In Memorium: Dixie Carter

Time moves on, things change...when you're a young individual, these things don't resonate in your head but as I find myself progressing in years I've finally come to understand that nothing lasts forever. As of late, the entertainment industry has seen the passing of some great cherished performers and Dixie Carter is certainly among the best. Dixie was that down to earth, independent southern matriarch, Julia Sugarbaker, that I welcomed into my home every week.

Aside from her "Designing Women" days, Dixie was an accomplished stage actress. Dixie made her professional debut in "Carousel" and then onto Shakespeare's "A Winter's Tale". Divorced twice, I believe she found true love with her surviving spouse, actor Hal Holbrook. The two worked together professionally many times on "Designing Women" and in 2009's "That Evening Sun" for which they were both nominated and won a Special Jury Award. Dixie Carter's television success continued past her Sugarbaker days, with stints on "Family Law" and most recently "Desperate Housewives" for which she garnered and Emmy nomination for 'Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series'.

I will always remember Mrs. Carter first as a lady of class and distinction, but I will cherish her as that warm and sharp-witted Julia Sugarbaker, a beloved character that audiences can enjoy for years to come. Thank you for the memories Mrs. Carter.

After Dark Horrorfest 4

It's that time of year again, where we're treated to the latest
offerings from the 'After Dark Horrorfest' festival participants.
In their fourth year of release 'After Dark' still releases the
standard eight, unlike 'Ghost House Underground' who have
scaled back their releases to only include four. However,
'Ghosthouse' has taken the step into the high definition arena
and releasing their last titles on Blu-ray. With a better caliber
of film, I can only hope that 'After Dark' takes the cue from
'Ghost House' so we can see every gory detail in high definition.

In Memorium: John Forsythe

"Hello Angels" I waited in anticipation to hear that uttered from a little speakerphone on television every week. It is truly a sad day in the entertainment industry as the passing of another beloved celebrity, John Forsythe. Classic, dignified and debonair are words that best describe Mr. Forsythe. Personally, he was a familiar presence on my households television set, if not as the voice of Charles Townsend, in one of my all-time favorite shows, "Charlie's Angels", then as the Colorado oil tycoon Blake Carrington in "Dynasty".

Mr. Forsythe enjoyed a six decade long career starting in 1943's "Northern Pursuit" to his last appearance, and most memorable and cherished character Charles Townsend in 2003's "Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle". Varied in his acting roles, he rarely played the villain, he opted for the down to earth hero type. Personally, of all his films I have two favorites: the 1955 Alfred Hitchcock comedy/thriller "The Trouble With Harry" and 1966's murder drama "Madame X".

Aside from his acting Mr. Forsythe was active in sports and an avid environmentalist, he lent his voice to narrating the long running outdoor series "The World of Survival". He will be missed, but will live on in his films and television series for future generations to enjoy.

Review: "Repo Men"

When I first heard of this film in a 'Coming Attractions' article I was convinced, yet another remake was going to make it's way into our local cinemas. However, it was only when I saw the trailer that I realized it wasn't a revamped version of the 1984 action film starring Emilio Estevez, but something somewhat different.

Set in the not-too-distant future where illness, or rather, organ failure isn't a concern, you simply purchase it on credit. However, failure to remit payment before the ninety-five day delinquency period "The Union" will send it's skilled and aggressive repo men to collect their product. Former soldiers Remy (Jude Law) and Jake (Forest Whitaker) are the company's best, cold and unsympathetic, until unforeseen circumstances suddenly put Remy on the other end of the scalpel. Unable to function in his duties and no income to pay for his new heart, Remy resigns himself to his fate and goes on the run with a beautiful nightclub singer in the same dire straits.

The metropolis' futuristic atomosphere is reminiscent of Ridley Scott's "Blade Runner", dark, desperate and devoid of any emotion. Remy and Beth (Alice Braga), both machine for the most part, are ironically more human than anyone else in the film. During the course of the film, our hero's newly acquired emotional overload paves the way for our protagonists plight and leads them to transcend their own state of affairs and help all runners, in attempting to bring down the 'Union'. For all the gore hounds there is plenty of carnage in the fight sequences, in particular the films climax, which was rather unrelenting.

Not a totally unique idea, reminded me a bit of the 1976 sci-fi epic "Logan's Run", but still a good and entertaining film...oh yeah, and a killer twist to boot. If you are a sci-fi/action junkie than this is your film, but if you're squeamish and have a sensitive nature, then I suggest you find a warm and fuzzy flick because this ain't it!

Box Office Bits

The current 3-D craze is dominating screens this weekend. Dreamworks' "How To Train Your Dragon" dethrones the three week, 3-D fantasy epic, "Alice In Wonderland". The story revolves around Hiccup, a young viking hoping to become a dragon hunter. However, when he finds himself the owner of a young dragon, he assumes that there are more to these creatures than anyone realizes. Receiving decent ratings from critics I doubt this animated tale will maintain the number one position for long. Next week arrives the fantasy epic, "Clash Of The Titans". Another foray into the 3-D realm, "Clash Of The Titans" could deliver the first 1-2-3 punch to the box office next week with all three top films being in the 3-D fantasy genre. Cinemagoers rejoice!

Review: "The Bounty Hunter"

Let me first start off by saying that the studios seem to be churning out the romantic comedy genere by the truckload this year. So with that being said I was a bit hesitant about my latest cinematic outing. Being an avid fan of both Jennifer Aniston and Gerard Butler, I had been eagerly awaiting the release of this film for some time and suffice it to say, they didn't disappoint.

Butler plays Milo Boyd, a down on his luck ex-cop turned bounty hunter while Aniston, his ex-wife, is his next assignment. Eager and willing, Milo sets out to stick it to Nicole (Aniston), but then his plans go haywire. Throw in a couple of bumbling pseudo gangsters and an enamored co-worker henceforth the hilarity ensues.

With all the comedy and deception the real appeal of the film is the chemistry between Aniston and Butler, this pair was enchanting, convincing and purposeful. I was ever hopeful, as I'm sure many of my co-viewers were, that the pair would overlook their perplexing situation and rekindle their romance.

I'll admit over the years I've developed an admiration for the romantic comedy genre, quite a departure from my usual viewing mainstay of slasher films. Two films, of this genre, have really stuck out this year, this being one and the earlier "Leap Year". I guess it's not so bad departing the cinema with a 'feel good' mood.

2010 Films I'm Anxious See

Back On The Scene

Well after a long hiatus, new job, working on other sites and a minor health scare, I'm hoping to start discussing everything to do with films. Due to my working hours the posts may be slow in coming and a bit more brief (reviews), but I'll do what I can.