Best Actor Jeff Bridges Stars on Satellite TV

When the Best Actor Oscar was handed to Jeff Bridges at the 2010 Academy Awards, many people were surprised to know that it was his first win. Bridges' career has been filled with great performances, some of them truly iconic (everyone knows 'the Dude'). Crazy Heart is an excellent picture, but it is also a good time to check in on Bridges' best work, which spans several decades. Check out these five films now playing on satellite TV networks that showcase Bridges in a variety of roles.

1. The Fisher King. To understand the power of both Bridges and Robin Williams, this 1991 film is a must-see. As a radio DJ whose soul is tormented, Bridges slips into the depths of self-loathing and despair. His life is put in danger as he wanders the New York streets at night, but delusional homeless man Williams saves him and they strike up a friendship. Terry Gilliam is in top form, as is the terrific cast. See this moving film on premium satellite TV networks to avoid commercial breaks.

2. The Big Lebowski. As the Dude, Bridges may have his most famous role to date. The Coen Brothers' wacky comedy pits this laidback SoCal surfer character against a vicious band of nihilists and kidnappers. How did the Dude ever get involved in such a wicked plot? All we can know is his carpet had something to do with it. While Steve Buscemi and John Goodman add to the fun in a big way, it's Bridges' film all the way. Check out The Big Lebowski on IFC in high definition.

3. Men Who Stare at Goats. Another one of Bridges' eccentric roles, he plays a U.S. army commander who has gotten in touch with the alternative powers of the world. The odd part is he is trying to implement them into army tactics. Bridges is in top form as Bill Django, while George Clooney acquits himself well as Lyn Cassady, one of Django's acolytes. Check out this hot new release on satellite TV premium movie channels and see why this film's popularity is bound to grow over time.

4. Thunderbolt and Lightfoot. To get an idea of how American cinema has changed between the 1970s and the 2000s, Thunderbolt and Lightfoot is the perfect primer. Part road comedy, part crime film and generally just an interesting picture from Michael Cimino, Bridges and Clint Eastwood are teamed up as a couple of rambling rogues. Bridges got a nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his work. See this film in HD on Turner Classic Movies.

5. Tucker: A Man and his Dream. For all of the shaggy roles to his credit, Bridges can certainly play the clean-cut, idealistic dreamer to great effect. This F.F. Coppola picture is a commentary on U.S. Big Business and the plight of the little man in modern America. The discussion of the Big 3 automakers and their hubris is no less relevant today than when it was released in 1988.

Get all the great movies which nabbed Oscars with direct tv deals. A world of premiere movies awaits the directtv subscriber.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_R._Harrison

Best Actress Sandra Bullock Gets a Retrospective on Satellite TV

If you were compiling a list of the great female actresses of our time, you might put down quite a few before even considering Sandra Bullock. However, as she showed in The Blind Side, she's more than worthy of her own statuette and should be proud of her many career achievements. Although she may be the most popular actress of the current era - and thus is dealt a number of fluff roles - there are some excellent performances in her past. Check out these five pictures on satellite TV to see Sandra Bullock at her best.

1. Speed. Like a bus careening through L.A. freeways, this film brought Bullock right into the eyes and thoughts of the filmgoing public. She may never have been as sexy and engaging as she is in Speed. In a commotion of raw energy, nerves and fear, she is the civilian representative in the trio of terrorist (Dennis Hopper), policeman (Keanu Reeves) and public. For those who haven't seen the film, it's all about the ride that cannot stop. See Bullock at her best in HD on premium satellite TV network HBO.

2. Miss Congeniality. If Speed was the grand opening statement in Bullock's career, Miss Congeniality was definitely the exclamation point. Watching this film, it's easy to see why audiences find it so easy to identify with Bullock and why she has become such a big star. As a tough FBI agent forced to go soft and pretty in aid of her job, Bullock brings all of her charm and self-effacing humor to the task. Check out this film on any number of satellite TV networks.

3. Infamous. Of all the strange coincidences in Hollywood, the production of Infamous and Capote almost simultaneously is one of the oddest ones of all. Nonetheless, viewers who take the bias from the excellent film starring Phillip Seymour Hoffman will miss something special in Infamous. Bullock is right in the heart of an excellent ensemble cast as she portrays Harper Lee, author of To Kill a Mockingbird, who joined Truman Capote as he went to investigate the killings which later were the basis for In Cold Blood. See this film on Showtime.

4. While You Were Sleeping. Another big shot in the arm for Bullock's career was this 1995 romantic comedy which followed on the heels of Speed. Bullock shows off the softer side of her repertoire with Bill Pullman. While the plot is somewhat less than believable, this is par for the romantic comedy course, so sit just back and enjoy.

5. Crash. For many people, Bullock's role in Crash was an eye-opener. Among her most serious roles, she delivers perhaps her best performance. Life is vacant for her and it takes a violent encounter with street criminals to awaken her to the realities of life in modern L.A. See this Oscar-winning film uncut on premium satellite TV networks.

