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National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation almost included a post-credits scene with Todd and Margo explaining a lingering question about the Griswolds' chaotic festivities. The deleted post-credits scene would have featured Todd and Margo peacefully in bed before the Griswolds' exploded Santa display crashes through their ceiling. Cuting the post-credits scene preserved the heartwarming ending and maintained the movie's themes, instead of including an unnecessary quick gag.

The 1989 holiday classic National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation nearly included a post-credits scene with Todd and Margo that would have explained a lingering question about the Griswolds’ chaotic festivities. While National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation is centered on the holiday experiences of the extended Griswold family tree, the movie also features a humorous subplot involving Clark, Ellen, Audrey, and Rusty’s next-door neighbors, the yuppie couple Todd (Nicholas Guest) and Margo (pre-Seinfeld Julia Louis-Dreyfus). The two neighbors often take the brunt of the Griswolds’ hijinks, such...

Clockwise from top left: Moon (courtesy Liberty Films UK), Die Hard (courtesy 20th Century Studios), The Iron Giant (courtesy Warner Bros.), The Truman Show (courtesy Paramount Pictures) Graphic: The A.V. Club YouTube offers a veritable treasure trove of free movies ready to watch at your convenience. Comedies, dramas, hidden gems,...

Clockwise from top left: Moon (courtesy Liberty Films UK), Die Hard (courtesy 20th Century Studios), The Iron Giant (courtesy Warner Bros.), The Truman Show (courtesy Paramount Pictures)Graphic: The A.V. Club

YouTube offers a veritable treasure trove of free movies ready to watch at your convenience. Comedies, dramas, hidden gems,...

Christmas is coming at us faster than Santa’s sleigh, which means ’tis the season for streaming Christmas movies. While there are plenty of family-friendly options for parents — from classics like “A Charlie Brown Christmas” to new entries like this year’s “Spirited” on Apple TV+ — some may prefer a slightly more raunchy selection, which is where 1989’s “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” comes in.

“Christmas Vacation” is streaming on several online platforms, including HBO Max, AMC+, The Roku Channel, fuboTV, Philo, and Sling TV. It can also be rented or purchased on VOD platforms, including YouTube, Vudu, Google Play, Apple TV, and Redbox, for 3.99. In addition, AMC will air the film throughout the next few days at 8 or 10 p.m. Et, including on December 21, December 22, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.

Directed by Jeremiah S. Chechik, “Christmas Vacation” was the third and effectively final entry in the classic “National Lampoon” series...

The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences has announced the 395 artists and executives that have been invited to join this year — about half the number of last year’s class. The 2021 class is comprised of 46% women, 39% underrepresented ethnic/racial communities and 53% international from 49 countries outside the United States. Of the 395 invitees, 89 are former Oscar nominees, including 25 winners.

Eight individuals have been invited to join by multiple branches and must select one branch upon acceptance. They include Leslie Odom Jr, Kaouther Ben Hania, Craig Brewer, Lee Isaac Chung, Emerald Fennell, Shaka King, Alexander Nanau, Florian Zeller.

Other big names among the newly invited include Walt Disney CEO Bob Chapek, “Promising Young Woman” original screenplay winner Emerald Fennell and “Minari” stars Steven Yeun, Ye-ri Han and recently crowned supporting actress Yuh-Jung Youn.

In the directing category, new invitees include Janicza Bravo, Nia DaCosta, Cathy Yan, Darius Marder, Michael Almereyda, Lizzie Borden,...

Oscar winner Yuh-Jung Youn, who took Supporting Actress in April for Minari, along with a number of her recent fellow acting nominees including Maria Bakalova, Andra Day, Vanessa Kirby, Leslie Odom Jr., Paul Raci, and Steven Yeun, are among the new class of 395 artists and executives who have been invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences. A number of other recent winners and nominees including both of the latest screenwriting victors, Emerald Fennell and Florian Zeller, Music Score winner Jon Batiste, and all three writers of Oscar winning song “Fight For You” including H.E.R. are also on the list from the 17 branches of the Academy. Overall, there are 89 Oscar nominees, including 25 winners, among the new class. 46% are women, 39% underrepresented ethnic/racial communities, and 53% coming from countries outside of the U.S. this time around.

Although receiving an Oscar and/or a nomination is a big plus,...

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has extended invitations for 395 artists and executives working in film to join the ranks of a growing membership of more than 9,000 film industry figures. Per AMPAS, “membership selection decisions are based on professional qualifications, with representation, inclusion and equity remaining a priority of Academy Aperture 2025.”

