Most Wonderful Time of the Year

The holiday season is upon us and that means I've got a busy few weeks ahead of me. During the next few weeks, I'll be cramming as many award nominated movies into my schedule as possible. Somewhere along the past 8 years, it's become a family tradition to do so. And while I have to admit I'm disappointed that Shutter Island couldn't make it into this award season, I have a few movies that I cannot wait to see. First on the agenda - Avatar. Second - Invictus. After that, I'm up for some variation but I do want to see as many as I can. I'll let you know what I think as I get to see them!

Stalking

A little later than I had planned to post this, but what the heck was with that Facebook stalking application? I checked it out to see what it was all about and couldn't tell if it was for real or just a bogus compilation of people who had been "stalking" you on Facebook. If it is for real, it's a little intrusive on one's privacy. And while it's interesting to see who is interested in you, it can be a little creepy and is probably better off being left alone.

The New Frontier

James Cameron has brought innovational cinema to the big screen since 1984 when he released Terminator. 18 days from now, we will see the newest installment into his cinema saga. I have to admit, my first impression of Avatar was not favorable. Maybe it was the lack of story revealed in the initial trailer. Maybe it was the fact that I've never blindly bought into a sci-fi movie (of sorts). Or maybe it's the fact that I don't think James Cameron has successfully won my undivided attention with the movies he's directed. Obviously, his resume is nothing to turn my nose up at, but Titanic and Aliens don't seem to hold up to the first two movies of The Terminator series. However, I am willing to admit he uses great special effects to create visionary settings and characters. What truly interests me the most in Avatar is the simplicity of the story combined with the complexities of style. I'm anxious to see the result.

Disney Magic

Can we expect the unexpected? Will Disney's newest animated movie, The Princess and the Frog, regain that lost magic lost somewhere before or after Tarzan (depending on how discriminating you are)? Of course, Disney/Pixar have picked up the slack with some of the best films of the past decade (in my opinion), but I can remember growing up on the animated musicals of Walt Disney Pictures and I feel sorry for the children who have missed out on the excitement of the newest one coming out each holiday season. I myself am cautiously optimistic, but I will make a point of seeing the film as soon as I can. The wait ends on December 11.

Social Networking

I find it interesting how each news station and TV show attempts to connect with its viewers. Part of my recent responsibility with KOMU 8 news has involved putting just this type of section together for the talent and production crew for the station. I've been generating pictures and information for the reporters, producers, directors, website workers etc. and it's been an interesting experience to see how each person views himself/herself. I've learned something new about almost everyone through this project and I thought I already knew most of them. Imagine what the public will learn?!?! That's the point of it right (haha). I can't wait to get this up and running and I hope it's a project that can be built upon in the future.

Horror

In the wake of Halloween, I'd like do discuss the importance of horror films. So many people see them as fluff, unnecessarily violent melodramas. I think some of them fall into these stereotypes, but the original urban legends involved in horror films were meant to teach a lesson about society. They reflect the historical significance of the time and seem to suggest a moral code of what should and what shouldn't be accepted. When you look at many legends, the victims turn out to be the characters who have sinned or committed a wrong in some way. Those who prevail are the innocent. Beyond this moral code. it's just downright fun to indulge in a good scare when the mood strikes. It's an adrenaline rush, and that's why so many of us continue to see these thrillers even when they disturb us.

Re-Integration

The past few years have brought along the re-integration of musical numbers into movies. We've seen "Moulin Rouge", "Chicago", "Delovely" and many more pay homage to an era when the movie musical was king. However, television programs have taken the forefront for many people's free time and that left a void. That void is now filled by "Glee." Fox's new Wednesday hit incorporates songs into the everyday lives of high-schoolers who also partake in the glee club. With a cast anchored by a broadway actor, Glee's creators held nothing back to create a musical experience. It's more than just pretty faces and no substance.

The End of the Beginning

I'm almost a quarter of the way through my senior year of college (and I'm not going to grad school... yet). I'm anxiously awaiting the end, but I want to savor the time I have left. I have plans of moving out to L.A. and working in the entertainment industry, hence the beginning of this entertainment blog. I've been critically analyzing movies and television shows for the past 7 years of my life. Ever since my first film class with Mark Cummings at Saint Louis University High School, I have never been able to look at a movie the same way. There's so much more to a movie than a good plot, good acting and beautiful scenery (not that those hurt). And with the extra elements, I've learned to appreciate and enjoy the sheer entertainment of each piece of work. Some don't live up to my expectations, some exceed them and some (whether good or bad) hit the mark I was anticipating. Because I've had minimal work with the entertainment industry, I'd just like to talk first about a common trend I've seen. With the current economic situation in the country, people are staying in at night instead of going to the movies. People wait until dvd to see films and I think this has affected the industry (in my opinion). I see less studios putting money into enormous blockbusters and more investing in subtle dramas. Blockbusters do not have the same appeal when you're not staring at a screen as big as a school bus. Television programming has also made drastic improvements and have become more and more like movies in my opinion. But, we'll save that thought for another night.