The TakePart Top 10 Weekly Roundup is a compilation of the week’s most notable stories from our entertainment-meets-social-action blogging network. Check out our most popular articles of the week on a variety of subjects, as well as a few TakePart blogger favorites.

Katie:

Helen Keller & Anne Sullivan Surfaces 120 Years Later

Hallelujah For American Idol, Jeff Buckley and Leonard Cohen

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Nicole:

Google Gives Free Voicemail to San Francisco Homeless

Gabriel Garcia Marquez Turnes 80

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Giulia:

Patrick Swayze’s Cancer Battle

Koby Bryant’s PSA for ASR

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Gina:

Reese’s Empowering Bracelet

“Chop Shop” - Dreams In a Place of Despair

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Kerry:

Bamboo Laptop: Will Apple Be Green with Envy?

The Explosive Truth About Twinkies

Last week I had the opportunity to attend the opening night screening of Ramin Bahrani’s Chop Shop where the director Ramin Bahrani, and young stars, Alejandro Polanco and Isamar Gonzales were all present. The film is about a young boy named Alejandro who is living in Willets Point in Queens, a neighborhood that F. Scott Fitzgerald called “The Valley of the Ashes.” He lives and works in a piecemeal auto body repair shop - a “chop shop.” His sister Isamar lives with him and works in a nearby taco van. We never learn much more about their past and instead spend the journey learning about their dreams for the future.

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There’s actually a lot of good stuff in the theaters today and below are the Top 5 New Releases in Theaters that Spur Social Action.

All of the films are playing in New York City but don’t worry if you don’t live here - click on the “take action” links below each trailer to find out when the film might be coming to your area.

1. Chop Shop : Ramin Bahrani’s examination of what life is life for a boy named Alejandro living and working in a piecemeal auto repair joint in Queens (a “chop shop”) says more about courage, family and childhood spirit than any film I’ve seen in a long time. Reminiscent of Kiarostami, the film says a lot about the systems that effect kids like Alejandro in urban environments without ever needing to address the subject directly.

to see if Chop Shop is coming to a theater near you.

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While most folks are buzzing about who will win at the Oscars, some Hollywood favorites already received honors this weekend at the Film Independent’s Spirit Awards.

Over the last two decades the casual Spirit Awards has become one of the hottest events in Hollywood. Honoring films that are independent and low-budget, eligible films must be at least 70 minutes in length and cost of the completed film, including post-production, has to be less than $20 million. Hosted by Rainn Wilson of “The Office”, this years show aired live yesterday on Independent Film Channel and again last night on AMC.

“Juno” cleaned up at the ceremony winning for best feature film, best actress honors for Ellen Page and best first screenplay for Diablo Cody. Page and Cody are also nominated for Oscars, along with director Jason Reitman.

“I’m Not There”, one of Heath Ledger’s last films won two honors.

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