•• Oscar-nominated actress has come a long way since she got to Hollywood. Today she is enjoying the sweet ride of success and the advantages it brings. Below, an edited version of MORE interview with Virginia Madsen.

More: You recently turned 51 years old. How are your fifties treating you?  
VM: The older I get, the smarter and stronger I get. My body is great, I feel youthful, and I see changes that I am really grateful for.

More: It’s great that you celebrate your age.
VM: Oh, yeah! I was raised by an incredible mom. My mom always had all the candles on her birthday cake, whereas all the other moms never talked about their age. My mom was open and honest about her journey in life. She was never ashamed of having a few lines or a few more candles. I wasn’t raised in an environment where age was the enemy. If anything, age made you stronger. Age made you smarter and even more sensual. Age also made you feel free.

More: Sounds as if you don’t miss your twenties.
VM: No. Look, I get that Hollywood is about being young and beautiful and age is the enemy. These young actors may get the abundance of work, but I get the quality of work. Hollywood may come across as a youth-oriented town, but there is plenty of room for actors of all ages. Continue Reading  

•• Chiller Theatre, the biannual horror and Hollywood convention in northern New Jersey has always grabbed the big names in the industry. For this month’s show, the stakes have increased considerably. In addition to all the recognizable genre and film names.

Celebrities attending Chiller, which will be held October 26-28th, include Joan Collins, cult director Paul Morrissey and Suspiria’s Stefania Casini. Zacherley will serve as the special convention guest. Lee Majors from The Six Million Dollar Man will stop by, plus Virginia Madsen, Julie Adams, Tom Wopat and Keith Emerson. Horror genre fans will appreciate the presence of Caroline Munro, Barbara Steele, Adrienne Barbeau and Linda Blair. For more fun, check out binguez. They’re a fun online bingo site. Host an event with friends where you listen to good music or play a game of bingo there. Music fans can check in with Ace Frehley, original guitarist for KISS. Hollywood legends include Penny Marshall, Valerie Harper, Lee Meriwether, Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett and Aileen Quinn.

For a complete list of guests, click here. Pre-show tickets cost $20-$25. The festival will take place at the Sheraton Parisppany in Parsippany, N.J. on Oct. 26-28.