Pop Culture Junkie

New Blog

2011-11-06T10:29:00.001-07:00

In addition to my movie obsession, I have always been quite passionate about clothing, fashion, and style. As a way to explore Tumblr and a new format of creativity, I have created another blog where I will share my fashion inspirations with others.

If you are interested check it out here.

Hope you enjoy!

last one, I promise... for now at least

2010-11-12T06:00:00.000-07:00

This documentary was actually already posted on my blog but I figured since I was already posting each of my documentaries in order that they were made, I might as well be orderly and chronological about the whole thing and go ahead and post this little gem as well.

As seniors in high school we made this film, sadly our last film for the NHD competition (seriously, if they allowed college grads to compete I would be there in a heart beat... but it's probably good that that is not allowed because you gotta cut the cord at some point). After our Thomas Nast doc we returned to the familiar... Colorado history, this time focussing on the founding of National Jewish Hospital, the first free sanitarium for tuberculosis victims.

Be healthy... get a flu-shot :-)

It's Kind of A Really Good Movie

2010-11-11T06:00:00.002-07:00

I recently had the pleasure of seeing Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck's new film, It's Kind of a Funny Story (2010), starring Zach Galifianakis, Emma Roberts and newcomer, Keir Gilchrist. The premise is rather simple: Craig (Gilchrist), a clinically depressed high-schooler, checks himself into an adult psychiatric ward in an effort to seek help for his suicidal thoughts. During his short stint in the hospital, Craig not only meets a slew of interesting characters, but also learns much about life, love, and the pressures we all endure while growing up and finding ourselves.

The writing and directing of the film deserves recognition; it is just the right balance of seriousness, comedy, and whimsy. However, for a film set in a mental ward it is certianly very light on the "drama" or "intensity" (i.e. this is no One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest or Girl, Interrupted). In fact, the hospital and its inhabitants all seem very nice and happy, especially Bobby (Galifianakis), who becomes Craig's closest friend and mentor. If people like this really are in psychiatric wards, I wouldn't mind checking myself in as well.

This film is entertaining and well-acted. Galifianakis was perfectly cast; likable, funny, and characteristically quirky. Gilchrist also delivers a solid performance and has great chemistry with his co-stars, Galifianakis and Roberts. His lead performance was believable and he brings much charisma to the screen... I look forward to seeing him in other roles in the future.

I recommend people check this one out. I doubt many will be disappointed. And if you are a fan of cheesy lip-synching there is an awesome performance of David Bowie/Queen's Under Pressure. And now that you have that to look forward to, why would you not want to see this?

Has anyone else seen this film? If so, what'd you think?

and then we made this one...

2010-11-10T07:28:00.000-07:00

After posting my first two docs, I'm sure everyone wants to see how we progressed so I guess I have to share my two high school docs...which, in my opinion, are much more professional looking ;-) As sophomores in high school my friend and I made this documentary, again for the National History Day Competition, about the political cartoons of Thomas Nast. This film was a national finalist, as well as the only documentary we ever made that was not about Colorado history (yes, we certainly have state pride but I suppose we took a break from that for this little film). So, without further ado, I present you with Corruption, Cartoons, and Communication (ooh, la, la... look at that alliteration)

More of My Own Movies

2010-11-09T10:20:00.000-07:00

Since this is my blog I'm allowed to toot my own horn even more and present you guys with yet another Sarah-made documentary. This is the second film my friend and I wrote, narrated, directed, and edited. We were 8th graders at the time and this film, entitled Ludlow: A Massacre of Human Rights, was entered in the junior group documentary category where it received 1st place at both city and state levels and was a national finalist.

Be sure to take notes... history is important!

My First Movie

2010-11-09T09:00:00.003-07:00

I will be writing movie reviews quite soon (YAY!!) but I also wanted to go ahead and share some of my own films. Beginning in 7th grade, one of my best friends and I made documentaries for a national competition entitled National History Day (NHD). The first year we decided to enter the theme for the competition was "Revolution, Reaction, Reform" and we chose to make a 10 minute documentary about women's suffrage, specially the suffrage movement in the West (Wyoming, Colorado, and Utah). I know it sounds a bit cheesy, but NHD truly changed my life and was no doubt one of the most rewarding experiences ever. Not only did we become little women's history experts, but making the film made me realize my passion for film, documentaries, and video editing. We ended up competing a total of 4 times, making a 10 minute documentary each year to fit the different themes. I even majored in Film Studies in college because of my NHD experience. So here is the first doc my friend and I made at the wee age of 12. The title of the film is Women's Suffrage: First the West... Then the Nation. It received 1st place at the city level, 2nd place at the state level, and a bronze medal at nationals held in College Park Maryland.

And voting truly is a fundamental part of democracy so I hope ya'll voted!!!

Welcome Back

2010-11-08T00:11:00.001-07:00

Hello blog-world!!! So I have no clue if anyone ever reads this blog anymore but I am hoping to start blogging a bit again and hopefully anyone out there who reads this or read this in the past may come check it out... I promise to try to update more frequently (even though I'm pretty sure writing anything at all counts as more frequent then I have been in the last 10 months or so...). I have seen an INSANE number of films lately. And when I say "insane" I truly mean insane; I'm talking 2-3 movies a day. Yes, I know, I'm a bit cuckoo. (Hello, my name is Sarah, and I have a movie addiction. There, I said it.) So once I get back in the swing of it and figure out all the movies I have seen, my goal is to slowly but surely write reviews for all of them. Most of the films I have been enjoying lately are "old" (i.e. not in theatres) but I have also seen Conviction, The Social Network, Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps, Nowhere Boy, It's Kind of A Funny Story, and plenty of other current flicks. So please be sure to keep coming back and I promise to actually supply content for you to enjoy!

Peace and love,
Sarah

And until I have reviews up and posted... here is my theme song now that I am back in the blogging world. Enjoy!

My Movie!! "National Jewish Hospital: A Haven of Hope"

2010-08-24T02:52:00.006-06:00

This is a 10 min documentary I created in high school for a national competition. It’s about the founding of Colorado’s National Jewish Hospital, the first free sanatorium for tuberculosis victims. I created this doc in 2007 and entered it in the National History Day Competition where it placed 1st at the state level and was a national finalist.
(Written, Directed, and Edited by Sarah Goode and Lila Creighton)

I hope you enjoy and please let me know what you think!!

getting back on track...

2009-12-23T13:11:00.000-07:00

Remember me? Sorry I have been a bad, bad blogger and have totally neglected posts, reviews, and writing on my blog in general. But what can I say? It's winter break, I've been having panic attacks at the mall on a daily basis realizing how behind I am on Christmas shopping, and I've been a tad lazy. But I have been going to the theaters regularly and staying on top of the new releases. Some of the titles I've seen have been Avatar (Cameron, 2009), Brothers (Sheridan, 2009), Invictus (Eastwood, 2009), Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire (Daniels, 2009), Up in the Air (Reitman, 2009), and I may or may not have gone to see New Moon (Weitz, 2009), again. All have been enjoyable and all will have reviews written on them... starting right now.

So has anyone else seen Avatar yet? My friend and I went to the "3D IMAX Experience" last night. To throw out some adjectives, I'd say it was intense, epic, awesome, and shweet. The film is about an ex-Marine who finds himself on an alien planet, Pandora, in the form of an Avatar - a human-mind controlled body that looks identical to the alien creatures living on the planet. As he becomes more engrossed in his Avatar life, he is torn between two worlds in a fight for both his own survival and that of the indigenous people. Based on storytelling and narrative alone, the film is really nothing new or special. But technically, it is quite impressive. And if you see it in 3D (which you should) it is like sensory overload. Wowza!

The film seemed to have a lot of messages thrown in. Perhaps a few too many. There were obvious references to colonization, environmental concerns, and even some parallels to the so-called "War on Terror" and issues in the Middle East. And if anyone else has seen Fern Gully, this movie reminded me of that like that but on greater scale and with sexier creatures, which isn't necessarily a bad thing since that movie was awesome too.

This is the most expensive film ever made, costing $360 million! So far it has definitely been receiving lots of hype and great reviews. Its first weekend it was #1 at the box office, received four Golden Globe nominations, and has an impressive 84% on Rotten Tomatoes. It certainly was the most technically amazing film I have seen, maybe ever, and it was visually stunning and off-the-charts. Overall, this was an amazing movie to experience and I certainly recommend it to others.

Golden Globe Nominations are here!!

2009-12-15T08:48:00.001-07:00

Hi guys! Sorry I have been MIA. School has kind of consumed my life but I am officially done with the fall semester and enjoying my winter break! So exciting.

Anyway, the Golden Globe nominees were announced this morning. The actually awards will be handed out on January 17th (so mark your calendars!). My goal is to see all the nominated films before that... I still have a lot to see. Here's the complete list of contenders:

BEST MOTION PICTURE, DRAMA

• Avatar
• The Hurt Locker
• Inglourious Basterds
• Precious
• Up in the Air

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE, DRAMA

• Emily Blunt, The Young Victoria
• Sandra Bullock, The Blind Side
• Helen Mirren, The Last Station
• Carey Mulligan, An Education
• Gabourey Sidibe, Precious

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE, DRAMA

• Jeff Bridges, Crazy Heart
• George Clooney, Up in the Air
• Colin Firth, A Single Man
• Morgan Freeman, Invictus
• Tobey Maguire, Brothers

BEST MOTION PICTURE, COMEDY OR MUSICAL

• (500) Days of Summer
• The Hangover
• It's Complicated
• Julie & Julia
• Nine

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE, COMEDY OR MUSICAL

• Sandra Bullock, The Proposal
• Marion Cotillard, Nine
• Julia Roberts, Duplicity
• Meryl Streep, It's Complicated
• Meryl Streep, Julie & Julia

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE, COMEDY OR MUSICAL

• Matt Damon, The Informant!
• Daniel Day-Lewis, Nine
• Robert Downey Jr., Sherlock Holmes
• Joseph Gordon-Levitt, (500) Days of Summer
• Michael Stuhlbarg, A Serious Man

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM

• Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs
• Coraline
• Fantastic Mr. Fox
• The Princess and the Frog
• Up

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM

• Baaría (Italy)
• Broken Embraces (Spain)
• The Maid (Chile)
• A Prophet (France)
• The White Ribbon (Germany)

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE

• Penélope Cruz, Nine
• Vera Farmiga, Up in the Air
• Anna Kendrick, Up in the Air
• Mo'Nique, Precious
• Julianne Moore, A Single Man

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE

• Matt Damon, Invictus
• Woody Harrelson, The Messenger
• Christopher Plummer, The Last Station
• Stanley Tucci, The Lovely Bones
• Christoph Waltz, Inglourious Basterds

BEST DIRECTOR

• Kathryn Bigelow, The Hurt Locker
• James Cameron, Avatar
• Clint Eastwood, Invictus
• Jason Reitman, Up in the Air
• Quentin Tarantino, Inglourious Basterds

BEST SCREENPLAY

• Neill Blomkamp and Terri Tatchell, District 9
• Mark Boal, The Hurt Locker
• Nancy Meyers, It's Complicated
• Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner, Up in the Air
• Quentin Tarantino, Inglourious Basterds

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE

• Michael Giacchino, Up
• Marvin Hamlisch, The Informant!
• James Horner, Avatar
• Abel Korzeniowski, A Single Man
• Karen O and Carter Burwell, Where the Wild Things Are

BEST ORIGINAL SONG

• "Cinema Italiano," Music & Lyrics by Maury Yeston (Nine)
• "I Want to Come Home," Music & Lyrics by Paul McCartney (Everybody's Fine)
• "I Will See You," Music by James Horner, Simon Franglen; Lyrics by James Horner, Simon Franglen and Kuk Harrell (Avatar)
• "The Weary Kind," Music & Lyrics by Ryan Bingham and T Bone Burnett (Crazy Heart)
• "Winter," Music by U2; Lyrics by Bono (Brothers)

BEST TELEVISION SERIES, DRAMA

• Big Love
• Dexter
• House
• Mad Men
• True Blood

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES, DRAMA

• Glenn Close, Damages
• January Jones, Mad Men
• Julianna Margulies, The Good Wife
• Anna Paquin, True Blood
• Kyra Sedgwick, The Closer

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES, DRAMA

• Simon Baker, The Mentalist
• Michael C. Hall, Dexter
• Jon Hamm, Mad Men
• Hugh Laurie, House
• Bill Paxton, Big Love

BEST TELEVISION SERIES, COMEDY OR MUSICAL

• 30 Rock
• Entourage
• Glee
• Modern Family
• The Office

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES, COMEDY OR MUSICAL

• Toni Collette, United States of Tara
• Courteney Cox, Cougar Town
• Edie Falco, Nurse Jackie
• Tina Fey, 30 Rock
• Lea Michele, Glee

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES, COMEDY OR MUSICAL

• Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock
• Steve Carell, The Office
• David Duchovny, Californication
• Thomas Jane, Hung
• Matthew Morrison, Glee

BEST MINISERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION

• Georgia O'Keefe
• Grey Gardens
• Into the Storm
• Little Dorrit
• Taking Chance

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MINISERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION

• Joan Allen, Georgia O'Keefe
• Drew Barrymore, Grey Gardens
• Jessica Lange, Grey Gardens
• Anna Paquin, The Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler
• Sigourney Weaver, Prayers for Bobby

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MINISERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION

• Kevin Bacon, Taking Chance
• Kenneth Branagh, Wallander: One Step Behind
• Chiewetel Ejiofor, Endgame
• Brendan Gleeson, Into the Storm
• Jeremy Irons, Georgia O'Keefe

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A SERIES, MINISERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION

• Jane Adams, Hung
• Rose Byrne, Damages
• Jane Lynch, Glee
• Janet McTeer, Into the Storm
• Chloë Sevigny, Big Love

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A SERIES, MINISERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION

• Michael Emerson, Lost
• Neil Patrick Harris, How I Met Your Mother
• William Hurt, Damages
• John Lithgow, Dexter
• Jeremy Piven, Entourage

Any predictions for who the lucky winners may be?

bear with me.

