The Jefe de Jefes of movie going: AMC's Oscar Nominees - Movie Marathon

The jefe de jefes, or boss of the bosses, so to speak of movie going is the AMC Best Picture Showcase of the 2013 Oscar nominees. This is a chance to see all the movies nominated for Oscars on two consecutive Saturdays or all of them on February 23-24.

Santee, California resident and school board member, Elana Levens-Craig, is on it already. Tickets in hand.

“I’ve been going for four years” Levens-Craig said, “…it’s one quality movie after another. It is well attended; they sell out every year.”

The “where” this year is AMC theatres in Fashion Valley for the first two Saturday screenings which is broken down with four films on February 16 and five films on the 23rd. The all day run starts on the 23rd as well starting at 10 a.m. and running to 7:55 a.m. the next day. Hold on for the ride --- bathroom breaks and food runs as well. This one takes place at the AMC Mission Valley location for the full-throttle, mega showings.

The nominees this year are Amour, Les Miserables, Argo, Django Unchained, Beasts of the Southern World, 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. Sort of saving the best for last at the screenings.

Her posse consists of around nine other attendees who plan on arriving at the AMC theatre around an hour and a half before the first show to secure good seats.

What do you wear to such an event---a tuxedo and Oscar gown? No. Levens-Craig says “…pajamas” for some. She wears a comfy sweatsuit.

Shop talk at these functions includes guesses and speculation of who will take the best picture award. The nuts and bolts of movie making plus how star’s love lives are going also can make its way into the conversation. Levens-Craig states that her group consists of very “intelligent” educated individuals who bring much to the proverbial plate.

Tickets range from $30 to $60 and can be purchased online (www.amctheatres.com) or at the AMC theatres. Check with the theatre for other locations of their chain for other marathons.

The Oscar show will be on Sunday, February 24th on ABC.

Many an Oscar night viewing party can be had at private homes and some restaurants but this is the real challenge---seeing all of the nominees in a super-sized showing. Ladies and gentlemen – start the reels.