‘Tis The Season: ‘Paranormal Activity 3′ (Movie Review)
Like it or hate it, its Halloween season and you know what that means. No! It’s not another Saw movie. I think we all kind of had enough of those after the last stinker. Instead, it’s the new Saw-like franchise of the 10’s that took the world by storm in 2009, Paranormal Activity. That’s right ladies and gentleman. Paranormal Activity, aptly titled Paranormal Activity 3, is back with a vengeance, but this time around the third outing serves as a prequel, set some 18 years prior to the events of the first two connected films. The low budget, supernatural horror film hits theaters this Friday, October 21st, but you can read all about my first impressions below before heading out in this never-ending rainy weather, depending upon where you live of course. In hindsight, I suppose the dreary weather most of us are experiencing serves a purpose as a most righteous backdrop for horror films and Halloween. ‘Tis the season! Continue reading ‘‘Tis The Season: ‘Paranormal Activity 3′ (Movie Review)’
We have all had our share of “horrible bosses” at one point or another during our career, haven’t we? Well I guess I should probably be addressing the 30-something year old crowd like myself, but I truly think this topic transcends the ages, if you ask me. Don’t pretend like you don’t know what I’m talking about. My word is the gospel around here. You got it? LOL. Don’t you hate pompous people? Good! This is all part of my master plan. I’m warming you up for today’s topic of conversation. So let’s start this review all over again. Here we go! Good day ladies and gentlemen. Today we are gathered to talk about the all too familiar topic of “horrible bosses,” oops…I mean the film Horrible Bosses. And when I mention Horrible Bosses, I should clarify that I’m talking about New Line Cinema’s October 11th Blu-ray release of Horrible Bosses: Totally Inappropriate Edition. Who loves the sound of that? 
And now it’s time to review a Blu-ray title that I know everyone out there is probably jealous and envious of me for. Eat your hearts out because today we’re tackling a motion picture that took the box office by storm earlier this year. No one could have ever predicted that this little superhero flick could have garnered so much praise, fanfare love and positive attention in the eyes of merciless critics around the globe. And honestly, no one even bothered to believe that the film’s subject matter and lore could ever possibly be presented in such a down-to-earth reality-like fashion like that employed in Nolan’s Batman franchise. I know. I once stood with all of you. I was once a naysayer of the picture too. I overlooked the grand picture and judged the book by its cover. Then came the premiere screening on June 17th and it suddenly hit me like the football that once struck Marsha Brady in the nose. My world was never going to be the same…ever again! 
I wanted Rocky with robots, and I got it and so much more! Do I need to say anymore? Well, adhering to my own review structure on the website kind of dictates that I do. Boo! So let’s talk some more about a film I heard about so long ago, but never bothered to research or learn what the subject matter was until I saw my first trailer this past summer. All it took was one viewing of the trailer and I knew, I had to see this one. The subject matter instantly struck an emotional accord with me, and believe me…I long for and want to feel something in the dark world I live in. 
This is going to be the shortest Blu-ray review of my illustrious career. Why? I can answer that one quite easily. It’s because this review is about a band that I would gladly lay down my life in defense of any day of the week against attacks of slander, malicious propaganda or evil naysaying. Their mere existence on this planet gave and continues to give the propulsion, motivation, drive, passion, energy/octane and encouragement necessary for me to be all I can be in life and NO ONE is going to contradict or say other wise without having words with me face-to-face. Of course, I’m talking about the legendary grunge band from Seattle, Washington that’s responsible for starting a musical revolution and catapulting the careers of so many others to follow, ladies and gentlemen…NIRVANA. 
Before there was Insidious, there was 2001′s The Others. Of course, they are completely different stories, but they both travel down a similar road I love in my movies, that being the paranormal/supernatural one. I could go on and on about my love for both of these films, but for today, my proverbial spotlight will be shining solely upon Lionsgate’s September 20th Blu-ray release of The Others. And rightfully so, this film stands the test of time in my opinion. It’s very rare that a film of this caliber, which depends almost exclusively on its one hell of a twisted ending, lends itself well to many repeat viewings. It has been awhile since my last rendezvous with The Others, so here goes nothing. 