2009-12-07T00:58:00.000-07:00

Hey guys and dolls! I hope each and every one of you has been having a fabulous December thus far... cozying up in front of the fire, blasting some killer Holiday songs, enjoying egg nog, or doing whatever it is you do to get in a festive spirit. I have been listening to some Christmas songs (fun!) and writing essays/preparing for finals (not so fun!). So the latter of the two has kind of kept me busy and unable to blog. But please don't fret because after this week I will be done for the semester and have plenty of time to blog my little heart out. And I'm really liking the Thursday Thirteen so I will probably be back Thursday for that bag-o-fun.

So until we meet again, I leave you with some entertainment brought to you by Supermac18.

Thursday Thirteen.

2009-12-03T06:41:00.004-07:00

Hello!! It's that's time of the week again... Thursday Thirteen time. This week I wanted to do something music related and I was jamming along listening to the radio the other day and got to thinking about how creepy and stalkerish a lot of songs really are. I mean, don't get me wrong, I love a good obsessive I-can't-stop-starring-at-you song, but you have to admit, some are pretty creepy. And if they were just being read, and not sung, the lyrics would creep you out. But, like I said, there are some awesome songs that would be categorized as creepy, yet they rock. So this week I decided to make a list of my thirteen favorite creepy stalker songs. And here we go...

1. "Every Breath You Take" (The Police) - Ultimate stalker song hands down - and one of the best 80s tunes in general.

2. "500 Miles (I Would Walk)" (The Proclaimers) - If the lyrics don't creep you out... the band probably will - not that I dislike The Proclaimers, they rock. But they some creepers for sure.

3. "I Will Follow" (U2) - After watching the video, I'm not even sure what to say. The hair is hilarious and those leather pants? Wow. But don't let the crazy video distract you from the creepy lyrics. When someone says "looking through the window" and "I will follow" a red-warning flag should go off. I'm just sayin' ...

4. "Hungry Like the Wolf" (Duran Duran) - They are on the hunt down after you... oh, baby. Sounds like some serious stalking to me.

5. "Obsession" (Animotion) - Why do people stalk? Because they are obsessed. An these peeps will do whatever just to sleep with you. Creepers!

6. "Stalker" (Goldfinger) - This one doesn't even try to hide its creepy nature. It's straight-up called "Stalker." True dat. But this one is about a girl stalking him... and apparently he likes it. And wants to marry her? Just goes to prove that crazy girls who are off their rockers are hot.

7. "Escape" (Enrique Iglesias) - You can run, you can hide, but you can't escape the creepy lyrics of this one. Catchy and fun, but Iglesias' sexy voice doesn't fool us. Ummm, stalker alert anyone?

8. "Private Eyes" (Hall and Oates) - My favorite 1980s pair sings a great song about a woman simply not being able to escape their peering eyes. Peer away boys, peer away... John Oates even rocked the stalker 'stache. Claissic!

9. "One Way or Another" (Blondie) - Guys aren't the only stalkers... ladies can get their creep on as well. And no one sounded like a better female stalker than Deborah Harry.

10. "Somebody's Watching Me" (Rockwell) - I love this song... unfortunately it was Rockwell's only major hit. It definitely exemplifies the stalker song... to a T.

11. "Two Steps Behind" (Def Leppard) - Before Enrique sang about some lady running but not being able to hide Def Leppard sang the same creepy lyrics. Hmmm... who came across as the bigger stalker?

12. "Infatuation" (Rod Stewart) - Romantic? Perhaps. He is singing about love I guess. But the whole "not being able to sleep" and obsessive quality of the lyrics is certainly borderline stalkerish.

13. "Invisible" (Clay Aiken) - What's a list of stalker songs wihtout the ultimate creeper song... And Claymates might have found him irresistible, but the rest of the population found him downright creepy. And what do you get when you take a creepy dude and give him creepy lyrics? The creepiest, hair-raising song ever.

Weird how most of these are 80s songs...

guess they were all just major creepers who weren't embarrassed to let their stalker flags fly.

What are you favorite stalkerish songs?

end of '09.

2009-12-01T05:10:00.003-07:00

Well, the final month of 2009 is here. Hard to believe it’s almost the end of yet another year. It’s cold, some of us will soon be studying for finals, others will be attempting to brave the crowds to do some Holiday shopping. It’s a fun time of year, but also somewhat stressful. So if you are looking for something fun (or relaxing) to do, why not head to the movies? And there are lots of new ones coming out, many of which look pretty good.

Armored (Antal, 2009) – A newbie guard for an armored truck company is coerced by his veteran coworkers to steal a truck containing $42 million. But a wrinkle in their supposedly foolproof plan divides the group, leading to a potentially deadly resolution.

Brothers (Sheridan, 2009) – A young man comforts his older brother's wife and children after he goes missing in Afghanistan. Based on Susanne Bier's film, Brødre.

Serious Moonlight (Hines, 2009) – A high-powered attorney duct tapes her adulterous husband to the toilet ... right before burglars invade their home.

Did You Hear About the Morgans? (Lawrence, 2009) – In New York City, an estranged couple who witness a murder are relocated to small-town Wyoming as part of a witness-protection program.

Invictus (Eastwood, 2009) – A look at life for Nelson Mandela after the fall of apartheid in South Africa during his first term as president when he campaigned to host the 1995 Rugby World Cup event as an opportunity to unite his countrymen.

The Lovely Bones (Jackson, 2009) – Centers on a young girl who has been murdered and watches over her family, and her killer, from heaven. She must weigh her desire for vengeance against her desire for her family to heal.

Avatar (Cameron, 2009) – A band of humans are pitted in a battle against a distant planet's indigenous population.

The Young Victoria (Vallée, 2009) – A dramatization of the turbulent first years of Queen Victoria's rule and her enduring romance with Prince Albert.

Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakuel (Thomas, 2009) – The world famous singing pre-teen chipmunk trio return to contend with the pressures of school, celebrity, and a rival female music group.

It’s Complicated (Meyers, 2009) – A romantic comedy in which two men vie for the affection of a woman.

Sherlock Holmes (Ritchie, 2009) – Detective Sherlock Holmes and his stalwart partner Watson engage in a battle of wits and brawn with a nemesis whose plot is a threat to all of England.

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (Gilliam, 2009) – A traveling theater company gives its audience much more than they were expecting.

The White Ribbon (Haneke, 2009) – Strange events happen at a rural school in the north of Germany during the year 1913, which seem to be ritual punishment. Does this affect the school system, and how does the school have an influence on fascism?

No, he's changing mine.

2009-11-29T06:44:00.001-07:00

Looking for a wonderful, inspirational film? Check out The Blind Side (Hancock, 2009). Based on the remarkable true-story about Michael Oher, a once homeless teen from a broken home who is taken in by a wealthy family, the Touys, who help him reach his potential. And not only is his life transformed, but he inspires and transforms the Touys as well.

I don't see how you can dislike this movie. It is of course emotional and sentimental at times, but it is also sure to make you laugh and smile. This feel-good flick is also well-acted. Sandra Bullock puts in a killer performance as Leigh Ann Tuohy, the stubborn head of the household. Country singer Tim McGraw was perfect as the sweet, loving Southern dad - not too far of a stretch for him. The rest of the cast was great too. Quinton Aaron not only looks like Oher, but played the part well. And don't dismiss Jae Head, as little S.J.. He was adorable and hilarious.

So far, it has a 73% on Rotten Tomatoes and has many critics speaking its praise. Glenn Whipp of the Associated Press said, "Writer-director John Lee Hancock wisely lets the true story of Michael Oher speak for itself" and Variety's Joe Leydon called the film an "uplifting and entertaining feel-good, fact-based sports drama."

In a moment the world changed forever.

2009-11-28T06:08:00.001-07:00

Based on Cormac McCarthy's novel by the same name, The Road (Hillcoat, 2009) is a post-apocalytpic tale of a man and his son trying to survive by any means possible. Starring Viggo Mortensen as "the man" and new-comer Kodi Smit-McPhee as "the boy," this film is dark, eerie, and throughly captivating from beginning to end. And as someone who has read the book, it certainly stayed true to McCarthy's original work so fans will be happy.

Like the book, the film is incredibly simplistic and everything from costumes to set decor were stripped to the bare-minimal. The desaturated colors and minimal score create an utterly chilling effect. This is certainly a very dark view of the world. "The most arresting aspect of The Road is just how fully the filmmakers have realized this bleak, blighted landscape of a modern society reduced to savagery," commented New York Times' top film critic, A.O. Scott. But it is the loving relationship of father and son that off-sets this gloominess so well and draws you in. And both Mortensen and Smit-McPhee put in outstanding performances.

With a 70% on Rotten Tomatoes, this seems to be a well-liked film. Steven Rea of the Philadelphia Inquire stated, "I cannot think of another film this year that has stayed with me, its images of dread and fear - and yes, perhaps hope - kicking around like such a terrible dream." It is certainly bleak, but hope still resonates. I'll be curious to hear what people who have not read the book think of the film. Some of the details, or perhaps lack there of, seemed more obvious in the book. For example, the characters (other than Ely) have no names. And the repetitive motifs and symbols of fire and hope might have been more noticeable in the text as well.

So while I would not try to argue that it is better than the book, it is certainly a well-made,

worthwhile film.

No goats. No glory.

2009-11-27T06:54:00.044-07:00

The new absurd comedy, The Men Who Stare at Goats (Heslov, 2009), stars George Clooney, Ewan McGregor, Jeff Bridges, and Kevin Spacey. It claims to be based on true events... but I'm guessing it is very loosely based on actual occurrence, or at least I hope so. The film is about a reporter (McGregor) who goes to Iraq and upon meeting Lyn Cassady (Clooney), who claims to be a former member of the U.S. Army's First Eath Battalion - a unit that trains soldiers to use paranormal powers - seems to have stumbled upon the story of a lifetime. Over-the-top and utterly absurd, the film certainly includes some laugh-out-loud moments. However, it is lacking any real substance or plot and I was kind of left asking, what's the point?

Now the film was enjoyable, and certainly well cast. I particularly enjoyed George Clooney. He was hilarious and totally off his knocker. "This is grizzled, wild-eyed Clooney," remarked Tom Long of the Detroit News, "not the suave sophisticate, and it's a nice change of pace." I concur. The man certainly has some comedic chops and it was fun to see them unleashed.

With a mixed-bag of reviews and a 54% rating, I guess this is the kind of film you'll enjoy depending on your sense of humor. I think the Toronto Star's Linda Barnard said it best: "The picture lacks discipline and focus at times, but it's fun despite the chaos." It is narratively "loose" and a bit jumbled, but it does have some fun scenes and laughs to enjoy.

Maybe this is one to rent.

Has anyone else seen this one? What'd you think?

Thursday Thirteen.

2009-11-26T09:52:00.001-07:00

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!! Hope you guys all have fun plans for today whether it be enjoying delicious food with family and friends, watching some football, or just relaxing. My family and I are keeping it small and simple this year (a nice change from our usual plans). So it will just be my parents and I eating dinner and then heading to the movies. Not sure what we will see yet, but I'm excited to have pumpkin pie (my favorite!!) and see something fun.

Anyway, it is Thanksgiving but it is also Thursday, which means Thursday Thirteen time. This week I decided to keep it festive and holiday-appropriate so I have compiled a list of my thirteen favorite Thanksgiving films. Enjoy!

1. A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving - This one is the epitome of the Thanksgiving film, and even more then thirty-five years after it's original release it is still just as popular and enjoyable.

2. Home for the Holidays - This 1995 comedy marked the directorial debut of Jody Foster. It's about a single mom who just lost her job and is now flying home for Thanksgiving. The film is full of hectic, argument-filled Holiday fun.

3. The New World - Although this is not literally a Thanksgiving film, it is about the pilgrims and history of what became America. After all, there'd be no big meal today if it weren't for these early settlers.

4. Dutch - Dutch Dooley agrees to drive his girlfriend's 12-year-old son home for Thanksgiving. The boy seems to be a stuck-up know-it-all, but as the two road-trip from Georgia to Chicago they eventually bond... and make it home just in time for the Turkey dinner.

5. Pieces of April - In this 2003 film, a daughter invites her dying mother and estranged family members to her apartment for Thanksgiving dinner. Despite some major obstacles - including a broken oven - April still manages to assemble dinner while also learning to appreciate the importance of family and friends.

6. What's Cooking? - Amidst family tensions, four households in LA's ethnically diverse Fairfax district come together to celebrate Thanksgiving. Each family has their own crises - a gun, an affair, a boyfriend, and a pregnancy - and these issues come to a head around the table.

7. The Ice Storm - This is certainly not the typical feel-good Holiday film, but it will make you thankful that those people aren't members of your family. Set in a 1973 Connecticut suburb, middle-class families find their lives out of control. This is an excellent film... one of my favorites!

8. Planes, Trains, & Automobiles - This Holiday classic stars Steven Martin and John Candy as a hilarious duo traveling home for Thanksgiving. Martin is the perfect tightly wound man while Candy is just an obxious slob who seems to make everything go wrong. Hilarious and Holiday-appropriate, what more could you ask for?

