Democrats Abroad and PCC present: 'Academy Award Week and Gala Oscar Night Celebration!'

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - The Costa Banderas Chapter of Democrats Abroad and the Paradise Community Center present: "Academy Award Week and Oscar Night Celebration!"

The week-long celebration will feature eight of 2012's best films - all of which have been nominated for Oscars - starting on Sunday, February 17th, and will culminate in the live-streaming of the Academy Awards Ceremony on Sunday, February 24th during our gala awards celebration!

Tickets may be purchased in advance at the Paradise Community Center which is located at 127 Pulpito, Puerto Vallarta, directly across from Coco's Kitchen in the Zona Romantica. Advance tickets are $75 pesos each. Tickets may also be purchased at the door one hour before each film for $100 pesos, subject to availability.

The selected films and dates are as follows:

Argo - Sunday, February 17th at 1 pm:

Based on true events, "Argo" chronicles the life-or-death covert operation to rescue six Americans, which unfolded behind the

scenes of the Iran hostage crisis-the truth of which was unknown by the public for decades. On November 4, 1979, as the Iranian revolution reaches its boiling point, militants storm the US embassy in Tehran, taking 52 Americans hostage. But, in the midst of the chaos, six Americans manage to slip away and find refuge in the home of the Canadian ambassador. Knowing it is only a matter of time before the six are found out and likely killed, a CIA "exfiltration" specialist named Tony Mendez comes up with a risky plan to get them out of the country. A plan so incredible, it could only happen in the movies.

Starring: Ben Affleck, Alan Arkin, John Goodman, Bryan Cranston, and Victor Garber. Nominated for: Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor — Alan Arkin, Best Editing — William Goldenberg, Best Music — Alexandre Desplat, Best Sound Editing and Sound Mixing, as well as Best Adapted Screenplay — Chris Terrio.

Les Miserables - Monday, February 18th at 7 pm:

Set against the backdrop of 19th-century France, Les Misérables tells an enthralling story of broken dreams and unrequited love, passion, sacrifice, and redemption - a timeless testament to the survival of the human spirit. Ex-prisoner Jean Valjean is hunted for decades by the ruthless Inspector Javert after he breaks parole. When Valjean agrees to care for factory worker Fantine's young daughter, Cosette, their lives change forever. In December 2012, the world's longest-running musical brings its power to the big screen in Tom Hooper's sweeping and spectacular interpretation of Victor Hugo's epic tale.

Starring: Russell Crowe, Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway, Helena Bonham Carter, Sacha Baron Cohen, and Amanda Seyfried. Nominated for: Best Picture, Best Actor in a leading role — Hugh Jackman, Best Supporting Actress — Anne Hatheway, Best Costume Design — Paco Delgado, Best Make-up and Styling — Lisa Westcott and Julie Dartnell, Best Production Design, Best Original Song, and

Best Sound Mixing.

Beasts of the Southern Wild - Tuesday, February 19th at 7 pm:

In a forgotten but defiant bayou community cut off from the rest of the world by a sprawling levee, a six-year-old girl exists on the brink of orphanhood. Buoyed by her childish optimism and extraordinary imagination, she believes that the natural world is in balance with the universe until a fierce storm changes her reality. Desperate to repair the structure of her world in order to save her ailing father and sinking home, this tiny hero must learn to survive unstoppable catastrophes of epic proportions.

Starring: Quvenzhane Wallis. Nominated for: Best Picture, Best Actress — Quvenzhane Wallis, Best Directing — Benh Zeitlin, and Best Adapted Screenplay — Lucy Alibar and Benh Zeitlin.

Searching for Sugar Man - Wednesday, February 20th at 7 pm:

"Searching for Sugar Man" tells the incredible true story of Rodriguez, the greatest '70s rock icon who never was. Discovered in a Detroit bar in the late '60s by two celebrated producers struck by his soulful melodies and prophetic lyrics, they recorded an album which they believed would secure his reputation as the greatest recording artist of his generation. In fact, the album bombed and the singer disappeared into obscurity amid rumors of a gruesome on-stage suicide. But a bootleg recording found its way into apartheid South Africa and, over the next two decades, he became a phenomenon. The film follows the story of two South African fans who set out to find out what really happened to their hero. The search leads them to a story more strange than any of the myths about the artist known as Rodriguez.

Nominated for Best Documentary - Mailik Bendjelloul and Simon Chinn.

