What PopEater Is Looking Forward to Most This Fall

Jason Kaufman, Editor-in-Chief -- 'Boardwalk Empire' (Sept. 19, HBO). The new HBO series looking back at the history of Atlantic City at the time of Prohibition seems almost too good to be true. After all, Terence Winter, the man who wrote over 25 'Sopranos' episodes (including all-time classic 'Pine Barrens') and Martin Scorsese are joining forces for it. All details of the period have been meticulously researched -- yes, the planks on the AC boardwalk were recreated to be just right. The casting seems spot on, from Steve Buscemi getting the call to play a vicious protagonist to our longtime favorite, Michael Pitt, as an up-and-coming gangster in a role that looks to break him into superstardom. No cost was spared, as we've spent all summer reading about the big budget for the pilot, reportedly close to $20 million. But none of this would matter if the show doesn't have the goods. HBO's spent plenty in the past to try and get the old times looking just right and failed. ('Rome,' anyone?) That's why there's such a rush watching all the new previews hinting that Winter and Scorsese spent just as much time making sure that all the sex, violence and throwback goodfella politics were balanced as they did in making sure the period costumes were legit.



Amber James, Editor -- Britney Spears on 'Glee' (Fox). I might be 24, but my inner teenybopper will probably explode when the pop princess herself appears on 'Glee.' Seeing New Directions and Will Schuester pay homage to Britney Spears will likely include newer hits like 'Womanizer' and iconic tunes like 'Hit Me Baby One More Time.' I'm crossing my fingers that Sue Sylvester (Jane Lynch) tops her 'Vogue' performance with a classic like '(You Drive Me) Crazy.'


Ben Trivett, Editor -- 'Red' (Oct. 15). I'm excited to let my inner comic nerd out and jump for joy about 'Red.' Not only am I excited to see Warren Ellis' work come to the big screen, but combined with its all-star cast -- Bruce Willis, Helen Mirren, Mary Louise Parker, Morgan Freeman and John Malkovich -- this pic, about retired CIA assassins having trouble adjusting to a quieter life, is going to send me into a fit. Witty dialogue and exceptional violence will be more then enough to entertain even non-comic fans.


Brittany Weiss, Assistant Video Editor – 'The Social Network' (Oct. 1). You may think it's an ordinary day, but it's not. Your best friend is suing you for $600 million. At least that's what happened to the creator of Facebook and world's youngest billionaire, Mark Zuckerberg. Facebook. Even your grandma's heard of it. So why not write a book and then film a movie? 'The Social Network' could quite possibly define the decade. It's got everything – sex, treachery, power and money. When I first saw the trailer for 'The Social Network' in July, I had chills. It could have been the music, but I wasn't expecting the visual display, the witty commentary or Justin Timberlake. There is no doubt the people behind this film have advertised well. With a tagline like, "You don't get to 500 million friends without making a few enemies," things are about to get real. Take a step into the world of friend requests, pokes and relationship statuses. I can't wait! Disclaimer: This movie is for every father who told his child to start a business in his or her dorm without considering the consequences. Watch the aftereffects unfold. They aren't always pretty.



Zach Dionne, Editor -- Stephen King's 'Full Dark, No Stars' (Nov. 9). Listen, if Uncle Stevie puts out two books every year until he dies, he's gonna get at least $40 of my money every year until he dies. The master storyteller has hit a second prime in the past decade, with new classics like 'Lisey's Story' and 'Under the Dome' ranking among his oldest and best pop culture touchstones. 'Full Dark' marks King's third stab at a four-novella collection; if you're dubious and thinking of waiting for the next actual novel, look no further than the 1982 masterpiece 'Different Seasons' -- two of the four novellas became 'The Shawshank Redemption' and 'Stand By Me.' Boom.

John Mitchell, Editor – 'Black Swan' (Dec. 1). Now, here's a synopsis that should make any film nerd geek out: A dark, complex and luridly-photographed thriller from director Darren Aronofsky ('Requiem for a Dream,' 'The Wrestler') about the psychologically-intense rivalry between two ballerinas (Oscar nominee Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis) who personify the dueling sides (innocence vs. sensuality; grace vs. guile) of the lead dancer in a production of 'Swan Lake.' The film earned near-universal raves at the Venice Film Festival, where, according to Deadline, it also received a standing ovation. The Times of London reports that Portman is "astounding" in the film, while The Independent lavishes even more praise, deeming Portman's performance "searing" and the film "enthralling." I've watched the trailer about 300 times and still am not sure what is going on – and I LOVE that!


Maggie Coughlan, Editor -- 'Gossip Girl' (Sept. 14, CW). The average American may not know it, but there are actually two versions of New York City. There's the New York that belongs to the rich, and then there's New York for the rest of us. Sure, 'Sex & The City' romanticized the idea of single gals moving to New York to hit it big, but it left out a crucial part of New York City life -- old money, family dynasties, a last name that means something ... and all the backstabbing that comes along with it! Thanks to the fictitiously wealthy Chuck Bass, Serena Van Der Woodsen and Blair Waldorf, we no longer have to imagine what it's like to have a driver or serial-marrying mother! 'Gossip Girl' plays up a lifestyle most of us can only dream about -- live-in maids, clothes fresh off the runway, hotel-running love interests, short stories published in The New Yorker -- all with a gorgeous cast. In the face of a troubling economy, where most of us are dealing with money woes, a weekly dose of luxury is just what the doctor ordered.

Denise Warner, Editor -- 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1' (Nov. 19). The trailer for 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows' gave me chills. Seriously. As much as I don't want my time with the boy who lived to end, I can't wait for the first of the final two films to hit theaters in November. 'Hallows' (the book) exceeded my expectations, and I have no doubt that the movies will too. The film looks grittier and darker than ever, a fitting testament to the maturity of author J.K. Rowling's work, its actors and the audience, who like me, grew up with it. Oh yeah, and it's so much better than those vampire movies.


Steven Avalos, Contributing Editor -- 'The Walking Dead' (Oct. 31, AMC). There's nothing I love more than a good old-fashioned zombie apocalypse story, and 'The Walking Dead' graphic novel series delivers all the psychological mindfudgery you could ever want from the genre (not to mention plenty of flesh-eating undead). When AMC announced plans for a television show based on the comics, naturally I was intrigued and, of course, a little skeptical. I mean, these are the people that deliver 'Mad Men' and 'Breaking Bad' -- clearly they get good TV, but you never know whether the end result will translate. But after seeing the trailer, any worries are totally gone, except of course my concern over being able to sleep soundly ever again after the show premieres this Halloween.

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