11 Movies I Want to See in 2011!

With 2010 coming to a close, many of us are thinking ahead! And while the list of movies I want to see in 2011 is no where near being comprehensive, the list below are 11 movies I am excited to see in the new year!

1. Country Strong (January 7)
Who knew Gwyneth Paltrow had a singing voice? Country Strong looks to put Paltrow back in the spotlight after a self-induced hiatus. This girl loves her some drama, particularly when it involves a washed up has-been redeeming his or herself (a la Robert Downey Jr...LOVE HIM!). It will also be interesting to see how Leighton Meester does in a more serious role which has her singing songs about things other than boys making her good girl self go bad. We'll see if Country Strong is like a good country song of the Johnny Cash/Patsy Cline sort that will stand the test of time or if it is more akin the twangy types of country music that I cannot stand!


2. Red Riding Hood (March 11)
Okay, so I am really excited about this movie because it takes a classic children's tale and adds a dark twist. Amanda Seyfried plays Valerie, the woman in the red riding hood. The cast also includes other big names like Gary Oldman and Julie Christie. If the story and acting is half as stunning as the cinematography appears to be, this movie is sure to be one of 2011's best.


3. Beastly (March 18)
Beastly was originally set to be released last summer, but due to other circumstances, is now being released this March. Like Red Riding Hood, Beastly adds a twist to the classic tale as old as time! However, unlike Red Riding Hood which is set in medieval times and generally seems dark in tone, Beastly is geared toward the teeny boppers. Although I am not a Vanessa Hudgens fan by any means, rest of this film's cast is exciting and interesting: newcomer Alex Pettyfer as the Beast's equivalent, Neil Patrick Harris (NPH!), and Mary-Kate Olsen who puts the spell on Pettyfer turning him into his beastly self. I am really hoping this movie does not disappoint!


4. Crazy, Stupid, Love (April 22)
Haven't heard a lot about this film but I do know one of my favorite actresses of the moment, Emma Stone, plays Ryan Gosling's love interest. Steve Carrell also stars in this film and he is always an interest actor when it comes to dramatic roles like those in Little Miss Sunshine and Dan in Real Life.
(no trailer available)

5. Water for Elephants (April 22)
Water for Elephants is based on the best-selling novel that chronicles the life of a young man who abandons his college studies to join a travelling circus. Starring Reese Witherspoon and Robert Pattinson, this film promises to show them both in roles that their respective audiences are not accustomed to. The cinematography looks beautiful, as do the film's stars. I better get started on reading that novel...


6. Green Lantern (June 17)
Ryan Reynolds in anything and I am there! What's better is that he will be in a skin-tight green suit...ohhh, yeah! But in all seriousness, I tend to enjoy the superhero action films and this is one of those! Something about good versus evil and good prevailing always gets me excited! Green Lantern is certain to be a summer blockbuster if not THE summer blockbuster of 2011.


7. The Smurfs (August 3)
NPH makes the list again! Like any good animated film nowadays, this movie just looks funny and entertaining for all ages. Plus, the kid in me who used to watch the TV cartoon is curious as to what this newest reincarnation of the beloved blue creatures will entail. I tend to put faith into any NPH project, but rest of the cast is pretty stellar as well: Hank Azaria, BJ Novak, Fred Armisen, Sofia Vergara, Anton Yelchin and so many more! After all, all the world loves the Smurfs!


8. Footloose (October 14)
Change of director and three Rens later, the film-adaptation of the musical Footloose will finally be here! I am a fan of the musical genre of old, and while the movie industry is trying to revive the movie musical, I still remain skeptical. Will Footloose be a bad adaptation of a movie turned musical or will it be a hit with fans and critics alike akin to 2007's Hairspray? Much like Hairspray's Nikki Blonski, Footloose will put Kenny Wormald, a relative unknown, in the lead role. Let's hope for a success for the sake of the movie musical!
(no trailer available)

9. The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, Part I (November 18)
Admittedly, this movie will probably boast overly dramatic and painfully awful acting. The past three movies in the series have done so. HOWEVER, I love the books despite how awful they are, both in their writing and in their message. Plus, what girl doesn't dream about being fought over by Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner? Well, okay, some of you might not, but I don't think it would be a bad situation! Really what I am most excited for? I am excited to see the highly anticipated sex-scene between Bella and Edward because it can only be awkward and I am interested to see how they pull off the whole half-vampire/half-human baby. I don't expect this to be winning any Academy Awards or anything, I just expect it to be a guilty pleasure.
(no trailer available)

10. The Muppets (November 23)
Who doesn't love THE MUPPETS?! The Muppets' movies of old are among some of my favorites, and based on the cast, 2011's looks to be no different. Jason Segal, Paul Rudd, and Amy Adams are only a few of the all-star cast that will accompany our childhood friends as they make their way back to the big screen. This movie will be out just in time for the holidays, making it the perfect film to see with both friends and family!
(no trailer available)

11. Sherlock Holmes 2 (December 16)
No absolutely nothing about this film except the release date. But, if the sequel is anything like the first, then this movie is sure to be entertaining! Plus, I have mad love for Robert Downey Jr.!
(no trailer available)

And that rounds out my list of 11 movies I want to see in 2011! What movies are you looking forward to in the new year?

~Erin

"How Do You Know"

Well, I thought I knew based on the casting of this film that How Do You Know would be a good movie. The movie was...ehhh...alright. It wasn't bad, it wasn't good, it was just...there. Stars that normally shine in the rom-com genre were just not all that shiny in this movie. I guess the best way to describe my sentiment about this film is "indifferent." This is probably more harsh of a review than I am normally used to writing, but that is because I expected so much!

How Do You Know stars Paul Rudd (who I have loved ever since he played Josh in the smart teen comedy Clueless), Reese Witherspoon, Owen Wilson and Jack Nicholson. Witherspoon plays Lisa, a woman struggling with the end of her Olympic softball career. Rudd plays George, the nice guy who happens to be the target of a federal investigation thanks to his dear old dad, played by Nicholson, who is well-intentioned but still self-absorbed. And then there is Wilson, who plays Matty, a player for the Nationals who up until this point plays not only the baseball field, but the dating field, struggles to commit to Witherspoon. Inevitably, there is a love-triangle: Wilson, the charming and wealthy "boyfriend"; Witherspoon, the pretty and smart girl who doesn't sacrafice her values for some guy; and Rudd, the always kind and slightly awkward guy who falls for Witherspoon despite her being unavailable. Who will Witherspoon choose?!

