Film Buffs

In the cold, winter months, a trip to the theater, braving the weather, sometimes isn’t as appealing as enjoying a warm cup of hot chocolate by the fire, as a movie plays on TV. Many viewers choose to subscribe to a premium movie channel package, adding a little bit of variety and depth to the paltry by comparison DVD collection. Choosing which movie channel is right for you is a task in and of itself. But, the options are pretty much the same, whether you’re a DIRECT TV, DISH or cable household. Here’s a look what to expect from the most prominent channels available, with some providers allowing to mix and match 2 or more:HBO Not only the most famous name in movies on the small screen, Home Box Office is the most widely watched of the movie channels as well, currently serving 28.5 million subscribers. Combining some of the biggest names in major release motion pictures, slightly dated throwbacks, popular original series (i.e. Entourage), boxing, documentaries, stand-up and more, the proven platform can suffice for many a viewer’s every need.Cinemax Owned by Home Box Office, Cinemax is often packaged with it in when purchasing channels. Cinemax focuses almost exclusively on movies, with less sports or original series presence, hence maximum cinema, the concept from which it takes its name. Cinemax is noted not only for its varied movie selection but also its special feature and erotica programming.Showtime Historically praised for its selection of movies, many a little less mainstream than HBO (in fact, at one point Showtime was officially branded with the slogan “Showtime has the hits HBO misses), the channel has recently increased viewership through popular series programming. Dexter, Weeds and Californication have all been critically acclaimed successes for Showtime as it continues to diversify its programming selection. Read more »

Christmas is a time for family. How better to spend it than by sharing a few laughs that cross generational borders? The Christmas miracle is finding a flick that entertains adults encouraging terribly inappropriate antics that would earn otherwise nice boys and girls a lump of coal from Santa Claus. When in doubt, these three Christmas comedy classics are sure to keep the holiday spirit bellowing from deep within your candy-cane filled gut. 1. A Christmas Story What could be more perfect for the family to enjoy on Christmas than a movie explicitly titled A Christmas Story. Not only does it guard against the dangers of licking frozen objects and asking your parents for potentially dangerous presents, but same quirky family anecdotes have stood the test of time, capturing the hearts and minds of audiences since 1983. With a The Wonder Years style narration and youthful perspective of household dynamics, this timeless tale has reverberated with viewers of all ages for generations now. Best of all, it airs for 24 hours straight on TBS every Christmas Day, so no need to waste time or money on a rental.2 & 3.Home Alone & Home Alone 2: Lost in New York Want to appreciate the comfort of family this holiday season? A three hour double feature of Kevin McAllister with no one to turn to but his bag of tricks, learning to appreciate the idiosyncrasies of relatives alongside the true meaning of Christmas is sure to provide a little entertainment and perspective. Read more »