Michelle's blog

Many of us know actor Harvey Keitel for his fetching performance in Pulp Fiction as Winston “The Wolf” Wolfe. This is one of the many roles that Keitel has starred in throughout his acting career. He is an acceptional actor and is a co-president along with Al Pacino and Ellen Burstyn for The Actor’s Studio in the Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood of Manhattan, NY.

Keitel is a native New Yorker, born in Brooklyn to parents Miriam and Harry who ran a luncheonette. He joined the US Marine Corps at the young age of 16 and would go on to serve three years from 1956-59. In a 2003 interview in Boston, MA, Keitel claimed, "Anytime I felt anything difficult, I felt darkness - and I could survive in it. For me the Marine Corps was a spiritual journey. It's not about war. It’s only because the spirit has been so deeply manifested that Marines have been so successful.” He was a fire team leader in Lebanon in 1958 and earned a medal for his dedication.

He was first trained at HB Studio in Greenwich Village, NY and studied under Lee Strasburg, creator of “Method Acting” and Broadway star and teacher Stella Adler. Keitel was involved in a few off-Broadway productions when he had his first big break by meeting Martin Scorcese. Scorcese was not as famous as he is now and was actually struggling for work at the time though he was preparing a student production of the film Who’s That Knocking on My Door? Scorcese brought Keitel on board for his first feature film in the role of J.R. and they’ve worked together on four movies since. Scorcese’s hit movies starring Harvey Keitel including Mean Streets and Taxi Driver.

Keitel was responsible for helping Quentin Tarantino make his first hit, Reservoir Dogs. Tarantino had a very limited budget and great expectations. He was not able to pay the salaries of major actors like Michael Madsen and Steve Buscemi and would possibly have to use unknown actors for the film. Keitel took a look at his script and was inspired to help him with production costs and to play one of the main characters in the film. Quentin was grateful and enjoyed working with Harvey Keitel for years to come. Keitel has been in four Tarantino films including the recent Inglorious Basterds. He has also helped directors Ridley Scott, Paul Schrader, Tony Bui and James Toback find their claim to fame. Keitel certainly seems to have a way of maintaining great relationships with the directors he has worked with and can be found in repeat performances in their movies. Other directors that have befriended and worked with Keitel are Paul Auster and Jane Campion.

Harvey Keitel has gained many fans and has been nominated for numerous acting awards. He won the Independent Spirit Award for Best Actor in Bad Lieutenant (1992) and the Australian Film Institute Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his work in The Piano (1993). He was also given the Stanislavsky Award at the Moscow International Film Festival for his exceptional work in film. Harvey Keitel is 70 years old and going strong. Keitel is also starring in ABC’s TV series Life on Mars as detective Gene Hunt. He is currently working on the third edition to Meet the Parents titled Little Fockers slated for release on July 30, 2010.

Quotes from Harvey Keitel:

“The way I see things, the way I see life, I see it as a struggle. And there's a great deal of reward I have gained coming to that understanding - that existence is a struggle.”

“To create characters, one must build background. And one of the tools we use is improvisation.”

“Well unfortunately I didn't work with Andre much. But rap is a strong presence in the culture and anyone is going to grateful for its appearance, grateful for any kind of music that has the kind of effect that rap has had on us all.”

“You're working on being a father, so that is something that when you experience it you'll understand the profundity of wanting to protect something dear to you.””

30 Reasons Why You Should Have Dish Network’s Premiums by This Weekend!
(All times are according to Eastern Standard Time)

*Starz*
Seven Pounds 11:20 am and 6:50 pm Saturday on Starz
(Starring Will Smith)

Doubt at 9:00 pm Saturday on Starz
(Starring Meryl Streep)

The Cider House Rules at 4:15 pm Sunday on Starz In Black
(Starring Charlize Theron)

Superbad at 8:00 pm Tonight on Starz Comedy
(Starring Michael Cera)

Shakespeare in Love at 11:30 am Sunday on Starz Comedy
(Starring Joseph Fiennes)

