Monthly Wallpaper - October 2008: Modern Monsters of Movieland

Kicking off a month of tricks and treats here at Movie Dearest, October's calendar wallpaper salutes the Modern Monsters of Movieland!

From Hannibal and Jack to Damien and Regan to Alex and Annie to the Thing and the Alien to the Mount Rushmore of Contemporary Cinematic Chills (Michael, Jason, Freddy and Leatherface), all the modern icons of horror are present in this ghoulish display, ready to download.

All you have to do is click on the picture above to enlarge it, then simply right click your mouse and select "Set as Background". (You can also save it to your computer and set it up from there if you prefer.) The size is 1024 x 768, but you can modify it if needed in your own photo-editing program.

Daisies Bloom Again

Emmy Award winner Pushing Daisies, the most imaginative and colorful series on television, finally returns tomorrow night. Hopes are high that the fantastical show will regain the momentum lost by last season's writers' strike.

Plans for the new season include more romance for Ned and Chuck (Lee Pace and Anna Friel), a mother (Debra Mooney) for Emerson (Chi McBride), and Olive (Kristin Chenoweth) in a convent (yes, there will be a Sound of Music homage). Also expect some familiar faces; guest stars slated to appear include David Arquette, Jennifer Elise Cox, Orlando Jones, Mary Kay Place, Stephen Root and Fred Willard, plus the expected returns of Raúl Esparza, Paul Reubens and Molly Shannon.

If you're new to Pushing Daisies or just want to refresh your memory after ten long months without a visit to the Pie Hole, ABC's "Starter Kit" video will get you up to speed. And for a preview of the new season, here's an extended clip from this summer's Comic-Con.

The Latest on DVD: Pia's Zadorable

Available on DVD for the first time today, the notorious camp classic "bad movie we love" Butterflywas supposed to make Pia Zadora a star. Instead, it turned the Golden Globes into a Hollywood laughing stock.

Financed by her sugar daddy husband (32-years her senior) and based on a novel by James M. Cain, Butterfly casts Zadora (in her first film since Santa Claus Conquers the Martians) as a white trash nymphet who seduces her own father (poor, poor Stacy Keach). The over-the-top, soapy melodrama also stars Orson Welles, Lois Nettleton, James Franciscus and Ed McMahon in a rare (this is why) dramatic turn.

Despite Pia's infamous Golden Globe for Best New Star (over Body Heat's Kathleen Turner, among others; after the following year -- when Sandahl Bergman got it -- the award would never be handed out again), Butterfly went on to "win" three Razzie Awards, including Worst Actress and Worst New Star for Ms. Zadora. Her next big movie, The Lonely Lady (sadly, not on DVD ... yet), would sweep the Razzies the following year.

Check out the Latest on DVD widgets located in the sidebar for more of this week's new DVD releases available today from Amazon.com.

Empire Strikes Out

Oh, those wacky Brits. Empire magazine has released the results of their poll for "The 500 Greatest Movies of All Time", and the results sure are ... interesting.

Perhaps it's who they polled: 10,000 readers chimed in, but only 150 of "Hollywood's finest" and a paltry 50 film critics were also included. Not quite "the most ambitious movie poll ever attempted" as advertised, the list leans heavily on the recent (as expected with that many civilians in the mix), including five movies from this year alone (The Dark Knight sits at #15), as well as (naturally) a lot of English and other non-US films not quite as well known here in the States.

Furthermore, the mag's readership must be predominantly male (and predominantly straight, for that matter). How else to explain the inclusion of five of the six Star Wars movies (yes, even The Phantom Menace) and all four Indiana Jones adventures? And then there's such other head scratchers as ranking Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (one of the worst movies ever made) above Double Indemnity, To Kill a Mockingbird and All About Eve (among many many others) or seeing Point Break (yes, that Point Break) sitting in between Fargo and Amélie. It's enough to make a true cinephile cry/cringe/dissolve into a gelatinous blob.

I've posted the entire list of 500 films in the comment section below (in ascending order, from #500 to #1); read if you dare ...

Cinematic Crush: Gerard Butler

Crush object: Gerard Butler, actor.

- He made his film debut in Mrs. Brown, followed by a small role in the Bond flick Tomorrow Never Dies.

- As two notorious villains -- Attila the Hun in the television mini-series Attila and Count Dracula in Dracula 2000 -- he graduated to lead roles.

- A co-starring role in Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life proceeded his casting as the title role in Joel Schumacher's film version of Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera.

- Following an impressive dramatic turn in Dear Frankie, he next turned to sword and sandal epics as Beowulf in Beowulf & Grendel and as King Leonidas in 300, his biggest hit to date. The blockbuster won him trophies from the World Stunt Awards and MTV Movie Awards.

- After a few smaller films (P.S. I Love You, Nim's Island), he's back in action in next week's RocknRolla (watch the trailer here).

Poster Post: Beauty and the Bond

Daniel Craig's James Bond and new Bond girl Olga Kurylenko are featured on the latest poster for Quantum of Solace (in theaters November 14).

In more Bond news, 007 reportedly won't be uttering his famous catchphrases ("Bond, James Bond" and "A martini. Shaken, not stirred") in his latest adventure, while Craig insists that the secret agent won't be seducing any men anytime soon.

Out of the Celluloid Closet: Tea and Sympathy

His schoolmates catch him sewing. His father bemoans that he wants to be a folk singer. He reads! No doubt about it, there is something a little queer about Tom Robinson Lee.

Tom is the outcast protagonist of Tea and Sympathy, a fascinating peek into the celluloid closet of the 1950's. Deborah Kerr is the kindly wife of the school's headmaster (Leif Erickson) who takes a special interest in the troubled youth (John Kerr, no relation) in Vincente Minnelli's film adaptation of Robert Anderson's Broadway drama (all three actors reprise their stage roles; the younger Kerr won a Tony Award for his performance).

While Tom is the focus of all the sexual questioning in the film (he is proven heterosexual by Deborah's character in the classic "Years from now, when you talk about this -- and you will -- be kind." scene), keep an eye on Tom's jock roommate (who defends him) and Erickson's headmaster (he neglects his wife and spends all his time "with the boys") for even more coded gay content.

Tea and Sympathy, which is not yet available on DVD, airs tomorrow on Turner Classic Movies at 1:45 PM EST.

Somebody Put Baby on the Stage

Based on the sleeper hit of 1987, the literally titled Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story on Stage makes its US debut today in Chicago. This production, which officially opens October 19 and runs through January 17, is the first stop on a pre-Broadway American tour.

Unlike a traditional musical, Dirty Dancing offers "presentational pop numbers rather than a strictly character-sung score". Described as "part play, part dance event, part concert", the show features 35 songs, including such familiar numbers from the movie as "Hungry Eyes," "Do You Love Me?" and the Academy Award-winning "(I've Had) The Time of My Life".

Following its run in the Windy City, Dirty Dancing will then travel to Boston and Los Angeles. No Broadway dates have been announced at this time.

UPDATE: The cast album for Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story on Stageis now available from Amazon.com.

Blithe Spirit

Seems all the bad buzz from Comic-Con has made the marketers of The Spirit take a fresh course.

While the newest trailer for Frank Miller's upcoming big screen adaptation of the classic Will Eisner comic still has all the Dark Knight-ish elements in place, there is now some humor and even sexiness thrown in ... and not just from Eva Mendes. Hunky hero Gabriel Macht shows some skin and shares some snappy repartee with Sarah Paulson.

The Spirit, which also stars Samuel L. Jackson, Scarlett Johansson and Eric Balfour, lands in theaters December 25.

Farewell to Xanadu

The neon lights of Xanadu will shine one last time on Broadway today.

But don't fret, several international productions are currently in the planning stages (including London), plus the American tour kicks off in November, insuring that the magic of Xanadu will live on (as the song says) "All Over the World".

And what about the show's breakout hunk, Cheyenne Jackson? Well, according to this wonderfully candid "Ask the Star" interview over at Broadway.com, Cheyenne will finally be doing his own solo album! He reveals a lot more fun stuff in the video chat too, such as when a popular reality show asked him to be its star. Why did he turn them down? Watch it and find out.

Film Art: Have You Heard About Hugo and Kim?

"What's the story, morning glory? What's the tale, nightingale? Tell me quick about Hugo and Kim!"

Well, here they are caricaturized by Pete Emslie at The Cartoon Cave: Bobby Rydell as Hugo Peabody and Ann-Margret as Kim McAfee in Bye Bye Birdie.

Reverend's Reviews: Coming Out Stories - Part 1

This is the first of Chris' three-part series of influential films that helped him in his coming out.

One of my high school theatre teachers was a huge fan of playwright Tennessee Williams and actress Elizabeth Taylor. To expose us sophomores to the work of both, he showed us the 1959 film of Williams’ play Suddenly, Last Summerover two or three class periods.

One of Williams’ stranger plots (adapted for the screen by Gore Vidal), it concerns the machinations of wealthy Violet Venable (an Oscar-nominated Katharine Hepburn) to have her niece, Cathy (Taylor, who was also nominated for Best Actress), lobotomized. It seems Cathy has been saying unbelievably ghastly things about the circumstances surrounding the recent death of Violet’s son, Sebastian, while Cathy and Sebastian were on vacation together. It falls to a psychiatrist, Dr. Cukrowicz (played by Montgomery Clift), to sort out the truth and determine whether Cathy is insane.


While no characters come out of their own volition in Suddenly, Last Summer, the late Sebastian is definitely outed during the film’s coded but still shocking climax. I knew exactly what Cathy was revealing during her truth serum-induced extended monologue, as Taylor screams such increasingly hysterical declarations as “She was procuring them!” and “They were devouring him!”

Yes, I knew that we were being told Sebastian was a big mo even though it isn’t stated bluntly in the film due to the censorship of the time. Interestingly, the Catholic-controlled Hollywood Production Code office actually gave permission for the first time to the producers of Suddenly, Last Summer to depict a homosexual character on screen, albeit in a negative light and after specifying Sebastian’s face couldn’t be shown nor his voice heard. That being said, most of my high school classmates were oblivious to the true meaning of Cathy’s revelation and probably remain so to this day.


I was surprised then but now think it’s incredibly cool that our teacher showed us Suddenly, Last Summer rather than the safer Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, in which the pivotal topic of homosexuality is even more sanitized. I watched Suddenly, Last Summer again last year, and it remains a fascinating film that is well worth seeing if one never has.

Review by Rev. Chris Carpenter, resident film critic of Movie Dearest and the Orange County and Long Beach Blade.

Great Performances: Matthew Rhys as Kevin Walker

Brothers and Sisters has not only proved to be a great showcase for some of our favorite TV actresses (Rachel Griffiths, Calista Flockhart, Patricia Wettig and the Emmy Award winning Sally Field), it has also given us a rarity for network television: a well-rounded, realistic gay character.

As portrayed by Matthew Rhys, Kevin Walker has been far from perfect ... but who of us is? Kevin can be curt, insensitive and self-centered at times, but he is never a stereotype, even with his frequent, sarcastically witty one-liners (which are always hilarious). Rhys' performance is multi-layered, but the love Kevin has for his family and new husband Scotty (Luke Macfarlane) is never too far from the surface.

Brothers and Sisters returns tomorrow night with its third season premiere. To catch up on all the goings-on with the Walker clan, watch the ABC "Starter Kit" video and/or this preview clip.

The Colors of the Wind Fade Away

Pocahontas and Her Forest Friends, the conservation-minded live stage show at Disney's Animal Kingdom, wraps up its ten year run today.

