The Huffington Post's Jamie Scot takes a fascinating look back at the origins of gay and lesbian paperback novels that flooded the American market in the post-WWII era. It was the first acknowledgement that gays and lesbians represented significant numbers of the population, a fact attested to by the explosive sales of these novels. For the gay population during this period of cultural conservatism, these books provided a bit of titillation that heterosexual men had never had a problem accessing. More surprising to publishers was the significant sales of lesbian-themed books, some of which became bestsellers. (Undoubtedly, many of these sales could be attributed to men, who have always been preoccupied with lesbian sex.) Like any erotic paperbacks of the period, the covers of the gay-themed books featured provocative, highly suggestive artwork. Most of these artists labored in anonymity but today pulp fiction paperback art is considered by many to be an important aspect of American popular culture from this time period. Click here to read  

Burton and Taylor met on the set of Cleopatra...and the sparks flew on screen and off.

The Huffington Post digs back into the past to unearth some of the more vivid sex scandals involving well known actors and actresses. We're not sure that Barry Williams going on a date with his "Brady Bunch" mom Florence Henderson deserves inclusion, but undoubtedly Eddie Fisher, Richard Burton, Elizabeth Taylor, Charlie Chaplin, Ingrid Bergman and Errol Flynn do. Click here to relive some not-so-glamorous moments in show business history. 

Ursula Andress in "Dr. No" (1962).

The Huffington Post presents writer Pat Gallagher presents a tribute to her choices as the 12 most memorable sex sirens of yesteryear. From Marilyn Monroe to Raquel Welch and Ursula Andress, click here to check out the article and see if you agree. 

The Huffington Post provides footage of Leonard Nimoy's big screen debut in the 1951 "B" movie, "Queen For a Day", an adaptation of a popular TV and radio program. Click here to view.  

UPDATE:  PRESIDENT OBAMA PAYS TRIBUTE TO LEONARD NIMOY. CLICK HERE

We're not the only ones who act like Scrooge when it comes to evaluating the present state of movie poster designs. There was a time when even "B" movies boasted epic posters. Today, we have bloated $250 million productions that are marketed with cheapo poster designs that look like they were knocked out by some folks in a marketing agency in the course of 15 minutes. The Huffington Post seems to agree, as evidenced by their comparison of how Christmas-themed movies have been marketed in recent years. There seems to be only a couple of basic designs that are copied and recopied by unimaginative poster designers.  

If you want to see truly imaginative poster designs, just scan fan pages on the web. The mock up "unofficial" posters you'll find there generally blow away the junk being released by major studios. Maybe it's appropriate, as most of these films are unwatchable. There may be a few gems here and there but many of them feel they have to include scatological jokes and gags and fill the screen with screaming, dysfunctional families.

As for the present state of holiday movie designs, we can sum up our feelings in one word: "Humbug!"

Click here to read the Huffington Post article.  

She was the most famous pin-up model of the 20th century. She had an air of sweetness and innocence about her, even as she posed for kinky photos, often with more than a hint of S&M about them. The Huffington Post reports that the late, great Bettie Page is alive and well-- in spirit, anyway- as evidenced by a revival of interest in the pin-up culture she helped kick into high gear in the 1950s and 1960s.

She is the subject of films and stage productions, as the "Bad Girl" image of the 1940s comes roaring back into the 2000s- and much of it is inspired by charitable efforts to aid veterans. Seems only fair. After all, it was WWII G.Is and swabbies who immortalized their favorite female stars through tacking up sexy photos of them on their walls and lockers.  Click here to read. 

The Huffington Post unveils 5 plot holes they claim you never noticed in the original "Star Wars" trilogy. However, we're not naive enough to believe there aren't many scholars of the film who haven't already discovered these. Nonetheless, for those who aren't as well versed in the "Star Wars" universe, this article may be illuminating and amusing. Click here to read. 

Hepburn arrives at the 1988 Oscar ceremonies.