Statistically, the 2021 class is comprised of 46 percent women, 39 percent underrepresented ethnic/racial communities, and 53 international members from 49 countries outside of the United States. Among the new class are 89 Oscar nominees and 25 winners, including “Minari” Best Supporting Actress winner Yuh-jung Youn, Best Actor nominee Steven Yeun, multi-nominated director/writer Lee Isaac Chung, and co-star Ye-ri Han, plus “The United States vs. Billie Holiday” Best Actress nominee Andra Day, “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm” Supporting Actress nominee Maria Bakalova, “Pieces of a Woman” Best Actress nominee Vanessa Kirby, and Supporting Actor nominees Leslie Odom Jr. (“One Night in Miami”) and Paul Raci...

Oscar-nominated actors Leslie Odom Jr., Maria Bakalova and Steven Yeun are among the 395 people who have been invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the Academy announced on Thursday.

Also on the list of invites: actors Yahya Abdul-Mateen, Nicole Beharie, Kingsley Ben-Adir, Carrie Coon, Laverne Cox, Andra Day, Vanessa Kirby, Nathan Lane, Jonathan Majors, Robert Pattinson and Issa Rae; directors Lee Isaac Chung, Sean Durkin, Emerald Fennell, Jonathan Glazer, Shaka King, Darius Marder and Florian Zeller; and musicians Jon Batiste, H.E.R., Janet Jackson and Emile Mosseri.

Eight people were invited by two different branches: Chung, Fennell, King, Zeller, Kaouther Ben Hania and Craig Brewer were invited by both the directors and writers branches, while Alexander Nanau was invited by the directors and documentary branches, and Odom Jr. by both the actors and music branches. If they accept the invitations, double invitees must choose a single branch...

Jim Dandy Jul 11, 2019

Legendary penciller Denys Cowan returns to The Question in a new DC Black Label comic written by Jeff Lemire.

We've got a rule 'round the old Den. It's a simple one, easy to remember: If Denys Cowan is drawing something, buy it. If Bill Sienkiewicz is inking him, buy an extra copy. It doesn't matter if it's Deathstroke. Or a crossover that is ridiculous on its face, like Hong Kong Phooey/Black Lightning. Or even a quickie crossover tie-in like Convergence: Detective Comics. This rule has never once failed any of us, and we intend to follow it for this art duo's latest DC project.

Jeff Lemire is teaming up with the legendary artists and colorist Chris Sotomayor to bring The Question to DC's mature imprint, Black Label. The Question: The Deaths of Vic Sage is a four-part story starting in November that will track Vic Sage through history.

Tony Goldwyn will return to Broadway in Ivo van Hove’s much-anticipated production of Network, joining Bryan Cranston and Tatiana Maslany in the stage adaptation of the 1976 Oscar-winning film.

Goldwyn will play Max Schumacher, the TV exec in the midst of a mid-life crisis played by the Oscar-nominated William Holden in the film. British actor Douglas Henshall originated the role in the West End production of the play last year.

Known to TV audiences for playing President Fitzgerald Grant in Shonda Rhimes’ Scandal and next to be seen onscreen in Netflix’s Chambers with Uma Thurman, Goldwyn has a long stage history. Among his credits: Theresa Rebeck’s The Water’s Edge, Craig Lucas’ The Dying Gaul, Holiday at Circle in the Square opposite Laura Linney, and an Obie-winning performance in The Sum of Us. He most recently appeared on Broadway in the 2010 revival of Promises, Promises.

Performances of Network begin on Saturday,...

I wish I had a grandchild to enjoy Scooby-Doo! and Batman: The Brave and the Bold with since I am far from the target audience. I was outgrowing Saturday morning TV when Scooby and the gang debuted and never warmed up to them. Over time, the troublesome teens have encountered countless pop culture celebrities in their storied career but this, their fourth meeting with the Caped Crusader, is a record.

It makes perfect sense that the 1960s homage version of Batman (Diedrich Bader) is used here since it is stylistically appropriate for this sort of crossover. Paul Giacoppo acquits himself well with a breezy script that uses touchstone elements from both series so fans are satisfied. Comics aficionados will appreciate the use of the New Look era Mystery Analysts of Gotham, even though the novelists have been replaced by the more colorful Martian Manhunter (Nicholas Guest), Detective Chimp (Kevin Michael Richardson...

Mystery Inc. & The Dark Knight Unite Aswarner Bros. Home Entertainmentand DC Entertainment Release

Scooby-doo! & Batman: The Brave And The Bold

On DVD And Digital Starting January 9, 2018

Together Again After 45 Years In An All-new Animated Film

Burbank, CA (November 1, 2017) – The ultimate crime-solving combination reunites when Batman joins the Mystery Inc. gang to catch a gaggle of villains wreaking havoc in Scooby-Doo! & Batman: The Brave and the Bold. Produced by Warner Bros. Animation and DC Entertainment, the all-new original film will be distributed January 9, 2018 by Warner Bros. Home Entertainment on DVD ($19.98 Srp) and Digital.