Like any romantic comedy, the dilemma of the love triangle is predictable and so is the overall plot--but that's not what made this movie bland. The dialogue was there in parts. Paul Rudd was charming per usual. Jack Nicholson's performance--disappointing. Granted, he was not given a lot to work with in terms of his storyline, but Nicholson just did not have that grit which I have come to expect in any Nicholson film--including The Bucketlist. Wilson, although an integral part of the film, seemed to just be...there; his comedic chops were definitely not put to the test and his wit was not sharp like in his films of old. Witherspoon lacked the sparkle that I love in movies like Legally Blonde and Sweet Home Alabama. However, I think the biggest problem for me with this movie was nothing that could have been helped by what normally would be a stellar cast. The problem was that there were too many loose ends: it was anti-climatic; what happened to the big federal investigation that was going on?!; Witherspoon's softball career--she was upset for like a minute, but then what doe she really do with her life? With all of these storylines that seemed important at the time they were introduced, nothing ultimately happened with them. The only thing that was resolved was which guy Witherspoon ends up with in the end, and even that did not seem to come full circle.

So, I guess what I am trying to say is that despite all of the star-power and great advertising, I left the movie with no real emotions about it. If you are really excited for this movie, but have yet to see it, hold off and when you have nothing better to do, Redbox-it when it comes out on DVD.

~Erin

The Paper Chase

Well, with one semester of law school under my belt and with the "Available Until..." date approaching ever quickly on my OnDemand for this particular title, I figured it was about time that I sat down and watched The Paper Chase. To be perfectly honest, I tried to watch the movie a couple of months ago but I lacked the focus to watch it and I was totally turned off by the hair. The only guy I have ever thought could pull off even a semi-long hair look was Brad Pitt circa Legends of the Fall. But, I digress. Now that I have time to relax and am away from the high school life that is law school, I decided to watch a movie...about law school.

1973's The Paper Chase chronicles the life of first-year Harvard Law student James Hart (played by Timothy Bottoms--who until this movie, I knew as Emile Hirsch's dad in The Girl Next Door) as he tries to navigate the challenges of law school life (if you can even call it a life). I must admit, I am glad I did not see this movie until AFTER completing my first semester of law school. I would have been totally stressed out by notions that everyone was out to get me and that I would inevitably fail (granted, I still could fail...won't know until February). I have no idea what Harvard Law is like now, but it is still the best of the best so I am sure it's pretty cut-throat; luckily for me, that has not been my experience at IU--the people are pretty great and I have managed to have a life outside of law school. But once again, I digress.

On his first day of class, James Hart sets himself apart--the infamous Contracts professor, Mr. Kingsfield (an intensified version of Mr. Feenie), calls Hart out to recite the facts of the infamous Hawkins vs. McGee and he is caught unprepared. From that day on, Hart makes it his mission to impress Kingsfield and prove that he belongs at Harvard. But it's clear, everyone at Harvard wants to prove they belong--after all, Harvard Law is the best and the brightest. Hart joins a study group that turns out to be illustrative of the cut-throat nature of Harvard Law as a whole: Hart is pretty laid back, Thomas Anderson is a serious student on top of his game, Kevin Brooks is overwhelmed by the whole thing and his inability to deal with the pressures of law school ultimately drives him insane, Franklin Ford III is part of a Harvard Law legacy and turns out to be Hart's best law school comrade, and of course, there is the jerk--Willis-- whose selfishness gets him in the end (and, being human, I was glad). Like every law student, even those of us that are calm, cool, and collected, Hart has his moments of stress and intensity--luckily however, he's not the jerk; Hart's the good guy, the good friend, the motivated and underestimated student. Had Hart been the jerk, I may have gotten past his hair, but I would not have gotten past his 'tude!

And of course, there is a love story that further complicates Hart's life. The girl Hart falls for? None other than the daughter of Professor Kingsfield--except, Hart does not find that out right away. It is only after weeks of being dogged by Kingsfield and complaining about his horrid professor that he discovers the girl he has been seeing is Kingsfield's daughter (Susan Fields). Beyond the obvious complication of dating his dreaded professor's daughter, Susan having been married to a former law student, has little patience for Hart. Susan wants a relationship and life not all about organization; Hart seems unable to leave his law school life at law school and OBSESSES about organization (Obsessive about organization? I have never met such a person...).

With a year under his belt, Hart finally seems to get his footing. Although I have been lucky enough to have peers who did not make me want to throw myself down the stairs or made me feel like I was in it alone, I found the little challenges in Hart's life to be relatable. And despite law school being a unique experience to those who go to law school (regardless of WHAT law school one goes to), I think the nature of the challenges that Hart faces in regards to his relationships, his trying to maintain a semblance of his former self, and his striving to be successful are all experiences we share as human beings. Once I got past the hair, I thought the movie was enjoyable--there was nothing flashy about it, it was just a good story. My only issue with this movie? The ending. I think having gone through two weeks of exams and who knows how many weeks before that prepping for the end all be all, I think my fellow 1Ls would agree: WTF?!?

Well, back to hibernation I go! If you can follow my review, I congratulate you...my brain has become mush!

Tuning out! (For real this time!)
Erin

Click here to watch the trailer!

Shout out!

I have to do a blog shout out to my friend and fellow SMC grad's blog "Post Grad...Present Life." It is awesome you should go read it!

It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

 

 

 

I think it is a little obvious but I love love the Holiday season.  It is my favorite time of the year.  I love the holiday spirit, I love Christmas movies, I love giving gifts and most importantly I LOVE CHRISTMAS MUSIC!  While on Black Friday everyone is excited out looking for good sales I am most excited to listen to Christmas music.  I am the person who does not listen to Christmas music before Thanksgiving.  Christmas music can be played on the ride home from Thanksgiving or after your pies are finished but not before.  Then during the Christmas season I do not listen to any other music besides Christmas music.  So popular music is put on hold until the holiday season is over.

Every year for my friends I put together a Christmas CD together.  It has been a way for me to give something to my friends and not having to spend a arm and a leg on gifts.  It has become a tradition and been exciting because people are actually looking forward to their new Christmas CD. (but I guess at the same time it puts pressure on me to make a good CD)

So I thought it was time for me to spread some Christmas cheer to you and give you some suggestions of some Christmas music for your to listen to.