Audrey Hepburn would have been 85 years old this month. As a tribute to her special sense of class and style, the Huffington Post provides a series of photos illustrating Hepburn in the 1970s and 1980s as evidence that her beauty and elegance only became more impressive as she aged. Click here to view 

Cinema Retro has received the following press release from Sony:

For Immediate Release

“…one of the great shows of television's Golden Age…”

-- The Huffington Post, Maureen Ryan

The Addictive, Emmy Award^®-Winning TV Drama
Starring Emmy Award^® Winners Bryan Cranston & Aaron Paul

BREAKING BAD:
THE COMPLETE SERIES

Newly Created 16-Disc Blu-ray^â„¢ Box Set Available June 3
Featuring Hours of Bonus Content, Including the Two-Hour Documentary
“No Half Measures: Creating the Final Season of Breaking Bad”

Also Available for the First Time Ever as a 21-Disc Complete Series DVD Set

CULVER CITY, CALIF. (April 7, 2014) – The chemistry continues on June 3 when Sony Pictures Home Entertainment releases one of the most critically acclaimed and award-winning shows of all time, BREAKING BAD: THE COMPLETE SERIES, available on Blu-ray^™ with newly created packaging, and, for the first time ever, as a complete series set on DVD. Just in time for Father’s Day and graduation gift giving, the explosive saga of high school chemistry teacher-turned-meth kingpin Walter White is available in its entirety, including all 62 uncut, uncensored episodes. The 16-disc Blu-ray set features more than 55 hours of bonus content, including the Blu-ray exclusive “No Half Measures: Creating the Final Season of Breaking Bad” documentary, chronicling the making of the final season, from filming the first table read to the very last day on set and everything in between. The 21-disc DVD set features more than 50 hours of bonus content.

Starring three-time Emmy^® winner Bryan Cranston (Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series) alongside two-time Emmy winner Aaron Paul (Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series), Sony Pictures Television’s groundbreaking series achieved record-breaking viewership with more than 10 million viewers in its final season. BREAKING BAD was created by Vince Gilligan (TV’s “The X-Files”), who also served as executive producer with Academy Award^® winner Mark Johnson (1988, Best Picture, Rain Man) and Michelle MacLaren (TV’s “The X-Files”). The series boasts an exceptional ensemble cast, including 

Anna Gunn (TV’s “Deadwood”), Dean Norris (TV’s “Under the Dome”), Betsy Brandt (TV’s “Michael J. Fox Show”), RJ Mitte (TV’s “Switched at Birth”), Bob Odenkirk (The Spectacular Now), Giancarlo Esposito (TV’s “Revolution”) and Jonathan Banks (TV’s “Community”).

Synopsis:
The incredible saga of high school chemistry teacher-turned-meth kingpin Walter White is here in its entirety: all 62 uncut, uncensored episodes! Emmy® winner Bryan Cranston portrays Walter White, a family man who turns to crime after a lung cancer diagnosis unravels his bland but simple life. Recruiting former student and small-time drug dealer Jesse Pinkman (Emmy® winner Aaron Paul) to be his partner in crime, Walt rises to the top of the meth trade, leaving a trail of bodies in his wake. But he can’t keep his dogged DEA agent brother-in-law
Hank Schrader (Dean Norris) off his trail forever. Will Walt get away with it all, or die trying? Re-live every moment of this groundbreaking original series with riveting performances by Emmy® winner Anna Gunn, Giancarlo Esposito, Jonathan Banks, Bob Odenkirk, Betsy Brandt, RJ Mitte and more. Breaking Bad was executive produced by Vince Gilligan, Mark Johnson and Michelle MacLaren. The complete box set is loaded with special features.

Blu-ray Exclusive Bonus Features:

More than 55 hours of special features, including:

· “No Half Measures: Creating the Final Season of Breaking Bad,” an exclusive two-hour documentary that chronicles the filming of the final eight episodes.

· Bad Memories – Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul talk about the show ending and some of their favorite moments.

· Bryan Cranston: Director – Go on set with Bryan Cranston as he directs the first episode of The Final Season, entitled "Blood Money."

· Scene Envy – The cast tell us which scene they wish they could have been in.

· Shocking Moments - The stars reveal the moments that shocked them most.

· A Look Ahead to the Final Season – The cast gives their thoughts on what an amazing final season this is going to be!

