N ew on DVD this week is Brad Pitt, Dustin Hoffman, and a sweet family film starring Jeff Daniels and William Baldwin.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Brad Pitt plays a guy who ages backwards, falling in love with Cate Blanchett along the way. Interesting premise, but a little dreary and self-involved. Official Site 
Enchanted April. Josie Lawrence and Miranda Richardson play two proper Englishwomen who find enchantment on the Italian Riviera. IMDB 
Last Chance Harvey. Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson star in this sweet love story about middle-aged romance. Official Site
Wendy and Lucy. An idealistic young drifter (Michelle Williams) and …read more

Angelina Jolie, Kate Winslet, Jennifer Aniston, Anne Hathaway and the rest of the A-List Stars shown brightly at the 2009 Academy Awards.
My favorites included Winslet’s darkish-blue gown, Hathaway’s shimmery mermaid affair, and Penelope Cruz’s princess gown. What about you? Did you have a favorite dress this year?
For more Film Gecko Oscar coverage: Live-Blog, Winners, and Photos.

The 2009 Academy Awards is already fading, but there are plenty of pictures to keep us occupied for days!
We live-blogged the show right here on Film Gecko (and had a blast!). Read the transcript here, and check out the full list of winners here.
So did you watch the Oscars? What did you think? Any favorite moments? Voice your opinions in the comments below the photos!

Did you watch the Oscars last night? If so, you were one of 36.3 million viewers, according to this story in Variety. That’s 13% better than last year, which seems good.
I know a lot of people were pretty nonchalant about the awards ceremony, but I still think people tune in to check out the fashions, see who wins, see if there’s any awesome acceptance speeches, and just get out of their own world for a few hours.
If you missed our live-blog of the event, you can still replay it here, and read the full list of winners …read more

The Oscars are already a fading memory, and I’ve got all the winners below (and even got a lot of my predictions right, too!). The big surprise for me was Sean Penn winning Best Actor instead of Mickey Rourke. Other than that, I don’t know that there were any shockers. Check out all the winners:

Best Motion Picture of the Year:
SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE
Actor in a Leading Role:
Sean Penn, Milk
Actress in a Leading Role:
Kate Winslet, The Reader
Achievement in Directing:
SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

My friend, Vicki Powers, who blogs at Houston on the Cheap, tipped me off about this cool offer. Thanks, Vicki!
If you haven’t seen the 2009 Oscar Nominees for Best Picture, now’s your chance – if you have an AMC Theatre in your town, that is. The details:
Date: Feb. 21, 2009
Cost: $30 for all 5 Best Picture Nominees; come and go with your all-day pass. Also includes a large popcorn with free unlimited refills all day.
Schedule:

Milk – 10:30 a.m.
The Reader – 1:05 p.m.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button – 3:45 p.m.
Slumdog Millionaire – 7:15 p.m.
Frost/Nixon – 9:45 …read more

"Paul Blart: Mall Cop" is still tops at the box office! I guess other moviegoers liked the funny Kevin James as much as I did. Here’s the roundup from Box Office Mojo:

Paul Blart: Mall Cop, $21.62M
Underworld: Rise of the Lycans, $20.82M
Gran Torino, $16.24M
Hotel for Dogs, $12.86M
Slumdog Millionaire, $10.69M
My Bloody Valentine 3D, $10.01M
Inkheart, $7.60M
Bride Wars, $6.86M
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, $6.08M
Notorious, $5.77M

Image: Sony Pictures, 2009

I’m not surprised that "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" and "Slumdog Millionaire" were top dogs in Oscar noms, announced earlier today. Both films are up for Best Picture, as well as director and screenplay.
Honestly? I think they should just give everything to "Slumdog Millionaire" now, because that’s going to walk away with most awards.
I’m bummed but not surprised that "The Dark Knight" was shut out of the major categories, except for an expected Best Supporting Actor nod for Heath Ledger. The movie did get eight nominations, mostly in technical categories.
The Academy Awards will be handed out …read more

Clint Eastwood is a master at making thoughtful, interesting movies, and "Gran Torino" is no exception. It sailed into first place at the box office this weekend, with "Bride Wars" placing second. Here’s the rundown from Box Office Mojo:
Gran Torino, $29.48M
Bride Wars, $21.05M
The Unborn, $19.81M
Marley & Me, $11.39M
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, $9.21M
Bedtime Stories, $8.80M
Valkyrie, $6.61M
Yes Man, $6.03M
Not Easily Broken, $5.31M
Seven Pounds, $3.81M
Image: Tran Torino, Warner Bros., 2009

This time of year, most of us look back to what we did right, what we could have done better, and just life, in general. The American Film Institute has compiled their own list; specifically, their Top 10 Movies of 2008. Here it is below. I’ll be posting my own list shortly, and I definitely agree with "The Dark Knight," "Iron Man," and "Wall*E." Any thoughts on the AFI list?
"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
"The Dark Knight"
"Frost/Nixon"
"Frozen River"
"Gran Torino"
"Iron Man"
"Milk"
"Wall*E"
"Wendy and Lucy"
"The Wrestler"
After the jump, a little compilation video from AFI: