I love the movies! I am a huge movie fan, but I am an even bigger fan of the movies that are nominated for an Academy Award. Each year I watch as many of those movies that I can from the time they are nominated right up to the awards ceremony, keeping careful track of each and every movie I see by highlighting them on my printable ballot. This year my deadline is this Sunday, February 24th, at 4:49 p.m. -- which is approaching fast, by the way. 

I admit that trying to see all the movies is somewhat crazy, but I do it each and every year. I'm thankful for Netflix and Blockbuster, and that I have a husband who goes along with me on this ridiculous quest each season. He's had to sit through a long list of movies that he might not have normally watched as a result.

So far this year we have watched the following Oscar nominated movies: Michael Clayton, Eastern Promises, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, Elizabeth: The Golden Age, Away From Her, Gone Baby Gone, Ratatouille, Surf's Up, The Golden Compass, The Bourne Ultamatum, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End, 3:10 To Yuma, and Enchanted. He's watched Transformers, but I opted out of that one. (my reviews of these movies and others can be read here)

What left to see? I have Norbit and Once on their way via Netflix, and I have American Gangster and In The Valley of Elah checked out from Blockbuster which I'd like to watch tonight. Since this is crunch time, I'm trying to catch Atonement, Juno, No Country For Old Men, and There Will Be Blood on Saturday at the Mayfair May 18 for their 2nd annual AMC Best Picture Showcase (all 5 Oscar Nominees for only $30). I know I'm still missing some, but that's just they way it'll have to be.

Of all the movies so far, my favorites have been Michael Clayton, The Bourne Ultimatum, Gone Baby Gone, and of course, Disney's Ratatouille. What are your favorites this year? Are any of the readers also on the same quest that I am?