· From Walt to Heisenberg – From high school teacher to deadly meth dealer, watch as Walter White quickly transforms into Heisenberg.

· How Will It End? – At the beginning of Season 5, the cast gives their thoughts on how they think the show will end.

· Avenging Agent: Dean Norris as Hank Schrader – A look at the character Hank Schrader and the man who played him, Dean Norris.

· Scene Stealer: Betsy Brandt as Marie Schrader – A look at the character Marie Schrader and the woman who played her, Betsy Brandt.

· A Criminal Attorney: Bob Odenkirk as Saul Goodman – A look at the character Saul Goodman and the man who played him, Bob Odenkirk.

· Jesse’s Journey:  Aaron Paul as Jesse Pinkman – A look at the character Jesse Pinkman and the man who played him, Aaron Paul.

· Skyler Breaks Bad:  Anna Gunn on Season Four – Actress Anna Gunn and series creator Vince Gilligan explore Skyler’s character evolution through the fourth season.

· Growing Up in the White House:  RJ Mitte on Walter, Jr. – RJ Mitte, Anna Gunn, Bryan Cranston and series creator Vince Gilligan discuss the extraordinary dynamics of the White family, and Walter, Jr.’s unique role.

· The Ultimate Chess Match – Members of the cast and crew discuss Walter White and Gus Fring’s extraordinary and complicated battle of wits and their struggle for Jesse’s allegiance.

· Looking Back:  A Season Four Retrospective - Season Four’s most surprising and memorable moments.

· Ted's Wipeout – In Episode 411, “Crawl Space,” Ted Beneke suffers a head injury while trying to escape from Saul’s goons. In this featurette, Christopher Cousins (Ted) explains how this shocking stunt was accomplished.

· The Truck Attack Storyboard Comparison – A side-by-side comparison of the Los Pollos Hermanos truck attack and the brilliant shot-by-shot storyboards that were created for the episode “Bullet Points.”

· Walt and the Challenger Storyboard Comparison – A side-by-side comparison of Walt’s joy ride in Walt Jr.’s new Dodge Challenger and the storyboards that were developed for that sequence by the writer and director, Peter Gould.

DVD Special Features:

More than 50 hours from Season 1 through the Final Season

Broadcast Year: 2008-2013 (AMC)

BREAKING BAD: THE COMPLETE SERIES is not rated.

CLICK LINK BELOW TO PRE-ORDER AND SAVE $$$$

In an enlightening interview with Christopher Rosen of The Huffington Post, legendary film editor Themla Schoonmaker discusses her remarkable collaborations with Martin Scorsese. They first paired on Raging Bull in 1980 and she has cut every one of his 18 films since then. Schoonmaker reflects back on the making of some of those classics right up through the release of The Wolf of Wall Street. She also amusingly expresses why the legacy of Goodfellas has proven to be a curse for both she and Scorsese. Click here to read 

Our good friend actor Robert Davi has a sensational second career as a crooner. His Sinatra tribute show is getting rave reviews and the Huffington Post called him "a legend in the making". Now Davi has just released a wonderful new single on CD.  New York City Christmas calls to mind the kind of unapologetically old-fashioned, sentimental holiday songs you just don't hear anymore. If you haven't heard him sing, you're in for a real treat.(We love that cover art by Steve Penley). Here is the official press release:

Los Angeles, CA--Singer/actor ROBERT DAVI will be releasing his forthcoming â€œNew York City Christmas” single for the upcoming holiday season.  The song was recorded at the iconic Capitol Records’ Studio A, where Frank Sinatra, Nat “King” Cole and The Beatles once laid down some of their most memorable work.  Davi recorded â€œNew York City Christmas” with arranger/conductor Chris Walden (Michael Buble), and is accompanied by a live 30-piece orchestra, creating a lush background for the holiday seasoned-song.  â€œNew York City Christmas” was produced by legendary mixing engineer Al Schmitt, John Potoker and Nick Vallelonga, who also wrote the song.  Vallelonga has extensive directing, writing and producing credits including:  Yellow Rock, Stiletto and the forthcoming romantic comedy, That’s Amore! (2014).  

