(Optimus) Prime and Prejudice

Update in Progress

2011-05-09T19:13:00.000-05:00

No, not necessarily here. Actually, I'm just sittin' around waiting for my XBox to download an update, so I figured I'd take a moment to check in with (O)PP's readers - our beloved AustenBots and DeceptiJanes - to give you a heads up on what's going on in our world.

Well, nothing. That's what's going on at (O)PP.

How've you been? Would you like to see a video? I hope you answered yes!

That's the best cartoon ever right there. Warner Archive is releasing it on DVD tomorrow, and I have a feeling it'll be making its way to Mikeland some time around my birthday. Yeah, I roll with T and his army of gymnasts. I regret nothing.

In other news, here's a song:

Because Stallone is the cure to all that ails you. It's science.

BTW, if you want to see the (O)PP crew's favorite YouTube video so far this year, check out this (profanity laden) bit of ridiculousness:

Which is made even better by this interview with the real Green Bay Packer/Super Bowl Champion Greg Jennings:

That's all I got. Be super, you wonderful fellows and fellowettes!

The (O)PP Cinematic Alphabet Draft

2011-04-25T23:00:00.002-05:00

Hey everybody, The Mike is here to deliver some cinematic thunder on this Sunday of Justice!

A recent craze throughout the film related blogosphere is the Cinematic Alphabet, made currently popular over at Rupert Pupkin Speaks and spreading throughout the web to sites like my own From Midnight, With Love. Here at (O)PP, we find that the tastes of myself, Narcosleepy, and The H-Bomb don't always match up, so we decided to do our site's Cinematic Alphabet a little differently. As you can guess from the title, we did a fantasy sports-style draft of films per letter.

The rules were pretty simple. The draft order would be randomly determined, and the three of us would take turns picking a letter and the corresponding film we wanted on the list. Oh, and we decided (about half-way through the draft) to add in films that start with a number, so the picks were evenly divided between us. Easy enough, right? Let's see how it turned out....

With the 1st pick in the draft, The Mike determined that R is for REAR WINDOW

As we discussed this project, the example I kept using was "So like, if I had R, I'd say R is for REAR WINDOW." Since I used the example like three dozen times - and since it's my favorite movie - I figured there was no better place to start. - The Mike

With the 2nd pick in the draft, Narcosleepy decreed that T is for TRANSFORMERS: THE MOVIE

There are certain movies that pretty much change the world. For Narcosleepy, Optimus Prime is synonymous with all that is awesome. To say that the letter "T" is for Transformers is pretty much like saying a dog has four legs and barks. "R" is definitely for Rear Window, but Optimus Prime punches Deceptichops in the face.
-Narcosleepy

With the 3rd pick in the draft, The H-Bomb decided that P is for PRIDE AND PREJUDICE

To say I love this movie is an understatement. To me, Pride and Prejudice is the greatest love story of all time. The casting in this version is perfect and I never get sick of watching it.- The H-Bomb

(Note from The Mike: Gosh, from those last two picks, you'd so never guess where we got our blog name....)

With the 4th pick in the draft, The Mike said H is for HALLOWEEN

I know Narcosleepy is a big fan of Highlander, and - as much as I agree that there can be only one - I couldn't risk not getting my favorite horror movie on the list. - The Mike

First of..."H" should be for Highlander. However, Halloween is a really solid choice and I can't disagree. I mean, how can you argue with Michael Myers? -Narcosleepy

With the 5th pick in the draft, Narcosleepy announced that C is for CITY OF GOD

I flat out love this movie. The flavor, the feel, and the rhythm are so fantastic. I was going to choose "A" for American Beauty. But on this night, I took City of God above American Beauty.
-Narcosleepy

With the 6th pick in the draft, The H-Bomb proclaimed that L is for LOVE ACTUALLY

Barely slipping ahead of Pride and Prejudice, I consider this my favorite movie of all time. Romance, comedy, British, and Hugh Grant dancing make for the perfect combination for a perfect movie!
- The H-Bomb

With the 7th pick in the draft, The Mike decided that A is for ARSENIC AND OLD LACE

The three of us actually watched this flick right after completing the draft. I'm not sure Narcosleepy and The H-Bomb were ready for its brand of humor, but I drink it up like Daniel Day-Lewis on your milkshake. (Which, coincidentally, does NOT bring all the boys to the yard. Just DDL and that kid who was the killer at the beginning of TAKING LIVES.) - The Mike

With the 8th pick in the draft, Narcosleepy decided that V is for VERTIGO

There are certain movies that hold a special place in my heart. Rear Window and Vertigo are two of these films. James Stewart and Kim Novak provide a performance that defines modern cinema. This is a top 10 film...no brainer.
- Narcosleepy

With the 9th pick in the draft, The H-Bomb decided that S is for SABRINA

Knowing the other two where going to pick S soon if I did not, I dove after it. There were lots of S movies I could have picked (Spaceballs anyone!?), but I knew in my heart Sabrina was it. Hepburn and Boggart can do no wrong. Despite their big age difference, they really worked on screen. - The H-Bomb

With the 10th pick in the draft, The Mike decided that B is for THE BLUES BROTHERS

As much as it pains me to leave The 'Burbs on the wayside - and I know H-Bomb would have picked it had I let B ride a few more rounds - Jake and Elwood know the way to my heart. I'm so in on their mission from God. - The Mike

With the 11th pick in the draft, Narcosleepy decided that N is for NORTH BY NORTHWEST

How can you not love the first ever action film? The cinematography in this film is truly amazing.
-Narcosleepy

With the 12th pick in the draft, The H-Bomb decided that G is for THE GOONIES

In my opinion, this is one of the greatest films of all time. This movie was a large part of my childhood. During the summer of 1999 during a family vacation to Oregon, we included a stop in Astoria, Oregon where the movie was filmed. There is no way I was going to let this list get created without Goonies on it! -The H-Bomb

Couldn't agree more H-Bomb! It all ends when you go up Troy's Bucket! -Narcosleepy

With the 13th pick in the draft, The Mike decided that E is for THE EXORCIST

Since I had The Exorcist at #2 on my big board of horror - and since I am primarily one who writes about horror flicks - I figured I better throw it on as soon as I could. Nothing like a little pea soup in the middle of the alphabet, right? - The Mike

With the 14th pick in the draft, Narcosleepy decided that # is for 28 DAYS LATER...

First off, suck it H-Bomb. 13 Going on 30 could not be the number that was selected. I straight up love this movie. This is one of my favorite zombie movies that I have ever seen in theaters.
- Narcosleepy

With the 15th pick in the draft, The H-Bomb decided that D is for DEATH AT A FUNERAL

It is British, hilarious, and stars Matthew MacFayden (aka Mr. Darcy). Need I say more! -The H-Bomb

With the 16th pick in the draft, The Mike decided that F is for FLASH GORDON

No chance I was gonna let this list end without getting one of my favorite pieces of cheese on the list, and Flash Gordon represents everything I love about cheesy sci-fi of the '70s and '80s. (Also, he's gotta be the best quarterback the New York Jets ever had. EVER.) - The Mike

Best selection for "F" I could think of. "Flash Gordon. Quarterback. New York Jets." -Narcosleepy

With the 17th pick in the draft, Narcosleepy decided that M is for THE MATRIX

"Follow the white rabbit Neo." I remember where I was when I first saw this movie. I can remember the first time I listened to it with 5.1 Dolby Digital surround sound. This movie is one of my all time favorite sci-fi flicks. I was going to choose Mulholland Drive, but I couldn't escape the brilliant acting of Keanu Reeves. "Whoa"
-Narcosleepy

With the 18th pick in the draft, The H-Bomb decided that W is for THE WIZARD OF OZ

A movie list should never be complete without this film. Visually stunning and a marvelous soundtrack, it is a movie for all ages. It is a movie I need to see at least once a year or I go through withdrawal. -The H-Bomb

With the 19th pick in the draft, The Mike decided that Y is for YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN

If this were something like the NFL Draft, there'd be a guy with greasy hair to tell you that this is a great "value pick". I had been prepared to take M and promote MIDNIGHT RUN, but after it was off the board I couldn't resist getting one of my five favorite films this late in the proceedings. - The Mike

With the 20th pick in the draft, Narcosleepy decided that J is for THE JEWEL OF THE NILE

Romancing the Stone is simply awesome. However, I actually saw this movie first and I have a soft spot in my random liking of movies. It isn't very good, but man I love dumb movies that are just fun. Juno Schmoono...I thought that movie was forgettable. Journey to the Center of the Earth in '89 was also going through my head, but you gotta draft what you love.
- Narcosleepy

With the 21st pick in the draft, The H-Bomb decided that Q is for THE QUEEN

Another British film that definitely did not disappoint, it was fascinating to have a look inside the life of Queen Elizabeth. The acting in this film was so superb, I often found myself forgetting this was Helen Mirren, and would actually find myself believing it was Queen Elizabeth herself. - The H-Bomb

Weird...H-Bomb selecting something British. - Narcosleepy

With the 22nd pick in the draft, The Mike decided that O is for OUT OF SIGHT

The combination of Clooney, Soderbergh, Elmore Leonard, a great supporting cast, and a SHOCKINGLY good J-Lo has long held Out of Sight as one of my favorite caper flicks/romance flicks. At this point in the draft, I also kinda thought I should pick something less than 30 years old. - The Mike

With the 23rd pick in the draft, Narcosleepy decided that I is for IDIOCRACY

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! How can you hate on a movie where, in the end, you feel like a genius? Dax Shepard is awesome. I know, you all are thinking why didn't I select Indiana Jones? I think the above picture answers that question.
- Narcosleepy

With the 24th pick in the draft, The H-Bomb decided that U is for UP IN THE AIR

With a great cast, including Mr. Clooney himself, it was a witty and charming film. With so many unoriginal films these days, it was refreshing to see some originality. -The H-Bomb

With the 25th pick in the draft, The Mike decided that Z is for ZODIAC

It was a toss-up between this and using K on KISS KISS, BANG BANG for my final pick, but David Fincher's murder epic is kind of like Vertigo in how it keeps me entranced despite its slow pace. And I still get a dose of Downey. - The Mike

With the 26th pick in the draft, Narcosleepy decided that X is for XXX

"Hi, my name is Vin Diesel. I'm awesome." If you just read that quote...your mind is blown. This movie has A) Samuel Freaking L. Jackson, B) Flippin' Danny Trejo, and C) Vin Diesel as an extreme sports athlete. I consider this pick a value pick...that and I couldn't think of anything else for X.
- Narcosleepy

With the 27th pick in the draft, The H-Bomb decided that K is for THE KING'S SPEECH

So I have to admit I have not actually seen this flick yet! But it is British and stars Colin Firth. I don't even have to see it to know I like. And don't worry, I will be buying it when it hits the shelves! - The H-Bomb

So, after the dust settled and tempers faded, the final list looks like THIS:
A is for ARSENIC AND OLD LACE
B is for THE BLUES BROTHERS
C is for CITY OF GOD
D is for DEATH AT A FUNERAL
E is for THE EXORCIST
F is for FLASH GORDON
G is for THE GOONIES
H is for HALLOWEEN
I is for IDIOCRACY
J is for THE JEWEL OF THE NILE
K is for THE KING'S SPEECH
L is for LOVE ACTUALLY
M is for THE MATRIX
N is for NORTH BY NORTHWEST
O is for OUT OF SIGHT
P is for PRIDE AND PREJUDICE
Q is for THE QUEEN
R is for REAR WINDOW
S is for SABRINA
T is for TRANSFORMERS: THE MOVIE
U is for UP IN THE AIR
V is for VERTIGO
W is for THE WIZARD OF OZ
X is for XXX
Y is for YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN
Z is for ZODIAC
# is for 28 DAYS LATER...