*Encore*
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation at 8:00 pm Tonight on Encore
(Starring Matthew McConaughey)

No Country for Old Men at 3:45 pm Tonight on Encore
(Starring Javier Bardem)

French Kiss at 1:20pm and 9:00 pm Sunday on Encore Love
(Starring Meg Ryan)

Unlawful Entry at 9:35 pm Tonight on Encore Mystery
(Starring Kurt Russell)

10 Things I Hate About You at 4:50 pm Sunday on Encore
(Starring Lindsey Shaw)

*HBO*
American Gangster at 6:30 pm Saturday on HBO Zone
(Starring Denzel Washington)

Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 at 3:30 pm Sunday on HBO Latino
(Starring Amber Tamblyn)

Man on Fire at 2:00 pm Sunday on HBO Signature
(Starring Dakota Fanning)

Ali at 10:00 am Saturday on HBO2
(Starring Will Smith)

Wanted at 8:00 pm Tonight on HBO
(Starring Angelina Jolie)

*Cinemax*
Burn After Reading at 8:30 pm Tonight on ThrillerMax
(Starring George Clooney)

The Bucket List at 10:30 pm Tonight on 5StarMax
(Starring Jack Nicholson)

Insomnia at 9:30 am Saturday on MoreMax
(Starring Robin Williams)

Lady in the Water at 11:30 am Saturday on 5StarMax
(Starring Paul Giamatti)

Children of Men at 10:00 pm Saturday on ActionMax
(Starring Clive Owen)

*Showtime*
Bless the Child at 10:00 pm Tonight on Showtime Beyond
(Starring Kim Basinger)

The Great Debaters at 1:45 pm Saturday on Showtime Showcase
(Starring Denzel Washington)

The Way of the Gun at 4:00 pm Saturday on Showtime Extreme
(Starring Benicio Del Toro)

Tyler Perry’s Why Did I Get Married at 4:45 pm Saturday on The Movie Channel
(Starring Janet Jackson)

*Sundance & Independent Film Channel*
Approaching Union Square at 5:45 pm Today on Sundance (Starring Katie Kreisler)

Congorama at 1:45 pm Saturday on Sundance’
(Starring Olivier Gourmet)

Hero at 10:05 am and 3:30 pm Saturday on IFC
(Starring Jet Li)

Girl with a Pearl Earring at 6:35 am and 2:30 pm Sunday on IFC
(Starring Scarlett Johansson)

Crash at 8:00 pm Sunday on IFC
(Starring Terrance Howard)

Avatar is destined to be a box office hit and will be released soon.  There is a buzz everywhere about the cost of making this amazing film. This is not the most expensive movie to make; in fact there is a long list of movies that cost hundreds of millions to make. The question is, how many of them made their money back?

· Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End (2007) Cost: $300m Made: $958m

· 2012 (2009) This movie just came out! Cost: $260m Made: $225m

· Spider-Man 3 (2007) Cost: $258m Made: $891m

· Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009) Cost: $250m Made: $934m

· Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest (2006) Cost: $225m Made: $1 billion!

Apparently investing a large sum of money into making a movie is not such a bad idea as long as it’s a great movie of course! There have been a few unfortunate investments as well. Here are some examples…

· Zyzzyx Road (2006) Cost: $1.5m Made: $30.00
This film had a limited release of one showing per day for six days and gained a total of six patrons. It stars Tom Sizemore and Katherine Heigl. Sizemore was on probation at the time and was arrested for failing multiple drug tests. He was not placed in jail so he was able to finish his scenes.

· Cutthroat Island (1995) Lost: $147m

· The Adventures of Pluto Nash (2002) Lost: $134m

· Sahara (2005) Lost: $133m

· The 13th Warrior (1999) Lost: $126m

Highest Grossing Films of All Time:

#1 Titanic is the highest grossing film of all time as it made a total of $1.8 billion.