Super sleuths Scooby-Doo, Shaggy, Fred, Daphne and Velma join forces with the world’s greatest detective, Batman, when they discover that villains from both of their respective rogues’ galleries have also combined efforts to terrorize the city. With Scooby snacks in tow, the crime-fighting teams encounter classic Batman foes (Joker, Catwoman, Riddler, Penguin, Scarecrow, Poison Ivy, Harley Quinn) and allies (The Question,...

When Batman: The Brave and the Bold debuted on Cartoon Network back in 2008, many fans were understandably hesitant when it came to seeing a lighter take on the Caped Crusader than had been witnessed in animation for some time. But lo and behold, said animated series found much success throughout the course of its three seasons by retaining the tongue-in-cheek nature of the TV show starring Adam West and utilizing the vastness of the DC Universe in a way similar to Justice League Unlimited. Really, it’s no wonder why some felt it rivaled Batman: The Animated Series and Batman Beyond in terms of quality.

Since its cancellation in 2011, none of us thought we’d ever be seeing the Hammers of Justice again, especially since no direct-to-video movie swiftly followed the series finale. Now, six years later, the folks at Warner Bros. Animation have decided to dust off the franchise...

Stars: Andrew J. West, Mei Melançon, Googy Gress, Ivan Shaw, Nicholas Guest, Caitlyn Folley, Bret Roberts, Albert Thakur, Tonya Kay, Jamie Parker, Reginald Huc, Paul Yen, Wes Whitehead, Jamie VanDyke, Stephen Bralver | Written and Directed by Mark Netter

Nightmare Code is a psychological sci-fi thriller about behaviour recognition technology and 24/7 surveillance. Brett Desmond, a genius programmer with a troubled past, is called in to finish a top-secret behaviour recognition program, Roper, after the previous Lead Programmer went insane. But the deeper Brett delves into the code, the more his own behaviour begins changing… in increasingly terrifying ways. Suspense builds with surveillance, PC, and eyeglass cameras – often with four images onscreen at once… as if Roper itself is telling the story.

Computers are going to take over the world and kill us all! I knew it! No one is safe! Turn off your devices, run for the hills and live in...

Network: FX

Episodes: 92 (hour)

Seasons: Seven

TV show dates: September 3, 2008 -- December 9, 2014

Series status: Ended

Performers include: Charlie Hunnam, Mark Boone Junior, Tommy Flanagan, Maggie Siff, Ron Perlman, Kim Coates, Katey Sagal, Theo Rossi, Ryan Hurst, Johnny Lewis, William Lucking, Dayton Callie, Taylor Sheridan, Ally Walker, Winter Ave Zoli, Adam Arkin, Henry Rollins, Dendrie Taylor, Emilio Rivera, Jamie McShane, Marcos A. Ferraez, Mitch Pileggi, Callard Harris, Julie Ariola, Tory Kittles, Sprague Grayden, Nicholas Guest, Jay Karnes, Tara Macken, and Drea de Matteo.

TV show description:

This dark and humorous drama follows the members of a notorious motorcycle club from Charming, California. The mission of the local Redwood chapter of the Sons of Anarchy (Soa) is to protect their simple town from advancing drug dealers and local corporate developers -- while also making sure...

Last night, FX released the new promo/spoiler clip (below) for their upcoming "Sons Of Anarchy" series finale episode 13 of season 7, and it appears that they've decided to skimp out on us again this year with a clip that just shows past scenes, and no new stuff. You'd think they would've cut us a break this year since it's that last season, but no. Anyways, the episode is titled, "Papa's Goods."The official teaser plotline for the series finale episode 13, reads like this: "Jax aims to fulfill his father's legacy in the series finale." Nicholas Guest guest stars as character, John Teller. The series finale episode 13 is scheduled to air on Tuesday night, December 9th at 9pm central time on FX.

Recently, FX dished out a new, very short spoiler teaser for their upcoming "Sons Of Anarchy" series finale episode 13 of season 7. They also gave us a title for it, which is labeled, "Papa's Goods." And it turns out that Jax will be attempting to finally fulfill his father's legacy. Then that'll be end of this show for good as they're really ending it forever. Their official teaser plotline for the series finale episode 13, reads like this: "Jax aims to fulfill his father's legacy in the series finale." Nicholas Guest guest stars as character, John Teller. The series finale episode 13 is set to air on Thursday night, December 9th, 2014.

Christopher Abbott as Andrew with Brady Corbet as Ira in Mona Fastvold's hauntingly beautiful The Sleepwalker.