The 15-minute show, which featured Pocahontas, Grandmother Willow and a cast of real critters, was one of the theme park's original attractions. No plans for what will take its place have been announced as of yet.

For full video of the show and a gallery of pictures, visit LaughingPlace.com.

Daniel Craig Flashes Some Skin

Quantum of Solace isn't the only fall movie to star Daniel Craig. In Flashbacks of a Fool (in theaters October 17), Craig plays a big-time movie star with big-time emotional baggage. But don't worry; as you can see in the film's new trailer, he does get naked in this one as well.

Meanwhile, Back on Wisteria Lane ...

The Desperate Housewives are back tomorrow night in their fifth season premiere, but now its five years in the future. What does this mean for the ladies of Fairfield? (Insert spoiler warning here.)

Well, Susan (Teri Hatcher) has divorced Mike (James Denton), and is now sacking up with a mystery guy (Queer as Folk's Gale Harold). Bree (Marcia Cross), who is back with Orson (Kyle MacLachlan), is now a successful Martha Stewart-type homemaker mogul, with her gay son Andrew (Shawn Pyfrom) and Katherine (Dana Delany) on her payroll. Lynette (Felicity Huffman) must deal with her now teenage delinquent sons as well as the midlife crisis of hubby Tom (Doug Savant). Glam Gabrielle (Eva Longoria Parker) has changed the most; she is now a frumpy mother of two, while Carlos (Ricardo Chavira) is still blind. And Edie (Nicollette Sheridan) is back, with a new husband (Neal McDonough), who is reportedly tied in to the season's big mystery, which also involves Mrs. McCluskey (recent Emmy winner Kathryn Joosten) and her sister, played by the one and only Lily Tomlin (fans of The West Wing will get the inside joke there). Oh, and Wisteria's resident gay couple, Bob and Lee (Tuc Watkins and Kevin Rahm) are back as well, and they now have a daughter.

If all of that soapy goodness has you lost, then you can catch up with ABC's "Starter Kit" and/or this preview clip.

A Partridge Back on TV

Get out those velvet pants, feather your hair, rev up the buss and "Come On, Get Happy": The Partridge Family is returning to television.

Paul Newman: 1925-2008

Legendary actor Paul Newman, creator of such iconic screen characters as Fast Eddie Felson, Hud, Cool Hand Luke, Butch Cassidy and Frank Galvin, passed away yesterday at the age of 83.

Nominated for ten Academy Awards (nine for acting -- Best Actor for Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, The Hustler, Hud, Cool Hand Luke, Absence of Malice, The Verdict, The Color of Money and Nobody's Fool, Best Supporting Actor for Road to Perdition -- and one Best Picture nod for Rachel, Rachel, in which he directed his longtime wife, Joanne Woodward), Newman won three Oscars (for The Color of Money, plus an Honorary Award in 1986 and the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, for his many charitable contributions, in 1994).


Through his over 50-year career, he received many other accolades, including awards from BAFTA, the Cannes Film Festival, the Emmys, the National Board of Review, the Screen Actors Guild, several critics groups and six honors from the Golden Globes, including their prestigious Cecil B. DeMille Award.

Newman made his film debut in 1954's The Silver Chalice. Other classic films he has appeared in include Somebody Up There Likes Me, The Long, Hot Summer, Exodus, Sweet Bird of Youth, Harper, Torn Curtain, The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean, The Sting, The Towering Inferno, Slap Shot, Mr. & Mrs. Bridge and The Hudsucker Proxy. His final film role was as the voice of Doc Hudson in Cars. In addition to Rachel, Rachel, he also directed Sometimes a Great Notion, The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds and The Glass Menagerie (the latter two again with Woodward) and wrote and directed Harry & Son.

For more on Paul Newman here at Movie Dearest, read his Cinematic Crush profile.

Potent Quotables: Mariska Hargitay on the Perks of Her Job

"Who doesn't want to make out with Chris Meloni?"
-- Mariska Hargitay, regarding her Law & Order: Special Victims Unit co-star, in a brief interview with Entertainment Weekly's Michael Ausiello.

Reverend’s Reviews: Working 9 to 5

The recently released CD Forbidden Broadway: Rude Awakening,the 25th anniversary edition of satiric lyricist Gerard Alessandrini’s spoof of all things theatre, includes “You Can’t Stop the Camp.” Adapted from Hairspray’s “You Can’t Stop the Beat” and performed by actors impersonating Harvey Fierstein, John Travolta and Laura Bell Bundy of Legally Blonde: The Musical, it laments the seeming lack of original ideas that has led to an onslaught of new musicals based on movies.

It also names 9 to 5: The Musical (currently having its world premiere at Los Angeles’ Ahmanson Theatre through October 19) as one of the latest Broadway-bound productions destined to bear a “cute and cuddly stamp” in these shows’ efforts to reach the widest possible audience through their familiar titles and stories.


Having seen 9 to 5, I can assure Alessandrini and Co. that their fears regarding this particular film-to-stage transfer are largely, though not completely, unfounded. First, to answer the question most musical lovers have been concerned about: yes, Dolly Parton has written a (mostly) successful theatrical score! While her famous theme song from the original 1980 movieabout workplace and sexual politics of the time gets a bit over-used, her original songs for the theatrical adaptation are tuneful and similarly stirring.


Standouts include “Around Here,” in which new hire Judy Bernly (Stephanie J. Block, who doesn’t channel Jane Fonda so much as Mary Gross from Saturday Night Live circa 1987) is introduced to her office mates; “Tattletales,” a fun piece about the perils and delights of water-cooler gossip; “The One I Love,” in which the three leads sing about the current loves of their lives; Act One closer “Shine Like the Sun,” a powerful personal-empowerment anthem; and “One of the Boys,” a splendid piece showcasing Violet Newstead (a terrific Allison Janney, even if she’s the weakest singer in the show) à la Roxie Hart in Chicago’s “Roxie.” Block also gets to bring the house down with “Get Out and Stay Out,” in which she kisses her unfaithful husband, Dick, good-bye once and for all.

Completing the musical’s star trio of actresses is the excellent Megan Hilty. As Doralee Rhodes, the role Parton played in the movie, Hilty craftily pays tribute to Parton while making the character her own. She’s affecting as she sings the auto-biographical “Back-woods Barbie,” and hilarious singing “Cowgirl’s Revenge,” her dream sequence number is which she ropes the villainous Franklin Hart Jr. (a very funny, very physical performance by Marc Kudisch). Kudisch has his own standout musical moments in “Here for You” and “Mundania,” the latter of which he gets bonus points for singing while hanging and tumbling over the stage in leather bondage gear.

The only truly deficient song currently in Parton’s score (which could potentially be re-worked between now and the show’s New York opening next year) is “Let Love Grow.” An eleventh-hour duet sung by Violet and her significantly younger suitor, Joe (played by Andy Karl, who I didn’t recognize here as the actor who played the hunky UPS Guy in Legally Blonde: The Musical), it needs to go deeper in having the characters’ reveal their painful past losses rather than quoting Hallmark-card platitudes.

While reviewing 9 to 5’s score and cast, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the marvelous comedienne Kathy Fitzgerald, who plays Hart’s right-hand woman, Roz. Fitzgerald memorably played lesbian lighting designer Shirley Markovitz, among other roles, in both the stage and 2005 film versions of The Producers. Here, she gets the showstopper “Heart to Hart,” in which she declares her unrequited love for Franklin, as well as the clever “5 to 9,” which takes commitment to one’s job to new extremes.

9 to 5: The Musical avoids becoming camp, contrary to Forbidden Broadway’s prediction, thanks to Patricia Resnick’s book. I actually expected more jokes and over-the-top retro fashions playing off the musical’s “Carter administration” setting than there are. While the book could be accused of hewing a little too closely to the screenplay, and Act One is too long at one hour and 45 minutes compared to Act Two’s speedy 40 minutes, Resnick has nonetheless done an admirable adaptation.


While Joe Mantello’s direction is typically efficient and keeps the proceedings moving, recent Tony winner Andy Blankenbuehler’s choreography is a disappointment. It borrows appropriately from funk and disco stylings of the time, but I got the impression Blankenbuehler’s moves and, subsequently, the dancers were more constricted than they need be.

Lastly, scenic designer Scott Pask’s sets are problematic. The first LA preview of 9 to 5 was delayed a week and problems endured through the show’s official opening night due to set-related technical problems. It can’t be denied that Consolidated Industries’ offices — with their mobile desks, rising pillars, lowering light fixtures and working elevators — are impressive. However, I found myself fearing at times for the actors’ safety as well as the show’s integrity.


Such criticisms are minor, though, compared to the overall crowd-pleasing impact of 9 to 5: The Musical. It isn’t quite a “Well-Oiled Machine” (another of the show’s production numbers), but it provided me and the audience with which I viewed it a thoroughly enjoyable night at the theatre.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit the show's official website. And for more 9 to 5: The Musical on Movie Dearest, be sure to check out Chris' interviews with the show's librettist, Patricia Resnick, and the show's producer, Robert Greenblatt.

Review by Rev. Chris Carpenter, resident film critic of Movie Dearest and the Orange County and Long Beach Blade.

Out in Film: Bryan Fuller

Idol worship: Bryan Fuller, writer/producer.

- A self-professed sci-fi geek, he successfully pitched a script for Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and hasn't looked back since. He eventually moved over to Star Trek: Voyager, winding up the show's co-producer.

- He next created two critically acclaimed but short-lived series, Dead Like Me and Wonderfalls.

- His other television credits include the TV movie remake of Stephen King's Carrie, the animated comedy The Amazing Screw-On Head and the first season of Heroes.

- He left Heroes to create his own fantasy series, the Emmy Award winning Pushing Daisies. The quirky romantic comedy returns for its second season next Wednesday.

- He has received Emmy nominations for his work on Heroes and Pushing Daisies, plus Writers Guild of America nomination for those two as well as Wonderfalls.

Off the Shelf: Out at the Movies: A History of Gay Cinema

New this week and just itching to be added to the Movie Dearest library is Out at the Movies: A History of Gay Cinemaby Steven Paul Davies (with a foreword by actor Simon Callow). From Victim to My Beautiful Laundrette to Brokeback Mountain and even the upcoming Milk, the book promises to be yet another valuable resource for anyone interested in the study of queer film.

The book also covers gay filmmakers and actors and their influence within the industry, the most iconic scenes from gay cinema, and the most memorable dialogue from key films. Sounds like a must read!

Click on the following link to buy Out at the Movies: A History of Gay Cinemafrom Amazon.com.

On the Road with the Frankensteins

Soon they'll be "Puttin' on the Ritz" on the road: Mel Brooks' stage musical version of his Young Frankenstein will launch a national tour next fall. No dates or casting has been announced at this time.

MD Poll: Is There a Doctor in the House?

In recognition of this week's fifth season premiere of Grey's Anatomy, the latest MD Poll takes a look at the crack surgical staff of Seattle Grace and asks, "Who is your favorite doctor?"

Would you rather go under the knife of brilliant brain surgeon Derek Shepherd, or ace plastic surgeon Mark Sloan? Or perhaps the gentle touch of George O'Malley is more your speed, while others would prefer the no-nonsense approach of a Miranda Bailey or a Christina Yang. Choose your physician and place your vote in the poll located in the right hand sidebar; results will be revealed in two weeks.