2. The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King ($1.1 billion)

3. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest ($1.1 billion)

4. The Dark Knight ($1 billion)

5. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone ($974 million)

Movie News!

Scream 4
Courtney Cox is signed on and geared up for the fourth edition of the Scream series. There has been a rumor that Dewey and reporter Gale Weathers will be killed off right at the beginning of the film. Cox didn’t respond when reporters of the Associated Press asked her if the rumor is true. Scriptwriter Kevin Williamson told the New York Post "there are a lot of twists and turns, so I can't promise anything. There are a lot of moving pieces, so we'll see -- but if you're a 'Scream' fan, I think you're really going to like it." I’m certainly excited and hopeful that they bring us back to the fear and suspense that was captured so well in the original. David Arquette and Neve Campbell will also return for Scream 4.

Depp-Cage
A little birdie let the cat out of the bag and entertainment gurus everywhere found out that Johnny Depp is offering to take care of Nicolas Cage’s financial debt. Depp has always been grateful to Cage for helping him to get his first role in Nightmare on Elm Street. Cage introduced Depp to his manager at the time that landed him the job. There’s no update as of yet to know whether or not Cage has accepted the offer but I’m sure we’ll find out soon.

2012
It seems that 2012 was a blockbuster hit on its opening weekend raking in $65 million in the US and an amazing $160 million in Canada. World wide, this film made a gross of $225 million making it anything other than a disaster.

Oscar Contenders
Here are some of the possible contenders for this year according to popular belief…
Best Actor: Jeff Bridges (Crazy Heart), Colin Firth (A Single Man)
Best Supporting Actor: Alfred Molina (An Education), Christoph Waltz (Inglorious Basterds)
Best Actress: Gabourey Sidibe (Precious), Carey Mulligan (An Education), Meryl Streep (Julie & Julia)
Best Supporting Actress: Mo’Nique (Precious), Julianne Moore (A Single Man)

The Men Who Stare at Goats
We’ve all seen the trailer for this film starring George Clooney and many people had a chance to check it out on opening weekend. Have you been wondering how they get the goats in the movie to fall over so convincingly? There are goats that are actually bred to faint when startled. The camera crew visited these goats for the believable footage!

The Twilight Saga: New Moon
This vampire/werewolf movie opens this week. Actor Michael Sheen plays the role of Aro who is basically a member of vampire law enforcement. As far as playing a vampire versus his previous role as a werewolf in Underworld, he claims, “the tailoring is so much better”. He has acquired many fans, one of which is his daughter. He was quoted on BAM Column as stating, “Also, going into my daughter’s bedroom and seeing she’s just got pictures from ‘Twilight’ and ‘New Moon’ everywhere and seeing my own little picture, which I think she did out of pity. ‘Have Dad up there as well’”.

Recent Celebrity Quotes
"Sex in the forties is better. It's all about confidence."- Courtney Cox

"It's an Underwood family tradition, the rear goes away -- it goes in and out -- so I have to work really hard to try and make sure it stays where it's supposed to be."- Carrie Underwood about her backside

"I made Titanic because I wanted to dive to the shipwreck, not because I particularly wanted to make the movie."- James Cameron

"I owe 30 percent [of my good looks] to genes, 30 percent to good sex, 30 percent because of sports and healthy lifestyle, and for the remaining 10 percent I have to thank my plastic surgeon. I'm 71, but I'm happier, the sex is better and I understand life better."- Jane Fonda

"Women hold the power because we have the vaginas. If you're in a heterosexual relationship and you're a female, you win."- Megan Fox

"I do think in Washington, it's a little bit like American Idol. But everybody is Simon Cowell."- Barack Obama

"When Top Gun came out my sisters were like, 'Oh, my God, Top Gun! Tom Cruise!' And I very confidently said, 'I'm going to marry him one day.' It wasn't like, How do I get Tom Cruise? It was just: I think I'm going to marry him. Why not? He'll like me. I'm fun."- Katie Holmes

I saw an amazing preview for the upcoming 3-D movie Avatar last night while I was watching House on Fox with Dish Network. I was hooked the second the trailer began. This film looks phenomenal and I wouldn’t be surprised if it becomes the next “Star Wars”. The trailer was much longer than most and totally captured the gist of what the movie is about. I’ve seen plenty of advertised pictures of the characters in the film while browsing online, but nothing compares to the way they look on screen. The effects look absolutely astounding and the acting seems flawless.

