Page 22 THE VILLADOM TIMES II • February 6, 2013 music, the great Aston-Martin from “Goldfinger,” and a more grounded villain (Javier Bardem). Craig’s Bond combines a good deal of physicality with quick thinking as he attempts to short-circuit the megalomaniacal plans of Silva (Bardem) and protect M (Judi Dench), who has a more sizable role here than in previous Bond movies. Craig has given Bond his own personal stamp. Watching him, one never thinks of Connery, Moore, or Brosnan. Craig portrays a more serious and gritty version of the spy. “Skyfall” presents not a retro Bond, but one who relies more on his wits and conventional -- often inadequate - weaponry to do his job. Other expected ingredients of the Bond franchise are here: exotic locations, beautiful women (Berenice Marlohe plays a sexy woman of questionable loyalty), lots of action, and a solid supporting cast, including Ralph Fiennes and Albert Finney. ‘Amour.’ Emmanuelle Riva and Jean-Louis Trintignant star as Anne and Georges, an elderly married couple who live a comfortable middle-class life in a spacious French apartment. Then Anne become absent minded and experiences blackouts. She suffers a stroke and becomes partially paralyzed, requiring at-home nursing. Georges guards their privacy and attends to Anne as best he can, shunning the intrusions of outsiders. Daughter Eva (Isabelle Huppert) becomes angry with her father, fearing he is not doing enough for her mother. Essentially, “Amour” is a difficult journey through Georges’ distress as his wife deteriorates. A tough film to watch, it is nonetheless riveting, with Riva giving an amazing, heartrending performance. Director Michael Haneke etches in celluloid a portrait of despair, heightened by superb, unsentimental performances. ‘Argo.’ Directed by and starring Ben Affleck, “Argo” is based on a true story. The film takes place in 1979 when the American Embassy in Iran was overrun and hostages were seized for what would become a 444-day ordeal. Six diplomats escaped and were hidden by the Canadian ambassador. CIA officials work on numerous ideas for getting them out of the country. Strategist Tony Mendez (Affleck) comes up with the plan of having the diplomats assume the identities of a Canadian movie team scouting Iranian locations. Mendez consults with Hollywood makeup artist John Chambers (John Goodman) and producer Lester Siegel (Alan Arkin), who explain how the plan could work. This is Affleck’s third film as director and is his best yet. With letter perfect casting, an excellent screenplay by Chris Terrio, taut suspense, and non-stop momentum, “Argo” illustrates the methodical details necessary to pull off such a plan while relieving the tension with moments of humor courtesy of Goodman and Arkin. Affleck borrows some pointers from classic thrillers to keep viewers engaged. Best Films of 2012 (continued from Crossword page) holds viewers’ attention despite a minimum of his specialty -- action -- and a known conclusion. ‘Zero Dark Thirty.’ Director Kathryn Bigelow (“The Hurt Locker”), in straightforward fashion, takes viewers through the behind-the-scenes operations of the CIA as it juggles information to find Osama bin Laden, spending billions and facing enormous pressure to get results. Viewers see or hear of terrorist attacks that occur after 9/11 in other parts of the world, including recreations of several terrorist bombings and an attack on a CIA compound. These scenes show the deadly results of the terrorists’ perseverance, but there are many equally dramatic scenes set in offices with analysts using computers and technical data to assemble a picture of a network that might lead to bin Laden. There is a constant sense of determination; these analysts do not engage in office small talk. They recognize the urgency of their work and coordinate with field agents to close in on their prey. Maya (Jessica Chastain) is a CIA analyst who tirelessly trolls through countless amounts of seemingly unrelated bits of intelligence to find meaning and pick up even faint clues to bin Laden’s whereabouts. The Navy SEALS operation that resulted in the death of bin Laden is depicted in documentary-like style, without any Hollywood embellishments. It is quick, efficient, and precise. ‘Les Miserables.’ Adapting the hit Broadway musical into an epic motion picture is worthy of note. The fact that Tom Hooper did such an admirable job of it is nothing less than Herculean. Abandoning the standard cinematic method of prerecording songs to be lip-synched during filming, Hooper had his actors sing live during each take. Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway, Russell Crowe, and Amada Seyfried head the impressive cast. A strong presence, Jackman portrays the bitter prisoner and thief Jean Valjean, who transforms his life when he is touched by the kindness of a fellow human being, and becomes mayor of a French town. Jackman conveys Valjean’s tender side and his fear that his secret identity will be revealed. Compressing Victor Hugo’s substantial novel and telling his story mostly in song brings to life vividly memorable characters and the troubled, tumultuous times in which they lived. ‘Skyfall.’ Daniel Craig takes on James Bond for the third time. One of the best Bond films in quite a while, “Skyfall” is true to the original cinematic concept of 007 and is highly entertaining. Director Sam Mendes and crew have brought back many of the touches that made the films so popular, including the original Bond theme Villadom Happenings (continued from page 2) booths, and door prizes. The first 100 to arrive will receive a free T-shirt. Special activities for children will include The Hallway of Learning for Heart Health, tours of one of Valley’s emergency vehicles, and an agility contest for children ages nine to 12. Valley Health System is presenting this event in conjunction with Spirit of Women as part of Spirit’s annual Day of Dance for heart health. Registration is requested, but walk-ins are welcome. To register, call (201) 291-6118 or e-mail SpiritOfWomen@ValleyHealth.com. Park Ridge High School is located at 2 Park Avenue in Park Ridge. Embroiderers to meet The Bergen Chapter of The Embroiderers’ Guild of America will meet Feb. 11 at 9:30 a.m. in the Red Barn at Guardian Angel Church, 320 Franklin Turnpike, Allendale. Speaker Pat Conway will be teaching embroidery thread pin pricking on card stock. The public is welcome to attend. Caregiver Support Group to meet Children’s Aid & Family Services’ Eldercare Program assists caregivers through its Caregiver Support Group, which is facilitated by eldercare social worker Sheila Brogan. This group meets weekly on Tuesdays from 10 to 11:15 a.m. at the Northwest Senior Center at 46-50 Center Street in Midland Park. Caregivers who attend the group are given opportunities to explore and share feelings, examine their coping skills, and learn about community resources available to provide assistance. The positive and supportive aspects of this support program help caregivers to better manage the stresses and strains of care-giving and to respond to their own needs and those of the person for whom they care. For more information, call Sheila Brogan at (201) 447-5695 on Tuesday or Wednesday or e-mail sheilabrogan@optonline.net. Community Blood Drive announced The Christian Health Care Center in Wyckoff will hold a Community Blood Drive on Feb. 13. Community Blood Services’ blood mobile will be in the Commons parking lot from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. that day. All potential donors will receive a glucose and cholesterol screening. To prevent long wait times, schedule an appointment by calling CHCC Employee Health Nurse Barbara Lucia, RN, BSN at (201) 848-5872. Village School hosts Open House The Village School in Waldwick will host an Open House on Saturday, Feb. 9 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the school located at 100 West Prospect Street in Waldwick. Meet with the faculty and staff, see the classrooms, and tour the school’s facility. Attendees will learn about the benefits of Montessori education through the middle school years. The Village School offers Montessori education for students from 18 months to middle school. The school is accredited by both The Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and the American Montessori Society. For more information, call Judy Trubac at (201) 4456160, extension 225, e-mail jtrubac@thevillageschool. net, or visit www.thevillageschool.net. Woman’s Club welcomes new members The Woman’s Club of Ridgewood will hold a Membership Open House on Tuesday, Feb.12. Area women who live within a 19 mile radius of Ridgewood are invited to the clubhouse at 215 West Ridgewood Avenue in Ridgewood. Bring friends, neighbors, and relatives from 9:30 to 11 a.m. for coffee or from 7:30 to 9 p.m. for cocktails. To RSVP, call Anita at (201) 445-0380. The Woman’s Club of Ridgewood is a non-profit organization and member of The General Federation of Women’s Clubs and The New Jersey State Federation of Women’s Clubs and always welcomes new members.