Black Swan--Go see it!

Hiya folks- sorry for the serious lack of posting.  Christmas time is a particularly hellish time of year for me (and those in my profession) and I am just counting the days until the whole thing is over.  I have a serious lack of Christmas spirit (despite watching Love Actually yesterday).  Will a viewing of Bad Santa help?  I hope so.  I did manage to make it out to watch Black Swan which is as amazing and horrifying as you may have heard.  Everyone and their brother has written a review.  Please check out this one that I particularly liked by Jeffrey J. Timbrell over at "Fatally Yours."  http://www.fatally-yours.com/horror-reviews/black-swan-2010/
Four more days.  Four more days.

Golden Globe noms

The Golden Globe nominations came out this morning.  Although I am super excited that films such as Black Swan (review coming soon) and shows such as The Walking Dead were nominated, for the most part I am OVER the Golden Globes.  Burlesque?  The Tourist?  Jennifer Love Hewitt?  Come on-- The Hollywood Foreign Press Association had either sold out or lost its damn mind.  Probably both.  Oh well, at least everyone will be drunk.
http://www.goldenglobes.org/nominations/

Dexter's Christmas carol

Frozen (Spoilers)

Spoilers ahead

 I had high hopes for Frozen.  Not only because it was Adam Green's follow up to Hatchet (a film that didn't live up to the hype but was quite fun) but also because the scenario (I am using a thesaurus!) seemed quite original.  Here's the lowdown: three friends are at a ski resort for the weekend.  Dan and Joe have been friends since grammar school.  Along for the ride is Dan's newish girlfriend, Parker.  She seems like a nice enough girl, a good sport, but Joe resents the fact that Dan has dragged her along on the boys weekend.  Don't start thinking "repressed homosexual feelings" like I did.  This movie isn't really that deep.  Parker is just kind of a buzz kill. 

The trio bribe the lift operator to let them ride all day.  This becomes important to the story because the gang are not accounted for by the ski resort.  When they convince the operator to let them go up one last time for a night run, he agrees, and then gets distracted, asking another operator to take over for him.  This becomes important to the story because a miscommunication between the operators leaves Dan, Joe, and Parker stranded mid-air with the ski resort closed for the week.  They are screwed.  After a few hours they realize no one is coming for them and that they won't survive a week in the lift.  Dan decides to jump.  Dan, not being to smart, jumps feet first and breaks (in half) both of his legs.  This becomes important to the story because Dan cannot move, cannot get help, and is going to die from blood loss.  It is now up to Parker and Joe to figure out what to do.  While they are bickering they hear a howl from the woods.  A wolf had shown up and is eying Dan.  This becomes important to the story because eventually wolves are going to eat Dan and Joe.

And this is where the movie lost me.  I had an idea of what might happen.  I was looking forward to a man against the elements survival/horror hybrid.  Would I have thought that two of the three people stuck in the chair lift would get eaten by wolves?  No.  Would I have thought that Parker would end up getting away so easily? No.  Usually I like when a film throws a curve ball at me, but not in this case.  The movie in my head turned out to be better than the movie on the screen.  Great set-up, some decent acting, and beautiful cinematography: that is what is good about Frozen.  Man eating wolves?  I can't believe I am saying this but it just didn't do it for me.  Bears would have been awesome.

The Fifth most terrifying show on Television

Really, how much Valium do you think that Mother is on? Truly horrifying.

The Walking Dead: Season One

 The Walking Dead final aired on AMC last night.  The season was six episodes long- way to short!  AMC is such a tease.  I believe we will have to wait until October for season two. 

The Walking Dead was quite simply amazing- all I could have hoped for and more.  I am not super familiar with the comics: I have only read a few of them, but I know enough about the general storyline to have me very excited about season two.  I understand that the show is not following the comics exactly: certain characters who should be dead are not, but as long as they make it to the prison and the Governor shows up I will be happy.

The show was a perfect mix of gore, horror, and good old fashioned storytelling.  It was the characters and their relationships that had me turning in week after week.  I can't wait to see what happens to them as their situation goes from bad to worse.  Thanks to AMC, Frank Darabont, Gale Ann Hurd, Greg Nicotero, Robert Kirkman, and everyone involved bringing this awesome show to life. 

Now- the top five reasons I still love TV:

1. The Walking Dead
2. Dexter
3. Glee
4. True Blood
5. Toddlers & Tiaras

Yes, Glee ranks above True Blood just because it is slightly less ridiculous.  True Blood is only a little more horrifying than Toddlers & Tiaras.

Christmastime

Sorry for the complete lack of posting lately.  I have exactly two days off before we celebrate the original hippies birthday.  I promise I will find time to bring you insightful, profanity laden reviews of films such as Frozen, Poltergeist, and that new holiday favorite, Anti-Christ.  In the meantime, enjoy this commercial...





This is the world I want to live in.