This is a long list so prepare yourself! (They are not in any particular order)

1. I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas – The Drifters (How could you not recognize this song from Home Alone)

2. Rocking Around the Christmas Tree – Peggy Lee (another classic scene from Home Alone)

3. Run Run Rudolph- Chuck Berry

4. Happy Holidays- Andy Williams

5. It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas – Johnny Mathis

6. Winter Wonderland –Andy Williams

7. Have yourself a Merry little Chirstmas- Frank Sinatra

8. Step into Christmas – Elton John

9. The Christmas Song – Nat King Cole

10. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer- Burl Ives

11. Don’t save it all for Christmas Day – Celine Dion

12. Happy Christmas – David Cook

13. Silent Night- Taylor Swift

14. Let it Snow- Michael Buble

15. This Gift – 98 Degrees

16. O Holy Night – Josh Groban

17. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays – Nsync

18. Merry Christmas Baby – Hanson

19. Santa Clause is Coming to Town – Bruce Springsteen

20. Last Christmas – Glee Cast

21. Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) – U2

22. Very Merry Christmas Dave Barnes

23. All I Want for Christmas is You - Mariah Carey

24. Christmas All Around – Billy Mack (Love Actually)

25. I’ll be Home for Christmas – Kristin Chenoweth

 

Hope you enjoy!

-Emily

The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear!

 

Like Erin said in her last post there is nothing really better than sitting down and watching a good Christmas movie.  One very important movie that Erin did not mention was Elf.  I am pretty sure that I have seen Elf probably 100 times and it never gets old.  It is one of those movies that put me in the holiday spirit.  One of the best things about Elf is its memorable lines.  I do not know how many times I have sat around with friends quoting the movie. So I decided to put together a list of ten of Elf’s best quotes. I hope you enjoy and feel free to use them in conversation this holiday season with your friends. (Oh if your friend looks at you like you are a crazy person when you say these quotes you might want to rethink your friendship- just saying)

Note: They are in no particular order.
 

The Best of Elf:

1. The best way to spread Christmas Cheer is singing loud for all to hear.

2. Buddy the elf what’s your favorite color

3. We elves try to stick to the four main food groups: candy, candy canes, candy corns and syrup.

4. I just like to smile, smiling is my favorite

5. You smell like beef and cheese, you don't smell like Santa

6. Watch out, the yellow ones don't stop!

7. SANTA! OH MY GOD! SANTA'S COMING! I KNOW HIM! I KNOW HIM!

8. You did it! Congratulations! World's best cup of coffee! Great job, everybody! It's great to be here.

9. Why don't you just say it? I'm the worst toy-maker in the world. I'm a Cotton-Headed Ninnymuggins!

10. What’s a Christmas gram, I want one

**Update: As of 4:30PM** One of our lovely readers mentioned that we forgot one of her favorite quotes it is, "Its just nice to meet someone who shares my affinity for elf culture" Thanks reader!**

Then for your enjoyment some of Elf’s  best clips!

Merry Christmas – Emily

Happy Birthday ERIN!!!

 

Well blogosphere it is ERIN’s Birthday today so go out and celebrate!

My List of Holiday Favorites!

As we all are lounging in our recliners sufficiently comatose from turkey, mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie, it's time to let the holiday movie season begin! Every year I eagerly await Thanksgiving night so that my holiday film fest can commence. There's a cornucopia (like how I used some Thanksgiving-ish lingo?!) of holiday films to choose from, and believe me, typically even the crappiest of Christmas movies make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. But, for the purposes of this entry, I have decided to give you my top ten list of holiday/Christmas films! So, here it goes!

10. Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
Forget the 1990s version of this film, the original is the must-see! Starring a young Natalie Wood, this film is a little piece of Christmas nostalgia! If only we all could live in the 1940s and experience Christmastime at Macy's in New York City! What makes this film so great is that the story is timeless--at what point do we get so drudged down by life that the important things like hope and love fall by the wayside? It's wonderful to see Kris Kringle and Susan's (Natalie Wood) relationship blossom and see this child finally embrace childhood. This film reminds us what it means to be a kid again and the beauty of belief!

9. Love Actually (2003)
The original ensemble cast movie, Love Actually makes me want to be in London for Christmas every year without fail! Whether you laugh at the funny-looking British guy who comes stateside in hopes of finally landing a girl, are swooned by Hugh Grant's dance moves, want to be a Nativity lobster, or cry when Sam finally calls his step-dad "Dad," it's hard not to love this movie! Certainly, this movie can be an anytime movie, but the Christmastime theme is what drives the many vignettes of this film. I can't choose my favorite storyline!

8. A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)
Arguably the best dance scene in cinematic history, A Charlie Brown Christmas tugs at the heartstrings. In an era driven by consumerism, this animated film reminds us all why we really should be celebrating Christmas. I think Linus says it best when he explains to Charlie Brown what the real meaning of Christmas is. In the end, Charlie Brown is the hero and everyone comes together. After all, isn't love and compassion what Christmas is really all about?

7. The Shop Around the Corner (1940)
The first of two Jimmy Stewart films on this list, The Shop Around the Corner is the original You've Got Mail (Meg Ryan's book shop is called "The Shop Around the Corner"). Stewart plays Alfred Kralik, a sales clerk at a small department store in Budapest, Hungary. Stewart unknowingly is pen-pals with newly hired sales clerk, Klara Novak (played by Margaret Sullavan). Problems ensue between Stewart and the management, Stewart and Sullavan. However, once Stewart realizes that Sullavan is the woman he has been pen-palling, he chooses to leave her in the dark, playing with her emotions along the way. If you've seen You've Got Mail, you can figure out what happens in the end. And although this may not specifically be a "Christmas" movie (I watch it at any time of year), because its plot is in many ways driven by the Christmastime theme, I decided to put it on my list!

6. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989)
Without a doubt probably the most crude of all holiday films on my list, Christmas Vacation is a classic! Per usual, Clark Griswold has high expectations that ultimately are unmet due to numerous snafus. Thirty seconds into the film, the Griswolds have numerous near-death experiences, the least of which is getting ran over by a semi! This film never fails to make me laugh. Despite the fact that the Griswolds' luck might be worse than most, what I think makes this film so endearing is that things don't go as planned! I have never had a perfect Christmas, but my Christmases seem pretty darn close to perfect compared to the Griswolds'!

ALSO, best Christmas speech ever...so inspiring!:
"Where do you think you're going? Nobody's leaving. Nobody's walking out on this fun, old-fashioned family Christmas. No, no. We're all in this together. This is a full-blown, four-alarm holiday emergency here. We're gonna press on, and we're gonna have the hap, hap, happiest Christmas since Bing Crosby tap-danced with Danny f***ing Kaye. And when Santa squeezes his fat white ass down that chimney tonight, he's gonna find the jolliest bunch of assholes this side of the nuthouse." Thanks, Clark.