And that's the bottom line, because the (O)PP staff said so. Consider your minds' blown...Boom!

The Governator

2011-04-07T20:47:00.000-05:00

Oh how this makes me laugh! Now that Arnold Schwarzenegger is officially not in office anymore, he has decided his next career move is to create a cartoon and comic book! Created with Stan Lee, there will be many personal elements of Arnold's life including his wife and children. It will follow him as he leaves office and decides to become a crime fighter and build a secret high-tech crime-fighting lab in his basement. What are your thoughts!? Super excited?!?

Trailer Alert-New Hangover II Trailer!

2011-04-02T11:00:00.000-05:00

Jennifer Garner as Miss Marple and The Mike's Mind is BLOWN

2011-03-29T19:17:00.000-05:00

The title about says it all, but I have to reiterate how....weird, to start, this news is. Total Film reported this morning that Jennifer Garner, the 38 going on 30 year old actress of Alias, Daredevil, and Juno fame will play Agatha Christie's famed Miss Marple in a new film adaptation by Disney.

That might sound all well and good to some. Except that Miss Marple is generally expected to look like THIS:

Now, I'm not gonna say Ms. Garner isn't a fetching sort of gal, and I'm not gonna say I own a copy of 13 Going on 30 due to her charms (that would be ridiculous, if it weren't true). But I've held a fond affection for A) Christie mysteries and B) the series of Marple films that starred Margaret Rutherford for some time, and I don't see how this makes sense.

I know Disney wants to adapt the stories for a "younger audience", but it's not like little kids don't like old people. Why wouldn't you cast a Judi Dench or a Helen Mirren or a Stephen Fry in drag? It's not Miss Marple if it's Jennifer Garner, is it?

I don't know, but I'm throwing my fat bottom at the next James Dean biopic they make. This gives even the worst casting ideas hope. Just picture this as Jennifer Garner, then get back to me.

(BTW, that theme music rocks.)

Rebecca Black's Friday: Is it our downfall or our salvation?

2011-03-20T13:11:00.000-05:00

I'm a dude. I aspire to reek of beef and cheese, and occasionally get the unnecessary urge to kill something. So, it's with much confusion that I present to you the newest cyber craze to hit us all....someone called Rebecca Black singing something called Friday. You've been warned.

Reactions to this song, which has been played at least 26 million times on You Tube (LITERALLY), have ranged from "Worst. Song. Ever." to "Why is she getting up to catch the bus at 7:00? My bus comes at 7:00!" - but the one thing we can be sure of is that Rebecca Black is somehow now leading a Black Plague of some sort.

While I must say that the Worst Song Ever people are a little harsh (Sheryl Crow's Soak Up the Sun still holds that honor in a devastating sleeperhold), it kind of amazes me how....well...ridiculous this little song is. Really ridiculous. Even if it is fun fun fun fun fun fun..... (And is she really 13? Hell, none of us did anything that was seen 26 million times when we were 13, right?)

If nothing else, I gthink we should thank Rebecca Black for taking the spotlight from disasters like tsunamis, nuclear reactors, and Charlie Sheen. Well done, RB...I guess.

Has she infected your brain yet?

"Zombie Burger" Restaurant Opening...in Des Moines.

2011-03-20T12:57:00.001-05:00

Bloody Disgusting is reporting, via the Des Moines Register (Seriously never thought I'd type THAT) that a new restaurant called "Zombie Burger + Drink Lab" will be birthed in the grand metropolis of Des Moines, Iowa. What? You've never been to Des Moines? Oh man, you've never lived! (Just kidding, it sucks.)

I'm sure the idea of a zombie themed restaurant has you salivating, unless you're like me and are ENTIRELY SICK OF THE STUPID ZOMBIE FAD. (Romero did it right, Shaun and Zombieland spoofed it well, and the Italians made it gross yet awesome. That's it. No one else has made zombies appealing to me, there, I said it.)

Fear not, Squeamish Steves & Susans, because the people behind said restaurant are promising a) the "quintessential" American flat burger and b) that they'll "deliver on the food side, but not so much on the visuals of zombies". In other words, it's a restaurant called Zombie Burger...without zombies.

You really want to ruin THIS with zombies?

I don't get it. And I'm one of the eight Iowan horror fans - which would kind of be the place's target audience. Will I check it out to see if they prove me wrong? Of course. But for now, I'm skeptical.

What say you, our loyal AustenBots? Would YOU eat at Zombie Burger?

And the Spiderman Villain is......

2011-03-19T20:02:00.000-05:00

Lizard?!?!?!?

Actor C. Thomas Howell may have accidentally spilled the beans when he was discussing his minor role in the film. Here is what he had to say:

"There is not a whole lot to talk about. Sony wants us to be hush-hush right now. I play a relatively small role. I play a construction worker who's son is caught in the middle of a battle between the Lizard and Spider-Man on the Manhattan bridge. Spider-Man helps me get my son back from this perilous situation. There is some payback there at the end of the movie. Spider-man is kind of hurting. I help him when all of the other people won't. Part of the story is, the nation thinks he might be a bad guy. They don't know what to think. Because of my experience on the bridge with my kid, I know he is a good guy. I pitch in and help out at the end. That is the best way."

I am not a huge follower of Spidey, but this does sound pretty neat!!! Any thoughts from our big Spiderman fans out there?!?

Trailer Alert-Larry Crowne

2011-03-19T19:55:00.000-05:00

This film actually looks pretty cute! I always enjoy Tom Hanks and will definitely check this out!

Happy Birthday, Kurt Russell!

2011-03-17T19:23:00.000-05:00

For being the baddest actor of ever, I salute you.

Katie Perry Firework- A Capella Cover

2011-03-16T19:56:00.000-05:00

This is pretty sweet!

In Movie News-American Reunion!

2011-03-16T19:50:00.000-05:00

So in exciting movie news, it has been announced the cast of American Pie is coming back together for American Reunion!! So far, Jason Biggs, Sean William Scott, and Eugene Levy have signed on. It is being reported that the studio has been talking with Thomas Ian Nicholas, Tara Reid, Chris Klein, Mena Suvari, and Jennifer Coolidge. I absolutely loved these movies back in the day! They were great mindless fun! Here is to hoping they can make a great sequel!

Top Ten 80's Cartoons for Geeks

2011-03-12T00:19:00.011-06:00

Hey OPP homies,

Franklin D. Roosevelt, one of the most influential U. S. Presidents, once said: "Art is not a treasure in the past or an importation from another land, but part of the present life of all living and creating peoples." I'm pretty sure he was talking about 80's cartoons despite his death in 1945. As a tribute to the words of FDR, I offer you this genius list of 80's cartoons in order to keep the art of the past in my present life through reflection. Oh yea, Transformers are beyond #1, so they will be excluded (This isn't up for debate). Without further adieu, here is my list.

10. C.O.P.S. I loved this cartoon. I loved the fact that it took place in 2020 and followed sci-fi police officers as they fend off evil crime syndicates in "Empire City." The outfits in this show were straight-up trippy. Great toys too!!! These toys were the only action figure/cap gun that I have ever encountered.

9. The Centurions. I flippin loved this TV cartoon. Any futuristic sci-fi cartoon with the evil dude named Doctor Terror gets an A-Plus in my book. These toys were ridiculously cool. You could interchange attachments on their body armor. How cool is that??? Answer: H-Bomb cool.

8. Dino-Riders. First, you blow my mind with dinosaurs. Then, you add in cool futuristic attachments to harness the powers of the dinosaurs. You had me at Dino. Plus, I always found small lizards riding bigger lizards interesting. These toys were some of the coolest outside of transformers of course.

7. Duck Tales. Scrooge...you penny pinchin' coin vault swimming pimp. I want your top hat, cane, rimmed only glasses and shoe/sock combo thing you had going on. Huey, Dewey, and Louie were also legendary.

6. Ghostbusters. Come on...you all know Slimer ruled. He ruled even more than Scrooge, so this cartoon titan takes my 6th spot.

Now we are getting into the big dogs of 80's cartoons. This is going to be tough!!!

5. He-Man. "I have the power!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Oh Prince Adam...I have no idea what protection your leather chest piece provided but you sure could ride the crap out of that battle tiger.

4. G.I. Joe. Though Megatron is the best villain ever, I'm pretty sure Cobra Commander is the second best. Skeletor and Mumm-ra were weak compared to your blue masked snake-like whispers of pending terrorism.

3. Voltron. Screw Mighty Morphin I copied Voltron Rangers. These cats (pun intended) formed the freaking defender of the Universe. The Megazords only protected earth (in the beginning anyway before it got all weird). Voltron was made up of 5 cats that were the equivalent of University of Michigan's fab 5 (yup, a Chris Webber/Jalen Rose reference was needed here).

2. This is a tough call. I'm going to say Thunder. THUNder...THUNDER!!!!! Yup, Thundercats takes the number 2 spot. Liono, Panthro, and Mumm-ra...Eagle Scouts should sing campfire songs of your greatness. Enough said.

1. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. I loved this show. I would never miss a show. If my wife would let me, I would name my kids "Splinter" and "Casey Jones." I'm pretty sure these children would solve all world problems, but only if these names are allowed to occur. Remember...Donatello does machines (That's a fact Jack).

Honorable Mention: Rocklords, MASK, Silverhawks. These shows were not only awesome in story line and creativity, but really cool toys as well.

What is your top cartoon?

Narcosleepy Out

Super Mario Brothers 3: A Game Inspired by Freud?

2011-03-03T23:15:00.013-06:00

There are certain events in our lives that we will always remember. First, we will remember where we were when 9/11 happened. Second, we will remember the first time we all witnessed Michael Myers rampage the poor villagers of Haddonfield, Illinois. For me, I vividly remember 1990. It was the year Super Mario Brothers 3 was released. I remember the first time I hit a floating metal question mark that kicked out a floating leaf. I ate that thing and turned into a raccoon that could fly with it's tail.

I loved this game growing up. It captured every bit of my attention, imagination, and took a high level of skill to complete. Most of all, I had so much fun playing it. Each world is so vivid and imaginative. It literally feels like I am in a dream. There are two worlds in particular that hold a special place in my heart. I remember my cousins and I bringing our vintage NES on vacation and having so much fun playing the water world (world 3). How amazing was it to turn into a frog, swim with your little frog legs out, but only to get eaten by a ginormous fish? The second world that is truly unforgettable is World 4. In this world, you are microsized and trying to traverse your way through a big world. What a visceral experience. How crazy was it to turn into a flying bear that could also shapeshift into a stone statue? Well, it was crazy awesome.

