Distant Planets, Stunning Visuals, and The Next Big James Cameron Masterpiece.

Avatar

Directed By: James Cameron

Starring: Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver

Rated: PG-13

2 hrs. 32 min.

James Cameron returns to blockbuster filmmaking with his latest (an expensive) effort, Avatar.

Paraplegic marine Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) heads to a distant planet called Pandora to complete an important mission. He must travel in a humanoid avatar body which resembles the natives, the Na'vi, who have their own unique language and culture. Upon becoming in tune with that local culture and one particular Na'vi, Neytiri (Zoe Saldana), Jake becomes torn between his duty and his heart. When the head honcho of the marine force decides to take abrasive action. Jake must stand with the people of Pandora to save the fate of the planet.

Avatar is one truly outstanding film. If there are any people who had doubts that James Cameron could pull off another large hit like he did with Titanic, then this could be the film to change their minds. Although at first glance the story seems cliche and overdone (the military comes in, messes with a native "savage" culture, and mayhem and bombs and even love ensues), it is actually quite refreshing. Cameron has created an entirely new world and we can easily believe it and its inner workings. Some parts of the story do get a little boring, mostly parts where there is a little too much voice over by Jake or they are doing the same thing over (more flying, running around, etc); however, it never stayed boring for long and it is easily bearable (which is probably due to the stunning visuals).

The visuals are absolutely breathtaking. The animated bits seem real, and the colors are so bright and cool. There are many striking unique things about the flora and fauna of Pandora, such as the way some things glow in the dark as if they have been stuck under a black light. Overall, it is hard to tell where the live-action starts and the animation begins.

With sweeping visuals, mind-blowing effects and animation, and brilliant acting, Avatar is a must see for any movie goer, be it a sci-fi fan or not. Even though there are scenes that seem a little lagging, it is only for the shortest bit and by the time the action or story picks up you hardly remember you were even the slightest bored. I recommend, if it is feasible, seeing the film in 3D, and I guarantee you won't be bored then.

Grade: A

Screen Actors Guild Awards 2010 Nominations

The nominations for the Screen Actors Guild Awards were announced today. Here they are (from the SAG official website):

THEATRICAL MOTION PICTURES

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role

Jeff Bridges - Bad Blake, "Crazy Heart" (Fox Searchlight Pictures)

George Clooney - Ryan Bingham, "Up in the Air" (Paramount Pictures)

Colin Firth - George Falconer, "A Single Man" (The Weinstein Company)

Morgan Freeman - Nelson Mandela, "Invictus" (Warner Bros. Pictures)

Jeremy Renner - Staff Sgt. William James, "The Hurt Locker" (Summit Entertainment)

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role

Sandra Bullock - Leigh Anne Tuohy, "The Blind Side" (Warner Bros. Pictures)

Helen Mirren - Sofya, "The Last Station" (Sony Pictures Classics)

Carey Mulligan - Jenny, "An Education" (Sony Pictures Classics)

Gabourey Sidibe - Precious, "Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire" (Lionsgate)

Meryl Streep - Julia Child, "Julie & Julia" (Columbia Pictures)

Oustanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role

Matt Damon - Francois Pienaar, "Invictus" (Warner Bros. Pictures)

Woody Harrelson - Captain Tony Stone, "The Messenger" (Oscilloscope Laboratories)

Christopher Plummer - Tolstoy, "The Last Station" (Sony Pictures Classics)

Stanley Tucci - George Harvey, "The Lovely Bones" (Paramount Pictures)

Christoph Waltz - Col. Hans Landa, "Inglourious Basterds" (The Weinstein Company/Universal Pictures)

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role

Penelope Cruz - Carla, "Nine" (The Weinstein Company)

Vera Farmiga - Alex Goran, "Up in the Air" (Paramount Pictures)

Anna Kendrick - Natalie Keener, "Up in the Air" (Paramount Pictures)

Diane Kruger - Bridget von Hammersmark, "Inglourious Basterds" (The Weinstein Company/Universal Pictures)

Mo'Nique - Mary, "Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire" (Lionsgate)

Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture

AN EDUCATION (Sony Pictures Classics)

Dominic Cooper - Danny

Alfred Molina - Jack

Carey Mulligan - Jenny

Rosamund Pike - Helen

Peter Sarsgaard - David

Emma Thompson - Headmistress

Olivia Williams - Miss Stubbs

THE HURT LOCKER (Summit Entertainment)

Christian Camargo - Col. John Cambridge

Brian Geraghty - Specialist Owen Eldridge

Evangeline Lilly - Connie James

Anthony Mackie - Sgt. J. T. Sanborn

Jeremy Renner - Staff Sgt. William James

INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS (The Weinstein Company/Universal Pictures)

Daniel Bruhl - Fredrick Zoller

August Diehl - Major Hellstrom

Julie Dreyfus - Francesca Mondino

Michael Fassbender - Lt. Archie Hicox

Sylvester Groth - Joseph Goebbels

Jacky Ido - Marcel

Diane Kruger - Bridget von Hammersmark

Melanie Laurent - Shosanna

Denis Menochet - Perrier LePedite

Mike Myers - General Ed French

Brad Pitt - Lt. Aldo Raine

Eli Roth - Sgt. Donny Donowitz

Til Schweiger - Sgt. Hugo Stiglitz

Rod Taylor - Winston Churchill

Christoph Waltz - Col. Hans Landa

Martin Wuttke - Hitler

NINE (The Weinstein Company)

Marion Cotillard - Luisa Contini

Penelope Cruz - Carla

Daniel Day-Lewis - Guido Contini

Judi Dench - Lillian

Fergie - Saraghina

Kate Hudson - Stephanie

Nicole Kidman - Claudia

Sophia Loren - Mamma

PRECIOUS: BASED ON THE NOVEL "PUSH" BY SAPPHIRE (Lionsgate)

Mariah Carey - Ms. Weiss

Lenny Kravitz - Nurse John

Mo'Nique - Mary

Paula Patton - Ms. Rain

Sherrie Shepherd - Cornrows

Gabourey Sidibe - Precious

PRIMETIME TELEVISION

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries

Kevin Bacon - Lt. Col. Michael R. Strobl, "Taking Chance" (HBO)

Cuba Gooding, Jr. - Ben Carson, "Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story" (TNT)

Jeremy Irons - Alfred Stieglitz, "Georgia O'Keefe" (Lifetime)

Kevin Kline - Cyrano de Bergerac, "Great Performances: Cyrano de Bergerac" (PBS)

Tom Wilkinson - Salter, "A Number" (HBO)

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries

Joan Allen - Georgia O'Keefe, "Georgia O'Keefe" (Lifetime)

Drew Barrymore - Little Edie, "Grey Gardens" (HBO)

Ruby Dee - Mrs. Harper, "America" (Lifetime)

Jessica Lange - Big Edie, "Grey Gardens" (HBO)

Sigourney Weaver - Mary Griffith, "Prayers for Bobby" (Lifetime)

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series

Simon Baker - Patrick Jane, "The Mentalist" (CBS)

Bryan Cranston - Walter White, "Breaking Bad" (AMC)

Michael C. Hall - Dexter Morgan, "Dexter" (Showtime)

Jon Hamm - Don Draper, "Mad Men" (AMC)

Hugh Laurie - House, "House" (FOX)

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series

Patricia Arquette - Allison Dubois, "Medium" (NBC/CBS)

Glenn Close - Patty Hewes, "Damages" (FX)

Mariska Hargitay - Det. Olivia Benson, "Law & Order: Special Victim's Unit" (NBC)

Holly Hunter - Grace Hanadarko, "Saving Grace" (TNT)

Julianna Margulies - Alicia Florrick, "The Good Wife" (CBS)

Kyra Sedgwick - Deputy Chief Brenda Leigh Johnson, "The Closer" (TNT)

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series

Alec Baldwin - Jack Donaghy, "30 Rock" (NBC)

Steve Carell - Michael Scott, "The Office" (NBC)

Larry David - Himself, "Curb Your Enthusiasm" (HBO)

Tony Shalhoub - Adrian Monk, "Monk" (USA Network)

Charlie Sheen - Charlie Harper, "Two and a Half Men" (CBS)

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series

Christina Applegate - Samantha Newly, "Samantha Who?" (ABC)

Toni Collette - Tara Gregor, "United States of Tara" (Showtime)

Edie Falco - Jackie Peyton, "Nurse Jackie" (Showtime)

Tina Fey - Liz Lemon, "30 Rock" (NBC)

Julia Louis-Dreyfuss - Christine Campbell, "The New Adventures of Old Christine" (CBS)

Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series

THE CLOSER (TNT)

G.W. Bailey - Lt. Provenza

Michael Paul Chan - Lt. Mike Tao

Raymond Cruz - Det. Julio Sanchez

Tony Denison - Lt. Andy Flynn

Robert Gossett - Commander Taylor

Phillip P. Keene - Buzz Watson

Corey Reynolds - Sgt. David Gabriel

Kyra Sedgwick - Deputy Chief Brenda Leigh Johnson

J.K. Simmons - Asst. Police Chief Will Pope

Jon Tenney - FBI Special Agent Fritz Howard

DEXTER (Showtime)

Preston Bailey - Cody

Julie Benz - Rita Bennett

Jennifer Carpenter - Debra Morgan

Courtney Ford - Christine

Michael C. Hall - Dexter Morgan

Desmond Harrington - Joey Quinn

C.S. Lee - Vince Masuka

John Lithgow - Arthur Mitchell

Rick Peters - Elliot

James Remar - Harry Morgan

Christina Robinson - Astor

Lauren Velez - Lt. Maria Laguerta

David Zayas - Angel Batista

THE GOOD WIFE (CBS)

Christina Baranski - Diane Lockhart

Josh Charles - Will Gardner

Matt Czuchry - Cary Agos

Julianna Margulies - Alicia Florrick

Archie Panjabi - Kalinda Sharma

Graham Phillips - Zach Florrick

MacKenzie Vega - Grace Florrick

MAD MEN (AMC)

Alexa Alemanni - Allison

Bryan Batt - Salvatore Romano

Jared S. Gilmore - Bobby Draper

Michael Gladis - Paul Linsey

Jon Hamm - Don Draper

Jared Harris - Lane Pryce

Christina Hendricks - Joan Holloway (Harris)

January Jones - Betty Draper

Vincent Kartheiser - Peter Campbell

Robert Morse - Bertram Cooper

Elisabeth Moss - Peggy Olson

Kiernan Shipka - Sally Draper

John Slattery - Roger Sterling

Rich Sommer - Harry Crane

Christopher Stanley - Henry Francis

Aaron Staton - Ken Cosgrove

TRUE BLOOD (HBO)

Chris Bauer - Andy Bellefleur

Mehcad Brooks - Eggs

Anna Camp - Sarah Newlin

Nelsan Ellis - Lafayette Reynolds

Michelle Forbes - Maryann Forrester

Mariana Klaveno - Lorena

Ryan Kwanten - Jason Stackhouse

Todd Lowe - Terry Bellefleur

Michael McMillian - Steve Newlin

Stephen Moyer - Bill Compton

Anna Paquin - Sookie Stackhouse

Jim Parrack - Hoyt Fortenberry

Carrie Preston - Arlene Fowler

William Sanderson - Bud Dearborn

Alexander Skarsgard - Eric Northman

Sam Trammell - Sam Merlotte

Rutina Wesley - Tara Thornton

Deborah Ann Woll - Jessica Hamby

Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series

30 ROCK (NBC)

Scott Adsit - Pete Hornberger

Alec Baldwin - Jack Donaghy

Katrina Bowden - Cerie

Kevin Brown - Dot Com

Grizz Chapman - Grizz

Tina Fey - Liz Lemon

Judah Friedlander - Frank Rossitano

Jane Krakowski - Jenna Maroney

John Lutz - Lutz

Jack McBrayer - Kenneth Parcell

Tracy Morgan - Tracy Jordan

Keith Powell - Toofer

CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM (HBO)

Larry David - Himself

Susie Essman - Susie Greene

Jeff Garlin - Jeff Greene

Cheryl Hines - Cheryl David

GLEE (FOX)

Diana Agron - Quinn Fabray

Chris Colfer - Kurt Hummel

Patrick Gallagher - Ken Tanaka

Jessalyn Gilsig - Terri Schuester

Jane Lynch - Sue Sylvester

Jayma Mays - Emma Pillsbury

Kevin McHale - Arty Abrams

Lea Michele - Rachel Berry

Cory Monteith - Finn Hudson

Heather Morris - Brittany

Matthew Morrison - Will Schuester

Amber Riley - Mercedes

Naya Rivera - Santana Lopez

Mark Salling - Puck

Harry Shum, Jr. - Mike Chang

Josh Sussman - Jacob Ben Israel

Dijon Talton - Matt Rutherford

Iqbal Theba - Principal Figgins

Jenna Ushkowitz - Tina

MODERN FAMILY (ABC)

Julie Bowen - Claire Dunphy

Ty Burrell - Phil Dunphy

Jesse Tyler Ferguson - Mitchell Pritchett

Nolan Gould - Luke Dunphy

Sarah Hyland - Haley Dunphy

Ed O'Neill - Jay Pritchett

Rico Rodriguez - Manny Delgado

Eric Stonestreet - Cameron

Sofia Vergara - Gloria Delgado-Pritchett

Ariel Winter - Alex Dunphy

THE OFFICE (NBC)

Leslie David Baker - Stanley Hudson

Brian Baumgartner - Kevin Malone

Creed Bratton - Creed Bratton

Steve Carell - Michael Scott

Jenna Fischer - Pam Beesly

Kate Flannery - Meredith Palmer

Ed Helms - Andy Bernard

Mindy Kaling - Kelly Kapoor

Ellie Kemper - Kellie Erin Hannon

Angela Kinsey - Angela Martin

John Krasinski - Jim Halpert

Paul Lieberstein - Toby Flenderson

B.J. Novak - Ryan Howard

Oscar Nunez - Oscar Martinez

Craig Robinson - Darryl Philbin

Phyllis Smith - Phillis Lapin-Vance

Rainn Wilson - Dwight Schrute

SAG HONORS FOR STUNT ENSEMBLES

Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture

Public Enemies (Universal Pictures)

Star Trek (Paramount Pictures)

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (Paramount Pictures)

Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Television Series

24 (FOX)

The Closer (TNT)

Dexter (Showtime)

Heroes (NBC)

The Unit (CBS)

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Betty White

The SAG Awards will air Live simultaneously on both TNT and TBS on Saturday, January 23rd, 2010 at 8 pm ET/7 pm CT/6 pm MT from the Los Angeles Shrine Exposition Center.

http://www.sagawards.org

Frogs, Jazz, and a Classic In the Making

The Princess and the Frog

Directed By: Ron Clements and John Musker

Starring: Anika Noni Rose, Bruno Campos

Rated: G

1 hr. 37 min.

Disney returns to the classic 2d animation style with a new twist on the classic tale The Frog Prince. Tiana, a waitress in 1920s New Orleans, dreams of owning a restaurant. Prince Naveen comes to town to attend a masquerade held by the richest man in town, and ends up under a spell, transformed into a frog by local voodoo priest Dr. Facilier. When Tiana gives the Frog Prince a kiss in hopes that he will transform back into a human, things do not go quite as planned...

It is about time a Disney film wasn't completely CG animated; the studio finally successfully returns to the style of animation that made it the empire it is today. The colors within the film are dazzling and the music, which includes gospel and jazz influences, is sensational. All of the songs are sure to be sing-a-long favorites along with the classics such as "Under the Sea" and "Bibbity Bobbity Boo."

The Princess and the Frog is a classic-in-the-making, and is sure to be among the group of already-classics like "The Little Mermaid," "Snow White and the Seven Dwarves," and "The Lion King." While the ending is predictable, one must consider the fact that this is typical for a Disney film and is, after all, intended for families and children of all ages. Hopefully there will be more animated features such as this in the future.

Grade: A-

Golden Globe Awards 2010 Nominations

The nominations have been announced for the 2010 Golden Globe Awards. Here is the list of nominees:

BEST MOTION PICTURE - DRAMA:

Avatar (Lightstorm Entertainment; 20th Century Fox)

The Hurt Locker (Voltage Pictures; Summit Entertainment)

Inglourious Basterds (The Weinstein Company/Universal Pictures/A Band Apart/Zehnte Babelsberg GmbH Production; The Weinstein Company/Universal Pictures)

Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire (A Lee Daniels Entertainment/Smokewood Entertainment Group Production; Lionsgate)

Up in the Air (Paramount Pictures)

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: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire

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 - MUSICAL OR COMEDY

(500) Days of Summer (Watermark Pictures; Fox Searchlight Pictures)

The Hangover (Warner Bros. Pictures)

It's Complicated (Relativity Media, Scott Rudin Pictures; Universal Pictures)

Julie & Julia (Columbia Pictures; Sony Pictures Releasing)

Nine (The Weinstein Company/Relativity Media/Lucamar Productions/Marc Platt Productions; The Weinstein Company)

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

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 - MUSICAL OR COMEDY

Matt Damon - The Informant!

Daniel Day-Lewis - Nine

Robert Downey Jr. - Sherlock Holmes

Joseph Gordon-Levitt - (500) Days of Summer

Michael Stuhlberg - A Serious Man

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

Penelope Cruz - Nine

Vera Farmiga - Up in the Air

Anna Kendrick - Up in the Air

Mo'nique - Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire

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 ANIMATED FEATURE

Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs (Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures Animation; Sony Pictures Releasing)

Coraline (Laika Inc.; Focus Features)

Fantastic Mr. Fox (American Empirical Picture; Twentieth Century Fox)

The Princess and the Frog (Walt Disney Pictures/Walt Disney Animation Studios; Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)

Up (Walt Disney Pictures/PIXAR Animation Studios; Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM

Baaria (Italy) (Medusa Film; Summit Entertainment)

Broken Embraces (Spain) (El Deseo SA; Sony Pictures Classic)

The Maid (La Nana) (Chile) (Forastero; Elephant Eye Films)

A Prophet (Un Prophete) (France) (Chic Films/Page 114/Why Not Productions; Sony Pictures Classic)

The White Ribbon (Das Weisse Band - Eine Deutsche Kindergeschichte) (Germany) X Filme Creative Pool/Les Films Du Losange/Lucky Red; Sony Pictures Classics)

BEST DIRECTOR - MOTION PICTURE

Kathryn Bigelow - The Hurt Locker

James Cameron - Avatar

Clint Eastwood - Invictus

Jason Reitman - Up in the Air

Quentin Tarantino - Inglourious Basterds

BEST SCREENPLAY - MOTION PICTURE

District 9 - Written by Neill Blomkamp, Terri Tatchell

The Hurt Locker - Written by Mark Boal

Inglourious Basterds - Written by Quentin Tarantino

It's Complicated - Written by Nancy Meyers

Up in the Air - Written by Jason Reitman, Sheldon Turner

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE - MOTION PICTURE

Up - Composed by Michael Giacchino

The Informant! - Composed by Marvin Hamlisch

Avatar - Composed by James Horner

A Single Man - Composed by Abel Korzeniowski

Where the Wild Things Are - Composed by Karen O and Carter Burwell

BEST ORIGINAL SONG - MOTION PICTURE

"Cinema Italiano" - Nine (Music & Lyrics by: Maury Yeston)

"I See You" - Avatar (Music by: James Horner and Simon Franglen; Lyrics by: James Horner, Simon Franglen, and Kuk Harrell)

"I Want to Come Home" - Everybody's Fine (Music & Lyrics by: Paul McCartney)

"The Weary Kind (Theme from Crazy Heart)" - Crazy Heart (Music & Lyrics by: Ryan Bingham and T Bone Burnett)

"Winter" - Brothers (Music by: U2; Lyrics by: Bono)

BEST TELEVISION SERIES - DRAMA

Big Love (HBO) (Anima Sola Productions and Playtone in association with HBO Entertainment)

Dexter (SHOWTIME) (Showtime Presents, John Goldwyn Productions, The Colleton Company, Clyde Phillips Productions)

House (FOX) (Universal Media Studios in association with Heel and Toe Films, Shore Z Productions and Bad Hat Harry Productions)

Mad Men (AMC) (Lionsgate)

True Blood (HBO) (Your Face Goes Here Productions in association with HBO Entertainment)

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES - DRAMA

Glenn Close - Damages (FX NETWORK)

January Jones - Mad Men (AMC)

Julianna Margulies - The Good Wife (CBS)

Anna Paquin - True Blood (HBO)

Kyra Sedgwick - The Closer (TNT)

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES - DRAMA

Simon Baker - The Mentalist (CBS)

Michael C. Hall - Dexter (SHOWTIME)

Jon Hamm - Mad Men (AMC)

Hugh Laurie - House (FOX)

Bill Paxton - Big Love (HBO)

BEST TELEVISION SERIES - MUSICAL OR COMEDY

30 Rock (NBC) (Universal Media Studios in association with Broadway Video and Little Stranger Inc.)

Entourage (HBO) (Leverage and Closest to the Hole Productions in association with HBO Productions)

Glee (FOX) (Twentieth Century Fox Television)

Modern Family (ABC) (Twentieth Century Fox Television)

The Office (NBC) (Universal Television Studios, Deedle Dee Productions, Reveille LLC)

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

Toni Collette - United States of Tara (SHOWTIME)

Courtney Cox - Cougar Town (ABC)

Edie Falco - Nurse Jackie (SHOWTIME)

Tina Fey - 30 Rock (NBC)

Lea Michele - Glee (FOX)

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

Alec Baldwin - 30 Rock (NBC)

Steve Carell - The Office (NBC)

David Duchovney - Californication (SHOWTIME)

Thomas Jane - Hung (HBO)

Matthew Morrison - Glee (FOX)

BEST MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION

Georgia O'Keefe (LIFETIME) (Sony Pictures Television)

Grey Gardens (HBO) (Specialty Films and Locomotive in association with HBO Films)

Into the Storm (HBO) (Scott Free and Rainmark Films Production in association with the BBC and HBO Films)

Little Dorrit (PBS) (Masterpiece/BBC Co-Production)

Taking Chance (HBO) (Motion Picture Corporation of America and Civil Dawn Pictures in association with HBO Films)

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION

Joan Allen - Georgia O'Keefe (LIFETIME)

Drew Barrymore - Grey Gardens (HBO)

Jessica Lange - Grey Gardens (HBO)

Anna Paquin - The Courageous Heart of Irena (CBS)

Sigourney Weaver - Prayers for Bobby (LIFETIME)

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION

Kevin Bacon - Taking Chance (HBO)

Kenneth Branagh - Wallander: One Step Behind (BBC)

Chiwetel Ejiofor - Endgame (PBS)

Brendan Gleeson - Into the Storm (HBO)

Jeremy Irons - Georgia O'Keefe (LIFETIME)

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

Jane Adams - Hung (HBO)

Rose Byrne - Damages (FX NETWORK)

Jane Lynch - Glee (FOX)

Janet McTeer - Into the Storm (HBO)

Chloe Sevigny - Big Love (HBO)

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

Michael Emerson - Lost (ABC)

Neil Patrick Harris - How I Met Your Mother (CBS)

William Hurt - Damages (FX NETWORK)

John Lithgow - Dexter (SHOWTIME)

Jeremy Piven - Entourage (HBO)

CECIL B. DEMILLE AWARD

Martin Scorsese

The Golden Globe Awards air on Sunday, January 17th, 2010 at 8 pm ET/5 pm PT on NBC from the Beverly Hilton.

http://www.goldenglobes.org

A Classic Tale, Motion Capture, and Many Jim Carreys

A Christmas Carol

Directed By: Robert Zemeckis

Starring: Jim Carrey, Gary Oldman, Colin Firth

Rated: PG

1 hr. 38 min.

The classic Christmas tale by Charles Dickens is retold again through a new Disney animated feature by the director of The Polar Express.

The animation seemed to have been improved a little bit from The Polar Express, in which the people looked slightly creepy and unreal. Through motion capture, the animators have successfully caught Jim Carrey's caricatures of Ebenezer Scrooge and the three Ghosts of Christmas who visit him. Carrey is a delight in each of the characters he portrays; each character has a unique personality and a different look.

This new take on the classic tale is another brilliant retelling, and should be remembered along the lines of the version featuring George C. Scott.

Grade: A

Sparkling Vampires, CGI Wolves, and Romantic Cheese

The Twilight Saga: New Moon

Directed By: Chris Weitz

Starring: Kristen Stewart, Taylor Lautner, Robert Pattinson

Rated: PG-13

2 hrs. 10 min.

Stephenie Meyer's Twilight Saga continues with the second installment, New Moon. It's Bella's birthday, and she's a little upset that she's now, God forbid, one year older than the eternally-seventeen Edward Cullen. After an incident with Edward's brother Jasper Hale at her birthday party, Edward is convinced the safest thing for Bella is if the Cullens left town. After his departure, Bella remains in a state of depression, and the only person able to take her out of it is her sunny Quileute friend Jacob. However, Jacob Black has a secret of his own. And now, with a pack of wolves in the forests of Forks, there's more danger lurking. But are the wolves the real danger? And when Edward is mistaken about Bella's fate, what does he do in response?

It's no surprise that the first installment of this series, Twilight, was a huge success, despite the fact that, in all honesty, it was terrible. The acting lacked, the cinematography was amateur and just as cheesy as the dialogue. Of course, the cheesiness is part of the teen romance formula. New Moon is certainly a great improvement. The direction of Chris Weitz is exponentially better than Catherine Hardwicke's. The boring blue tint is gone, replaced with a warm brown tint. The acting has improved, albeit only slightly in the case of franchise stars Kristen Stewart (Bella) and Robert Pattinson (Edward). Taylor Lautner holds his own surprisingly well as Jacob Black, even having to be shirtless for the majority of the film. The actors playing the roles of The Volturi were creepy yet quirky.

The writing is another improvement. There are less lines that make you cringe, but being based on the book, it still has its fair amount of cheese. The special effects are also slightly improved. The sparkling effect imposed on the vampires when they step into sunlight was re-imagined, and even in the flashbacks to the first movie one can see that in post-production the sparkling was tweeked. The CGI wolves were a little lack-luster; the animators could probably have spent a little more time making finer adjustments to the fur and the movements of the wolves, but they were satisfactory.

Overall, New Moon is a great improvement over Twilight. One can only hope the third installment, Eclipse, out June 2010, surpasses it.

Grade: C+

CUCALORUS FILM FESTIVAL: Shadow Billionaire

Shadow Billionaire

Directed By: Alexis Spraic

1 hrs. 26 min.

This documentary feature explores the mysterious death of DHL founder and self-made billionaire Larry Hillblom and the subsequent court battle over his estate between Hillblom's power-hungry business partners and Philippine women who claim to be the mothers of his illegitimate children.

Shadow Billionaire is a brilliant film. Spraic has crafted a mystery story into a thrilling legal piece that represents a David and Goliath tale; the poor Philippine women and their cunning lawyer are David, and the rich and established business partners and big-time lawyers are Goliath.

The viewer starts out believing that these women are out for money because of the destitute state they are in, but as we learn the truth behind Larry's supposed friends, we easily see who is telling the truth. That truth and how the headstrong Philippine lawyer discovers it are shocking.

Shadow Billionaire is a masterpiece.

Grade: A+

CUCALORUS FILM FESTIVAL: The House of the Devil

The House of the Devil

Directed By: Ti West

Starring: Jocelin Donahue, Tom Noonan, Mary Woronov, Greta Gerwig

Rated: R

1 hrs. 33 min.

Co-Ed Samantha, in need of money to pay her rent on a new apartment, takes a baby-sitting job that is more than she bargained for.

The House of the Devil is obviously meant as an homage to horror flicks of the 70s and 80s; unfortunately, it unwittingly comes off as a spoof. The opening sequence creates a good knowing laugh for fans in the know, but every throwback after just seems like a joke.

Ti West certainly enjoys a slow burn rather than constant chills and thrills, and slow burns are truly effective in creating unease and tension in a viewer. In this case, the slow burn just sort of fizzles out. It seems as if the entire film drags on for incredibly too long. True, in Samantha's situation, one would snoop around the house of a brand new baby-sitting employer, but as a sequence it just does not work to pull tension. The ending also lacks the punch expected after the rest of the drawn out scenes.

Despite the lack-luster story, the acting is brilliant by leading lady Jocelin Donahue. No matter how frankly boring the scenes can be, she still keeps you in your seat just to see her performance as Samantha. Another actor that steals every scene in which she appears is Gwen Gerwig as Samantha's best friend Megan. Gerwig plays the role so believably, she reminds you of that one outstandingly sarcastic and witty person in your own circle of friends.

No matter how stellar the acting within it, The House of the Devil is unable to stir the fear one hopes for from a horror film.

Grade: D

CUCALORUS FILM FESTIVAL: That Evening Sun

That Evening Sun

Directed By: Scott Teems

Starring: Hal Holbrook, Ray McKinnon, Carrie Preston

Rated: PG-13

1 hrs. 50 min.

Abner Meecham (Hal Holbrook, All the President's Men, Into the Wild) leaves a retirement community to return to his Tennessee farm, only to discover that his son has rented it out to a family whose father, Lonzo Choat (Ray McKinnon, Deadwood), is a notable low-life. In order to get his home back, Abner resolves to stand his ground, literally, in hopes of forcing the family out.

That Evening Sun, which is based on a short story by William Gay entitled I Hate to See That Evening Sun Go Down, is a true masterpiece. Not only is the adapted script well written, but the film in its entirety is beautifully crafted. It portrays the life of an aging man gracefully without coming off as condescending. Countless breathtaking compositions make up each scene, with some of the most wonderful cinematography that some Oscar contenders, past and present, cannot even compete with.

