Catch up on Oscar-contender films at special series

Ever since the Oscar nominations were announced last month, some of you film lovers have no doubt been scrambling to catch up on the nine best-picture contenders.

Suckers.

The Century South Point and AMC Town Square are making it easier than ever to catch all nine movies for a single discounted price.

Granted, “Captain Phillips” and “Dallas Buyers Club” already are available on DVD, and “Gravity” will be released Feb. 25. But while something as intimate as “Dallas” will look just fine on your TV, there’s just no excuse not to see the technical marvel that is “Gravity” on the big screen.

The South Point series costs $40 and kicks off on Friday with “Gravity” in 3-D at 7 p.m., followed by “The Wolf of Wall Street” at 9:20 p.m. On Saturday, catch “Nebraska” at 1:15 p.m., “Captain Phillips” at 4 p.m., “12 Years a Slave” at 7 p.m. and “‘Her” at 10 p.m. The screenings conclude Feb. 23 with “Philomena” at 2 p.m., “Dallas Buyers “Club” at 4:20 p.m. and “American Hustle” at 7 p.m.

The series starts over again Feb. 24 with “Nebraska” at 7 p.m. and “The Wolf of Wall Street” at 9:45 p.m., followed on Feb. 25 with “Her” at 7 p.m. and “American Hustle” at 9:50 p.m. On Feb. 26, see “Philomena” at 7 p.m. and “12 Years a Slave” at 9:30 p.m. And Feb. 27 rounds out the event with “Gravity” in 3-D at 4:30 p.m., “Dallas Buyers Club” at 7 p.m. and “Captain Phillips” at 9:45 p.m.

Over at Town Square, you can see all nine films for $60. Single-day tickets are available for $30 on Saturday and $40 on March 1.

On Saturday, catch “Philomena” at noon, “Dallas Buyers Club” at 2 p.m., “The Wolf of Wall Street” at 4:15 p.m. and “12 Years a Slave” at 8:15 p.m. Then on March 1, you can see “Nebraska” at noon, “Captain Phillips” at 2:15 p.m., “Her” at 4:45 p.m., “American Hustle” at 7:55 p.m. and “Gravity” at 10:30 p.m.

■ Jump in the “Tank”: The casting team from ABC’s “Shark Tank” will be looking for local inventors Thursday during an open call in the Veil Pavilion at the Silverton, 3333 Blue Diamond Road. Potential contestants will be asked to make a one-minute pitch, and they must bring a completed application packet that can be downloaded at abc.go.com/shows/shark-tank/applications. Numbered wristbands will be handed out starting at 3 p.m. with interviews beginning at 4 p.m. Only the first 500 applicants are guaranteed to be seen.

■ Special screenings: The Broadway revival of “Romeo and Juliet,” starring Orlando Bloom and Condola Rashad, will be shown in theaters at 2 p.m. Sunday. See it at the Colonnade, Orleans, Sam’s Town, Santa Fe, South Point and Village Square. The Royal Ballet’s performance of “Swan Lake” also is hitting local theaters this week. See it at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Colonnade, Sam’s Town, Santa Fe, South Point and Village Square.

Contact Christopher Lawrence at clawrence@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-4567.