avatar

(S35E12) First of all, Sigourney Weaver looks incredible. Believe it or not, she turns 61 this year, so that's something to think about as we slowly weep into our young but round, Cheetos-stained fingers. Secondly, Weaver managed to play a variety of characters that explored a wide range of wackiness, all without humiliating herself (it was a dangerous moment during that "Fifty and Freaky" sketch but we all knew Weaver's still a classy lady).

The writing was pretty consistent and suited Weaver well, and it was fun to see her do so many goofy things. It's not often Saturday Night Live brings in someone that of her status. Let's be honest here.

Personally, when it comes to describing the decisions of drooling, mouth-breathing TV executives, vampires are the most appropriate literary metaphor until someone invents a teen novel series involving mutant bloodsucking teenage leeches in love. Trust me, it's in the works.

Conan O'Brien used his undying vampire assistant and the Avatar aliens to breakdown the brouhaha over NBC's late night schedule during last night's Tonight Show.

FX has scored a coup, acquiring the basic cable rights to 'Avatar,' which will begin airing in the middle of 2012, according to Variety.

As our continual Moviefone coverage will attest, 'Avatar' has passed 'Lord of the Rings: Return of the King' to become the second-highest grossing feature of all time, right behind Cameron's other hit, 'Titanic.'

Though the FX terms have not been revealed, it appears that the network will shell out about $25-$30 million for the rights. This would be a higher-priced deal than other recent purchases, owing to 'Avatar"s global gross and, of course, competition from rival networks.

Around here the only thing that we like as much as TV is the movies! Luckily, we've got our blog-brothers over at Inside Movies to keep us posted on everything that's happening on the big screen. Right about now is when we give the remote a rest a check out the day's hottest posts.

Think you know Michael Cera? Check out this fact sheet that gives you the low-down on young Hollywood's funniest Canadian by far.

Welcome to the new decade!

Resolution One: check out what's happening over at Moviefone's Inside Movies.

Sandra Bullock was the biggest box office draw in 2009, with 'The Proposal' and 'The Blind Side' hauling in over $500 million (and counting) combined. Check out the rest of the Top 10 box office draws.

Things are relatively quiet over at Moviefone's Inside Movies today -- and who can blame them as it is New Year's Day -- but there are a few interesting nuggets ready for your perusal.

There's a forecast of the weekend's box office and it looks pretty darn good, for Hollywood's sake. Expect the other-worldly success of 'Avatar' to continue, along with strong showings for 'Alvin and the Chipmunks: the Squeakuel' and 'Sherlock Holmes.' Inside Movies deduces a strong $350 total box office 'Avatar' by the end of the weekend. On the low end, a measly $4 mil for 'Nine.'

Wrap up 2009 with a glimpse of what's happening over at Moviefone's Inside Movies:

Tom Cruise returns to butt-kicking form in 'Knight & Day,' an action-comedy due next summer co-starring Cameron Diaz. Check out the trailer.

It was a record-breaking Christmas holiday at the box office, led by 'Avatar's' $75 million weekend take.

Christmas is almost here, and there's no better time to schedule a movie marathon than on your extra long weekend. So take a break from your TV screen and visit our friends at Inside Movies to find out what's happening in Hollywood.

It's almost time to get your cosmopolitans and Manolos ready: The 'Sex & the City 2' trailer has been released! We've heard rumors of break-ups, cheating and pregnancy but the trailer isn't hinting in that direction at all. Instead the girls are back after two years and sporting a very desert chic look. It looks like the ladies are taking a trip to Morocco.

James Cameron's Avatar has created new filming techniques and heralded a new age of storytelling and artistic endeavors. And it's being used to film evolution's little mistakes getting hit in the beanbag with a golf club.

MTV's Jackass will reportedly take Cameron's film techniques and implement them into Jackass 3D, the third movie installment based on the popular TV stunt comedy show.

