“Not Forgotten” nominated for 2010 Saturn Award

Speaking of Sci-Fi…a few weeks back I got the super cool news that “Not Forgotten” had been nominated by the Academy of Science Fiction Fantasy & Horror for a 2010 Saturn Award for Best DVD Release. Yay! I didn’t blog about it then, because I wanted to make sure I got invited to the show first…and guess what? I did! So, whoo-hoo…let the celebrating commence!

If, like most non-hard-core sci-fi geeks, you have no idea what the Saturn Awards are, please allow me to fill you in. The Saturn Awards have been given out to the best of the best sci-fi, fantasy and horror films, TV shows, plays and home video for the past 36 years, and unlike the Oscars who traditionally shun such genres, these guys are true fans of the first order.

This is the organization that in the past has given Best Film Awards to “The Empire Strikes Back”, “Aliens”, “Poltergeist”, “A.I. Artificial Intelligence” and “Children of Men”…smart, bold genre movies that more staid institutions completely shut out. I used to read about these rocking, underground award gatherings in Starlog and Fangoria magazines when I was a geeky kid…so, to have something I co-wrote and associate produced be nominated at all, in any category is kind of mind-blowing.

And the fact that I will actually be attending the show tonight, rubbing elbows with the creators and cast of “Lost”, “Avatar”, “Star Trek”, “Harry Potter” and the like…well, shit…I might just explode!

However, in the highly-unlikely event that I actually do make it through the show tonight intact, I promise to post some pics soon, so, stay tuned. To see a list of all this year’s Saturn Award nominees, click here.

“The Strangers” on DVD

I should start by saying that the version of “The Strangers” that is coming out today on DVD is not the same one Christine and I saw in the theatre in June. The DVD cut of the movie is unrated and from everything I’ve read, that would make it ten thousand times scarier!

And with a movie this downright freaky, that is really saying something. Not only is “The Strangers” unnervingly quiet, but the sounds that are there rival “The Orphanage” in their goosebump-inducing impact. Seriously, even the knocks on the door in this movie will give you nightmares…just chilling!

Another thing we loved is that the concept here is so simple: troubled couple terrorized by strangers in the middle of nowhere. There is no goopy dialouge or clunky character arcs, this is a classic, old school scary movie that does what it’s supposed to do — scare you shitless! — and does it beautifully.

Trust me when I tell you that Christine and I were not the only ones screaming out loud in the theatre. This is one of those weirdly realistic films that gets under your skin way more than something supernatural ever could.

Sure, we might not be as pretty as Scott Speedman and Liv Tyler, but almost everything that happens to them in this movie could happen to us. Or you…or, well…now I’m getting all scared again just thinking about it!

Anyway, check it out on DVD and let me know what you think. Oh, and for the Liv Tyler haters out there — I happen to live with one. Christine likes to say that the reason Tyler is so good in this movie is because she doesn’t talk much. Ha! — rest assured that her performance here is probably one of the finest she’s ever committed to film.

Seriously, Tyler plays a sweaty, freaked-out chick like nobody’s business, baby. And those eyes…wow…must have been something in that Rivendell water.

So if you’re looking for some rocking seasonal scares, check out “The Strangers” today. And for the love of God, do not watch this movie alone!

We saw it together and still had to double and triple check all the doors and windows before going to bed. Yes, it’s that scary…