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Lotte Verbeek Joins the ‘Outlander’ Cast

Lotte Verbeek joins Outlander
Lotte Verbeek joins 'Outlander' (Photo Courtesy of Starz)

Starz’s Outlander, currently shooting in Scotland, has just added a new member to its cast. Lotte Verbeek (The Borgias) has signed on to play Geillis Duncan in the series set to premiere on Starz next year.

Duncan joins a cast that includes Caitriona Balfe (Claire Randall), Sam Heughan (Jamie Fraser), Tobias Menzies (Frank Randall/Jonathan “Black Jack” Randall), Graham McTavish (Dougal MacKenzie), Gary Lewis (Colum MacKenzie), Duncan Lacroix (Murtagh Fitzgibbons Fraser), Annette Badland (Mrs. FitzGibbons), and Stephen Walters (Angus Mhor).

Ronald D. Moore (Battlestar Galactica) is executive producing and adapted the first two episodes from Diana Gabaldon’s bestselling book series.

Details on Outlander [Courtesy of Starz]

The Outlander series spans the genres of romance, science fiction, history, and adventure in one epic tale. It follows the story of Claire Randall, a married combat nurse from 1945 who is mysteriously swept back in time to 1743, where she is immediately thrown into an unknown world where her life is threatened. When she is forced to marry Jamie Fraser, a chivalrous and romantic young Scottish warrior, a passionate affair is ignited that tears Claire’s heart between two vastly different men in two irreconcilable lives.

The enigmatic Geillis Duncan, wife of the procurator fiscal, is an integral part of the Outlander storyline. Commonly referred to as a witch, due to her advanced knowledge of herbs and plants, Geillis is a beautiful, dark presence in the village outside Castle Leoch. Many fear her, but come to her secretly when they need assistance with medical matters that most doctors of the time would shun. Geillis has mastered the art of manipulation and uses it to bend others, including her own husband, to her will. She and Claire share an immediate connection and Geillis becomes a friend to Claire in a time and place where she is seen as an outsider.




Toad the Wet Sprocket New Album Details and Tour Dates

Toad the Wet SprocketToad the Wet Sprocket’s new album, New Constellation, is now out marking their first new release in 16 years. In support of the long-awaited new album, the group – made up of Glen Phillips, Todd Nichols, Dean Dinning, and Randy Guss – will be on the road, stopping in cities including Boston, Cincinnati, and Minneapolis.
 
New Constellation has 11 new tracks and was produced, engineered, and mixed by Mikal Blue. Independently released on Abe Records, the new album is the result of a successful Kickstarter campaign which collected $264,762 – an amazing 529% of its goal.

TOAD THE WET SPROCKET TOUR DATES:

Friday – 11/01/2013 – BOSTON, MA – Wilbur Theatre
Saturday – 11/02/2013- RIDGEFIELD, CT – Ridgefield Playhouse
Sunday – 11/03/2013 – ALBANY, NY – The College of Saint Rose, Massry Center for the Arts
Wednesday – 11/06/2013 – NEW YORK, NY – The Bowery Ballroom
Thursday – 11/07/2013- WASHINGTON, DC -9:30 Club
Friday – 11/08/2013 – ENGLEWOOD, NJ – Bergen Performing Arts Center
Saturday – 11/09/2013- GLENSIDE, PA – Keswick Theatre
Monday – 11/11/2013 – PITTSBURGH, PA – Altar Bar
Wednesday – 11/13/2013 – KENT, OH – The Kent Stage
Thursday – 11/14/2013- ROYAL OAK, MI – Royal Oak Music Theater
Friday – 11/15/2013 – LOUISVILLE, KY – Headliners Music Hall
Saturday – 11/16/2013- CHICAGO, IL – The Vic Theatre
Sunday- 11/17/2013- DAYTROTTER RECORDING
Monday – 11/18/2013- BLOOMINGTON, IN – The Bluebird
Tuesday- 11/19/2013- CINCINNATI, OH- 20th Century Theater
Thursday – 11/21/2013- MILWAUKEE, WI – Turner Hall Ballroom
Friday – 11/22/2013 – MADISON, WI – Majestic Theatre
Saturday – 11/23/2013- MINNEAPOLIS, MN – Mill City Nights

NEW CONSTELLATION TRACK LIST:

1. New Constellation

2. California Wasted

3. The Moment

4. Rare Bird

5. I’ll Bet on You

6. Golden Age

7. Get What You Want

8. Is There Anyone Out There

9. Life is Beautiful

10. The Eye

11. Enough
 
Source: Toad the Wet Sprocket

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Jennie Garth Headlines Holidaze and More ABC Family Holiday Programming Highlights

ABC Family 25 Days of ChristmasABC Family’s 25 Days of Christmas kicks off on December 1, 2013 with holiday-themed episodes of its family-friendly shows as well as specials and original movies. And among all the holiday treats is an original film called Holidaze starring Jennie Garth, Cameron Mathison, and Mary Kay Place.
 
Holidaze will premiere on December 8, 2013 at 8pm ET/PT. The original holiday movie was directed by Jerry Ciccoritti, written by Michael Vickerman, and executive produced by Greg Gugliotta, Michael Prupas and Jonas Prupas.
 
The Holidaze Plot:
 
In the movie, Melody Gerard (Garth), a high powered corporate workaholic for a retail conglomerate, is happy to spend the holidays jet-setting with her girlfriends. However, she’s in for an unpleasant surprise when her boss sends her to her sleepy hometown to convince the reluctant townspeople to allow them to build a new discount store. Now, forced to reconnect with her family and her childhood sweetheart Carter McClure (Mathison), her task is not so simple, as all are vehemently opposed to everything Melody’s company stands for. Desperate to get out of town and back to her “real” life, Melody takes a spill and wakes up in an alternate universe where she never left home and is married to Carter! Once determined to leave her small town life behind, Melody must make sense of her new life and decide if you truly can go home again.
 
* * * * * * *
 
Additional holiday programming includes Rudolph’s Shiny New Year, Frosty’s Winter Wonderland, The Year Without a Santa Claus, Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas, The Santa Clause films, Scrooged, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, The Polar Express, and The Muppet Christmas Carol.

