New Year's Eve

   So I am not in any way bashing the talents of Garry Marshall, but I have to point out a few obvious things about the film that bother me:

   The film is called "New Year's Eve". It is packed with an all-star cast that includes such players as Robert De Niro, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Michelle Pfeiffer. As I mention earlier, it was directed by Garry Marshall. 

    The movie promises a romantic comedy that will include all of the criteria expected of it, and will make us feel the way it should; however, it looks rather familiar.....

    A film centered around the romantic lives of several couples; a holiday known for its whimsical vibe; and a cast that includes Ashton Kutcher and Jessica Biel. Is this a remake of Valentine's Day?

    I mean, COME ON!!! Even the cover-art is similar! I liked Valentine's Day, and I'm sure I'll like New Year's Eve---But I've got to say...I'm a bit disappointed in the lack of originality!

Movies I Recommend For This Halloween Weekend

      It is a tradition in my family every October to watch as many scary movies as we can in the month, especially the week/weekend before Halloween, finally giving the actual day the "Holy Grail" of Halloween movies. Here is a list of our favorites!!!

    

      This, believe it or not, is a SHORT list...good luck fitting them all in this weekend!!!

• The Exorcist: The Version You've never Seen
• The Skeleton Key
• Jeepers Creepers
• Wind Chill
• Bram Stoker's Dracula
• Pan's Labyrinth
• Hocus Pocus
• Walt Disney Cartoon Classics: Halloween Haunts
• The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad
• Psycho series (including 1998 remake)
• Cape Fear (1991 version)
• Amityville Horror (both versions!)
• Mothman Prophecies 
• From Dusk Till Dawn
• The Grudge series
• Saw series
• The Entity
• American Psycho
• Summer of Sam
• Signs
• War of the Worlds (2005)
• Misery
• Dreamcatcher
• The Hills Have Eyes
• In the Mouth of Madness
• Spawn
• The Descent
• The Cave
• Nightmare on Elm Street series
• Identity
• Thinner
• The Mist
• Hannibal Lecter Series (Hannibal Rising, Red Dragon, Silence of the Lambs, Hannibal)
• The Shining (both versions
• Predator
• The Ring
• The Eye
• The Thing (1982)

       
       For a list of the 50 films declared the scariest ever, go to:
       http://www.boston.com/ae/movies/gallery/top_50_scary_movies/        
 

Remakes

        The current trend in film making seems to be remakes. Although it can be an exciting prospect to see our favorites re-invented on the big screen in a new way, it is also bittersweet. While sometimes it seems preposterous that they would ruin what we already know with a new, less iconic rendition, our curiosities are also peaked. In most cases, to me anyway, it is just sad that the original players of the film are almost being tossed away for a new model. 
       One such film that was recently remade is Footloose. Originally filmed in 1984, the classic included such stars as Kevin Bacon, John Lithgow, Dianne Wiest, and Chris Penn. The 2011 remake however, only has two worth-while actors-- Dennis Quaid and Andie MacDowell, who I quite frankly think sold out in accepting roles in this attempt to recapture brilliance. 
        Although I don't have many details on it, it has also been announced that Ben Affleck will be doing a new version of the classic Stephen King story The Stand(originally filmed in1994). This movie, was already about as perfect as it could get. Granted, a new version could bring new technologies to make better special effects--But come, on! Gary Sinise, Molly Ringwald, Ruby Dee, Rob Lowe, and Ossie Davis? You don't get better than that! Not to mention the fact that Jamey Sheridan had the PERFECT ass for a devilish figure, and the attitude to go along with it! So I am begging you, Ben Affleck--Don't massacre my favorite King movie!
        On a better note, there is one remake I am looking forward to...Leonardo DiCaprio is currently filming a remake of F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby, set to premiere in 2012. In 1974, Robert Redford inexplicably portrayed a charming Jay Gatsby in the film, whose screenplay was written by Francis Ford Coppola, which sets a very high bar. However, I have no doubt in my mind that if the remake has to be done, DiCaprio will be as brilliant as anyone in modern day who's who of acting.  
         

Emmys

Who I would have picked: (If in RED, my choice did win!)