The show's chief jackass, Johnny Knoxville, said in a press release that they would use the technology to take the camera where no camera has gone before: "up Steve-o's butt." I'm sure a 3D version of that will do wonders for Milk Duds sales at the concession stand.

Today on Moviefone's Inside Movies:

-- We remember Brittany Murphy and the unique spirit she brought to her most memorable roles.

-- The details surrounding Murphy's death of cardiac arrest yesterday at the age of 32 are still developing. The LAPD has launched an investigation and an autopsy is underway.

More headlines after the jump.

The folks at our sister site Cinematical are working hard to give you news and reviews of the best -- and worst -- the silver screen has to offer. Here are some of their musings on the latest blockbusters, indies, and everything in between:

• I love this: Cinematical Seven names the Best Mayhem of 2009. Happy Holidays!
• I'm so confused. I've seen trailers and extended previews for Avatar, and they all look kind of horrendous. Yet everyone who's seen it seems to think it's amazing-- to the tune of $27 million on Friday alone. Is this honestly that good?
• Call me crazy, but I'm not in love with the Spider Man franchise. The Batman franchise, on the other hand, is an entirely different story. Cinematical lists the best Comic Book Flicks of the Decade.
• The highest-grossing female star of the decade is younger than you, so what the hell have you been doing for the past ten years?
• If everyone was jailed for not returning movies on time, then my baby would grow up without a mother. Here's hoping that this Iowa woman doesn't have kids.

Once a day, rain or shine, we ask you to step away from the TV to see what's happening over at Inside Movies. But don't worry -- we'll have you back before the next commercial break, because we've condensed the movie goods down to just what you need to know right here!

'Avatar' is everywhere! Check out what Inside Movies has to say about the film. After all the waiting and all the hype, find out how James Cameron's first film since 'Titanic' measures up!

While you're at it, why not brief yourself on some James Cameron trivia; after all, he's one of the most prolific and distinctive directors of our time. Find out everything you didn't know about Cameron.

The folks at Moviefone's Inside Movies are down in the dumps today. That's because they've posted their list of The 10 Most Depressing Films of 2009. You know, it's not so depressing. In fact, it's hilarious.

Also on Inside Movies today:

There's a list of the 15 Worst Christmas Movies Ever. Ah, 'Santa Claus Conquers the Martians.' Gotta love it.

The folks at our sister site Cinematical are working hard to give you news and reviews of the best -- and worst -- the silver screen has to offer. Here are some of their musings on the latest blockbusters, indies, and everything in between:

• Live Free or Die Hard on Blu-Ray for $7.99? I'm there. Check out that and other Best Buy Black Friday movie deals.
• I know Funny People didn't exactly kill at the box office, but I loved it. It's coming out on Blu-Ray soon, and Cinematical scored an interview with writer/director Judd Apatow to talk about it.
• Forbes came out with a list of the 10 most overpaid actors in Hollywood, and number 1 may surprise you.
• Cinematical wants this clip of Kevin Smith talking about the Twilight saga to be the last word on the matter. I agree.
• What do you think about Bones becoming a giant Avatar promo?

Fox will use football this Sunday to help tall, blue aliens take over our televisions.

On November 1, Fox is shooting for the "world's biggest live trailer viewing" when it airs the new preview of James Cameron's Avatar live on TV and in the Dallas Cowboys' home park on the world's largest video display -- the Cowboy Stadium's Diamond Vision Screen before the Lone Star State's heroes take on the Seattle Seahawks.

A Fox press release explains that the Fox Sports NFL Sunday pregame show will present the new trailer live on the network. Meanwhile, those Cowboy fans still sober enough at noon to enjoy the brief glimpse of the sci-fi epic will take it in on a screen larger than some Far Eastern countries.

Putting the TV network's football viewing figures to work is the kind of bold step Fox needs to take to publicize Cameron's $300 million dollar movie. Though obviously ambitious and technically groundbreaking, special previews of the 3D fantasy flick left some viewers less than thrilled. While the film will be 3D in theaters, the trailer will stick to a simpler 2D TV image for the big event.