5. Home Alone (1990)
Macaulay Culkin gets the award for cutest child actor EVER! Every year I watch this movie, I find myself sighing at how cute little Kevin McAllister is!...I mean, his knit-sweaters and khakis?! This film succeeds on so many levels. It's funny: Kevin is a funny kid. It's witty: Kevin outsmarts criminals who might be dumb, but Kevin is 10. Example: "Keep the change you filthy animal." It's heartbreaking: Kevin's mom does whatever she can to make it home to her son; the scary next door neighbor is not scary at all, but a kind and gentle man; Kevin realizes that life without his family is not much of an existence after all. The fact that Culkin essentially carries this film all by himself (with the help of a few tricks, traps and the supporting cast from time to time), makes this film that much more extraordinary! By the end of this movie, I always want to go hug my mom and dad!

4. Holiday Inn (1942)
Probably the less notable of his two films in which he sings "White Christmas," Holiday Inn is my favorite Bing Crosby film. "White Christmas" is original to Holiday Inn, not the film for which the song is its namesake! Also starring Fred Astaire and Marjorie Reynolds, this film is a wonderful spectacle of song and dance. Holiday Inn is the story of a hoofer (Astaire) and a crooner (Crosby) who are continually vying for the affections of some talented girl. But when Crosby steps away from the spotlight to open an inn only open on holidays, the simple life seems to hold a lot of promise for Crosby and his up-and-coming performer (Reynolds)...that's until Astaire drops in. A good ole fashion musical about the holidays? Not a lot could be better than that.

3. The Santa Clause (1994)
The Santa Clause will always hold a special place in my heart because it is the first Christmas movie I ever saw in theaters! For those of you who know me pretty well, I have a weird love for Tim Allen...well, more of a love for his voice, so that also plays into my affection for this film! This film is much like Miracle on 34th Street in one way: it takes seeing to believe! What is great about The Santa Clause is its originality: a disgruntled, middle-aged divorcee goes up on the roof Christmas Eve only to find that Santa Clause has died! As a consequence of Santa Clause's death, Scott Calvin (S.C...Santa Clause?!) inherits the job of Santa and quickly is transformed (not only physically, but emotionally, too). Scott goes from being an unhappy guy to one whose life has a higher calling. And what's really best about this movie is that as a result of his new job title, Scott and his son, Charlie, grow closer and Scott becomes a better guy. Bravo, Disney! Bravo!

2. It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
Did you know that when this film came out, it was not a critical or box office success? It's hard to believe. There are so many reasons why I love this film! 1) I love Jimmy Stewart--he is the perfect man: he's real, he's quirky, and he's kind. 2) The story--don't we all wish we knew a George Bailey? Don't we all aspire to be better people like George Bailey? 3) The happy ending. But, I digress. It might be cliche to say, but this film is truly what Christmas is all about: giving to others. Yes, we often think what we do and who we are goes unnoticed, but this film is a testament to the fact that we don't know whose lives we touch. Also, this film teaches us to be thankful for our blessings, which I know I often take for granted. I do not think anyone but Jimmy Stewart could have played George Bailey. George Bailey will always set the bar for the ideal man in my book--he's good through and through.

1. A Christmas Story (1983)
Much like It's a Wonderful Life, A Christmas Story was not a box-office success. But, now?! Most films cannot boast an annual 24-hour marathon on cable television! This film is a nostalgic look back in time and what it's like to be a kid. What's so great about this movie is that even as an adult, Ralphie still is able to recall, if not maintain, his childhood outlook on his world. I can identify with Ralphie. Although I never wanted a BB gun, I did desperately want a cell phone in middle school (before it was common to have them in middle school) and was told I couldn't have it! Admittedly, I did not get the cell phone in high school, but maybe had I written an essay about how I wanted one, my parents would have been convinced! There are so many great one-liners to be had in this movie: "Don't shoot your eye out!"; "My little brother had not eaten voluntarily in over three years."; "You used up all the glue on purpose!"; and perhaps my favorite, "Aunt Clara had for years labored under the delusion that I was not only perpetually 4 years old, but also a girl." This film is a quotable classic! And because this is the Christmas movie I grew up on, I have chosen it as my favorite. Despite the ups and downs that ensue in the Parker family, in the end, it all turns out okay: duck at a Chinese restaurant while serenaded by the Chinese workers not so fluent in English! This film is not about Ralphie getting the BB gun he so desperately wanted, but the wonderment that is Christmas!

Well, that's my Christmas list! Comment and tell me what's yours!
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
~Erin

Love and Other Drugs

Certainly by now you have seen the trailers for the just released in time for the holidays movie Love & Other Drugs. Starring Anne Hathaway and Jake Gyllenhaal (can you say lots of vowels?!), this is the second time the beautiful brunettes with the big eyes (brown and blue, respectively) have been paired together. If only one of these actors headlined this film, it would have been enough allure for me to want to see it: Anne is a classy actress who is relatable and likable; Jake is handsome, easy-going, and charming. However, put the two of them together, and you have a must-see movie. The pair have an undeniable chemistry and for the most part (Jake, I will excuse you for making Prince of Persia) are known for making good movies, interesting movies.

Love & Other Drugs is a bit of drama and a bit of comedy. Jake's character, Jamie Randall, is a playboy just beginning what promises to be a successful career as a Pfizer drug rep. Anne plays Maggie Murdock, a free-spirit who doesn't seek commitment in her relationships. Maggie and Jamie meet, start a casual fling (and by fling, I mean hook up buddies on a regular basis). As any film-goer knows, a lot of hook-ups does not a movie make--there's gotta be some substance! The two inevitably commit themselves to each other and then the real story begins. Life is good, then it gets complicated. Jamie's career takes off when he begins to sell Viagra (it's 1996, people...I was too young to know, but apparently, Viagra was pretty revolutionary!). Maggie, too, has her own career in the drug industry: she takes busloads of elderly people to Canada. But, as Jamie's career is on the fast track to bigger, better things, Maggie is hopelessly stuck. Drug conventions, doctors, hospitals and traveling ultimately drive the two apart, but not in the way you may think.

AS A SIDE NOTE: A lot has been made of the film's nudity. And yeah, there is a lot of nudity. But, to the film's credit, the nudity is not in bad taste. Clearly, the film starts out being about these two young and beautiful people hooking up with one another...a lot. As their relationship evolves, the nudity is less and less. Needless to say, I don't find the nudity in this film to be offensive, but if you are someone who does find nudity to be offensive, then maybe this is a film you should skip.