I originally thought this film would be geared toward a younger audience because of the computerized characters and thought the pictures were characteristic of what might end up being a comic book type movie. Once I watched the entire trailer for Avatar I realized that this is going to be much more intricate and emotional than I expected. The plot runs thick and the characters display such emotion that there’s no way this film can be disappointing. I can pretty much guarantee that we will be in for an action packed ride full of stunning audio and visual effects and emotion that absorb us completely into the film. Rumor has it that the film cost $500 million to make though many argue that this figure is too high. Another more reliable source claimed that Avatar cost $230 million plus another $150 million in products and advertising. Either way, you can certainly tell by its appearance that spending was not an issue. The characters look amazing and although they are a different type of being, they seem so real. Their facial expressions are illuminated with feelings and I’m sure that after watching the movie for a few minutes we’ll totally forget that these creatures are aliens.

Writer and Director James Cameron created Avatar- another reason why it will be a sure winner. Cameron offered to forfeit his share of Avatar’s profits if it costs more than it makes at the box office. He wrote an 80 page script for the film back in 1994 and had plans to start filming right after Titanic in 1997 and release the movie in 1999 but the cost was way too high at the time. He was also holding out for some much needed advancements in special effects.

Cameron made a major accomplishment in the filmmaking industry. He invented his own stereoscopic filmmaking with his “Reality Camera System” that uses two HD cameras built into one. This technique adds to the effects by accenting depth perception. It also gives Cameron the ability to see on a monitor how the virtual characters will appear as he directs the film. This is a huge breakthrough because these effects were always added to movies after they were done filming, giving the director very little to work with. Imagine how this is going to look now that he can work with his characters in real time and make adjustments along the way until their expressions are perfect. Wikipedia quoted Cameron, "It’s like a big, powerful game engine. If I want to fly through space, or change my perspective, I can. I can turn the whole scene into a living miniature and go through it on a 50 to 1 scale”.

“The Volume” was also created to highten Avatar's visual effects. This is amazing. It is a skullcap made to fit the actor’s head with a small camera attached. The camera calculates every facial expression including the eyes and sends the information to the computers. Cameron recruited 1,000 people to take part in the film’s production and sent the cast on a trip to a jungle so they could bond with its surroundings and each other in preparation for the film. Avatar was intended to be released this past May but Cameron decided to allow more time for post-production. Many theaters still do not have 3-D projectors. It was also his intention to give theaters a heads-up to prepare for this groundbreaking epic by purchasing new equipment. Many years of preparation and technological advancements have been made for the sole purpose of making this film come to life for audiences everywhere so get prepared for December 18, 2009 because this is going to be good. Cameron has intentions of making two sequels to Avatar. He is already gaining recognition for his filmmaking accomplishments with Avatar and is slated to receive two awards, the Santa Barbara International Film Festival's Lucky Brand Modern Master Award on February 6, 2010 as well as the Visual Effects Society’s VES Lifetime Achievement Award on February 28, 2010.

My Top 5 Favorite James Cameron Movies

#1 Terminator 2: Judgment Day
2. Titanic
3. The Terminator
4. Aliens
5. True Lies

Accomplished actor Edward Woodward died today, November 16, 2009 at 79 years of age. This is a loss to the world of entertainment as Woodward has starred in 36 movies, 16 stage productions, 7 made-for-TV films, 14 TV specials and 21 television series since the year 1955. Woodward was originally a Shakespearean stage actor though many people know Woodward for his work in the films The Wicker Man (1973) and Breaker Morant (1980). He was offered a cameo role in the 2006 remake starring Nicolas Cage but declined the offer. His latest appearances on film were in the movies Hot Fuzz and A Congregation of Ghosts (scheduled for release in 2010).