DAVI, who recently released DAVI SINGS SINATRA – On The Road to Romance, produced by the legendary Phil Ramone and mixing engineer Al Schmitt (which hit #6 on Billboard’s Top 10 Jazz chart), will be in New York for promotion of the song in November and December.

Quincy Jones says of Davi’s performances: “As FS would say, 'Koo, Koo.' Wow! I have never heard anyone come this close to Sinatra's sound – and still be himself. Many try, but Robert Davi has the voice, tone, the flavor and the swagger. He absolutely touched me down to my soul and brought back the essence and soul of 'Ol Blue Eyes himself.”

Says The Huffington Post: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ellen-sterling/no-overstatement-singer-a_b_3985284.html

Also noted actor in motion pictures, DAVI is scheduled to film The Expendables 3 on location in Bulgaria in October with Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Swartzenegger, Jason Statham, Mel Gibson, Jet Li and Dolph Lundgren – is best known for his roles as FBI Special Agent Johnson in Die Hard; Franz Sanchez in Licence to Kill; Jake Fratelli in The Goonies and Ray Ferritto in Kill the Irishman. He has appeared in more than 100 movies and television shows.

For more information check out:

Live performance video reel - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKBGdzV-0D8#t=93

Official website- http://davisingssinatra.com/

CLICK HERE TO PRE-ORDER FROM AMAZON 

By Lee Pfeiffer 

When F. Scott Fitzgerald famously wrote "There are no second acts in American lives", he would have missed the boat when it comes to actor Robert Davi. He's been a familiar face on the big screen and TV for decades and is known as one of the most memorable James Bond villains. Davi was generally regarded as a reliable and talented character actor. When I made his acquaintance some years ago, we instantly bonded. He is a regular guy with a New York attitude, no ego and a mutual love of exchanging ball-busting jokes with any other guy in his orbit. We share a love of good cigars and stories of old Hollywood but the difference, of course, is that Davi's stories are based on personal experience. His first major role came about when Frank Sinatra personally chose him as a co-star, despite his lack of experience. That was the basis of a long-time friendship and Davi always spoke reverently of Sinatra, s grateful for the break he gave him. A few years back, we were conversing over some stogies and arguing politics (we're on opposite sides but love debating the issues),when Davi told me he was determined to embark on a second career as a crooner of Sinatra's songs. In my typically gentle way of offering advice I told him he was crazy. I told him no one would go to a concert to see a guy who never sang a note on screen. Then shortly thereafter, Robert starred in a directed a little-seen independent movie called The Dukes, about an over-the-hill group of doo-woppers who were attempting to make a comeback. He did all of his own singing and was quite brilliant. The next thing I knew, he was being acclaimed as one of the best Sinatra tributes act ever. Davi is now the toast of the town, taking his show on the road around the country to packed houses. He's now fulfilling another dream by combining his singing talents on stage with Don Rickles, one of Sinatra's best cronies. In a review on The Huffington Post, writer Ellen Sterling calls him "A legend in the making". Sometimes nice guys do finish first. For more click here

The 1998 remake of Hitchcock's Psycho

The Huffington Post has compiled a list of what are arguably the worst (or most unnecessary) movie remakes ever...Click here to see if you agree 

The sudden death of acclaimed, Emmy-winning actor James Gandolfini from a heart attack has left the entertainment community stunned. The actor passed away while on vacation in Italy. He was only 51 years old. The Huffington Post pays tribute to his life and career. Click here to read. 

The Huffington Post provides this rare candid of young Clint Eastwood, probably in the pre-Rawhide era when he was still a contract player trying to get noticed. For more click here 

The Huffington Post has compiled a list of 15 movies released in recent years during the month of January, long regarded as the elephant's graveyard for premiering a new film. With the holidays over and bills pouring in, movie-going generally declines, leading studios to dump some questionable entries onto the market. Click here to view 

"John Carter" has its fans and defenders among the sci-fi/fantasy set but there weren't enough of them to prevent Disney from incurring a $165 million loss on this film.

On Thanksgiving, everyone has turkey on their mind. However, in Hollywood, there is an obsession with different kinds of turkeys- the celluloid ones that eat up studio revenues through costly flops. The Huffington Post takes a look back at the biggest cinematic flops of the year. It doesn't mean some of these movies weren't artistically worthy of a better reception, but for whatever reason, audiences avoided them in droves. Click here to read. 