I left the theater after seeing Contagion with many thoughts on my mind. They ranged from global epidemics and government cover-ups to animal cruelty and issues of morality. Contagion opened your eyes to all the questions regarding the BIG IF. What IF this really happened to us? I’m referring to a widespread, global virus epidemic, that is. How would people act? How would our government and many rescue agencies treat us? Better yet, what if the medical professionals all went on strike? I mean, let’s face it. This is survival of the fittest. What would you do? And I ask you point blank…seriously, what would you do? You have to admit, there would be chaos all around you given these circumstances explored within the 115 minute runtime of Contagion. 
If you have not seen a single episode of last year’s Spartacus: Blood and Sand, then you’re in the right place. Keep your eyes glued to your iPad, iPhone or iMac screen (of course I’m assuming because you are reading about this incredible show here that you are cool and down with the Mac family of products) and get your trigger finger ready to click that “
It’s not every day that the stars perfectly align and A), you meet a writer/director/actor from Ohio, B), you get to interview a writer/director/actor that you have mad respect for and C), you get to attend a film’s red carpet premiere with that said writer/director/actor. Did I lose you yet? I know that was a lot of variables I just threw at you in the very first sentence of this review, but I’m pretty confident that you can handle it. However, just in case you cannot, I’ll dispense with my vague poignancy and lift off the proverbial cloak of disguise. You can thank me later. In the meantime, we are gathered here today to chat about writer/director/actor Marcus Dean Fuller and his feature film, the very touching, sincerely warm hearted and emotionally moving, One Fall. 
So like most things in my life, events happen and transpire unexpectedly and generally for a reason…at least I tend to always cling on to that hope they do. Such was the occasion when not only did I get to attend the premiere screening of Chillerama at Comic-Con with one of my favorite directors, Adam Green (listen to my full interview with him 
They say that things always happen for a reason in life, right? Well I got to tell you, I have had some pretty remarkable events occur in my lifetime and everyone of them seemed to have had a purpose/higher calling in serving as a stepping stone to further my career. And all of them were a result of a certain catalyst or coincidental stimulus in life that I was unaware would happen. So yeah, I truly believe things happen for a reason in my life…especially the good ones…and this past Thursday afternoon was no exception to that rule. It was a day that I will always remember in my budding movie career. It’s the day that I had the pleasure and honor to interview, what may have been one of the most influential, candid and down-to-earth people I have ever met in the industry, writer/director/actor Mr. Marcus Dean Fuller. 
Spartacus: Vengeance is the name of the show. It’s the second full-length season of the highly successful Starz premium television show, Spartacus: Blood and Sand. Need I say anything more? Seriously. This is the moment we have all been waiting for ladies and gentleman. This is the real deal. And today we are here to celebrate everything Spartacus. Hold on tight. Just like the language and gratuitous nudity the cable television show offers, you never quite know what to expect and besides…I like to keep people guessing. So it gives me great pleasure and honor to provide you, our readers, with exclusive roundtable interview coverage and photos recorded/taken with the stars of the hit series, Spartacus. 
In addition to my interview with Adam Green this past Friday at the Gas Lamp Cinemas in San Diego, I also got the chance to sit down and candidly speak with Chillerama directors Adam Rifkin and Tim Sullivan. Never having met these two gents before, I was optimistic that our conversation would be both fruitful and exciting. And thankfully, both results and more were yielded. I know I say this constantly about Mr. Green, but these two gents, Rifkin and Sullivan, are some of the nicest people you will ever meet in Hollywood. You know how when you meet someone for the first time you reserve judgment for a few minutes until you get to know them? First impressions, whether it be body language or whatnot, are really important and can make or break the interview experience. Well I kid you not, these two had me from hello. 