Now back to the review...
Guys and gals alike will enjoy this film; certainly, the numerous jokes to be had at Viagra's expense alone would be enough to appeal to the male species. But even more than that, like a When Harry Met Sally type movie, Love & Other Drugs is not so much focused on the love affair from the woman's perspective, but it is a give and take. In fact, I would argue that the ups and downs of Jamie's life are what guide this film. It's always refreshing to see the guy be emotional and making the big leaps in his relationship while the girl is all laid back and cool. And fellas, do you see girls shying away from Jake Gyllenhaal? Most likely not. Take a play out of his book and you are certain to be golden!...or at least closer to golden.

I think Love & Other Drugs lived up to it's billing. So, this holiday weekend (or season if so fortunate to have the time), go see this movie with your friends and loved ones. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

~Erin

A Whirlwind Movie Week!

I am sure that most of you know by now that I am in law school. Unfortunately for me, the rumors are true: law school is very time consuming. So, having had this week off for a much needed fall break, I thought that I would take the time to see some movies I had been dying to see because all my favorite t.v. shows were re-runs this week and movies are $5 on weekdays (JACKPOT!). What movies were on my list? Well, lots of movies were on my list, but I only saw four: Life as We Know It, The Social Network, You Again, and Easy A. For the sake of everyone's sanity, I will try to keep my thoughts short! One thing that I can go ahead and say for all of the films is I recommend them to you!

Life as We Know It

Starring Katherine Heigl and Josh Duhamel, Life as We Know It is a film about two single people brought together to raise their best friends' baby daughter after they die in a car accident. This movie has a lot of the typical rom-com plot elements: a strong and opinionated single female who seems unfit for a relationship; an absurdly handsome male who's a womanizer and could not be bothered to have a relationship; and most obviously, the two misfit adults coming together in the end because they fall in love. However, despite the cliches, there are dramatic elements that make this movie slightly different from the rest. Let's face it, most rom-coms do not have the tragedy/aftermath of death hovering, or at least present, throughout the majority of the film. Also, most films do not revolve around two uninvolved people raising a baby! Sure, this movie is definitely unrealistic: if you're someone's godparents, doesn't that automatically make you the next-in-line to raise the kid in question if the parents die? Shouldn't one be informed that they might be responsible for raising a kid if said parents die? And really, someone like Katherine Heigl always being the single lady? Nope. All of the non-realistic elements aside, this is a rom-com/dram (if you will). Obviously, if you are not of the rom-com sort, this is not a film for you. But for those suckers like me whose hearts melt the second the adverse pairing on the screen finally falls in love, you'll like this movie! It's an enjoyable couple of hours that had me laughing and crying...plus, there's an adorable baby!

The Social Network

This movie has gotten a lot of hype, and as a film fan (and wish I was critic), I knew The Social Network was a movie I had to see. I remember hearing about this movie a year ago and thinking to myself, "How are they going to make a movie about Facebook?" But, they did it. The Social Network chronicles the life of Mark Zuckerberg (played by Jesse Eisenberg) and the early years of Facebook. The slogan of the film captures its essence perfectly: "You don't get to 500 million friends without making a few enemies." A genius idea, making enemies of friends, millions in litigation, and billions in profit later?...you have Facebook. I thought this film was solid in all aspects: acting, story, fluidity, etc. Admittedly, this is a dramatized account of Mark Zuckerberg's life and those in it. However, only real life could provide the foundation for a story so compelling. I recommend this movie to any film lover...especially if you want to get an early start on the Oscars train!

You Again

All I can say is Betty White! This film is your stereotypical romantic comedy...and I loved it! Starring Kristen Bell, Sigourney Weaver, and Jamie Lee Curtis, You Again forces us all to take a look at ourselves, both in the past and the present. Would you really want to be wholly judged on your high school self? Probably not. Kristen Bell plays Marni, a girl who had an awful high school experience and ended up being a successful young adault. Finally seeming to have the life she always wanted, Marni is brought back down to earth when her older brother is set to marry her arch-nemesis from high school, Joanna (played by Odette Yustman). Joanna, the "Queen Bee" in high school is seemingly still perfect eight years later. What's worse is that Joanna does not seem to remember Marni, but that's all an act. Catfights and emotional conflicts ensue and relationships are damaged. But, like any good rom-com, there is a happy ending and all of the characters end up learning something about themselves and each other. If you are looking for a good laugh, the dance class scene in this film will do just the trick! Every now and then, we all need something lighthearted!

And last but not least...Easy A

Of all of the films I saw this week, hands down Easy A was the most anticipated! I personally am a HUGE fan of the teen film genre (particularly, those of the John Hughes make...what can I say, I was born in the wrong era). Easy A is for The Scarlet Letter what Clueless was for Emma: a smart, modern and satirical revamping of a classic novel. Emma Stone has made a name for herself playing the smart, relatable teenage heroine in other films, but Easy A is arguably her first leading role in a highly promoted film. Stone carries this film with the help of a talented supporting cast including Stanley Tucci, Amanda Bynes, and Thomas Haden Church. Stone plays Olive, an anonymous high schooler whose life becomes much more notable after some false rumors spread like wildfire. Being the smart and witty girl she is, Olive bucks tradition and embraces her new identity as a whore even though in reality, it's all a lie. Fortunately for Olive, there is one guy who stands by her side and does not believe all of the jibberish (Todd, played by Penn Badgley). Unfortunately for Olive, the rumors that Olive does not seek to deny, start to take a toll on Olive and her reputation. She is a modern day Hester Prynne. Like real life, especially real life in high school, all choices and actions (or in Olive's case, actions that were really inactions) have consequences. Without a doubt the best teen comedy since 2004's Mean Girls, this film has a lot of heart, smarts and sass. And, if you are a big fan of the 80s teen movies like myself, you will certainly appreciate all of the classic movie references. Do yourself a favor and see this movie!

And with that, my 4 day-4 movie-thon is complete. Better late than never!
Channeling out,
Erin

The Buried Life

 

Well I hope that most of you have seen The Buried Life on MTV because it is one wonderful show,  Dave, Duncan, Ben and Jonnie are the quest to complete their list of 100 things to do before they die.  On this list it ranges from little things like give a $100 to a stranger and plant a tree to relatively hard task like do a sketch with Will Ferrell and play basketball with President Obama.  They go around with their video cameras taping their journey to complete their tasks.  Then with each task on their list they complete they try to help others complete something off of their own list.   They always say be prepared when they come to your town to be asked “What do you want to do before you die”

Here is the trailer to the show for you to get the total effect of the show:

 

The show is always entertaining because they always throw in some laughter with each task. 