Woodward was interested in acting and journalism since he was a child. He was torn between acting and playing football professionally as a young adult. Woodward received a knee injury and wasn’t able to play football for a year which freed more of his time for acting. He made his stage and film debuts in 1955 with the play and the movie Where There's A Will! Woodward went on to star in many plays from England and Scotland to Australia and gained much popularity for his acting performances.

Woodward was well known for his role on the 1960’s hit spy series Callan followed by many smaller roles until his next successful show. He was cast as a former British intelligence operative in the 1980’s television series The Equalizer. His performance in this show gained him the 1987 Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Dramatic TV Series. His acting in The Equalizer also earned Emmy Award nominations for each year from 1986 to 1990. Woodward has appeared on television so many times that in 1987 he told The Associated Press, "I think I've probably done more television than any actor living".

Woodward had many health problems. He was stricken with a heart attack during the third season of The Equalizer. They had his character become injured on the show so Woodward would have the chance to recuperate after his hospitalization. He later suffered another heart attack in 1996 and underwent triple bypass surgery. He was informed that he had prostate cancer in 2003. Woodward died today at the Royal Cornwall Hospital with pneumonia after being sick for months.

Woodward’s agent Janet Glass told BBC that he is "Universally loved and admired through his unforgettable roles in classic productions, he was equally fine and courageous in real life, never losing his brave spirit and wonderful humor throughout his illness.” Robin Hardy, the director of Wicker Man, said, “He was one of the greatest actors of his generation, without any question, with a broad career on American television as well as British film…He was the absolute star of The Wicker Man. He was an extremely nice human being."

Despite all of his health problems Woodward remained focused and never gave up on his acting career. He fulfilled his dreams to the best of his ability with acting, singing, writing poetry, recording audio versions of books, singing as a tenor and boating. He is survived by his wife Michele Dotrice his and three children Peter, Tim and Sarah who are also actors. His many fans are showing their respects all over the Internet with hopeful wishes for his family and blogs about his many achievements.

We’ve all stumbled upon a Jack La Lanne infomercial while scrolling through our television channels and paused to check out "Jack LaLanne's Power Juicer". This thing is phenomenal and Jack Lelane and his wife Elaine are in wonderful shape! Jack and Elaine have maintained a healthy lifestyle for years by working out and eating healthy. They certainly make their fair share of money by selling their power juicer but they also send the public a great message- that you can still be healthy at 95 years old! Jack still works out for two hours a day, spending 30 minutes swimming and the rest of the time lifting weights.

I have never known or seen anyone at or near Jack’s age in this great shape- in fact, he earned the nickname "the godfather of fitness"! Jack has taught many people throughout the years how to stay fit and eat the right foods on "The Jack LaLanne Show" that ran from 1951-1985 on ABC. He released a record in 1959 titled Glamour Stretcher Time in which Jack instructed his listeners on how to best to work out with an elastic cord. Jack was not only popular on TV and in stereo- he also wrote his share of books. Jack’s books contain everything from how to cook healthy meals, the best ways to juice, how to stay fit after 50 and how to make more money. He released his most recent book, Live Young Forever on his 95th birthday! This book gives advice on how to stay healthy, sexually active and stress free during your older years. Jack made an appearance in the 1960’s TV sitcom The Addam’s Family and in the movies Batman (1966), Repossessed (1990), Sundance Film Festival docu-drama Beefcake (1999) and Hollywood’s Magical Island: Catalina (2003).

Jack Le Lanne has made his message known through many forms of media. What makes him so qualified to give such advice? He holds a Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Oakland Chiropractic College in California. He wanted his patients to maximize their health by working out and gaining more strength and thought it would be great to open his own fitness center in 1939. He created some of his own fitness equipment including the weight selectors that are now found in gyms everywhere! Many of you probably work out in the gym that was once part of Jack Le Lanne’s chain. You know it better as Bally’s Total Fitness.

