Last night at the Brattle theater, the Boston Society of Film Critics gathered to hand-out their annual awards. It was the second time the organization held an actual ceremony, and the group wisely decided to use the opportunity to single out the people that make the Boston film world what it is, the curators, theater managers, authors, and projectionists whose unqualified love of film make going to the movies here a singular experience. We often think about film as a mass media, but for at least one night the intimacy of watching movies was on display.

Who knew three little chipmunks could show so much strength? Alvin and company stayed near the top of the box office list this week with a #3 showing, losing only to the mighty Nic Cage (we never thought we'd call Nic "mighty," but there you go) and Will Smith (we've been calling him "mighty" for years). Cage's National Treasure: Book of Secrets had the third biggest Christmas opening weekend ever, after Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring and Meet the Fockers. That's, um, good company? Other notable new-ish releases include