Brady Corbet, who pops up in Bertrand Bonello's exquisite portrait of the tortured artist Saint Laurent, Mia Hansen-Løve's Eden and the incisive Clouds Of Sils Maria by Olivier Assayas, talked about the banality of evil and the evil of banality, as our Sleepwalker conversation turned to Amy Berg's An Open Secret. Mona Fastvold and Corbet's upcoming project, The Childhood of a Leader, which he is going to direct, will star Bérénice Bejo, Tim Roth, Stacy Martin and Robert Pattinson. The script is influenced by everyone from John Fowles and Jean-Paul Sartre, to Volker Schlöndorff's Young Törless. I suggested checking out Christian Kracht's cinematic novel Imperium in the Norwegian translation for last minute reading, as pre-production begins next week.

On deck for Mona Fastvold and Brady Corbet: "We're...

Hey "Sons Of Anarchy" peeps. Unfortunately, we have to break the bad news to you guys that you'll need to make other plans tonight as FX is not airing the new episode 12 of season 7 labeled, "Red Rose," tonight. I have no idea why, but it is what it is, so you'll have to reschedule as it will air next week,Tuesday night, December 2nd at 9pm central time. Be sure to jot that down on your TV calendars. FX did drop a promo/spoiler clip (below) for episode 12, last week, in case you haven't checked it out yet. The official teaser plotline for episode 12, reads like this: "Tensions will mount and truths will get exposed as Jax is forced to make a major decision." Actor Nicholas Guest guest stars as character John Teller. Stay tuned.

Last night, FX served up the new promo/spoiler clip (below) for their upcoming "Sons Of Anarchy" episode 12 of season 7, and it appears to be insanely intense and dramatic as hell as Gemma gets quite nervous over a possible Jax confrontation. Meanwhile, Jax is seen shooting up people left and right. And other shootout scenes are shown, and more! The episode is titled, "Red Rose." In the new, 12th episode official teaser plotline: "Tensions will mount and truths will get exposed as Jax is forced to make a major decision." Actor Nicholas Guest guest stars as character John Teller. Episode 12 is scheduled to air on Tuesday night, December 2nd at 9pm central time on FX. Stay tuned.

Recently, FX served up a new, very short spoiler teaser for their upcoming "Sons Of Anarchy" episode 12 of season 7. We also got a title for it, which is labeled, "Red Rose," and it turns out that a lot tension takes place as secrets get exposed. Jax will also have a very important decision to make. Their official teaser description for episode 12, reads like this: "Tensions mount and truths are revealed as Jax is forced to make a major decision." Actor Nicholas Guest guest stars as character ,John Teller. Episode 12 is set to air on Tuesday night, December 2nd at 9pm central time on FX. We also have a short teaser description for the finale episode 13 labeled, "Papa's Goods." It reads like this: "Jax aims to fulfill his father's legacy in the series finale." It due to air on Tuesday night, December 9th.

New Sons Of Anarchy season 7,episode 11 intense spoiler promo clip released. Last night, FX dropped the new promo/spoiler clip (below) for their upcoming "Sons Of Anarchy" episode 11 of season 7, and it appears to be extremely drama-filled and intense as Gemma is seen, starting to get nervous. Jax is seen, running around in front of cars like he's lost his freaking mind, along with some crazy car driving action, and more! The episode is titled, "Suits of Woe." Their official teaser plotline for episode 11, reads like this: " Jax faces an ugly truth." Actor, Nicholas Guest guest stars as character, John Teller. Episode 11 is scheduled to air on Tuesday night, November 18th at 9pm central time on FX. Stay tuned.

Recently, FX dropped a new, extremely small spoiler teaser for their upcoming "Sons Of Anarchy" episode 11 of season 7. We also got a title for it, which is labeled, "Suits of Woe," and it turns out that Jax will finally get hit with an ugly truth. Their official teaser storyline for episode 11, reads like this: " Jax faces an ugly truth." Actor, Nicholas Guest guest stars as character, John Teller. Episode 11 is set to air on Tuesday night, November 18th at 9pm central time on FX. In addition to that, FX revealed the titles for the final two episodes 12 and 13. Episode 12 is titled, "Red Rose." Episode 13 is titled, "Papa's Good." Stay tuned.

Last night, FX dropped the new promo/spoiler clip (below) for their upcoming "Sons Of Anarchy" episode 10 of season 7, and it gives us some new looks at some very violent and intense action going down as more guns are pulled, people are getting slammed against walls, and shoved. Juice is still chilling in the slammer, and more. The episode is titled, "Faith and Despondency." The official teaser plotline for episode 10, reads like this: "Samcro members will fall in love, but death will be in the air." Actor, Nicholas Guest guest stars as character, John Teller .Episode 10 is scheduled to air on Tuesday night, November 11th at 9pm central time on FX.

