The Deer Hunter (1978)

There are so many outstanding performances in "The Deer Hunter", from Meryl Streep's "Linda", which earned the legendary actress her first Oscar nomination to Christopher Walken's haunting portrayal of Nick, a traumatized Vietnam vet, who earned the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. Robert De Niro leads the stellar cast with his portrayal of Michael, a steel worker-turned-soldier who enlists with his two friends, Steven (John Cazale) and Nick. The films travels back between the terror of Vietnam (including a horrifying game of Russian Roulette) and the lives of the soldiers back in Pennsylvania. Though parts of the film were fictionalized (like the Russian Roulette scene, of which there are no accounts of ever happening in Vietnam), the intensity of the characters drives the film. Walken and De Niro dazzle in their intense hostage scene, and Walken's final scene leaves the audience on the edge of their seat. Of all the Vietnam-based films, this is one of the best when it comes to the performances, and the acting alone makes the whole film worth a view. Though it's worth noting that the film also won Best Picture and Best Director. 7 out of 10 stars.

Harry Potter Poll

Readers were asked to choose their favorite of the 8 Harry Potter films, and the winner was "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1" with 35% of the vote, and "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2" with 14%. "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" and "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" received the lowest scores.

All About Eve (1950)

"All About Eve" is the highlight of Bette Davis' career. Somehow her portrayal of an aging actress fighting to maintain her stardom re-launched her career and solidified her status as a Hollywood icon. Margo Channing (Davis) is charmed by a young fan named Eve Harrington (Anne Baxter), who waits outside a stage door one evening, she quickly realizes that Eve has an ulterior motive to become a famous actress herself, pushing the aging Margo aside. Perhaps the most appealing aspect of the film is that it allows the audience to get the inside perspective on an imaginary Hollywood feud. Never have regular moviegoers been so privy to the details of famous alleged feuds in Tinseltown. Filled with zinger after zinger, the film features a brilliant screenplay and outstanding acting, including an early performance from Marilyn Monroe. The film was nominated for 14 Academy Awards, including 4 acting nominations for Davis (Leading), Baxter (Leading), Celeste Holm (Supporting) and Thelma Ritter (Supporting), and an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for George Sanders. The film also won Best Screenplay, Best Director, and Best Picture. 8 out of 10 stars.

Spotlight On... December 2011

December 2011: Michelle Williams

Spotlight On: Michelle Williams

Michelle Williams began her acting career on the WB's "Dawson's Creek" before becoming the more serious, praised actress she is today. She has earned two Academy Award nominations, one for Best Supporting Actress in "Brokeback Mountain" (2005), and another for "Blue Valentine" (2010). Despite "Shutter Island" (2010) being her only blockbuster to date, we can expect that she will become a more household name this year, following her much-hyped performance in "My Week With Marilyn", in which she plays Marilyn Monroe. She is considered an early frontrunner for the Academy Award. 2012 could prove to be a big year for this actress on the edge of stardom.

Spotlight On... November 2011

November 2011: Leonardo DiCaprio

Spotlight On... Leonardo DiCaprio

Leonardo DiCaprio has been acting on screen since childhood, and today is one of Hollywood's most sought-after and talented actors. He earned his first Academy Award nomination when he was still a teenager for his astounding and mesmerizing supporting role in "What's Eating Gilbert Grape" (1993) alongside Johnny Depp. Following his role as Romeo in Baz Luhrmann's "Romeo + Juliet", he starred in his biggest blockbuster, "Titanic" alongside Kate Winslet. His subsequent films include "Catch Me If You Can", "The Departed", "Revolutionary Road", "Shutter Island", and "Inception". He has been nominated two times for the Academy Award for Best Actor for "The Aviator" (2004) and "Blood Diamond" (2006). This year he stars as J. Edgar Hoover in Clint Eastwood's "J. Edgar", a role which could finally earn him his Oscar that he was robbed of back in 1993.