Arizona politicians are likely to be a target when out radio talk show host Stephanie Miller brings her Sexy Liberal Tour to Phoenix.
Echo movie critic Neil Cohen predicts the winners in the major races for the Academy Awards.
Kyle Dean Massey talks about his role as Fiyero in the touring production of Wicked on stage at ASU Gammage.
Luminous Pariah incorporates self-expression and storytelling in his act coming to The Rock.
A new novelty toy aims to make fun of sexual orientation.
Sarah Hasu, formerly of Tempe, confronts the teen LGBT suicide issue in her first novel, Megume and the Trees.
Terros receives a grant to resume a campaign to prevent alcohol abuse in the LGBT community.
Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton and his wife Nicole talk about her anti-bullying campaign. PLUS: The mayor reviews the importance of his relationship with the LGBT community.
Letitia Frye gets ready to put on her high heels for her latest effort for an LGBT group at the one n ten Fresh Brunch. PLUS: Event preview.
Dinners held in March will benefit Aunt Rita's Foundation's efforts to help local agencies with HIV/AIDS programs.
Ten drag queens and six drag kings will compete for the titles of Miss and Mister Phoenix Gay Pride.
The Phoenix chapter of the Human Rights Campaign plans an event for LGBT parents and their children.
One Community sponsors the first Healthy Living Expo to be staged as part of the annual Melrose on Seventh Avenue Street Fair.
Two days of workshops will focus on LGBT community organizing.
Activist and blogger Monica Roberts will talk about gender, race and class during an appearance in Tucson.
An incident involving a vendor at a recent bridal show shows that not all businesses are welcoming to same-sex couples.
The LGBT community can be involved when the Arizona Democratic Party selects delegates to the national convention.
Meg Sneed lists ways to become an activst.
Nate Whitten uses lyrics from the musical Wicked to show how athletes can defy gravity.
Melissa Myers and Michael Tucker discuss a study about LGBT hopes and fears about aging.
Tony Felice encourages supporting businesses that support the LGBT community.
Craig Peterson says the Chrysler 300 SRT's stylizing disguises a car that's all about the motor.
Claudine M. Wessel finds upscale bar grub at Old Town Whiskey at The Saguaro resort in Tempe.
Previews of four new movies, including The Secret World of Arrietty and Wanderlust.
Previews of three new local productions: Alfred Hitchcock's The 39 Steps, Coming of the Hurricane and Dead Man's Cell Phone.
On out prince from India has family problems like everyone else. Kurt Niece talks to Prince Manvendra, who is featured in TLC's Undercover Princes.
Stacey Jay Cavaliere reviews three new CDs, including Chimes of Freedom: The Songs of Bob Dylan.
Bob Lind reviews the latest Skyler Fox mystery and two other new books.
To mark the state's Centennial, which falls on Valentine's Day, the LGBT community sends a Valentine to Arizona.
An out state representative talks about how he made his home in Arizona and his work in the state Legislature.
The LGBT favorite talks about what fans can expect when she brings her stage show to Phoenix and Tucson.
As she brings her show Songs My Mother Taught Me to Mesa, Judy Garland's daughter talks about her mother's legacy.
Out in the Desert debuts with two weekends of films, including some by Arizona filmmakers.
Glenn Scarpelli, known for his childhood film and TV roles, talks about honoring director Peter Bogdanovich. PLUS: LGBT films to be screened at Sedona.
Five films to consider for a movie night for the holiday.
The Alwun House plans its 28th annual Exotic Art Show.
Drag star will perform in Phoenix just days before starring in a new TV show.
Roddy Bottum talks about his career as an out rock star and his band's latest album, Feel the Sound.
Filmmaker Wim Wender's latest movie is a tribute to late German choreographer Pina Bausch.
Denise DeSio fictionalizes her mother's story for the novel Rose's Will.
Emily Wilcox uses letters she received as an advice columnist for a book that covers issues in lesbian relationships.
