Page 20 THE VILLADOM TIMES I, II, III & IV • February 18, 2009 Oscar picks (continued from Entertainment page) Private Ryan.” The nominees this year are David Fincher (“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”), Ron Howard (“Frost/Nixon”), Gus Van Sant (“Milk”), Stephen Daldry (“The Reader”), and Danny Boyle (“Slumdog Millionaire”). Interestingly, the Best Picture and Best Director nominees match. This does not always happen. The most ballyhooed of the Best Picture nominees is “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” the film that has earned the most money at the box office thus far, thanks largely to the presence of Brad Pitt. The film is a variation of “Forrest Gump” (it was penned by the same writer) and uses the gimmick of having the title character born old and aging backwards. The film has epic ambitions, but never really transcends the “very good” level. “Milk” combines archival footage with new footage to paint a vivid picture of the 1970s and the beginning of the gay rights movement. Location filming in the Castro district of San Francisco and overall terrific performances make “Milk” a must-see. “The Reader” is more an acting showcase than a worthy Best Picture winner. It is perhaps too personal a film, and too small in its appeal. “Frost/Nixon,” initially a front runner, seems less likely to be designated this year’s Best Picture winner because of a little film that came out of nowhere. “Slumdog Millionaire,” once in limbo when its home studio went out of business, features no stars and was released without fanfare. What it does have is a terrific script with an interesting framing device, spirited performances, and a look at the abject poverty of the slums of Mumbai, India. Its child actors are wonderful, and it is the one picture among the nominees that is not only far above average, but is unlike any other movie of recent memory. It is my choice for Best Picture and the Academy voters will surely agree. Danny Boyle, director of “Slumdog Millionaire,” combines a riveting tale with engaging performances. The film is not only entertaining, but it makes a statement without preaching. Boyle knows how to use visuals to create a milieu and to show how poverty and lack of opportunity can create an ongoing cycle of despair. The overall film, however, is infused with hope. Boyle elicits winning performances from his young cast, especially Dev Patel and Freida Pinto. I believe Boyle is the most deserving of the five nominees. When the envelope is opened on Feb. 22, he will be handed an Oscar for Best Director. among much taller actors. “Alien Raiders” (Warner Home Video) is a low-budget sci-fi/horror film that would have been right at home at a 1950s Saturday matinee. The movie has a great opening. At just after 11 p.m. on a typical evening at an Arizona supermarket, a group of masked, armed intruders kill several employees and shoppers and hold the remainder hostage. An alien infestation has been discovered and tracked to this store on this particular night. The film has no name stars, but that is par for the course with many genre films. What matters more are the special effects and the originality of the script. “Alien Raiders” is far better than most. Working with a limited budget, director Ben Rock wisely keeps glimpses of the creatures brief and deeply shadowed. He builds tension and provides some characterization along the way. At a mere 85 minutes, the Rrated film moves quickly and seldom bogs down. Viewers may notice similarities to Stephen King’s “The Mist,” but “Alien Raiders” veers into fresh territory. Bonuses include a making-of featurette and a behind-the-scenes look at the picture’s special effects. ARIES - Mar 21/Apr 20 ARIES - Mar 21/Apr 20 Everything you touch turns gold, Everything you touch turns toto gold, Aries. Make productive use your Aries. Make productive use ofof your resources, and you’ll attract much resources, and you’ll attract much support down the road. But, beware support down the road. But, beware ofof those who take advantage. those who take advantage. TAURUS - Apr 21/May 21 TAURUS - Apr 21/May 21 Happy times are here, especially Happy times are here, especially if if you are beginning a new romantic reyou are beginning a new romantic relationship, Taurus. Your connection lationship, Taurus. Your connection is is now stronger than ever thanks your now stronger than ever thanks toto your ability speak openly. ability toto speak openly. GEMINI - May 22/Jun 21 GEMINI - May 22/Jun 21 Keep plugging away projects, Keep plugging away at at