With Harrison Ford now throwing hints that he might be interested in appearing as Han Solo in a Disneyfied new series of Star Wars films, it's worth noting he didn't always feel that way. In an interesting article for The Huffington Post, writer Mike Ryan chronicles how Ford was initially enthused about his character and the promotions for the first two films in the series but seemed to sour on the franchise with his last appearance in Return of the Jedi.The article contains fascinating vintage filmed interviews with Ford that show his changing attitudes about Star Wars and Han Solo over the decades. Ryan's conclusion: that Ford may only be changing his tune now in order to secure a major pay check. Click here for more 

The Huffington Post has compiled a completely subjective listing of the fifteen funniest movie villains of all time. As with most of these lists, the writer seems to think that the film industry began in the 1980s, but there are still some inspired and offbeat choices. Click here to view  

Sandler's Jack and Jill was a major bomb in relation to his other films.

He is a contemporary Jerry Lewis. Adam Sandler's low-brow comedies rarely win critical plaudits but have generally proven to extremely popular with a young, loyal fan base. However, the relatively poor performance of his latest films leads Huffington Post writer Christopher Rosen to speculate about whether Sandler has truly lost his boxoffice mojo. His conclusion: no. Rosen backs up his opinion by providing the impressive grosses of Sandler's films to date and theorizes that his films generally bomb only when he goes beyond a PG-13 rating into R territory, which prohibits many teens from gaining entry to his films. For more click here 

The Huffington Post has compiled a gallery of suggestive posters for cinematic sex comedies. Some of them are pretty anemic, while a few are truly over-the-top. (The poster for American Pie demands you to "Fill that sticky hole!" ) Many are from grade B comedies no one even remembers, if they heard of them at all. Still, it's a fun browse through pseudo porn. Click here to view 

The Huffington Post has a death-match style elimination contest in which movie fans can vote for their favorite film franchises. The premise pits such legendary series as James Bond vs. the Twilight films and The Godfather movies vs. Batman flicks. Only one problem: the people who put it together obviously have a broad definition of what constitutes a franchise. They have included such "one-shot" movies as The Rocky Horror Picture Show and Titanic while not even mentioning the long-running Dirty Harry movies. For more click here 

The Huffington Post provides clips of some of the funniest imitations of the Great Scot himself, Sean Connery. They are culled from comedy standup routines and feature films. Click here to view  

The Huffington Post provides an informative guide to some of the worst money-losers in Hollywood history. However, the list is far from complete. Films such as the remakes of Mutiny on the Bounty and Cleopatra almost sank their studios despite critical acclaim and grossing significant amounts at the box-office. This was due to extravagant production cost over-runs. The list also doesn't include such major musical bombs as Hello, Dolly! and Star! (Watch out for musicals with exclamation points in the title!) Nevertheless, such relatively recent bombs as Pluto Nash and Town & Country make the once disastrous grosses for Ishtar seem like the good old days when a major flop would be defined by losing "only" $41 million. For more click here

Christopher Atkins in A Night in Heaven (1983)

Jamie Lee Curtis in True Lies (1994)

The Huffington Post provides us with a completely gratuitous reason to run photos of sexy guys and girls: their poll asks who was the most convincing on-screen stripper.

The Huffington Post provides a slideshow of the greatest villains in screen history. This list is more inclusive of worthy candidates than most, but it was obviously written by a Gen X contributor who has a natural tendency to favor villains from awful slasher movies of relatively recent vintage. Still, there are some inspired inclusions ranging from the hillbillies in Deliverance to Faye Dunaway as Joan Crawford. Click here to view

On the Huffington Post, Zaki Hasan interviews Amanda Silver and Rick Jaffa, the married couple who wrote the screenplay for Rise of the Planet of the Apes. Click here to read

Anne Heche is Gus Van Sant's 1998 remake of Psycho.

The Huffington Post provides a list of nine completely unnecessary and largely unsuccessful movie remakes. We could add about 5,000 more titles to the list but this is a good starting point. Click here to read and see the trailers.