Movies selected for the Desperado Film Festival reflect the comedy and drama of LGBT life. PLUS: Festival details and the film schedule.
Matthew Ludwinski can identify with the trials of his character in the film Going Down in La-La Land.
The directors of the documentary Wish Me Away talk about following country singer Chely Wright's coming out story,
Film critic Neil Cohen gives his assessment of six of the movies to be screened at the Desperado Film Festival.
Films that deal with gender identity are a major theme at this year's film festival.
Christopher Bradley's experience as an actor helped him direct his short film, The Violation.
Musical performances are a new feature at this year's film festival.
Comedian Thai Rivera will use shows in Scottsdale as material for his first DVD.
Broadway song and dance man Gavin Creel releases Noise, a message for his brothers and sisters in the LGBT community.
An out actor in the cast of the touring company talks about how a Broadway classic speaks to issues of racism and equality.
Echo's film critic Neil Cohen lists the best and worst movies of 2011. PLUS: The Phoenix Film Critics Society makes its awards.
Miss Gay America plans a series of performances in Phoenix.
Transgender singer-songwriter hits Arizona to promote her new album, 10 Bones.
A three-woman lesbian rock band is becoming a local favorite.
Caleb Laieski is recognized for his work for safer schools, lobbying at the local, state and national levels.
Kado Stewart is the woman behind the annual OUTdoors! gay camp.
Merik Castro took on a local school board in 2011, then set his sights on the Arizona School Board Association. PLUS: More stories about youth in 2011.
A member of the touring company of Stomp says every show is different.
Cirque du Soleil pays tribute to Michael Jackson with its new show, The Immortal World Tour.
Five top local stories from 2011 include a shooting, a coming out and a community center in crisis. PLUS: Other local milestones.
Echo's managing editor found that not everyone is anxious to go on the record in 2011.
Save the date for dozens of events planned in the new year.
Community members and allies make plans for the new year
Stacey Jay Cavaliere ranks the top albums from the past year.
Humberto Bandera is dancing in Ballet Arizona's The Nutcracker, but his journey to the Phoenix stage started with an escape from Cuba.
Actress Rena Riffel writes and stars in Showgirls 2: Penny's From Heaven.
Designer Travis Smith combined his passions for holiday and mid-century design when he wrote Kitschmasland!: Christmas Décor from the 1950s to the 1970s,
Children are a big part of the holidays when Melinda Murphy and Dorian Kreiling stage Christmas at their home.
After a painful coming out, Nate Whitten's Christmas includes finding new ways to celebrate with partner Ben Burke.
Tucson writer Shannon Cain explores female protagonists living in ways that are outside the mainstream in her book of short stories, The Necessity of Certain Behaviors.
Mark Cole, the new managing director at Arizona Theatre Company talks about his life and work.
The LGBT concert band plans its second Christmas concert, which will be staged in Phoenix and Glendale.
The women's chorus will celebrate a multicultural holiday.
A holiday concert marks the emergence of a classical women's community choir.
Group gets inspiration from a TV show for a parody of the Glee holiday episode.
A downtown Phoenix hotel's rooftop venue will set the stage for a party featuring a forest of Christmas trees.
Exposed Studio & Gallery hosts a fundraiser featuring teddy bears decorated by local artists.
The drag troupe puts its spin on the holidays with its first Christmas show.
Pianist Nicole Pesce willperform seasonal favorites for a show that will benefit the church.
A Tucson chorus will present gay-themed renditions of holiday songs.
YEP! House youth and Logan's Playground will benefit from contributions of gifts and toys.
Billy Knoop opens his historic house as part of a Phoenix holiday home tour.
Neil Cohen previews seasonal shows coming to stages around the Valley. PLUS: There will be snow in the desert when White Christmas comes to ASU Gammage.
Stacey Jay Cavaliere reports on 10 new holiday albums.
