s time to make weekend family entertainment plans and see if this week’s current crop of films will be part of your schedule. The following report covers motion picture theatrical releases opening nationwide beginning Friday, February 25, 2011.

The movies listed below have a rating, which has been established by the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) and have been provided with an italicized commentary from the Classification and Ratings Administration (CARA).

If a film has not been provided with an official rating, additional information may, or may not be provided.

If a film is designated NC-17, very limited information will be furnished.

For your convenience, each film title links directly to the Internet Movie Data Base, which provides the most comprehensive listing about the movie’s storyline, and includes a trailer, cast and crew information, initial audience reaction (if prior screenings have taken place) and parent advisories when available.

As always, you are the single best judge for determining your child’s choice of entertainment.

Opened February 25, 2011 Drive Angry 3-D – Action, Comedy, Fantasy- R- because of “strong brutal violence throughout, grisly images, some graphic sexual content, nudity and pervasive language.”

Opened February 25, 2011 The Grace Card– Drama– PG-13- because of “violence and thematic elements.”

Opened February 25, 2011 Hall Pass – Comedy- R- because of “crude and sexual humor throughout, language, some graphic nudity and drug use.”

Opened February 25, 2011 Heartbeats – Drama, Romance – NOT RATED - NOTE: New York City only.

Opened February 25, 2011 Of Gods and Men – Drama, History- PG-13- because of “ a momentary scene of startling wartime violence, some disturbing images and brief language.” NOTE: Los Angeles and New York City only.

Opening February 26, 2011 Rat Scratch Fever – Horror, Sci-Fi - NOT RATED

For information on films that opened the week of Friday, February 18, 2011, which included:   Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son;   Brotherhood;   Even in the Rain;   I Am;   I Am Number Four;   Immigration Tango;   Unknown and Vanishing on 7^th Street, please click on the following link:

The Popcorn Report: Guide to this week’s movies

For information on films that opened the week of Friday, February 11, 2011, which included:   Cedar Rapids;   The Eagle;   Gnome & Juliet;   Just Go With It;   Justin Bieber: Never Say Never and Lavoe, please click on the following link:

The Popcorn Report: Guide to this week’s movies

For information on films that opened the week of Friday, February 4, 2011, which included:  Cold Weather;   The Other Woman;   The Roommate;   Sanctum; and Waiting for Forever, please click on the link below, where you will also find previous listings and links for prior weeks in January, as well as films that opened in 2010:

The Popcorn Report: Guide to this week’s movies

G GENERAL AUDIENCES (All Ages Admitted) PG PARENTAL GUIDANCE SUGGESTED (Some Material May Not Be Suitable for Children) PG-13 PARENTS STRONGLY CAUTIONED (Some Material May Be Inappropriate for Children Under 13) R RESTRICTED (Under 17 Requires Accompanying Parent or Adult Guardian) NC-17 NO ONE 17 AND UNDER ADMITTED – As determined by the Rating Board/Motion Picture Association of America.

Musical Notes: Music industry news and releases for children and teens

Playing Guitar’ photo by Petr Kratochvil

Welcome to “Musical Notes,” the first weekly column on this site dedicated solely to music. Like our Friday “Popcorn Report,” which features the latest information on movies, this column will be highlighting current news and announcements in the music industry, and introducing you to the best of everything in CDs, music videos, games, instruments and upcoming performances for children, teens and families. Be sure to check back each Thursday.

Music News

The soundtrack for the highly anticipated upcoming film, PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: ON STRANGER TIDES is set to release nationwide from Walt Disney Records on May 17, 2011. 

The ON STRANGER TIDES soundtrack features first-time collaboration with Oscar®-winning composer Hans Zimmer and the highly acclaimed guitar duo from Mexico, Rodrigo Y Gabriela. 

“We’d always felt it a creative necessity that the ‘Pirates of the Caribbean 4’ score have an original sound all its own and to distinguish itself from the first three films.  With the inspiring addition of Rodrigo y Gabriela’s unique artistry under the direction of maestro Hans ‘Long John’ Zimmer, this iconic score franchise take its next step forward with an imaginative, fresh and individual new sound,” says Mitchell Leib, President of Music and Soundtracks for the Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Group and Disney Music Group.

Zimmer is one of the film industry’s most respected and sought-after composers whose credits span more than 100 film and television scores, and his works have also been honored with two Golden Globes® and three Grammy Awards®. 

Rodrigo y Gabriela, considered the premier guitar-playing duo in the world having sold over one million albums, their appearances have also sold out venues around the globe. In 2010, they were invited to share the stage with Beyonce for a state dinner at the White House. 

Walt Disney Pictures’ and Jerry Bruckheimer Films’ PIRATES OF THE CARRIBEAN; ON STRANGER TIDES,” with screenplay by Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio, suggested by the novel by Tim Powers opens in theaters May 20, 2011, in Disney Digital 3D™.

Musical Instruments

If there’s a child in your life who has taken a serious interest in learning the violin, one of the most trusted online resources for all-things musical for children, Music for Little People is currently having a sale of Anton Breton Violins. 