A photo surreptitiously shot on the set of The Dark Knight Rises.

On The Huffington Post site, writer Kris LoPresto makes a thought-provoking argument against the proliferation of unauthorized photos and videos shot on the set of The Dark Knight Rises, saying this trend endangers the quality of future action film epics. Click here to read

Harrison Ford turned 69 years-old earlier this week. The Huffington Post provides a slide show of his greatest on-screen moments. Click here to view

The Huffington Post presents another of those meaningless but irresistible past-times: voting for your favorite American actors on a scale of one through ten. Among the contenders, an eclectic group including Buster Keaton, Humphrey Bogart, Sean Penn, Marlon Brando,Robert De Niro, John Wayne, Clint Eastwood and Tom Hanks. In an increasingly dumbed-down world, we're just gratified that so many old-timers even made the list. We expected to find such legendary stars as Orlando Bloom and Adam Sandler populating the choices. Click here to vote.

Forget about the fact that more people probably attended your last birthday party than paid to see the Catwoman feature film. Still, there's no denying that Halle Berry certainly looked great in that eye-popping costume. She's one of a number of actresses featured in the Huffington Post's slide show tribute to the sexiest big screen female super heroes. Click here to view

Huffington Post film critic Scott Mendelson speculates on which film franchises probably ended in 2010. It might surprise you that some of them were enormously successful at the box-office. Click here to read

The wicked geniuses at The Huffington Post have come up with some truly inspired take-offs of well-known movie posters, all descecrated to include preposterous Christmas themes. Click here to view

Mike Hodges' 1971 Brit crime classic Get Carter was the cover story on Cinema Retro #11- one of our best selling issues.

By Lee Pfeiffer

Writer Jesse Kornbluth's column for The Huffington Post centers on nine off-beat films that he recommends to readers. He says no one else will recommend these, but he's obviously not a Cinema Retro reader, as two of his choices- Get Carter and McCabe and Mrs. Miller - have received considerable coverage in our magazine. However, his list certainly is eclectic and leaves me wanting to experience several titles I'm not familiar with. Click here to read and view all the original trailers.

The landmark Loew's Theatre in Jersey City, New Jersey, is one of the true genuine movie palaces that still remain in America.

Click here to view The Huffington Post's slide show of ten great American movie theaters that are worth preserving as historical landmarks.

Charlton Heston and Kim Hunter in Planet of the Apes: among poll responders choices for films that are superior to the source novel.

In answer to the old cliche that virtually every movie is inferior to the source novel it is based on, The Huffington Post is conducting a poll of readers to find out what movies are actually better than the books they are derived from. Click here for the full list and see if you agree

With the recent revelation that actor Eric Stoltz had originally been cast in Forrest Gump only to be replaced by Tom Hanks, the Huffington Post was inspired to create a fantasy universe in which Stoltz was replaced in other prominent films. Click here to view

"Jack Lord, we hardly knew ye..." The current version of Hawaii 5-0 may be a ratings hit but it has nothing in common with the classic TV series of the 60s and 70s.

Click here for The Huffington Post's slideshow of the most unnecessary TV remakes of all time, ranging from Get Smart (remember that debacle starring the appropriately-named Andy Dick?) to the current incarnation of Hawaii 5-0.

True to his wishes, the family of Tony Curtis ensured that his funeral was an upbeat affair, filled with plenty of laughs and anecdotes. The star-studded tribute was open to the actor's many fans and was attended by his friends and family. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger gave an impromptu eulogy and recalled how Curtis inspired him to succeed when he was a young actor. The Huffington Post notes how Curtis' widow remembered the mischievous superstar:

"Curtis' sixth wife, Jill Curtis, eulogized her husband of 12 years. She recalled how he easily dismissed their 45-year age difference when friends asked if he was worried about keeping up with a younger wife.

"Well, if she dies, she dies," she said her husband would deadpan in reply." For more click here

Don't expect to see Russell Crowe in tights again anytime soon: in the crazy world of contemporary filmmaking, his Robin Hood movie was considered a major disappointment- despite grossing over $300 million worldwide.