The U.S. Women's National Soccer Team plays its first match in Arizona since 2000.
The Alternative Poker Tour offers games at local LGBT-friendly venues.
Bernard Uzan talks about how his Arizona Opera production is modernizing a classic.
The Agape Network and the Joshua Tree Feeding Program deal with growing needs and fewer resources. PLUS: A profile of Joshua Tree volunteer Joaquin Mota.
As the touring production comes to the Valley, a member of the Blue Man Group talks about his show.
A photographer explores sexual identity in work that also deals with the tricks that memory can play.
Actors Theatre's production of Next Fall deals with a complicated relationship between two men.
The Riviera Palm Springs is known for a past that included Hollywood stars.
Shopping, culture and nature are among the reasons to make a trip to Palm Springs.
Arizona LGBT safe schools advocate Caleb Laieski will be grand marshal of the Palm Springs Pride parade.
Before a concert in Arizona, the outspoken singer talks about her work and her causes.
Director Andrew Haigh talks about putting a subtle gay love story on film
Melissa Ferrick's songs reflect her life's highs and lows
Couple works together as owners of Phoenix coffee shop
Test your knowledge of LGBT history with this quiz
Historians say William Rufus King may have been first gay U.S. vice president
Evidence suggests James Buchanan had relationship with another man
12 stars join the list for their contributions to the community
A sampling of benefits, shows and parties for the holiday
It takes planning to transform into a character who will get noticed
Hotel San Carlos has been home to Hollywood glamour, but the historic structure also has ghost stories
Bebe Neuwirth will take the stage at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts with her one-woman show.
Palm Springs artist Gary Peterson's work takes its inspiration from needlework as it pays homage to famous artists.
Photographer Scott Pasfield's book, Gay in America, features portraits of gay men from every state in America.
The Martini Social Club brings piano bar-style entertainment to Apollo's.
Two reality TV show stars will be among those making appearances at Tucson Pride parties.
A RuPaul's Drag Race alum will make an appearance at Tucson Pride.
The southern Arizona festival features a variety of entertainment in a new venue.
The pop singer who's headlining Tucson Pride talks about his career and his future, including a possible reality TV show
The statewide LGBT civil rights organization has a sudden change of leadership.
The RoadRunner Regional Rodeo hopes to bounce back after bad weather caused low attendance last year.
Two drag queens made famous by RuPaul's Drag Race will headline a dinner concert.
Applicants are being sought for an online high school diploma program being organized by the 1n10 youth agency.
Scottsdale will be the site for the annual meeting of a Pentecostal group that caters to the LGBT community.
A 16th century European-style country fair will take visitors back in time.
Teams from around the country will compete in Volley del Sol, sponsored by the Desert Volleyball Alliance.
Pets are the main characters in a production with themes of diversity and acceptance.
Don Bivens makes marriage equality an issue in his campaign for U.S. Senate from Arizona.
A Phoenix drag performer is injured in an attack.
Chely Wright named Pride grand marshal, festival headliner
Community center to be featured in public service announcements
Unmarried couples in Flagstaff will soon be able to register as domestic partners.
Drag novices will get their own pageant when Miss Gay Arizona USofA introduces a newcomers competition.
The work of gay-straight school organizations will be recognized with the first National Gay-Straight Alliance Day.
A new scholarship at ASU is open to students who identify as LGBT.
Supporters of a bill that would extend anti-bullying protections to LGBT students plan a new strategy for the legislation that failed last year.
Madelaine Adelman reacts to her selection as a recipient of the Martin Luther King Jr. Living the Dream Award.
Qualifying rounds are underway to find the best country karaoke singer in the Valley.
An evening for women is being planned by the local chapter of the Human Rights Campaign.
The local chapter of Lambda Car Club International will host a car show as part of a January event.
Keith Clark prepares for his first concert as artistic director of Voices of the Desert.
The Phoenix Metropolitan Men's Chorus is recording videos in support of the Trevor Project.
