Santee resident and school board member (seat 4) Elana Levens-Craig is looking forward to attending this weekend’s culmination of AMC’s Best Picture Showcase of the 2013 Oscar nominees.
Tickets in hand, the “jefe de jefes,” or “boss of the bosses” of movie viewing, explained that the pre-Oscar film marathon kicked off last Saturday and will continue this weekend, Feb. 23 through 24.
Santee resident and school board member (seat 4) Elana Levens-Craig is looking forward to attending this weekend’s culmination of AMC’s Best Picture Showcase of the 2013 Oscar nominees.
Tickets in hand, the “jefe de jefes,” or “boss of the bosses” of movie viewing, explained that the pre-Oscar film marathon kicked off last Saturday and will continue this weekend, Feb. 23 through 24.
Levens-Craig, one-time teacher and parent in the Santee School District, explained that the opening week’s event boasted four movie screenings, with five films slated to screen on Saturday, Feb. 23. In addition, a one-day marathon will begin at 10 a.m. on Feb. 23 and run until 7:55 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 24, the same day that the Oscars will be televised on ABC.
“It’s is a great opportunity to see all the movies nominated for best picture,” she added. One can view the films either in segments or all at once. The screenings take place at the AMC Theatres in Mission and Fashion Valley.
“I’ve been going for four years,” Levens-Craig said. “It’s (a marathon of) one high quality movie after another. It is well attended; they sell out every year,” she added.
This year are “Amour,” “Les Miserables,” “Argo,” “Django Unchained,” “Beasts of the Southern Wild,” “Life of Pi,” “Lincoln,” “Silver Linings Playbook” and “Zero Dark Thirty.”
“I try to stay away from the movies I think will be nominated,” Levens-Craig said, explaining her strategy for viewing. “I like to sort of save the best for last at the screenings.”
Levens-Craig states that her posse “consists of around nine other attendees, a group of very intelligent and educated individuals who bring much to the proverbial plate.”
“We plan on arriving at the theater an hour and a half prior to the first show to secure good seats,” she added.
When asked what one wears to such an event — a tuxedo or Oscar gown — Levens-Craig replied, “No, pajamas for some, however I wear a comfy sweat suit.”
She explained that “shop-talk” during these functions includes guesses and speculation of which film will take the best picture award, the nuts and bolts of movie making plus the star’s love lives.
Tickets range from $30 to $60 and can be purchased online at www.amctheatres.com or at the AMC Theatre box office.
On the local front, KGTV Channel 10 will be hosting an Oscar Night® America Party on Feb. 24. The event will be a fundraiser for the Kids to Camp Program of the Community Campership Program. East County’s Santee Girl Scout troop #6215 will be presenting a check with monies they raised from a fundraiser at the Market Creek Plaza on Euclid Avenue, with festivities kicking off at 5 p.m. Come in costume or Oscar-worthy attire. For information, contact www.kidstocamp.com.
Many an Oscar night viewing party may also be planned at private homes or restaurants. However, the real challenge of viewing all of the best pictures nominees in a super-sized showing is an added bonus for movie lovers. Ladies and gentlemen – start the reels.