These are complete violin packages, which include not only a beautifully well-crafted instrument that produces a fine solid tone, but comes with wooden bow, strung with white horsehair, a Featherweight® case, and a FREE ($14.98 value) CD of the Parents’ Choice Honors/ Oppenheim Gold Award-winning recording, Celebration of Classical Music.

Violin sizes range from 1/16 to 4/4, and Music for Little People provides information on “How to Choose the Correct Size Violin,” along with tips on installing the bridge as well as care and upkeep of the instrument.

All violin packages normally sell for $120.00 but are currently on sale for $99.98 and include the bonus CD.

MUSIC CDs

Rattle On – The Rattles Band

Tony Caio, whose animated programming has garnered prestigious Cine Gold Eagle and National Education Association awards is the creator of The Rattles Band, a charming “animal collective rock band,” whose music echoes the sounds of The Beatles, a bit of Monkees, some Moxy Früvous and They Might Be Giants with a touch of British Invasion. Caio has brought together a music CD,  Rattle On  that kids as well as parents find entertaining.

Formed in Point Pleasant, New Jersey in 2008, The Rattles (comprised of four musicians, Gus (lead vocals), Kitty (drums), Sal (guitar) and Hal (bass) released their first studio album, Rattle On.

The website for these entertaining creatures encourages and demonstrates the important qualities of friendship and teamwork all based on solid musicality.

Rattle On is available to sound sample through Amazon.com where MP3 individual downloads for each of the nine tracks are $0.99, or $8.91 for the album. The full CD is priced at $10.43.

Frances England’s Mind of My Own

The San Francisco Chronicle dubbed her the “Queen of indi-folk children’s music,” and with her unique voice and gentle style, Frances England has released another fine recording on the children’s music scene, Mind of My Own. 

A recipient of the prestigious 2007 Oppenheim Platinum Music Award for her first CD, Fascinating Creatures, and a Parent’s Choice Gold for the 2008 release of Family Tree, England continues on her successful climb offering up easy listening for children and families.

Mind of My Own features a special guest appearance by Mates of State.

Below for your listening pleasure are sound samples of all 15 tracks of Mind of My Own.

The complete 37-minute CD is available direct from the artist’s website for $14.99, or MP3 download for the entire album for $8.99 or $0.99 per track through Amazon.com. To hear sound samples of England’s previous releases, visit the Frances England iTunes page where all three CDs are available in MP3 downloads at $0.99 per track.

Nat Geo Wild three-hour special tonight: 'Blue-Collar Dogs'

At the Bergin University of Canine Studies, experts are training dogs how to read.  Dr. Bergin developed a system of teaching the dogs complex tasks, starting as early as three and a half weeks of age. (Photo credit:  © Adina Pliskin)

 

The Nat Geo WILD channel offers a fascinating three-hour block of back-to-back programming on Monday, Feb. 21, 2011, as they present episodes of BLUE COLLAR DOGS, covering man’s best friend as a working partner in the fields of medicine, law enforcement, and search-and-rescue.

Tonight’s broadcast shows how K-9’s, with their intelligence and incredible sense of smell, (100,000 times more powerful than a humans) sniff out everything from cancer to keeping our borders safe, and  being first responders at crime scenes and natural disasters. 

Below are video previews of tonight’s episodes that introduce our four-legged friends and their trainers, as they take us on surprising journeys of discovery and compassion.

Blue-Collar Dogs: Canine MD 8 PM ET/PT

Blue-Collar Dogs: Border Hounds 9 PM ET/PT

Blue-Collar Dogs: New York Police at 10 PM ET/PT

Super Grover 2.0: Special theme this week on Sesame Street

Sesame Street's Super Grover 2.0

It’s never too early to introduce young children to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), and this week Sesame Street offers an all encompassing television/online and social media experience with Super Grover 2.0, as the beloved blue furry figure actively encourages preschoolers to engage in the world around them through the process of scientific inquiry by observing, questioning and investigating. These concepts provide the foundation of STEM learning.

Each day on Sesame Street (check local listings), a new segment will be playfully provided by Grover covering these important concepts.

To gently reinforce the televised segment, Sesamestreet.org online provides a game, playlists, printable activity sheets, a home-page movie as well as Super Grover 2.0 video clips.

And, to further enhance the learning experience, Grover will be posting his favorite super hero tips on Facebook as well as web exclusive videos such as the one below.

“Super Grover 2.0,’ is a perfect age-appropriate way to engage children as active participants in figuring out how to solve problems using scientific inquiry skills.  By modeling these behaviors, preschoolers learn vocabulary and STEM concepts that enhances their knowledge about how the world around them works,” says Dr. Rosemarie Truglio, Vice President of Education and Research, Sesame Workshop. “We are very excited to have an entire week devoted to STEM learning across different media platforms that help encourage young children’s curiosity in science as they explore their world.” 

 

Take a look at the YouTube video as Super Grover handles the concept of “Questioning.”