Recently, FX delivered a new,very short teaser spoiler for their upcoming "Sons Of Anarchy" episode 10 of season 7. We also got a title for it, which is labeled, "Faith and Despondency," and It turns out that one of the Samcro peeps will start to fall head over hills in love. However, more death will still be very much in the picture. Their official teaser plotline for episode 10, reads like this: "Samcro members fall in love, but death is in the air." Actor, Nicholas Guest guest stars as character, John Teller .Episode 10 is set to air on Tuesday night, November 11th at 9pm central time on FX. In addition to that, we've got a short teaser synopsis for episode 11 labeled, "Suits Of Woe." It reads like this: "Jax faces an ugly truth." It's set to air on Tuesday night, November 18th.

Stars (the voices of): Martin Freeman, Newell Alexander, Noel Clarke, Joan Collins, Tim Conway, David Cowgill, Tim Curry, Holly Dorff, Pam Ferris, Nicholas Guest, Ashley Tisdale | Written by Tony Nottage, Ricky Roxburgh | Directed by Leon Joosen, Aaron Seelman

Every year there seems to be an inordinate amount of new CGI Christmas movies thrust upon unsuspecting supermarket shoppers – after all, most folks buy theses types of titles on impulse whilst browsing in the likes of Asda, Tesco et al. Titles that are watched once or twice and then sit on the shelf for the most of the next year or, even worse, are tossed in to the “get rid” pile (I know you all have one). Saving Santa is one such film.

Once upon a time, Santa operated with just a small workshop and a few elves. But, as Christmas has grown ever bigger, Santa has been forced to innovate!

Last night, FX dropped the new promo/spoiler clip (below) for their upcoming "Sons Of Anarchy" episode 9 of season 7, and it appears to be very drama-filled and heavy intense as Jax runs people off the side of a road to yell at them. Juice is spotted, getting thrown into the slammer. And as always, more violent scenes take place, and more. The episode is titled, "What a Piece of Work Is Man." Their official teaser plotline for episode 9, reads like this: "The group has to deal with a internal heartache." Actor, Nicholas Guest, guest stars as character, John Teller. Episode 9 is scheduled to air on Tuesday night, November 4th at 9pm central time on FX. Stay tuned.

Recently, FX dished out a new, short teaser spoiler for their upcoming "Sons Of Anarchy" episode 9 of season 7. We also got a title for it, which is labeled, "What A Piece Of Work Is Man," and It turns out that the club will be forced to have to clear up some problems that are taking place from within the group. Their official teaser description for episode 9, reads like this: "The group has to deal with a internal heartache." Actor, Nicholas Guest, guest stars as character, John Teller. Episode 9 is set to air on Tuesday night, November 4th at 9pm central time on FX. In addition to that, FX revealed the titles for episodes 10,11 and 12. Episode 10 is labeled, "Faith and Despondency." Episode 11 is entitled, "Suits Of Woe," and episode 12 is called, "Red Rose."...

Last night, FX dropped the new promo/spoiler clip (below) for their upcoming "Sons Of Anarchy" episode 8 of season 7, and it appears to be very interesting and quite violent as Jax and company are seen, engaging in another hardcore shootout. Also, the question is being asked if Jax really knows who killed Tara, knives get pulled, and more! The episode is titled, "The Separation of Crows." Their teaser description for episode 8, reads like this: " A traitor is suspected as Samcro searches for a missing member." Nicholas Guest guest stars as character John Teller. Episode 8 is scheduled to air on Tuesday night, October 28th at 9pm central time on FX.

Recently, FX released a new, very small teaser spoiler for their upcoming "Sons Of Anarchy" episode 8 of season 7. We also got a title for it, which is labeled, "The Separation Of Crows." And it turns out that a suspected traitor will get exposed while Samcro tries to track down a missing member. Their official teaser description for episode 8, reads like this: " A traitor is suspected as Samcro searches for a missing member." Nicholas Guest guest stars as character John Teller. Episode 8 is set to air on Tuesday night, October 28th at 9pm central time on FX. Also, be sure to stay tuned as we'll get the episode 8 promo/spoiler clip up on the site, tonight, after episode 7 airs.

Last night, FX released the new promo/spoiler clip (below) for their upcoming "Sons Of Anarchy" episode 7 of season 7, and it appears to be extremely dramatic and intense as Jax orders his crew to get Gemma. More intense fighting and shootouts go down, and more! The episode is titled, "Greensleeves." The teaser synopsis for episode 7, reads like this: "Samcro will end up, forging an unlikely partnership in an effort to undermine a powerful enemy." Actor Nicholas Guest guest stars as character John Teller. Episode 7 is scheduled to air on Tuesday night, October 21st at 9pm central time on FX. Stay tuned.

