It’s very rare Charleston is privy to high-profile, Oscar and Golden Globe films. After all, we’re a small city and most would rather watch blood and gut action movies, than one in which thinking is involved. Doubt, based on the John Patrick Shanley, Tony award winning play is just that- a thinking person’s movie. Heaven forbid, (pun intended), movie goers be forced to think.

Set in 1964, the film begins with a sermon given by Father Flynn, (Philip Seymour Hoffman) about “doubt.” This sermon sets the tone for the rest of the film. The conflict between gender roles, changing times and innocent vs. guilty. Does suspicion bring forth truth? Everyone knows I am a huge Meryl Streep fan and Sister Aloysius, by far, is her most intriguing character to date. I won’t give away pivotal scenes, but the mere sparring between her and Hoffman’s characters, not only the dialogue, but the body language and facial expressions forces one to decide-did he, or didn’t he conduct in appropriate behavior with a boy student. This facet of the film is also interesting- we never really learn, although suspect, the “behavior” was sexual in nature.

Viola Davis, in a few short minutes with Meryl, blows you away with an Oscar-worthy performance. She manages to give the audience more information, by saying very little. Amy Adams, who is caught between Sister Aloysius and Father Flynn, innocent in her thinking and approach is like us-the audience-she’s never really sure. While I don’t see her winning an award, if Meryl, Hoffman and Viola do not win, either a Golden Globe, or an Oscar, then it only proves my point that higher paid, larger budget movies are here to stay. Gone are the days where the movie goer chooses his, or her own stance on a situation. Too bad Hollywood seems to believe young actors, who are far from the likes of the cast of Doubt, are worthy of more money-and theatres, all for the sake of raking in millions. Doubt is why movies are made-and why the genre is worth the $9.

No, the old Beth hasn’t left the building and become a sappy, melodramatic, queen of rednecks. I thought, “why make resolutions I know I will not keep, I’ll come up with New Year’s Hopes-better chances when hoping.”

The “hopes” I am posting are based purely on my own opinions, or real hopes. It’s up to you, the reader, to determine those most likely to come true.

1. I hope the media/entertainment industry halts all marketing for Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus. If I walk into another store and see a t-shirt, slippers, pillows, whatever, with her face I’ll scream. No, really, I will.
2. I hope I find a job in which I do not look at my co-workers each day and think to myself, (wanting to say it out loud, but refraining), “What the hell mother-ship dropped your ass off on my planet?”
3. I hope I stop smoking. If I didn’t smoke, I’d have money. I also wouldn’t wake up in the mornings, hacking like a 90 year old woman.
4. I hope all reality shows are banned. Unless a show has a family, sitting in the living room, the dad picking his nose and drinking Old Milwaukee, the mom scraping corns off her feet and the kids running around like they were raised in a barn, (and most likely are), the current programs are not reality.
5. I hope something I write is published, other than on my little blog. And I’m paid handsomely.
6. I hope I meet a man who bathes, brushes his teeth and has a job. He sweeps me off my feet and we ride off together in a vehicle without a gun-rack.
7. I hope people wake up and stop being so self-absorbed. Get over yourselves. The world isn’t all about you.
8. I hope one of my dreams come true. One from last year, regarding a pep talk phone call from Diane Sawyer on my 35th birthday, which didn’t happen and turning 35 has not been kind. Thanks, Diane. My hope-I’ll take a phone call, autographed picture, or letter/email from her or Meryl Streep. My role models. Two women I look up to. For God’s sakes, tell me the years after 35 get better.
9. I hope my mom finds herself, is blessed with good health and realizes I’ll always look after her. I hope I have the strength to take on the task and still live my own life.
10. I hope the country rebounds and peace comes to those who deserve it

There you have it, folks. My New Year’s Hopes. Do any of you have hopes for the upcoming year?