It's Devil's Night

Be safe out there with your pre-Halloween partying.

Showbiz History: The Sheik, Never Cry Wolf, Wicked

9 random things that happened on this day (October 30th) in showbiz history

Rudolph Valentino cheekily decides you can't watch him undress in behind the scenes footage about his Sheik movies (he made two of them)1821 Novelist Fyodor Dostoevsky born in Moscow. His work, particularly the Brothers Karamazov and Crime and Punishment, has been adapted to film and television many time.

1921 The Sheik starring Rudolph Valentino premieres, inventing the male movie star sex symbol. The world swoons. Women faint.

1938 Orson Welles radio broadcast of HG Wells "The War of the Worlds" causes mass panic when people are convinced it's real...

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What's on your cinematic mind?

Do tell in the comments. You've been quiet today. I just got back from a screening which... well, there's an embargo damnit. But it was surprisingly satisfying good fun. 

Beauty vs Beast: The Battle of Halloweentown

Jason Adams from MNPP here, wishing everyone a Happy All Hallows Week as well as (thematically related) a Happy 25 to Henry Selick's now-a-holiday-classic The Nightmare Before Christmas for this week's "Beauty vs Beast" contest. It seems strange to remember that when NBC came out it only got mixed reviews but I was there, I am old, and I remember it - it's stood the test of time though, and now I can't imagine Halloween or Christmas without Zero the Dog and the rest of the colorfully spooky gang. (The annual argument over whether the film is a Halloween Movie or an Xmas Movie that I could do without.) 

bike trail guide

PREVIOUSLY The winner of last week's PJ Soles contest was... drum-roll please... PJ Soles! PJ Soles is always our winner. Okay okay specifically it was her Halloween character of Lynda who won over her role in Carrie, with a vote of 69% (that number would totally make Lynda giggle). Said Rob:

"Norma was horrible and got what she deserved. Lynda was a totally lovable airhead. GO LYNDA"

Best of October

Sniffle. There are only two more days of October left but we're working through our grief at saying goodbye to our favorite month each year by doing it a bit early... oh and Happy Halloween y'all! Here are some highlights from October that you might have missed.

Dozen Favorites
• Diane Warren Sings! Her new song "I'll Fight" and a tribute concert
• Green Book it's a bonafide crowd pleaser
• Posterized: Tilda Swinton Her biggest roles and essential roles
• Months of Meryl on the rewatchable delights of It's Complicated (2009)
• Carey Mulligan in Wildlife Murtada is wowed
• Amazing Carey Mulligan impression from comic actress Desi Domo
• Exciting 30 Year Old Actors because Nathaniel fancies himself a casting director
• Brian Dennehy LOVES Saoirse Ronan thinks she's one of the all time greats
• Foreign Film Oscar List the trailers to the 87 contenders
• Private Life Chris on the new Tamara Jenkins on Netflix
• The Favourite Olivia, Rachel and Emma's triple-dynamism in one of the year's best films

Most Discussed by You!
• Best Horror Film Performances from Carrie to Hereditary
• Gotham Nominations The Favourite and First Reformed lead the pack
• Yes No Maybe So: Vice Christian Bale does his Cheney mimicry
• A Star is Born is a Drama at the Globes so where does that leave Best Comedy/Musical?
• A Star is Born Nathaniel's review

Coming in November
Parker Posey's 50th birthday, Addams Family Value's 25th anniversary, Honorary Oscar Recipients actress Cicely Tyson, producers Frank Marshall & Kathleen Kennedy, and composer Lalo Schifrin, If Beale Street Could Talk, Widows, The Front Runner, Foreign Film contenders including Israel's The Cakemaker, Japan's Shoplifters, Argentina's El Angel, and new on DVD/BluRay: Blindspotting, BlacKkKlansman, and Crazy Rich Asians....