One Final Season For "Fringe"

It's something every "Fringe" fan has been hoping for--FOX to renew the offbeat series that sometimes can be hard to follow. But now, some good news. It will be back for one final, farewell season. Check out the link below for more.

http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/04/27/fox-renews-fringe-defining-ratings-success-down/

When Robert Downey, Jr. Moves On, Will Marvel Just Put a New Actor in Iron Man’s Armor?

When Robert Downey, Jr. Moves On, Will Marvel Just Put a New Actor in Iron Man’s Armor?

/Film Interview: Chris Hemsworth, Thor in ‘The Avengers’

One week from today, the public will be able to check out "The Avengers" in movie theaters. Ahead of that, click on the link below to read another interview of one of the lead actors.

/Film Interview: Chris Hemsworth, Thor in ‘The Avengers’

/Film Interview: Joss Whedon, Writer and Director of ‘The Avengers’

/Film Interview: Joss Whedon, Writer and Director of ‘The Avengers’

The Return

We're Baaaaaa-aaaaaack!

It's April, it's 2012, and Grant Pugh and I have returned to PopSnap. Sorry for the long absence, but there were many factors which contributed to the break. Nevertheless, we have returned, and will be bringing you posts about entertainment from time to time.
Speaking of entertainment, the "pop" podcast is back--this time, it's called "Pop Files," and you can listen to it on the right side of the page. The restart was a little bumpy since it had been soooo long, and I couldn't find Grant! Where was he? He was there, but the control panel and changed, and hilarity ensued. You can listen to me as I tap dance, then silence, but the real discussion starts about 18 mins. in. I'll do a better job next time.

Favorite Scary Movies...

Yes, dear readers, it's that time of year again...
Time for ghouls and goblins to haunt your neighborhood and demand candy!
As Halloween approaches, I wanted to talk about some of my favorite frightening films...
Personally, I tend to lean toward the more tame 'thrillers' rather than an all out gorefest. Those kinds of movies just aren't for me...
So here are some of my favorites:

"Psycho"--this 1960 Alfred Hitchcock classic celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, and it still holds up well today. As scary as Norman Bates can be, I think people forget about the whole Marion Crane backstory that makes up the first half of the movie. Embezzlement! Scandal! A great score, a great cast, and a master of the genre--if you haven't seen "Psycho" in a while, check in to check it out...Mother would be proud...

"Poltergeist"--an early 80s scary story about a seemingly normal suburban family (led by the great Craig T. Nelson), whose house suddenly becomes the target of some not so friendly ghosts... Just remember to turn off the TV after you watch this one.

"The Omen"--I'm talking about the original here, not the recent travesty of a remake. This classic will make your heart pound for sure. Gregory Peck plays the father of a young boy who turns out to have a terrible secret. He's a real little devil...

"The Shining"--"Wendy, can't you see I'm...(pause for dramatic effect and creepy expression) working?" Jack Nicholson delivers a bone chilling performance as a man driven to insanity as a struggling writer who moves his family to a hotel in the middle of nowhere to serve as caretakers for the winter. The movie, directed by Stanley Kubrick, based on a Stephen King story, is just about as scary as they come. "What's up, Doc?"

"The Silence Of The Lambs"--"His first name is Louis." Anthony Hopkins leads an ensemble cast in this multiple Oscar-winning thriller. If you haven't seen this one in a long time, then it's been too long. Just remember to put it back in the basket when you're done.

Of course, the list could go on and on, but I'll stop there. What are some of your favorite scary movies? You've gotta have a favorite...

Happy Halloween!

"Back To The Future" 25 Years Later...

I still can't believe it's been 25 years--25 years!!! since a movie called "Back to the Future" made its way into theaters across the country. Back then, I was a kid who had always loved movies, and had followed Michael J. Fox on one of my favorite '80s TV shows, NBC's "Family Ties."
Like most everyone else who saw it, I was simply blown away when I first watched this film. Everything about it just "clicked"--and it seemed to be flawless. All of the performances were spot on, and it was entertaining from beginning to end. The movie blended comedy with science fiction, a dash of drama, and yes, even a spark of romance--and folks, to be able to pull all of that off is very, very rare indeed. I was so taken with it that I saw "BTTF" 4 times at the movies that summer, and recommended it to everyone.
Great movie, great cast, great music--and today, you can see it for the first time on blu-ray. Although I liked the trilogy as a whole, the first one is still my favorite.
I was fortunate that on a trip to Los Angeles in the late '80s, I took the Universal backlot tour and the tram took us to the court square set. I got an up close and personal look at the courthouse, the gas station, and all of the shops along the square. They told us that the filmmakers were prepping to shoot the sequel, and it was quite a sight to see in person. I'm glad I got to see it before it was destroyed by fire. Since then, they've rebuilt the sets, but nothing can replace that memory. On another trip to L.A. a few years later, a couple of friends and I went to the movies, and Eric Stoltz, along with a couple of his pals, sat right behind us. Stoltz, of course, was first cast as Marty McFly before Fox. I hope you enjoyed the movie as much as I did, and if you haven't seen it in a while, now's a great time to go back to "Back to the Future."
Watch the cast reunion that happened this morning on the "Today" show below.