Theatrical roundup for January 28th

Hello & welcome to the theatrical roundup for the last weekend of January '11. We begin at Northwest Film Forum and THE CHILDREN'S FILM FESTIVAL. The family fun kicks off Friday night with a Pajama Party featuring music from Caspar Babypants (Chris Ballew from Presidents of the United States of America to us grownups), treats from Trophy Cupcakes, and of course, movies. The 10 day festival continues through February 6th with more than 125 films from 29 countries--including shorts, animated features, historical and classic films, hands-on workshops, and much more. You'll find ticket information and the full schedule here and The Stranger's Lindy West's festival preview here. NWFF also has a new 35mm print of the rare, not on home video Englished-up version of Jacques Tati's MON ONCLE aptly titled MY UNCLE. This version features sequences that are either edited differently or not included the original. Saturday's SCIENCE FICTION + FANTASY SHORT FILM FESTIVAL at the Cinerama is SOLD OUT, but Sunday at noon at SIFF Cinema you can catch a screening of the winners. Brandi from The MacGuffin Podcast has a nice preview of the fest over on their site. The US theatrical premiere of BAARIA, an epic tale of a Sicilian family in the early 20th century from the director of Cinema Paradiso, begins a week-long run at SIFF Cinema as well. But if you're still in the mood for some sci-fi, the Cinerama is showing 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY, CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND and AVATAR in 3D throughout the week. Central Cinema has its usual barrage of cinematic splendor this week, including SECRETARY, STAND BY ME ("I don't shut up. I grow up. And when I look at you, I throw up!"), Jane Campion's biopic of John Keats BRIGHT STAR presented by Women In Film, a GROUNDHOG DAY quote-a-long, and another essential screening of THE ROOM. Our friends at Grand Illusion Cinema also have a busy weekend ahead: Saturday brings another installment of The Sprocket Society's SECRET SCI-FI MATINEE and a special one-night-only TRAILER WAR that pits the GI against the Portland Grindhouse Film Festival in a fierce battle for supremacy using only the most vile and depraved trailers. If you're still functioning after the carnage, you'll be treated to a screening of CRIPPLED AVENGERS. The JAWS rip off inspired MAKO: THE JAWS OF DEATH is in the Late Night spot. In calmer cinematic waters, the GI is also showing THE AFRICAN QUEEN. While this Hepburn/Bogart classic finally came on DVD & Blu-ray last year, you shouldn't miss a chance to see it on a big screen, especially when there's a new 35mm print. Lastly, the Academy Award nominations were announced Tuesday. If you're scrambling to catch up on any of the big nominees before you fill out your Oscar Pool, check out our Best of 2010 special rental section (for films like WINTER'S BONE and TOY STORY 3) and the New Release section (for THE SOCIAL NETWORK, ANIMAL KINGDOM and THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT). Many of the films are still in theaters around town. BLACK SWAN, THE KING'S SPEECH, and 127 HOURS are at Columbia City Cinema if you want to cross three off your list without leaving the building. Happy viewing to all.