9. Grumpy Old Men - Two elderly bachelors, who have been neighbors for years, carry on a rivalry and argue over basically anything and everything.

10. Tadpole - This coming-of-age tale is about a 15-year-old boy who falls in love with his step mother. And the boy is arriving home for Thanksgiving so it's a holiday movie in my book.

11. The House of Yes - A mentally unbalanced young woman goes into a murderous rage when her twin brother returns home to reveal he is engaged... and never told her! Not my favorite movie per se, but still fun and very holiday-themed.

12. Hannah and Her Sisters - Woody Allen's classic film takes place between two Thanksgivings, and intertwines stories of an extended family. The story in told in three main arcs, with almost of it occurring during a one-year span beginning and ending at Thanksgiving parties hosted by Hannah and her husband.

13. Miracle on 34th Street - Now of course this one is also quite Christmas-y. But it does include a good amount of Thanksgiving action. Plus, what Thanksgiving is always a good time to start preparing for the entire holiday season... including Christmas! Just make sure you get the 1947 version... non of that remake nonsense, please.

What are you favorite Thanksgiving movies? Oh, and anyone have fun plans?

every moment another story begins.

2009-11-25T08:33:00.016-07:00

Very few film anthologies are made today. Perhaps people find them difficult to make or are simply not interested in them. Which is too bad, because they can be really great pieces. A film anthology is simply a film consisting of several different short films or stories. Sometimes these stories are interwoven, sometimes they are not. Other times the filmmaker uses a common theme to tie the stories together, such as a place, person, or thing. In the case of New York, I Love You (2009) the stories of different individuals are connected based on their residency in the big apple.

The film was directed by Fatih Akin, Yvan Attal, Allen Hughes, Shunji Iwai, Wen Jiang, Joshua Marston, Mira Nair, Brett Ratner, Randall Balsmeyer, Shekhar Kapur, and Natalie Portman. There is not a simply, concise plot but rather eleven short films exploring romance, love, and life. These story-lines, some humorous others quite sad, all take place in NY.

I did not love the film, but I certainly enjoyed it. A few of the story-lines could probably have been removed but overall it was a good film. If you are looking for something interesting and different from the mainstream films, I would recommend checking this one out. It certainly makes you think about the fact that every single person you pass has his or her own story... something I think a lot of us never really take the time to consider (at least I know I don't). "It's a bit too arty, and a bit too cute," comments Houston Chronicle's Amy Biancolli, "but it charms and cajoles with the pluck of a native New Yorker." And Roger Ebert wrote that "the film is a jumble sale, but you can make some nice discoveries."

With a 42% rating on Rotten Tomatoes I would not expect to be blown away, but it was a sweet movie.

Team Edward!

2009-11-24T06:27:00.014-07:00

Sorry I have not gotten around to writing my review of The Twilight Saga: New Moon (Weitz, 2009). I saw the movie Friday night at 11:30 pm (after not being able to get tickets to the midnight showing) and I absolutely LOVED it. Now I know not all of you are Twilight fans, but those of you that are, I'm sure you will enjoy this film. Non-fans may want to skip this one... but that's your loss. In the film, based on the second novel in the Twilight series, Edward Cullen (aka the most beautiful, perfect, amazing vampire ever!) leaves his girlfriend/soul-mate, Bella Swan, after a slight mishap at her 18th birthday party. With Edward gone, Bella is absolutely heartbroken and falls into a deep depression. In order to assure herself that Edward did in fact exist, she becomes a sort of adrenaline-junkie, desperately seeking danger that will provide her with apparitions of Edward. She also finds her friendship with Jacob Black growing and becoming more complex... especially once he realizes he is a werewolf.

The main cast, including Kristen Stewart, Taylor Lautner, and Robert Pattinson, return and are joined by new faces of the wolf gang and Volturi who make their debut. I personally thought everyone was well-cast and great. Robert is the perfect Edward and although his part was much smaller than in the first film, I found myself looking forward to his screen presence. Taylor's shorter hair cut and ripped physique was pleasant to look at. All I can say is thank gGod the long locks are gone... those were not working for him. It is pretty crazy to believe he is only 17 and has the body of a tiny body-builder (steroids, anyone?) The new wolf members were also good although I was surprised they weren't in the film much.

Saying I loved this film may be a slight understatement. I literally was smiling the entire time and probably gasped when Edward showed up (I can't help it... Robert is gorgeous!) It may have a mere 29% on Rotten Tomatoes, but this is the kind of film that fans enjoy and not movie critics per se. And I think the fact that it debuted at #1 and made over $142 million says a lot about how dedicated Twilight fans are! It already broke the record for the biggest one-day gross (beating out The Dark Knight, which previously held the record) and it more than doubled the debut of the first film, Twilight. Way to go New Moon!

Anyone see it yet?

1 Boat. 8 DJs. No Morals.

2009-11-23T06:01:00.000-07:00

Has anyone seen Pirate Radio (Curtis, 2009)? This British comedy, released in Europe as The Boat That Rocked, stars Philip Seymour Hoffman, Bill Nighy, Rhys Ifans, Nick Frost, and Kenneth Branagh. The story, inspired by true events, is about a group of DJs living together on a boat in the middle of the Northern Atlantic in the 1960s who broadcasted rock-n-roll music into England, which was illegal at the time and drove British government crazy.

The film currently has a 59% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, so I guess you could say the reviews have been pretty mixed. I certainly enjoyed the film and thought it was funny, enjoyable, and had some great music. The actors, especially Hoffman and Branagh, gave some great performances and the outrageous personalities of each DJ will certainly make you smile. I also liked up-and-coming British cutie Tom Sturridge. (This London-native is not only one of the U.K.'s rising stars, but also Robert Pattinson's BFF!!)

I agree Jonathan F. Richard of Film.com who explained that this film is "just a hell of a lot of fun." The movie is not meant to be overly complicated or deep. It's just a good, light-hearted film with a simple plot, good acting, and a great backbeat. "Pirate Radio, the new rock-saturated comedy that proves life is better when it's set to a '60s soundtrack, is, to borrow from the Stones, 'a gas! gas! gas!'" commented Betsey Sharley of the LA Times.

TGIF.

2009-11-20T09:43:00.000-07:00

Happy Friday! I did not get to go see New Moon at the midnight showing as planned. The theater I was planning on going to did not have any online ticketing (lame!) so I had to go try to buy tickets early. Of course I go running in super excited to buy tickets, when the guy behind the counter totally bursts my bubble as he tells me it was *gasp* SOLD OUT! Sad, sad day. I shall be going AS SOON AS POSSIBLE! Did anyone see it yet? How was it?

Well, at least I did get to see Taylor on The Today Show this morning. Not that that makes up for missing the movie, but oh well. I'll take what I can get.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Mr. Pattinson does Today.

2009-11-19T21:29:00.002-07:00

A very special blogger requested I post Robert Pattinson's appearance on The Today Show this morning. So, this post is dedicated to her because she is my fellow Twilight fan and has an awesome blog! And I'm sure others will enjoy the clips also (hopefully!) Oh, and Taylor Lautner will be there tomorrow so I will post that when I can.

Enjoy!

Thursday Thirteen.

2009-11-19T06:25:00.067-07:00

For this week's Thursday Thirteen, I decided to make a list of my 13 favorite television theme songs. (The list is in no particular order):

1. The Brady Bunch - This is definitely a theme song we all know... and can probably sing from start to finish. It is just as cheesy and cliché-ridden as the show itself, but what's wrong with that? And, if you listen to the lyrics, you'll know the entire plot of the series. Fun and practical!

2. Saved By the Bell - I used to have such a crush on Zach, and this song just makes me think of him... It's also upbeat, catchy, and just screams 80s tween/teen TV.

3. Cheers - Who wouldn't like to get away and go somewhere where everyone knows your name... and is glad you came. That's where I want to go. The beginning of this show always makes me smile. It's just so comforting and welcoming. Love it!

4. The Sopranos - The theme song, like the show itself, was bad ass. And who cares that this song wasn't actually written for the show? It works so perfectly.

5. Arthur - Ok, ok so this show is for small children. But who doesn't love the opening sequence anyway? Plus, Arthur is the coolest aardvark I've ever seen and he had a sweet theme song to match.

6. The X-Files - For a show about mystery and discovering the unknown, this theme song does a great job of evoking the necessary emotions. Eerie and haunting, the opening tune is sure to make UFO-chasers everywhere salivate.

7. Rawhide - This show was definitely before my time, but I still know the theme song... definitely a classic. And I just recently saw The Blues Brothers (Landis, 1980) for the first time. Their rendition of this theme song was awesome!

8. Malcolm in the Middle - Great theme song? Yes, no, maybe... YES! It is. I love this one. Who doesn't want to sing along "you're not the boss of me now"? Word. I do what I want. Oh, and this one actually won a Grammy in 2002. Pretty legit.

9. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air - Old-school Will Smith at his finest. Enough said.

10. Laverne & Shirley - The upbeat, optimistic tone and lyrics always make me happy. Oh, and I always thought the beginning of the song (the spoken words - "1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. Schlemiel, Shlemazel, hasenfeffer incorporated!) were like gibberish, but apparently they are not. "Schlemiel" is a stupid/unlucky/awkward person, "schlemazel" refers to a consistently unlucky/accident-prone person, and "hasenfeffer" is rabbit stew. So now you know.

11. The Andy Griffith Show - Oh, the famous whistling. How can you not love this simple, happy song? The theme introduces the wholesome family entertainment to come. Plus, it's the only TV show theme to heavily feature whistling. And come on, whistling is way cool.

12. The Addams Family - The theme to this show is definitely as quirky and fun as the characters themselves. And bonus points for making up the word "ooky."

13. The Simpsons - This is one of the best themes without any words. Of course, when you hire one of the most prolific composers in the biz, it seems reasonable to expect nothing but the best. And after more than twenty seasons, Danny Elfman's theme song has reached "classic" status and is just as recognizable as Homer and the rest of the characters.

What are your favorite TV theme songs?

best. week. ever.

2009-11-18T14:46:00.000-07:00

Yup, this truly is the best week ever. Why? Well for one it's my last week until fall break. Yay! And it is the week The Twilight Saga: New Moon finally comes out!!! And because the movie hits theaters in just three days, the cast is showing up everywhere.

Monday night Taylor Lautner was on The Jay Leno Show. I am definitely team Edward and would pick Robert Pattinson over Taylor any day, but I must admit that Taylor is looking good these days and he was pretty cute on the show. His story about "Twilight moms" and older women wanting him to sign their "team Jacob panties" kinda creeped me out, but he was a good guest.

Monday night Kristen Stewart appeared The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien, and then this morning she was on The Today Show. A lot of people give her a hard time and thing she comes across as stuck-up or annoying but I personally really like her. Granted, she is super awkward and kind of fidgety, but I think that is part of her charm.

And the cast will be making more appearances this week. Tomorrow morning Robert Pattinson will be on The Today Show and then Friday Taylor will be there. (Is anyone else surprised they saved Taylor for last? I was thinking it'd be Rob... although I guess this movie is more about the wolf pack).

And I will be attending the midnight screening of the film on November 20th! Anyone else excited? Anyone else going to be seeing it on Friday?

Buzz Worthy.

2009-11-17T05:47:00.089-07:00

Here are some interesting stories that have been circulating lately... just want to fill you in on the buzz.

1. Sarah Palin has written a book, Going Rogue, and is now making the rounds in hopes of spreading the word. Her book tour officially kicks off on Wednesday and she appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show yesterday. Did anyone see her? What'd you think?

2. Talk of making a new My Little Pony TV show is in the works. I used to LOVE this show. And it has one of the best theme songs ever!

3. The documentary, Young@Heart (Walker and George, 2007), is being made into a feature film.

4. Actor Edward Woodward died at the age of 79. Woodward was famous for his roles in such classics as The Wicker Man (Hardy, 1973) and the television series, The Equalizer.

5. Roger Corman and Lauren Bacall received honorary Oscar awards. Corman, often referred to as the "Kink of the Bs,"was an American producer and director of low-budget films. Bacall is a film and stage actress best known for her film noir leading lady parts in flicks such as The Big Sleep (Hawks, 1946).

6. ABC is thinking about remaking Charlie's Angels.

7. Anyone wondering who will be performing at this year's Super Bowl? The Who, apparently.

8. Winona Ryder has been cast in a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie. Yikes... her career has really hit rock bottom, maybe it's time to just call it quits.

9. Sofia Coppola has finally decided to write/direct another movie! Somewhere (Coppola, 2010), starring Stephen Dorff, tells the story of Johnny Marco, a "bad-boy A-list actor stumbling through a life of excess living at Hollywood's legendary Chateau Marmont Hotel." Sounds good to me!

10. Starting December 1st, Scrubs will be returning with all-new episodes... and new faces.

we all need an education.

2009-11-16T07:54:00.025-07:00

Good morning! I hope you guys all had great weekends. I was pretty busy but I managed to see one new film, An Education (Scherfig, 2009). Based on Lynn Barber's memoir, the movie tells a coming-of-age story of a teen girl, Jenny, living in the suburbs of London in the 1960s. As a smart, intelligent girl she seems to have a bright future ahead of her, but her life changes after meeting an older playboy who is nearly twice her age.