With only ten spots on the poll, relative newcomers Lexi Grey and Erica Hahn had to sit this one out (and I'm sure you know why Preston Burke isn't here), as well as the new hot doc on the block, Kevin McKidd as Major Hunt. If you caught his debut on the show last night, I think you'll agree that his Mc-less nickname should be Major Hunk.

UPDATE: This poll is now closed. Click here for the results, and click here to vote in the latest MD Poll.

MD Poll: Hopelessly Devoted

For Movie Dearest readers, Grease really is the word. Topping an MD Poll for the second time in two months, the 50's flashback was named your favorite high school movie, with 23.9% of 71 total votes.

But those Breakfast Club-ers didn't go down without a fight, placing second with just a 1.4 % difference. Rounding out the top three, the only other movie to hit double digits was Mean Girls.

For the complete rundown of stats, see the comments section below.

Click here to vote in the latest MD Poll.

The Latest in Theaters: Shia, Spike and Queen Raquela

What's new this week at a theater near you:

• Eagle Eye: Well, if they can ape Rear Window, why not North by Northwest? Shia LaBeouf reunites with his Disturbia director D.J. Caruso for this "innocents caught up in a dangerous game" thriller. Michelle Monaghan, Rosario Dawson and Billy Bob Thornton also star.
• Miracle at St. Anna: Spike Lee takes on World War II (and Clint Eastwood) with this historical look at a battalion of African American soldiers trapped behind enemy lines. The cast includes Derek Luke, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, John Turturro, Kerry Washington and John Leguizamo.
• Nights in Rodanthe: Richard Gere and Diane Lane re-team for this romance (based on the novel by The Notebook's Nicholas Sparks) six years after Unfaithful, and there's not a snow globe in sight. Christopher Meloni, Viola Davis and Scott Glenn co-star.
• The Amazing Truth About Queen Raquela: Filipino "lady-boy" Raquela Rios is the subject of this semi-improvised Cinderella story. For more on Queen Raquela, click here to read Chris' Reverend's Interview with the film's director, Olaf de Fleur.
• Choke: Sam Rockwell plays a sex-addicted con man that takes care of mom Anjelica Huston by faking choking to death ... and then playing on the sympathies of those who rescue him. Based on the novel by Fight Club's Chuck Palahniuk.
• The Lucky Ones: Three soldiers (Rachel McAdams, Tim Robbins and Michael Peña) take a post-Iraq road trip in this comedy/drama from writer/ director Neil Burger.
• Humboldt County: Another road trip finds Jeremy Strong stranded in a remote community of pot farmers, including Fairuza Balk, France Conroy and Brad Dourif.
• Forever Strong: Never Back Down's Sean Faris is a rebellious rugby player who lands in jail ... and on Gary Cole's team. Also stars Sean Astin, new Desperate House-husband Neal McDonough and Gossip guy Penn Badgley.
• Smother: Diane Keaton moves in to the house of her son Dax Shepard and his wife Liv Tyler, who are trying to have a baby despite his unemployment, in this debut feature from Variance Films.
• And finally: In Fireproof, Kirk Cameron (yes, that Kirk Cameron) plays a firefighter (!) trying to save his marriage. This is the one where we found out that Cameron won't kiss anyone but his real-life wife. It's called acting, Kirk; look into it.

To find out what films are playing in your area, visit Fandango - Search movie showtimes and buy tickets!

Disney Loads Up on Some Depp

Disney seems to like what the blockbuster Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy has done for their coffers, as they've recruited the movies' Academy Award nominated star, Johnny Depp, for not one, not two, but possibly three future films.

First up is no big surprise: he'll don the chapeau of the Mad Hatter in Tim Burton's upcoming Alice in Wonderland redo. Then there's the no-brainer, a possible Pirates 4. But the real surprise is Depp's casting in the long rumored about update of The Lone Ranger. No, he won't be the Masked Man of the Wild West, but his faithful companion Tonto! This one just got a whole lot more interesting, kimosabe, especially since they would (should) have to get an actor of equal stature to play the title character. Christian Bale immediately comes to mind, but he may be overloaded on franchise flicks of late.

In more Disney news, Cars 2 has been moved up from 2012 to 2011, while none other then Oprah Winfrey has joined the cast of The Princess and the Frog; she'll voice the mother of the title character (the princess, not the frog).

Omigod You Guys! Legally Blonde to Close

Following Xanadu into the Broadway history books, another Movie Dearest stage fave, Legally Blonde: The Musical, has set a closing date. October 19 will be your last chance to catch the pretty in pink tuner on the Great White Way.

Film Art: Sarah Marshall Edition

The Forgetting Sarah Marshall romantic quadrangle of Mila Kunis, Jason Segel, Russell Brand and Kristen Bell, by Hope Gangloff for The New Yorker.

The comedy debuts on DVD and Blu-raythis Tuesday, including a three-disc (!) unrated collector's edition. Click here to read Neil's Reel Thoughts review.

Hold Your Horses

Tonight is the official opening of the much buzzed about Broadway transfer of Peter Shaffer's Equus, starring Daniel Radcliffe, Richard Griffiths and Kate Mulgrew.

The hot ticket revival (scheduled for a limited run through February 8) netted glowing reviews while in London, and it looks to reap the same accolades on this side of the pond as well. How do I know? Well, my exclusive Big Apple source -- Jeffrey, the Cynical-New-Yorker-Who-Literally-Sees-Every-Show-on-Broadway -- has already seen it ... twice. And if know Jeffrey, you know that's saying something.

For more on the history of Equus, including its original 1974 Tony Award winning Broadway run (starring Anthony Hopkins and Peter Firth) and the subsequent 1977 film adaptation (starring Richard Burton and Firth in Academy Award nominated performances), read Broadway.com's extensive essay on the subject.

Women We Love: Vanessa Williams

Object of our affection: Vanessa Williams, actress/singer.

- She made history in 1983 as the first African American Miss America. But controversy soon erupted when unauthorized nude photos of her surfaced and were published in Penthouse magazine, resulting in her resignation the following year.

- However, "the best revenge is success", as she later stated, and she went on to become a Grammy Award nominated singer/songwriter; her many hit records include "The Right Stuff", "Save the Best for Last" (featured in The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert) and the Academy Award winning "Colors of the Wind" from Pocahontas, which she performed on the Oscar telecast.

- Conquering the Broadway stage next, she starred in Kiss of the Spider Woman and Into the Woods. In the latter, her performance as the Witch earned her Tony and Drama Desk Award nominations. She has also starred in Carmen Jones at the Kennedy Center and in the TV remake of Bye Bye Birdie.

- She made her film debut in The Pick-Up Artist and would go on to star in Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man, Eraser, Dance With Me, Shaft, Johnson Family Vacation and Soul Food, for which she won the NAACP Image Award. She'll next star in Hannah Montana: The Movie and the sports drama Phenom.

- Television appearances include guest spots on T.J. Hooker, The Love Boat, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Ally McBeal, as well as such TV movies as The Jacksons: The American Dream, The Odyssey and A Diva's Christmas Carol and the short-lived series South Beach. But it is as the deliciously evil Wilhelmina Slater on Ugly Betty that has earned her her best notices to date, including two Emmy Award nominations and two more NAACP Image Awards.

The Dearie Award winning comedy returns for its third season tomorrow night, and you can get all caught up on Wilhelmina's Mode machinations with ABC's "Starter Kit" video and/or this promo clip, wherein you'll hear Williams and the rest of her cast mates belt out "The Theme from New York, New York". And for more Wilhelmina goodness, check out the season 3 vodcast and this hilarious "remix" of her encounter last season with poor Betty White.

Lighter Shades of Grey's

The sexy shenanigans of Seattle Grace return with the two-hour fifth season premiere of Grey's Anatomy tomorrow night. To get you all caught up on who is sleeping with who now (including the lady doctors in love Torres and Hahn), check out ABC's "Starter Kit" video and/or this promo clip, which already has fans buzzing about the possibility of Dr. McDreamy, Baby Daddy.

Or, for a rare glimpse at the lighter side of the steamy soap, here's a steamy shower scene with the boys, plus: the new McDoc in town -- Dr. McSwimmy.

Awards Watch: The Oscar Producers

The Academy has found their Dream team: Oscar nominated producer Laurence Mark (Jerry Maguire) and Oscar winning screenwriter Bill Condon (Gods and Monsters) have been recruited to produce this year's Academy Awards. The two have previously teamed up on Dreamgirls, which was nominated for eight Oscars and won two (including one for Jennifer Hudson).

This bodes well for those looking for some new blood in the Oscar telecast (last year's producer, Gil Cates, has helmed 14 shows in the past 18 years). It also means the host should be announced any day now (we already knew Jon Stewart was doing this year's show by this time last year). Could our gal Ellen return for a second shot at Hollywood's biggest night?

UPDATE: Or could it be ... Ricky Gervais?

Patrick Bateman Goes to Broadway

In the bloody tradition of Sweeney Todd, the Great White Way is going to be a little redder with the planned stage musical version of American Psycho.

Based on the controversial novel by Bret Easton Ellis (which also inspired the 2000 movie starring Christian Bale), the new tuner will feature original songs plus some classic 80's hits. Fans of the movie will recall that Bale's character, Patrick Bateman (investment banker by day, serial killer by night) would slaughter his victims to the tune of such chipper ditties as Huey Lewis and the News' "Hip to Be Square" and Phil Collins' "Sussudio".

No dramatists or schedule have been confirmed for the production at this time.

Clay Aiken Comes Out

Clay Aiken, former American Idol and current Broadway star, has publicly came out as a gay man. Citing the birth of his son last month as the inspiration for his decision, Aiken stated, "I cannot raise a child to lie or to hide things".

Aiken, who returned to Monty Python's Spamalot last week and continues in the role of Sir Robin (originated by David Hyde Pierce) through January 4, will be featured on the cover of this week's People magazine (along with his seven week-old son Parker) with the statement "Yes, I'm gay" printed in bold letters, echoing Ellen DeGeneres' legendary 1997 Time magazine cover.

We here at Movie Dearest congratulate Clay Aiken on this decision and wish him well in his future career.

Reverend's Interview: The Amazing Truth About Queen Raquela's Olaf de Fleur

“I’m not a gold digger. I just want a better life.” So says Raquela Rios, the transgender “ladyboy” who is the subject of the new film, The Amazing Truth About Queen Raquela (being released in LA this Friday by Regent Releasing/here! Films). The movie won the “Teddy” award for Best Queer Film at the 2006 Berlin Film Festival.

Born Earvin, Raquela was working the streets of Cebu City, Philippines when documentary filmmaker Olaf de Fleur met her. de Fleur was struck by Raquela and her “Tgirl” friends’ dreams of a better life in Europe or the United States, and was quickly inspired to make Raquela’s journey the subject of his new film. The director recently called from Bangkok, Thailand at the end of a well-deserved vacation to discuss his acclaimed feature.

“The fascinating thing was that Raquela, like many of her ilk, was chasing an impossible dream,” de Fleur, who is from Iceland, explained. “Although they are men in the biological sense, their deepest wish is to find a heterosexual man to marry. That conundrum seemed like a snake eating its tail.”

de Fleur continued, “Having seen several other films about transgender girls told from a more biological perspective inspired me to do a visual film about the dream most of these ladyboys have: to live as a heterosexual woman.”