A short film puts the spotlight on the issue of teens and young adults who don't have a place to call home.
An LGBT family in Tucson will benefit from a Habitat for Humanity project.
Two local real estate professionals say LGBT homebuyers are among those participating in the market turnaround.
Three films with LGBT themes will be screened during the Fabulous Faygeleh Film Series in Tucson.
Eric Buckmaster and his alter ego, Lady Christian, share a mission to serve the community.
The Bears of the Old Pueblo plan a weekend of events in Tucson.
The membership of the 1 Voice LGBT Community Center elects five new board members and re-elects three others.
1n10 plans to move its Phoenix youth services to a new location. PLUS: 1n10 unveils a new logo and makes plans to honor Greg Stanton.
Valley clubs plan events to ring in 2012. PLUS: A New Year's Eve party in Tucson is a fundraiser for the Wingspan community center.
A program that provides food for those living with HIV/AIDS seeks a new location.
A local AIDS service organization prepares to observe its 25th anniversary in 2012.
The Rev. Patrick Stout plans to release a book based on a series of sermons he delivered at the Community Church of Hope.
Mr. Phoenix Leather 2012 will be named in January.
Phoenix Pride plans to ask for donations to the Pride Community Fund.
The leader of the Greater Phoenix Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce defends the decision to include a Salvation Army angel tree at an LGBT event.
Rich Zavala reflects on a nine-year career as one Arizona's most popular drag queens.
The Right to Marry Arizona Equality Walk announces plans for three campaigns to cover all regions of the state next summer.
The AZ Gender Outlaws release a documentary about how they got started, who they are and what the do.
A local LGBT group plans a day at Castles and Coasters amusement park.
A doctoral candidate at Arizona State University is doing research that he hopes will be helpful to LGBT moms and dads.
A comedy to be screened in Tucson and a drama to be shown in Prescott have similar themes about finding acceptance and tolerance.
Including a Salvation Army angel tree in a holiday event sponsored by LGBT groups is raising questions.
The annual Out of the Darkness Community Walk in Tempe will raise funds for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. PLUS: A professor at the University of Arizona studies LGBT youth suicide.
Thomas Beatie — who became famous as the world's first pregnant man — talks about relocating his family to Phoenix and his relationship with the LGBT community.
Local groups plan events on Dec. 1 to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS. PLUS: Five movies that depict the AIDS crisis.
A naval officer who made news when he married his partner as Don't Ask, Don't Tell ended takes his husband to the Marine Ball at Fort Huachuca.
Community members express concern about the LGBT community center's board position on political advocacy.
An agency that provides services to transgender people celebrates the purchase of a new facility.
Events in Phoenix and Tucson will be part of a worldwide observance of the lives and deaths of transgender individuals.
An event planning novice tries his hand at staging a benefit dinner. PLUS: A Scottsdale jeweler designs a gift for donors to the community center.
A class at Arizona State University examines how books aimed at children are challenging the notion the heterosexuality is the normal sexual orientation.
Arizona State University's Gamma Rho Lambda Sorority will celebrate its first Founder's Week.
Two HIV/AIDS groups to benefit from Boy of Leather event
The TV show Fear Factor inspires events to be staged as part of a relay competition.
Silent and live auctions will be the focus of an event benefiting the Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation in Tucson.
Sway Events plans a promotion that mimics Internet sites that offer discounts.
A Phoenix man has organized a local chapter of Hell's Fairies, a group of LGBT scooter enthusiasts.
Members of the Phoenix chapter of Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbians and Gays will attend the group's national convention.
A golf tournament will help raise money for the Tucson LGBT community center.
The screening of a film that explores the impact of the AIDS crisis will be part of the Loft Cinema Film Festival in Tucson.
Men will be growing out their mustaches during November in an event the benefits the fight against prostate cancer.
Male singers from local high schools and junior highs will join male choruses for a concert.