This is certainly a talent-driven drama and both Peter Sarsgaard and newbie Carey Mulligan deliver fabulous performances. I think this film will certainly help launch Mulligan's acting career (especially if it lands her an Oscar-nom). She was perfectly cast as young Jenny, a girl exploring her own desires and learning who she is. "Mulligan is the film's headline, pulse and revelation," wrote TIME Magazine's Richard Corliss. "In its blithely subversive way, her starmaking performing is a co-conspirator with the movie. Both of them win you over with smart talk and pretty feelings, then kick you in the heart."

The film currently has an impressive 93% on Rotten Tomato and has received rave reviews. In fact, Oscar buzz is already circulating. Caludia Pulg of USA Today called the story "fresh and thoroughly captivating," while LA Time's Kenneth Turan said it was "invariably funny and inexpressibly moving." Overall, this was a great story that examined women's roles in the world of the 1960s. I thought the ending could have been slightly stronger, but this is a minor complaint. Don't miss this one!

she's got the best of both worlds.

2009-11-13T09:57:00.001-07:00

So I am a little embarrassed to admit this, but I decided to rent Hannah Montana: The Movie (Chelsom, 2000). I have seen the show a few time, and I guess it's a bit of a guilty pleasure to watch it once in a while. But Miley Cyrus drives me crazy! She is so annoying. In spite of this, I did watch the movie. As Hannah Montana becomes increasingly popular, she begins to take over Miley's life. Her father, trying to help keep her grounded, takes her back to her hometown in Tennessee where she finds a cute boy, rides some horses, and gains a new perspective on what really matters in life.

The movie was pretty boring and nothing really happened to make it stand out from the show. If anything, it was simply a glorified, elongated episode with a bit more pizzaz. I agree with Kyle Smith of the New York Post who said, "Thin as a flip-flop and as complicated as a scrunchy, the plot is barely enough for half a movie. At the 45-minute point, things are pretty much wrapped up." I was pretty bored half-way through... a bit too much Smiley Miley for my liking.

Unless you are a 10-year-old girl (or a hard-core Hannah fan), I'd probably skip this one.

news break.

2009-11-11T06:18:00.002-07:00

Here are some updates on things going on in the industry and in the pop culture world right now.

1) There were tons of rumors floating around that Steven Tyler left Aerosmith.... what?! Could that band exist without him? Well, no need to worry because those rumors are indeed false. Steven Tyler appeared at the Glamour Women of the Year Awards and stated that this story was not true. Thank goodness.

2) Cobra Starship's new music video for "Hot Mess" was released. Fun song... kind of boring video.

3) A Mr. Roger's statue was unveiled in Pittsburgh last Friday.

4) Apparently Oprah's talk-show may come to an end (as we know it, at least) in 2011. There is talk that the show could be moving to Oprah's cable network instead. Times they are a changin'.

5) Comedy Central and The Onion have joined forces for a new show. Could be pretty funny...

6) A new Yogi Bear movie is in the works, and some big names have already jumped on board including Justin Timberlake and Dan Aykroyd.

7) John Cusack has a new comedy called Hot Tub Time Machine. Going by the title, this doesn't sound too great... However, it does have Chevy Chase, Rob Corddry, and an R-rated premise about traveling back to their party-boy heyday.

8) Leighton Meester is trying to focus on her singing career and has a new single, "Somebody to Love." Check out the music video!

9) Miley Cyrus claims she has never heard a Jay-Z song. Could she be any more annoying?

10) They are making Spider Man into a broadway musical! The show, entitled Spider-Man Turn Off the Dark, will star Reeve Carney and the songs will be written by U2's Bono. Hmmm, not so sure about this one...

Oh, and has anyone seen this video/heard this song? I'm kind of addicted to it right now... enjoy!

all you have to do is push the button.

2009-11-10T05:55:00.049-07:00

After eagerly awaiting the release of Richard Kelly's new film, The Box (2009), for a few months now, I was totally disapointed and bummed that it was not good. In fact, it was terrible. Seriouly, do not waste your time or money on this one. Now the premise of the film was quite promising. It's about a married couple who finds a wooden box on their door step. Soon after receiving the mysterious box, they learn that if they press the button inside they will receive $1 million. Only one catch: pushing the button also means that someone they don't know will die. Not only did the story sound interesting (at least to me) but it also had some good actors including Frank Langella, James Marsden, and Cameron Diaz.

So the film began and seemed like it was going to be good. But after about 25 minutes it took a turn for the worst and just seemed to go down hill (rapidly). The story was a mess - confusing, cheesy, and pointless. Apparently it was based on a Twilight Zone episode by the same name, which was based on a short story. Now I have not seen this episode (or read the story), but there is pretty much a 100% guarantee that both are better than this film.

The Box currently has a 47% on Rotten Tomatoes (I wouldn't be surprised if this percent continues to decrease). Peter Travers from Rolling Stone called the film "damaged goods" and Lou Lumenick of the New York Post stated that "After a promising start, this great-looking but ultimately deeply confusing and unscary sci-fi/horror opus turns into a quite boring rehash of M. Night Shyamalan's post-signs films." I agree with both these critics. It was actually a really frustrating film because it was so confusing. There seemed to be some sort of spiritual/religious metaphor going on and perhaps reference to Adam and Eve... with the whole woman not being able to resist temptation theme. I don't know. The message, like the rest of the movie, was unclear.

But, even though I clearly disliked this film, I still can't give up on director Richard Kelly. Donnie Darko (2001) is still one of my favorite movies and any man who can create such cinematic genius-ness is allowed a flop (or two).

I'm back!

2009-11-09T20:54:00.001-07:00

Wow guys! I have not blogged in a few days... I gotta admit, I was going through a bit of blogger withdrawal, but I'm back! So... a few new things:

1) I went to the New Moon Mall Tour Sunday night... ooooohhhhh yeah. Although the majority of the audience was indeed tween girls, there were quite a few older fans as well (including myself :-) ), and a handful of Twilight moms too. Looks like everyone loves Twilight. So we got there and there was a bunch of howling and cries for the "wolf pack" to come out. I was a tad confused. Then I heard that two members of the wolf pack were going to be arriving and then everything made sense (and I of course joined in with the group howling). So after much anticipation we got to see Alex Meraz (who plays Paul) and Kiowa Gordon (who plays Embry). Both were pretty cute but Meraz was definitely the hotter wolf. So that was an enjoyable evening.

Sorry, there weren't too many pictures of them online. And trust me, they were both more attractive in person...

2) So other then my New Moon Mall Tour update, I wanted to see if anyone watched Taylor Swift on SNL. Luckily I DVRed it and thought it was really good. She was a well-prepared, funny host and her musical numbers were great. She definitely sounds good live (which is rare). Her opening monologue was especially fun. In case you guys missed it, here it is.

like you've never seen him before.

2009-11-06T05:14:00.042-07:00

I was somewhat hesitant about seeing Michael Jackson's This Is It (Ortega, 2009), but after reading some great reviews about it, I decided to check it out. And I am very glad that I did. The film is comprised of interviews, rehearsals, and backstage footage of Michael Jackson as he prepared for his series of sold-out shows in London.

It is somewhat sad to see how awesome the tour was going to be, but, at the same time, the film does seem to package its own magic - magic that would not otherwise have been released. Michael Jackson appears as a sincerely humble, modest, kind man who just happened to be a musical genius. The performance sequences were amazing... even at the age of fifty, Michael Jackson could still dance like no one else and just rock it out. And I don't think anyone can ever get tired of seeing him dance... especially his signature hip thrust and moon walk. Gotta love it! Seeing him interacting with his crew, dancers, and director was also wonderful. He had a true gift for choreography and crafting a performance. But even as an popstar and icon, he still treated all of his crew with nothing but respect and love.

As A.O. Scott from At the Movies stated, "The Michael Jackson we see here is not a self-styled Messiah or a tabloid oddity. He is, instead, what he always was underneath it all: a talented musician, a brilliant dancer, and one of the most gifted entertainers of his time." And Joe Morgenstern of Wall Street Journal commented that "It's an expertly packaged - brilliantly packaged, considering how quickly the job was done - phantasmagoria that emphasizes, quite convincingly, the energy that Michael could still draw from whatever was fueling his wraith-thin body."

If you are an MJ fan, you will certainly love this documentary. And even if you aren't a "huge" fan, it is still a great film. After all, who doesn't enjoy the King of Pop? I'm not surprised this is the #1 movie at the box office (as well as the #1 film in the world right now!!) and has an 80% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Definitely put this one on your list!

Overall, a very fitting final performance.

Thursday Thirteen.

2009-11-05T05:45:00.133-07:00

It's Thursday! We all know what that means... Thursday Thirteen! In case you are new to Pop Culture Junkie, or the concept of Thursday Thirteen I'll give you a brief overview. Basically it's pretty self-explanatory. Every Thursday, bloggers make a list of 13 things of their choice. This can be 13 foods I ate today, 13 ways I can say hello in different languages, 13 reasons I love Robert Pattinson, etc. This week I decided to do a list of 13 bizarre, weird, random, or crazy celebrity facts. Just some fun trivia prep!

1. Back in 1985, Matthew Broderick got in a car crash in Ireland and killed two people, a woman and her daughter, after driving down the wrong side of the road.

2. Charlie Sheen accidentally shot his ex-fiancee, actress Kelly Preston, in the arm with a mishandled gun. Way to go, Charlie. No wonder you have lady issues.

3. CNN anchor, Anderson Cooper, is the son of Gloria Vanderbilt. Yeah, he's loaded.

4. Matthew Perry is missing part of his middle finger on his right hand due to a door-shutting incident. Dude, be careful!

5. Angelina Jolie's uncle, Chip Taylor, wrote the song "Wild Thing."

6. Mick Jagger was once a porter in a mental hospital. Those were some lucky patients...

7. Leslie Grantham (aha Dirty Den in EastEnders) served prison time for murder. He shot and killed a German taxi driver in his cab while attempting to rob him. He claimed he didn't know the gun was loaded...

8. Warren Beatty and Shirley MacLain are siblings. I did not know that. Plus, they reign from my home-state of Virginia!

9. Halle Berry has diabetes (type 1). Looks like Nick Jonas and she have something in common.

10. After Drew Barrymore posed naked for Playboy in 1995, her god father, Steven Spielberg, sent her a note that said "cover yourself up" along with a quilt and an altered copy of the magazine showing her fully clothed. So he didn't approve of the nudie pics??

11. Ralph Lauren's real name is Ralph Lifshitz. Hmmm wonder why he would ever wanna change that name...

12. Rob Lowe is deaf in one ear. Although no one knows the exact cause, they seem to think it was the result of an undiagnosed case of mumps as a child. Who needs to hear when you have those pretty, pretty eyes?

13. Tommy Lee Jones and Al Gore were freshmen roommates at Harvard. What are the chances?

Well, there ya have it. Thirteen totally random facts about celebs.

Do you guys have any interesting celebrity facts or tid-bits? Please share!

a little of this, and a little of that.

2009-11-04T19:41:00.011-07:00

Hey guys! Happy Hump Day! Sorry that this post is coming to you much later then usual. It's just been one of those days. Anyway, since it's the middle of the week, I figured I would do a little update on what's been going on in the realm of pop culture. Just a little way to make sure we are all caught up on the important stuff.

1. So in case you haven't heard, there is a New Moon Mall Tour going on right now. This is your chance to meet the stars from The Twilight Saga: New Moon. Some cast members (which haven't been named) have hit the road on a nationwide tour before the vampire flick hits theaters November 20th. At all of the 15 stops, fans will get the chance to attend a Q&A forum and select cities will feature performaces from artits on the film's soundtrack. I am super duperly stoked looking forward to head to the mall this Sunday. And yup, my city is one of the lucky few to be having the little concert. Shweet!

2. In case you want to hear Chris Brown attempt yet another lame apology (anyone catch him on Larry King??), he will be speaking with MTV this Friday, November 6. The 30-minute special will have MTV's Sway asking Chris some tough questions about what happened in February.

3. Taylor Swift will be serving double duty on SNL this Saturday, November 7th. Not only will the 19-year-old country star be hosting the show, but she will also be the musical guest. Be sure to check out the promo video... it's pretty funny.

4. Sarah Chalke, of Scrubs fame, has a bun in the oven. And apparently it's a boy, due on Christmas Day. Just like baby Jesus!

5. Nicole Kidman and Robert Pattinson will be teaming up in a new movie, Bel Ami, which has been described as "erotically charged." According to Screen Daily, the flick will chronicle the rise of an ambitious young man who sleeps his way to the top from French soldier to powerful Parisian newspaper journalist in the 1890s. Hmmm sounds interesting. Anything that is erotic and includes Rob sounds good to me.

6. Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart grace the December 2009 cover of Harper's Bazaar. In the article, the two talk about romance, googling themselves, and, of course, about one another.

7. 30 Rock will be welcoming yet another awesome guest star - James Franco. Looks like Franco is making the rounds on the TV circuit. First General Hospital, now 30 Rock. At least he is going up. Wonder what's next...

8. Taylor Swift is featured in the new commercial for Brand Hero. Heidi Klum was also featured in one of these commercials a few months ago. I really enjoy the whole Risky Business theme... quite clever.

9. Rihanna has premiered the video for her latest single, "Wait Your Turn (The Wait is Ova)" off her new album Rated R, out November 23rd. Check it out here!

10. And, perhaps the most exciting news of all, the host of the 2010 Academy Awards has finally been announced. And this year we are gettin' double the fun with two hosts! That's right, Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin will be teaming up to cohost the biggest night in Hollywood. What a dream team! The show airs March 7, 2010. Only four more months. Holla!

Oh, and don't forget tomorrow is Thursday... be sure to come back for a little TT action!

just a little Monday afternoon stroll.