Initially, most Tgirls put on make-up and women’s clothing as an expression of who they feel they truly are but primarily just for fun. They soon learn, though, that there are men willing to pay to spend time with them, which more often than not leads them to prostitution. As de Fleur put it, “They are all trying to dress as Paris Hilton, and their best hope for a job is the sex industry.”

Raquela comes across as charming, well-intentioned and smart, if naïve, in The Amazing Truth About Queen Raquela. One scene shows her interview for nursing school but, sadly, she isn’t taken seriously by the interviewer.

In another part of the film, Raquela goes to a clinic to be tested for HIV for the first time since she began having mostly unprotected sex years earlier. As she awaits the test results, Raquela says of her decision to not use condoms, “I can’t help it, I love being careless.” I asked de Fleur about Raquela’s disturbing lack of concern.


“Raquela and her friends believe life is short, topping out at 28 or 30,” de Fleur replied. “They are trying to exploit life to the fullest. It’s a collective self-destructive element.” The scene where Raquela has the HIV test was, according to de Fleur, “very emotional for everybody in the film, but the strain was mostly on Raquela herself, who had to admit that she lived a dangerous lifestyle by not using condoms.”

After receiving her test results and after drawing international attention doing Internet porn, Raquela gets invited to Europe as a potential first step toward a more legitimate life. Her first stop, Iceland, requires major cultural and climatic adjustment. It isn’t long, though, before she has an opportunity to visit her dream city: Paris.

For de Fleur, uncovering The Amazing Truth About Queen Raquela requires an indictment of the west, and the United States in particular, for its negative influence. This is embodied in the film by Michael, a New York-based internet pornographer played by co-producer Stefan Schaefer. “Stefan mostly ad-libbed the part,” de Fleur revealed, “but we wanted to portray the stereotypical self-centered westerner with the character.”


de Fleur doesn’t let himself off the hook either. “I feel a responsibility to Raquela, since I was the one who polluted her world and introduced her to the west.” He remains in touch with Raquela and tries to support her. “I did arrange for her to attend the Berlin Film Festival, which was pretty amazing.”

At the end of The Amazing Truth About Queen Raquela, her journey having led her back to the Philippines, Raquela realizes that the dream she shares with her Tgirl friends can’t come true in this life but perhaps will in the next. “We’ll be the make-up artists of the angels,” Raquela muses. It is a hopeful conclusion to de Fleur’s revealing film about their difficult lives.

For more information on The Amazing Truth of Queen Raquela and to watch the trailer, visit the film's official website.

Interview by Rev. Chris Carpenter, resident film critic of Movie Dearest and the Orange County and Long Beach Blade.

Poster Post: Bad Boys

Here are some international teaser posters for the eagerly awaited film version of Stephenie Meyer's best-selling vampire love story Twilight. Above is Cam Gigandet (seen on The O.C.) as James, the villain of the piece, and below is ...


... Robert Pattinson (best known prior to this as Cedric Diggory in the Harry Potter films) as Edward, the Angelic bloodsucker in love with a mortal girl. Twilight dawns in theaters November 21.

UPDATE: Here's the final Twilight trailer.

The Latest in Theaters: No Day Like Today

Actually, no day but the next five days, as that's all you're going to get if you want to see Rent: Filmed Live on Broadway.

Only four screenings (on Wednesday and Thursday nights and Saturday and Sunday afternoons) will be offered of this unique cinematic presentation (part of Sony Pictures' Hot Ticket project), which features the complete Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winning rock musical, plus footage from the legendary production's final performance earlier this month.

For a hint of what to expect from this rare stage-to-screen transfer, here's the trailer, plus clips of the show's title tune and its most well known song, "Seasons of Love".

UPDATE: Playbill.com has an exclusive behind-the-scenes look of the filming of Rent: Filmed Live on Broadway.

To find out where Rent: Filmed Live on Broadway is playing in your area, visit Fandango - Search movie showtimes and buy tickets!

The Latest on DVD: Mob Mentality

Two of the greatest movies ever made (plus a third attempt at greatness) are returning to DVD today with The Godfather - The Coppola Restoration.The gangster trilogy that boasts nine Academy Awards (including two Best Pictures) is available yet again, this time fully restored and with a full bonus disc worth of new supplemental features.

In addition to a standard DVD giftset,the Coppola Restoration is also available on high def Blu-rayfor the first time, plus all three movies -- The Godfather,The Godfather Part IIand The Godfather Part III-- are sold separately as well. Talk about an offer you can't refuse.

UPDATE: For more information on this Godfather re-release, visit the official site of the Coppola Restoration.

Check out the Latest on DVD widgets located in the sidebar for more of this week's new DVD releases available today from Amazon.com.

Toon Talk: Disney Goes to the American Film Institute

"To the movies ... to good movies ... of every possible kind."

The quote above was spoken by none other than legendary film director-actor-writer-producer Orson Welles upon his acceptance of the American Film Institute’s Life Achievement Award in 1975, and it perfectly describes what the AFI is all about; established in 1967 by the National Endowment for the Arts when President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the National Foundation of the Arts and the Humanities Act, the AFI is an independent, non-profit organization created, in part, to recognize and celebrate excellence in the art of film.

Among the methods they use to fulfill this mission statement is the previously mentioned Life Achievement Award, which began in 1973 and has since become the highest honor for a career in film. In 1998, the 100th anniversary of American film, AFI began its AFI's 100 Years … series, a popular and often controversial annual television special that has nevertheless accomplished what it set out to do: increase modern interest in classic American movies. And the AFI Awards, established in 2000, is described as the “annual almanac for the 21st century”, honoring the most outstanding motion pictures of the year.

This year’s 100 Years … program, AFI’ 10 Top 10 (which aired in June on CBS and will be rebroadcast this Tuesday on AMC and again on November 28 on AMC) was dedicated to counting down "the ten greatest American movies in ten classic film genres", including animation. As expected, Disney dominated the category, with nine out of the final top ten movies, which thus inspired me to take a look back at how Disney has fared over the years when it comes to being recognized by the AFI.

Click here to continue reading this Toon Talk article on LaughingPlace.com.

Tune in to TCM: Drag Net

Four of our favorite films will be screened tomorrow night on Turner Classic Movies in a mini-marathon salute to "Gender Benders".

First up, two musical delights: Barbra Streisand is a boy in Yentl (still shockingly not on DVD, so catch it while you can) and Julie Andrews is a woman impersonating a man impersonating a woman in Victor/Victoria. Next, Jack Lemmon is a hoot as Daphne in Some Like It Hot. And wrapping up the evening, Dustin Hoffman shows you "How to Succeed in Show Business by Cross-Dressing" in Tootsie.

The fun starts tomorrow at 8:00 PM EST on TCM.

Digital illustration by Roy Tan; also check out his photography.

Cinematic Crush: Milo Ventimiglia

Crush object: Milo Ventimiglia, actor.

- He's best known as the super hottie with all the super powers Peter Petrelli on Heroes, returning for its third season tonight.

- His film debut was in the gay-themed short Must Be the Music, available on the Boys Life 2DVD. He also appeared in the street hustler drama Speedway Junky.

- Pre-Heroes, his biggest television role to date was as Rory Gilmore's boyfriend Jess Mariano on Gilmore Girls. Other series he has appeared on include Boston Public and American Dreams.

- After co-starring with Sylvester Stallone in Rocky Balboa (as his son, Robert Balboa Jr.), he headlined this year's thriller Pathology and stars in three more thrillers -- Armored, The Chaos Theory and Game -- all due out within the next year or so.

- But it is as Heroes' tortured Peter that he makes his fan's hearts soar like their idol; they even make video tributes to his hair.

Awards Watch: Emmys 2008

The 60th Annual Emmy Awards were handed out last night, but there wasn't too much to get excited about as far as Movie Dearest was concerned. Our only favorite program to win anything all night was Pushing Daisies (for Barry Sonnenfeld's direction of the "Pie-lette"). Seriously, what does Neil Patrick Harris, Chandra Wilson and Vanessa Williams have to do to get a little Emmy love?

The highlight of the whole painfully protracted affair (seriously, those hosts get paid for, you know, hosting?) was Josh Groban's delightfully goofy renditions of about 30 famous TV theme songs. We all knew the velvet-voiced cutie could sing, but who knew he could rap (The Fresh Prince of Bel Air) or do a mean Cartman impression (South Park)?

King of Broadway

After Monty Python's Spamalot, Terry Gilliam's The Fisher King is the latest "quest for the Holy Grail" movie to be adapted into a stage musical; is Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade: The Musical! next?

Per Playbill.com, a reading of the new work will be held tonight at the New York Theatre Workshop.

Illustration by Erik Rose.

Movie Dearest MySpace Friend of the Week: David Blue

In anticipation for the third season premiere of the Dearie Award winning Ugly Betty this week, our Movie Dearest MySpace Friend of the Week is David Blue! Mr. Blue is better known around these parts (and the Mode offices) as Cliff St. Paul, Marc's photog beau and (according to an MD Poll earlier this year) your favorite guy on our favorite show.

David is a New Yorker by birth and currently resides in beautiful downtown Burbank. He received his Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Acting/Musical Theatre from the University of Central Florida, so you know he's ready for that Betty musical episode they keep teasing us about (and yes, we would love a love song for Marcliff). Other TV shows you may have seen him on include Moonlight, Dirt and Veronica Mars, and he also starred in the films The Comebacks, This Can't Be My Life and Winter Follies.

Congratulations, David! For your wonderfully endearing performance as a regular (gay) Joe, you are this week's Movie Dearest MySpace Friend of the Week!

Dancing in September

With its largest cast yet, Dancing With the Stars tangos its way back to TV tomorrow night with the first installment of a much ballyhooed "Three-Night Premiere Event" (would you expect anything less from DWTS?).

Two couples will actually be eliminated this week, so Movie Dearest hopes our three favorites -- Cloris Leachman, Lance Bass and Susan Lucci -- survive at least the first round to rumba again. We have no idea how our chosen trio of stars dance, but Leachman has proven to be quite the randy loose cannon of late, so she'll be a hoot to have around for a while, and both Big Edie and our Neil Cohen idolize La Lucci, a.k.a. Miss Erica Kane. And Scotty the Intern has had quite the crush on Mr. Bass (who has been making the interview rounds of late; here he is with The Advocate and E! Online) ever since he first saw the music video for "Bye Bye Bye". (I just hope they don't use that song when/if Lance is cut; it would just destroy our poor Scotty.)

Who among the rest of the cast will suffer the blistering bon mots of judge Bruno Tonioli, never to fox trot again? Again, who knows how they will all do on the dance floor, but I would love it if so-called "star" (publicity hog is more like it) Kim Kardashian were waltzed out the door, never to be seen or heard of again.

Ogre and Out in Seattle

Wrapping up his pre-Broadway try-out in Seattle tonight, the big green guy is now heading to the Big Apple. Shrek the Musical will next be seen at New York's Broadway Theatre November 8, with an official opening scheduled for December 14.

But if you want to see more of him now, head over to Broadway.com for their exclusive picture gallery and video preview.

Legends of the FAIL, Take 5

This (slightly NSFW) video montage brings a whole new meaning to the quote, "The Force is strong with this one".

Via the Fail Blog.