Jack has received many honors for his personal and professional accomplishments. He won a total of 6 awards in 2005 when he was 91 years old, one of which was the Medical Media Public Service Award. Jack was also inducted to the National Fitness Hall of Fame that same year. He has always remained motivated and excited to take on new physical challenges. Jack was 40 years old for his first tour de force in the year 1954 when he made the world record for swimming the length of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge dragging 140 lbs. worth of equipment along with him. If you think this was a difficult feat, try doing it under water! This was not Jack Le Lanne’s only world record. He did it again two years later when he performed 1,033 push-ups in 23 minutes. Jack Le Lanne was 70 years old in 1984 when he swam 1.5 miles, pulling 70 boats carrying 70 people.

Needless to say, Jack Le Lanne and his wife Elaine are amazing people inside and out. I bought his juicer three years ago and it was one of the best things that happened to my health. All it took was three days of juicing to boost my energy and see improvements in my skin and my digestion. Jack and Elaine are not kidding about the power of juicing. You must have the Jack Le Lanne Power Juicer- not only to better your overall health and emotional well-being but also to fight off the flu! I’m choosing to pump myself full of nutrients this winter season and what better way to take in many servings of fruit and vegetables in one shot than to juice? This is a great way to consume foods that are great for you even if you don’t like the way they taste. You can mix and match flavors allowing you to disguise the flavors of foods that aren’t particularly tasty to you. This is awesome for your kids. There are many children who won’t eat a particular food because of its consistency but may enjoy it in a juice! Make fresh juice for your family and yourself with Jack’s juicer and you will see a marked improvement in your quality of life. Don’t forget to keep a lookout for Jack Le Lanne. He’s 95 years old and going strong and might hit another world record some day!

Here are some of Jack’s famous quotes:

"If man made it, don't eat it"
"If it tastes good, spit it out."

“I do it as a therapy. I do it as something to keep me alive. We all need a little discipline. Exercise is my discipline.”

“Your waistline is your lifeline.”

“The food you eat today is walking and talking tomorrow.”

“Remember this: your body is your slave; it works for you.”

“Anything in life is possible if you make it happen.”

“I can't die. It would ruin my image.”

Get ready to cuddle up close and watch some great movies during those cold winter nights with Dish Network Satellite TV. Even though it is so much more expensive, it’s nice to venture out to the theater every now and then. The winter season will soon be upon us and many people will decide to head to the movies with their loved ones and friends. Here is a preview of what you can expect in theaters for the holidays!

Old Dogs
Release Date: 11/25/09
This movie stars Robin Williams and John Travolta and it looks absolutely adorable! The two actors have been favorites of movie fans everywhere for years and it looks like they’re going to make a hilarious pair in this comedy. One is a bachelor and one a divorcee, Travolta and Williams are about to land a huge business deal but are suddenly given the responsibility of taking care of 7-year-old twins!

The Road
Release Date: 11/25/09
I’m not sure what to make of this film just yet since I’ve only seen one trailer but it seems very interesting. This film hasn’t picked up much buzz but there’s still time. I can say that the acting is guaranteed to be of great quality. It stars Viggo Mortensen, Charlize Theron and Robert Duvall. The plot is based on post apocalyptic times where a man and his child need to fight to stay alive, keeping themselves safe from starving cannibals. This sounds dramatic with a little splash of horror- just the way I like it.

Everybody’s Fine
Release Date: 12/4/09
Robert De Niro stars in this heart-warming holiday drama that is sure to please a wide variety of viewers. He has already won Best Actor at the Hollywood Film Festival for his role in this film and his acting has also been noted as Oscar worthy. DeNiro’s character makes an attempt to reclaim his relationship with his adult children played by Drew Barrymore, Kate Beckinsale and Sam Rockwell.