A couple's plans for a small commitment ceremony have grown into a major event.
Renovations have started on the building that will become the new location for the Southwest Center for HIV/AIDS.
Local activists are planning to protest a national meeting of a group that promotes reparative therapy.
As the runoff election for Phoenix mayor nears, Greg Stanton's campaign questions opponent Wes Gullett's commitment to extending non-discrimination protections
The community center board gets mixed signals from Magellan Health Services about a refund of grant money.
Sway Events creates a new group of promotional models
The Maricopa Community College Governing Board votes to include gender identity as a protected class in its non-discrimination policy.
One Community will recognize 12 gay, lesbian and allied leaders at a luncheon
A song from the musical ~Wicked~ inspires the theme for an Arizona Women in Tune event.
Local transgender advocates applaud Chaz Bono's appearances on Dancing With the Stars.
Echo names a new associate publisher and unveils a redesign of its website.
The Phoenix Tennis Alliance hosts the second annual Cactus Open.
Magellan Health Services requests proposals for an adult alcohol abuse prevention program aimed at the LGBT community.
A film about how San Francisco responded to the AIDS crisis in the 1980s will be screened in Tucson.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show will be screened to benefit Grand Canyon Performing Arts.
The Melonhead Foundation plans an event to support families that have children with cancer.
The 1n10 suicide prevention project presents Sources of Strength: A Showcase of Music, Arts and Community.
About 6,000 walkers are expected to raise funds for the Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation
Five people selected by Phoenix Pride to participate in OUTdayPHX tell their stories.
The American Civil Liberties Union and the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network join forces to fight efforts by schools to filter Web sites.
Echo's film critic Neil Cohen lists the best and worst movies of 2011. PLUS: The Phoenix Film Critics Society makes its awards.
By Neil Cohen
In his annual review of the year in film, Neil Cohen says 2011 was an embarrassment of not-so-riches
Every year, movie critics start looking for award-worthy films as early as March, but 2011 kept chugging along with no clear candidates. As the year closed, still no runaway winners emerged, even though a lot of strong films were released.
The situation leaves the Academy Award competition for Best Picture wide open, and the acting awards are sure to be the most competitive in years.
Even though 2011 lacked amazing films, The Neelys (named for Neely O'Hara, the starlet in Valley of the Dolls) still managed to recognize 10 great films and 10 specimens best left at the vet's office to be tested for worms.
Midnight In Paris
Director Woody Allen hasn't been this effortlessly hilarious in years. Owen Wilson plays a blocked writer who travels to Paris with his shrewish fiancée (Rachel McAdams) and magically finds himself transported back in time to meet literary giants like Ernest Hemingway (Corey Stoll) and Gertrude Stein (Kathy Bates), and maybe true love. It's a brilliant and intelligently comic romance.
The Artist
The most gorgeous film of the year is also the most unusual. The Artist is an authentic silent film starring a pair of French actors who capture the magic of old-time Hollywood better than most American performers. George Dujardin plays a dashing silent film star who laughs at the idea of talking pictures, only to watch a young fan, Peppy Miller (Berenice Bejo), become a huge star in the new medium. Director Michel Hazanavicius' obvious love for classic movies shows in every frame of this amazing film.
Crazy Stupid Love
The overlooked comedy highpoint of the year came from the crazy, but far from stupid guys, who made I Love You Phillip Morris. Steve Carrell plays a sad-sack dad who gets dumped by his unfulfilled wife (Julianne Moore), but gets his groove back when coached by a superhot player played by Ryan Gosling with seemingly Photoshopped abs. Twists and hilarity abound as good girl Emma Stone decides to see if Gosling is worth the hype. Believe me, he is!
Win Win
Thomas McCarthy hit another home run with this funny and humane comedy-drama about a downtrodden New Jersey lawyer who discovers a star athlete under his nose and gets everything he wants, as long as no one finds out his secret. Paul Giamatti gives a great, understated performance along with the sexy Bobby Canavale as his brash best friend.