2009-11-03T05:13:00.001-07:00

Jesse Bradford, from such classic films as Bring It On (Reed, 2000) and Swimfan (Polson, 2002), was spotted yesterday around 2:00pm. Sporting greasy, slicked back hair pulled into a short ponytail and rocking a pair of stella shades, Mr. Bradford strolled around the Grove with an attractive (unknown) dirty-blonde by his side. Although he appeared somewhat dirty, he was still looking good.

What a hot mess.

you're gonna be fine.

2009-11-02T06:44:00.025-07:00

The Academy Award Winning Coen brothers' are back. And their new film, A Serious Man (2009) is absolutely outstanding, certainly one of the best films I have seen all year. The plot is somewhat difficult to explain, and describing it doesn't really describe the film. However, I'll give you guys a brief synopsis anyway. Set in 1967, this dark comedy focusses on Gary Gobnik (Michael Stuhlbarg), a Jewish, midwestern, physics professor who watches his life unravel when his wife prepares to leave him.

The film is witty, smart, and excellently acted. Most of the cast are rather fresh-faced, including Tony Award nominee Michael Stuhlbarg as Gary, who certainly deserves an Oscar nomination for his role. The film will more then likely be receiving several other nominations as well, including one for Best Picture. Exploring questions of faith, family, delinquent behavior, morality, and Judaism, the film not only entertains but also makes you think.

It currently has an 85% on Rotten Tomatoes and has gotten great reviews from many top critics. Claudia Puig of USA Today called A Serious Man "a wonderfully odd, bleakly comic and thoroughly engrossing film" and Kenneth Turan of the LA Times commented that the Coens have made "their most personal, most intensely Jewish film, a pitch-perfect comedy of despair that, against some odds, turns out to be one of their most universal as well." I definitely agree with both critics, especially Turan. It is quite interesting that such a unique, quirky film can also be so universal.

This is truly an excellent film that I highly recommend!

almost New Moon time!!!

2009-11-01T05:06:00.003-07:00

With the holiday season fast approaching, looks like there are some great new movies to be seen. Here are just some of the movies opening this month.

Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire (Daniels, 2009) – In Harlem, an overweight, illiterate teen, pregnant with her second child, is invited to enroll in an alternative school in hopes that her life can head in a new direction.

A Christmas Carol (Zemeckis, 2009) – An animated retelling of Charles Dickens’ classic novel about a Victorian-era miser taken on a journey of self-redemption, courtesy of several mysterious Christmas apparitions.

The Boat that Rocked, US title: Pirate Radio (Curtis, 2009) – A period comedy about an illegal radio station in the North Sea in the 1960s.

The Box (Kelly, 2009) – A small wooden box arrives on the doorstep of a married couple, who open it and become instantly wealthy. Little do they realize that opening the box also kills someone they do not know…

The Men Who Stare at Goats (Heslov, 2009) – A reporter in Iraq might just have the story of a lifetime when he meets Lyn Cassady, a guy who claims to be a former member of the U.S. Army's First Earth Battalion, a unit that employs paranormal powers in their missions.

2012 (Emmerich, 2009) – An epic adventure about a global cataclysm that brings an end to the world and tells of the heroic struggle of the survivors.

Up in the Air (Reitman, 2009) – Ryan Bingham is a corporate downsizing expert whose cherished life on the road is threatened just as he is on the cusp of reaching ten million frequent flyer miles and just after he's met the frequent-traveler woman of his dreams.

The Messenger (Moverman, 2009) – An American soldier struggles with an ethical dilemma when he becomes involved with a widow of a fallen officer.

The Blind Side (Hancock, 2009) – A poor, oversized, under-educated teenager is recruited by a major college football program where he is groomed into an athletically and academically successful NFL prospect.

The Twilight Saga: New Moon (Weitz, 2009) – This is the highly anticipated second installment of the Twilight series. After Bella recovers from the vampire attack that almost claimed her life, she looks to celebrate her birthday with Edward and his family. However, a minor accident during the festivities results in Bella's blood being shed, a sight that proves too intense for the Cullens, who decide to leave the town of Forks for Bella and Edward's sake. Initially heartbroken, Bella finds a form of comfort in reckless living, as well as an even-closer friendship with Jacob Black. Danger in different forms awaits…

Me and Orson Welles (Linklater, 2009) – A teenager is cast in the Mercury Theatre production of Julius Ceasar, directed by a young Orson Welles in 1937.

Nine (Marshall, 2009) – Famous film director Guido Contini struggles to find harmony in his professional and personal lives, as he engages in dramatic relationships with his wife, his mistress, his muse, his agent, and his mother.

The Princess and The Frog (Clements and Musker, 2009) – A fairy tale centered on a young girl named Princess Tiana who lives in New Orleans' French Quarter during the Jazz Age.

The Road (Hillcoat, 2009) - A post-apocalyptic tale of a man and his son trying to survive by any means possible, based on the novel by Cormac McCarthy.

Brooklyn’s Finest (Fuqua, 2009) – Three unconnected Brooklyn cops wind up at the same deadly location after enduring vastly different career paths.

Any of these look interesting?

Anyone else excited for New Moon?

too good not to share.

2009-10-31T19:15:00.002-06:00

Hey guys! I hope everyone is having an excellent Halloween. I was watching They Live (Carpenter, 1988) earlier today. I had never seen it before and was fairly intruguied by the description - a drifter discovers a pair of sunglasses that allow him to see aliens who have taken over the earth. Plus, it was free and I felt like checking it out. It does have an 88% on Rotten Tomatos which seemed crazy high, and after viewing it I am really shocked that it had such good reviews.

I watched it and was laughing the whole way through. It was super cheesy and silly but still fun. Not scary at all though. The music and costumes were dated and the whole political message was ineffective. But I must admit, it had some of the BEST one liners I have ever heard. I want to share just a few with you...

Brother, life's a bitch... and she's back in heat.
I have come here to chew bubblegum and kick ass... and I'm all out of bubblegum.

The Golden Rule: He who has the gold, makes the rules.
You, you're okay. This one: real fuckin' ugly.

You? You look like your face fell in the cheese dip back in 1957.
Mama don't like tattletales.
That's like pouring perfume on a pig.

Yeah... and there are plenty more where those came from.

A Masterpiece Of Modern Horror!

2009-10-31T05:55:00.005-06:00

Happy Halloween!! After 31 days of horror film fun it is finally time to announce my #1 favorite horror film of all time. But first I want to do a quick recap of all the 30 other films on my list...

31. Scream (Craven, 1996)
30. Poltergeist (Hooper, 1982)
29. Rosemary's Baby (Polanski, 1968)
28. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (Hooper, 1974)
27. The Wick Man (Hardy, 1973)
26. House of Wax (Collet-Sera, 2005)
25. Invasion of the Body Snatchers (Kaufman, 1978)
24. 28 Days Later (Boyle, 2002)
23. Night of the Living Dead (Romero, 1968)
22. Hostel (Roth, 2005)
21. Carrie (Palma, 1976)
20. Birds (Hitchcock, 1963)
19. Saw (Wan, 2004)
18. Halloween (Carpenter, 1978)
17. The Sixth Sense (Shyamalan, 1999)
16. The Amityville Horror (Rosenberg, 1979)
15. The Hills Have Eyes (Aja, 2006)
14. Pet Sematary (Lambert, 1989)
13. The Ring (Verbinski, 2002)
12. Friday the 13th (Carpenter, 1980)
11. Cabin Fever (Roth, 2002)
10. Children of the Corn (Kiersch, 1984)
9. The Omen (Donner, 1976)
8. Misery (Reiner, 1990)
7. The Last House on the Left (Craven, 1972)
6. A Nightmare on Elm Street (Craven, 1984)
5. Jaws (Spielberg, 1975)
4. Alien (Scott, 1979)
3. The Silence of the Lambs (Demme, 1991)
2. The Excorcist (Friedkin, 1973)

Okay, and now for #1. (Drum roll please...) And the winner is... The Shinning (Kubrick, 1980)!

Based on Stephen King's novel of the same name, The Shining is a psychological horror about a family isolated in a hotel for the winter where an evil and spiritual presence influences the father, while his psychic son sees horrific forebodings from the past and future.

Like most of Kurbrick's films, this one seemed to be misunderstood and under-appreciated when first released. However, upon later evaluation, critics have realized that The Shining is an absolute masterpiece of atmosphere and tension. It now has an 87% on Rotten Tomatoes and tops many lists ranking top horror films.

Jack Nicholson comes unhinged and delivers an absolutely unforgettable performance. Seeing him go crazy is intense and sure to terrify audiences. But the scariest part of the film is just how uncomfortable it makes you feel. We don't know who to trust - the insane father, the psychic son with an imaginary friend, our own eyes - or what to expect next.

There are ghosts and some images that will scare the bejesus out of you, but the movie is much more than that. "The movie is not about ghosts," explains Chicago Sun-Times critic, Roger Ebert, "but about madness and the energies it sets loose in an isolated situation primed to magnify them." Overall, this is a phenomenal movie in general and, in particular, defintiely the best horror film I've ever seen! If you have never seen it, please do.

Redrum. Redrum. Redrum.

The Devil Inside.

2009-10-30T06:22:00.003-06:00

The next pick is probably one of the most famous scary films ever, topping almost every list ranking the best horror films. Yet another Oscar winning film on my list, this one, adapted from a 1971 novel, is about a young girl who becomes possessed by a demonic entity, leading her mother to seek the help of two priests to save her. Sound familiar? It's The Exorcist (Friedkin, 1973) of course.

The film is masterfully directed by William Friedkin, who had previously been known for The French Connection (1971), and all the actors turn out amazing performances. With both horrifying and sensational scenes and some nauseating special effects, the film became the second most profitable horror film of all time, second only to Jaws (Spielberg, 1975), and even today it is able to scare the living daylights out of audiences. Variety described it as "An expert telling of a supernatural horror story" and Roger Ebert called it "one of the most powerful" escapist films ever made.

Thursday Thirteen

2009-10-29T07:05:00.002-06:00

Howdy everyone! I decided to do the Thursday Thirteen again... but this time I was smart, planned ahead, and am actually posting on Thursday instead of Friday (like last time). Anyway, for those of you who are new with the Thursday Thirteen, I'll fill you in a bit. It's a weekly meme with a simple theme. Each Thursday different bloggers write a list of 13 things (13 favorite foods, 13 things on my mind, 13 boys I wish I could date, etc.). This week I am doing 13 celebrities I wonder what happened to.

1. Devon Sawa - This guy stole our hearts (or at least mine) in Little Giants (Dunham, 1994) and Casper (Silberling, 1995) then came back as quite the hottie in flicks such as Wild America (Dear, 1997), Idle Hands (Flender, 1999), and Final Destination (Wong, 2000). But after that... he seemed to disappear. Now, at age 31, he does have a new film coming out but after almost ten years of being MIA, I just have to ask, what happened to ya, Devon?

2. Mike Vitar - This guy really only made one movie (that became popular) but it was enough to make us want more. You probably don't know him by name, but perhaps "Benny" rings a bell? Yup, this is Benny from The Sandlot (Evan, 1993). He was 15 at the time and definitely the coolest baseball player ever. But what happened to him?

3. Erik von Detten - He definitely had leading man good lucks but that only got him so far. We loved him in Brink! (Beeman, 1998) and Princess Diaries (Marshall, 2001) ... and maybe some of us remember him guest-starring on an array of TV shows including The Mole. But that seems to be about it. Where did he go? What is he doing now?

4. Ben Savage - We loved him as the adorable Cory Matthews on Boy Meets World, but it's sad that he doesn't seem to have been able to break away and move on to other projects. I mean we grew up with this kid and saw him go from a cute, awkward middle-schooler, to an even more awkward (and married) college student. ¿Donde está, Cory?

5. Jonathan Taylor Thomas - Was there anything better than Mr. Thomas to come out of the 90s? I don't think so. He is probably most well known for his role as Randy Taylor on Home Improvement, but he was also the voice of Simba in the The Lion King (Allers and Minkoff, 1994) and seemed to grace the cover of every teen magazine on a weekly basis. And unlike most child stars, he was cute and then got hot (instead of going from cute to, ugh... not so much). We miss you JTT, come back!

6. Shane West - Okay, so I guess he has been in a few things somewhat recently, like ER, and I think he has a few new projects coming out, but it feels like he fell off the radar. With leading roles in Get Over It (O'Haver, 2001) and A Walk to Remember (Shankman, 2002), plus a role on Once and Again, he seemed to be hot for a while. Sadly, his popularity seems to have sizzled. What happened? Maybe his 15 minutes was just up?

7. Michael Schoeffling - I think we can all understand why Molly Ringwald loved him in Sixteen Candles (Hughes, 1984) even without knowing him. Aside from that iconic, he appeared in nine other movies, a TV show, and he was a model. But why did he just seem to poof! Vanish. He was such a stud and I think we would have all appreciated more of him.

8. Frankie Muniz - In 2003, he was considered one of Hollywood's most bankable teens, but then he put his acting on hold to become a race-car driver and currently competes in the Atlantic Championship. He starred on Malcolm in the Middle for six-and-a-half years and was in such films as My Dog Skip (Russell, 2000), Big Fat Liar (Levy, 2002), and Agent Cody Banks (Zwart, 2003). I guess after making bank, he just decided to ditch Hollywood and drive.

9. Nate Richert - Any Sabrina, the Teenage Witch fans out there? If you watched the show (like myself), you probably remember Harvey Kinkle, Sabrina's high school boyfriend. Apparently he is a musician now, but we will always remember him as good ol' Harvey. And thanks to syndicated TV, we can still catch him Monday-Friday on ABC Family.