I was reflecting on this game the other day and I couldn't help but apply the works of Sigmund Freud to this game. The obvious freudian references are the plentiful sexual and death instinct references that are inherent in game play. First, eating a very phallic mushroom makes you bigger, stronger, and more resilient. One could argue that, sub-consciously, Mario has a centralized fixation on his junk. Through this fixation, his ego processes sexual experience as a way to gain power. Placing a larger amount of psychic energy into this function would also elevate social status, thus prompting limited disagreement with the social gatekeeper that is the superego with the conscious level ego functions. Moreover, the ID gains immediate gratification through rewards from killing creatures, gathering money, and sexual experiences (in Mario's case, these experience are not with a partner but independent). The in play behavior would demonstrate that self-gratification will elicit and improve on the long term goal of sexual relations with the princess, thereby improving personality and further development.

Second, the presence of death is very prominent in this game. Freud called this desire "Thanos" or the death instinct. In this game, there is little consequence for death. In fact, the user will attempt risky game play with little regards to the life and death of Mario/Luigi. As such, game play is designed to trigger our desire to sub-consciously think about death, thus driving an internal pleasure mechanism within our emotional processing/cognitive structures while not reducing our libido (psychic energy). Moreover, killing creatures and destroying objects earns the user rewards that ultimately increase the likelihood of sexual gratification with the princess. A common mistake is to refer to libido as sexual energy/stamina. However, libido actually refers to ones' psychic energy in balancing the Id, Ego, and Superego.

Finally, I couldn't help but notice a special item called a "P-Wing". This item, when consumed, allows you to fly through a level getting you closer and much more rapidly to your goal of sexual gratification with the princess. Here is the obvious, this P-Wing looks like a male phallic symbol and putting a "P" on it removes all doubt. Consuming the P-Wing also gives Mario a permanent "P" that is placed on his chest throughout the level. This could be synonymous with the "Scarlet Letter" thus creating a source of internal struggle between desire (ID) and the superego (our self in relation to larger society).

Some classic video games are truly amazing for so many reasons. Freud can be applied to anything and can never be proven wrong, so take what I say with a grain of salt. However, just know that what we interact with can influence us in ways we may not understand. For me, Super Mario Brothers 3 was an experience in which I could interact with objects in a dream world. For you, well, maybe you just like two sexy Rex Manning (Empire Records reference) plumbers in green and red.

Narcosleepy out

Fallon does Sheen

2011-03-03T22:15:00.000-06:00

Spot on! Fallon is sooo great at doing impressions of people! Love this!

Quotes from a Crazy

2011-03-02T13:28:00.001-06:00

Oh Charlie Sheen....the entertainment you have provided us in the last week is absolutely epic! Are you crazy? Are you bi-polar? Are you on drugs? Are you all of the above? We may never know, but one thing is for sure, you have provided us with some great quotes in the last week! Here are a few of the gems from recent!

"I don't have a tuxedo that fits anymore because my chest and my biceps are too big."
– Explaining why he wasn't planning on attending the Oscars, on Pat O'Brien's Loose Cannons radio show

"I have a disease? Bull–t. I cured it … with my mind."
– Rejecting his father Martin Sheen's statement that his son suffers from alcoholism to The Alex Jones Show

"There's a new sheriff in town. And he has an army of assassins."
– Explaining why he's decided to be so outspoken

"I'm on a drug. It's called Charlie Sheen."
– Professing his sobriety to 20/20's Andrea Canning

"I'm not Thomas Jefferson. He was a p–y!"
– Taking aim at the founding father

"I closed my eyes and made it so with the power of my mind, and unlearned 22 years of fiction...the fiction of AA. It's a silly book written by a broke-down fool."
-Explaining to The Today Show how he cured himself of addiction

"I'm tired of pretending I'm not a total bitchin' rock star from Mars, and people can't figure me out; they can't process me. I don't expect them to. You can't process me with a normal brain."
-Informing The Today Show of his desire to be his true self

The Mike's Favorite Best Picture Winners of Ever

2011-02-27T12:48:00.000-06:00

A lot of people, like (O)PP's own H-Bomb, will tell you that Oscar day is awesome. An equal number of movie nuts - generally the type who have no life and spend too much time on the internet, like myself - will tell you that the Oscars are generally a narrow-minded ego-fest of BS. No one can say who's right (I am), but one thing we can all agree on is that the Oscars have honored some great movies at times.

So, since I'm pretty awesome and you like reading, I thought I'd shine a quick spotlight on thirteen of my favorite winners of the Academy's Award for Best Picture. (HINT: Chicago's not here, because it's the worst.)

It Happened One Night (1934) - Though I still prefer non-winner The Thin Man - nothing beats a bit of Powell and Loy - I can't argue against the first film to sweep the top 5 Oscar categories. Claudette Colbert and Clark Gable provide a classic romantic comedy gem, and their journey through the film (which actually lasts several nights) is packed with entertaining banter between the two. The infamous hitchhiking scene is worth the price of admission alone.

Rebecca (1940) - The only Alfred Hitchcock film to win Best Picture, which is one of the greatest proofs that these awards were already meaningless fifty years ago. Rebecca is a fascinating tale with an old mansion, murder, ghosts of the past, and Judith Anderson's iconic evil chaimbermaid. Anderson was nominated for Best Supporting Actress for the film, as were leads Joan Fontaine and Laurence Olivier. All lost out, though Fontaine would win the next year for Hitchcock's Suspicion.

Casablanca (1943) - This is a film that needs no introduction. It's widely considered the greatest screenplay ever written - which it also won an Oscar for - and the slew of iconic lines that still resonate nearly 70 years later are proof that it's never lost its punch. There are jaded folks who can claim to not like this movie, but I challenge them thoroughly. This is Hollywood magic at its best.

All About Eve (1950) - Filled with some of the best performances ever put on screen, All About Eve is a Hollywood soap opera that pulls no punches. George Sanders - who also co-starred in Rebecca - won Best Supporting Actor as the vile critic Addison DeWitt, and gives one of my favorite performances ever. The film also boasted four nominations for its actresses - Bette Davis & Anne Baxter for Lead, Thelma Ritter & Celeste Holm for Supporting - though none of them won as rumors of vote splitting still run rampant today.

Marty (1955) - A sentimental favorite of mine. Ernest Borgnine stars as the title character, a mid-30s New York City butcher who finds himself in a surprise relationship with a mid-30's school teacher (Betsy Blair) despite his romantic shortcomings. Borgnine would also win Best Actor, beating an all-star lineup of nominees that included James Cagney, Frank Sinatra, James Dean, and Spencer Tracy.

The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957) - I haven't seen this epic in years, but I still have vivd memories of the finale. War-time spectacle at its very best, with star Alec Guiness and director David Lean winning two more of the film's seven oscars. Plus there're explosions, man.

The French Connection (1971) - I don't know what was wrong with the '60s either, though I probably could have interchanged Lawrence of Arabia with Kwai. But when 1971 - notorious to many as the year when Hollywood got violent - rolled around it was William Friedkin and Gene Hackman leading the pack with wins in the director and actor categories. The first R-rated film to win Best Picture (though X-rated Midnight Cowboy had won two years earlier).

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975) - The second film to sweep the top five categories (after It Happened One Night). I'm not entirely wild about this film - I always seem to nitpick a little when I watch it - but I always look back on it favorably when I think about it. The supporting cast that includes genre favorites like Christopher Lloyd, Brad Dourif and Michael Berryman (plus the always underrated Vincent Schiavelli) helps the film immensly, and the leads are worth their accolades.

Rocky (1976) - Yeah, I know. There were a lot of amazing films this year, including runners-up Taxi Driver and Network. But...it's friggin' Rocky, man. The ultimate underdog. Dude lost his friggin' title match, a Best Picture win isn't even close to fair compensation for that. (Yes...I think beating the fictional Apollo Creed is a bigger achievement than winning an Oscar. There, I said it.)

Ordinary People (1980) - Yeah, I know again. The nerds want me to say The Empire Strikes Back (which wasn't even nominated) should have won, the cinephiles want me to say Raging Bull should have won, and the dark side of myself wants me to say The Elephant Man should have won. But Ordinary People isn't bad, folks. Timothy Hutton's performance is as good as advertised, and the film feels a lot more genuine than most Oscar dramas. Some have written this off as an average Hollywood drama, but I beg to differ.

The Silence of the Lambs (1991) - The third and final - thus far - film to sweep the top five categories, and coincidentally I love them all. The closest thing to a horror film to ever win Best Picture, but there's more than my bias toward the macabre that makes me fond of this one. Ted Levine's performance as Buffalo Bill was severley under-recognized, too...probably because he keeps his talents tucked away. (ZING!)

American Beauty (1999) - A personal favorite of mine in regard to all cinema, this is probably the film from my lifetime that I've rooted for most loudly at Oscar time. I really believe that this film took the Oscars in a new direction and kind of re-wrote Hollywood's expectations for what an Oscar winner can be. Nearly became the fourth to sweep the top five, but Hillary Swank had to go and mess things up for Annete Benning. I can accept that, because Boys Don't Cry. (DOUBLE ZING!)

No Country for Old Men (2007) - I was pretty fond of Juno and Michael Clayton at the time of these awards - still am, too - but the Coens needed to have a Best Picture winner in their filmography. I really enjoy the film, and feel it could be more timeless than the other nominees thanks to the great acting of Tommy Lee Jones, Josh Brolin, and Oscar-Winner Javier Bardem. Time will tell the tale for No Country for Old Men.

NOW - If The Social Network were to win tonight, I have a feeling it would join these films on my list, because I'm quite fond of that one (and of 127 Hours, too, but let's be real folks). But, all signs point toward The King's Speech looking better on the Academy's mantle down the road, and thus I imagine that film will take home a statue for its mantle tonight.

Doesn't matter anyway, none of those films hold a candle to Carl Weathers.

Top Ten Reasons Why "Highlander (1986)" Is Awesome

2011-02-24T19:07:00.003-06:00

10. 1500 a.d. flashbacks of Connor McLeod from the Clan McLeod.

9. Katanas

8. 80's punk leather bound Clancy Brown giving "the tongue" in church.

7. A spanish Sean Connery that isn't spanish at all.

6. Whirling Tornadoes of Light transmitting knowledge.

5. Christopher Lambert, enough said.

4. Head decaps in medieval stone infused homes.

3. The Kurgan's two piece sword that is practically 4 to 5 feet tall.

2. The famous rooftop "Silvercup Studios" blade fighting sequence!

1. Original Music by Queen.

End Result = Awesome. Consider your mind blown.

Narcosleepy Out

Trailer Alert-Something Borrowed!!

2011-02-20T23:53:00.001-06:00

I will definitely be seeing this! I am the biggest sucker for chick flicks!!

Trailer Alert-New Thor Trailer!!!