Huffington Post film writer Scott Mendelson offers and in-depth and very revealing analysis of which movies succeeded and failed during the summer of 2010- and which ones were successful, but still considered to be disappointments. Click here to read

The Huffington Post has a fun slide show of funny or embarrassing moments from Star Trek. However, it is a bit dishonest. The article refers to the photos as "stills" when in fact they are mostly frame grabs from DVDs...under that scenario, even frames from Citizen Kane could be made to look ridiculous. Click here to view

It's pretty difficult to imagine a scenario in which you might sympathize with Adolf Hitler. However, we're not sure that even the most notorious genocidal villain in history deserves this indignity. Unless- wait a minute!- it must be Moe Howard in one of those Hitler-spoofing Three Stooges shorts!

The Huffington Post has compiled a slide show of the worst and creepiest wax figures ever made. Click here to access the Hall of Shame.

David L. Wolper, a legend among producers, has died at age 82. Wolper's legacy is an impressive one with a string of highly acclaimed TV documentaries ranging from the Jacques Cousteau specials to The Incredible World of James Bond. His greatest triumph was the 1977 TV mini series adaptation of Alex Haley's Roots, which kept American audiences transfixed for many nights in the era before home video was widespread. Wolper also occasionally produced theatrical films. They include his acclaimed nature documentary feature The Hellstrom Chronicle, the hit comedy If It's Tuesday, This Must Be Belgium and the 1960s epic WWII films The Devil's Brigade and The Bridge At Remagen. Click here to read Huffington Post columnist Dale Olsen's tribute to Wolper's remarkable career.

No comment necessary!

The annual Comic-Con in San Diego has become a "must" for movie studios looking to promote their forthcoming action movies. The event draws many thousands of comic and film enthusiasts including those lovable eccentrics who love to mug for the cameras. Click here for the Huffington Post's slide show from the event.

The Huffington Post presents a bizarre slide show of various examples of fan art - and each piece is disturbing in its own unique way. From Michael Jackson meeting with Jesus to Batman pregnant with Superman's child, the choice is yours as to which one generates the biggest "EEEwwww....!" factor. Click here to view

Those were the days: Linda Carter strutting her stuff in the 1970s TV version of Wonder Woman- contrasted with the new, blander version of the iconic heroine.

Times are catching up with Wonder Woman. DC Comics has authorized artist Jim Lee to create a new look for the action icon for her 600th issue. The Huffington Post reports that writer J. Michael Straczynski explained, "She's been locked into pretty much the exact same outfit since her debut in 1941. If you're going to make a statement about bringing Wonder Woman into the 21st century, you need to be bold and you need to make it visual. I wanted to toughen her up, and give her a modern sensibility."  She may look more modern, but count on us male chauvinists to begrudge the lack of Wonder Gams now that her legs have been criminally covered up!  In fact, there isn't much wonder about this woman...the new ensemble is far more drab than what we see on attendees at Lady Gaga concerts.  For more click here

The Huffington Post presents 18 new, hilarious movie poster mash-ups combining elements of well-known films. Click here for slideshow.

RETRO-ACTIVE: THE BEST FROM CINEMA RETRO'S ARCHIVES.

(The following piece was the first film review posted on Cinema Retro on February 25, 2007)

"Bus Riley" and William Inge: or When Playwrights Are Wronged

By Joel Shatzky

Bus Riley's Back in Town is a 1965 Universal production that is vaguely based on a play written by William Inge (1913-1973) in the early1950's bearing the same title. Because of the rewriting of the script and plot by the studio so that the story could be more of a vehicle for Ann-Margaret, Inge removed his name from the credits and not even the fact that the title was from an Inge play was mentioned. It is one of the few times, I believe, that a prominent playwright had his credits removed from a script that was based on his own play. Even Tennessee Williams, who had every good reason to remove his name from the credits of A Streetcar Named Desire due to the distorted ending, abstained from such a temptation.

The Huffington Post provides a slide show of the screen's hottest female action stars. There is only one nod to the past: the inclusion of Raquel Welch in One Million Years B.C. Although this can be attributed to the usual tendency of writers to ignore Hollywood's past, in reality the advent of female action stars has been a relatively recent phenomenon. To view click here