Reel Thoughts Interview: Work Sucks

And you thought your job bites, sucks and drains the life out of you?! As seen in Netherbeast Incorporated, the folks at Berm-Tech Industries (a shadowy telecom company located in downtown Phoenix) wouldn’t have it any other way. Unfortunately, change is a-comin', heralded by company president Turner Claymore (SNL’s Darrell Hammond) plunging a wooden stake into company suck-up Mike. Mild-mannered Otto Granberry (Steve Burns from Blue’s Clues) is called into the big guy’s office and asked to handle things, but he’s understandably distracted by Mike’s lifeless body. “Mike was a vampire,” Claymore explains, leading to one of the most unusual, funky and offbeat comedies you’ll see all year.

The opening scene is almost an exact recreation of Dean and Brian Ronalds’ hilarious short film, The Netherbeast of Berm-Tech Industries, Inc., which skewers corporate management and bureaucracy. It turns out that the folks at Berm-Tech are a tight-knit “family” with a bloody secret that’s about to be exposed. Hammond and Burns join Dave Foley (Kids in the Hall), Judd Nelson (The Breakfast Club), Jason Mewes (Clerks), Amy Davidson (8 Simple Rules) and Robert Wagner (Hart to Hart) as President James Garfield in the daft, deftly written and produced comedy.

Phoenix's local luminaries Robyn Allen and Laura Durant also play featured roles, but Bruce Dellis’ script and the Ronalds Brothers’ twisted sense of humor are the real stars of the film. Funny riffs abound, as does bloody cartoon gore, but Netherbeast Incorporated steers clear of the X-rated humor and language that’s such a routine part of Judd Apatow’s comedies.

It’s not a seamless film, and the ending does get a little too convoluted for its own good, but Netherbeast Incorporated is a hundred times smarter and funnier than any of the Epic-Superhero-Disaster-Meet the Spartans movies. Any film that has a character exclaim: “For the love of Laura Keene!” (the actress/manager who invited Abraham Lincoln to Ford’s Theatre) definitely has my heart!

I had the chance to grill the Ronalds Brothers (in a nice white wine sauce) and they revealed what spawned their undead comedy.

NC: What a wild film! What draws you to such original ideas like vampires in corporate America and dead leprechauns and the like?
Brian and Dean: Bruce Dellis' wacky mind penned up both Little Victim and Netherbeast, the short and feature. We tend to really like the out of the ordinary. Our favorite movies are Murder by Death, Clue, Private Eyes, To Kill a Mockingbird and The Court Jester, to name a few. We were raised on these pictures, so the dark and unusual humor suits us very well.


NC: I loved the way you used downtown Phoenix as a setting. How is filming in Arizona?
Brian and Dean: We love shooting in Arizona. The people here are so inviting and encouraging. The heat is obviously an issue but there are ways around that. Like not shooting in the summer!!! (We shot our last two features in the summer!! D’oh!)

NC: You've worked with Robert Wagner, Lori Singer and other stars before. How was it going pretty much all-star for Netherbeast?
Brian and Dean: Having an all-star cast was a dream came true. There was a time when we had Darrell Hammond, Judd Nelson, Steve Burns, Dave Foley, Jason Mewes all in a scene together and we looked at each other and we both knew what the other was feeling. We were in heaven! And as the great Hannibal Smith from A-Team would say, "I love it when a plan comes together!" We concurred!

NC: Robyn Allen, among other local Phoenix favorites, had a really good role and definitely held her own with Dave Foley and Darrell Hammond. Do you plan to keep using local talent and filming in Arizona?
Brian and Dean: We for sure have our favorites and will continue using the amazing talent that Arizona has to offer. We cast the stars, and then fill in the rest with special people like Laura Durant, Bob Rue, Robyn Allen, John Schile, Cathy Rankin and of course the good Dr. Kevin Berman! But we have to have the stars! Helps on sale-ability. You'll notice even Brian got bumped from his role he played in the short by Steve from Blues Clues in the feature.


NC: What is your favorite part of Netherbeast Incorporated, on-screen and off?
Brian and Dean: On-screen: We love the part where Darrell Hammond and Steve Burns push Dead Mike into the furnace. Not only was it a funny scene, it was a difficult shot we got in two, and it was in the final hours of the day, so we had no time and no choice but to get it! We had a great time off-screen with all the cast and crew. It was a pretty light-hearted set.

NC: What can Movie Dearest readers expect from the Ronalds Brothers in the future?
Brian and Dean: We just produced and co-starred in Brian Pulido's The Graves, starring Tony Todd (Candyman), Bill Moseley (House of a 1000 Corpses), Amanda Wyss (A Nightmare on Elm Street), Lamb of God's front man D. Randall Blythe and newcomers Clare Grant (Valerie Under the Stairs) and Jillian Murray (Fun Park). It is super creepy and will be sure to scare the crap out of you! We're also producing and directing our next picture, Pet Rock. Pet Rock is written by the same writer as Netherbeast, Bruce Dellis. It's about dead family pets and corporate rock n’ roll!

NC: Last question — I have to ask! Who'se idea was Brian's semi-nude scene? Was that a ploy to get the Sex and the City crowd in to see the movie?
Brian and Dean: So here's the deal: The semi-nude scene was written for the character Waxy Dan. Waxy Dan was played by Jason Mewes, who agreed to do the role except … that's right, he wouldn't reveal his ass. So instead of finding another talent to commit to the task, in a pinch, Brian took one for the team, and Bruce re-wrote the scene with Dow instead of Waxy.

For more information on Netherbeast Incorporated (now in theaters) and to watch the original short film and trailer, visit the movie's official website.

UPDATE: Netherbeast Incorporated is now available on DVDfrom Amazon.com.

Review and interview by Neil Cohen, resident film critic of Movie Dearest and Phoenix's Echo Magazine.

New Bond Song Will Leave You Shaken and Stirred

The brand new James Bond theme song, "Another Way to Die", is now available for a listen online. Composed by Jack White and performed by White and Alicia Keys, the tune will be heard during the opening credits of Quantum of Solace, in theaters November 14.

UPDATE: Here's the music video.

Working Girls

The official opening night of Dolly Parton's 9 to 5: The Musical is tonight in Los Angeles. Megan Hilty, Allison Janney and Stephanie J. Block star in the Broadway bound tuner, which continues through October 19 in preparation for a March 24 opening at the Marriott Marquis Theater in New York.


In more chick flick-turned-legit news, the national tour of Legally Blonde: The Musical kicks off tomorrow in Providence, Rhode Island. Original Broadway cast member (and Elle understudy) Becky Gulsvig will headline the tour, which also includes MTV's Search for the Next Elle Woods alum, Rhiannon Hansen and Lauren Zakrin. Check out Playbill.com for the full cast and announced tour dates.

Film Art: Bette Davis Goes Postal

Well, it's about time. Silver screen goddess Bette Davis has finally been honored with her own U.S. postage stamp this week. The United States Postal Service has immortalized her in her most famous role, that of Margo Channing in All About Eve. (Look close and you'll notice Bette's ever-present cigarette is missing.)

To celebrate the occasion, here's a musical salute to another of her popular characters, Baby Jane Hudson.

UPDATE: Looks like I'm not the only one who noticed the missing cigarette.

The Latest on TV: Emmys and Spaceballs, Oh My

The Emmy Awards will celebrate their 60th year of handing out trophies to the best in television tomorrow night on ABC. To help commemerate the special occasion, the telecast will feature everyone from Helen Mirren to Donald Trump reciting some of TV's most memorable lines from the past six decades.

Hosting the event will be the five nominees for the new Outstanding Reality/Competition Host award: Tom Bergeron (Dancing with the Stars), Heidi Klum (Project Runway), Howie Mandel (Deal or No Deal -- isn't that a game show?), Jeff Probst (Survivor) and Ryan Seacrest (American Idol), who emceed (terribly) the show last year, but who is nevertheless the favored to win. My vote is for Bergeron, whose quick wit always enlivens every Dancing episode. (For more on who I want to win, see this previous post.)

Presenters include a few of our faves (and a few nominees): Christina Applegate, Candice Bergen, David Boreanaz, Kristin Chenoweth, Glenn Close, Marcia Cross, Dana Delany, Patrick Dempsey, America Ferrera, Sally Field, Kathy Griffin, Neil Patrick Harris, Teri Hatcher, Felicity Huffman, Eva Longoria Parker, Mary Tyler Moore, Sandra Oh, Hayden Panettiere, Amy Poehler, Nicolette Sheridan, Kate Walsh, Betty White and Vanessa Williams. Also presenting are Kathryn Joosten and Cynthia Nixon, fresh off their Emmy wins at the Creative Arts Emmys last week for their work on Desperate Housewives and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (respectively).


Also airing tomorrow night is the debut of Spaceballs: The Animated Series, based on the Mel Brooks' cult Star Wars parody. This one probably won't be winning any Emmys next year, but as you can see by this preview (possibly NSFW), they sure know their target audience. It airs on the G4 network, naturally.

Memo from Movie Dearest: 200,000 Fans!

Sometime last night, Movie Dearest reached 200,000 total visitors to date! That's a lot of fans, so as you can see, we're very busy here at MD HQ getting autographed pictures out to each and every one of you. (And the way Scotty the Intern is working up a sweat, some of you will be getting a little something extra on yours too.)

On behalf of all of us at MD, I want to thank all of our readers for making this blog such a success! We have many exciting things in store for you over the next couple of weeks, including lots of spooky stuff next month in honor of Halloween. Also next month, we will finally be launching a very special, all new project that we've been working hard on for months now. If you're curious, take a look around and you just may stumble upon it.

Until then, I better get back to these autographs ... Scotty, where's my quill?

Out in Film: Bruce Cohen

Idol worship: Bruce Cohen, producer.

- With his production partner, Dan Jinks, he runs Jinks-Cohen Productions and shared several Best Picture awards (including the Oscar, Producers Guild, BAFTA and Golden Globe) for American Beauty.

- His many other producing credits include Hook; Alive; The Flintstones (and its sequel); To Wong Foo Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar; Mousehunt; Down with Love; Big Fish; The Forgotten; The Nines and this year's Milk, which just may bring him another Academy Award.

- Also active in television, his TV projects include Traveler, Side Order of Life, Pushing Daisies, last year's Movies Rock special and the opening ceremonies of the 1996 Olympic Games.

- Congratulations are in order: he just wed his partner, art consultant Gabriel Catone, this past June. Their close friend, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, officiated the ceremony.

- More congratulations are in order: "As a producer, philanthropist and activist, Bruce Cohen has been one of the singular most influential supporters of Outfest and LGBT filmmakers" and thus will be honored at this year's Outfest Legacy Awards next week. The gala benefit will raise funds for the group's LGBT film preservation project.

UPDATE: The Advocate has a full report on this year's Outfest Legacy Awards.

Movie Music: Tops of the Pops

In honor of the 50th anniversary of Billboard's Hot 100 chart, the magazine has put together their "definitive list of the Hot 100's top 100 songs from the chart's first 50 years" (August 1958 through July 2008). While perusing the list (and wondering why some of the newer songs I have never heard of, let alone heard ... pfft, kids today), I noticed quite a few Academy Award winning Best Original Songs, as well as a few nominees as well. In ascending order:

• "The Way We Were" from The Way We Were, composed by Marvin Hamlisch and Alan and Marilyn Bergman, recorded by Barbra Streisand -- Oscar winner, #90 on the chart.
• "Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head" from Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, composed by Burt Bacharach and Hal David, recorded by B.J. Thomas -- Oscar winner, #85.
• "Say You, Say Me" from White Nights, composed and recorded by Lionel Ritchie -- Oscar winner, #74.
• "Flashdance … What a Feeling" from Flashdance, composed by Giorgio Moroder, Irene Cara and Keith Forsey, recorded by Cara -- Oscar winner, #26.
• "Eye of the Tiger" from Rocky III, composed by Jim Peterik and Frankie Sullivan III, recorded by Survivor -- Oscar nominee, #21.
• "(Everything I Do) I Do It For You" from Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, composed by Bryan Adams, Michael Kamen and Robert John Lange, recorded by Adams -- Oscar nominee, #16.
• "Endless Love" from Endless Love, composed by Lionel Ritchie, recorded by Diana Ross and Ritchie -- Oscar nominee, #13.
• "You Light Up My Life" from You Light Up My Life, composed by Joseph Brooks, recorded by Debby Boone -- Oscar winner, #7.
• "How Do I Live" from Con Air, composed by Diane Warren, recorded by LeAnn Rimes -- Oscar nominee, #4.