The Popcorn Report: Guide to this week's movies with ratings and trailers

‘Popcorn’ photo by Petr Kratochvil

It’s time to make weekend family entertainment plans and see if this week’s current crop of films will be part of your schedule. The following report covers motion picture theatrical releases opening nationwide beginning Friday, February 18, 2011.

The movies listed below have a rating, which has been established by the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) and have been provided with an italicized commentary from the Classification and Ratings Administration (CARA).

If a film has not been provided with an official rating, additional information may, or may not be provided.

If a film is designated NC-17, very limited information will be furnished.

For your convenience, each film title links directly to the Internet Movie Data Base, which provides the most comprehensive listing about the movie’s storyline, and includes a trailer, cast and crew information, initial audience reaction (if prior screenings have taken place) and parent advisories when available.

As always, you are the single best judge for determining your child’s choice of entertainment.

Opened February 18, 2011 Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son - Comedy- PG-13- because of “some sexual humor and brief violence.”

Opened February 18, 2011 Brotherhood – Crime, Drama- R- because of “pervasive language, some violence and sexual content.” NOTE: Dallas, Texas only.

Opened February 18, 2011 Even in the Rain - History- NOT RATED- NOTE: Los Angeles and New York City only.

Opened February 18, 2011 I Am – Documentary – NOT RATED -NOTE: Portland, Oregon only.

Opened February 18, 2011 I Am Number Four– Action, Sci-Fi, Thriller – PG-13- because of “intense sequences of violence and action, and for brief language.”

Opened February 18, 2011 Immigration Tango - Comedy- R-- because of “language and some sexual content.” NOTE: Los Angeles, and New York City only.

Opened February 18, 2011 Unknown- Drama, Mystery, Thriller- PG-13- because of “some intense sequences of violence and action, and brief sexual content.”

Opened February 18, 2011 Vanishing on 7th Street- Horror, Mystery, Thriller- R- because of “language.” NOTE: New York City Only.

For information on films that opened the week of Friday, February 11, 2011, which included: Cedar Rapids; The Eagle; Gnomeo & Juliet; Just Go With It; Justin Bieber: Never Say Never and Lavoe, please click on the following link:

The Popcorn Report: Guide to this week’s movies


For information on films that opened the week of Friday, February 4, 2011, which included: Cold Weather; The Other Woman; The Roommate; Sanctum; and Waiting for Forever, please click on the link below, where you will also find previous listings and links for prior weeks in January, as well as films that opened in 2010:

The Popcorn Report: Guide to this week’s movies

G GENERAL AUDIENCES (All Ages Admitted) PG PARENTAL GUIDANCE SUGGESTED (Some Material May Not Be Suitable for Children) PG-13 PARENTS STRONGLY CAUTIONED (Some Material May Be Inappropriate for Children Under 13) R RESTRICTED (Under 17 Requires Accompanying Parent or Adult Guardian) NC-17 NO ONE 17 AND UNDER ADMITTED – As determined by the Rating Board/Motion Picture Association of America.

Highlights of Toy Fair: 2011

The 2011 American International Toy Fair (the largest of its kind in the Western Hemisphere) wrapped up on Wednesday, Feb. 16 after a four-day period of having brought together over 10,000 eager buyers, viewing more than 100,000 toys that are destined to flood the retail market in the coming months.

Every imaginable type of toy was represented at the Fair - from high-tech gadgets to books, dolls, games puzzles and more; something for every age group.

Attendees viewed the perennial Barbie and Ken, to the newly introduced helium flying fish, with lots of choices in between.

Below are two short videos, courtesy of the 2011 American International Toy Fair that provide an overview of the event, which took place in New York City.

Be sure to check this column in the coming weeks as we feature posts on some of the newest and best toys for children and teens.

Choo-choo animated fun with Chuggington: 'Let’s Ride the Rails' DVD released

From Anchor Bay Entertainment, the home entertainment division of Starz Media, LLC is a brand new DVD release, CHUGGINGTON: LET’S RIDE THE RAILS, featuring those three brightly colored “trains-in-training,” Brewster, Wilson and Koko who appear daily on the popular preschool series, Chuggington, on the Disney Channel.

Now children will enjoy six beautifully animated stories, and learn how these charming chuggers “ride the rails of life” in each positive fun-filled episode that is designed to reinforce all-important social skills such as teamwork, trust, humility and respect.

The six episodes include: “Clunky Wilson,” “Braking Brewster,” “Can’t Catch Koko,” “Old Puffer Pete’s Tour,” “Koko On Call” and “Hodge And The Magnet.”

This 62-minute, DVD also comes with coloring pages and activity sheet. 

CHUGGINGTON: LET’S RIDE THE RAILS carries a suggested retail price of $16.98 and best available pricing is currently available through Amazon.com for $9.99, where you’ll also view a sample of the DVD.

If you’re not familiar with “Chuggington,” plan a visit with your little one to their wonderful interactive website.

Also, for your enjoyment, the video clip below will give you a good idea of why this show has become so popular with children, parents and caregivers.