2012 Oscar has Clooney's name written on it

Motion pictures have gone from one extreme to the other in an evolution to become the medium that defines a culture. From romances to war to murder and greed, films were made to draw people into movie theaters for decades. The most successful and enduring of all of these themes were those about the family and how they struggled, as a group, to confront the problems of living in an unpredictable world.

The advent of television took over the role of presenting family problems in its weekly sit-coms and dramas that sucked most of the air out of the theatrical nuclear unit facing the world. Great "family" filmmakers like Lubitsch, Sturges and Wyler are lost on contemporary audiences.

The only director who comes to mind on an annual basis is Frank Capra's Bailey family in "A Wonderful Life." In black and white or colorized, it is a reminder how compelling the family drama can be and still fill a home theater or living room anytime of the year.

"The Descendents" is about a modern family that has rolled through life, up until now, with the typical dynamic: rebellious teens, hard working father and persevering mother. Matt King (George Clooney) is a successful lawyer and father to his two daughters, Alexandra (Shailene Woodley) and Scottie (Amara Miller) and husband to his wife, Elizabeth (Patricia Hastie). Life is good and everyday problems all seem solvable, especially living in scenic Hawaii.

But one day, Elizabeth is seriously injured in a boating accident and falls into a coma.

Matt is immediately thrust into the role of both parents and must help his children, and himself, confront this unforeseen tragedy.

Adding to the trauma, Matt learns from his own daughter that mom has been having an affair. This compounds Matt's stress level, especially now that he is about to close a real estate transaction involving his family's century old ownership of 25,000 acres of unspoiled Hawaiian land.

Recently, Elizabeth's attending physician has asked to see Matt at the hospital. Things couldn't possibility get any worse at this point, or could they?
When George Clooney takes on a role, comedic or dramatic, he invests in that character and tries to give it the honesty and credibility that transcends his well-known Hollywood persona into a living breathing and likable character.

Clooney is no paycheck player. He plays with conviction and brings genuineness to an appreciative audience. He isn't a husband or father in real life, but in this film he truthfully wears the mantle of both. This should get the attention of the Academy, who seem preoccupied most of the time, but will always respond to a great performance.

Writer/Director Alexander Payne ("Sideways," "About Schmidt") is a master at creating small moments within a scene that not only define his characters, but further invest us in caring how they end up.

These vignettes, along with crisp and incisive dialogue, are woven carefully and gradually into the bigger story that is greatly enhanced by their cumulative power. Payne's use of second unit Hawaiian landscapes and inserts creates not only a good story, but a memorable experience by a master filmmaker.

"The Descendants" is playing at the Cinemark Theatre. Log on to coloradoan.com/entertainment and click on Movies for show times

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thanks Lolo!! I really hope this year will be his!

I'd like for it to be also... but I keep having my doubts...

I'm not so sure he will win it. Brad seems to be on a roll. He may get nominated but I'm surprised he wasn't nominated at all for one award and Brad has won one. He did win something today so maybe that is a good sign.

I hope so!

i hope he will win another one ,doesn't matter this year or in coming years.

Haven't seen many films to be able to say he deserves it, hope to see TD this weekend.

hope he gets what he wants

it's me wrote:hope he gets what he wants

he should be careful of what he asks or wishes for... ?

bah

maybe not