That's right, according to these questionably determined rankings, the most successful film song of the past fifty years is from a crappy Nicolas Cage movie. Granted, the latter two records weren't the versions heard in the actual movies (Kacey Cisyk -- dubbing for Didi Cohn -- and Trisha Yearwood did the actual soundtrack honors, respectively), so if we discount those two, it means the most successful film song of the past fifty years is from a crappy Brooke Shields movie. I think I'll stick with the Guinness Book of Records' biggest selling single of all time, the Academy Award winning "White Christmas" (from Holiday Inn, composed by Irving Berlin and recorded by Bing Crosby).

To continue to prove the ignominious tastes of the record buying public, the Billboard Top 10 Original TV Theme Songs lists the #1 TV tune as "How Do You Talk to an Angel" from the short-lived teen soap The Heights. That's right, the most successful TV theme song of the past fifty years is from a crappy Aaron Spelling show.

Charlie and Raymond, Together Again

Josh Hartnett makes his West End debut tonight as Charlie Babbitt with the official opening of the stage version of the Academy Award winning Best Picture Rain Man. Joining him as his autistic savant brother Raymond is Olivier Award nominated British actor Adam Godley.

Hartnett and Godley play the roles originated by Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman in the film version (with the latter taking home the Best Actor Oscar for his performance). Playwright Dan Gordon (whose other screen-to-stage credits include Terms of Endearment and Murder in the First) has adapted the movie's Oscar winning script, resetting it in the present day.

Avast There, Mateys! It Be Talk Like a Pirate Day!

Ahoy! Once again, it is International Talk Like a Pirate Day, so dig out your eye patches, feed Polly a cracker and get the chains from out of your bedroom for a proper swashbucklin' celebration.

As you can see, we here at Movie Dearest HQ have gotten into the spirit of the occasion this year. Big Edie has broken out the rum (but then again, she does that every day), while Scotty the Intern is so excited, he's wearing his gang plank g-string. Or maybe he's just excited.

What's that? You say you don't know how to talk like a pirate? Well then, just take a lesson from good ol' Captain Jack and you'll be cursing about "yellow-bellied sapsuckers" in no time. Be warned though ... the video is rated "Arrr!"

The Latest in Theaters: Around the World in 13 Films

This baker's dozen of new movies should keep you busy this weekend:

• Appaloosa: Ed Harris directed, co-wrote and stars (plus: sings!) in this western, in which he and Viggo Mortensen are lawmen out to clean up the titular town. Jeremy Irons is what needs cleaning up, and Renée Zellweger is on hand to distract them as a prairie widow. Lance Henriksen also stars.
• The Duchess: Keira Knightley, Ralph Fiennes and Dominic Cooper make up the lover's triangle in this period romantic drama, based on the life of Georgiana Cavendish, an ancestor of Princess Diana. Charlotte Rampling co-stars.
• Lakeview Terrace: Samuel L. Jackson is the cop next door who has issues with the new (interracial) couple on the block, Patrick Wilson and Kerry Washington, in this suburban thriller from Neil LaBute. Watch for Ron Glass, Justin Chambers and Eva La Rue in supporting roles.
• Ghost Town: Ricky Gervais is an anti-social dentist whose near death experience leads him to, like, "see dead people". Ghostly Greg Kinnear enlists him to stop the impending marriage of his widow (Téa Leoni). Broadway stage faves Brian d'Arcy James and Brad Oscar also appear.
• My Best Friend's Girl: Another rom com from Kate Hudson and Dane Cook (who does this guy keep getting work?), who plays an anti-Hitch hired by dumped boyfriends to ... oh, does it really matter? Co-starring Jason Biggs and Alec Baldwin.
• Igor: John Cusack voices the title ogre who sets his sights on winning the annual "Evil Science Fair" in this Burton-esque animated comedy. The typically all-star voice cast includes Steve Buscemi, John Cleese, Jennifer Coolidge, Arsenio Hall, Sean Hayes, Eddie Izzard, Jay Leno, James Lipton (as himself!), Molly Shannon, Christian Slater and Paul Vogt.
• Hounddog: Sneaking into theaters in limited release, this controversial drama is the so-called "Dakota Fanning rape movie" you've heard about. Also starring David Morse, Piper Laurie and Robin Wright Penn.
• Battle in Seattle: Stuart Townsend makes his writing/directing debut with this politically charged drama about the 1999 World Trade Organization riots starring Woody Harrelson, Joshua Jackson, Ray Liotta, Michelle Rodriguez, Channing Tatum and Charlize Theron (naturally).
• Elite Squad (Tropa de Elite): Academy Award nominated screenwriter Bráulio Mantovani (City of God) once again returns to the mean streets of Rio de Janeiro, this time seen through the eyes of the law.
• A Thousand Years of Good Prayers: An elderly Chinese widower faces culture shock when he visits his recently divorced daughter in Spokane, Washington. Directed by Wayne Wang.
• All of Us: Emily Abt's documentary about a physician treating HIV+ African-American women in the South Bronx.
• Virtual JFK: Vietnam If Kennedy Had Lived: Another doc, this one focuses on the intriguing "what if" mentioned in the title.
• And finally: Catch the soft-core thriller Playing with Fire on the big screen before it starts making the late night rounds on Cinemax next month.

To find out what films are playing in your area, visit Fandango - Search movie showtimes and buy tickets!

Women We Love: Keira Knightley

Object of our affection: Keira Knightley, actress.

- Her first major role was in Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace, but her big breakthrough came with the crowd pleaser, Bend It Like Beckham.

- More smaller films followed (including playing Lara in a TV remake of Doctor Zhivago), but she really became a star when she took on the part of swashbuckling siren Elizabeth Swann in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. She returned for the two sequels, Dead Man's Chest and At World's End.

- Next, she was part of the large ensemble of Love Actually, played an ass-kicking Guinevere in King Arthur and Laurence Harvey's bounty hunter daughter in Domino.

- She received her first Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations as Elizabeth Bennet in the 2005 adaptation of Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice. Another Globe nod came with last year's Atonement.

- As the title character in this week's The Duchess, she could get more award recognition, as could her turn in an upcoming version as King Lear, wherein she'll play Cordelia. She is also rumored for the part of Eliza Dolittle in the upcoming remake of My Fair Lady.

Justice is Served

The Justice League returns to Smallville in tomorrow night's eighth season premiere on the CW. With Lana Lang (Kristin Kreuk) and Supergirl (Laura Vandervoort) out of the picture for now, it is up to the JL to rescue Clark Kent (super hottie Tom Welling); naturally, the ever resourceful Chloe Sullivan (Allison Mack, the only other remaining original cast member) is on the case as well.

Filling the void left this season by the now departed Lex Luthor (Michael Rosenbaum), the series' new villain will be a Smallville version of Doomsday (who, in the comics, killed Superman), played by Battlestar Galactica's Sam Witwer. Erica Durance and Aaron Ashmore return as the future Man of Steel's gal and pal, Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen, and Justin Hartley (ace archer Green Arrow) is now a regular cast member.

And for more super friends fun, check out these action figuresbased on the series; in addition to Clark and his JL buddies, there's even a Lana Lang ... complete with pom-poms.

Broadway: Camp Out

Sad news for fanadus everywhere: the Dearie Award winning, Tony Award nominated Xanadu, based on the camp movie classic, will close on Broadway October 12. The good news is that the roller disco musical does begin its national tour November 11 at the La Jolla Playhouse, followed by a six-month Chicago engagement beginning January 16.

That's not the only campy tuner to set a closing date in the Big Apple. Off-Broadway's long-running Forbidden Broadway, which launches its latest incarnation -- Goes to Rehab -- tonight, will come to end January 15 after 27 years (!).

But all is not loss for connoisseurs of musical outrageousness onstage. The Australian hit Priscilla Queen of the Desert has been announced for a London run. The disco-tuned tuner will travel from down under to the West End, with performances beginning March 10. Hopefully, Broadway will be the next stop on the bus's journey.


In the meantime, you can quench your thirst for cheeky show tunes with these two parody videos: the In the Heights guys launch Legally Brown: The Search for the Next Piragua Guy (featuring, among others, Xanadu's sassy Cheyenne Jackson and [title of show]'s hilarious Hunter Bell) and the 2008 election goes on for "One Day More" with Les Mizbarack.

UPDATE: Fanadus, get thee to Broadway by this Sunday -- Xanadu moves up its closing date to September 28.

Reverend Love: Rusty Schwimmer

Mary Kay Wulf, Angela Goethals and Rusty Schwimmer in The House of Blue Leaves
The official opening of Los Angeles' Center Theatre Group revival of John Guare's modern classic The House of Blue Leaves on September 14 coincided with the grand re-opening of the renovated Mark Taper Forum. The production is excellent and the Taper lovely, although I must be honest and say I'm not fond of the pea soup-green seats. They were largely redeemed, however, by the fabulous new downstairs area, which is being referred to by many as the "disco lounge" thanks to its silver upholstery and mirror-tiled pillars.

I was privileged to attend the opening night after-party with the likes of top-notch cast members John Pankow, Jane Kaczmarek and Kate Burton, as well as VIP attendees T.R. Knight, Bradley Whitford and Joan Van Ark. However, I made a beeline (after finishing my free wine and dinner; Reverend has his priorities) for actress Rusty Schwimmer, who plays "The Head Nun", hilariously, in the play.

Schwimmer has given memorable supporting performances in such TV shows as Private Practice, Heroes, Desperate Housewives and Six Feet Under. But she has impressed me in the big-screen blockbuster The Perfect Storm, the under seen North Country and, most recently, the barely-released The Hawk is Dying.

She was gracious and funny as I introduced myself and commended her on her body of work thus far. A friend who accompanied me commented on how well she utilized the referee's whistle the Head Nun uses in The House of Blue Leaves to keep her fellow sisters in line. Schwimmer was ready to drag us back to her dressing room so we could all practice with it!

She was also thrilled that I had not only seen The Hawk is Dying -- the film is available on DVD-- but had such high regard for it and her performance in it. "I feel that film was so far ahead of its time," she told me, "and (the film's star) Paul Giamatti agrees."

Bawdy yet sensitive, strong yet vulnerable, Schwimmer is destined to become an LGBT fave if she isn't already!

Article by Rev. Chris Carpenter, resident film critic of Movie Dearest and the Orange County and Long Beach Blade.

Poster Post: Pretty in Pink

Fresh poster art for Mike Leigh's upcoming comedy, Happy-Go-Lucky, bouncing into a theater near you October 10.

That is the Question

To Be or Not To Be, the new play based on the classic Ernst Lubitsch film comedy, begins previews tonight on Broadway in preparation for its October 14 opening. Casey Nicholaw, Tony Award nominated for choreographing Monty Python's Spamalot, directs.

Jan Maxwell (Tony nominee for Chitty Chitty Bang Bang) and David Rasche (currently in theaters in Burn After Reading) star in the roles created onscreen by Carole Lombard and Jack Benny (and recreated by Ann Bancroft and Mel Brooks in the remake), a theatrical couple who gets mixed up with the Nazis in war torn Warsaw.

The production has had a couple of set backs, most notably when Craig Bierko, who was originally cast in the Benny role, abruptly left the show late last month. As a result, the scheduled first preview was pushed back twice. But, as the show biz saying goes, the show must go on, starting tonight and continuing through November 23 at Manhattan Theatre Club's Samuel J. Friedman Theatre.

The Latest on DVD: Autumn in Paris

Two Academy Award winning Best Pictures are available today in new two-disc special editions, but the similarities don't end there. Both are MGM musicals starring Leslie Caron, directed by Vincente Minnelli, written by Alan Jay Lerner and produced by Arthur Freed.

• An American in Paris- Caron made her cinematic debut in this Gershwin romance when Cyd Charisse had to bow out due to her pregnancy. Five other Oscars were bestowed upon it, plus a special one for its star, Gene Kelly.
• Gigi- The first film to sweep the Oscars (winning nine for nine), Lerner was joined by his My Fair Lady collaborator Frederick Loewe on this one, based on the writings of Colette. Louis Jourdan, Maurice Chevalier and a scene-stealing Hermione Gingold round out the cast.

Both DVDs boast remastered prints, and are loaded with extras, including new documentaries, outtakes, trailers, vintage shorts and cartoons. As the French say, "Très Magnifique!"

Check out the Latest on DVD widgets located in the sidebar for more of this week's new DVD releases available today from Amazon.com.

Golden Girls: The Lost Election Episode

What if John McCain, Sarah Palin, Hillary Clinton, and George W. Bush all shared a house in Miami? And what if Barack Obama dropped by?

Friendship, fights and plenty of cheesecake with five feisty US political figures in this hilarious video by Broadway star David Turner (The Ritz).

Cinematic Crush: Dominic Cooper

Crush object: Dominic Cooper, actor.

- His enigmatic performance as the seductive Dakin in The History Boys on both stage and screen is what first caught our attention. He was involved with the play from the first reading, performing in it in all its international productions (even a radio version), and was nominated for a Drama Desk Award for the Broadway production.

- Other stage roles include Puck in the Royal Shakespeare Company's A Midsummer Night's Dream and Will Parry in the Royal National Theatre's His Dark Materials.

- Following small parts in From Hell and Breakfast on Pluto, he co-starred in Starter for 10 (with James McAvoy) and played Willoughby in the BBC's adaptation of Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility.

- This past summer, he raised temperatures as the often shirtless Sky in the hit movie musical version of Mamma Mia! Lay all your love on me indeed ...

- He'll next be seen as Keira Knightley's lover in The Duchess (opening in limited release this week), followed by the drama An Education and the comedy Brief Interviews with Hideous Men, of which, I'm most sure you'll agree, he most certainly is not.

Film Art: Sex and the City Edition

To get you in the mood for the upcoming DVD release of the Sex and the City movie, here are some artists' renderings of our four favorite ladies from Manhattan. Above is a drawing from the master caricaturist himself, Al Hirschfeld.

The next two are by our pal Dave Decaro, including another one of his great Warhol-inspired paintings.

The Sex and the City movie DVDs will be released September 23 in several versions, including a two-disc special edition(also available in the Blu-rayformat), as well as single disc widescreenand full screeneditions. Twelve extra minutes of footage have been added for an extended version of the movie, and bonus features include a fabulous fashion featurette and deleted scenes, so pre-order your copy today!

Costume Dramas: Kevin Bacon's Tank Top

As Footloose's Ren McCormack, Kevin Bacon sports the requisite ensemble of a rebel with a cause (and that cause be dancin'). Attired in his skintight wife beater and pair of old denims (I see you dress to the right, Mr. Bacon), Ren is always ready to kick off his Sunday shoes.

And you can too with these two bonus videos: How do you like your "Footloose"? If it's macho and manly with a country western flair, then here's the DC Cowboys on America's Got Talent (just ignore that bitch Piers Morgan comments). Or, if you prefer glitzy and girly with a Vegas twist, then here's the one and only Mary Hart on Dolly Parton's variety show, circa 1988.

Go on and cut loose!

Movie Dearest MySpace Friend of the Week: Mego Museum

If you were a child of the 70's, then you grew up with the wondrous works of Mego. Dominating the toy business during the disco decade, the Mego Corporation produced popular lines of 8-inch action figures based on DC and Marvel comic book characters (known as the "World's Greatest Super Heroes") as well as such movies and television shows as The Planet of the Apes, Space: 1999, Star Trek and The Wizard of Oz.

Mego found even more success when they branched out into 12 ½-inch dolls inspired by such celebrities as Sonny and Cher (complete with Bob Mackie designed wardrobe!), Farrah Fawcett, Diana Ross and even the Captain and Tennille, plus new lines based on the Wonder Woman TV show and Superman movie.

Alas, Mego's downfall came when they turned down a deal to produce the Star Wars action figures, leaving the door open for Kenner to come in and make a gazillion dollars (and counting) off that series of films. Mego tried to compete with tie-in merchandise to all the sci-fi movies that were released in the wake of Star Wars (such as Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, The Black Hole and Star Trek: The Motion Picture) as well as their own Micronauts line, but the company ultimately folded in 1983.

However, Mego's legacy lives on at the Mego Museum, an awesomely nostalgic walk down memory lane with quite a few surprises along the way (who knew there was toys based on The Love Boat, complete with Pacific Princess play set?).

The Museum even has their own MySpace page to share the fun ... subscribe to their blog, and you'll be treated to a daily blast from the past with their "Mego of the Day". Such recent toys featured include Doctor Kromedome, the Human Torch, Ralph Malph and Grandma Walton.

For all they do to keep our fond childhood memories alive, the Mego Museum has been chosen as the latest Movie Dearest MySpace Friend of the Week! Congratulations!

And while you're over at the Mego Museum's space, stop by The Official Movie Dearest MySpace Page to check out the latest Weekly Recap, including MySpace exclusive picture for all of last week's big stories!

Best of the Fests: Millionaire Wins Big at Toronto

USA Today reports on the Toronto International Film Festival, which wound up this year's festivities yesterday: "The people have spoken, or at least voted. Slumdog Millionaire, a Dickensian fable that plunges into the noisy, colorful and perilous urban chaos of India, has joined the ranks of American Beauty, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Whale Rider as a winner of the People's Choice Award, selected by festival goers and often an Oscar harbinger.

Much like Jamal, the plucky teen orphan from the teeming streets of Mumbai who wins the jackpot on the Hindi version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire only to be accused of cheating, Slumdog has risen above its lowly status. The hard-to-market title was left in limbo after art-house label Warner Independent went under, until Fox Searchlight picked it up after an enthusiastic screening at Telluride.

"Four weeks ago, we were, like, dead," says British director Danny Boyle, best known for the drug-addicted rush of 1996's Trainspotting and zombie-style thrills of 2002's 28 Days Later. "We had no hope. We were homeless, and it's a bit like the film. These festivals put you on your feet."

Beyond Your Imagination

Here's a treat, the first look teaser/behind the scenes preview for Heath Ledger's final film, Terry Gilliam's The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, expected in theaters next year.

Movie Dearest's Halloween Tricks and Treats!

All Hallows Eve is fast approaching, so to get you in the mood for all those tricks and/or treats in store for you on October 31, Movie Dearest is here to help you out with all your Halloween needs!

Below you will find links to our select sponsors who can load you up on anything and everything you will need for that special party or big night out on the town. Costumes, makeup, wigs, props and even special effects are in store, so click and shop away!







You can also find more ad links in the sidebar, and be sure to check out our special Movie Dearest Halloween Tricks and Treats section at the bottom of the page for even more ghastly and ghostly goodies!

Poster Post: When the MPAA Gives You Lemons ...

... make lemonade. Or, in the case of Kevin Smith's Zack and Miri Make a Porno, you make a cleverly awesome poster.

I have to say, I like it better then the first one, and certainly better then these.

Mothers and Sisters

The Best Actress race shouldn't be hurting for candidates this year, especially if these new trailers for two high profile films are any indication.

First we have Meryl Streep looking to break her own record with a 15th Oscar nomination as the stern Sister Aloysius in John Patrick Shanley's adaptation of his own Tony Award winning play Doubt. The role already won Cherry Jones a Tony and every other theater award imaginable, and Streep tears up the screen in the trailer, chewing up and spitting out her esteemed co-stars Philip Seymour Hoffman and Amy Adams in the process. Also watch for Viola Davis, who has been gaining buzz for the Supporting Actress category as well.


Next is Clint Eastwood's Changeling, which finds Angelina Jolie hoping for that second Oscar nod that A Mighty Heart didn't bring her last year. Like that film, Jolie plays a mother facing insurmountable tragedy in this, another harrowing true story, which always helps in the Academy's eyes. Plus, they do so love their Clint. Watch the trailer here.

Changeling will be released first, in limited release October 24 and then wide a week later. Doubt will hit theaters December 12.

Return to Laramie

Playbill.com reports: "A decade after piecing together the docudrama The Laramie Project, about people involved with and affected by the 1998 murder of gay college student Matthew Shepard, the creators of the play are returning to Laramie, Wyoming, to write an epilogue.

Crafted by director Moisés Kaufman and members of his Tectonic Theater Project, who interviewed Wyoming and Colorado residents and wrote and acted in the resulting play, The Laramie Project was produced by Denver Center Theatre Company in association with Tectonic in early 2000 and then ran Off-Broadway March-September 2000. It has since blossomed in regional theatres and in college theatres. A film version appeared on HBO.

On October 6, 1998, Shepard was beaten and left to die tied to a fence in the outskirts of Laramie. He died six days later. "His torture and murder became a watershed historical moment in America that highlighted many of the fault lines in our culture," according to Tectonic. "A month after the murder the members of Tectonic Theater Project traveled to Laramie and conducted interviews with the people of the town."

This month, Tectonic members return to Laramie "to find out what has happened over the last 10 years. Has Matthew's murder had a lasting impact on that community? How has the town changed as a result of this event? What does life in Laramie tell us about life in America 10 years later?"

According to a September 4 Tectonic blog announcement, "From the interviews conducted, they will write an article with their findings that they hope to publish in the New York Times as well as other major national papers. They will also write an Epilogue for the play to be added to the published version of the script."

Awards Watch: ALMA Winners 2008

The winners of the 2008 ALMA Awards were revealed last night, and our Ugly Betty reined supreme, picking up three awards, including the Entertainer of the Year Award for Betty Suarez herself, America Ferrera.

Other notable TV winners include actors Edward James Olmos (Battlestar Galactica), Jorge Garcia (Lost) and sexy soap stud Kamar de los Reyes (One Life to Live), plus a special award for High School Musical 2 director Kenny Ortega.

On the movie side, Alejandro Gomez Monteverde's Bella picked up the prize for Outstanding Performance of a Lead Latino/Latina Cast in a Motion Picture, while Patricia Riggen's Under the Same Moon (La Misma Luna) was honored with a Special Achievement Award for Outstanding Spanish Language Motion Picture.

Created in 1995 by the National Council of La Raza (the largest national Latino civil rights and advocacy organization in the US), the ALMA Awards promote fair, accurate, and balanced portrayals of Latinos in the entertainment industry.

Out in Film: Alan Ball

Idol worship: Alan Ball, writer/director/producer.

- Initially a playwright (including the popular Five Women Wearing the Same Dress), he began his Hollywood career working on two notoriously troubled sitcoms, Grace Under Fire and Cybill.

- His first feature screenplay was for a little movie called American Beauty, which won him an Academy Award, a Golden Globe, a BAFTA Award, a Writers Guild Award and just about every other award possible.

- Returning to television, he created Six Feet Under. Including writing and producing, he made his directorial debut with the series, winning awards from the Emmys and the Directors Guild of America, plus a Producers Guild Award.

- In 2002, he was the recipient of the Stephen F. Kolzak Award, one of the GLAAD Media Awards highest honors, given to GLBT individuals in the media for their outstanding contribution in combating homophobia.

- Recent projects include the just premiered TV series, True Blood, and his first feature film as a director, the controversial Towelhead, in theaters this weekend (watch the trailer here).

Film Art: Workin' 9 to 5, Warhol Style

They may have to rechristen Hollywood as "Dollywood" soon (yeah, I know there already is one of those ... they could call it "Dollywood West" then). In addition to her stage musical composing debut -- 9 to 5: The Musical now playing in LA -- the World of Wonder on Hollywood Boulevard is opening a "Dolly Pop" exhibit in their gallery tonight.

Above is one of the pieces that will be on display, a Warholian tribute to Dolly's first movie, 9 to 5. The painting is by my new best friend, the very talented Dave Decaro. This is just the first of many of Dave's fine works of art that we will feature here on Movie Dearest in our Film Art section; I swear, it's like he tapped into the "obsessions" section of my brain and brought it all to vividly colored life.

And speaking of the fabulous Miss Parton, she proved what a consummate entertainer she at is the opening night this week of 9 to 5: The Musical. Seems there was some technical issues onstage that stopped the show, so what does our Dolly do? Why, grab the nearest microphone and lead the lucky audience in a medley of her greatest hits ... and here's the video to prove it. What a pro!

UPDATE: Dave (of course) was at the opening of "Dolly Pop" the other night and has a full report. Aside from his 9 to 5 painting, other great works at the exhibit included pieces inspired by The Wizard of Oz and Mars Attacks! (?!).

Pac-Man Fever

Today is Video Games Day (really), so to celebrate, here are two treats for you.

First up is this first look image of cutie Justin Chatwin as Goku in the upcoming game-to-film adaptation Dragonball (yeah, I don't know what that all means either, but the kids seem to like it). The movie is set to invade theaters next spring.

Next up is something a little more my speed: Pac-Man: The Movie!

MD Poll: Back to School

Attention class, my name is Miss Crawford and I will be your substitute teacher for the day. Today's lesson on Cinematic Excellence is now in session. Your homework assignment is simple: choose your favorite high school movie from the ones chosen for the latest MD Poll.

You'll have two weeks to complete this assignment, and all you have to do is place your vote in the poll, located in the sidebar at right (beneath my profile for you dunces). But there is no reason to be tardy, students, and penmanship is not an issue this time, so go ahead and vote!

UPDATE: This poll is now closed. Click here for the results, and click here to vote in the latest MD Poll.

MD Poll: Movie Dearest's Most Wanted

Bringing in 415 votes, the latest MD Poll -- which asked you to name your favorite summer movie hunk of 2008 -- was the most popular non-Oscar poll we have had to date. And the winner is: the scruffy, scrappy James McAvoy of Wanted fame. Seems quite a few of you (over 22%) agree with us that the sexy Scotsman is certainly crush worthy.

McAvoy wasn't the only hot import from the United Kingdom to catch your eye this past summer movie season. Ben Barnes (The Chronicles of Narnia's Prince Caspian) and Christian Bale (The Dark Knight's Batman) finished strong in second and third place respectively. Rounding out the top five were Vin Diesel (Babylon A.D.) and Robert Downey Jr. (Iron Man), the only two other stars to hit double digits.

Check out the full stats for this poll in the comments section below, and click here to vote in the latest MD Poll.

Reverend’s Interview: 9 to 5: The Musical's Robert Greenblatt

Producer Robert Greenblatt's “day job” as President of Entertainment for Showtime Networks, Inc. has helped bring such LGBT favorites as The L Word and Six Feet Under to television. 9 to 5: the Musical, which is now in previews in Los Angeles and will have its official opening there on September 20, represents the first time Greenblatt has been “front and center” producing anything for the stage. While he has an undergraduate degree in theatre and took an initial step toward becoming a Broadway producer a few years ago as an investor in The Drowsy Chaperone, Greenblatt stated he got “side-tracked” into television.

Greenblatt took time out from his busy 9 to 5 rehearsal schedule to speak with me (my interview with book writer Patricia Resnick was posted here last week) about the musical and his work at Showtime. When I asked him how the show was coming along, Greenblatt gushed excitedly: “It’s looking great! I was involved very much in the background of The Drowsy Chaperone, but this is a different animal.”

9 to 5 follows the exploits of three female office employees (played by Allison Janney, Megan Hilty and Stephanie J. Block) who turn the tables on their sexist, egotistical, bigoted boss. They hatch a plan to get even, but their plan quickly spins out of control. Dolly Parton has written the songs for the stage adaptation of the 1980 film in which she made her acting debut.

Greenblatt and Resnick devoted themselves in 2004 to developing the project together and approached Parton about writing the musical’s score, since Parton had written the Oscar-nominated title song for the movie. According to Greenblatt, working with Parton “has been a dream come true. She is well known for her strong work ethic and how honorable and lovable she is. There is no dark side to Dolly, no attitude or diva sensibility. She’s a team player as well as a truly gifted songwriter.”

Since the openly gay Greenblatt has worked hard to ensure that the LGBT community is represented in his television programming and has won three GLAAD Media Awards as a result, I asked him whether 9 to 5 has any specifically-LGBT content.

“I don’t know that it’s a show that has a unique or special message for the community,” he replied, “but I think it speaks to those who don’t feel empowered, which includes many LGBT people. It’s a great story with a universal, all-encompassing theme. It’s fun and funny, but important.”

I asked Greenblatt if he envisioned his stage version being filmed in the future, à la such stage-to-screen blockbusters as Hairspray and Mamma Mia! “I would hope so,” he replied. “It’s hard to predict what’s going to happen, but there have been some successful movie musicals in recent years and I would love for 9 to 5 to join them someday.”

Regarding Showtime’s LGBT-friendly programming, Greenblatt told me: “We do intentionally ensure that the LGBT community is represented as part of a larger mandate to be inclusive of everyone. We’ve had a great track record not only in terms of gay and lesbian but ethnic minorities. They aren’t necessarily the most prominent characters, but they are part of the world.”

Greenblatt shared with me that two of Showtime’s upcoming series, United States of Tara (created by Steven Spielberg and Juno’s Diablo Cody) and a new show starring Edie Falco tentatively titled Nurse Jackie will have significant gay characters.

Finally, I asked Greenblatt if he had anything additional to share with Movie Dearest readers regarding 9 to 5. He mentioned, interestingly, that he and the musical’s director, Tony Award-winning Joe Mantello (Wicked, Take Me Out), went to high school together in Rockford, Illinois and have remained friends ever since. However, 9 to 5 marks the first time they’ve worked together, so “it is special to me on that front too.”

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit the official website of 9 to 5: The Musical, which continues in Los Angeles through October 19. Broadway performances begin March 24 at the Marriott Marquis Theatre.

Interview by Rev. Chris Carpenter, resident film critic of Movie Dearest and the Orange County and Long Beach Blade.

The Latest in Theaters: He-Men and the Women

Unlike last week's slim pickings, this week's new releases brings us a bountiful cinematic crop that the fall movie season is known for, filled with big stars and even the return of two of the greatest films of all time:

• Righteous Kill: Al Pacino and Robert De Niro team up once again onscreen for another gritty crime thriller with a generic title (the other one would be Heat), and this time spend the whole movie together. (The acting legends also had their first joint interview this morning on The Today Show.) Jon Avnet directs, with Carla Gugino, John Leguizamo, Donnie Wahlberg and Brian Dennehy co-starring.
• The Women: After 14 long years, Diane English's modern update of the 1939 George Cukor camp classic is finally here. The all-star, all-female cast is the draw here: Meg Ryan, Annette Bening, Eva Mendes, Debra Messing, Jada Pinkett Smith (as a lesbian!), Bette Midler, Candice Bergen, Carrie Fisher, Cloris Leachman, Debi Mazar, Ana Gasteyer, Joanna Gleason and Lynn Whitfield (whew!). Somewhat surprisingly, Diane Keaton is nowhere to be found.
• Burn After Reading: Joel and Ethan Coen, fresh off their own Oscar wins for No Country for Old Men, have rounded up their own crew of Oscar winners (George Clooney, Frances McDormand, Tilda Swinton) and nominees (Brad Pitt, John Malkovich) for this goofy crime caper.
• Towelhead: Alan Ball's controversial drama (his feature directorial debut) has already drawn ire for its title (which was changed from the less incendiary Nothing is Private) and subject matter, which centers on a teenage Arab-American girl's sexual awakening. Maria Bello, Aaron Eckhart, Carrie Preston and Toni Collette star.
• The Family That Preys: Tyler Perry is quickly becoming the African American Woody Allen, turning out one or two films a year in quick succession. This one stars Kathy Bates and Alfre Woodard as family matrons taking a road trip together.
• Proud American and Flow: For Love of Water: These two disparate documentaries -- concerning Americans who overcome adversities (feel good!) and the world's water supply (feel bad!) -- are opening in limited release.
• Able Danger: How classy is this: releasing a cheesy 9/11 conspiracy thriller on the seventh anniversary of 9/11.
• And last, but certainly not least: In preparation for their upcoming DVD re-release,the fully restored gangster epics The Godfather and The Godfather Part II will have special screenings in select cities. This brings us full circle to Pacino and De Niro, who of course starred in the latter together, although not onscreen at the same time (but you knew that).

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Are These the Gayest Soundtracks of All Time?

Out Magazine recently published their list of The 100 Greatest, Gayest Albums (of All Time), tallied up from a poll they conducted of "more than 100 actors, comedians, musicians, writers, critics, performance artists, label reps and DJs". They asked everyone from Rufus Wainwright to Candis Cayne to Bruce Vilanch to name "the 10 albums that left the most indelible impressions on their lives".

Somewhat surprisingly (at least in my eyes), only three soundtrack albums and only two Broadway cast albums made the final cut. Hedwig and the Angry Inchplaced highest, just shy of the top ten at #11. You then have to go all the way to #70 (and past a lot of Madonna) to get to Rent,followed by Fame(#73), The Rocky Horror Picture Show(#78) and Hair(#94). I have to say, I'm not sure how Fame and Hair got in there (their gay content is minimal at best, derogatory at worst), but the fact that all five of these have (for the most part) rock scores shows that those polled spend more time listening to their record collections then going to see movies or the theater.

And really, how serious can you take a so-called list of the "gayest albums of all time" that has no mention of Barbra? Or Liza? No Village freakin' People?!? Granted, they did put Judy at Carnegie Hallin the top ten, but still. Perhaps we'll have to do a future poll of our own to determine the gayest soundtracks of all time.