Check out their compete list on their Facebook page.

So what do YOU want to do before you die?

I am Number Four - Official Trailer [HD]

Hey! Be sure to stay tuned for a new post in the next few days where I blog about what has been a marathon movie week for me! But in the meantime, watch this trailer for I Am Number Four starring Alexander Pettyfer. Maybe you can also spot a Gleek! Enjoy.

You play to WIN the game

I was hanging out with a bunch of my friends this weekend and one night at dinner we got on the discussion on some of the greatest coaches and player rants. Needless to say they went on to recreate them with every detail and every line correct. So I thought that I should share them with you.

First

Herm Edwards explains the very basis of all athletics.


Then once you try to WIN the game, you might be asking well what about the playoffs. Well Jim Mora has the answer.


Sometimes things just do not go your way and you are blindsided and reporters might ask if you saw this coming if you thought that the team really had it in them to beat you. Well of course Dennis Green has this one.


Every coach wants to protect its players from the media. Mike Gundy did not like how is team was portrayed in the paper. He went on to tell the people on the media room about his feeling and then proclaimed his famous line,

I'M A MAN I'M 40

Coaches are not the only one that go on rants, players do the same. Allen Iverson really wants everyone to know about practice and the game that he loves. This I have to say is one of my favorites.


Finally never stand between a wide receiver and his quarterback. Especially when this man is Terrel Owens and his QB is Tony Romo. You might upset him enough to make him cry.


Well that is all the rants that I have today. I really hope that they put a little laugh into your day! Tell us which rant was your favorite! Remember each day is a new day which means a new rant could be added to this list.

Are you a NFL displaced fan??

A fellow Communications major with me at SMC is working with Directv Most Displaced Fan contest. They are trying to find the most displaced NFL fan in the country. So if you are an unfortunate Colts fan living in Boston this contest is for you! The grand prize are 2 tickets to the Super Bowl and being able to meet a player from your favorite team. Please go to Ultimate Displaced Fan Official Site for more details and please enter!

Glee-wind

It is that fabulous time of the year, yes television premiere season!! After the painful months of watching countless re-runs of our favorite shows, it is finally time for all new episodes.

One show that I was super excited to return with new episodes was GLEE! With the first season being such a huge sensation the season premiere had a lot to live up to and that it did. But first a little rewind of what happened in the season finale. The Glee club competed in Regional with a medley of Journey songs to express that the purpose of the club is not about the end result instead that is about the journey of getting there. They did have the pressure to place in the competition because if they did not the Glee club was going to end. After they preformed Quinn went into labor when her mom came to try to mend their relationship. She was rushed to the hospital and had a baby girl. The Glee club unfortunately did not place in regionals, they thought the club was over. It was not until Sue went to Figgins and told him to give the Glee club another year. Finally at the end of the show you see Shelby, the director of Vocal Adrenaline and Rachel’s real mom, adopting Quinn and Puck’s baby.

Whew that was a lot for one amazing episode. So you must be wondering what about the season two premiere.

The premiere was not only entertaining put also set up things for the rest of the season. McKinley High starts a new school year with a review of what is going on with the Glee club kids. We find out that Rachel and Finn are dating, Tina dumped Artie and now is dating Mike Chang after they spent the summer together as camp counselors, and Matt ( Mike’s friend and other football player) transferred to a new school. Will and Sue go to Figgins’ office to meet the new football coach, Shannon Beiste and to learn that each of their budgets will be cut by 10%. This does not make Shue or Sue happy at all. Sue and Shue bond together to take down Beiste. Meanwhile, the Glee club tries to gain more members so that this year they can beat Vocal Adrenaline. To try to entice more members to join so they go outside of school and sing Empire State of Mind, because it is a popular song that students would know and that Regionals this year are going to be held in New York. When singing Finn notices a new student bobbing his head with the music and Rachel notices a girl singing along. Both of them go and try to recruit the new kids that they saw. Finn talks to Sam and tells him when and where the auditions will be held. Rachel on the other hand goes and meets Sunshine, a foreign exchange student, where they sing Telephone and Rachel then believes that Sunshine could be competition and gives her a fake location for the tryouts. In the end neither of them show up to audition.

Sue is also holding try-outs for the Cheerios. She reluctantly lets Quinn rejoin the squad. She also has a surprising person try-out, yes Finn. Finn got cut from the football team because Coach Beiste thought he was trying to make a fool of her when he tried to help get Artie on the team. What really made the try-outs funny was that Becky, the cute Cheerio with Downs Syndrome, had become a little Sue Jr, she was coming back at people with some good one liners.

So that is a little review of the season premiere. Make sure you tune into Glee tomorrow on Fox at 8/7c for the BRITNEY EPISODE!!!

In the meantime, watch inside the making of the song Billionaire.



(picture from dailycelebritybuzz.com)

Some great news!

Hey Readers!

So, after failing to blog for nearly two months, I am now blogging just hours after my last post! WELL, it's because I forgot to mention probably the most startling, exciting, and relieving revelation of the week--Joaquin Phoenix's abandonment of his acting career as an actor to pursue a career as a rapper was all a scam! Ironically, JP's fictitious retirement from acting was probably the best acting job of his career--it was quite convincing and spanned nearly two years!

I, like many other Dave Letterman fans, remember clearly the night that he interviewed JP back in 2009. Looking back on it now, I feel absolutely foolish--something in my gut told me "This is all a big joke", but the joke went beyond Dave's interview. THE JOKE WAS BEING TOLD FOR NEARLY TWO YEARS! I was just in utter disbelief during the course of that infamous interview...and I was in the dark watching it alone because my two dorm mates were sleeping. Talk about an awkward experience. To see one of the most talented actors of his generation, albeit not the most notable, abandon acting to be a rapper? Such a waste of talent...

BUT, thank goodness it was all a lie! This week, it was revealed AFTER the release of Casey Affleck's documentary (or, now apparently "mockumentary"), I'm Still Here, that JP's seeming complete transformation was all an act. Affleck and JP claimed that they made this mockumentary because they were interested in the relationship between celebrity and the media. WELL, even if the documentary is little known amongst the American public, the subject matter and his fictitious fall certainly got noticed. Knowing the truth now, it will be interesting to see this documentary--will it be serious? Will it provide social commentary? Or, will it serve as a reprimand for the media and their obsession with celebrity?