Sarah's Key
Criminally overlooked, Gilles Paquet-Brenner's moving adaptation of the bestselling novel was one of the best dramas of the year. Kristin Scott Thomas plays an American journalist whose investigation of the brutal 1942 Vel d'Hiv Roundup of French Jews by the French Vichy Government uncovers a tragic tale that hits very close to home.
The Help
This all-star women's film was a tribute to the strong African-American women who kept Southern households running in the '60s. Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer and Cicely Tyson gave unrestrained and powerful performances as the maids, while Emma Stone, Sissy Spacek, Allison Janney and especially Bryce Dallas Howard and Jessica Chastain bring the white women they serve to life.
Weekend
Love stories are a dime a dozen, even gay ones, but Weekend upended the genre. Writer/director Andrew Haigh and his stars Tom Cullen and Chris New did this by keeping the budding relationship of two British men so real that you feel like you're a voyeur. Unlike those usually shown in the movie, the men are distinctive characters, uncomfortable with labels and stereotypes. It's one of the most romantic films of the year.
Final Destination 5
Every diet needs a little cheese, and Final Destination 5 was Grade A 3D Fromage that reinvigorated the campy series. A group of generically beautiful actors survive a suspension bridge disaster only to be stalked by death in creative ways. Death by acupuncture? Check. Death by laser eye surgery? Ick! From its insane 3D-on-steroids opening to its jaw-droppingly brilliant twist ending, Final Destination 5 wins the Neely for Best Thrill Ride of the year.
Hugo
Martin Scorcese isn't known for children's films, but Hugo is going to change that. Like The Artist, Hugo is a gorgeously filmed love letter to the history and magic of filmmaking. Hugo, portrayed by Asa Butterfield, is a boy who lives in a Paris train station, caring for the clocks, while also trying to solve a mystery his dead father left him. Hugo should be seen in 3D, and it is the best use of the medium I've seen.
Source Code
Duncan Jones follows up his acclaimed sci-fi drama Moon with this time-tripping suspense film. Jake Gyllenhaal was the perfect action hero who has to unmask a terrorist bomber in a fateful eight-minute period through a scientific breakthrough. What sets Source Code apart is the intricate human drama that anchors the action. Tough questions about military service and our treatment of veterans, the nature of fate and free will, and the threat of homegrown extremists elevates the film beyond typical sci-fi fare.
Big Hollywood names were part of some of the biggest disappointments on film of 2011
2011 was unusual in the number of high-minded duds it produced. Rather than just pick on dreck like the one where Adam Sandler plays his own screechy matron of a sister, the Worst Neelys go to the biggest disappointments of the year. Some people might even have a few of these titles on their best 10 lists. Those people are wrong.
The Change You Can't Believe In Award: The Change-Up
Like last year's Dinner For Schmucks, The Change-Up takes a curdled premise and stews it in the worst R-rated "funny" bodily fluid gross-outs. Stars Ryan Reynolds and Jason Bateman better have awesomely follow-up films to get the rancid taste of this turkey out of audiences' mouths. No wonder Scarlett Johansson dumped Reynolds — a character like his would turn off a nymphomaniac.
The Jack Kevorkian Award: Melancholia
Those people looking for an alternative to the late doctor's assisted suicide machine now have their option. Insufferable Danish "enfant terrible" Lars von Trier praised Hitler at Cannes, but this piece of pretentious "serious drama" is even more offensive. Kirsten Dunst plays a hyper-depressed bride who finds peace only when a rogue planet shows up to destroy Earth. Then, she just becomes bitchy. Armageddon can't happen soon enough to spare you.
The Is That All There Is? Award: Cowboys and Aliens
If you have the mash-up of cowboys and aliens and you have Daniel Craig and Harrison Ford, you'd think the script would write itself into something pretty entertaining. Sadly, it doesn't even feel like the script was written, only cobbled together from every other alien invasion film of the last five years.
