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Now in our sixth calendar year
PCR #257. (Vol. 6, No. 8) This edition is for the week of February 21--27, 2005.
Matt's Rail

LA FLORIDIANA
A Case of Microwave Mayhem or Misinformation in Northwest Florida?
 by William Moriaty
THIS WEEK'S MOVIE REVIEW
"The Sea Inside"
 by Mike Smith
ODDSERVATIONS
"Filthy" and other Indie Filmmakers at MegaCon - Booth #721....Back, and Better Than Ever....Dr. Paul Bearer - 10 Year Oddservance
 by Andy Lalino
SPLASH PAGE
Miracle Turns 25....Oscar Predictions and Comments....Fear and Loathing No More....Speaking of Drugs....On To MegaCon
 by Brandon Jones
CREATURE'S CORNER
Constantine....Comics: Tom Strong
 by John Lewis
MATT'S RAIL
The 100,000 Club....Masters of Horror Back on Track....Rondo Winners Announced....Oscar Picks
 by Matt Drinnenberg
MIKE'S RANT
 by Mike Smith
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THE 100,000 CLUB
So there I sat at my computer. The tally read 99,943. Cool, I mused; looks like I finally have a shot at PCR history...well, that doesn't involve controversy of some sort anyway.

When I checked back, I must have been quick on the heels of Mr. Canova, who deserves this right of passage more than I, I must say. I'm sure it was a pretty cool moment, seeing your very own site reach such heights. Not suprising to any of us, I'm sure, who you have allowed to take part.

And here's to everyone who has visited PCR to make it possible. Especially those of you who visit regularly. You, like my guitar mentor, rock.

Here's to 200,000. (Thank you, Matthew. --Nolan)

MASTERS OF HORROR BACK ON TRACK
Having suffered this before, I kind of feel like the second I send this in, my site will crash again. But I'll be the optimist and let you all know that MOH is back to full strength via my main server.

I can't begin to tell you how great that is. Nolan understands. (That's for sure! --Nolan)

RONDO WINNERS ANNOUNCED
By now you know all about it, so I'll just lay it down.

BEST PICTURE went to Shaun of the Dead, which is one of the more brilliant ideas to come out of someone's imagination in quite some time. BEST CLASSIC DVD went to Universals Creature From The Black Lagoon, which gives us all 3 Creature Features (in literal terms), plus awsome extras, for a very low price. Transfers are sensational, and great care was given the restoration, which unfortunately can't be said about their Invisible Man Legacy Set, but that's another story.

MOST NEEDED DVD went, once again, to King Kong. I've read where this desire will be quinched very shortly, with numerous tie ins to Peter Jacksons King Kong which gets released this Christmas. More on that next week.

BEST MAGAZINE went to Video Watchdog, with WRITER OF THE YEAR going to Tom Weaver for his efforts to enhance Classic Horror, with articles and a special coup (Interviewing the lost Donny Dunagan - child actor of Son of Frankenstein).

Check out the Rondo Site for a complete winners list, with accompanying photo's, runner's up, and the entire nomination list.

www.rondoaward.com

OSCAR PICKS
Yes, folks. It's that time of year again where we all weigh in on just who we believe will walk away with the statuette of no genitalia (apologies to Dustin). And I am just amazed that Mike and I have so many similar choices, yet again.

Seems every year when we do this, we have more than a few we agree on. But this year is downright Twilight Zone-ish. I think we only differ on about 4 or 5 picks.

Of course, being a competition, I could have easily dragged by feet and waited for Mike's Oscar offering. But no! I made my Oscar picks about 2 or 3 weeks ago at the Academy Awards site. And yes, it's timestamped, so I can prove that our similarities in life are wearing off on Oscar. Which, since I hold Mike in such great esteem, is pretty cool.

As our picks are so similar, and our reasons for it almost as identical, there's really no need for me to add too much, as Mike pretty much said it for me. But.......

BEST ACTOR: Clint Eastwood in MILLION DOLLAR BABY - Just a sensational job by Eastwood. Can't knock everyone else, but really just see him taking this.

SUPPORTING ACTOR: Morgan Freeman in MILLION DOLLAR BABY - Like Mr.Smith, I've enjoyed this guy since Electric Company. I have to laugh that Mike knows that bit of trivia, but I guess I'm not too suprised.

BEST ACTRESS: Annette Bening in BEING JULIA - Having been ROBBED of this statue previously, and once again turning in just a brilliant performance, she'll probubly be hosed again. Because I'm almost certain Hillary Swank is going to take this. Still, I have to give the nod to Bening.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Virginia Madsen in SIDEWAYS - Looks like I take heads, Mike, as I just don't see Virginia losing. I'll agree it's a coin toss, but my flip side was Natalie Portman.

BEST DIRECTOR: Clint Eastwood for MILLION DOLLAR BABY - Clint Eastwood has gone from Actor to Star to Director to Star Director to Oscar Winner and now, with this, to encompassing legend. Eastwood in a laugher. No one else is even close.

Best Picture MILLION DOLLAR BABY - Yeah, I pretty much think this could sweep 90% of what it's nominated for.

Writing (Original Screenplay) ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND
Writing (Adapted Screenplay) SIDEWAYS
Animated Feature Film THE INCREDIBLES
Documentary Feature BORN INTO BROTHEL
Foreign Language Film THE CHORUS
Music (Score) THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST
Music (Song) "Learn To Be Lonely" from THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA
Art Direction THE AVIATOR
Cinematography THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST
Costume Design LEMONY SNICKET’S A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS
Film Editing THE AVIATOR
Makeup THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST
Visual Effects SPIDER-MAN 2

Till next week take care and God bless
Matthew

"Matt's Rail" is ©2005 by Matthew Drinnenberg. Webpage design and all graphics herein are creations of Nolan B. Canova. All contents of Nolan's Pop Culture Review are ©2005 by Nolan B. Canova.