2011-02-20T23:49:00.000-06:00

Natalie Portman seems to be everywhere these days! Love her!

Trailer Alert-Hesher

2011-02-20T23:45:00.001-06:00

Joseph Gordan-Levitt looks like one bad mother trucker in this movie! Looks pretty good! Thoughts?!?!

Transformers 3

2011-02-18T20:30:00.004-06:00

So, as many of you know, I am an uber huge Transformers nerd. I have loved the series since I was a child and I have a massive collection of vintage toys (some of which I still play with today). The first movie had me excited at what could be. The second movie, well, that was just plain awful. Outside of a solid forest fighting scene, there was nothing to that movie at all. Just thinking about Transformers 2 kind of upsets me. Jetfire was not old in the glory days. He was a bad mother, shut your mouth, I'm just talkin about Jetfire. And I have no idea what was with the ghetto twins either. I can't believe they killed Jazz for those two dweebs. The other thing that made me mad was the "hot chick" at Sam's school that was a pretender transformer. LAME.

With this rant in mind, you can see why I may have a few concerns regarding the direction of the third flick. They've tried killing Optimus Prime once...you know Michael Bay is going to do it again hoping we would forget. Now that the matrix of leadership is gone, which by the way was completely worthless in the second film, I'm not sure what direction they are going to go in. The villian, which was just confirmed to be Shockwave from sources, simply makes me mad. Watching the Dark side of the moon trailer, I thought for sure they were going to rock a Alpha Trion angle (which was one of the original transformers forged by the creators). I am still hoping that what we saw in the teaser was Alpha Trion. I can tell you this, if what I saw was Shockwave, my nerd rage will be through the roof. I mean, the vintage Shockwave was purple (cuz he was so awesome) a glowing yellow eye, a frickin gun for a left-hand, and oh yea...he turned into a flippin cannon. If all we are going to see is "hot busty chicks" oogle over Sam (which is confusing) and some random transformers, I am at a lost cause for this series.
To you fellow transformers fan, get ready for a junk shot I'm thinking (assuming you have the "junk" apparatus) because this flick could suck as much as a Uwe Boll flick.

Narcosleepy out

James Earl Jones does Bieber!

2011-02-17T18:29:00.002-06:00

This is the only way I will listen to a Justin Bieber song! Love it!

Trailer Alert-Arthur

2011-02-10T22:13:00.000-06:00

This is a remake of the 1981 Arthur starring Dudley Moore. I can't say I have heard of it. This is probably a movie I will wait to see on Netflix. Thoughts?!?

The Mike's Reaction to Super Bowl XLV

2011-02-08T20:50:00.000-06:00

OK, here's the set up. It's 4th & 5 with less than a minute left in the Super Bowl. The Steelers have the ball, trailing by six points, and have to complete this pass to keep their hopes alive. In short, all my beloved Packers have to do is stop the Steelers on this play. Here's what the play looked like from Casa Del Mike, thanks to the directorial efforts of (O)PP's Dana, aka Chev Chelios.....

The rest....is history. 31-25. Super. Bowl. Champions.

Favorite Super Bowl Commercials

2011-02-08T19:31:00.003-06:00

So most years, like most Americans, I watch the Super Bowl for the commercials. I have to say this year, I was slightly disappointed. There was some definitely lack of originality and I found myself laughing at very few. Below are my two favorites of the night. They both happen to contain cute animals. :) What were your favorites?!?

Cedar Rapids Trailer!

2011-02-01T19:05:00.000-06:00

It is not too often movies are in or about Iowa. I was thrilled to learn about this movie that not only fictionally takes place in an Iowa city but also chose to use the city's name as the title! Cedar Rapids was devastated by floods in 2008 and I think it is great to give the town some exposure. I will definitely be seeing this film not only because I am an Iowan, but because I think it looks pretty darn funny and has a really great cast lead by Ed Helms and John C. Reilly.

Fun Facts about Cedar Rapids: It was the birthplace of Elijah Wood and Ashton Kutcher grew up a few miles outside of Cedar Rapids. Ashton's family still lives there and he frequently visits the area.

Fantastic 3?!?

2011-01-25T19:46:00.000-06:00

After 50 years, Marvel Entertainment has laid to rest Human Torch/Johnny Storm. Writer Johnathan Hickman has spent the last year and a half working on this story line and in the most recent issue, Torch dies in a massive battle. Our thoughts are with all of the Fantastic Four fans at what I presume is a difficult time.

Best Picture Nominees

2011-01-25T19:23:00.003-06:00

And the Best Picture Nominees are.............

*Black Swan
*The Fighter
*Inception
*The Kids Are All Right
*The King's Speech
*127 Hours
*The Social Network
*Toy Story 3
*True Grit
*Winter's Bone

I would say there are no big surprises here. I just wish the Academy would go back to five nominees. Ten nominees really takes away from the prestige of an Oscar nod. It is all just a ploy to bring more box office money to more movies.

My prediction is that Social Network will take home the statue this year for Best Picture. It seems to be the trend at awards shows this season. I, personally have only seen six of the ten at this time, so can't specify a personal favorite yet. I will have to say I am really excited to see The King's Speech. I will blog about my favorite as soon as I have seen all ten. Please feel free to post any favorites or predictions you may have!!! For a complete list of nominees visit www.oscars.org. The 83rd Academy Awards air February 27th.

Hopkins to play Hitchcock!

2011-01-23T19:50:00.001-06:00

Sir Anthony is currently in talks to portray Alfred Hitchcock. The movie is rumored to be based on the book Alfred Hitchcock the Making of Psycho by Stephen Rebello. The movie is to be directed by Sacha Gervasi.

Ahh! I think with a little weight gain, Sir Anthony will make the perfect Hitchcock! Hitchcock is my favorite director, so I am SUPER excited for this movie! I am already going to throw out this prediction-Sir Anthony will be nominated for an Oscar! What are your thoughts on the casting??!?!?

Hazard of Texting

2011-01-17T20:07:00.003-06:00

This is pretty crazy! I love how mall personnel have nothing better to do than replay this!

New Horoscopes??!

2011-01-15T23:25:00.001-06:00

So as most of you may have heard a new sign was added to the mix. Due to some sort of alignment of the stars changing, the sign was added and dates were changed. Listed below are the new dates:

Capricorn: Jan. 20-Feb. 16.
Aquarius: Feb. 16-March 11.
Pisces: March 11-April 18.
Aries: April 18-May 13.
Taurus: May 13-June 21.
Gemini: June 21-July 20.
Cancer: July 20-Aug. 10.
Leo: Aug. 10-Sept. 16.
Virgo: Sept. 16-Oct. 30.
Libra: Oct. 30-Nov. 23.
Scorpio: Nov. 23-29.
Ophiuchus: Nov. 29-Dec. 17. (Yep, this one is new)
Sagittarius: Dec. 17-Jan. 20.

It is being reported that the new dates/sign is only applicable to those born in 2009 and after. This has got to be a major relief for those that have tattoos of their sign or actually live their life by horoscopes! I know my office at work was buzzing about it for 2 days as people were actually upset they might have a new sign! Ahh the madness!

Keanu Christ?

2011-01-13T18:52:00.000-06:00

You decide.

Dramatic Kitten-Love it!

2011-01-09T17:28:00.001-06:00

Rapid Reaction - The Social Network

2011-01-08T15:46:00.001-06:00

I made it about 3/4ths of the mile and a half distance between the theater and my apartment before checking Facebook from my touch screen mobile phone. Seconds later, I knew that someone I've never met who probably lives half a continent away had commented on the roommate I had 8 years ago's status. Fifteen minutes later, I'm blogging about it. And I live in Iowa. You can point your fingers and say I'm in the wrong here, but don't kid yourselves and assume this isn't the norm for 2011. We're all doomed.

Of course, the human mind is too advanced to have not created this - the touch screen phones, world wide web, and Wi-Fi internet were already here for the taking - but someone had to push the button to send us all crashing into each other online. Enter Mark Zuckerberg, the creator of Facebook and focus of The Social Network, who survived something that seems not far removed from that War Room scene of Dr. Strangelove to father his creation. Allegedly.

Like the site itself, The Social Network is a one-stop-shop for the things you think are cool. It's written by TV maestro Aaron Sorkin, directed by the hip and hard-edged David Fincher, and even features music from rock hero Trent Reznor. To the everyday viewer the high point of the cast is Hollywood Jack of All Trades Justin Timberlake, but the stars - Jesse Eisenberg (Zombieland, Adventureland) and Andrew Garfield (soon to be big-screen Spider-Man) - are also perfect for the new world in which our experiences are connected together. Basically, the movie's profile page would show that it "Likes" everything the "hip" facebooker likes in today's society of "fast food, strip mall" nerds - Fight Club, Nine Inch Nails, witty comments, superhero films, zombies, hoodies, etc.

The pop culture factor is key to the movie's effectiveness, because the film doesn't really take much time to tell us why Facebook is so important. A year or two ago this film might have been an independent prodcution that got cult buzz, but now that even your parents are on facebook - and if they aren't, they will be - it's truly a story of our times. The people the film talks about, the people who spend more time on the site than any other site and are 91% likely to return to the site (I gotta think that number's gone up since 2003), will no doubt find some connection to the material. A large portion of that is the writing by Sorkin and the acting by Eisenberg, Garfield, and others, but the personal value of this film to younger generations can't be understated.

If you're savvy in the online world - and if you're reading this tiny blog, I'd imagine you are - I think there's something in The Social Network for you. I could sit here and break down the film as a film - it's a very good film, BTW - but that's not what interests me about The Social Network. The movie shows us how we got to where we are in society, and makes me think about where exactly we are now. It's a cyberspace historical epic, I think. And as a cyberspace junkie, I'm cool with that.

(Note from The Mike: BTW, the Rapid Reaction feature is designed to be my first thoughts about something, posted quickly and unedited. Sorry for not explaining it earlier, I was reacting rapidly. Also, sorry if it doesn't make sense.)

Happy Holidays from Prime and Prejudice!!!

2010-12-12T16:25:00.001-06:00

Happy Holidays from the Pride and Prejudice Family! Wishing you a happy and healthy 2011!

Metrodome roof collapses!

2010-12-12T14:42:00.000-06:00

This video is insane!!!!! It is the roof of the Metrodome in Minneapolis collapsing after getting 20 plus inches of snow since Friday. The Vikings game that was to take place there today has now been moved to Monday night in Detroit.

Trailer Alert! Transformers: Dark of the Moon!!!!!

2010-12-08T23:40:00.000-06:00

Yeah...it's the Transformers 3 teaser.

"HEY GUYS, WE LANDED ON THE MOON!!!" - Optimus Prime, 2011

Mark your Calendars- Mean Girls 2!

2010-12-06T22:33:00.001-06:00

Mark your calendars and set your DVR because Mean Girls 2 is premiering on ABC Family on January 23rd at 8:00 pm!!! The thought of even watching this movie is about as bad as the thought of Sarah Palin running for president (sorry to our Republican readers). I am surprised Lohan is not in this as she appears not to have any other projects to do in between her stints in rehab. I do have to admit I did like the first Mean Girls. On a side note: Has anyone noticed that a good chunk of the shows and movies on ABC family are not family-oriented at all! Nothing says family time like watching a group of stuck up girls!