Recently, FX revealed a new,short spoiler teaser for their upcoming "Sons Of Anarchy" episode 7 of season 7. We also got a title for it, which is labeled, "Greensleeves." And it turns out that Samcro will end up, forging a shocking partnership in an effort to undermine a very powerful enemy. Their official teaser description for episode 7, reads like this: "Samcro forges an unlikely partnership in order to undermine a powerful enemy." Actor Nicholas Guest guest stars as character John Teller. Episode 7 is set to air on Tuesday night, October 21st at 9pm central time on FX. Stay tuned.

New Line’s reboot-sequel to the hilarious 80s National Lampoon franchise has added two more names to its cast today, as Key & Peele‘s Keegan-Michael Key and About Last Night‘s Regina Hall have opted into the crazy shenanigans of Vacation.

Key and Hall will join the boot-quel as “family friends of the Griswolds that are described as the perfect family.” The Griswolds, this time around, are no longer the eccentric Clark and Ellen – played by Chevy Chase and Beverly D’Angelo in the original. Taking over in the family’s battered station wagon will be their grown-up son, Rusty Griswold (Ed Helms), who takes his wife Debbie (Christina Applegate) and their two sons on a cross country road trip to relive one of the best summers of his youth.

The pair sound like an updated version of the uptight image-obsessed Margot and Todd from Christmas Vacation. Played by Julia Louis Dreyfus and Nicholas Guest,...

Lana Cooper and Franz Rogowski in Jakob Lass's First Time Fest Grand Prize Winner Love Steaks

Love Steaks, directed by Jakob Lass is the First Time Fest (Second Time Around) Grand Prize Winner and Gesa Jäger, first time editor won Outstanding Achievement in Editing. Marieke Niestadt won Outstanding Achievement in Directing for Bittersweet.

Marieke Niestadt, Outstanding Achievement in Directing for Bittersweet Photo: Anne-Katrin Titze

Mona Fastvold's The Sleepwalker (Søvngjengeren) received two awards, Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography to Zachery Galler and Outstanding Achievement in Scoring to the composing team of Kato Ådland and Sondre Lerche.

Outstanding Achievement in Writing goes to Yael Reuveny for her film Farewell, Herr Schwarz (Schnee Von Gestern) with Outstanding Achievement in Acting going to Hill Harper in Tommy Oliver's 1982. In addition, Oliver received the inaugural Scandinavian Locations Special Jury Prize at the celebration of first time filmmakers that took place in New York...

Two of my favourite Full Moon flicks, Dollman and Demonic Toys, have been given the Blu-ray treatment by the folks at 88 Films. Already owning the pair on DVD we take a look at these new releases to see how they compare and if the new Blus are worthy of an upgrade…

Dollman

Stars: Tim Thomerson, Jackie Earle Haley, Kamala Lopez, Humberto Ortiz, Nicholas Guest, Judd Omen, Frank Collison | Written by Chris Roghair | Directed by Albert Pyun

Former funnyman, turned TV stalwart, turned action star, Tim Thomerson had already made a name for himself in the Empire Pictures/Full Moon franchise Trancers before spoofing the very same character and his take no crap persona in Dollman for one of my favourite directors, Albert Pyun.

Brick Bardo (Thomerson) is a traveller from outer space who is forced to land on Earth. Though regular sized on his home planet, he is doll-sized here on Earth,...

"Sons of Anarchy" Season 6 is only a few months away.

The new season of the hit biker drama will kick off with a special 90-minute episode on FX on Tuesday, September 10.

Having framed Clay (Ron Perlman) for the murder of Damon Pope (Harold Perrineau), "Sons of Anarchy" Season 6 begins with Jax's (Charlie Hunnam) leadership uncontested, but his family life is suffering from his single-minded pursuit of John Teller's (Nicholas Guest) vision. Jax has to find a way to keep Tara (Maggie Siff) from going to jail for conspiracy to commit murder while rebuilding Samcro and breaking from the cycle of violence and greed that ultimately led to his best friend’s death.

"I really wanted to get to a place where perhaps Jax realizes that he’s better at being an outlaw than he is at being a husband and a father," "Sons of Anarchy" creator Kurt Sutter told Collider...

Resurrecting the Lone Ranger with Johnny Depp must’ve sounded like one of the all-time Hollywood no-brainers when it was pitched to Disney in 2011. After all, the mysterious masked man used to be the all-American icon with the greatest chase-music (“The William Tell Overture”), the greatest sidekick (Tonto), and the greatest catchphrase (“Hi-yo, Silver, away!”). Plus, though Depp is playing a boldly reimagined Tonto opposite Armie Hammer’s Ranger, he was reuniting with producer Jerry Bruckheimer and director Gore Verbinski, the creative triumvirate that made Disney billions with the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. But getting The Lone Ranger into...

