Movies of a Petite Aspie

The 2014 Academy Award nominees were announced last Thursday morning, and shortly afterwards, my mind was reeling with disappointment -- edging on sadness, but not quite there, seeing as it is only an awards ceremony (but not really, for me, at least) -- regarding the nominees.  There were many happy surprises, such as the inclusion of Amy Adams ( American Hustle ) in the Best Actress category and Sally Hawkins in the Best Supporting Actress category ( Blue Jasmine ), among others.  However, I cannot help but be frustrated with a number of snubs, which are listed below.  I am also listing those performances/films that were more of a long-shot, but they still hold places in my heart, and in others' hearts (seeing as I have yet to see all of these films).  Oh My God (I Think I Just Had a Heart Attack) Snubs Captain Phillips -- Best Actor (Tom Hanks) Saving Mr. Banks -- Best Actress (Emma Thompson) Flabbergasting, Headscratch-Inducing Snubs 12 Years a Slave -- ...

Cowboys & Aliens , director Jon Favreau’s latest high-budget venture, opens in a bleak but picturesque New Mexico landscape in the 1870’s, and a dazed cowboy (Daniel Craig) notices a peculiar electronic bracelet affixed to his wrist. He evidently cannot remember his name or anything else, and he soon wanders into a Western town inhabited by various folks, including a hardened Colonel (Harrison Ford), a mysterious beauty (Olivia Wilde), a frank preacher (M.C. Gainey), and a clueless saloon owner (Sam Rockwell). He discovers that his name is Jake Lonergan, and that he is wanted for a variety of terrible crimes, including murder. However, the threat of an invading alien spacecraft comes to the forefront, as friends and family members of the townspeople are captured by these bizarre creatures that they call “demons” – at that time, humans had yet to invent the term “aliens,” and the thought of another planet with living beings would never have crossed their minds. Lonerga...