Whenever I get the chance to talk to writer/director Adam Green, I jump at the opportunity to do so. I drop everything I’m doing and I seize the moment. Because for me, talking with Adam Green is more valuable than any education in film that you will ever receive. All one has to do is watch the behind the scenes extras or listen to the commentaries on Hatchet, Hatchet 2 or Frozen to completely understand where I’m coming from. Simply put, you will never find a nicer person in Hollywood who is willing to not only pay attention to you, but also give you priceless advice. And I encourage you that whenever Adam speaks, you listen carefully and take precise notes because this man is a walking book of knowledge to all us aspiring filmmakers. 
Chillerama is an upcoming direct-to-video comedy/horror anthology film consisting of four stories that take place at a dusk ’till dawn monster movie marathon in an old school drive-in in California. Considering Adam Green is involved, would you really expect anything less than “old school?” Come on! But more importantly, Chillerama was premiered to us live at Comic-Con 2011 and I couldn’t be happier about it. Each story (or segment) is a homage to a different style and a different genre. So aren’t you curious to know what each story is about? You’re lucky I like you guys so much! Come on…let’s further dissect Chillerama. 
Any Robert Rodriguez fans in the house? Well if there are, you’re in luck. I was shocked to learn that Robert Rodriguez scored his very own Hall H panel. That either means that the guy is a name brand now or the world of comics are taking Comic-Con back over by storm. Or maybe it’s both? Whatever the reason, I’m not complaining. Anytime you can get Robert Rodriguez to talk to you…soak all that info up, baby! Nevertheless, he was there to tell the captive audience about the following. Buckle up and hold on! 
Comic-Con started with a bang this year. Twilight was the first panel to headline the coveted Hall H lineup. Believe it or not, there were fans standing in line outside the convention center for over a week waiting to get in. Now that’s devotion! Our own Mary Welms will have full coverage of that panel later this week, but for now, let’s focus on the following. As you know, when you are at Comic-Con, even as a member of the press, it’s impossible to cover/hit everything. 
Yeah, yeah, yeah…I’m a guy so I’m not supposed to like the CW’s Vampire Diaries. Go ahead. I heard it all before. So with that out of the way, it is with great pleasure that I got the opportunity to cover CW’s Vampire Diaries in Ballroom 20 at Saturday’s 2011 Comic-Con festivities. In attendance on the panel were none other than Candice Accola, Paul Wesley, Kevin Williamson, Ian Somerhalder, Nina Dobrev and Julie Plec. And before I go any farther, there’s one thing I have to confess…I’m TEAM DAMON! Wow! It feels good to get that off of my chest. 
There are a total of five people in my life that when the opportunity arises that I can talk to them openly and candidly I don’t even bat an eye or think one second about it. I literally drop everything I am doing and feverishly indulge. You see, when it comes to these five people, this inquiring mind has a lot to learn from them so I fine-tune my questions and I listen sternly. Thankfully, actress Emily Kaye is one of these people I am referring to. You want to know the other four, don’t you? Really? Alright. You practically forced it out of me anyway. They are Rob Zombie, Adam Green, Jesse Dayton and Danielle Harris. Are you happy now? So the real reason, once again, that we are gathered here today is to shine that bright proverbial spotlight on an actress people will be seeing a lot of very soon. 
We have all had “horrible bosses” at one point or another during our career, haven’t we? Well I guess I should probably be addressing the 30-something year old crowd, but I truly think this topic transcends the ages, if you ask me. And why wouldn’t you? I’m kind of the authority around here, am I not? God! I dislike pompous people. That’s why I’m going to start this review all over again. Are you ready? Good! Let’s go! Good day ladies and gentlemen. Today we are gathered to talk about the all too familiar topic of “horrible bosses,” oops…I mean the film Horrible Bosses. That was better, huh? 