The Lovely Bones
Release Date: 12/11/09
This movie looks unique to say the least and it’s difficult to tell what type of message, if any, it will deliver. It seems very depressing as a young girl is murdered and is watching over her family from Heaven. She is also keeping an eye on her killer. She needs to make a difficult decision in the spirit world- allow her family to move on or take revenge on the person who took her life. This film could be troublesome to watch for parents but if done carefully could possibly become a blockbuster hit. The cinematography looks beautiful. This film stars Mark Wahlberg, Rachel Weisz, Susan Sarandon (one of my favorites) and more.

Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squekuel
Release Date: December 25
Here’s an adorable flick for the whole family. These tiny-voiced creatures are sure to keep the kids entertained with a fun story, music and dancing. The original Alvin & the Chipmunks released in December 2007 won Favorite movie at The Kids’ Choice Awards, USA and the BMI Film Music Award and made $44,307,417 at the box office.

It’s Complicated
Release Date: 12/25/09
Meryl Streep is on a role once again. She’ll be starring in this drama with Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin. Streep is a restaurant owner and the mother of three grown kids who has been divorced from her husband for many years. She and her ex-husband embark on a trip that unexpectedly reunites their passion for each other and Meryl’s character becomes “the other woman”.

Check out Showtime Beyond for spooky movies with Dish Network!

Friday the 13th is here! Did you every wonder why this particular date is supposed to be so scary? The movie Friday the 13th certainly was not frightening enough to create such a widespread stir and this idea was around well before its time, so why do we associate this day with horror or with bad luck? The fear of Friday the 13th was first defined as a phobia in 1911. It is thought that this fear may have originally been derived from a combination of two older superstitions combined- the idea that Friday is an unlucky day and the fear of the number 13.

There were 13 at the Last Supper and one was sentenced to death. Twelve seems to be the magic number as in the 12 signs of the zodiac, 12 hours on the clock, etc. and 13 seems to trespass on the idea that 12 is a number of completeness therefore, taking on an evil connotation. Christians believe that Jesus was crucified on a Friday therefore seeing this day as a day of bad fortune. The movie and book The Da Vinci Code conjured superstitious ideas that originated back in ancient times when the Knights Templar were arrested on Friday the 13th in 1307 while they were protecting Christian Pilgrims. The British scheduled hangings for capital punishment on Fridays and took 13 steps in preparation before the noose was ready.

Some people are debilitated by the fear of this one particular day and will purposely stay home avoiding a possible encounter with bad luck. Whether it has to do with fear of Friday the 13th or not, businesses see an average loss near $850 million every time this date comes around. The most recognized was the “mini-crash” on October 13, 1989 that was the 2nd largest Dow drop ever at that time. Some people are so afraid of accidents they will avoid travel at all costs. The British Medical Journal conducted a study resulting in a report of fewer traffic accidents leading to hospitalizations on this day. Perhaps it is due to more people staying at home and off the streets! In ancient Roman times, witches would meet in groups of 12 and if a 13th came, it was said to be the devil.

It seems that much of the superstitions about Friday the 13th have stemmed from religion and ancient folklore for the most part, but just for fun...

Here are some quotes about Friday and the number 13:

“Notwithstanding, opinions in favor of odd numbers, the number 13 is considered as extremely ominous: it being held that, when 13 persons meet in a room, one of them will die within the year.” (1787)

“Sailors are many of them superstitious… A voyage begun (On a Friday) is sure to be an unfortunate one.” (1823)

“As to Friday, a couple getting married on that day are doomed to a cat-and-dog life” (1879)

“Don’t move on a Friday, or you won’t stay there very long.” (1982)

Some interesting tidbits:

Airports in Scotland do not have number 13 gates.

Microsoft Office will be skipping Office 13 for superstitious reasons.

Confederate general and slave trader Nathan Bedford Forrest was born on this day in 1821.

A computer virus attacked IBM computers throughout Britain on this day in 1821.

Bill Gates was bumped down on Forbes list of the richest people in the world in 2008 on his 13th run.

