With incredibly varied subject matter, there is sure to be an Oscar nominated film that you really love, that is if you don't fawn over every single one. And, come on, if you hate any of the films, the next picture will start in about 20 minutes, at the most....

When we first heard about literary movie night, we naturally assumed that the film would be Hellraiser. We mean, how many other book-turned-films have so thoroughly and entertainingly explored sadomasochism and moral confusion? Not many, we think. Anyway, it's not our event, and the folks at Bookpeople decided to go with something a little lighter, which is their prerogative, we guess. Rob Marshall's Memoirs of a Geisha--based on Arthur Golden's 1997 book of the same......

Consider Tuesday night another notch in Austin’s bedpost of filmmaking opportunity as the Austin Film Festival debuts its new year-round Conversations in Film series. This first installment “Script to Screen: Making the Short Film” will target the writers among us, but will also be useful to directors and filmmakers who need distribution tips for their shorts. Three Austin area award-winning filmmakers will lead the discussion, as well as screen their most recent/notable shorts:Steve Collins is......

In the first bit of Las Manitas news this year that has nothing to do with small business displacement or forgivable loans, Academy Award winning director Jonathan Demme has announced plans to shoot a new film at the embattled downtown eatery. The film (mentioned at the tail end of this Washington Post article) will apparently be a concert documentary featuring Austin roots rocker Alejandro Escovedo. No word yet on a timeframe for the shoot, but......

The ultra-luxe Lake Austin Spa Resort was recently named the number two "destination spa" in Conde Nast Traveler's Spa Poll 2007. Considered the "Academy Awards of the travel industry," Conde Nast's annual reader rankings hailed the Central Texas resort for its location and setting--how could you compete with this kinda view?-- and cuisine. "It's not about how many classes you have, or how big your property is -- it's about listening to guests and understanding......

photo by Aubrey Edwards *The views expressed in The Laurie Show are those of the author and do not represent Austinist as a whole.* -ed. note Once again, yours truly is rushing to slide in this Austinist column of mine before The Laurie Show hits the airwaves later tonight on KUT 90.5. It's been a hell of a week, kids. In between completing new episodes of Before the Break, inviting The Lovely Sparrows to......

We're just about to head to the grocery store to stock up on champagne and salty snacks for this weekend's award show marathon, but for those of you who like to venture beyond the comfort of your living rooms for these kinds of events, here are some party options: Tomorrow, you can join the Austin Film Society at Ringer's Sports Lounge where they'll be hosting a viewing party for the Independent's Spirit Awards. Two Austinites......

Like most filmmakers, Brian Helgeland got his start in movies working on low-budget genre pictures like 976-EVIL and Assassins. Before he became one of the most successful screenwriters in Hollywood, Helgeland made his directorial debut with the hard-hitting film noir Payback. Unfortunately, the film wasn't released until after Helgeland won an Oscar for L.A. Confidential, and then only in a butchered, studio-approved cut. Recently Helgeland got the chance to re-edit, and his director's cut, Payback-Straight......

[The following is an editorial column by contributor Alison Coffey and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Austinist staff. --The Editors] In the tradition of Neal Pollack's Salon.com Grammy's post, I've decided to take us on a live tour of this year's Academy Awards, minute by minute, hour by hour, boring acceptance speech by boring acceptance speech. Well, I hope not, but odds are, the acceptance speeches are going to be boring.......

FRIDAY [3] [music] Ariel Pink, Belong, Weird Weeds and Ralph White at Emo's (Inside) (link) [music] What Made Milwaukee Famous, Deathray Davis, AUX at Emo's (Outside) (link) [music] Slightly Stoopid, The Expendables and Bedouin Soundclash at Stubb's (link) [music] Bucketheard and Kid Beyond at La Zona Rosa (link) [music] Dirty Hearts at End of an Ear (Free, 6pm) (link) [DJ] Whee!Explode! By Learning Secrets and DJ Ian Orth at The Peacock (10pm-2am) (link) [fashion] ATX......

You might feel lost and confused and out of place in this conservative, W voting, war loving society (well, half of it), but just remember this next time you are thinking about a one way ticket to Canada: Jon Stewart is hosting the Oscars! Y'all, did you hear us? Jon Stewart! Something has to be right in the world. We don't pretend to be experts, but our predictions are: Best Actor: Philip Seymour Hoffman......

Ahhh, it’s that time of year again – can you smell the celebrity sweat in the air? Oscar time, baby! The 78th annual Academy Awards will air March 5 on ABC. Plan your party now: gather your friends together, don your Oscar de la Renta (that was kind of a pun, see?), break out the Dom Perignon Andre and the brie, place your bets and watch the magic unfold. The absolute best part about......

For what it's worth, the Golden Globe nominations were announced this morning. We like watching the Golden Globes; they are so laid-back and relaxed in comparison to the pretentious Academy Awards. Of course, they don't always choose the same winners . . . Babe won the Golden Globe for best musical/comedy the year it was nominated, after all. And while Jennifer Garner has won a Golden Globe, she has yet to win an Emmy......

The 8th Cine Las Americas International Film Festival starts tonight with the Texas premiere of the Chilean film Machuca playing at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum at 7pm. There is also an after party following the screening at Doña Emilia’s South American Bar and Grill (101 San Jacinto Blvd.) In case you aren’t familiar with the festival, it showcases the best of Latin American and indigenous cinema. The festival runs through the weekend......