Best Comedy Series:
Modern Family


Best Drama Series:
Boardwalk Empire

Best Mini Series or TV Movie:
*As I did not see any of this year's nominees yet, I cannot ethically choose one--however as Mildred Pierce has an excellent cast and is a remake of one of my favorite Joan Crawford films, I believe the right choice was made*

Best Lead Actor in Comedy Series:
Steve Carell

Best Lead Actor in Drama Series:
Michael C. Hall

Best Lead Actor in Mini Series or TV Movie:
*Based on what actor I like best from previous work*
William Hurt

Best Lead Actress in Comedy Series:
Laura Linney
*However, I like Melissa McCarthy, and have not seen Mike & Molly*

Best Lead Actress in Drama Series:
Mireille Enos


Best Lead Actress in Mini Series or TV Movie:
*Based on what actress I like best from previous work*
Kate Winslet


Best Supporting Actor in Comedy Series:
Eric Stonestreet

Best Supporting Actor in Drama Series:
John Slattery

Best Supporting Actor in Mini Series or TV Movie:
*Based on what actor I like best from previous work*
Paul Giamatti

Best Supporting Actress in Comedy Series:
Betty White

Best Supporting Actress in Drama Series:
Christine Baranski AND Margo Martindale


Best Supporting Actress in Mini Series or TV Movie:
*Based on what actress I like best from previous work*
Maggie Smith


Outstanding Variety, Music, or Comedy Series:
Real Time with Bill Maher AND Saturday Night Live

Documentaries

I know a lot of you aren't into documentaries, but I urge you to see what's out there; This genre of film is great of broadening your minds, and is also a great way to pass the time if you're bored!
So here's a list of some of my favorite documentaries (in no particular order), and I hope you'll give them a chance:

• Man on Wire- A glance at Phillipe Petit walking a high wire between the Twin Towers in 1974.
• The Last Waltz- Scorsese films The Band's last concert, featuring many guest singers.
• An Inconvenient Truth- Al Gore gives insight into global warming statistics.
• Monterey Pop- A look at the first major rock festival, that is unjustly rated way below Woodstock.
• Grey Gardens- A depressing but mesmerizing account of the introverted lives of Big and Little Edie Bovier Beale.
• Grizzly Man- Heartbreaking accounts of eccentric Timothy Treadwell, who was killed by one of the bears he studied.
• My Big Breasts and Me- What it's really like to have naturally big breasts, and the health hazards that are included.
• The Thin Blue Line- A documentary that investigated a murder case, arguing that the man charged with the crime was really innocent.

Lauren Bacall

Today is screen legend Lauren Bacall's 87th birthday. In celebration of this, I'd like to share with you some facts and trivia as shown on: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000002/bio

• Birth name is Betty Joan Perske
• Height 5' 8+1/2''
• Married to Humphrey Bogart from 1945-1957
• Married to Jason Robards from 1961-1969
• Shortly after Bogart's death, she announced her engagement to Frank Sinatra--who directly  backed out
• Her longtime friend Katherine Hepburn is her son Sam Robards' godmother
• In 1997 chosen by People Magazine as one of the 50 Most Beautiful People in the World
• Once quoted [On Humphrey Bogart], "Was he tough? In a word, no. Bogey was truly a gentle soul."

Gary Oldman

      I'd like to talk about one of the most brilliant actors to be on the silver screen, Gary Oldman. Oldman has a diversity that not many actors have. He can portray a lovesick count with a taste for blood just as smoothly as a crazed assassin with a mad brilliance to his technique.
     Oldman happens to star in three of my all-time favorite movies: Bram Stoker's Dracula, Immortal Beloved, and The Scarlet Letter. Granted, they are all love stories; but each has an aspect of its story that makes it so much more complex and dark than you everyday love story, such as The Notebook.
      Bram Stoker's Dracula  was done, in every aspect of the film, superbly. This is surely Francis Ford Coppola's finest work; the casting of Oldman as Dracula led to the instant classic the film became. The fact it incorporates aspects of the real Vlad Dracula's life makes this movie even the more eerie.
       Immortal Beloved is a less known story, and is also based partly on fact. It follows the love life of composer Ludwig Van Beethoven, as found in a famous letter he wrote to his mystery love. This film is highly underrated, and for anyone who is in the slightest bit a history buff a real treat.
       For anyone who, like me, read The Scarlet Letter and despised it--don't let the anguish of the book influence whether or not you watch the film version. The movie is absolutely wonderful;with romance, violence, and realistic depictions of the lives of the puritans.
      Other movies which feature Oldman include Basquiat, The Fifth Element,Hannibal,and Red Riding Hood.