Hopefully, JP has not ended his career by ACTING like he ended his career. He is a talented actor and now that he is back to "normal", maybe directors and studios will want JP as a part of their projects. He certainly has proved these past two years that he has the commitment to take on any role.

Tuning out,
Erin

THE CRAZY JOAQUIN PHOENIX INTERVIEW--want to feel awkward? Watch this.


JP's most recent interview with Dave! THINGS ARE BACK TO GOOD!

It's been a long time...

My personal apologies to our readers...the few of you there are! Life has been busy, but that's no excuse! The entertainment world continues raging on and so shall we!

Most of you are aware that this week has been a big week for season premieres: Grey's Anatomy, The Office, 30 Rock to name a few. Shoot, there are still more premieres to come (this girl is waiting for BROTHERS & SISTERS)!

Last night, I managed to take a break from the old law school routine (arguably, too long of a break...in fact, I am in the law library right now as I blog!) and watched the season premiere of Grey's Anatomy. I tend to be of the same attitude of a lot of Grey's Anatomy watchers as of recently: last season was just a little too much. Certainly, a lot of the medical drama of Grey's has always been extreme or unrealistic, but the romantic storylines always were satisfying. One could always identify with the characters. It was a character driven show. Season 6 however left me disappointed. The lingering dark cloud that was Katherine Heigl's continuance on the show (despite her no longer wanting to be there, and really, I didn't want her there either), the lack of romantic tension between Derek and Meredith, and the unrecognizable charicature that was Chief Webber (not to mention the fact that by the end of the season, Derek became the head honcho and was no longer the same guy, either) were all reasons why Season 6 was not the show I once loved. There was no connection from one episode to the next. Dr. Bailey and her tough love attitude remained the show's only constant.

The influx of new blood that came from the merger storyline only further confused what once was a solid dynamic between the characters.

All of this disappointment was washed away with the Season 6 finale. Admittedly, the story was extreme. However, once again, the characters finally found a reason to connect with one another once again. Finally, the new blood was integrated and made some sense in the overall purpose of the show. I had an emotional reaction to what I was seeing on my television screen. It was gritty and real (okay, maybe not like FNL, but still...pretty darn compelling stuff). And the end, unlike any of the other episodes in Season 6, left me wanting more...which I suppose is why it was the Season Finale. Any of the other episodes might have been enough to cancel the show for good.

Last night's premiere certainly seemed to put some of the classic elements of the show back in place: sarcasm in light of bad situations, Derek back to being a plain old neurosurgeon (oxymoron, I know), Chief is the chief again, and Karev is back to being a jerk (still love him, though).

However, because of the events that took place in the Season Finale, Seattle Grace is clearly not the same. You know things are bad when Dr. Bailey is not able to keep herself together. Cristina gets married to Owen (and is happy about it). Lexi clearly is suffering from PTSD and seems jaded. McSteamy is serious...all of the time. Derek seems unable to cope with what has happened to him and who knows what will be the end result of his inability.

While I found these changes last night difficult to fully wrap my mind around (I am a creature of habit, it's true), these changes finally seem to flow naturally from the incidents that occured in last season's finale. Rather than everything simply being these crazy medical mysteries that would probably never happen in real life (or at least never always happen at ONE hospital to the SAME doctors), the characters seem to be the focus again. It will be interesting to see how the shooting at Seattle Grace continues to impact these doctors as individuals and as a unit. Clearly, things are not okay, and this is a problem that cannot be resolved within a single, 42-minute episode.

Human emotions are compelling and if Grey's Anatomy can make that its focus in Season 7, I think Season 7 will prove to be a good one.

Stay tuned!
Erin

An Early Start to the Holiday Season

After having a discussion less than twenty-four hours ago with some friends about how I find I do not get emotional at the moments when I should (i.e. graduation), I watched last night's Friday Night Lights season finale and found myself getting teary eyed. Not shocking I suppose. I have come to find that this show tugs at my heart strings like none other.

Last night's episode, entitled "Thanksgiving", finally brought closure to some storylines while managing to open up some others. However, true to form, Friday Night Lights did not disappoint.

*WARNING: There might be some spoiler alerts to follow so do not continue reading if you have not yet watched last night's season finale!

The episodes preceding last night's season finale certainly have been full of complex and compelling storylines for our beloved residents of Dillon, Texas. Vince chose to follow his heart rather than the gang which once was his life, Tami faced criticism for fulfilling her duty to a lost and confused teenager when no one else was there to help guide her, Coach Taylor had to motivate his East Dillon Lions to be better than the privileged team of kids across town, and Tim Riggins' car chopping days with his brother Billy finally caught up with him. Needless to say with all of this drama, I had a lot of questions and was anxiously awaiting the answers.

I could not have been more excited than when Julie Taylor went to ask Mrs. Saracen if she needed a ride to Thanksgiving dinner at their house and Matt was on the other side of the door. I honestly do have a spot in my heart for all of the characters in this show, but Matt especially. mHaving been absent for the latter half of season four, his return to the show not only was rewarding for me as a fan, but also opened up once again his relationship (or status of) with Julie. Rightfully so, Julie is angry with Matt: for the way he left Dillon, for the way he left her. And not surprisingly, Landry is also mad at Matt, his best friend: not one phone call while in Chicago. Simply by being there does not make the world right again for Matt as he soon finds out. Although I will not spoil the outcome of what happens between Matt and Julie and Matt and Landry, I will say someone does end up on a plane back with Matt to Chicago.

Tim and Billy still face their legal woes after having been thrown in jail for selling stolen parts of cars. When Tim Riggins cried in last week's episode, I was dumbfounded. Although Tim is more than what he seems (and he proves this time and time again), it was heartbreaking to see him cry knowing the progress he has made in his life to become a better, more respectable guy. Unfortunately for Tim (or fortunately some might say), his desire to become a more respectable guy also means he must make the tough decision: putting family first. Will putting his family, more specifically his brother and his nephew first, mean sacrificing his chance at a better life? The answer remains to be seen.