Walter Hill, 1980; Second Sight, 15

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A master of the low-tech action movie and successor to Sam Peckinpah as the greatest living exponent of lyrical violence, Walter Hill is on record as saying that "every film I've done has been a western". But his first real one, and the first to be shown in competition in Cannes, is this major contribution to the cycle of westerns about the James-Younger gang that robbed trains and banks in post-civil war Missouri and disintegrated after the catastrophic raid on a bank in distant Northfield, Minnesota.

The film is about an uneasy alliance of outlaw clans who, between crimes, live normal family lives, and it's no casting gimmick that sees them played by four sets of real brothers. James and Stacy Keach portray the stolid, solid Jesse and Frank James, the three Carradines (David, Keith, Robert) the raffish Youngers,...

Last night on Smash, Karen Katharine McPhee found herself seduced by the glamorous life of new Bff Rebecca Duvall special guest star Uma Thurman- but could Rebecca be trusted What would Karen's ascent mean to her relationship with Dev Raza Jaffrey And would Rebecca drive Derek Jack Davenport insane Eileen Anjelica Huston introduced new beau Nick guest star Thorsten Kaye to ex-husband Jerry guest star Michael Cristofer, while Julia Debra Messing paniced when her son Leo Emory Cohen went missing. Miss the episode Catch up below...

Since meeting on the set of 'Smash,' things have reportedly been heating up between Nick Jonas and Megan Hilty. Keep reading to find out more! Age is nothing but a number for Nick Jonas and Smash star Megan Hilty. Despite a 12-year age gap, sources tell the New York Post the two have been “seeing a lot of each other” ever since Nick guest stared on the NBC show. Last month, the duo was spotted enjoying an intimate meal together at Cafeteria in NYC. Nick is currently starring in How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. We wonder if Megan will turn up in the audience any time soon! Do You think Nick and Megan make a cute couple? [polldaddy poll=6164896] Jennifer Kamm More Nick Jonas News Nick Jonas Kisses Mystery Girl During Dinner Date In NYC Nick Jonas & Ashley Greene Walk Down The Aisle Together — Pics Nick Jonas...

Next week on Smash, Karen Katharine McPhee finds herself seduced by the glamorous life of new Bff Rebecca Duvall special guest star Uma Thurman- but can Rebecca be trusted What will Karen's ascent mean to her relationship with Dev Raza Jaffrey And will Rebecca drive Derek Jack Davenport insane Eileen Anjelica Huston introduces new beau Nick guest star Thorsten Kaye to ex-husband Jerry guest star Michael Cristofer, while Julia Debra Messing panics when her son Leo Emory Cohen goes missing. Check out a scene from the episode below, in wihich Derek gives Rebecca a piece of his mind.

Next week on Smash, Karen Katharine McPhee finds herself seduced by the glamorous life of new Bff Rebecca Duvall special guest star Uma Thurman- but can Rebecca be trusted What will Karen's ascent mean to her relationship with Dev Raza Jaffrey And will Rebecca drive Derek Jack Davenport insane Eileen Anjelica Huston introduces new beau Nick guest star Thorsten Kaye to ex-husband Jerry guest star Michael Cristofer, while Julia Debra Messing panics when her son Leo Emory Cohen goes missing. Check out a sneak peek of the eppisode below...

Trendy. Hip. Water cooler fodder. Those aren’t words usually used when discussing programming from that most staid of networks – PBS. But those are exactly the sort of sentiments the network is hearing about itself these days thanks to the second season of Downton Abbey, currently airing Sunday nights on PBS.

In the era of The Walking Dead, Breaking Bad, and American Horror Story that a show set in 1914 following the lives of the wealthy people who live on an English estate with the servants who pamper them, should become an international hit is … remarkable. Downton Abbey features no graphic violence, nudity or sex. It is not laden with special effects or outrageous antics by a character in a black rubber suit. Instead, it’s simply features great storytelling, the beautiful English countryside, and, of course, terrific acting from actors such as Maggie Smith, Elizabeth McGovern and Hugh Bonneville.

Of...

DVD Playhouse—July 2011

By Allen Gardner

The Music Room (Criterion) Satyajit Ray’s 1958 masterpiece looks at the life of a fallen aristocrat as a metaphor for an India that is not only becoming Westernized, but modernized technologically and culturally beyond recognition. When the beloved music room, where he has hosted lavish concerts in the past, starts falling into disrepair as attendance drops steadily, the man realizes his way of life is vanishing. Stunningly shot in black & white, one of Ray’s finest works. Bonuses: Documentary on Ray from 1984 by Shyam Benegal; Interviews with Ray biographer Andrew Robinson and filmmaker Mira Nair; Excerpt from 1981 roundtable discussion between Ray, critic Michael Ciment, director Claude Sautet. Also available on Blu-ray disc. Full screen. Dolby 1.0 mono.