10. Corey Haim - The first time I saw The Lost Boys (Schumacher, 1987) I fell in love with Corey. He made several other films in the 80s, including a few with Corey Feldman. Man, the two Coreys were a dream-team if I ever saw one. But then what happened? Ok, I guess I know. Say no to drugs, kids. Just. Say. No.

11. Matthew Lawrence - The middle brother of the three Lawrence dudes, this one seemed to have a shot at breaking off and separating himself from his brothers. But that didn't last long. He was on Boy Meets World (the college days) for a while and appeared in a few films like The Hot Chick (Brady, 2002), but where'd he go?

12. Hanson - They were such a cute brotherly boy band that had us all singing MMMBop, but then what? They kinda left us hanging. Now I know they went on tour somewhat recently, but now they are old and have a bunch of kids themselves. There will never be another brother trio like them... sorry, but The Jonas Brothers ain't got nothing on Isaac, Taylor, and Zac. MMMYeah.

13. Edward Furlong - It's kind of embarrassing to admit, but I had a huge thing for Edward Furlong. I'm not sure if it was the whole 90s grunge look or the bad-boy persona, but whatever it was, I liked it. He made a few great films before he seemed to peace out, including Terminator 2: Judgement Day (Cameron, 1991), Pecker (Waters, 1998), and American History X (Kaye, 1998). But then drugs got the best of him. He does have five new films in the works though, two of which are already completed. An Eddy comeback?? Ohhh, intriguing.

Are there any actors, actresses, singers, or famous people who were popular, disappeared,

and left you wondering what happened to them?

Well, I hope you guys enjoyed my second installment of Thursday Thirteen. Enjoy the day!

To enter the mind of a killer she must challenge the mind of a madman.

2009-10-29T06:30:00.004-06:00

Although my #3 pick was considered a sleeper the year it was released, it still managed to rake in the top five Academy Awards - Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Screenplay, and Best Picture - making it the third and most recent winner of this achievement. Any guesses? It's The Silence of the Lambs (Demme, 1991). About a young FBI cadet (Jodie Foster) who must confide in an incarcerated and manipulative killer (Anthony Hopkins) in order to receive his help to catch another serial killer, this film is not only an amazing showcase for both Foster and Hopkins, but a true psychological terror.

There are too many terrifying aspects of this movie to name them all, but Hannibal Lecter is certainly one of the scariest parts. He is smart, disturbed, and unimaginable twisted - the ideal antagonist for any horror flick. There is no way you will ever forget him! And Lecter is not the only memorable part of the movie. Unlike some films, the thrills and terror of this one are sure to last. As Roger Ebert stated, "The popularity of Jonathan Demme's movie is likely to last as long as there is a market for being scared."

Don't miss this bona fide classic!

In space no one can hear you scream.

2009-10-28T06:29:00.002-06:00

A blend of horror and science fiction, #4 on my scary movie list, Alien (Scott, 1979), is sure to thrill (and frighten) everyone. This Oscar award winning film stars Sigourney Weaver, Tom Skerritt, Veronica Cartwright, Harry Dean Stanton, John Hurt, and Ian Holm. The plot revolves around a mining ship that lands on a distant planet while investigating a suspected SOS. The crew soon discovers some strange creatures and decides to investigate...

With a 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, this is clearly yet another fav amongst critics. Bruce Westbrook of the Houston Chronicle called it "A genuine fright classic." Eleanor Ringel Gillespie of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution warns "Alien will upset your mind and upset your stomach." And Glenn Lovell of the San Jose Mercury News wrote that "It's a most satisfying return to one o the few sci-fi films that deserves to be called a masterpiece."

I am not usually a fan of sci-fi movies, especially ones with aliens in them. But this movie is absolutely horrifying! One of the best parts is how slow this movie moves. And not in a boring, please-pick-it-up kind of way. Rather, the filmmakers take their time and slowly build up anticipation, suspense, and fear. The use of silence, shadows, and darkness are also well done and add a sense of uneasiness. This is a must see for everyone!

Guest Blogger Deux

2009-10-28T06:01:00.035-06:00

Hello everyone! It's an absolutely lovely Wednesday morning... There's a blizzard outside my window. Not what I wanted. Oh well, to brighten up the day a bit I have a fabulous guest blogger's article to share with you. Miss Elleni is a journalism major, fabulous writer, movie buff, and just an all-around awesome person. I was über excited when she e-mail me a Halloween-themed piece for me to post. So here is our second guest blogger. Enjoy!

The Real Horror: It's Here to Stay

by Elleni Cladis

The pretty girl steps out of the shower. Her parents are out of town. Despite the recent spate of mysterious killings in her neighborhood, she had decided to stay home alone. She begins to wipe away the condensation on the bathroom mirror. When she pulls her hand away, a menacing figure appears in the mirror's background. The girl screams in fright as the figure reaches for her.

She is not alone. The audience witnessing her plight in darkened movie theaters across the country screams as well at this typical scene characteristic of moviedom's horror genre that has proven to be prolifically popular throughout the decades.

It's that time of the year again, and as the night of ghosts and goblins fast approaches, so, too, do the latest offerings of cinematic gore meant to scare the living daylights out of us. And while most of us would never choose to trade places with the girl stepping out of the shower, many will choose to venture to a theater, buy a ticket, and spend more money on popcorn and soda - all for the privilege of being scared out of their wits (and inadvertently dumping their popcorn and sodas on the theater floors in the process).

But why? What is the attraction of this unmitigated fear?

The appeal of this popular movie genre is difficult to assess, yet, the attempt to explain the inexplicable had draw almost as many academics to the task as moviegoers to the theaters. Professor Susan Burggraf, Ph.D., of Naropa University's psychology department, wrote her dissertation on the appeal of horror movies and found that while no one enjoys the fear experienced in watching horror movies, many do savor the arousal brought about by fear. "The social setting is crucial. We enjoy horror movies to the extent that the people we watch them with enjoy them. You might say that watching horror movies is a 'bonding experience,'" said Burggraf, in referring to her research.

Even if a couple goes to a horror film and finds it less than horrifying, even comical, The University of Alabama's Dolf Zillmann's research shows that the couple will engage in what he refers to as "the snuggle theory" - in which the male and female pretend to be scared so they can get close to one another. In other words, his research delves into the mutual attraction of a couple exhibiting gender-socialized displays of emotion in response to the on-screen gore. Girls are more attractive to guys it they are, or pretend to be, scared in a horror film; by the same toke, guys are more appealing to girls if they aren't, or pretend not to be, scared by the horror.

Ask any teenager; horror movies are great dating vehicles.

In whatever way one is drawn to the horror film genre, the formula has worked for a long time. And it would appear that the genre is here to stay. From the late 1890s and George Mélies' Le Manoir du Diable ("The House of the Devil"), often credited as the first horror film, to today's "torture porn" fare such as Hostel (Roth, 2005) and Saw (Wan, 2004), there is no shortage of 17-year-olds to 30-year-olds looking to gobble up the gore.

After all, with the price of skydiving at $200 per jump, and roses at $65 per dozen, the horror movie is the most cost-effective way for teenagers and twenty-somethings to get their adrenaline rush or to get their romance on.

Psychologists and sociologists will debate the moviegoer's motives for choosing to buy tickets to horror movies, but the genre's continuing success over the years suggests that the motives have one thing in common, perhaps best summed up by the tagline for the 1986 horror flick, The Fly (Cronenberg). It is an insatiable need to "Be afraid... be very afraid!"

don't go in the water.

2009-10-27T06:40:00.007-06:00

That music. That famous opening sequence. That terrifying shark. What am I talking about? My #5 favorite horror film, Jaws (Spielberg, 1975). This Oscar award winning thriller based on a best-selling novel, is about a gigantic great white shark that begins terrorizing a small island community during the height of beach season, attacking (and killing) numerous people.

Jaws is considered a watershed in film history as the first summer blockbuster. It is also looked at as a true classic, launching the career of Steven Spielberg. It has a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, so I suppose you could say people kind of seem to like it. A lot. TIME Magazine's film critic said, "Spielberg works self-effacingly, with subtly correct camera placement and meticulous editing. He twists our guts with false alarms, giving us the real thing with heart-stopping suddenness," and Roger Ebert boldly called it "One of the most effective thrillers ever made." I coudln't agree more. The best part of this movie is that it is suspenseful and brings us face to face with our fears. Whether you are scared of the sharks or not, we are all afraid of the unknown... what looms in the dark, hides under our bed, or swims around in the water.

Jaws is our worst nightmare... and now it's out to get us.

little lady...

2009-10-26T18:56:00.001-06:00

... HUGE boobs. Amy Winehouse showed off her new assets this evening. Wow, why would she want breasts that are bigger then she is? They don't even seem to fit into her shirt. Not that Ms. Winehouse has ever been an extremely classy lady, but seriously, this does not do anything for her.

sleep kills.

2009-10-26T06:24:00.007-06:00

The next film on my list is yet another Wes Craven masterpiece. And if you haven't seen the original, hurry up before the remake comes out. No way will it be as good. So #6 on my list of best frightening flicks is A Nightmare on Elm Street (Craven, 1984). The plot revolves around several teens being terrorized by the ghost of a serial child murderer, Freddie Krueger, who stalks them in their nightmares.

The film is awesome (and terrifying) because it toys with our perception of dreams versus reality, like the idea that even though Freddie Krueger only exists in the "dream world," he can kill you in the "real world." This film has a 94% rating on Rotten Tomato and has received excellent reviews from a variety of top critics. According to James Berrardinelli from ReelViews, this film "still stands on its own as an intriguing and chilling example of how horror works best when the characters and the audience don't have to be lobotomized." I couldn't agree more.

With his razor sharp appendages, and even sharper sense of humor, Freddie Krueger is still one of the creepiest dudes to hit the silver screen.

To avoid fainting, keep repeating "It's only a movie... It's only a movie..."

2009-10-25T05:14:00.002-06:00

Hello lovelies! For my #7 pick I chose the classic horror-thriller, The Last House on the Left (1972), written and directed by Wes Craven. The film is about a pair of teenage girls who are headed to a rock concert; while trying to score some weed, the girls are kidnapped by a gang of psychotic convicts. But that is only the beginning... after the convicts kidnap, rape, and butcher the girls, they unknowingly seek refuge with the parents of one of the victims. Little do they know that they parents turn out to be even more brutal then they are.

This movie is seriously scary and pretty twisted. Some of the things you see... well, I'm not even sure that kind of thing would fly today. I mean even when I saw the 2009 remake (which got an R rating), they had tamed it down quite a bit. And after reading about the making of the film online, I was pretty shocked to discover that Craven had intended it to be even more "hardcore" and "graphic," but was advised to edit it down to a softer film before it was released. Nevertheless, the film still faced problems with censorship and was even banned in the UK in the 1980s into the 1990s.

This film seems to be under-appreciated but it truly is good, homespun sadism at its best! Oh, and who can forget that awesome banjo music? Classic!

Your number one fan.

2009-10-24T08:42:00.001-06:00

Happy Saturday! Can you believe Halloween is only seven days away? Anyone have fun plans this weekend? Well to get the weekend rolling let's get to my #8 favorite scary movie, Misery (Reiner, 1990). This Academy Award winning horror-thriller, based on a Stephen King novel by the same name, stars James Caan as Paul Sheldon, a famous novelist who is "rescued" from a car crash by Annie Wilkes (Kathy Bates), an obsessed fan. The acting is phenomenal, especially Bates' performance as the psychopathic Annie (she actually won an Oscar for the role).

The film has a 90% rating on Rotten Tomato and critics rave about how wonderful it is. "[E]legantly economical, artlessly artful," raves TIME Magazine critic Richard Schickel. "[It] doesn't get much better than this." The simplicity of the film is what makes it so bone-chillingly scary. The director certainly creates an intense atmosphere in which we feel just as trapped as poor Paul. The dialogue is awesome - darkly humorous but also downright scary. And there is just the right amount of physical pain, while keeping most of the terror in the realm of the psychological. This is one of the best Stephen King adaptations ever, and if you have not seen this you are seriously missing out!

Thursday Thirteen.

2009-10-23T07:30:00.000-06:00

I've decided to participate in the Thursday Thirteen (one day late.. woops!) which is a weekly meme with a different theme each week. All different blogs participate and everyone writes a list of thirteen things about anything they want (thirteen favorite movies, thirteen things on their mind, thirteen books they want to read... you get the idea). So this week I have decided to write my thirteen favorite shows on TV... in no particular order. And no, I do not actually have time to watch all of these, but if I had the time, I probably would watch them all. Enjoy!

1. Project Runway - I've watched all five seasons and am really enjoying Season 6. There are so many talented designers and I always look forward to the competitions, seeing what they come up with, and of course seeing Tim Gunn. The ladies are really showing their talents this year, which is nice because the men usually seem to dominate. I'm rooting for Irina although I do have a soft spot for Logan (I can't help it... he's so cute!)

2. Dexter - This is perhaps the best show on TV. Morgan Hall is back in Season 4 as America's favorite serial killer, but now he is also a family man! If you are interested, I wrote a review of the premiere episode here.

3. Biggest Loser - I used to be such a reality show junkie, but I've been able to cut back a bit on the reality shows. The Biggest Loser, however, I simply cannot give up. I don't know what it is about watching these people lose weight but I really love it. This season has been super emotional too... more so than usual. So if you plan on watching, be sure to have kleenex on hand.

