The Grinch Who Steals Our Elections

Gautam Dutta, 01.06.2010

Between resignations and politicians' office-hopping, special elections cannot be avoided. Fortunately, there's a proven way to rescue hapless voters and taxpayers -- Instant Runoff Voting.

Is There Finally Some Oscar Hope for Star Trek?"

Michael Giltz, 01.06.2010

Freelance writer and raconteur

We're well into Oscar season and I've been despairing for Star Trek, a sensational reboot of the sci-fi franchise that offers the smart, broadly appealing entertainment that Hollywood does best.

"Up" and "Up" ...Because You Need Another Top 10 2009 Movie List From Someone Else

Jon Chattman, 01.05.2010

Founder of thecheappop.com, pop culture/music writer, and author of "Sweet Stache"

Cinephiles will remember this as the year in Pixar reached new emotional heights, Clooney proved to be king, tween audiences ruled the world, and Quentin Tarantino returned to form.

Screenwriter John Patrick Shanley on "Ups and Downs," Taking Moonstruck to Broadway and the Plays That Inspired Him

Jon Chattman, 01.05.2010

Founder of thecheappop.com, pop culture/music writer, and author of "Sweet Stache"

Late last year, as part of the American Theater Wing's book The Play That Changed My Life, Shanley spoke out on those that inspired him throughout his career.

Avatar's Best Moment (Hint - It Has Nothing to Do With 3D Special Effects)

Scott Mendelson, 01.01.2010

Film Critic and Pundit for Film Threat, Huffington Post, and Mendelson's Memos

The movies that do more than flame out after their opening weekends are the ones that do more than show us the biggest and best in special effects technology.

Nicholas Hoult of A Single Man: About a Boy Who's Become a Man -- With Oscar Prospects!

Michael Russnow, 12.31.2009

Screenwriter, former Member Writers Guild West Board of Directors

For most of us in America it's startling not only to see the physical change to manhood in Nicholas Hoult, but to remark how intriguing and comparable his roles are in About A Boy and A Single Man.

Precious star Sidibe "Pushes" Her Way to 2010

Jon Chattman, 12.30.2009

Founder of thecheappop.com, pop culture/music writer, and author of "Sweet Stache"

Here's the brief but delightful chat I had with Gabourey Sidibe about her brutally honest portrayal in Precious and what it's meant for her ...

Oscar-Winning Actor Robert De Niro Makes Sure Everybody's Fine

Brad Balfour, 12.30.2009

Veteran Interviewer and Pop Culture Chronicler

In Everybody's Fine, De Niro neither plays a character who kills someone or plays a parody of Robert De Niro as either a crook or cop who kills someone.

The True Story About the Academy Screening of Avatar

Robert J. Elisberg, 12.28.2009

Columnist and screenwriter

Avatar has done a great job promoting itself. It doesn't need the breathless help of Mr. Hammond and Mr. Pond inaccurately leading the way.

With "Avatar," Technology Has Never Looked So Human in Film (VIDEO)

Jose Antonio Vargas, 12.28.2009

Technology and Innovations editor, Huffington Post

Technology has never looked so human in film. James Cameron has created a wholly believable, realistic world, at once marking a new cinematic era and expanding the possibilities of film in our technology-dependent, digital entertainment-driven 21st century. From here on out, movies will be divided into two epochs: B.A. and A.A. Before "Avatar," After "Avatar."

Huff Post Review: Avatar: The 3D IMAX Experience

Scott Mendelson, 12.20.2009

Film Critic and Pundit for Film Threat, Huffington Post, and Mendelson's Memos

The 3D work is truly immersive, creating the kind of 'you are there' effect that was before only achieved in cartoons like Coraline and The Polar Express.

HuffPost Reviews: Alicia Keys, Robin Thicke, Avatar, and Pixies, Plus Conversations with Julian Lennon and Precious Composer Mario Grigorov, and more

Mike Ragogna, 12.16.2009

music biz vet, entertainment writer

We're at album number four and Alicia Keys still mesmerizes. This project clicks better as a body of work than two of her three previous albums, and it avoids sounding like a smattering of singles across a CD.

HuffPost Weekend Box Office Review: Princess and the Frog Puts Disney 2D Animation on Top

Scott Mendelson, 12.16.2009

Film Critic and Pundit for Film Threat, Huffington Post, and Mendelson's Memos

When you consider the publicity that this film received for its 'groundbreaking' African American characters, I'm pretty sure Disney was hoping for a bigger opening for The Princess and the Frog.

Doctors Without Borders: Living in Emergency

Christal Smith, 12.14.2009

Award winning broadcast journalist

Through the experiences of Dr. Tom Krueger, we are given a front row seat to the desperate pace and the unrelenting horror of what war causes men to do to other men.

Spend 2010 With These Animal-Loving Stars

Wendy Diamond, 12.10.2009

TV Personality, Pet Lifestyle Expert, Animal Rescue Advocate

Has your furry friend been naughty or nice this year? These animal loving superstars are just a few of the celebrities who appear in a new calendar sponsored by Pup-Peroni® and the ASPCA that promotes local animal shelters.

Huff Post Review: The Lovely Bones (2009)

Scott Mendelson, 12.10.2009

Film Critic and Pundit for Film Threat, Huffington Post, and Mendelson's Memos

...

Q&A: Michael Shannon Acts To Find Himself And His Role In The Missing Person

Brad Balfour, 12.28.2009

Veteran Interviewer and Pop Culture Chronicler

Michael Shannon's so quiet and reserved in person you wonder how he made the leap to stage acting. Yet when unleashed by a role, his presentation can be so overpowering that it often overwhelms other performances.

The Frenzy About White House Gatecrashers: Did the Media Overreact?

Michael Russnow, 11.29.2009

Screenwriter, former Member Writers Guild West Board of Directors

Should the Salahis be boiled, flogged, or has the media made it much more than it really was?

Raising Awareness Of Diabetes

Carole Carson, 11.23.2009

Carole Carson, dubbed "An Apostle for Fitness" by the Wall Street Journal, is a fitness advocate and ...

Between 60 and 70 percent of those age 65 and over are diabetic or prediabetic -- half are unaware they have the condition because they are symptom free.

Emma Thompson, Helen Bamber: Finding the Silent Scream (Updated)

Evelyn Leopold, 11.17.2009

Veteran reporter at the United Nations

Torture victims often lose their voice twice: first during the torture itself and then when no one listens to their ordeal, Actress Emma Thompson says...

Q&A: Actor Woody Harrelson Delivers The Messenger

Brad Balfour, 11.14.2009

Veteran Interviewer and Pop Culture Chronicler

The Messenger -- being released this weekend -- is a film in which Harrelson tests his mettle and shines. Is it Oscar-worthy? "I think I did an okay job," Harrelson says.