The camera work is not the only aspect of That Evening Sun that deserves recognition; tall of the actors are truly inspiring. Hal Holbrook deserves an Oscar nomination, if not a win, for his triumphant leading performance. He is able to make any viewer of any age sympathize with his situation and truly feel for Abner as a character. Ray McKinnon is also a bright star, supported brilliantly by Carrie Preston (True Blood), as his soft-spoken yet headstrong wife, and by Mia Wasikowska (In Treatment, the upcoming Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland) as his daughter Pamela.

That Evening Sun is truly a must-see; it is a film which deserves distribution throughout the country. It is currently open only in New York City, and will be open Friday, November 20th, in Los Angeles. Hopefully it will make it into theaters nationwide, because it deserves to be seen by all audiences. It speaks on many levels about the troubles of aging and is a perfect display of the South in all its glory.

Grade: A+

CUCALORUS FILM FESTIVAL: TiMER

TiMER

Directed By: Jac Schaeffer

Starring: Emma Caulfield, John Patrick Amedori

1 hrs. 39 min.

The TiMER counts down until the day you meet your soulmate. Oona's (Buffy the Vampire Slayer's Emma Caulfield) TiMER, however, is blank, which means her soulmate has yet to get his installed. She's constantly dating guys without TiMERs and accompanying them to get their TiMER installed in the hope she's finally found The One. Desperate, Oona breaks her own rules and dates grocery store cashier Mikey (John Patrick Amedori, Stick It), who already has a TiMER that is slowly counting down from four months.

TiMER is a particularly charming romantic comedy. It attempts to re-examine our reliance on technology in a new way, as Oona struggles to decide if she should really rely on a clock implanted in her wrist to tell her when she is in true love. Emma Caulfield is delightful in the role of Oona, but its Michelle Borth as her free-spirited step-sister Steph who steals every scene in which she appears. Borth has an energy that makes you wish she were in your own family.

As enjoyable as the film is, however, the ending is not only predictable, but a little disappointing. Considering the message about our reliance on technology that the film sends, even though I knew what would happen in the end, I still feel it fell back on its intended message. Either way, TiMER is a fun film.

Grade: B+

Cucalorus Film Festival 2009

The Cucalorus Film Festival kicks off its 15th run in Wilmington, NC on Wednesday and ends on Sunday, November 15th. I will be attending a few of the screenings and reviewing those films right here, so be on the look out for those.

Check here for more information on the Cucalorus Film Festival.

Jumps, Ouija Boards, and a Hand-Held Camera

Paranormal Activity

Directed By: Oren Peli

Starring: Katie Featherston, Micah Sloat

Rated: R

1 hrs. 26 min.

Twentysomething couple Micah and Katie are plagued by unexplainable phenomena in their shared home in San Diego, California. Katie believes an entity has been following her since childhood, and Micah purchases a camera to capture its activity. When noises and shadows, among other frightening things, are captured, Micah brings in a Ouija board, against Katie's wishes, to contact the spirit; Micah only succeeds in making their situation exponentially worse.

Paranormal Activity is a brilliant horror flick that pulls inspiration from previous films such as The Blair Witch Project, both in the way it was promoted (through heavy internet marketing) and in the way it was filmed. Shot for only $11,000 in the director's home on hand-held video camera, Paranormal Activity feels shockingly real and that makes it seem even more frightening. The two main actors even used their actual names, and title cards at the beginning and end suggest it is based on a true story.

Seeing Paranormal Activity is a must for any fan of horror flicks. The thought of something out of your control occurring in your home while you sleep is absolutely terrifying. The sounds that occur in the quietest moments creates perfect tension. There are moments that are quiet and suspenseful, and there are moments that will make you jump. Everything builds towards the shocking ending that will leave you in fear of sleeping alone in the dark.

As truly exceptional as the film is in its scares, there are moments that seem unnecessary or too drawn out. The beginning seems to drag on, and it doesn't get interesting until phenomena begin occurring in the house. Two or three of the "nights" shown could more than likely have been condensed in order to leave room for more actual paranormal activity.

While the beginning is a little too slow building, Paranormal Activity is an overall spectacular horror film.

Grade: A-

Top 5 Films to See on Halloween

Since today is Halloween, in lieu of the Horror Film of the Week, I'm posting a list of the top 5 films to watch tonight.

1. Halloween (1978)

Director: John Carpenter

Starring: Jamie Lee Curtis, Donald Pleasance

There is a reason why Halloween is one of the most iconic Halloween films of all time, and it's not just because of the title; the film follows the classic slasher formula, with a slow, creeping killer in the form of Michael Meyers, infamous theme music that is simple yet terrifying, and lots of teenage girls dying. If you are planning a horror movie-fest for the holiday, Halloween should be at the top of your list.

Fun Fact: The mask Michael Meyers wears was actually a William Shatner mask. It was modified to give it that iconic blank and frightening look.

2. The Exorcist (1973)

Director: William Friedkin

Starring: Linda Blair, Ellen Burstyn

What is truly more frightening than the thought a person being possessed by the devil himself? Many films deal with this kind of story, but none are as infamous or do it as well as The Exorcist. The film has many scenes that resonated with audiences over the years, such as the scene when Regan's (Linda Blair) head twists around on the neck to face backwards. At the time The Exorcist came out, audiences in the theaters were so terrified by the film that many ran out.

Fun Fact: The dig site in the beginning of the film is actually the site of the ancient Assyrian city of Nineveh in present-day Iraq.

3. A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)

Director: Wes Craven

Starring: Heather Langenkamp, Robert Englund

Freddy Kreuger is another elite horror villain. With just a simple description of him, anyone can recognize him and recognize just how frightening he is: knives on his fingers, scarred and burned face, and torn and ragged red and green striped-sweater. The fact that he can kill you in your dreams will be enough to keep you up at night.

Fun Fact: Nancy watches The Evil Dead on television while trying to stay awake.

4. Night of the Living Dead (1968)

Director: George A. Romero

Starring: Duane Jones, Judith O'Dea

Night of the Living Dead is one of the most prolific zombie films of all time and the one that started legendary filmmaker George A. Romero's "dead" series. There are many great scares and tons of suspense in Night of the Living Dead, as well as gore, which are all the things you want in the typical horror film.