4. The View - Yeah, you read right. Usually I am not home at 10 am to watch this, but when I have time I enjoy tuning in and seeing the women discuss politics, pop culture, news, etc.

5. The Rachel Zoe Project - Clothes, celebs, models, fashion. What else could you want in a show? Although i think they make up the drama at times (a reality show that's not 100% real? what?!?!) I still like it. This season has come to an end, but it looks like it'll be back next year.

6. Weeds - Mary Louise Parker is amazing as Nancy Botwin, the drug peddling mom of two three! The rest of the cast is awesome and I always look forward to whatever outrageous predicament Nancy will get herself into.

7. Sex and the City (reruns) - Although no new episodes have aired for about five years, you can still catch reruns on The CW and TBS. And is there really anything better than some reruns of our favorite episodes? No matter how many times I've seen this show, it never fails to make me smile.

8. True Blood - Vampires are hot right now so it's really no surprise that HBO jumped on the bandwagon. This drama is rather crazy, but it's well-acted and definitely keeps you guessing... or asking what the hell is going on. Season 1 was absolutely phenomenal and although Season 2 did feel slightly less then stellar, I am still looking forward to the next season. I mean, I need to find out who took Bill!

9. 30 Rock - I always just wait for this one to come out on DVD and then proceed to watch an entire season in one or two days... that's just how I roll. This show is so well written and although the entire cast is great, Alec Baldwin really steals the show.

10. The Today Show - It's a news show but it completes my mornings. Period.

11. Mad Men - This seems to be the show everyone is talking about and if you watch it you'll know why. Set in the 1960s, it's fascinating as a social commentary of the time. I also love seeing Don Draper... even if he is a womanizer.

12. The Dr. Oz Show - This is only his first season but so far I have liked the episodes I've seen. Talking about health, nutrition, and fitness this show is both entertaining and informative. Can't go wrong with that.

13. Food Network - I realize this is not an actual show, but who doesn't love watching the Food Network every now and then. And with so many chefs and shows, there seems to be something for almost everone.

What are your favorite shows?

GUEST BLOGGER.

2009-10-23T06:58:00.003-06:00

You guys are in for a treat today! Let's welcome our first guest blogger: Miss Catherine (aka Cat Face). Catherine reigns from the beautiful state of Colorado (D-town!!) but currently resides in LaLa Land... lucky duck. She has written up a fab review so here it is...

Trick 'r Treat: If You Dare...

by Miss Catherine

Halloween is only a little over a week away. Yay! And, I don’t know about the rest of you, but one of my favorite ways to get in the freaky festive spirit is to watch a few scary movies… especially those about this spooky holiday. So, last weekend I decided to pick up a new release that is most definitely destined to become a Halloween classic: Trick ‘r Treat (Dougherty, 2008).

This frightening film is seriously fun. It tells four different, yet intertwined, Halloween-themed stories. There is the school principal who also happens to be a serial killer. Then there is the group of kids who are supposedly collecting pumpkins for a UNICEF scavenger hunt but are actually up to no good. We also meet seemingly sweet and virginal Laurie (played by True Blood’s Anna Paquin) who is looking for Mr. Right, although her friends just want her to join the party. And, lastly, we see the grumpy old man who is tormented by Sam, a little trick or treat demon who is spreading the Halloween “spirit” throughout the town.

The acting is good. The stories are creepy and creative. There is enough blood, gore, and scares to satisfy a horror fan, such as myself. And, the way that all of the tales tie together, makes for an awesomely interesting movie experience. I watch a lot of scary movies (probably way more than I should admit to), and I whole-heartedly believe this movie is a must see for all horror movie fans… and for anyone who just likes a good Halloween movie.

Wow, I definitely want to see this now! Thanks Catherine!

If anyone else would like to share a horror review or Halloween-themed article, send it on in!

It's all for you, Damien!

2009-10-23T06:05:00.073-06:00

The #9 movie on my list is an Oscar winning British suspense-horror that scared the bejesus out of me the first time I saw it. It stars Gregory Peck, Lee Remick, David Warner, Harvey Stephens, Billie Whitelaw, Patrick Troughton, Martin Benson, and Leo McKern. Any guesses? (The title of the post might have given it away...) Well, it's The Omen (Donner, 1976). The terrifying plot can be summed up in one sentence: An American ambassador learns to his horror that his son is the Antichrist - literally! This is not only scary, but also well-acted and has a serious screenplay that can be enjoyed as a contemporary thriller rather then merely a B-list horror film. Parts of this film are somewhat dated and it is slower then most movies today, but some parts are so chilling and unforgettable that this is still a classic. The film is similar to the The Exorcist (Friedkin, 1973), but instead of a girl possessed by the devil, we have a creepy little Satan child. Seriously, he's the child of Satan. And while the boy is creepy for sure, it's really his nanny that gives me the heebie jeebies.

Oh, and did anyone see Mostly Ghostly on Disney Channel last night? Oh, too old for Disney... yeah, me too. But I happened to stumble upon it and decided to watch. Much to my surprise, it had a few freaky parts. Maybe a little too freaky for young viewers. I mean there was a monster-goblin-scary-faced ghost whose hands turned into drill looking things and he had his two blue-faced monster assistants hold this little boy's face while he told him it was time for a dentist appointment. I think that would make some kids almost pee their pants. I can clearly handle scary movies, but scary dentists are not okay. What is up with Disney? Can we keep it PG, please? Thank you.

And I realize the preview looks totally lame... but the dentist part was legit scary.

thirsty Thursday.

2009-10-22T18:54:00.001-06:00

What's the best way to quench your thirst and get a little pick me up on a Thursday? Head to Starbucks of course. And that is exactly what Jonathan Knight from New Kids on the Block did today at about 5pm. Casually dressed in a pair of jeans and white t-shirt, Mr. Knight was spotted in line at the Starbucks in the Farmer's Market in LA.

And according to my source, he is lookin' good these days ;-)

That is all!

an adult nightmare.

2009-10-22T07:58:00.026-06:00

I can't believe we only have ten more days until Halloween! Wowza! At least I have saved the absolute creme of the crop of horror films these final days of October. So #10 on my list is Children of the Corn (Kiersch, 1984). This is one of the most underrated movies that totally does not get enough recognition. Based on a Stephen King short story, this horror film takes place in a fictional town in Nebraska where a demonic entity (referred to as "He Who Walks Behind the Rows") entices the town's children to ritualistically kill all of the adults in order to ensure a successful corn harvest. Freaky! I think the main reason I love this film is simply because it is about psycho kids. Really, nothing is scarier than crazed children, especially ones named Malachai - that name should definitely raise a red warning flag.

Sure it's a bit dated and the special effects aren't great, but this spine-chilling film is sure to creep you out.

so you think you can blog?

2009-10-21T17:43:00.001-06:00

Hey guys! Quick blog post before I jet out the door. I hope everyone is enjoying this cold, wet, rainy fabulous Hump Day. I have been receiving a few e-mails lately about people wanting to write reviews for the blog. I would be soooo thrilled to have you guys participate more with the blog and give your opinions a bit. So for the rest of October, I will be accepting articles pertaining to horror films. If you have seen a good (or bad) scary movie (new or old) write up a review and send it to me! Or if you want to write something about the horror genre, send that on in. Anything you feel is Halloween-ish I would love to read. There are no real rules or guidelines... long or short send whatever you got! It just might show up on the blog!

Email me at sarahgoode@mac.com.

Happy blogging!

Terror... In the flesh.

2009-10-21T06:38:00.033-06:00

Cabin Fever (Roth, 2002) is my #11 pick for best horror movie. Even if you don't like scary or gory movies, you'll want to see this one. It stars Rider Strong (aka Sean from Boy Meets World)! Who doesn't totally miss Sean Hunter? So aside from the all-star cast, the film has a great plot focussing on five college graduates who rent a cabin in the woods - the perfect setting for any horror flick. While enjoying their little getaway, they begin to fall victim to a flesh-eating virus.

I think this movie has a lot more to offer than you might expect. "On the surface, Cabin Fever might seem like just another ripoff of the Michigan-made cult class The Evil Dead," writes critic John Monaghan of the Detroit Free Press, "but it has a style and sense of humor entirely its own." Plenty of suspense and gore, Roth definitely proved himself with this movie. If you are familiar with the horror genre, you will notice and appreciate the nods to the masters like Wes Craven and George Romero. This is a well-written, clever, and bloody film that is every bit as infectious and gross as the virus it depicts.

Oh, and just a little word of advice - don't mess with Dennis and his pancakes.

Luck 13? I think not.

2009-10-20T06:55:00.075-06:00

While trying to reopen a summer camp that was closed after a child drowned, camp counselors are stalked and murdered by an unknown assailant. Sound like your own summer vacation? Perhaps. But this also describes the plot of my #12 favorite horror film - Friday the 13th (Cunningham, 1980). Although the reviews are not great, this is still one of the most profitable slasher films ever, not to mention one of the most well-known. In fact, its great success at the box office led to a lengthy series of sequels, a totally ridiculous and downright stupid crossover with Freddy Krueger, and a 2009 remake.

What makes this movie is scary is not knowing who the murderer really is. You may think you know... but just you wait. Plus, once you feel as if you have it all figured out, they throw another whammy at you. Seriously, the first time I saw this movie I totally freaked out, jumped off the couch, and screamed was kinda shocked in the final moment of the movie. And no matter how many times I've seen it, that final scene always seems to get me.

Having all the murders occur from the perspective of the killer (a classic horror film technique) coupled with the chilling music is also a great part of the movie. So if you have not seen this one, I definitely recommend it. Classic scary movie would be an understatement. This is a true must-see for horror film lovers.

In other news, ABC Family's 11th annual 13 Nights of Halloween begins tonight with The Goonies (well, officially it started last night but there was no movie - just a special Halloween themed episode of America's Funniest Home Videos). They will also be showing Edward Scissorhands, Corpse Bride, The Haunted Mansion, Scooby-Doo, Beetle Juice, The Addams Family, The Mask, and Hocus Pocus. They definitely have some fun movies in the line up this year (especially Hocus Pocus!). Not sure if any of these are scary, but they are Halloween-ish and therefore holiday-appropriate. So if you are looking for some fun flicks to get you in the spooky mood be sure to tune in to ABC Family!

gossip and gore.

2009-10-19T14:39:00.002-06:00

It's just another manic Monday... definitely wishing it were Sunday. Hope everyone had a fabulous weekend and is ready to take on another week at school, work, whatever. There doesn't seem to be way too much to report on regarding Hollywood and celebs but ere are a few new stories:

1) Apparently Victoria Beckham will be appearing on Gossip Girl. Not sure who she will be or when she will appear but she has said that she is "Obsessed with that show." Hey, she can't be any worse than Tyra was.

2) Kourtney Kardashian's home was burglarized of $100,000! Yikes!

3) Corey Feldman, one of my fav 80s actors, will be starring in a horror web series. This seems about as low as he can go... but he is already a D-list actor so I guess there isn't much else he can do. The series is called Splatter, and begins October 29th.

4) Where the Wild Things Are (Jonze, 2009) ended up dominating the box office this weekend and brought in an estimated $32.5 million. After reading some of the reviews, I'm excited to see it next weekend!

5) But it seems the biggest news story last week was our little friend from Colorado. Some of you may know him as "Balloon Boy." Looks like this really just one big (pricey) hoax and the dad might be facing criminal charges next week. That family is craaazy!

Alright, and now to the next film on my list of scary movies. #13 is The Ring (Verbinski, 2002). This remake of a 1998 Japanese film is about a young journalist investigating a mysterious videotape which seems to case the death of people seven days after they view it. The plot may sound a little silly, but once you start watching it's a good, creepy flick. This is an awesome mind-game with a few scenes that will make you cover your eyes or jump out of your seat. Richard Roeper of Ebert & Roeper called it "the kind of effectively creepy-scary thriller that has you fixating on a far corner of the screen at times because your nerves just can't take it anymore."

Oh, and I just found this and thought I'd share it with ya'll. So for your personal enjoyment, here is a list of the 15 most disgusting Halloween candies this year. They are all pretty nasty but in my opinion, the zit poppers take the cake.

Happy Monday!

sometimes dead is better.

2009-10-18T06:14:00.000-06:00

Good morning blogworld! How many of you were super cool and watched SNL last night? I know my Saturday night was pretty awesome - dinner, HW, and a little SNL action. Gerard Butler hosted and was pretty good. I definitely enjoyed some of the skits, especially the ones showcasing his singing ability. There was even a mention of Balloon Boy (shout out to Colorado news!)

Well, now for my #14 favorite horror movie. This one is very special to me because it absolutely terrified me as a child. Yup, I was introduced to horror at a young age. I chose Pet Sematary (Lambert, 1989). This film, based on a Stephen King novel, is about a special Indian burial ground where people buried there can come back to life. However, once they don't necessarily come back the same way.

This movie is legit creepy and has one of the scariest children in it ever. There are some unsettling scenes and some shocking, make-you-jump parts that are excellent. The story-line is also quite good and surprisingly thought-provoking, examining the mysterious nature of death and the process of grieving. Plus, there are ghosts, zombie cats, and a murderous little toddler... fun fun fun.

the lucky ones die first.

2009-10-17T18:38:00.002-06:00

I can't believe I am already halfway through my list of favorite horror flicks. This month is really flying by and Halloween is fast approaching so hopefully you guys are thinking about costumes (if you haven't already picked one out) and have fun plans for October 31st.

