Monday Night Suspense-Fest

In what could otherwise easily be referred to as

one of the most atrocious nights of the week in

terms of broadcast television, Monday

nights have been rocking lately thanks to

two new entries in the suspense/drama category.

"The Following" (FOX, 9 p.m. EST)

followed by "Deception" (NBC, 10 p.m. EST)

are great addictive TV, replete with sprawling

quality casts, intricate pot-burner mysteries,

and fast-paced story lines that keep you hooked tight.

If you've taken up knitting on Monday nights,

check out these hot new series today!

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Whistle-Blowers (part 1)

Veronica Guerin

First comes scandal, then cover-up, then--

once in a great while--the whistle-blower.

Overlooked, disputed, disappeared, or dead,

these folks are the unsung heroes of the world,

going up against the giants without much hope

or ammunition.

Some of these are based on true events and actual people,

some are speculative (and probably true) accounts

of just a smidgen of the corruption and dispicable nature

of this world.

In the end, it makes for fine, gripping, movie entertainment.

The Men Who Stare at Goats

A Few Good Men

Charlie Wilson's War

Duplicity

Damages, season 2

"An Unreasonable Man", complete documentary

Erin Brockovich

Man of the Year

Michael Clayton

Norma Rae

Challenger: The Untold Story, part 1

Primary Colors

The Rainmaker

Silkwood

The Ides of March

The Insider

The Last Song

The Pelican Brief

Soylent Green

"Dollhouse", season One

The Firm

***

The Ghost Writer

Another Polanski great; this thriller has the perfect set-up and setting.

See? When done right, suspense and thrills are more frightening than
any old gory horror movie!

I especially like the political intrigue aspect of the film, and during
this election year, what could be more apropos?

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Man From Earth

I hesitated to show the preview for this film--one of my faves from the last
ten years, and probably ever--specifically because it gives so much away
of the nuance and mystery of the story. But the trailer showcases the
incredible talent of the ensemble cast--one of the best I've ever seen
assembled!

This was the final work of Jerome Bixby, and it's a phenomenally
engaging piece that explores so many different sociological aspects and
theories in a captivating fashion. It's akin to a closed-room murder
mystery in that it's nearly a done-in-one production, and the riveting
nature of the plot does make the tension keeping everyone in the
room palpable and exciting.

Expertly written, acted, filmed, and edited, this is truly an example
of the best of what the industry can offer.

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