All your favorites along with the most accomplished actors are showcased in the movie packages available from direct tv deals. In home entertainment or direct tv for business, there is no better satellite provider.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_R._Harrison

"Where Eskimos Live" Starring Sergiusz Zymelka

"Where Eskimos Live" is a story about the dark side of war. Not that which involves the fighting between nations and soldiers, but rather the darker side that effects the innocent civilians, both young and old, who have no control over their newfound circumstances.

Vlado Petric (magnificently played by the 11 year old Sergiusz Zymelka) is a war orphan who, along with a vagabond group of orphans, has learned to survive on the streets of his war torn country. Life is hard, and each day they are still alive is considered another gift.

Vlado eventually meets Sharkey (Bob Hoskins), a UNICEF worker, who is actively smuggling orphans from Bosnia into Poland with promises of a better life. Sharkey reluctantly agrees to take Vlado with him after the boy's persistence wears him down.

In addition to the natural hardships endured while trekking across the countryside of a foreign country, the pair are soon plagued by the continual presence of Colonel Vuko (Krzysztof Maichrzak) who is convinced that Sharkey is responsible for the death of his daughter. Unbeknownst to both men is that the roadside bomb, which killed the Colonel's daughter, was set by the gang that Vlado was a part of in their attempt to steal food and supplies needed for their survival.

It is soon learned that Sharkey isn't really a UNICEF employee, and his real intentions for smuggling children across the boarder are less than admirable. It is a long trip though, and the more time he spends with the precocious and loveable Vlado, the softer his heart gets.

The burning question though becomes what will the end of the line present the naïve and innocent Vlado: will he find a life of love, joy, and peace, or will it be the worst nightmare of his young life?

Viewer discretion: this film contains violence and strong language.

Christian Jentz is a world traveler who has visited nine different countries, and has lived in three. His travels have taken him to seven countries in Europe, one in North America, and one in Asia. He is an avid film buff, and through his travels has developed a love for foreign movies. He has written several articles, as well as contributed to several blogs for BlueCowboyFilms.com. He speaks English, Spanish, and Chinese. He currently resides in China where he is an English instructor.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christian_Jentz

Brilliant Thrillers Both Old and New on Satellite TV Networks

Many think of Hitchcock as the master of the thriller, but there was no shortage of classic film thrillers already in the can when the British master took to Hollywood. Nonetheless, it's hard to look at films like Psycho, North by Northwest and Vertigo without seeing their tremendous influence on modern films. Today's directors have gone in many different directions with the thriller. Satellite TV networks can take viewers down these spellbinding roads whenever they're ready. Here are 5 thrillers not to be missed.

1. Blow Out. Fans of John Travolta might not recognize the youngster in this picture, which was a remaking of Antonioni's Blow Up. Transferring the main character's job from photographer to sound man, Brian De Palma gets into his familiar disturbed, postmodern territory. Philadelphia supplies the backdrop to what becomes a thriller of the highest order. The somewhat perverse style of De Palma served him well in many other thrillers - including Body Double and Carrie - which can be seen in their entirety on satellite TV networks like IFC and Turner Classic Movies.

2. Tell No One. Fans of classic film noir are always hungry for modern versions of the original B-movie thrillers. Tell No One delivers the goods on many counts, managing to fit in the resurrection of a woman a la Vertigo along with countless other noir tropes. Seeing the average Joe doctor become unhinged is a thrill familiar to noir fans, as well as seeing the genuine, heartfelt compassion of ruthless criminal thug. Is anyone who they are pretending to be in this French zinger? Tune in to HBO for the answer.

3. The Manchurian Candidate. When John Frankenheimer made his debut with this thriller, critics were hailing the arrival of the next Orson Welles. The excellent script, which revolves around a communist plot to assassinate a presidential candidate with embedded brainwashed ex-G.I's, takes viewers on a journey few movies ever have duplicated. One of the great fight scenes of all time involves Frank Sinatra and a man he believes to be a communist spy. See the original Manchurian Candidate in high definition on TCM and see why Sinatra insisted the film be shelved following JFK's assassination.

4. The Usual Suspects. A modern film which has reinvigorated the movie-going public's fascination with the thriller, this Bryan Singer picture made a star out of Kevin Spacey and took audiences by storm. Like in Memento, The Usual Suspects depends on narrators who are less than reliable and recalls the philosophical approach of classics like Rashomon. See it in HD on IFC.

5. Basic Instinct. Put a disheveled trigger-happy cop (Michael Douglas) on a case with a femme fatale extraordinaire sexpot (Sharon Stone) and you're going to have some fireworks before too long. This film set the tone for the modern thriller, with many imitations coming after but never equaling the tension and intrigue in this picture. See Basic Instinct unedited on HBO HD networks.

Get all wrapped up in the stirring thrillers showing on satellite tv networks. Movie fans are wasting their time unless they have direct tv.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_R._Harrison