projects, Gemini. You’ll find you must multiGemini. You’ll find you must multitask this week, especially when sometask this week, especially when something big arrives by midweek. Make thing big arrives by midweek. Make a a list, have a a game plan mind. list, oror have game plan inin mind. CANCER - Jun 22/Jul 22 CANCER - Jun 22/Jul 22 Your ability concentrate will not be Your ability toto concentrate will not be very strong this week, Cancer. Friends very strong this week, Cancer. Friends can help you along and provide the can help you along and provide the guidance you need. Expect big news guidance you need. Expect big news by Thursday. by Thursday. LEO - Jul 23/Aug 23 LEO - Jul 23/Aug 23 This week will hectic and you This week will bebe hectic and you might feel stressed out and distracted, might feel stressed out and distracted, Leo. Spending long hours work will Leo. Spending long hours at at work will not help the situation, see if you not help the situation, soso see if you can sneak out early one day. can sneak out early one day. VIRGO - Aug 24/Sept 22 VIRGO - Aug 24/Sept 22 Unexpected glitches a project are Unexpected glitches inin a project are set arise on Tuesday, Virgo. You’ll set toto arise on Tuesday, Virgo. You’ll bebe full of energy for most of the week, full of energy for most of the week, soso you’ll be able to tackle the problem you’ll be able to tackle the problem effortlessly. effortlessly. LIBRA - Sept 23/Oct 23 LIBRA - Sept 23/Oct 23 Money has been burning hole in Money has been burning a a hole in your pocket, and you’re ready your pocket, and you’re ready toto spend, Libra. Better keep that cash spend, Libra. Better keep that cash inin check little while longer because check a a little while longer because you’ll soon need you’ll soon need it.it. SCORPIO - Oct 24/Nov 22 SCORPIO - Oct 24/Nov 22 You will make tremendous progress You will make tremendous progress inin fulfilling goals you’ve set for yourfulfilling goals you’ve set for yourself, Scorpio. You have motivation, self, Scorpio. You have motivation, power and resources on your side power and resources on your side toto get the job done right. get the job done right. SAGITTARIUS - Nov 23/Dec 21 SAGITTARIUS - Nov 23/Dec 21 You’ll faced with delicate topics You’ll bebe faced with delicate topics this week, Sagittarius. Don’t tiptoe this week, Sagittarius. Don’t tiptoe around the issues. Get the heart around the issues. Get toto the heart ofof the situation, and be honest about the situation, and be honest about your feelings. your feelings. CAPRICORN - Dec 22/Jan 20 CAPRICORN - Dec 22/Jan 20 You don’t need any outside motiYou don’t need any outside motivation plow through your work vation toto plow through your work -- -- you’re naturally motivated. Afteryou’re naturally motivated. Afterward, rest up, because change in ward, rest up, because change is is in store for you, Capricorn. store for you, Capricorn. AQUARIUS - Jan 21/Feb 18 AQUARIUS - Jan 21/Feb 18 Follow-through the key to locking Follow-through is is the key to locking inin deals that can help you in your deals that can help you in your career, Aquarius. Make sure you dot career, Aquarius. Make sure you dot your “I”s and cross your “T”s well your “I”s and cross your “T”s asas well -- -- details are appreciated. details are appreciated. PISCES - Feb 19/Mar 20 PISCES - Feb 19/Mar 20 Keep doing what you’ve been doing, Keep doing what you’ve been doing, Pisces. You’re an ideal position to Pisces. You’re inin an ideal position to expand your skills, horizons and earnexpand your skills, horizons and earning power. ing power. DVDs (continued from Restaurant page) opportunity to make his fondest wish come true. Jan is shown as he is being released from a Czechoslovakian prison during the Communist era and exiled to a remote part of the country where his recollections of the past form the basis of the story. Though Jan is not astute politically, he is extremely proficient at bettering his economic situation. By listening in on conversations, he is able to polish his manners and kiss up to those who can advance his prospects. From a modest country pub, he moves on to an elegant Prague restaurant and then to a lush spa frequented by Nazi offspring. Like the title character in “Forrest Gump,” Jan achieves success and moves from one adventure to the next unwittingly, letting life take him where it will. Barnev is often reminiscent of Chaplin in his precisely choreographed movements, expressive reaction shots, and placement Answer Last Week’s Puzzle Answer to to Last Week’s Puzzle