Nevertheless, as one of those said white males, I am loathe to give up my post. Which probably makes me more a part of the problem than the solution, huh?
Anyway, since 2007 we've been joining our film reviewing brethren in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco etc. each year to watch, vote and award those films and artists we think are deserving of being called the best of the year. What I particularly like about Detroit's society is that while we often nominate many of the same films others are singing praises to, we have a defiantly indie streak - frequently sprinkling in unlikely nominees and, occasionally picking one for top honors.
Last Monday the Detroit critic's crew hunkered down in Novi to watch nearly 15 hours of films in order to picks our winners. In less than a 36 hour time period we saw The Impossible, Django Unchained, Les Misérables, Rust & Bone, Zero Dark Thirty, and The Hobbit. Many ran between 2 1/2 and 3 hours. On top of those were piled last minute DVD screeners of documentaries, independents, and a few of the big studio releases. For cineastes like us, it was a smorgasbord of movie-watching. Of course, it helps that so many of the films were excellent.
Today, the DFCS released its list of 2012 nominees, and true to our go-against-the-grain personalities we once again made some selections that the other societies overlooked or ignored. Silver Linings Playbook led the pack with 7 nominations. Personally, I am thrilled that the society saw fit to nominate Sarah Polley's very indie Take This Waltz in so many categories (4). It was probably my favorite film of the year.
Friday we'll announce our final winners. Look for the announcement in the Metro Times.
NOTE: The one major film the DFCS was unable to see (which L.A. selected as Best Film of 2012) was Michael Haneke's Amour. Otherwise, we were able to consider much of what the other societies considered.
THE DFCS NOMINEES FOR 2012 (in alphabetical order)
BEST PICTURE
BEST DIRECTOR
BEST ACTOR
BEST ACTRESS
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
BEST ENSEMBLE
BREAKTHROUGH
BEST SCREENPLAY
BEST DOCUMENTARY
We welcome readers to submit letters regarding articles and content in Detroit Metro Times. Letters should be a minimum of 150 words, refer to content that has appeared on Detroit Metro Times, and must include the writer's full name, address, and phone number for verification purposes. No attachments will be considered. Writers of letters selected for publication will be notified via email. Letters may be edited and shortened for space.
Email us at letters@metrotimes.com.
Detroit Metro Times works for you, and your support is essential.
Our small but mighty local team works tirelessly to bring you high-quality, uncensored news and cultural coverage of Detroit and beyond.
Unlike many newspapers, ours is free – and we'd like to keep it that way, because we believe, now more than ever, everyone deserves access to accurate, independent coverage of their community.
Whether it's a one-time acknowledgement of this article or an ongoing pledge, your support helps keep Detroit's true free press free.