Click here for my review of “The Grey”.

Predictions for the Best Actor Oscar seem to have overlooked Gary Oldman. His abilities to create incredible characters is surpassed by few, yet when he crafts the perfect secret agent who needs to be non-memorable, or disappear from a room like wallpaper, few recognize his ability because he does disappear.

In “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy,” Oldman plays just such a person with grace, dignity and accuracy. When he’s present in the room, few remember his presence. When he has to move with stealth, he does so without incident.

What amazed me by his performance was his perfect monologue. He didn’t drop a beat or reveal that he was an actor verbalizing his lines. He was so much caught up in his character that I only saw his character. There wasn’t even a momentary glitch in accent or movement. He was George Smiley.

I met Oldman on the set of The Dark Knight. My time with him only lasted about 30 seconds, but it was long enough to meet the real man and not the character of Lt. Jim Gordon that he constructed. The difference between him and his character was amazing. He knew exactly how to become the character that Christopher Nolan required and he performed it with excellence.

There are few master craftsmen left in Hollywood, as most actors seem to have come from the latest reality television program like Katherine McPhee’s “Shark Night in 3D.” It’s as if the likes of Dustin Hoffman and the Gary Oldman are becoming few and far between.

Let me just say outright, that Oldman deserves the Oscar for Best Acting this year, but first he has to be nominated – Not a small task. Regardless of his future notoriety, if you’re interested in seeing an incredible performance, check out Oldman’s George Smiley.

Copyright © 2012 By CJ Powers

The warmth of family, friends and loved ones are brought to memory through Thomas Kinkade’s The Christmas Lodge. Based on his painting, this made for TV movie is rich with the nostalgia and charm of the artwork that inspired it.

The story is about Mary (Erin Karpluk) who finds herself at the run-down lodge in the mountains where, as a child, she spent the holidays with her family. Inspired by her grandfather, she determines to restore the building to its former glory, and during the process finds herself drawn to Jack (Michael Shanks), a handsome man who loves the lodge as much as she does. With a history of unbalanced relationships, this chance encounter allows Mary to renew her faith in life and discover her one true love.

Karpluk (Being Erica – Leo Award for Best Lead Actress in a Dramatic Series) does a great job carrying the show and emotionally charging several scenes with heartfelt warmth. Shanks (Stargate, Smallville, Burn Notice) played the man every woman seems to want with his masculinity intact. Together they explore the treasures behind true love, faith and family.

The Canadian produced film is rated G and has all the charm of a movie of the week for the Hallmark Channel. Its short length (just under 90 minutes) is ideal for the family with young kids who would like a nice family film to watch together for kicking off the holidays. The movie is available on DVD from Wal-Mart and Amazon.com.