Fun Fact: The zombies in the film are actually eating roast ham covered in chocolate.

5. The Shining (1980)

Director: Stanley Kubrick

Starring: Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall

With the winning combination of director Stanley Kubrick, star Jack Nicholson, and the fact that the film was based on a Stephen King novel, it would be pretty hard for The Shining to go wrong. The fact alone that it is based on a novel by the Master of Horror himself should make anyone want to see it. Also, Jack Nicholson's performance is chilling.

Fun Fact: Jack Nicholson actually ad-libbed the infamous line from the film, "Here's Johnny!" This is Ed McMahon's introduction for Johnny Carson on NBC's The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.

Scream Awards 2009

The Scream Awards were aired tonight on Spike TV. Here are the winners and the other nominees they beat out.

THE ULTIMATE SCREAM

Drag Me to Hell

Let the Right One In

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

Twilight

Up

WINNER: Star Trek

BEST HORROR MOVIE

Dead Snow

Friday the 13th

Let the Right One In

My Bloody Valentine 3D

Splinter

WINNER: Drag Me to Hell

BEST SCIENCE FICTION MOVIE

Knowing

Moon

Outlander

Terminator Salvation

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

WINNER: Star Trek

BEST FANTASY MOVIE

Coraline

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

Up

Watchmen

X-Men Origins: Wolverine

WINNER: Twilight

BEST TV SHOW

Battlestar Galactica

Dexter

Fringe

Lost

Terminator: The Sarah Conner Chronicles

WINNER: True Blood

BEST HORROR ACTRESS

Jennifer Carpenter, Quarantine

Jaime King, My Bloody Valentine 3D

Alison Lohman, Drag Me to Hell

Monica Potter, The Last House on the Left

WINNER: Anna Paquin, True Blood

BEST HORROR ACTOR

Bruce Campbell, My Name is Bruce

Michael C. Hall, Dexter

Kare Hedebrant, Let the Right One In

Justin Long, Drag Me to Hell

Ryan Kwanten, True Blood

WINNER: Stephen Moyer, True Blood

BEST FANTASY ACTRESS

Anna Friel, Pushing Daisies

Scarlett Johansson, The Spirit

Jaime King, The Spirit

Rhona Mitra, Underworld: Rise of the Lycans

Emma Watson, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

WINNER: Kristen Stewart, Twilight

BEST FANTASY ACTOR

Ed Asner, Up

Hugh Jackman, X-Men Origins: Wolverine

Brad Pitt, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Daniel Radcliffe, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

Michael Sheen, Underworld: Rise of the Lycans

WINNER: Robert Pattinson, Twilight

BEST SCIENCE FICTION ACTRESS

Moon Bloodgood, Terminator Salvation

Eliza Dushku, Dollhouse

Lena Headey, Terminator: Sarah Conner Chronicles

Katee Sackhoff, Battlestar Galactica

Zoe Saldana, Star Trek

WINNER: Megan Fox, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

BEST SCIENCE FICTION ACTOR

Nicholas Cage, Knowing

Josh Holloway, Lost

Shia Labeouf, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

Zachary Quinto, Star Trek

Sam Rockwell, Moon

WINNER: Chris Pine, Star Trek

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Ashley Greene, Twilight

Carla Gugino, Watchmen

Evanna Lynch, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

Shirley Manson, Terminator: Sarah Conner Chronicles

Rutina Wesley, True Blood

WINNER: Jennifer Carpenter, Dexter

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

Simon Pegg, Star Trek

Leonard Nimoy, Star Trek

Taylor Kitsch, X-Men Origins: Wolverine

Rupert Grint, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

Nelsan Ellis, True Blood

WINNER: Ryan Reynolds, X-Men Origins: Wolverine

BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE - FEMALE

Anna Torv, Fringe

Zoe Saldana, Star Trek

Lorna Raver, Drag Me to Hell

Lina Leandersson, Let the Right One In

Malin Akerman, Watchmen

WINNER: Isabel Lucas, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE - MALE

Sam Trammell, True Blood

Taylor Kitsch, X-Men Origins: Wolverine

Robert Pattinson, Twilight

Chris Pine, Star Trek

Will.I.Am, X-Men Origins: Wolverine

Sam Worthington, Terminator Salvation

WINNER: Taylor Lautner, Twilight

BEST CAMEO

Kate Beckinsale, Underworld: Rise of the Lycans

Helena Bonham Carter, Terminator Salvation

Arnold Schwarzenegger's Face, Terminator Salvation

Patrick Stewart, X-Men Origins: Wolverine

Rainn Wilson, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

WINNER: Winona Ryder, Star Trek

BEST ENSEMBLE

Battlestar Galactica

Lost

Star Trek

True Blood

Twilight

Watchmen

WINNER: Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

BEST DIRECTOR

Tomas Alfredson, Let the Right One In

Michael Bay, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

Pete Doctor and Bob Peterson, Up

Duncan Jones, Moon

Sam Raimi, Drag Me to Hell

WINNER: J.J. Abrams, Star Trek

BEST FOREIGN MOVIE

Dead Snow (Norway)

Eden Lake (England)

Martyrs (France)

Pontypool (Canada)

Timecrimes (Spain)

WINNER: Let the Right One In (Sweden)

BEST SEQUEL

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

Punisher: War Zone

Terminator Salvation

Underworld: Rise of the Lycans

X-Men Origins: Wolverine

WINNER: Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

BEST F/X

Drag Me to Hell

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

Star Trek

Terminator Salvation

Watchmen

WINNER: Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

SCREAM SONG OF THE YEAR

"War Zone" by Rob Zombie, Punisher: War Zone

"Other Father Song" by They Might Be Giants, Coraline

"Desolation Row" by My Chemical Romance, Watchmen

"Decode" by Paramore, Twilight

"Bad Things" by Jace Everett, True Blood

WINNER: "New Divide" by Linkin Park, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