2010-12-04T15:32:00.001-06:00

Mega Shark vs Crocosaurus Trailer!!!!!

2010-12-02T22:57:00.000-06:00

I MUST SEE THIS! And yes, that is Jaleel White aka Steve Urkel! It is a crazy world!

Linus and Lucy Christmas Lights

2010-11-25T21:30:00.000-06:00

This appears to be the same house as posted in the video below. I am curious if this is the light show they play before the kids go to bed, and once the kids are in bed, it is Slayer time! Craziness!! I am thinking these people may have a little too much free time!

Slayer Christmas Lights

2010-11-25T21:26:00.002-06:00

Oh the silly things people will do during the holidays!!!!! The lights on this house are synced up with Slayer's Raining Blood . Beware...this is kind of scarey. It is almost something that should have been up during Halloween. If you are epileptic, you should probably stay away from this house! Happy Holidays!

New Green Hornet Trailer!!!

2010-11-19T19:54:00.002-06:00

My First Love

2010-11-18T21:19:00.000-06:00

A tribute to my first love, Prince William, who is now officially engaged. **Tear**

New Green Lantern Trailer!!

2010-11-18T20:58:00.002-06:00

Things That Bring The Happy: John Belushi as Joe Cocker

2010-11-18T01:15:00.000-06:00

I wrote about my love for John Belushi once before, but it bears repeating because this is the first time I've found my personal favorite clip of John's SNL tenure online. In it, Belushi portrays rock legend and avid partier Joe Cocker, singing a spot on version of "A Little Help From My Friends" (as heard on The Wonder Years) while appearing completely inebriated and potentially psychotic.

I am relatively sure that I've laughed at this ridiculous performance more often than anything I've ever seen in my life. As those Aerosmith peeps say, just hit play!

john belushi - joe cocker | Movies & TV | SPIKE.com

And, as an added bonus...here's Belushi singing alongside Cocker later on SNL!!!

Joe Cocker & John Belushi por nakavideos no Videolog.tv.

"Crazy Train:" A Clapping Before Christmas

2010-11-17T22:18:00.007-06:00

Here's the deal OPP fans, we've all been at that live sports event enjoying a game. There is a time out on the court...and some Ozzy Osbourne "Crazy Train" pops on over the speakers. The crowd sits docile doing there thing which is: eating, talking, walking up and down the stairs for a food run, or sittin and staring into space. Then, like "The Night Before Christmas," my wondering eyes found this:

Twas two months before Christmas and all seemed mundane,
No one was jammin' along with that Crazy Train.
When what, to my wondering eyes should I see;
But that one lone ranger, clapping with glee.
I thought to myself oh God what shame,
Dude's lost his mind, he must be insane.
He's dancing, he's prancing, he's laughing; I'll hit him.
He's clapping and jiggling; cripes, dude, get some rhythm.
As his hands clasped in an uneven refrain,
I felt sorry for Ozzy and his crazy-like train.

YOU KILLED OZZY FOR ALL, EFF YOU DUDE, GOODNIGHT!

That poem was to you 55 year old guy who claps out of sync. I see your gross early 90's Guess Jeans with a tucked in horizontal stripped orange and blue polo shirt, a gray hat from a trip that you took to Denver, and all white old man tennis shoes. You already stand out...you don't need to literally stand up and stand out at a sports event. Dude, don't be that guy. Don't be that guy that has to try so hard to "be into" something when in reality you are trying to be a college student again. Don't be that guy who pretends that he is musical, "hip," and can dance, when in reality your hands can't hit a beat if that beat was tea-bagging your chin. Finally, don't be that guy to ruin Ozzy by going off the rails on a crazy train.

Narcosleepy Out

Trailer Alert! Cowboys & Aliens are Coming!

2010-11-17T12:25:00.003-06:00

If you know The Mike, you know that Iron Man is kind of his homeboy, which makes him a big fan of actor/director Jon Favreau. Today, we've got the unveiling of the trailer (via Yahoo Movies) for Favreau's next film: Cowboys & Aliens, a graphic novel adaptation starring Daniel Craig, Harrison Ford, and Olivia Wilde as Cowboys (and Cowgals) who of course take on aliens. (The title kind of writes the description for us, doesn't it?)

Check out the teaser below, which hints that Craig is going to continue to be a bad man aside from Bond films, and also suggests that this might very well be the first good Harrison Ford movie since The Fugitive in '93. The film's set to release on July 29th of 2011, which is surprisingly late in the summer for a Sci-Fi epic, but I'm not judging. What say you, our beloved AustenBots?

Welcome to The Biff Tannen Museum!

2010-11-15T17:59:00.000-06:00

Yes, we all love Back to the Future as a trilogy. It goes without saying. But personally, I've always had a very soft spot in my heart for the second film in that series. Yes, it's mostly filler that bridges the gap between the future and the past and the distant past, but as a child in the '80s the film's inventiveness (Hoverboard, anyone?) and vision of a stylized future made my young mind race like a German's does when they see David Hasselhoff. And, if you're like me, you still vividly remember the harrowing footage of the alternate future in which Biff Tannen, using the sports almanac that he brought back in time to himself, has become the richest man in Hill Valley; owning his own tower and the Biff Tannen Museum within.

Now, 21 years after the film was released, someone who knows someone who was family with someone who worked on the movie has brought forth the full footage of the welcome video that was shown outside the Biff Tannen Museum in the film. Never before released on any home version of the film, this three and a half minute clip nicely fills the gaps for anyone who wants to know the full details about Biff Tannen's rise to power. Click below, and gaze in wide wonder!

Introducing the Phrobi!!!

2010-11-09T22:48:00.002-06:00

Watch out Snuggie! The latest in the wearable blanket craze is the Phrobi-"The Ultimate Cozy Blanket Robe That Keeps You Warm From Head To Toe And Has Your Back!”

In case you were wondering where it is exceptable to wear this, the website offers some suggestions.

“Because it's stylish, you can also wear it out to many occasions such as dance parties, sporting events, boating excursions, evening bbqs, music festivals, camping, beaches at night, first dates, bar hopping, walking to class on college campuses, dropping your kids off to school, rooftop gatherings, you name it!”

I'll admit to being a Snuggie owner, but I think this is doing a little too far!!

Uwe Bolls Blubberella Trailer

2010-11-09T22:32:00.000-06:00

You will have to watch this for yourself. I have no words...............................

Wheel of Fortune Puzzle solved with one letter=craziness!!

2010-11-09T21:50:00.002-06:00

The Guide to Getting Through Your Post-Halloween Lull

2010-11-07T15:51:00.000-06:00

If you're like The Mike - and I wish you the best if you are - you probably go into a bit of a funk as November begins. To the horror fan, October is our Super Bowl, and when it ends we often have some trouble figuring out what comes next. In that regard, it's like the ending of The Truman Show (which is an awesome movie). We blink a few times, we stare at each other, and then we shrug as if to say "Hey, do you know what comes next? I don't know what comes next. *pause* Thanksgiving? Bad football and too many people eating too much food then trying to sprawl out in a single room because they're too full? Really?"

Alas, I've got some ideas that could help you through these dark days that bridge the gap between All Hallow's Eve and the Curse of Black Friday. (More on that curse later this month....)

1) Make Your Choice - The first thing to determine when you hit November is whether a) you need a break from the ghoulishness of horror cinema after the constant bombardment that occurred around Halloween, or b) you're still craving more of that ghastly goodness. For the hardcore horror fan, the choice is usually easy, but there's no shame in taking a break and looking at what the rest of the world has to offer. This is especially important for the casual horror fan or the non-horror fan who jumped into the dark side of cinema for the Holiday. If you do need a break, you have several options. First of all - there are other movies out there in other genres, and you can watch those if you like. You may have ignored some good entertainment during October while you were focused in on Horror, and this is your chance to make up for lost time. Also, if you're a fan of genre and cult cinema, it might be a good idea to switch from horror to sci-fi and give that genre some love, since we don't have a cool holiday that brings it to society's eyes...yet.

(The worst option for cinema during this lull? Christmas movies, which are already all over the shelves at your local stores. Seriously - YOU CAN NOT WATCH CHRISTMAS MOVIES AT THE BEGINNING OF NOVEMBER. You just can't, it's wrong - unless it's Die Hard.)

2) You Chose Horror? Now Choose Wisely! - If you're one of those non-horror or casual horror fans, it's entirely possible that the taste you got in October has you craving more. But, the films are gone from your TV stations and the recommendations are gone from your store shelves. One of the greatest mistakes those looking to get into horror make is going forth uninformed, picking up any old horror flick because of a cover image or a cast member. As much as I love horror, I admit entirely that this behavior is a recipe for PAIN. The best horror covers and most interesting casts often are a huge let down. If you don't believe me, check out Liam Neeson in The Haunting or that shiny copy of Darkness Falls, then come back here and apologize.

Thankfully, you're reading this. And, if you're reading this, there's a good chance you can access the internet - which is a great place to find horror recommendations that don't suck! We did our own 31 days of horror here during October, but there are also hundreds upon hundreds of great horror blogs out there that have wicked suggestions for you. There's a ton of them listed in our list of links on the right side of the page, and I strongly recommend the 31 Days of Favorites posted over at Fascination With Fear to anyone who wants to get deeper into the good side of horror.

3) Find Other Options - Maybe you want to do something besides watching movies? That's an option, I guess. The weather's starting to turn bitter in my neck of the woods, but there are still some good days to be had if you're an outdoorsy type. College Football Season is entering its stretch run (before slowly crawling to the finish line with 1,945 Bowl games), so have some fun there like us Cyclone fans are! You might have other interior hobbies too. I enjoy video games, so I've spent a bit of the first week of November catching up with my XBox 360. Whatever it is you like that isn't movies, you could focus on it for a while.

4) Walk With the Dead - Switching the focus back to those who still crave horror, I hear you might enjoy checking out AMC's new series which adapts the graphic novel sensation The Walking Dead. I don't watch the television unless football's on or there's a DVD in my player, so I can't comment first hand on the alleged zombie epic, but if you want horror in small doses a six-episode season of a one hour series could fill your needs. And it's from the guy who made The Shawshank Redemption, which you love. I hear it's on Sunday nights, and you might enjoy checking it out.

5) DON'T PANIC - No matter which choice you made, you need to stay cool. Though we were all united in October, when November starts you will find that many others are on the other side of the horror fence now. Don't force it if they don't want it, and don't cause a fuss when other suggest it if you don't want it. This is a difficult time for everyone, we have to stand together or we will die alone.

Keep the faith! Remember, it's less than 360 days until next Halloween. Eyes on the prize, boys and ghouls!

The Beaver-Movie Teaser Poster

2010-11-04T20:27:00.000-05:00

This is the just released movie teaser poster for Mel Gibson's upcoming movie The Beaver . Co-starring and directed by Jodie Foster, the film is yet to have a release date.........

