Earlier today, we got an email with an infographic from Banyan Branch, a Seattle-based social media agency, depicting buzz online for the Oscar nominees. Find out how much buzz "The Help" is getting on Facebook and Twitter and how many people are talking about Viola Davis's performance as Aibileen.
Last Saturday, the Malco Theater in Madison, Mississippi, held an advance public screening of the movie, and all the stars turned out to celebrate. ("The Help" was filmed mostly in Greenwood, but unfortunately the town doesn't have a theater.) Tweets coming from inside the theater involved moviegoers running into Emma Stone, who plays main character Skeeter, in the bathroom and seeing Octavia Spencer, Viola Davis and Allison Janney on the red carpet outside. Director Tate Taylor, producer Brunson Green and author Kathryn Stockett, all natives of Jackson, were also there, along with producer Chris Columbus. The movie played on three screens, and we hear the stars visited each one to welcome the audience and talk about the beneficiary of the event, Baptist Town Community Development in Greenwood. We haven't heard a bad review of the movie yet, and y'all know if must be good if the locals are impressed. There are also plenty of recognizable landmarks in the film, from the State Capitol, Mayflower Cafe, Fondren District and Brent's Drugs in Jackson to the Baptist Church and Elks Lodge in Greenwood. Only a week to go until "The Help" opens nationwide, so make plans to be at your local theater on August