25 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS PROGRAMMING

DAY ONE – SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1

(7:00–8:30 AM ET/PT) MICKEY’S ONCE UPON A CHRISTMAS: Kelsey Grammer narrates three charming Christmas tales with a Mickey Mouse twist, including the Christmas classic The Gift of the Magi, starring Mickey and Minnie Mouse. (Animated)

(8:30–10:00 AM ET/PT) MICKEY’S TWICE UPON A CHRISTMAS: Mickey and friends return to tell five more tales of holiday spirit and Christmas cheer. (Animated)

(10:00 AM–12:00 PM ET/PT) SANTA BUDDIES: Take a fantastic journey with your beloved Buddies to the magical world of the North Pole! Join Budderball, B-Dawg, Rosebud, Buddha, and Mudbud in a touching twist on a Christmas classic. When Puppy Paws, the feisty son of Santa Paws, forgets the true meaning of the season, it’s up to the Buddies to remind him that Christmas is not about what you get; it’s about what you give. (Live Action)

(12:00–3:00 PM ET/PT) THE FAMILY MAN: Workaholic Jack Campbell (Nicolas Cage) was happy to spend the holidays alone. But after a chance meeting with a mysterious stranger, Jack wakes up on Christmas Day with the family he never realized he always wanted. (Live Action)

(3:00–5:00 PM ET/PT) DISNEY’S A CHRISTMAS CAROL: The classic tale of a miserly old man named Ebenezer Scrooge (Jim Carrey), who is visited on Christmas Eve by three ghosts who attempt to help him change his life and embrace the holidays. (Animated)

(5:00–7:00 PM ET/PT) THE POLAR EXPRESS: The Academy Award®-winning team of Tom Hanks and director Robert Zemeckis reunite for the inspiring tale of a young boy and the magical train he boards to the North Pole. Based on the beloved Caldecott Medal children’s book by Chris Van Allsburg. (Animated)

(7:00–9:30 PM ET/PT) DR. SEUSS’ HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS: Jim Carrey stars as the title character who tries to ruin Christmas for all the Whos of Whoville in this live-action adaptation of the classic Dr. Seuss children’s story. (Live Action)

Encore Presentation (9:30 PM–12:00 AM ET/PT)
 
DAY TWO – MONDAY, DECEMBER 2
 
(6:00–6:30 PM ET/PT) WINNIE THE POOH AND CHRISTMAS TOO: In this Christmas classic, Winnie the Pooh and Piglet rush to get Christopher Robin’s letter to Santa before it’s too late. With many obstacles before them, they learn the true meaning of Christmas. (Animated)

(6:30–7:00 PM ET/PT) MICKEY’S CHRISTMAS CAROL: Charles Dickens’ famous story is retold with Mickey as Bob Cratchit, Uncle Scrooge as Ebenezer Scrooge, Goofy as Jacob Marley’s ghost and Donald as nephew Fred. (Animated)

(7:00–8:00 PM ET/PT) JACK FROST (1979): Pardon-Me-Pete the Groundhog tells the story of how Jack Frost briefly became human and helped a knight win his lady love. (Animated)

(8:00–10:00 PM ET/PT) THE SANTA CLAUSE: Tim Allen stars as Scott Calvin, a divorced father whose strained relationship with his son Charlie (Eric Lloyd) begins to mend only after a bizarre twist of fate transforms him into the new Santa. (Live Action)

(10:00 PM–12:00 AM ET/PT) THE SANTA CLAUSE 3: THE ESCAPE CLAUSE: Holiday magic mixes with comical chaos as Tim Allen reprises his role of Scott Calvin, aka Santa, as he juggles a full house of family and the mischievous Jack Frost (Martin Short)—whose chilling Santa-envy has him trying to take over the “big guy’s” holiday. (Live Action)

Encore Presentation (12:00–2:00 AM ET/PT)
 
DAY THREE – TUESDAY, DECEMBER 3
 
(6:00–8:00 PM ET/PT) THE SANTA CLAUSE: See Monday, December 2 for description (Live Action)

(8:00–10:00 PM ET/PT) SCROOGED: A comedic take on Charles Dickens’ novel “A Christmas Carol.” A television executive (Bill Murray) who exploits the holidays in order to boost ratings, is haunted by three ghosts. (Live Action)

(10:00 PM–12:00 AM ET/PT) NATIONAL LAMPOON’S CHRISTMAS VACATION: The comic misadventures of the beleaguered Griswold family continue as America’s most dedicated dad (Chevy Chase) is determined to stay at home to create “the most fun-filled old fashioned family Christmas ever.” But life has a particular way of throwing wet logs on Clark Griswold’s fire. (Live Action)

(12:00–2:00 AM ET/PT) THREE DAYS: In this ABC Family original movie starring Kristin Davis, an angel interrupts destiny to give love 72-hours for a second chance. (Live Action)
 
DAY FOUR – WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4
 
(6:00–8:00 PM ET/PT) SCROOGED: See Tuesday, December 3 for description (Live Action)

(8:00–10:00 PM ET/PT) NATIONAL LAMPOON’S CHRISTMAS VACATION: See Tuesday, December 3 for description (Live Action)

(10:00 PM–12:00 AM ET/PT) DECK THE HALLS: ABC Family Premiere. Steve (Matthew Broderick) gets into an increasingly absurd war with his new neighbor Buddy (Danny DeVito), when Buddy decides to decorate his home with enough Christmas lights to be seen from space.

(12:00–2:00 AM ET/PT) A VERY BRADY CHRISTMAS: The Brady family reunites for Christmas and prays for a holiday miracle when Mike Brady (Robert Reed) is involved in an accident. (Live Action)
 
DAY FIVE – THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5
 
(6:00–7:00 PM ET/PT) RUDOLPH’S SHINY NEW YEAR: Santa sends Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer to find Baby New Year, who has run away from Father Time. (Animated)

(7:00–9:00 PM ET/PT) THE POLAR EXPRESS: See Sunday, December 1 for description (Live Action) Encore Presentation (12:00–2:00 AM ET/PT)

(9:00–11:00 PM ET/PT) THE MUPPET CHRISTMAS CAROL: The classic Dickens’ tale as performed by the Muppets. Ebenezer Scrooge (Michael Caine) is horrible to everyone around him, including his much put upon employee Bob Cratchit (Kermit the Frog). Scrooge is made to see the error of his ways when he’s visited by three ghost—and lots of Muppets. (Live Action)
 
DAY SIX – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6
 
(6:00–6:30 PM ET/PT) FROSTY’S WINTER WONDERLAND: Everyone’s favorite snowman, Frosty, plans to marry, but not if the evil Jack Frost can help it. Can the children save Frosty from being frozen lifeless and get him to the church on time? (Animated)

(6:30–8:30 PM ET/PT) THE MUPPET CHRISTMAS CAROL: See Thursday, December 5 for description. (Live Action)

(8:30–11:00 PM ET/PT) DR. SEUSS’ HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS: See Sunday, December 1 for description. (Live Action)

(12:00–2:00 AM ET/PT) PRANCER: Jessica, the daughter of an impoverished apple farmer, still believes in Santa Claus. So when she comes across a reindeer with an injured leg, it makes perfect sense to her to assume that it is Prancer, who had fallen from a Christmas display in town. (Live Action)
 
DAY SEVEN – SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7
 
(7:00–8:30 AM ET/PT) RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER AND THE ISLAND OF MISFIT TOYS: When the Evil Toy Taker steals all of Santa’s toys, Rudolph and his friends–the misfit toys–set out to get them back before the world’s children wake up to empty stockings on Christmas morning. (Animated)

(8:30–10:30 AM ET/PT) HOME ALONE: THE HOLIDAY HEIST: Still upset from his family’s recent move, Finn (Christian Martyn) is not happy about spending the holidays in a new house. But when neighborhood thieves target his house, Finn springs into action to defend his home and save his family’s Christmas! Also starring Ed Asner, Malcolm McDowell and Debi Mazar. (Live Action)

(10:30 AM–12:30 PM ET/PT) PRANCER: See Friday, December 6 for description. (Live Action)

(12:30–2:30 PM ET/PT) ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS: All Ethan (Ethan Embry) and his younger sister Hallie (Thora Birch) want for Christmas is for their parents to get back together. Before that can happen, however, the children need to find a way to get rid of Tony, a businessman who is romantically pursuing their mother. The children concoct a scheme to make their holiday wish come true–and with the help of mice, an ice-cream truck, a few telephone calls and the magic of Santa–their plan might just work! (Live Action)

(2:30–4:30 PM ET/PT) DISNEY’S A CHRISTMAS CAROL: See Sunday, December 1 for description. (Animated)

(4:30–7:00 PM ET/PT) DR. SEUSS’ HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS: See Sunday, December 1 for description. (Live Action)

(7:00–9:00 PM ET/PT) THE SANTA CLAUSE: See Monday, December 2 for description. (Live Action)

(9:00–11:00 PM ET/PT) THE SANTA CLAUSE 3: THE ESCAPE CLAUSE: See Monday, December 2 for description. (Live Action)

(11:00 PM–1:00 AM ET/PT) DECK THE HALLS: See Wednesday, December 4 for description. (Live Action)
 
DAY EIGHT – SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8
 
(7:00–8:00 AM ET/PT) JACK FROST (1979): See Monday, December 2 for description. (Animated)

(8:00–10:00 AM ET/PT) CHRISTMAS CUPID: In this ABC Family original movie, Christina Milian stars as high powered Hollywood publicist, Sloane, who finds herself haunted by the ghost of her recently departed infamous client, Caitlin (“Pretty Little Liars’” Ashley Benson), in a modern day take on Charles Dickens’ holiday classic story of A Christmas Carol. (Live Action)

(10:00 AM–12:00 PM ET/PT) SNOWGLOBE: In the ABC Family original movie, a mystical snow globe transports Angela (Christina Milian), who longs for the perfect Christmas away from her boisterous family, into an idyllic Christmas winter wonderland. (Live Action)

(12:00–2:00 PM ET/PT) SANTA BABY: In this ABC Family original holiday movie, Mary Class (Jenny McCarthy) is a highly driven business executive whose great success is acknowledged by everyone but her father, who just happens to be Santa Claus (George Wendt). (Live Action)

(2:00–4:00 PM ET/PT) SANTA BABY 2: CHRISTMAS MAYBE: In this ABC Family original movie, Jenny McCarthy reprises her role as Mary Class, Santa’s daughter, who is faced with a decision when her father decides to leave her in charge of the family business. Also starring Paul Sorvino and Dean McDermott. (Live Action)

(4:00–6:00 PM ET/PT) 12 DATES OF CHRISTMAS: Starring Amy Smart and Mark-Paul Gosselaar, the ABC Family original holiday movie follows a young woman who re-lives the same first date on Christmas Eve over and over again until she learns to open up her world to new things and stop living in the past. (Live Action)

(6:00–8:00 PM ET/PT) THE MISTLE-TONES: In the ABC Family original holiday musical, Holly (Tia Mowry) is devastated when she is turned down for a spot in the Christmas singing group The Snow Belles. So she forms her own group, the Mistle-Tones, and challenges her rival Marci (Tori Spelling) and The Snow Belles to a Christmas Eve sing-off. (Live Action)

(8:00–10:00 PM ET/PT) HOLIDAZE—ABC Family Original Movie Premiere: High powered executive Melody Gerard (Jennie Garth) returns to her sleepy hometown to try and convince everyone to let her company build a giant new discount store. But she’s unexpectedly met with resistance by the townspeople—led by her childhood sweetheart, Carter (Matheson). Desperate to get out of town and back to her “real” life, Melody takes a spill and wakes up in an alternate universe where she never took the job and is married to Carter.

(10:00 PM–12:00 AM ET/PT) HOLIDAY IN HANDCUFFS: Melissa Joan Hart and Mario Lopez star in ABC Family’s original holiday tale about a desperate young woman who kidnaps a handsome guy to take home to her parents at Christmas to prove how well she’s doing with her life. (Live Action)
 
DAY NINE – MONDAY, DECEMBER 9
 
(6:00–8:00 PM ET/PT) HOLIDAZE: See Sunday, December 8 for description. (Live Action)

(8:00–10:30 PM ET/PT) DR. SEUSS’ HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS: See Sunday, December 1 for description (Live Action)

(10:30–11:00 PM ET/PT) DR. SEUSS’ THE GRINCH GRINCHES THE CAT IN THE HAT: As The Cat in the Hat gets ready for a lovely picnic, the evil Grinch plots to create a contraption that captures noise and turns it into ferocious sounds–which would absolutely ruin The Cat’s plans. In the end, The Cat in the Hat must jump in to save the world from the clutches of the Grinch! Of course, the only way to make that happen is to get to Grinch’s soft spot. (Animated)

(12:00–2:00 AM) 12 DATES OF CHRISTMAS: See Sunday, December 8 for description. (Live Action)

DAY TEN – TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10

(6:00–6:30 PM ET/PT) A CHIPMUNK CHRISTMAS: Swept up in a holiday mood, Alvin gives away his cherished harmonica to a sick little boy. Meanwhile, Dave has booked Alvin to perform a harmonica solo at Carnegie Hall! (Animated)

(6:30–9:00 PM ET/PT) DR. SEUSS’ HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS: See Sunday, December 1 for description. (Live Action)

(9:00–10:00 PM ET/PT) THE YEAR WITHOUT A SANTA CLAUS: Based on Pulitzer Prize-winner Phyllis McGinley’s children’s book, Mrs. Claus narrates this memorable classic about the time she almost donned her husband’s famous red suit. (Animated)

(10:00–11:00 PM ET/PT) SANTA CLAUS IS COMIN’ TO TOWN: Fred Astaire narrates this tale of Kris Kringle (voice of Mickey Rooney), a young man who starts a gift factory where he builds toys and gives them to all the local children, earning him the name Santa Claus. (Animated)

(12:00–2:00 AM ET/PT) SNOWGLOBE: See Sunday, December 8 for description. (Live Action)
 
DAY ELEVEN – WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11
 
(6:00–8:00 PM ET/PT) HOLIDAY IN HANDCUFFS: See Sunday, December 8 for description. (Live Action)

Encore Presentation (12:00–2:00 AM ET/PT)

(8:00–8:30 PM ET/PT) MELISSA & JOEY – All New Christmas Special: Jaime Pressly drops by as Mel’s sister Meredith, who comes home from prison on furlough to celebrate Christmas with the kids and Mel, and seems unruffled by Joe’s obvious animosity towards her. (Live Action)

(8:30–9:00 PM ET/PT) BABY DADDY – All New Christmas Special: Ben takes drastic measures to get Emma a much sought after toy for her first Christmas. (Live Action)

(9:00–11:00 PM ET/PT) NATIONAL LAMPOON’S CHRISTMAS VACATION: See Tuesday, December 3 for description. (Live Action)
 
DAY TWELVE – THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12
 
(6:00–6:30 PM ET/PT) BABY DADDY: See Wednesday, December 11 for description. (Live Action)

(6:30–7:00 PM ET/PT) MELISSA & JOEY: See Wednesday, December 11 for description. (Live Action)

(7:00–9:00 PM ET/PT) NATIONAL LAMPOON’S CHRISTMAS VACATION: See Tuesday, December 3 for description. (Live Action)

(9:00–11:00 PM ET/PT) SCROOGED: See Tuesday, December 3 for description (Live Action)

(12:00–2:00 AM ET/PT) ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS: See Saturday, December 7 for description. (Live Action)
 
DAY THIRTEEN – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13
 
(4:00–4:30 PM ET/PT) WINNIE THE POOH AND CHRISTMAS TOO: See Monday, December 2 for description. (Animated)

(4:30–6:20 PM ET/PT) DISNEY·PIXAR’S TOY STORY: “Disney·Pixar’s Toy Story” tells the story of a fantastic, fun-filled journey of what your toys are up to when you’re not around, viewed mostly through the eyes of two rival toys—Woody (voice of Tom Hanks), the lanky, likable cowboy and Buzz Lightyear (voice of Tim Allen), the fearless space ranger. (Animated)

(6:20–8:20 PM ET/PT) DISNEY·PIXAR’S TOY STORY 2: When an obsessive toy collector named Al McWhiggin (voice of Wayne Knight) kidnaps Woody (voice of Tom Hanks), the toys get into one predicament after another in their daring race to get Woody back before Andy returns. (Animated)

(8:20–10:30 PM ET/PT) DISNEY·PIXAR’S TOY STORY 3: In the third installment of the beloved film series, Andy is growing up and decides to put away his toys for good, except for Woody (voice of Tom Hanks). But the gang ends up among the toys at a daycare center, run by the ruthless teddy bear Lotso (voice of Ned Beatty). It’s up to Woody to rescue his friends and return them home! (Animated)

(10:30–11:00 PM ET/PT) DISNEY·PIXAR’S TOY STORY OF TERROR!: What starts out as a fun road trip for the “Toy Story” gang takes an unexpected turn for the worse when the trip detours to a roadside motel. After one of the toys goes missing, the others find themselves caught up in a mysterious sequence of events that must be solved before they all suffer the same fate. (Animated)

(12:00–2:00 AM ET/PT) CHASING CHRISTMAS: In this ABC Family original holiday movie, single father Jack (Tom Arnold) is visited by his old business partner and the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future in an attempt to change Jack’s perspective on the holiday. (Live Action)
 
DAY FOURTEEN – SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14
 
(7:00–7:30 AM ET/PT) WINNIE THE POOH AND THE BLUSTERY DAY: Winnie the Pooh follows Christopher Robin and his animal friends as a storm topples Owl’s tree house and brings a drenching rain. While the flood waters rise, Pooh has nightmares about honey-stealing creatures called Heffalumps and Woozles. (Animated)

(7:30–8:00 AM ET/PT) WINNIE THE POOH AND TIGGER TOO: To break Tigger’s habit of “bouncing in” on them, his friends plot to get him lost in the woods and literally “take the bounce out of him.” However, it’s his friends who become lost and Tigger “finds” them. After Tigger and Roo become stuck high in a tree, Tigger promises Pooh and Christopher Robin that he’ll never bounce again if only Christopher Robin can help get them down—which he does. But Tigger’s friends cannot hold Tigger to his vow after seeing how sad he has become without his “bounce.” (Animated)

(8:00–9:30 AM ET/PT) WINNIE THE POOH—ABC Family Premiere: While Winnie the Pooh and his friends Tigger, Piglet, Owl, Kanga and Roo are looking for Eeyore’s missing tail, they discover that Christopher Robin has been kidnapped by a dreaded Backson. Now the gang has to set a trap and save their friend. (Animated)

(9:30–10:00 AM ET/PT) WINNIE THE POOH AND CHRISTMAS TOO: See Monday, December 2 for description. (Animated)

(10:00–11:30 AM ET/PT) MICKEY’S ONCE UPON A CHRISTMAS: See Sunday, December 1 for description. (Animated)

(11:30 AM–1:00 PM ET/PT) MICKEY’S TWICE UPON A CHRISTMAS: See Sunday, December 1 for description. (Animated)

(1:00–1:30 PM ET/PT) MICKEY’S CHRISTMAS CAROL: See Monday, December 2 for description. (Animated)

(1:30–2:00 PM ET/PT) DISNEY·PIXAR’S TOY STORY OF TERROR!: See Friday, December 13 for description. (Animated)

(2:00–3:50 PM ET/PT) DISNEY·PIXAR’S TOY STORY: See Friday, December 13 for description. (Animated)

(3:50–5:50 PM ET/PT) DISNEY·PIXAR’S TOY STORY 2: See Friday, December 13 for description. (Animated)

(5:50–8:00 PM ET/PT) DISNEY·PIXAR’S TOY STORY 3: See Friday, December 13 for description. (Animated)

(8:00–9:45 PM ET/PT) DISNEY’S THE LITTLE MERMAID—ABC Family Premiere: Mermaid Ariel dreams of seeing the world above the sea. Fascinated with humans, she saves a shipwrecked Prince Eric and sings him to back to health. Desperate to see him again, Ariel makes a bargain with sea witch Ursula that would allow her to be human—but it strips her of her voice. She has three days to find Prince Eric and receive true love’s kiss—or she’ll be sent back to the sea and belong to Ursula forever.

Encore Presentation (9:45–11:30 PM ET/PT)

(11:30 PM–1:30 AM ET/PT) THE MUPPET CHRISTMAS CAROL: See Thursday, December 5 for description. (Live Action)
 
DAY FIFTEEN – SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15
 
(7:30–9:00 AM ET/PT) MICKEY’S ONCE UPON A CHRISTMAS: See Sunday, December 1 for description. (Animated)

(9:00–10:30 AM ET/PT) MICKEY’S TWICE UPON A CHRISTMAS: See Sunday, December 1 for description. (Animated)

(10:30–11:00 AM ET/PT) DISNEY’S PREP & LANDING: The half-hour holiday special reveals the never-before-told tale of an elite unit of Elves known as Prep & Landing, who are responsible for preparing all of the homes for Santa before the big guy arrives. Featuring the voices of Dave Foley and Sarah Chalke. (Animated)

(11:00–11:30 AM ET/PT) DISNEY PREP’S & LANDING: NAUGHTY VS. NICE: Prep & Landing Elves Wayne and Lanny are back to save the day when someone threatens to put the whole world on Santa’s Naughty List. Featuring the voices of Dave Foley, Chris Parnell, and Rob Riggle. (Animated)

(11:30 AM–12:00 PM ET/PT) MICKEY’S CHRISTMAS CAROL: See Monday, December 2 for description. (Animated)

(12:00–2:00 PM ET/PT) – I’LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS: If a college jokester (Jonathan Taylor Thomas) makes it home for the holidays by a certain time, his dad’s Porsche is his. But, after one prank too many, he’s left stranded wearing nothing but a Santa Claus suit with no option except to hitchhike cross country. (Live Action)

(2:00–4:00 PM ET/PT) ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS: See Saturday, December 7 for description. (Live Action)

(4:00–6:00 PM ET/PT) DECK THE HALLS: See Wednesday, December 4 for description. (Live Action)

(6:00–8:00 PM ET/PT) THE MUPPET CHRISTMAS CAROL: See Thursday, December 5 for description. (Live Action)

(8:00–10:00 PM ET/PT) NATIONAL LAMPOON’S CHRISTMAS VACATION: See Tuesday, December 3 for description. (Live Action)

(10:00 PM–12:00 AM ET/PT) SCROOGED: See Tuesday, December 3 for description. (Live Action)
 
DAY SIXTEEN – MONDAY, DECEMBER 16
 
(7:00–9:00 AM ET/PT) SNOW: In a reinvention of the Santa Claus myth, this original ABC Family holiday movie finds Nick (Tom Cavanagh) reluctantly taking over the family business at the North Pole and, in the process of trying to bring back the spirit of Christmas they lost long ago, finds his true love. (Live Action)

(7:00–9:00 PM ET/PT) THE SANTA CLAUSE: See Monday, December 2 for description (Live Action)

(9:00–11:00 PM ET/PT) THE SANTA CLAUSE 2: Scott Calvin (Tim Allen) has been enjoying his life as Santa, having taken over the job years before. But now it’s been discovered that there is another clause, a Mrs. Santa Clause! Scott must now find a wife to fulfill his duties as Santa before Christmas Eve, or risk destroying Christmas forever. (Live Action)

(11:00 PM–1:00 AM ET/PT) THE SANTA CLAUSE 3: THE ESCAPE CLAUSE: See Monday, December 2 for description. (Live Action)

(1:00–1:30 AM ET/PT) DISNEY’S PREP & LANDING: See Sunday, December 15 for description. (Animated)

(1:30–2:00 AM ET/PT) DISNEY’S PREP & LANDING: NAUGHTY VS. NICE:See Sunday, December 15 for description. (Animated)
 
DAY SEVENTEEN – TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17
 
(7:00–9:00 AM ET/PT) THREE DAYS: See Tuesday, December 3 for description. (Live Action)

(11:00 AM–1:00 PM ET/PT) UNLIKELY ANGEL: Diva country singer Ruby Diamond (Dolly Parton) is unexpectedly killed in a car accident. At the Pearly Gates, she meets St. Peter (Roddy McDowall), but is denied access into heaven because of her selfish ways. He is willing to strike a bargain with her: She has to help reunite the Bartilson family, who have been torn apart ever since Mrs. Bartilson died. If she succeeds by midnight on Christmas Eve, she will become an angel. If not, she will face a fate worse than death. (Live Action)

(1:00–3:00 PM ET/PT) PRANCER: See Friday, December 6 for description. (Live Action)

(3:00–5:00 PM ET/PT) – I’LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS: See Sunday, December 15 for description. (Live Action)

Encore Presentation (12:00–2:00 AM ET/PT)

(5:00–7:00 PM ET/PT) THE SANTA CLAUSE: See Monday, December 2 for description. (Live Action)

(7:00–9:00 PM ET/PT) THE SANTA CLAUSE 2: See Monday, December 16 for description. (Live Action)

(9:00–11:00 PM ET/PT) THE POLAR EXPRESS: See Sunday, December 1 for description. (Animated)
 
DAY EIGHTEEN – WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18
 
(7:00–9:00 AM ET/PT) HOLIDAZE: See Sunday, December 8 for description. (Live Action)

(9:00–11:00 AM ET/PT) SECRET SANTA: Eager journalist Rebecca (Jennie Garth) has been assigned to uncover the true identity of her town’s legendary Secret Santa. But will she publish the scoop, or decide that the spirit of Christmas is something worth saving? (Live Action)

(11:00 AM–1:00 PM ET/PT) THE MISTLE-TONES: See Sunday, December 8 for description. (Live Action)

(1:00–3:00 PM ET/PT) SANTA BABY: See Sunday, December 8 for description. (Live Action)

Encore Presentation (12:00–2:00 AM ET/PT)

(3:00–5:00 PM ET/PT) SANTA BABY 2: CHRISTMAS MAYBE: See Sunday, December 8 for description. (Live Action)

(5:00–7:00 PM ET/PT) THE POLAR EXPRESS: See Sunday, December 1 for description. (Animated)

(7:00–7:30 PM ET/PT) WINNIE THE POOH AND CHRISTMAS TOO: See Monday, December 2 for description. (Animated)

(7:30–8:00 PM ET/PT) MICKEY’S CHRISTMAS CAROL: See Monday, December 2 for description. (Animated)

(8:00–11:00 PM ET/PT) MARY POPPINS: In one of the greatest family classics of all time, two rambunctious children of a practical banker who believes a home should be run as tightly as the bank where he works, come under the care of a magical nanny – Mary Poppins. Stars Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke. (Live Action)
 
DAY NINETEEN – THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19
 
(7:00–9:00 AM ET/PT) ELOISE AT CHRISTMASTIME: Based on the bestselling children’s books written by Kay Thompson, the title character Eloise (Sofia Vassilieva) is warned not to interfere as the Plaza Hotel prepares for a romantic Christmas Eve wedding. But Eloise can’t resist, playing matchmaker to ensure that true love will save the day. (Live Action)

(9:00 AM–12:00 PM ET/PT) MARY POPPINS: See Wednesday, December 18 for description. (Live Action)

(12:00 –2:00 PM) 12 DATES OF CHRISTMAS: See Sunday, December 8 for description. (Live Action)

(2:00 PM–4:00 AM ET/PT) HOLIDAY IN HANDCUFFS: See Sunday, December 8 for description. (Live Action)

(4:00–7:00 PM ET/PT) THE FAMILY MAN: See Sunday, December 1 for description. (Live Action)

(7:00–8:30 PM ET/PT) RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER AND THE ISLAND OF MISFIT TOYS: See Saturday, December 7 for description. (Animated)

(8:30–11:00 PM ET/PT) DR. SEUSS’ HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS: See Sunday, December 1 for description. (Live Action)

(12:00–2:00 AM ET/PT) DECK THE HALLS: See Wednesday, December 4 for description. (Live Action)
 
DAY TWENTY – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20
 
(7:00–9:00 AM ET/PT) CHASING CHRISTMAS: See Friday, December 13 for description. (Live Action)

(9:00–11:00 AM ET/PT) CHRISTMAS EVERY DAY: In the ABC Family original movie, a 12-year-old boy is forced to relive his least favorite holiday over and over again until he has learned to appreciate the true meaning of Christmas. (Live Action) Encore Presentation (12:00–2:00 AM ET/PT)

(11:00 AM–1:00 PM ET/PT) CHRISTMAS DO-OVER: This ABC Family original movie tells the story of Kevin (Jay Mohr), who unwittingly gets a chance to go back and do things differently when he is forced to relive one terrible Christmas over and over again. (Live Action)

(1:00–4:00 PM ET/PT) THE FAMILY MAN: See Sunday, December 1 for description. (Live Action)

(4:00–5:30 PM ET/PT) RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER AND THE ISLAND OF MISFIT TOYS: See Saturday, December 7 for description. (Animated)

(5:30–6:00 PM ET/PT) FROSTY’S WINTER WONDERLAND: See Friday, December 6 for description. (Animated)

(6:00–6:30 PM ET/PT) A CHIPMUNK CHRISTMAS: See Tuesday, December 10 for description. (Animated)

(6:30–9:00 PM ET/PT) DR. SEUSS’ HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS: See Sunday, December 1 for description. (Live Action)

(9:00–11:00 PM ET/PT) NATIONAL LAMPOON’S CHRISTMAS VACATION: See Tuesday, December 3 for description. (Live Action)
 
DAY TWENTY ONE – SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21
 
(7:00–7:30 AM ET/PT) NESTOR, THE LONG-EARED CHRISTMAS DONKEY: “Nestor, the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey” tells the story of the donkey that carried Mary to Bethlehem. (Animated)

(7:30–8:00 AM ET/PT) THE LITTLE DRUMMER BOY: Based on the Christmas song, the “Little Drummer Boy” tells the story of Aaron, a poor boy who cannot afford to buy a present for baby Jesus and instead plays a special song for him on his drums. (Animated)

(8:00–9:00 AM ET/PT) PINOCCHIO’S CHRISTMAS: Carlo Collodi’s most famous puppet creation stars in a musical tale that finds the poor lad Pinocchio conned out of money intended for Papa Geppetto’s Christmas gift. (Animated)

(9:00–10:00 AM ET/PT) THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF SANTA CLAUS: The story of how a young man named Claus became Santa Claus. (Animated)

(10:00–10:30 AM ET/PT) ‘TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS: Actor Joel Grey narrates this animated holiday special adapted from the famous poem by Clement Moore. (Animated)

(10:30–11:30 AM ET/PT) RUDOLPH’S SHINY NEW YEAR: See Thursday, December 5 for description (Animated)

(11:30 AM–1:30 PM ET/PT) RUDOLPH AND FROSTY’S CHRISTMAS IN JULY: Rudolph’s magical glowing nose is not only helpful at Christmas, but also in the heat of summer when Rudolph and his friend, Frosty the Snowman, are called in to rescue a struggling circus at a special July 4th benefit. (Animated)

(1:30–2:30 PM ET/PT) THE YEAR WITHOUT A SANTA CLAUS: See Tuesday, December 10 for description. (Animated)

(2:30–3:30 PM ET/PT) SANTA CLAUS IS COMIN’ TO TOWN: See Tuesday, December 10 for description. (Animated)

(3:30–4:00 PM ET/PT) A CHIPMUNK CHRISTMAS: See Tuesday, December 10 for description. (Animated)

(4:00–6:00 PM ET/PT) NATIONAL LAMPOON’S CHRISTMAS VACATION: See Tuesday, December 3 for description. (Live Action)

(6:00–8:00 PM ET/PT) THE SANTA CLAUSE: See Monday, December 2 for description. (Live Action)

(8:00–10:00 PM ET/PT) THE SANTA CLAUSE 2: See Monday, December 16 for description. (Live Action)

(10:00 PM–12:00 AM ET/PT) THE SANTA CLAUSE 3: THE ESCAPE CLAUSE: See Monday, December 2 for description. (Live Action)

(12:00–2:00 AM ET/PT) THE MISTLE-TONES: See Sunday, December 8 for description. (Live Action)
 
DAY TWENTY TWO – SUNDAY, DECEMBER 22
 
(7:00–8:00 AM ET/PT) THE YEAR WITHOUT A SANTA CLAUS: See Tuesday, December 10 for description. (Animated)

(8:00–9:00 AM ET/PT) SANTA CLAUS IS COMIN’ TO TOWN: See Tuesday, December 10 for description. (Animated)

(9:00–11:00 AM ET/PT) I SAW MOMMY KISSING SANTA CLAUS: After learning that his best friend’s parents are getting a divorce, Justin (Dylan and Cole Sprouse) fears the worst when he sees his mother kissing Santa Claus. (Live Action)

(11:00 AM–1:00 PM ET/PT) UNACCOMPANIED MINORS: Wilmer Valderrama stars in this holiday romp set in the Unaccompanied Minors Room, an airport holding cell for dozens of stranded, parent-free kids from all over the country. (Live Action)

(1:00–3:00 PM ET/PT) THE SANTA CLAUSE: See Monday, December 2 for description. (Live Action)

(3:00–5:00 PM ET/PT) THE SANTA CLAUSE 2: See Monday, December 16 for description. (Live Action)

(5:00 PM–7:00 AM ET/PT) THE SANTA CLAUSE 3: THE ESCAPE CLAUSE: See Monday, December 2 for description. (Live Action)

(7:00–9:30 PM ET/PT) DR. SEUSS’ HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS: See Sunday, December 1 for description. (Live Action)

Encore Presentation (9:30 PM–12:00 AM ET/PT)
 
DAY TWENTY THREE – MONDAY, DECEMBER 23
 
(7:00–9:00 AM ET/PT) I SAW MOMMY KISSING SANTA CLAUS: See Sunday, December 22 for description. (Live Action)

(9:00–11:00 AM ET/PT) A DENNIS THE MENACE CHRISTMAS: Dennis tries to spread the Christmas spirit to his grumpy neighbor Mr. Wilson (Robert Wagner) and receives some help from the Angel of Christmas Past, Christmas Present, and Christmas Future. (Live Action)

(11:00 AM–1:00 PM ET/PT) HOME ALONE: THE HOLIDAY HEIST: See Saturday, December 7 for description. (Live Action)

(1:00–3:00 PM ET/PT) DECK THE HALLS: See Wednesday, December 4 for description. (Live Action)

(3:00–5:00 PM ET/PT) DISNEY’S A CHRISTMAS CAROL: See Sunday, December 1 for description. (Animated)

(5:00–6:00 PM ET/PT) JACK FROST (1979): See Monday, December 2 for description. (Animated)

(6:00–7:00 PM ET/PT) SANTA CLAUS IS COMIN’ TO TOWN: See Tuesday, December 10 for description. (Animated)

(7:00–8:00 PM ET/PT) THE YEAR WITHOUT A SANTA CLAUS: See Tuesday, December 10 for description. (Animated)

(8:00–10:00 PM ET/PT) THE MUPPET CHRISTMAS CAROL: See Thursday, December 5 for description. (Live Action)

(10:00 PM–12:00 AM ET/PT) THE POLAR EXPRESS: See Sunday, December 1 for description. (Live Action)

(12:00–2:00 AM ET/PT) SCROOGED: See Tuesday, December 3 for description. (Live Action)

DAY TWENTY FOUR – TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24

(7:00–9:00 AM ET/PT) A VERY BRADY CHRISTMAS: See Wednesday, December 4 for description. (Live Action)

(9:00–11:00 AM ET/PT) ‘TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS: See Saturday, December 21 for description. (Animated)

(11:00 AM–1:00 PM ET/PT) SCROOGED: See Tuesday, December 3 for description. (Live Action)

(1:00–3:00 PM ET/PT) THE POLAR EXPRESS: See Sunday, December 1 for description. (Live Action)

(3:00–5:00 PM ET/PT) THE MUPPET CHRISTMAS CAROL: See Thursday, December 5 for description. (Live Action)

(5:00–7:00 PM ET/PT) THE SANTA CLAUSE: See Monday, December 2 for description. (Live Action)

(7:00–9:00 PM ET/PT) THE SANTA CLAUSE 2: See Monday, December 16 for description. (Live Action)

(9:00 -11:00 AM ET/PT) THE SANTA CLAUSE 3: THE ESCAPE CLAUSE: See Monday, December 2 for description. (Live Action)

(12:00–2:00 AM ET/PT) NATIONAL LAMPOON’S CHRISTMAS VACATION: See Tuesday, December 3 for description. (Live Action)
 
DAY TWENTY FIVE – WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 25
 
(7:00–7:30 AM ET/PT) FROSTY’S WINTER WONDERLAND: See Friday, December 6 for description. (Animated)

(7:30–8:30 AM ET/PT) THE YEAR WITHOUT A SANTA CLAUS: See Tuesday, December 10 for description. (Animated)

(8:30–9:30 AM ET/PT) SANTA CLAUS IS COMIN’ TO TOWN: See Tuesday, December 10 for description. (Animated)

(11:00 AM–1:00 PM ET/PT) THE MUPPET CHRISTMAS CAROL: See Thursday, December 5 for description. (Live Action)

Encore Presentation (12:00–2:00 AM ET/PT)

(1:00–3:00 PM ET/PT) NATIONAL LAMPOON’S CHRISTMAS VACATION: See Tuesday, December 3 for description. (Live Action)

Encore Presentation (9:00–11:00 PM ET/PT)

(3:00–5:00 PM ET/PT) THE SANTA CLAUSE: See Monday, December 2 for description. (Live Action)

(5:00–7:00 PM ET/PT) THE SANTA CLAUSE 2: See Monday, December 16 for description. (Live Action)

(7:00–9:00 AM ET/PT) THE SANTA CLAUSE 3: THE ESCAPE CLAUSE: See Monday, December 2 for description. (Live Action)
 
Source: ABC Family

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First Look: New ‘Delivery Man’ Poster with Vince Vaughn

Delivery Man Poster

Vince Vaughn towers over a crowd of 20-somethings on this new poster for DreamWorks Pictures’ Delivery Man. Coming to theaters on November 22, 2013, Delivery Man was written and directed by Ken Scott and is based on the original screenplay for Starbuck, also written by Scott and Martin Petit.

The Plot:

DreamWorks Pictures’ Delivery Man stars Vince Vaughn as affable underachiever David Wozniak, whose anonymous donations to a fertility clinic 20 years earlier resulted in 533 children. David must now embark on a journey that leads him to discover not only his true self but also the father that he could become.

‘The Hunger Games: Catching Fire’ “Atlas” TV Spot

Hunger Games Catching Fire Atlas TV Spot
Caesar Flickerman (Stanley Tucci) and Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) in THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE (Photo credit: Murray Close/Lionsgate)

Coldplay’s “Atlas” is featured in the new TV spot for the second film of The Hunger Games franchise, Catching Fire. In the TV spot, Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) says goodbye to Gale (Liam Hemsworth) and heads out on the Victor’s Tour with Peeta (Josh Hutcherson). Also shown in the new teaser is just how prominent the Mockingjay symbol has become throughout the Districts.

Directed by Francis Lawrence, Lionsgate will release The Hunger Games: Catching Fire in theaters on November 22, 2013.

And speaking of Coldplay, the Hollywood Film Awards will be giving their “Hollywood Song Award” to the band for their Catching Fire contribution. Chris Martin’s expected in Beverly Hills on October 21, 2013 to pick up the award for “Atlas,” a single which marks the first time the band has specifically written and performed a song for a movie soundtrack.

“The Hollywood Film Awards is thrilled to present the Hollywood Song Award to a band as globally respected and prolific as Coldplay,” said Carlos de Abreu, founder and executive producer of the Hollywood Film Awards. “They continue to build their legacy and, with ‘Atlas’ marking the first time they have recorded for a motion picture, we cannot think of an artist better deserving of this honor.”

The Plot:

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire begins as Katniss Everdeen has returned home safe after winning the 74th Annual Hunger Games along with fellow tribute Peeta Mellark. Winning means that they must turn around and leave their family and close friends, embarking on a “Victor’s Tour” of the districts. Along the way, Katniss senses that a rebellion is simmering, but the Capitol is still very much in control as President Snow prepares the 75th Annual Hunger Games (The Quarter Quell) – a competition that could change Panem forever.




Book Review: ‘Moments That Made the Movies’

Moments That Made the Movies Review

When you think of Psycho, what scene comes to mind? Why? How about When Harry Met Sally or The Shining? In Moments That Made the Movies, author David Thomson discusses moments in 72 films that span 100 years that may not be his favorites or the best in film history, but moments that he remembers. As Thomson states, a memorable “moment” in a film can last a minute or two or twenty minutes. It’s not the length, it’s the impact and the memory of it that makes the moment so noteworthy.

I think the fact that the scenes chosen may not be the ones you think of when you hear the name of a movie adds so much to the enjoyment of the film and the book itself. For example, think of Psycho. I’ll bet you’re thinking of the shower scene. However, in his book, Thomson discusses the scene in the parlor when Bates (Anthony Perkins) and Marion (Jane Leigh) have their peaceful conversation over sandwiches. We see a caring, gentle Bates – the first kind person Marion has been with in the movie thus far. It is significant that after this conversation that Marion decides to return the stolen $40,000 the next day. After reading Thomson’s thoughtful discourse on the movie, I see so much that I had missed or just not thought about. I, too, see the beauty and impact of this scene and the way I saw the characters.

The photographs (250 of them) are beautiful and plentiful, and the subject matter is very interesting. This is a well-written book that is not overshadowed by the photos, even though most readers will probably browse through it looking for the photos of their favorite scenes. Once I started reading about the films and the scenes from them, I truly couldn’t stop. I read about movies I have never seen but now plan on seeing, as well as some of the most popular movies that most people, including me, have seen. I think all readers will have this experience with the book.

Moments That Made the Movies
A scene from 'Casablanca' (Image credit: Warner Bros/The Kobal Collection at Art Resource, NY)

A completed film is the composite of many, many talents and moments. In Moments That Made the Movies, Thomson pulls little-known facts, movie history, and his obvious love of this art form together to create a thoroughly enjoyable book. If you love movies, the subject matter and the writing combine to make this a book you need to read.

Reviewed by Karen Mitchell

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Tina Fey and Amy Poehler Host Golden Globes in 2014 and 2015

Tina Fey and Amy Poehler Two Year Golden Globes Contract
Tina Fey and Amy Poehler host the 70th Annual Golden Globe Awards (Photo by Paul Drinkwater/NBC)
The popular hosting team of Tina Fey and Amy Poehler will return not just to the 2014 Golden Globes stage but also for the 2015 awards ceremony. Fey and Poehler have committed to hosting the show in January 2014 and January 2015 as part of a deal with the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA).
 
“It’s wonderful news,” said HFPA president Theo Kingma, announcing the two-year commitment. “They have always been our first choice as hosts and we’re delighted they are back for the next two years.”
 
“Tina and Amy are two of the most talented comedic writer/performers in our business and they were a major reason the Golden Globes was the most entertaining awards show of last season,” stated Paul Telegdy, President, Alternative and Late Night Programming, NBC Entertainment. “We’re elated they wanted to host together again and that they committed for the next two years.”
 
The Fey and Poehler-hosted 2013 Golden Globes had a total of 19.7 million viewers and was the second-highest watched Globes in nine years.
 
Sources: NBC and HFPA
 

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Steve Carell Executive Produces ‘Slide Show’

Steve Carell at the Despicable Me Premiere
Steve Carell at the ‘Despicable Me’ Premiere – © Richard Chavez

Slide Show, based on the hit unscripted series that debuted in France in 2012, has been given an eight-episode season one order on Fox. Steve Carell teams up with Shine America for the show, serving as executive producer alongside Thom Hinkle, Eden Gaha, and Paul Franklin.

“I think unscripted television should be outrageous and audacious by definition. Unfortunately, not much is, as of late,” stated Kevin Reilly, Chairman of Entertainment, Fox Broadcasting Company. “Slide Show is the most ridiculously fun and out-there thing I’ve seen in quite a while. Steve Carell knows a thing or two about big laughs, and I am really happy to be working with Steve again and the team at Shine to bring Slide Show to FOX.”

“Comedy is subjective,” added Carell. “But if you don’t find Slide Show to be funny and enormously entertaining, then you will never be my friend.”

The Plot: Slide Show pits two teams – featuring the nation’s funniest celebrities and comedians – against each other in a series of showdowns designed to hilariously test mind and body. Throughout the game, the competitors must think on their feet as the teams face unpredictable song, dance, and sketch challenges, often while navigating the show’s trademark one-of-a-kind set, tilted at a 22.5 degree angle.




HBO Sets Premiere of Seduced and Abandoned

Seduced and Abandoned News
James Toback and Alec Baldwin (Photo Courtesy of HBO)
James Toback (Tyson) and Alec Baldwin (30 Rock) went to the Cannes Film Festival in 2012 hoping to find financing for their film described as “a political-erotic Middle Eastern adventure inspired by Bernardo Bertolucci’s classic Last Tango in Paris.” That 10 days of craziness trying to secure funding was filmed by Toback and the result is Seduced and Abandoned. Everything from meetings with producers and financiers to encounters with actors and directors were filmed during their Cannes visit, and Seduced and Abandoned shows the tug-of-war between art and commerce.
 
Seduced and Abandoned will debut on Monday, October 28, 2013 at 9pm ET/PT on HBO.
 
Seduced and Abandoned Details [Courtesy of HBO]

A dazzling collage of interviews, classic movie clips and colorful personalities, Seduced and Abandoned features a cast that includes, in addition to Alec Baldwin, Berenice Bejo, Bernardo Bertolucci, James Caan, Neve Campbell, Graydon Carter, Jessica Chastain, Diablo Cody, Francis Ford Coppola, Ryan Gosling, Jeffrey Katzenberg, Diane Kruger, Mike Medavoy, Ron Meyer, Jean Pigozzi, Roman Polanski, Brett Ratner, Martin Scorsese and Taki Theodoracopulos. The film documents Toback and Baldwin’s unpredictable experiences against the background of the bustling beauty of Cannes’ Promenade de la Croisette. The intimate and often poignant conversations with actors and industry giants constitute a heartfelt ode to everything alluring about cinema, from sex and death to the lingering hope of getting one more precious chance to tell one more story through film.
 
James Toback and Alec Baldwin first met on the set of Woody Allen’s Alice. A series of long conversations later led to the ideas that evolved into Seduced and Abandoned. The plan was to travel to Cannes to pitch their story, tentatively titled Last Tango in Tikrit, and explore the current state of the business of cinema. There was no script, providing the opportunity for something unique and memorable to emerge from the daily uncertainty.
 
Bertolucci, Coppola, Polanski and Scorsese provided invaluable insights through their reflections on their careers. But surprises also punctuate the film, as when Ryan Gosling offered, according to Toback, “the richest splash of brilliant anecdotes and observations about himself and the tribulations of film actors, as revealing as anything I’ve ever seen.”
 
Ultimately, the film turns the camera back on those who still can’t resist the devilish and beautiful temptations of a love affair with cinema, despite the outrageous odds against success. As the film builds to its climax, there’s no doubt that Toback and Baldwin remain hopelessly seduced. But will they be abandoned?

 
Source: HBO

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Book Review: ‘The Lincoln Deception’

The Lincoln Deception Book Review

Set in 1900, The Lincoln Deception is an exciting historical thriller about one of the most famous and history-changing conspiracies in modern times. Mixed with fictional and historical characters, author David O. Stewart bases the premise of the book on the deathbed confession of John Bingham, a dear friend of the main character, Dr. Jamie Fraser. Bingham, a former Congressman, was the prosecutor of eight of the Lincoln conspirators. As he is dying, Bingham tells Fraser that shortly before her death, Mary Surratt confided a secret to him that could bring down the whole country.

Bingham, unfortunately, takes this secret with him when he dies, believing it is too dangerous for Americans to know. The confession leads Fraser on an adventure to determine what the secret was. He knows he needs to find the truth about who else acted with James Wilkes Booth, who were all of the targets, and, most importantly, who was pulling the strings of the conspirators.

Joined by an unlikely cohort, Speed Cook, Fraser sets out to uncover the clues that will give him the answers to what exactly Mary Surratt told Bingham. Cook is a college-educated, former professional baseball player and newspaperman. He is also black. Cook is not satisfied with the way his country is heading, the treatment of black people after emancipation, and the promises of the triumphant Union that are yet to be fulfilled. He, too, has a vested interest in uncovering the true reasons and powers behind the assassination plots. Were Northerners working together with Southerners? Was it plotted only by Confederates?

The relationship between Fraser and Cook is edgy, to say the least. These were not times in which black people traveled without travail throughout the United States. We learn a lot about what it was like to be black in this time of segregation and the barriers the two men face in building a true friendship.

It’s common knowledge that President Lincoln was not the only target of the assassins. In The Lincoln Deception, we are treated to a conspiracy theory that is carefully laid out for us and, most importantly, believable. I loved the characters and found the book to be an enjoyable historical adventure mystery. I can’t finish without sharing the fact that Mary Surratt did in fact confide some secret to the attorney who prosecuted her, John Bingham. What could this secret have been?

– Reviewed by Karen Mitchell

* * * * * *

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