Beauty And The Beast (Criterion) Jean Cocteau’s sublime adaptation of the classic fairy tale become a beloved classic upon its 1946 release, and hasn’t faded since.

The Movie Pool saddles up to watch The Long Riders on Blu-ray!

Blu-ray Specs

Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 enhanced for widescreen televisions

Running Time: 100 minutes

Rating: R

Audio: English Mono DTS-hd Master Audio, French Mono, Italian Mono, Dutch Mono

Subtitles: English Subtitles for the Deaf and Hearing Impaired, French, Spanish, Italian, Dutch, Swedish

Special Features: Theatrical Trailer

The Set-up

This true western tale follows the exploits of Frank and Jesse James and the Younger brothers, and how their lives intersected with the Miller and Ford brothers. The four sets of brothers are played by real-life acting brothers: James Keach plays Jesse James, Stacy Keach plays Frank James, David Carradine plays Cole Younger, Keith Carradine plays Jim Younger, Robert Carradine plays Bob Younger, Dennis Quaid plays Ed Miller, Randy Quaid plays Clell Miller, Christopher Guest plays Charlie Ford, and Nicholas Guest plays Robert Ford.

Director: Walter Hill

Screenplay: Bill Bryden, Steven Phillip Smith,...

Lessons For An Assassin

Stars: Shannon Lee, Robert Vitelli, Michael Dorn, Nicholas Guest, John Billingsley | Written by Gregory Amadeus Franzese | Directed by James Glenn Dudelson

Criminal Gavin Matthews finds himself an unwilling recruit, who’s identity and past has been erased by “The Corporation,” a secret underground organization that acts as a rogue Justice Dept., righting the wrongs the courts cannot. Now, held with other recruits at The Corporation’s training and reeducation facility, Matthews and the others will become useful and professional assassins… or they will be eliminated. As his training is completed, Matthews and his trainer discover The Corporation’s true purpose and learn they are to be eliminated when their assignment is complete. Now they must execute their own form of justice before it’s too late.

I’m a huge fan of Shannon Lee – her film And Now You’re Dead is one of my all-time favourite modern martial arts movies,...

A professional asset seizer, Tom Connor (Patrick Kilpatrick) is arrested by airport security before he can fly off with the plane, belonging to Howard Burgess (Nicholas Guest). One of the security men notices a smell from inside the plane and finds a Db in the toilet. Tripp (Rex Linn) admits to Horatio he also lost money from his investment. Horatio (David Caruso) asks if they were trying to "break him out or set him up for murder." Horatio gets his one-liners back, but not as good as the ones before. Jesse (Eddie Cibrian) has to get him out of the toilet, but he plays 'Rock, Paper, Scissors' with Ryan (Jonathan Togo). Ryan tells Jesse to "have fun with the potty party." Jesse comments he wouldn't want to get his sweater vest dirty! Walter (Omar Benson Miller) is roped in to do the dirty deed instead, as Jesse puts it, "the Miami way.

When I think back to the season 3 finale of Sons of Anarchy, I’ll remember three things:

1. The moment that Jax’s face turned to a smile in the paddy wagon as he got word that the plan none of us saw coming had worked: Turns out the club knew, probably all along, about him turning rat with Agent Stahl to clear Gemma and get their sentence reduced to three years (14 months with good behavior). With Unser having no hope of saving the Charming Pd after Salazar’s death last episode (is that why Jax really did it?), he was...

Retribution. While “Ns” may stand for many things, as befits Kurt Sutter’s love of symbolism and hidden meanings, the Sons of Anarchy Season 3 finale came down to one principal – Natural Selection. ‘Survival of the fittest.’ Yes, the two letters have obvious story implications as they relate to Jax’s (Charlie Hunnam) ring and John Teller’s (Nicholas Guest) grave, but we’ll get back to that. For now, the philosophies of Charles Darwin and Herbert Spencer are king. In one major play, Samcro killed two prominant players in the Sons of Anarchy story. Agent Stahl (Ally Walker) and Jimmy O. (Titus Welliver) were murdered at the hands of Opie (Ryan Hurst) and Chibs (Tommy Flanagan). Clay (Ron Perlman) knew about it. Gemma (Katey Sagal) didn’t. Perhaps you could say you saw it coming. With Hale (Jeff Kober) moving into a mayoral position, it was time for Charming to evolve.