Silver Linings Playbook - Thursday, February 21st 7 pm:

Life doesn't always go according to plan. Pat Solatano has lost everything - his house, his job, and his wife. He now finds himself living back with his mother and father after spending eight months is a state institution on a plea bargain. Pat is determined to rebuild his life, remain positive, and reunite with his wife, despite the circumstances of their separation. All Pat's parents want is for him to get back on his feet and to share their obsession with the Philadelphia Eagles football team. When Pat meets Tiffany, things get complicated. She offers to help Pat with his wife if he'll do something for her in return. As their deal plays out, an unexpected bond begins to form between them.

Starring: Robert De Niro, Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Jacki Weaver, Chris Tucker, and Julia Stiles. Nominated for: Best Picture, Best Actor in a major Role — Bradley Cooper, Best Actress in a major role — Jennifer Lawrence, Best Supporting

Actor — Robert De Niro, Best Supporting Actress — Jacki Weaver, Best Director — David O. Russell, Best Editing — Jay Cassidy and Crispin Struthers, and Best Adapted Screenplay — David O. Russell.

Flight - Friday, February 22nd at 7 pm:

In this action-packed mystery thriller, Whip Whitaker, a seasoned airline pilot, miraculously crash lands his plane after a mid-air catastrophe, saving nearly every soul on board. After the crash, Whip is hailed as a hero, but as details come out, more questions than answers arise as to who or what was really at fault and what really happened on that plane.

Starring: Denzel Washington, Don Cheadle, Melissa Leo, Bruce Greenwood, Kelly Reilly, and John Goodman. Nominated for: Best Actor — Denzel Washington, and also Best Original Screenplay — John Gatins

Life of Pi - Saturday, February 23rd at 4 pm:

Director Ang Lee creates a groundbreaking movie event about a young man who survives a disaster at sea and is hurtled into an epic journey of adventure and discovery. While cast away, he forms an amazing and unexpected connection with another survivor...a fearsome Bengal tiger!

Nominated for: Best Picture, Best Directing — Ang Lee, Best Cinematography — Claudio Miranda, Best Editing — Jim Squyres, Best Music — Mychael Danne, Best Production Design, Best Original Song, Best Sound Mixing and Editing, Best Adapted Screenplay — David Magee and Best Visual Effects.

Lincoln - Saturday, February 23rd 7 pm:

A revealing drama that focuses on the 16th President's tumultuous final months in office. In a nation divided by war and the strong winds of change, Lincoln pursues a course of action designed

to end the war, unite the country, and abolish slavery. With the moral courage and fierce determination to succeed, Lincolon's choices during this critical moment will change the fate of generations to come.

Starring: Daniel Day-Lewis, Sally Field, Tommy Lee Jones, James Spader, Hal Holbrook, David Strathairn, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Tim Blake Nelson, Bruce McGill, Jackie Earle Haley, and John Hawkes. Directed by Steven Spielberg. Nominated for: Best Picture, Best Actor — Daniel Day-Lewis, Best Supporting Actress — Sally Field, Best Supporting Actor — Tommy Lee Jones, Best Cinematography — Janusz Kaminski, Best Costume Design — Joanna Johnson, Best Directing — Steven Spielberg, Best Editing — Michael Kahn, Best Music — John Williams, Best Production Design, Best Sound Mixing, and Best Adapted Screenplay — Tony Kushner.

Oscar Night Gala Celebration February 24th - The week will culminate in the live-streaming of the Acadamy Awards Ceremony and our Awards Gala Celebration, produced by the Paradise Community Center.

* More details about the gala will be shared when pricing and specifics are available. *

Request For Volunteers - We are in need of volunteers to help on the Film Nights and the Oscar celebration. If you are interested, please let us know which of the events you are interested in by contacting Tobe Jensen - tjensen1942(at)hotmail.com or David Camp and Judy Snow - snowkamp1(at)yahoo.com. for helping with box office and ticket taking or Joy Lehman at joylehman(at)gmail.com for the Gala event.

For more information about the Costa Banderas Chapter of Democrats Abroad, click HERE. For local assistance, contact Susan Wichterman at 044-322-303-5181 or mexicoms(at)hotmail.com or Paul Crist at 322-222-4793 or editor(at)mexicodemocrats.org.

The Paradise Community Center is located on Pulpito street across from Coco's Kitchen and the former Kit Kat on the South side of Vallarta. It is home to the Book and Bean Coffee Shop and book exchange, the new Alexander Hair Salon, and the Worship in Paradise Church services on Sunday mornings. For more information, call 044-322-170-4261, send an email to info(at)paradisecommunitycenter.com, or visit ParadiseCommunityCenter.com.