Probably the most intriguing storyline for the latter half of this season has been that of Tami and her future as principal of West Dillon. Essentially being forced to give a public apology for her actions to save her job, Tami tries but inevitably goes with her gut and says she did what was right for the student at that time and has always done what is right for the students when they have come to her with their problems. PRAISE TAMI TAYLOR! Once again, the writers of this show did not fail us: rather than taking the easy way out and doing the necessary thing to keep her job, Tami stands by her morals. Luckily for Tami, and I think the audience too, she makes a career change rather than taking administrative leave (aka administrative death). Although this particular storyline has been real, controversial, and captivating, I think the issues Tami faced as a guidance counselor were the most interesting and emotionally compelling.

Whether it was Tim Riggins vs. the Dillon Police, Vince vs. gang life, or Tami vs. the people of Dillon, last night's season finale could also have been called "The Hoosiers of Dillon". I think however given the fact this show is a drama that takes place on and off a football field, the title "The Hoosiers of Dillon" would be most appropriate because of Friday night's game. The rivalry that has been building up all season long (both the show's season and Dillon's football season) between Coach Taylor's former team, the West Dillon Panthers, and his new team, the East Dillon Lions finally comes to fruition where it matters the most--on the football field. Anyone following the show knows that it has been a struggle for the East Dillon Lions to not only become a team, but to have the proper equipment, respect of the community, etc. Having worked hard to finally become a team that can compete, the biggest game of the year is here: East versus West. Not shockingly, in last week's episode a wrench was thrown in the plan when West Dillon players ruined East Dillon's field, thus making what should have been a home game for the Lions an away game on the Panthers' perfectly manicured field. Consequently, like in the beloved movie Hoosiers, this was to be a match of David versus Goliath. There are many surprises in this game and I definitely found myself rooting for East Dillon from the comfort of my recliner. This is not a score you can get from the ESPN scroll and because I think you should watch this show, it's not a score you are going to get from me either!

To watch last night's season finale, click HERE!

Lastly...
The fate of Friday Night Lights remains to be seen. Although this episode could have been the series' last, I certainly hope not. Shows like this one do not come around too often and when they do, they aren't around long enough.


Channeling out-
Erin

Charlie St. Cloud - Movie Review

So, I'm gonna cut straight to the chase...I love Zac Efron. I thought he was a cute kid with gap teeth in the awful but guilty pleasure Summerland. And then like most kids around the globe (admittedly, 5-10 years younger than me), I became entranced by the High School Musical craze. Anyone who knows much about me knows that I love musicals. While I do not claim that HSM has anything on such classics like Meet Me In St. Louis or Singin' in the Rain, it did do something to introduce the wonderful musical genre to a new generation. Although Zac Efron certainly was able to show off his singing and dancing talents in the HSM franchise as well as in Hairspray, these movies did little to display his acting chops. 2009's 17 Again was a step in the right direction for Efron--a storyline that could be appreciated by young and old alike--it had comedy, drama and romance. But let's be honest, even though I love 17 Again, it really did not show a different range of emotion for Efron.

So, after a long absence from the screen, big or small, I was highly anticipating the film that I just saw, Charlie St. Cloud. I had read about it a long time ago on imdb.com and in recent months have seen commercial after commercial. I will be the first to admit that I probably would have seen Charlie St. Cloud regardless of the storyline because I have always found Zac Efron to be an attractive guy and it's nice to stare at his face...and abs. However, I was also intrigued by the premise of Charlie St. Cloud because it is the first lead role for Efron as an adult character. He does not break into song, he is not a basketball star (because being 5'9" in the real world automatically makes you great at basketball...yeeeah), and he does not dance his socks off. Rather than focusing on all the things he can do well that can take away from whatever acting talents he may or may not have, this movie would put his acting abilities front and center. I think having followed Efron's career, a movie like this one was just what he wanted--he wanted to get away from being someone who always broke out into song and dance. Real actors need a challenge. Much like Leonardo DiCaprio in the 1990s, the choice to do Charlie St. Cloud for Efron certainly was one to fight every serious actor's nightmare: typecasting. If you have seen the commercials, you already know in the movie Efron's character sails. WELL, if this movie was a sinker, there is not much doubt that Efron's career would go straight down with it. Looks can only get you so far as I am sure Zac Efron is well aware.

I will not go into a lot of detail about the plot of Charlie St. Cloud--only if you have been living under a rock do you not know that it is a movie about a young man (Zac Efron who plays Charlie St. Cloud) who loses his kid brother (Sam) in a car accident, talks to his brother's "ghost" every day, and falls in love with a girl who changes his life which has otherwise been grim. Even though I pretty much knew the story because of the commercials, it was the interactions Charlie had with his brother and other people, the time he spent alone, and the consequences of what had happened in his life that make this movie interesting. There is also a twist in the story, but I will not give that away. Sure, this movie had a bit of the mystical--after all, Charlie talks to his brother's ghost--but that did not take away from the overall story being believable. When tragedy strikes, people cope in different ways and nothing is ever normal again.

Because the subject matter of the story was so emotionally heavy--death and how one copes with it--Charlie St. Cloud easily could have been overly dramatic, overacted, full of "make me want to vom" moments. It wasn't. Instead, I thought Efron's performance was wonderful. He was intense when he needed to be. A jerky older brother when he needed to be. He was vulnerable when he needed to be. A lot of this movie was just Zac Efron and the camera and his face was able to convey everything he was thinking. I am not saying this movie did not have have its moments of cheesiness because it did, but overall I think it was well done. The supporting cast of characters also were excellent, but let's be honest, this movie was about Zac Efron and Zac Efron alone.

For those who are more critical of Zac Efron than I am, I think they will be pleasantly surprised with his performance. Do not get me wrong, Zac Efron will not be getting an Academy Award anytime soon. However, one of my friends who came to this movie with me told me she had never thought Zac Efron was all that attractive until this movie--perhaps it was his haircut but I would like to think it was because of the character he played. Charlie St. Cloud is a tragic character, and although I cannot really relate to the tragedy of losing someone that close to me in such an unexpected way, I think anyone can understand feeling lost and holding onto something they should have let go of a long time ago. I would recommend Charlie St. Cloud of course to Zac Efron fans, but I would also recommend it to moviegoers who just want to sit back and watch a pretty compelling story.

-Erin

Shameless Plug

Okay Okay I understand that this blog is mostly about television and movies, but I could not help post about my one of my favorite bands, I mean music is a form of entertainment so I guess it works.

Like most girls my age in 1997 I was in the middle of the boy band craze. I loved the Backsteet Boys and only them. Never once did my now favorite bad Hanson come into my sights. It was not until my summer before my junior year of high school that my friend asked me to go to a Hanson concert with her. At first I thought the same thing that most of you are probably thinking now, “Hanson, the ones that sang Mmmbop.” