Op-ed: 3D or not to 3D- Virtual Me

Staff Writer: Grave Digger

Questions about movies aren't about substance or talent these days. Instead people are debating whether or not their film should be in 3D.

Here's a clue: I don't want my movies to reach out and touch me.

I want to be entertained. I want to be transfixed. I don't want to be slapped, banged, and hauled around.

Don't get me wrong, 3D technology can be fun. Disney features, theme park rides, etc.

However, when I go tot he movie theater and sit with my drink and popcorn in hand, I don't want to wear my concession stand goodies.

So this op-ed is short: give the audience a choice. do a screen in regular and 3D. One might be more popular than another but at least for us traditionalists, we'll be able to spend our money in the market place too.

Joker's Wild

Staff Writer: Grave Digger

This Sunday Hollywood hosts the Academy Awards. Many actors, actresses, directors, and producers will be honored. Nominees will sit until one person's name is called to stand in front of the world and accept the Oscar. Tensions are high, especially in one category: Supporting Actor.

A little over a year ago, the actor who played the Joker in The Dark Knight, Heath Ledger, passed away. Ever since then, a campaign has been underway to honor his memory during this award season. He has won many prizes for his role.

Now, fans of the late actor want to create a moritorium on the character. Fans are asking the entertainment industry not to script, produce, or have someone act as the Joker.

Is this for a set amount of time or forever? Not sure. But like most wounds: time heals. Perhaps, the audience must need time or have one Joker per generation.

Still with time, we honor Heath and his contributions, but is it fair to prohibit the next Heath from showcasing his talent on the faded memory of another? Or, do we honor Heath by showing that no one can take his place no matter the incarnation?

Franchise Flirtation

Staff Writer: DL Mullan

Ghostbusters might be back. That’s right kids: who you gonna call? Bill Murray? Dan Ackroyd? Ernie Hudson? Or even, Harold Ramis?

Since Tarzan and Poltergeist are on the chopping block of Frankensteinian Hollywood reinvention, Ghostbusters appears to be on that surgical table too.

After two successful films, do we dare try for a trilogy? The one person I have not heard coming back for a Ghostbusters III is Sigorney Weaver. Where is our heroine?

Anyway, the movie will hand over the reigns to: Seth Rogen, Jonah Hill, James Franco and Michael Cera.

But the biggest question is: Is Hollywood tired out? Remake after remake, book into television series and movies, is Hollywood in the middle of writer’s block? Identity crisis? Better yet: Middle Life Crisis?

Creative ideas are abundant, unfortunately Hollywood doesn’t know what do with them. Or rather, doesn’t know how to sell them. Back to the drawing board, boys, and bring that unknown book, comic, and dartboard with you!

Hauntings in America

Staff Writer: Samuntha Mackenzie

3 out of 5 Shovels
A two disc documentary series is hosted by Michael Dorn and Christopher Lewis. Witness accounts are infused with reenactments. One disc travels to eleven different locations from Hollywood to Louisiana. The other disc goes from Gettysburg to Tennessee.

Paranormal stories about ghosts and the unexplained show the darker side of life.

With no extras on the DVD, most of the stories keep the viewer interested. Though Lewis’s narrative is more animated, then Dorn’s interpretation, both discs are interesting and informative.