Quote of the Day

2010-11-04T20:05:00.000-05:00

I won't be a rock star. I will be a legend.
Freddie Mercury

Music of the Day-Queen-Somebody to Love

2010-11-04T20:00:00.000-05:00

Twisted Metal!

2010-11-04T18:15:00.000-05:00

Half-Life :)

2010-11-04T18:05:00.003-05:00

Movie Review-Babies

2010-11-03T21:49:00.000-05:00

If you like babies or even learning about other cultures, this is a fascinating documentary. By Thomas Balmes, it follows the early development of four babies from different parts of the world. It starts with the birth of four babies from Namibia, Mongolia, Japan, and the United States and follows the babies until a little over the age of one. It is a great illustration of how different cultures are, yet how similar and precious human life is. Without narration and very little dialogue the film really capturea the preciousness of these four babies with simply filming their actions, interactions with others, and expressions. It is a wonderful film and I highly recommend it!

For the Cyclone Fans!

2010-11-03T12:36:00.002-05:00

A Texas fan, a Nebraska fan, and an Iowa State fan were out riding horses one day. At one point, the Texas fan pulled out a bottle of expensive bourbon, took a long swig, threw the bottle to the ground, pulled out a pistol and shot it.

"What are you doing?" asked the Nebraska fan. "That was perfectly good whiskey.""In Texas, we have more whiskey than we need," said the Longhorn fan, "And bottles are cheap."

They rode along for a while, and the Nebraska fan was thinking. Then he pulled out a bottle of champagne, opened it, took a swig, threw down the bottle, pulled out his pistol and shot the bottle."What are you doing?" asked the Iowa State fan. "That was perfectly good champagne.""In Nebraska," said the Husker fan, "We have more champagne than we need, and the bottles are cheap."

They rode along for a while, and then the Cyclone fan pulled out a bottle of beer, drank the whole thing, put the bottle back in his saddlebag, pulled out his pistol and shot the Nebraska fan."What are you doing?" asked the Texas fan.

"In Iowa, " replied the Cyclone fan, "we have more Husker fans than we need, but bottles are worth a nickel a piece."

October Horror Movie of the Day #31 - Halloween

2010-10-31T14:47:00.000-05:00

The Film: Halloween
The Director: John Carpenter
The Cast: Donald Pleasence, Jamie Lee Curtis, P.J. Soles
Release Date: October 25, 1978

It's Halloween, yo.

So that's all I've got for the October Horror Movie of the Day list. Sorry for the delays at times, life has a way of being annoying. Hope you've enjoyed the recommendations and blurbs. Stay scary, boys and ghouls!

October Horror Movie of the Day #30 - Arsenic and Old Lace

2010-10-30T14:33:00.000-05:00

The Film: Arsenic and Old Lace
The Director: Frank Capra
The Cast: Cary Grant, Priscilla Lane, Raymond Massey
Release Date: September 23, 1944

OK, this isn't a horror movie. You got me. But it's set on Halloween, and it's one of my favorite movies ever. It talks about Karloff a lot and features murders, mad doctors, plague victims, and dead bodies in window seats. And it's hilarious. So you should watch it, even if it's not a horror movie.

I mean, if Teddy can't make you laugh, check your pulse.

Fun size this: Up yours Reese's

2010-10-29T23:38:00.002-05:00

Life, my friends, is a journey for us not to understand. It is a series of random events, and we make it through each day not knowing what tomorrow will bring. However, on this planet, there is a certainty that is pissing me off. Every year, Reese's Peanut butter cups get smaller and smaller. I used to be able to count on a cup that will quench my chocolate craving. Now, my sacred cup has shrunk to the size of a testicle. They say the only certainty in life is death and taxes. Well, like an old man's boner with Erectile Dysfunction, Reese's Peanut butter cups are shrinking to a flaccid poof. Like Sodom and Gomorrah, I'm going to rain fire up in this motha.

Halloween is a time of joyous decadence and a menagerie of masquerades. However, F*$K YOU REESE'S PEANUT BUTTER CUPS. You place this term on your cups: "Fun Size." There is nothing fun about your size. It is a piss me off size. You take a bite, and half of it is gone. You take another bite...and you are left feeling empty, lonely, and depressed. You lick the black paper thing the cup comes in to try to get more, but this lickage is met with failure. Like a heroin addict boiling old spoons, I scrape and lick in anguish for more of your chocolate peanut buttery high. I once loved you Reese's Peanut Butter Cup, but your CD (Cuptile Dysfunction) has me searching for new candies. We had a good run.

I bid you farewell Douche Cups.

Narcosleepy

October Horror Movie of the Day #29 - Psycho

2010-10-29T14:16:00.000-05:00

The Film: Psycho
The Director: Alfred Hitchcock
The Cast: Anthony Perkins, Vera Miles, Janet Leigh
Release Date: August 25, 1960

There are few movies that stand alone like Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho does. Though it's seen as the grandfather of the slasher genre, you'd never mistake it for Friday the 13th or Happy Birthday to Me. You could also say it belongs with serial killer films like The Silence of the Lambs or The Hitcher, but that doesn't quite fit either.

But it doesn't matter what else is out there, because Psycho offers a completely unique experience in horror. A lot of that is due to Anthony Perkins' performance as Norman Bates, which is as good as any performance in any movie. But the film's plot, featuring that famous mid-film shift in perception, and the masterful eye of Alfred Hitchcock, also stand out. This shouldn't be news to anyone who's ever read anything about Psycho, and there's not much new to say about the film 50 years later.

Except that you'll never seen anything like it.

Chaplin's Time Traveler!!!! Must Watch!!! Crazy!!

2010-10-28T18:16:00.001-05:00

October Horror Movie of the Day #28 - Gremlins

2010-10-28T00:18:00.000-05:00

The Film: Gremlins
The Director: Joe Dante
The Cast: Zach Galligan, Phoebe Cates, Judge Reinhold, Dick Miller
Release Date: June 8, 1984

People don't like to admit it, but Gremlins is 100% a horror movie. Seriously, it's about crazy little monsters that terrorize a town. Yes, I know Steven Spielberg's name is on it and you loved it as a kid. And yes, Gizmo is THE cutest thing to ever be put on film that wasn't named Elisabeth Shue. But that's not the point. It's a horror movie.

And maybe it's a little bit more of a Christmas horror movie than an October horror movie, but that's OK. You can start thinking ahead this time of year, because in a few weeks your Grandma's going to want a Christmas list anyway. And if you're not into Christmas, just watch the scene in which Phoebe Cates gives a darkly hilarious monologue about her worst Christmas. And laugh at the scene where the Gremlin uses a puppet and goes "beepu beepu beppo" and stuff. It's hilarious.

But it's still a horror movie.

October Horror Movie of the Day #27 - Suspiria

2010-10-27T23:19:00.000-05:00

The Film: Suspiria
The Director: Dario Argento
The Cast: Jessica Harper, Udo Kier, Joan Bennett
Release Date: August 12, 1977

Recently, a blog I loved asked horror fans to give a list of their 20 favorite horror movies, thankfully in no particular order. When I compiled my list, using many tactical measures, I could not, for the life of me, get under 21 movies. Obviously, 21 > 20, so I had to cut something from the list and, in the heat of the moment when I started thinking that tons of people would pick it and I wanted to get one of my less known favorites on the list, I cut Suspiria from the list. I'm not proud of it, but it happened.

The thing is, it's easy to underestimate Dario Argento's masterpiece, which is one of the most beautiful nightmares ever filmed, because the plot is just so darn odd. But that's not the point. On a visceral level, I can think of only a select few horror films that are as gripping as Suspiria. Definitely not 20. I shame me.

My point, I guess, is that you should see Suspiria. It's awesome. (And, if you want to see what that list of 20 looked like, you should check out my friendly blog on Halloween!)

Lebron James asks "What Should I Do?", and promptly drops The Corporate Elbow on Sports Fans

2010-10-26T23:10:00.000-05:00

Growing up, I was a big fan of what is known as professional wrestling and what was known as the WWF. OK, so maybe I still check it out on occasion when I'm flipping channels on a Monday night. Don't judge me, because that's not the point.

The point is Lebron James' latest Nike ad, in which he asks all of us what he should do with his life. Maybe he doesn't have the charisma of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson (then again, who the heck does?), but Lebron has just cut himself one darn good heel promo. I almost want to like where the guy's coming from, because it seems he put some heart into this one, even if he is blaming everyone else for where his image is at.

Of course, just like professional wrestling, there are always writers, and Nike stands to gain just as much (if not more) from this spiel as Lebron does. But with the NBA season underway again, it's at least a nice attention grabber to check out. And you can do so here:

RIP: Paul the Psychic Octopus

2010-10-26T22:55:00.003-05:00

Editorial Note from The Mike:
This is exactly what's wrong with society. We had a goddamn psychic octopus, and all we used him for was stupid SOCCER.

Shame on you, humanity. SHAME.

With Love,
TM

October Horror Movie of the Day #26 - Creepshow

2010-10-26T21:51:00.000-05:00

The Film: Creepshow

The Director: George A. Romero

The Cast: Hal Holbrook, Adrienne Barbeau, Leslie Nielsen

Release Date: November 12, 1982

Perhaps the greatest horror anthology ever made, the combination of Stephen King and George Romero has a ton of fun with this one. The stories told vary from a jealous tale of adultery featuring Ted Danson and Leslie Nielsen to a case of alien plant life attacking a farmer to a dangerous crate and a professor who is sick of his demanding wife. Oh, and there's plenty of cake, too.

For me, the film peaks with the fourth segment, The Crate, in which Hal Holbrook and Fritz Weaver deal with a giant monster. It's hairy and got teeth and claws, and is played by Adrienne Barbeau. (Oh, also there's a beast in a crate, too.) Also, King's turn as plant loving Jordy Verrill is a lot of laughs, and Ed Harris' dance moves should make you a little too excited. I say it's one of the best "comic book" movies ever, and you should see it!

In Book News.....Here's the Situation

2010-10-26T21:38:00.001-05:00

Next week you will all be thrilled to know that Jersey Shores Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino is releasing his first book titled Here's the Situation. Here are a few excerpts from this literary masterpiece:

"The best sex is often with a grenade — because she's so grateful."

"Chicks do dig guys with shaved legs . . . maybe they're into the Michael Phelps look."

"Before any chick gets into my bed I make her slide into a 200-degree Jacuzzi to sterilize any microbial bacteria that might endanger my health."

If this advice is not enough, Mike also graciously provides a prayer he says:

"God grant me the stamina to satisfy hot chicks, the courage to deny grenades, and the wisdom to know the difference."

I know I can't wait to run to the store to get my copy of the book (not!). This book is just another example of how sad the world is becoming!

Music of the Day-Willow Smith

2010-10-25T21:33:00.000-05:00

Here is the video of 9 year old Willow Smith (daughter of Will Smith) singing her song Whip My Hair that has apparently taken the world by storm (and I am not sure why)!

