HOLLYWOOD'S SHAMEFUL SECRETS (Movies we don't see... )

[Radio_Lady]

Actually, they are "movies the studios refused to screen for critics -- which almost always means they're ashamed of them and want to avoid negative opening-day reviews."

We end this record-setting year of shameful secrets with two more. First, "NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM" actually did screen last week. Critics were invited as usual -- and then were suddenly uninvited, told they'd have to wait for the last-minute Thursday night screening instead.

You have to figure a studio is pretty embarrassed by its product to do something as impolite as dis-invite critics from something they'd already been invited to. And it turns out it's not even a bad movie. So I don't know what their problem was.

The other shameful secret is "BLACK CHRISTMAS" (1 hr., 26 min.; rated R for strong horror violence and gore, sexuality, nudity and language), a remake of the 1974 horror film that will open Christmas day without any prior screenings at all. One can only assume, given that it's a remake of a horror movie, that it's lousy. That is the trend, after all.

From Eric Snider, who does a darn good job reviewing film here in Portland, OR.
Read his blog at: http://www.ericdsnider.com/blog/

[peekaloo]

1. I'm fretful about 'The Good Shepherd'. They're quoting Larry King

in their blurbs. Good gawd. (I know it's not mentioned in your post)

'Black Christmas' looks dreadful. A faux "snuff" film for Christmas, how cheery and delightfully repulsive.

I'll say one thing about 'Museum' and it's my opinion only, so no flames please, but I tend to avoid anything with Ben Stiller in it. Sorry folks he irritates me. :shrug:

[Hugin]

2. Oh, believe me... We'll see them alright.

or you will if you're an insomniac (like me) when they're played incessantly on late night slots on cable in a few weeks.

Good thing I'm not very picky about movies.

[Radio_Lady]

3. Husband watched "The Big White" with Robin Williams, Holly Hunter,

Giovanni Ribisi (young character actor) -- set in "snowy Alaska" (really it's Winnipeg, Canada) -- a comedy about a murder.

Check this link for more information:

http://www.us.imdb.com/title/tt0402850/

Supposed to be screening on cable a couple of times over the next week. The movie got panned by critics, but viewers gave it a respectable 6.6 out of 10, and at Metacritic, it got an even higher rating.

I saw about an hour then conked out... husband is too busy to write a full review, but I heard him laughing very hard!

Tagline: When you need somebody, any body will do.

Plot Outline: To remedy his financial problems, a travel agent has his eye on a frozen corpse, which just happens to be sought after by two hitmen.