Scott Sigler

Author

As a fiction author, I'm often asked about the books and writers that influenced my style. There are some, to be sure -- among them Jack London, Anne McCaffery and the mandatory hat-tip to Stephen King -- but most of my key influencers come from the screen, not the page.

Dish Nation

Entertaining entertainment news following celebrity and pop culture stories every weeknight! Check your local listings.

In case you're not familiar (and if you're not, WHO ARE YOU?), the Golden Raspberry Award (Razzie for short) is bestowed upon the junkiest, worst acted/written/directed movies in the business.

Jessica Goodman

Associate Entertainment Editor, The Huffington Post

After last week's controversial episode, where half of the cast dressed in yellow face, I had low, low hopes for "Unpause." But, the episode based around Barney getting "truth serum drunk" was surprisingly delightful, filled with old-school How I Met Your Mother lore.

Hugh McIntyre

Writer, Pop Music Journalist

While there are literally hundreds of artists and singers deserving of international attention, here are ten that you'll most likely hear from in the new year.

Maureen Ryan

TV critic, The Huffington Post

It's the moral and personal dilemmas that have elevated Sleepy Hollow from the ranks of "satisfying" to "frequently awesome."

Jon Eig

Lecturer in Screenwriting and Film History, Montgomery College

If I'm choosing between two movies and both are entertaining and informative, but one is clearly out to change the world, I do find myself favoring the world-changer. That comes into play this year for me, though it may not for you.

Corinna Clendenen

Writer of novels, film reviews, food news, and essays on contemporary culture

If you ever wonder just how thin the veneer of civilization is, Generation War is a testament to the illusion of man's moral evolution.

Marshall Fine

Author and film critic, hollywoodandfine.com

I'd be hard-pressed to pick a favorite between Life Itself, Steve James' documentary about the late film critic Roger Ebert, and To Be Takei, by Jennifer Kroot, about the amazingly resilient career of actor George Takei.

Ilana Rapp

Writer, NYCastings, "V" fanatic

You'll remember him from films such as Zero Dark Thirty and TV shows like The Following, Criminal Minds and Ringer, which starred Sarah Michelle Gellar. Let's see what makes Mike Colter tick!

Lisa McElroy

Associate professor of law

If your family is like my family, you sort of pair off. A couple of you like football. A couple of you like Breaking Bad. A couple of you like broccoli. A couple of you like musical theater...

Geoffrey Dunn

Author, 'The Lies of Sarah Palin'

The U.S.-produced sitcom Gilligan's Island was one of the most popular programs in global television history -- but it has long been forgotten that the original theme song for the show was a calypso-styled composition sung by none other than "Sir Lancelot."

Ralph A. Miriello

Jazz Journalist

On a Thursday night at the elegant Kitano Jazz club in Manhattan the saxophonist Michael Blake premiered his latest work Contrasts in Individualism, a series of compositions inspired by two of the twentieth century's most influential pre-bop tenor men, Coleman Hawkins and Lester Young.

Arjuna Ardagh

Awakening coach, writer, teacher and public speaker

What if these movies, and this great new album, point to a collective shift towards valuing connection, giving your gift and making a real contribution to people, whether we get paid for it or not?

Joshua Estrin

Writer

"Strong women are sexy! Strong female vampires are very sexy, and with that comes an appeal to our male viewers. Traditionally, women have been said to be drawn to the 'bad boy,' but it is okay for guys to find an edgy, smart, powerful woman hot as well."

Mike Ragogna

Music Biz Vet

"The idea behind the video is how an obsession, good or bad, can easily end up controlling you," says Jordan Mayland. "A song, a relationship, a situation, life, death, a person, the thing you thought you had control of ends up really controlling you."

Jimmy Nguyen

Host, 'Speak Up With Jimmy'; founder, DiverseStory Project; digital media lawyer, speech expert, and motivational speaker

After disappointing speeches at last week's Golden Globes, I was happy to see better winning words at the SAG Awards. Here are my scores for the most notable speakers.

Nancy Graham Holm

Journalist

Scandinavian film buffs know about it, as well as other Europeans, but it remains a secret to most North Americans.

Audrey Wang

Editor in Chief | The Wang Post

How to make candy with maple sugar and snow, all about Type I diabetes, and that a boy totally digs you though he dips your pigtails in ink: I've consciously retained this, and more, from the thousands of hours I spent with YA books.

Cary A. Presant, M.D.

Practicing hematologist and medical oncologist

You have not heard about these nominations, because the Academy really doesn't have a category of Best Health-Themed Movie of the Year. But as a physician, I know that what everyone sees on the big screen causes us to think about our personal lives and experiences and informs many of our conversations.

David Fagin

Writer, producer, musician

Don't get me wrong. I completely respect the Chilis body of work, but there had to have been a more cohesive and suitable act available. How on earth did the NFL come to that weird combination in the first place?