October Horror Movie of the Day #25 - Frozen

2010-10-25T21:25:00.005-05:00

The Film: Frozen

The Director: Adam Green

The Cast: Kevin Zegers, Shawn Ashmore, Emma Bell

Release Date: March 25, 2010

I went in to this movie thinking it was going to be a snowy on land version of Open Water, a movie I was not so much a fan of. I was pleasantly surprised about how much I actually enjoyed this film and how much it made me think. It was refreshing to have a horror film with no bad guy(s). It was simply an intense story of man vs. nature.

The film takes place at Mount Holliston, where three young skiers (played by Emma Bell, Shawn Ashmore, and Kevin Zegers) don’t have enough money for ski lift tickets, so they bribe the attendant for reduced price tickets. At the end of night they beg this same attendant for one last run down the mountain. As they are going up the ski-lift the attendant has to step away. With the replacement not knowing the skiers are on the lift, he shuts it down. Not only was it shut down for the night, but would not be open until the following weekend. With blizzard like conditions, freezing temps, no food or water, and hungry wolves below, the skiers find themselves having to make life or death decisions. Do they freeze to death or try to get down from the ski lift?

It made me really think of what I would do if I was stuck in a ski lift. Would I jump or stay put? Being a situation that could potentially happen to someone in real-life really put the scare in me (minus the wolves…that was a little unrealistic)! This is a movie I would say is definitely worth a view!

October Horror Movie of the Day #24 - Pumpkinhead

2010-10-24T23:52:00.000-05:00

The Film: Pumpkinhead
The Director: Stan Winston
The Cast: Lance Henriksen (!)
Release Date: January 13, 1989

I'm still not sure I really like Pumpkinhead as a movie. I've grown to appreciate it over the years, but the execution seems a little sloppy at times. I mostly attribute this to the fact that Stan Winston - the most skilled effects man to ever walk the face of the Earth - was directing for the first time, and the fact that the script doesn't give the film much help.

What I am absolutely sure of is that I am madly in love with the monster that Winston created here. Pumpkinhead, the demon, has always given me chills. The man created the Alien, the Terminator, Jurassic Park's gorram dinosaurs, and almost every great effect you saw in the '80s and '90s. But I have no problem calling the Pumpkinhead monster one of his greatest creations. Despite the cast (except for the amazing Lance Henriksen, of course) and script, the creature and some great lighting make this an occasionally terrifying tale of demonic revenge.

Book Review - Dr. Dale's Zombie Dictionary: The A-Z Guide to Staying Alive

2010-10-24T21:42:00.002-05:00

(2010, Written by Dr. Dale Seslick)

I'm a little tired of waiting for the zombie apocalypse. It's been more than 40 years since George Romero promised it, and all we've gotten out of it are some incredible films and books surrounded by a lot of really crummy knock-offs. In the last decade, particularly, zombies have been all over cinema screens. For every Shaun of the Dead or Dawn of the Dead remake, there seem to be 7 awful indie zombie flicks out there too. They're even invading our TV sets, thanks to the upcoming The Walking Dead series on AMC.

I must admit that, under these circumstances, I'm also awfully tired of hearing about the "inevitable" zombie apocalypse. I can't take zombies seriously right now, because there are too many of them out there, and some of them can now randomly run or jump or spit or teleport. (That last one's on you, Lucio!)

So when the fellow behind this book - Dr. Dale's Zombie Dictionary - got in touch with me about a review, my instant mental reaction was to wonder if we really need more zombies. I mean, if you've seen a handful of the myriad of z-films (or read any zombie literature), you probably have a pretty good understanding of them by now. What more is there to offer? Can a Zombie Dictionary released in 2010 really sustain itself and not become a one-note joke you've already heard?

I'm happy to say that yes, it can. Because Dr. Dale's Zombie Dictionary is a very, very fun read.

It seems to me that Dr. Dale - if that is his real name - has a pretty good understanding of how saturated the zombie market is right now. He arms himself with this knowledge, and parlays it into an understanding that most people that would be interested in this type of book already know the basics. With this in mind, he focuses on things you might not have considered about the zombie apocalypse, and keeps things light.

For example, I've certainly never considered how the Utilitarian Furniture Mart known as IKEA might play in to the zombie apocalypse. Dr. Dale has. I've never given much consideration to how pixies or "Spiderman Zombies" might or might not come into play, but he has. Dr. Dale covers a lot of things that I have occasionally considered, but gave me new info on them, too. For example, whether or not I'd wear a helmet whilst fighting zombies has crossed my mind, but Dr. Dale's reasoning about helmets took my breath away.

I was mostly laughing while losing that breath, but that's the charm of the book. It makes sense along with zombie lore (making sure to reiterate the fact that running zombies don't exist), but has a lot of fun with how to deal with the undead. In a time when George Romero is up to SIX Dead flicks, we need to maintain a bit of comedy about the topic to keep it fresh. He also peppers in some hilarious analogies using pop culture. Some of it is very British humor, and I may have been a little to yankee to get all the gags entirely, particularly when he talks about London's road planning. It's also worth noting that the book is very up to date, referencing last fall's Zombieland and plenty of recent pop culture names.

Dr. Dale's trying pretty hard to give us a lot of entertaining information here, and some of the topics in the 300+ page text do fall flat. But the book still provides a lot of laughs, and there are plenty of truly interesting ideas inside the book too, including how Freud's idea of the Id might come into play. Maybe it won't invade your psyche too deeply but, if nothing else, the book will come in handy to lighten the mood while you're dealing with zombies. If you're reading this blog, you probably have a decent understanding of what you need to do when there's no more room in Hell. But Dr. Dale has most certainly considered some things you haven't and his method of sharing them works well. I highly recommend it.

If you want more info about the book, check out the official website here. And, if you like, you can pick up your own copy at Amazon.

Iowa State vs Texas: And this is why I am a Cyclone Fan!!

2010-10-24T10:24:00.000-05:00

October Horror Movie of the Day #23 - The Texas Chain Saw Massacre

2010-10-23T23:30:00.012-05:00

The Film: The Texas Chain Saw Massacre
The Director: Tobe Hooper
The Cast: Marilyn Burns, Jim Siedow, Gunnar Hansen
Release Date: October 1, 1974

Look, there are about a billion reasons I could pick The Texas Chain Saw Massacre here. I've already covered most of them over at my blog.

But really, I picked this movie for today because a massacre is exactly what happened when Iowa State's football team took out Texas today. BOO-YAH!

October Horror Movie of the Day #22 - The Pit

2010-10-22T23:15:00.000-05:00

The Film: The Pit

The Director: Lew Lehman

The Cast: Sammy Snyders, Jeannie Elias, Sonja Smits

Release Date: October 23, 1981

This has to be the most fun '80s horror film I've found in a long time. One look at that poster should sum up everything that's awesome about it but, in case you can't tell (or in case you're blind, in which case I hope you're reading this in braille) allow me to point out that the poster promises a) a pit; b) an evil teddy bear; c) a potentially evil awkward blonde kid; d) underground creatures of some sort; e) ALL OF THE ABOVE!

Really though, I enjoyed the heck out of this film. Young Sammy Snyders is fantastically odd and creepy in the lead, and his relationships with the underground "tra-logs" and his college age babysitter with the cute '80s hair and eyes are well worth following. Plus it's all filmed in lovely Beaver Dam, Wisconsin - which I have no ties to other than being a Packers fan - which makes the setting seem adequately midwestern. The Pit is truly a film I'm glad I uncovered, and I can't wait to see it again.

Oh, and THIS HAPPENS. I know, it's a giant freaking spoiler, but if THIS can't get your blood boiling, check your pulse!

October Horror Movie of the Day #21 - The Silent Scream

2010-10-21T23:00:00.000-05:00

The Film: The Silent Scream

The Director: Denny Harris

The Cast: Rebecca Balding, Cameron Mitchell, Barbara Steele

Release Date: July 31, 1987.

A surprisingly minimalist horror film that borders on slasher territory, focusing on some young people who rent rooms in a big house with some weird inhabitants. Most notably, horror icon Barbara Steele is the angry lady in the attic.

I'm admittedly a bigger fan of making fun of early '80s slashers than I am of the films themselves, but Silent Scream really struck a chord with me. Survivor girl Rebecca Balding does a fine job in a poorly written role, and the family that owns the house are perfectly played. I couldn't help noticing that the male lead looked a lot like Michael Bay, but that's OK. A hidden gem that I'm glad I found.

October Horror Movie of the Day #20 - The Sentinel

2010-10-20T10:50:00.000-05:00

The Film: The Sentinel

The Director: Michael Winner

The Cast: Cristina Raines, Chris Sarandon, Burgess Meredith

Release Date: May 12, 1977.

Did you ever see that movie The Sentinel? That's the question asked by Corey Feldman in Joe Dante's 1989 classic The 'burbs, and it's the question that made me seek out this fine piece of '70s religion-horror. I was far too young to see this when I did - I had no understanding of what Beverly D'Angelo was doing to her leotard (HINT- it rhymes with smashetershmation) - but some of the chills that come from it have always stuck with me.

In short, the movie focuses on a young NYC model (Cristina Raines) who takes an apartment in a building with a lot of odd old folks, and strange stuff starts happening. The supporting cast is a who's who of cool names (Burgess Meredith, Martin Balsam, John Carradine, Jose Ferrer, Arthur Kennedy, Ava Gardner, Eli Wallach, Christopher Walken, Tom Berenger, Jerry Orbach, Jeff Goldblum, and an uncredited Richard Dreyfuss), and Fright Night and The Princess Bride star Chris Sarandon adds a fun performance. If you're looking for a totally creepy, unsettling religious horror (besides the Unholy Trilogy of Rosemary/Exorcist/Omen), The Sentinel should give you some goosebumps.

October Horror Movie of the Month #19 - Fright Night

2010-10-19T09:49:00.000-05:00

The Film: Fright Night

The Director: Tom Holland

The Cast: William Ragsdale, Roddy McDowell, Chris Sarandon.

Release Date: August 2, 1985.

Last time out I mentioned that The Lost Boys - despite its oily, saxophony, goodness - was not my favorite vampire film of the '80s. That title must belong to the ridiculously awesome flick that is Fright Night.

Fright Night is the story of young Charley Brewster, a teen who enjoys trying to snog the future Marcy Darcy, hanging out with a dude named Evil Ed, and watching former horror star Peter Vincent host horror flicks on a TV show called Fright Night. Charley also has some voyeuristic tendencies, and as he spies his new neighbor with a beautiful young woman one night...he begins to think said neighbor is a vampire.

The key to Fright Night - which plays a little like the teenage horror version of Rear Window - is Roddy McDowell as Vincent. He hams it up beautifully as the Peter Cushing-esque hero who doesn't really believe what's going on in the real world. Like Targets, which I mentioned earlier this month, this is a film that looks at the differences between the Gothic horror world we used to know and the changes in society during the latter part of the 20th Century. It's a fun horror flick with a lot of comedy, and I recommend it to anyone.