Anyway, for #15 I picked The Hills Have Eyes (Aja, 2006). This remake of Wes Craven's 1977 film is about a suburban family being stalked by a group of psychotic individuals living in the desert. This movie is ridiculously sick, twisted, and violent. Sounds fun, right? But the extreme, in-your-face terror is what makes this film so good. The filmmakers did not hold back at all. It's just crazy non-stop horror from beginning to end.

"From complete dismemberment to extreme shotgun violence, Aja Co. not only pull out the stops on this one, they decimate them," stated Erin Meister of the Boston Globe. And Randy Cordova of the Arizona Republic wrote, "The film has an unpredictable quality that keeps viewers unnerved." Even the people who wrote bad reviews of the film never argued that it wasn't scary or brutal (some just don't like it for this reason).

So if you want to see a hardcore scary movie, this is something you should see.

yup, definitely not a documentary.

2009-10-16T13:31:00.001-06:00

It seems like there has been quite a bit of hype surrounding the new film Paranormal Activity (Peli, 2007). All over the Internet people have been asking whether or not it is a documentary and if it is true or not. I hate to admit it, but I was kind of thinking it was a documentary when I walked up to purchase my ticket. Now I wasn't convinced it was "true" but I thought some people probably grabbed a camera and tried to make a Ghost Hunters type film. Boy, was I wrong. This is indeed a movie with actors and a script. It's similar to The Blair Witch Project in that they use hand held cameras and purposely tried to make it look like a home video/documentary. Maybe you already knew this and I am just super gullible. Nevertheless, fiction or nonfiction, this film was great. It's about a couple who becomes increasingly disturbed by a nightly demonic presence after moving into their new home. It only took seven days to film and cost a mere $11,000 but has already grossed nearly $12.5 million!! And it is still on limited release. So far it has also been getting great reviews and has been one of the most buzzed-about films this year. Peter Travers of Rolling Stone said, "the no-frills Paranormal Activity comes packed with thrills," and Claudia Puig of USA Today commented that it "will effectively terrorize event here toughest among us." It even has an 86% on Rotten Tomatoes.

Now I don't want to give too much away because the best part of the movie is that it is surprising (especially the ending!) and you don't really know what to expect. I will say, however, that what they seem to catch on film at night will certainly creep you out if not totally terrify you. I definitely jumped a few times and I heard some screams in the theater. I think there has been a bit too much hype surrounding this movie... and it is certainly not worthy of being hailed the "scariest movie ever," but it is scary, it is fun, and it was something new and interesting. It is not gory or an example of torture porn, but just some good pine-chilling fun.

The tagline of the movie is "Don't see it alone," and I could not agree more. So grab some friends and check out Paranormal Activity!

For God's Sake, Get Out!

2009-10-16T10:05:00.000-06:00

It's Friday again! I hope everyone has some fun weekend plans to keep them busy. If not, why not see some movies? And if you don't feel like going to the theaters, just rent my #16 favorite scary movie - The Amityville Horror (Rosenberg, 1979). Oscar-nominated, this film tells the story of newlyweds who move into a house where a murder was committed and experience strange manifestations which eventually drive them away. This movie is seriously frightening. Plus, it's (loosely) based on true events which makes it even more interesting and definitely a little spookier too. For some reason this film does not have a very high rating on Rotten Tomatoes, but if you are a horror buff I think you will enjoy it. The end is a little lame - bad special effects really - but it is still great. I mean it's about a demon-infested house and people going cuckoo... what could be bad about that?

I see dead people too.

2009-10-16T00:00:00.000-06:00

Wow. I just got back from seeing Paranormal Activity (Peli, 2007). I will be posting a review soon (probably tomorrow) but for now all I will say is yes it is fake, yes it is scary, but no, it is not the scariest movie I have ever seen. So onto the horror movie list. For my #17 pick I chose The Sixth Sense (Shyamalan, 1999). This movie seemed to be all the rage back in '99 and has held its own as a great horror film even now. With six Oscar nominations and an 85% on Rotten Tomatoes, I am clearly not the only fan. The movie stars Haley Joel Osment as Cole, a little boy who communicates with spirits that do not know they are dead and seeks the help of Dr. Malcolm Crowe (Bruce Willis), a disheartened child psychologist.

This movie still has one of the best surprise endings ever. I mean did anyone see that coming, really? And if you answer yes, I don't believe you. Plus, it has a great child actor in it - and we all love horror movies with good creepy kids. Even though Osment did not play the demon or the evil character, that kid was super good and kinda scary. And his whole "I see dead people" thing was totally believable. And everyone knows that line. In fact, the line has become so recognizable that it was listed as #44 on AFI's list of 100 Greatest Movie Quotes. If you haven't had the pleasure of viewing this film, or if you just need to see little Mischa Barton throwing up one more time... check it out!

celeb sighting and more scary movie fun.

2009-10-14T12:27:00.000-06:00

Happy Hump Day everyone! I just received news of a fun celebrity sighting. This morning at about 9:15 am Jane Adams (the pimp from HBO's Hung) was seen at the Whole Foods on Santa Monica and Fairfax. She was alone, casually dressed, and spotted enjoying breakfast from the salad bar. Too bad she didn't have her ho with her. Oh well, maybe next time.

Ok, and now for my horror movie pick #18 for which I chose... Halloween (Carpenter, 1978). This is the perfect movie to watch this month since it is almost October 31! And what is more fun to watch than a movie about a psychotic murder who escapes a mental institution and goes on a mindless killing rampage? Carpenter's horror-thriller has become a classic and we are all familiar with Michael Myers and his famous mask. The film has a 93% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and has received rave reviews from numerous top critics. Rober Ebert said "Halloween is an absolutely merciless thriller, a movie so violent and scary that, yes, I would compare it to Psycho," and James Berardinelli of ReelViews stated, "Halloween remains untouched - a modern classic of the most horrific kind."

With its chilling music and terrifying antagonist this is certainly a film not to be missed.

See Saw Soon.

2009-10-13T07:24:00.032-06:00

So #19 on my list of best horror films is Saw (Wan, 2004). There are now five Saw films and a sixth one being released this month. Although they are all quite similar, the first one is probably the best... and definitely has the best and most surprising ending. The film is about two strangers who mysteriously wake up to find themselves in a creepy, dilapidated basement. In order to survive, they must play a game to discover if they are really strangers and how to escape. Meanwhile, police investigate the criminal responsible, the "Jigsaw Killer."

Many people consider this film to be part of the "torture porn" genre that has become increasingly popular. This is quite fitting. There are definitely many bloody, scary, twisted parts that are so messed up and crazy you can't help but watch (and enjoy). As Carla Meyer of the San Francisco Chronicle said, Saw is "Terrifying at some moments and insinuatingly creepy at many others." Although the film did receive mixed reviews, no one can argue that it was a huge financial success, grossing over $55 million (and only costing a little over $1 million to make!!) No wonder they turn these films out at a insane rate. Hopefully number six will be the last. We are ready for something new.

now whip it... into shape!

2009-10-13T05:20:00.000-06:00

Has anyone else seen Whip It (Barrymore, 2009)? This comedy-drama, starring Ellen Page, marks the directorial debut of Drew Barrymore. The film is about Bliss (Page), an indie-rock loving misfit who finds a way of dealing with her small-town misery after she discovers a roller derby league in Austin, Texas. While the film is somewhat predictable and includes many cliches, it is still loads of fun. While Page was great - cute, humorous, charismatic - the supporting actors were also quite memorable. Definitely look for Jimmy Fallon as "Hot Tub" Johnny Rocket who was so stupid yet hilarious.

The film is a girl-empowerment story and deals with mother-daughter relationships, teenage rebellion, small-town boredom, and first love. There are plenty of funny scenes but also some emotional ones as well. The lines are witty, clever, and manage to be simultaneously raunchy and innocent. Certainly nothing we haven't seen before, but still worthy of seeing. I think the film will appeal to a lot of people, which is why it's not surprising that the film has an 83% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. It's just a funny, feel-good comedy that is comforting and enjoyable to watch. As Mary Pois of TIME Magazine wrote, "Even if a tale of female empowerment through roller derby is not your particular cup of tea, Barrymore delivers it with such a giddy good sense of fun that it's easy enough to go along with."

So check out Whip It if you haven't already.

birds scare me.

2009-10-13T00:23:00.001-06:00

For my #20 pick I decided to go with perhaps the BEST thriller ever... from the king of thrills himself. I am, of course, speaking about The Birds (Hitchcock, 1963). This movie is definitely a classic in the genre and still holds up today. I personally find it terrifying, perhaps due to a childhood experience of being hit in the head by a flying crow. But even if you did not have a traumatic experience like my own, I'm sure you will still enjoy this Oscar-nominated film about a wealthy San Francisco playgirl who pursues a potential boyfriend in a small California town that slowly takes a turn for the bizarre when birds suddenly begin to attack people. Interestingly, the film has no musical score but rather an electronic soundtrack with simulated bird cries and wing flaps. The technical aspects of the film are amazing and the symbolic and thematic undertones are not to be missed - this is Hitchcock, after-all. The film can easily be interpreted as an allegory for nature's ability to threaten mankind with Freudian themes, allusions to blindness, and a critique of society sprinkled throughout. But even on a basic level, this film is pure entertainment - thrilling, suspenseful, scary, and fun. You won't look at birds the same again.

If you have never seen this movie you are missing out! Rent it now... I guarantee you will not be disappointed. A remake is also supposed to be released in 2011 (although there have been some issues..) and will star Naomi Watts and George Clooney. Perhaps it will be good, but definitely not as good as the original.

Michael Moore has done it again.

2009-10-12T06:03:00.004-06:00

Michael Moore's latest film, Capitalism: A Love Story, is certainly making a big splash with audiences. After twenty days in theaters, it has already made over $9 million... pretty good for a documentary. The film is not only insightful and informative, but also entertaining and hilarious. Whether you love him or hate him, I don't think you can deny that Moore certainly is a clever filmmaker and has a way with words. With the economy the way it is, the release of the film could not be more perfect. Although the film does not present clear answers or suggestions on how to fix our financial problems, it does make you think. A lot. As Deborah Young of the Hollywood Reporter commented, "This is a typical Moore oeuvre: funny, often over the top and of dubious documentation, but with strongly made points that leave viewers much to ponder and debate after they walk out of the theater." Like most of his other films, Moore finds reason to criticize political leaders (especially Republicans) and shed light on the corruption occurring at the hands of big business and government.

The film has certainly gotten mixed reviews, as do all of Moore's films,

but I would certainly recommend it.

Rule #1: Go See Zombieland

2009-10-11T23:05:00.000-06:00

Although I kind of felt as though this was the same movie as Shaun of the Dead (Wright, 2004) I definitely enjoyed Zombieland (Fleischer, 2009). The film stars Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Emma Stone, and Abigail Breslin as four of the last living people in a world overrun by zombies. As a horror-comedy, the film packs lots of laughs but also has some gory, bloody ass-kicking action going on as well. Each character has their own quirks (whether in search of a Twinkie or having an intense fear of clowns) and everyone came together to create a great cast.

While Woody Harrelson was super funny and had some great lines as the fearless "Tallahassee," my favorite character was Columbus, played by Jesse Eisenberg. His nice-guy persona and list of rules for surviving in the post-apocalyptic zombie world were great. The girls were both good too, but did not really add anything special to the film. But I guess every movie needs a little splash of romance, right?

The film seems to be doing great, coming in at #2 this weekend at the box office and receiving an 88% on Rotten Tomatoes. And many of the top critic are raving about the film. Michael Ordoña of the LA Times called it a "zombie-killing good time" and Kyle Smith of the New York Post said it is "the funniest broad comedy since The Hangover." All in all, the film has the perfect amount of gags and gore to please everyone. As Richard Corliss of TIME Magazine commented, "This isn't just a good zombie comedy. It's a damn fine movie, period."

So nut up or shut up and go see Zombieland.

Sunday fun day...

2009-10-11T22:02:00.001-06:00

Hello all! Anyone catch SNL last night with host, Drew Barrymore? I saw a few of the skits and thought they were pretty funny. The opening monologue was good, with lots of Barrymore impressions, and she was a funny host with energy throughout. However, the writing seems to be not so great this season. Fingers crossed it gets better.

Anyway, for my #21 favorite horror movie I chose Carrie (Palma, 1976). This film is about Carrie White, a mousy girl with telekinetic powers who is often teased and abused but gets pushed too far on one special night... The movie has good creepy factors (like Carrie's religious fanatic mother) and a great, explosive ending. There are also some great lines... dirty pillows anyone? Sissy Spacek, Betty Buckley, Amy Irving, and William Katt and deliver great performances. Even John Travolta has a small role. Carrie is a timeless horror film that is scary and creepy, yet at the same time rather sad. You will probably feel compassion for the villain even more than you do for the victims.

Welcome to Your Worst Nightmare.

2009-10-10T09:37:00.001-06:00

Yup, that would be the tagline for my #22 scary movie pick - Hostel (Roth, 2005). This horror, mystery, thriller is about three backpackers who head to a Slovakian city believing that they will find a hostel with plenty of women who will want to sleep with them. However, they have no idea the hell that awaits them! The director, Eli Roth, is one twisted dude and it definitely shows in this film. The plot is tricky to figure out and the violence continues to get scarier and grosser as the film progresses. Be prepared to see things cut off, blood splattering everywhere, and the most unimaginable torture scenes. I think it starts off a bit slow, but the middle and end certainly make up for that! As Kyle Smith of the New York Post wrote, "Hostel is a screaming good time."

Now this may not be your cup of tea, but if you are looking for a bloody/gory horror film... then you'll love Hostel.