Here are my Top 10 Movies to watch on Dish Network’s America’s Everything Package from now until Sunday night!

#1 Lady in the Water at 9 pm on 5StarMax 11-12

Directed by M. Night Shayamalan and starring Paul Giamatti, this film is a sure win and it is rated PG-13. This is one of my favorite movies of all time. Don’t expect horror or sci-fi as it is meant to be a drama/fantasy. Watch it with a friend or loved and look at the deeper meaning of the film because you’ll want to discuss it later.

2. Nights in Rodanthe at 9 pm on HBO Signature 11-13

If you like Richard Gere and/or Diane Lane, then you will absolutely fall in love again for the first time when you watch this dramatic hit. These two make the most believable film couple that I have probably ever seen and the acting is phenomenal. George C. Wolfe who also filmed The Devil Wears Prada directed this movie.

3. Slumdog Millionaire at 9 pm on HBO2 11-12

I know many of you have heard how great this movie is and about the awards it has received. This film received Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Original Score, Best Original Song, Best Film Editing and Best Sound Mixing- that was just at the Oscar’s. Those of you who have seen this film can watch it a second time. Those of you who haven’t seen this drama, here is your chance! See what all of the buzz is about and you will be pleasantly surprised when you find out just how unique this film really is!

4. This Boy’s Life at 8 pm on Encore Drama 11-12

Robert De Niro fans, this movie is a must to add to your collection. If you haven’t seen it yet, you don’t know what you’re missing. This drama also stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Ellen Barkin. De Niro is so aggravating in this film that you will want to jump at him through the TV screen! He plays an abusive stepfather to DiCaprio so if you have children be sure that they are tucked soundly to sleep before show time then enjoy the ride.

5. Cop Land at 4:20 pm on Encore Mystery 11-15

Though this film is not the most action-packed it is a great drama with an awesome cast. The actors include Robert De Niro, Sylvester Stallone, Harvey Keitel and Ray Liotta. I will say no more.

6. The Kite Runner at 7:30 pm on The Movie Channel Extra 11-13

This movie is adapted from the book of the same title written by Khaled Hosseini. It centers around a boy in Afghanistan who is living in troubled times and witnesses the rape of his friend but does nothing to stop it. He lives with the regret throughout his life. The movie depicts Afghanistan as citizens are beginning to seek refuge in Pakistan and the U.S. to avoid terror as the Taliban begins to grow.

7. The Bucket List at 9 pm on 5StarMax 11-15

Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman make a very entertaining pair in this Rob Reiner film. The story focuses on two friends with very different perspectives in life that are faced with their own mortality and, in their own bizarre way, help each other discover the things in life that truly matter.

8. The Way of the Gun at 5:45 pm on Showtime Extreme 11-12

This blast of a movie will have you entertained from opening to closing credits. It stars Ryan Phillipe, Benicio Del Toro, Juliette Lewis and Taye Diggs. This is a non-stop dark comedy/drama/action flick that takes place mostly in Mexico and it’s a non-stop thrill ride. If you want one-of-a-kind entertainment like no other then you will love this flick!

9. Burn After Reading at 9:30 am on Cinemax 11-15

The Coen Brothers are so reliable when it comes to making movies that are off the beaten cuff. You will crack up when you see Brad Pitt as a gum-chewing gym worker with tight pants who acts like a little boy paired up with his coworker Frances McDormand. They come across a very valuable memoir that was left behind by a gym member and they hold it for ransom. Will the writer of the memoir pay the ransom or will these two have to go through heck first? Find out Sunday!

10. The Neverending Story at 8:20 am on Starz Kids & Family 11-14

This movie is great for children and adults who are kids at heart. It’s an old time favorite of mine since it was one of the first movies I saw in the theater. This fantasy movie will make your children excited to read and embark on new adventures as it makes a story come to life! It includes a beautiful white flying dragon, a rock biter, a troll, a snail that travels as fast as lightening and more!