October Horror Movie of the Month #18 - The Lost Boys

2010-10-18T22:11:00.001-05:00

The Film: The Lost Boys

The Director: Joel Schumacher

The Cast: Jason Patric, Corey Haim, Corey Feldman, Keifer Sutherland

Release Date: July 31, 1987.

Do I really need to explain myself? It's The Lost Boys, for cryin' out loud!

I suppose if I were to explain myself, I'd say that it's the '80s' most bombastic horror film, fitting the decade's persona perfectly. (However, it's not the decade's best vampire flick...more on that at a later date.) It's got the Coreys, it's got a young Jack Bauer, and the underrated Barnard Hughes delivering one of the best final lines in horror history. It's got some iconic imagery, and I'm not just talking about the sweaty saxophone player. I still believe too, man.

Quote of the Day

2010-10-17T20:13:00.001-05:00

"I definitely want Brooklyn to be christened, but I don't know into what religion yet."
-David Beckham-

Scream 4 Trailer

2010-10-17T20:06:00.001-05:00

The Scream 4 Trailer was just shown at at the Scream Awards 2010. I am a fan of the first three scream films but am a little skeptical about this one. The trailer is not all that exciting either. What do you think?!?

Korean boy singing Mariah's "Hero"

2010-10-17T20:02:00.002-05:00

October Horror Movie of the Day #17 - Scream 2

2010-10-17T15:35:00.001-05:00

The Film: Scream 2

The Director: Wes Craven

The Cast: Neve Campbell, Liev Schreiber, David Arquette, Courtney Cox

Release Date: December 12, 1997.

Wes Craven's Scream is undoubtedly one of the most influential horror films for my generation, but I've always had a real soft spot for the first sequel to that film. What could have been called "Scream: The College Year" lacks some of the novelty of its predecessor, but some interesting character moves make up for that in my mind.

Most notable is my hero, Liev Schreiber. Despite what you know, the dude is totally the best actor ever who's not named Kurt Russell. As the opportunistic Cotton Weary, Schreiber is awesomely snarky and all kinds of awesome. Add in the also-mega-awesome Timothy Olyphant, the always cheesy Jerry O'Connell, and the cuteness of late 90s Sarah Michelle Gellar, and you've got a movie that wins The Mike's heart. Is it better than the first? Nope. But it's AWESOMER!

(Apologies to the gorgeous Rose McGowan, who did her best to keep the original in contention.)

October Horror Movie of the Day #16 - Dawn of the Dead

2010-10-17T13:14:00.001-05:00

The Film: Dawn of the Dead
The Director: George A. Romero
The Cast: David Emge, Ken Foree, Scott H. Reiniger, Gaylen Ross
Release Date: September 2, 1978

Few horror films are as large in scale as George Romero's sequel. Though it's relatively minimal in setting - after a brief set-up the whole movie takes place in the now famous Monroeville Mall - Dawn of the Dead seems to have as wide a view of the human condition as any horror film. Like Romero's other zombie films, the human reactions to a zombie outbreak is the primary focus. The zombies are just the force that sets their story in motion.

While Romero has come back the zombie game a whopping six times now (and while I still slightly prefer the simple nightmare that is Night of the Living Dead), he's never had as much control over his film as he does in Dawn. The result is an intelligent and moving film that survives a few too many montages of the characters' new lives in the mall (at over 130 minutes, it's one of the few horror epics). Don't let me fool you - there's a ton of gore, especially in the final act - but that's not why I love Dawn. This is social commentary in horror at its finest.

October Horror Movie of the Day #15 - The Commune

2010-10-15T14:27:00.001-05:00

The Film: The Commune
The Director: Elisabeth Fies
The Cast: Chauntal Lewis, David Lago, Stuart G. Bennett
Release Date: June 5, 2009

As I've gotten to know some folks in the horror scene via this goofy thing called the world wide web, one of the coolest people I've come across is filmmaker Elisabeth Fies. Using her quick wit and vast knowledge of cinema, Ms. Fies has become a vocal advocate for women filmmakers everywhere - who is also pretty darn good at making movies. Her debut feature, The Commune, is a shocking and realistic tale of feminine fear that packs a helluva punch.

Starring Chauntal Lewis - who gives a remarkable performance - as a young girl who is sent to live with her father at what could only be described as a hippie community. While there, she runs afoul of some psychotropic drugs, meets a young punk rock fellow, and begins to believe that there's something very odd going on around her. Borrowing heavily from films like The Wicker Man, there's a sense of dread that increases throughout the film as the viewer begins to understand there's something not right. The Commune is an independent debut feature that's a little raw, but it'll probably make your skin crawl nonetheless.

October Horror Movie of the Day #14 - Hellraiser

2010-10-14T13:56:00.000-05:00

The Film: Hellraiser
The Director: Clive Barker
The Cast: Andrew Robinson, Clare Higgins, Ashley Laurence
Release Date: September 18. 1987

After many viewings over many years, Hellraiser remains one of the most unsettling films I've ever seen. Though it's not as polished as most horror films with great reputations, Clive Barker's tale set a high bar for future torture films. The film follows a family who moves into the home where the husband's brother opened a gateway to hell, releasing a team of demons known as Cenobites into their home.

I've never found Hellraiser to be an entirely successful film, but once the Cenobites show up - led by Doug Bradley's Pinhead and his proclamation that they "will tear your soul apart" - the film becomes a total nightmare. The creature effects overcome some silly visual effects, and survivor girl Ashley Laurence (and her incomprehensible hair) does a fine job of carrying the film and helping the viewer relate. And, after more than 10 years since I first saw it, there are still moments of gore here that make me cover my eyes. That's a winner!

Quote of the Day

2010-10-13T22:08:00.000-05:00

"A zebra does not change its spots."
- Al Gore 1991 (and again in 1992)

October Horror Movie of the Day #13 - Triangle

2010-10-13T13:40:00.000-05:00

The Film: Triangle
The Director: Christopher Smith
The Cast: Melissa George, Rachael Carpani, Liam Hemsworth
Release Date: October 16, 2009

One of the most surprisingly daunting horror films of the past year, Christopher Smith's Triangle is a film that intimidates me greatly. I've considered writing about it numerous times, but never have I been able to wrap my head around the film's complex structure. This is most certainly the type of horror film that you'll be confused about while it's going on, and one that will probably leave you talking about it long after the credits roll.

Following a single mother (30 Days of Night and The Amityville Horror's Melissa George) who embarks on a doomed boat trip with some friends, the film pairs an ax toting killer with the intrigue of the Bermuda Triangle; setting up a web of suspense and fear that provides palpable tension. George gives an incredibly strong performance in the lead, and helps carry the twisting film. The final reveals are handled perfectly, and cement Triangle as one of the most fascinating psychological horror films I've seen.

Bruce Willis and Zach Galifianakis go Between Two Ferns

2010-10-13T12:57:00.000-05:00

If you know The Mike, you know he loves some Bruce Willis. So much so that he's stoked out of his mind for this weekend's Red, even though it's surprisingly rated PG-13. (I mean, if they're supposed to be old people, they should probably swear a lot. That's what old people do.) Regardless, Bruce Willis rules.

And now, he's gone on one of the web's favorite talk shows, Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis, as originally shown on Funny Or Die. And now, you can watch it here.

Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis: Bruce Willis from Bruce Willis

As I said, you can check out Willis this weekend in Red, and Galifianakis will be back on the big screen opposite Robert Downey, Jr. in Due Date on November 6th. In the meantime, I'd still like to know if Bruce did worry that The Whole Ten Yards would be too good.

October Horror Movie of the Day #12 - The Exorcist

2010-10-12T21:25:00.000-05:00

The Film: The Exorcist
The Director: William Friedkin
The Cast: Ellen Burstyn, Linda Blair, Jason Miller
Release Date: December 26, 1973.

I don't know how much time I've spent pondering The Exorcist. If I had I put that amount of time toward anything practical, I'd be pretty amazing at whatever that practical thing is.

Others often find it funny when I say it, but I honestly find The Exorcist to be one of the most enjoyable films ever made. In the moment, it's a harrowing experience that features a lot of scares, some of the creepiest imagery put on film, and a whole dollop of of intensity that's sure to keep the viewer on edge. But the experience is not just about finding fear, it's about finding faith. It's an exploration of the forces that might exist in the world, the forces that don't care if we believe in them or if we don't. The actors, particularly Jason Miller as the jaded Father Karras, seem to know this and sell it well. Director William Friedkin has said that the film is "a positive statement about God, the human condition, and the relationship between the two".

I've wasted a lot of words on this movie over the years, and I've never said it better than that. If you haven't seen The Exorcist yet, do so. It's worth every lofty bit of praise that's ever been lobbed in its direction.

28 Months Later!?!?!?

2010-10-12T20:53:00.004-05:00

Danny Boyle is set to return to direct the sequel to 28 Weeks Later. Rumor has it the title may be 28 Months Later. No other details are available at this time. Are you excited for the film!?!?

Quote of the Day

2010-10-12T20:28:00.000-05:00

“I just want one day off when I can go swimming and eat ice cream and look at rainbows.”
-Mariah Carey before entering rehab

October Horror Movie of the Day #11 - The Slumber Party Massacre

2010-10-11T20:47:00.000-05:00

The Film: The Slumber Party Massacre
The Director: Amy Holden Jones
The Cast: Michele Michaels, Robin Stille, Michael Villella
Release Date: November 12, 1982

You have to squint really hard to see it - or at the very least set your brain to "receive" and let it wash over you - but The Slumber Party Massacre is more than it seems to be. What some viewers miss about this slasher flick, which offers up a lot of the boobs and blood you'd expect, is that it was designed to be a statement against the average male dominated slasher flick of the '80s.

In fact, Slumber Party Massacre happens to be one of the few films of its type to be directed and written entirely by women. Director Amy Jones and writer Rita Mae Brown take steps to show the drill that is used by the male killer as a phallic symbol, and the girls are painted into the type of extreme stereotypes that these movies made famous. The idea, I guess, is to point out the idiocy of these films by going too far over the top. The flick isn't entirely successful at pulling off its feminist goals - at the end of the day, it can easily be mistaken for just another stupid slasher flick - but it's an interesting piece of horror nostalgia that has a few tricks up its sleeves.

(Ummmm....I can't really show you the trailer for this flick without moving this blog into the R-rated district. It's on YouTube, if you want to see what you're in for....)

Napoleon Dynamite to be Animated

2010-10-11T19:50:00.000-05:00

In tv news, Fox recently picked up the a new animated series for next year-Napoleon Dynamite! John Heder will be returning to voice Napoleon, Efran Ramirez as Pedro, and John Gries as Uncle Rico. Six episodes have been ordered! I really enjoyed the movie but not sure how I feel about it being an animated series. It could be interesting!

Quote of the Day

2010-10-11T19:37:00.000-05:00

"Researchers have discovered that chocolate produces some of the same reactions in the brain as marijuana. The researches also discovered other similarities between the two, but can't remember what they are."
- Matt Lauer, Today Show, NBC

Cebu Pacific Fas Dancing

2010-10-11T19:22:00.002-05:00