BEST COMIC BOOK ARTIST

Tony Harris & Jim Clark, Ex Machina

Eric Powell, The Goon

Frank Quitely, All-Star Superman, Batman and Robin

Ivan Reis, Green Lantern

John Romita Jr., Amazing Spider, Kick-Ass

WINNER: Steve McNiven, X-Men: Old Man Logan

BEST VILLAIN

Eric Bana as Nero

Helena Bonham Carter as Bellatrix Lestrange

Cam Gigandet as James

Lorna Raver as Mrs. Ganush

Liev Schreiber as Victor Creed/Sabretooth

WINNER: Alexander Skarsgard as Eric Northman

BEST SUPERHERO

Ray Stevenson as The Punisher

Taylor Kitsch as Remy Lebeau/Gambit

Jackie Earle Haley as Rorschach

Billy Crudup as Doctor Manhattan

Malin Akerman as Silk Spectre II

WINNER: Hugh Jackman as Logan/Wolverine

BEST SCREAM-PLAY

Coraline

Let the Right One In

Moon

Star Trek

Up

WINNER: Drag Me to Hell

MOST MEMORABLE MUTILATION

Splinter

Watchmen

Drag Me to Hell

Dead Snow

Let the Right One In

WINNER: Saw V

FIGHT SCENE OF THE YEAR

Drag Me to Hell

X-Men Origins: Wolverine

Dead Snow

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

Watchmen

WINNER: Star Trek

HOLY S***! SCENE OF THE YEAR

Let the Right One In

Knowing

Drag Me to Hell

Star Trek

Watchmen

WINNER: Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

BEST COMIC BOOK

Hack/Slash

Kick-Ass

Thor

The Walking Dead

Wolverine: Old Man Logan

WINNER: The Green Lantern

BEST COMIC BOOK WRITER

Brian Michael Bendis

Joe Hill

Grant Morrison

Mark Miller

Brian K. Vaughan

WINNER: Geoff Johns

BEST COMIC BOOK MOVIE

Dragonball Evolution

Punisher: War Zone

The Spirit

X-Men Origins: Wolverine

WINNER: Watchmen

HONORARY TRIBUTES:

Comic Con Icon Award: Stan Lee

Rock Immortal Award: Keith Richards

Mastermind Award: George A. Romero

Breakout Movie of the Year: Zombieland

Most Anticipated Science Fiction Film: Iron Man 2

Most Anticipated Fantasy Film: Alice in Wonderland

Farewell Tribute: Battlestar Galactica

In addition: behind the scenes footage of New Moon, the trailer for Shutter Island, an extended scene from Star Trek, and a scene from V were all shown.

The winners were expected for the most part: lots of True Blood, a spackling of Twilight. I was happy to find that Let the Right One In won Best Foreign Movie, but it deserved more recognition in my opinion. The first time it was mentioned during the show, no one cheered, and I was shocked. If anything, I recommend everyone see it; it's a beautifully crafted film.

What are your thoughts on the show and winners? Post them in the comments!

Horror Film of the Week: The Fog

The Fog

Directed By: John Carpenter

Starring: Adrienne Barbeau, Jamie Lee Curtis, John Houseman, Janet Lee, Hal Holbrook

Year of Release: 1980

Rated: R

1 hrs. 30 min.

One hundred years after an accident at sea, the sleepy town of Antonio Bay honors the accident with a candlelight vigil and the unveiling of a statue. However, the local priest discovers the truth behind the "accident," and when the fog rolls in, the dead sailors return for revenge.

The Fog is a great classic horror film from renowned director John Carpenter, creator of one of the most notable horror films in movie history, Halloween (also starring Scream Queen Jamie Lee Curtis). The exposition is introduced creatively in the form of a scary campfire story told by a an old sea-weary man to a group of local children. It is an interesting way to introduce us to the legend of the boating accident that efficiently draws us into the narrative.

Almost from the get go creepy things happen: car alarms sounding for no apparent reason, glass bottles in the grocery shaking in the refrigerators, and televisions flicking on. The action quickly calms down, however, giving the the film a nicely balanced pace. The Fog also gives us those great crunching, crisp sound effects that are typical of horror classics of the 1970s and 1980s. The fog also creeps into frame every time it makes its arrival like any human villain such as Jason Voorhies or Michael Meyers.

The Fog is another classic horror film from the brilliant mind of John Carpenter. With great moments of suspense, action, and a chilling plot, this is another must-see for all movie fans.

Blogger's Note

Hi guys.

So I'm a couple weeks behind on episodes of Vampire Diaries and Community. School along with other things have taken up my time and I've not been able to see the shows. I will be catching up on what I missed and will be back with reviews for the new episode either this week or next week. Also starting next Friday I will be posting info on new movies in theaters.

Thanks,

Kelly

Horror Film of the Week: Suspiria

Suspiria

Directed By: Dario Argento

Starring: Jessica Harper, Stefania Casini

Year of Release: 1977

Rated: Unrated

1 hrs. 38 min.

American ballet student Suzy Bannion travels to Europe to attend a prestigious dance academy. On the rainy night she arrives, Suzy witnesses a girl fleeing from the building. After a subsequent couple of deaths, and the disappearance of a friend, Suzy begins to realize that the noises she hears at night may not be the norm at this school.

Dario Argento masterfully mixes the supernatural with slasher and psychological horror. Not only does Suspiria make you think, but it also gives you chills. Argento knows how to brilliantly build tension in short amounts of time. Each death scene gives you want you want out of a good horror film: anticipation, chase, and gruesome murder.

The plot aside, the aesthetics alone are worth seeing. Argento uses rich colors masterfully in so many ways. There are deep reds, hard greens, bright blues, and so on. He uses the color scheme brilliantly to create suspense in certain sequences. During the first death scene, the contrast of the whites of the floor and the light all around against the vibrant red blood and the brightly colored glass of a broken window make each shot in the sequence simply exquisite.

There are many more brilliant spots in Suspiria, including use of shadow and the chillingly dramatic music. It is a truly classic film and certainly one I recommend to any person, horror fan or not. If this film is to your liking, you'll be happy to know there are two sequels, Inferno (1980), and La Terza Madre (The Mother of Tears)(2007). Together they make the "Three Mothers" trilogy.