The Cheap Sentiment Award: Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
I was shocked that this piece of abrasively phony 9/11 exploitation was directed by Stephen Daldry of The Hours and Billy Elliot fame. Actor Thomas Horn seems like a smart and engaging kid, but within five minutes of this drama about a boy who may have Asperger's Syndrome seeking meaning for his dad Tom Hanks' death in the Twin Towers, you may want escape listening to him. Sandra Bullock has the thankless role of shut-out mom, and only Max von Sydow as a mute World War II survivor shines. The premise of a boy searching to make sense of his father's death was already done right in Hugo.
The Dim Bulb Award: Green Lantern
It takes a pretty bad movie to make Ryan Reynolds in a body suit boring, but this by-the-numbers superhero dud managed to succeed.
The Grimm's Fairy Trash Award: Red Riding Hood
Fairytale characters are everywhere, from TV's Grimm and Once Upon A Time to the upcoming competing Snow White films, but Red Riding Hood was the howler of the bunch. Amanda Seyfried leads a cast of Twilight wannabes through a pointless retread of The Village. Poor Julie Christie as the grandmother probably wishes the Big Bad Wolf had eaten her to save her embarrassment.
The Animal Cruelty Award: The Future
Miranda July's latest exposé of the insignificant troubles of vapid hipsters upped the nausea level by couching it in the story of a sickly pound cat, who proceeds to narrate this nightmare in July's scratchy baby-talk voice.
The Bad Romance Award: Like Crazy
Mimicking last year's sullen Blue Valentine, this much-improvised drama expected us to go Like Crazy over two deadly-dull leads, Anton Yelchin and Felicity Jones, and their uninteresting romantic trials as they dealt with love and immigration woes. Sundance voters must have been drunk when they gave the film the Grand Jury Prize for drama.
The Mr. Ed is Weeping Award: War Horse
Given the powerful theatrics of the stage version, one would have expected the film adaptation of the youth lit bestseller War Horse to be spectacular. It is ... spectacularly dull, filled with forgettable characters and manufactured sentiment director Stephen Spielberg can do in his sleep. War Horse should be put out to pasture.
The Neely for Worst Film: Don't Be Afraid of the Dark
Guy Pearce is the worst father on earth, Katie Holmes the most oblivious caretaker and young Bailee Madison the stupidest child in the world. Why would someone stay in a house after unleashing killer tooth fairy goblins? This pointless remake of a 1973 TV movie had every element in place and squashed them like the trolls in the movie.
The Chloe Sevigny Award for Acting Beneath the Call of Duty: Ashton Kutcher and Sarah Palin
Kutcher deserves the award for playing the same character in every film, as well as a Nikon ad, and New Year's Eve didn't change the tradition. Palin has been doing a terrible impression of a compassionate politician for years. This year, though, she attacked a teeny number of multiplexes as the dull-witted star of the documentary The Undefeated. As John Gielgud proclaimed in Arthur, "Usually one must go to a bowling alley to meet a woman of your stature." —E
The Artist won the Phoenix Film Critics Society award for Best Picture of 2011. The black and white silent movie won nine awards from the group.
Other movies on the group's top 10 list of films include The Descendants, Drive, The Help, Hugo, Midnight in Paris, Moneyball, My Week With Marilyn, Super 8 and The Tree of Life.
The Artist won awards for Michael Hazanavicius for Best Director and Breakthrough Performance Behind the Camera, Jean Dujardin for Best Actor and Berenice Bejo for Best Supporing Actress. It also collected awards for original screenplay, original score, editing and costume.
Elizabeth Olsen was named Best Actress for her role in Martha Marcy May Marlene. Albert Brooks was named Best Supporting Actor for his role in Drive. The cast of Super 8 won the Best Ensemble Acting honors.
For more information about the Phoenix Film Critics Society, visit phoenixfilmcriticssociety.org. -E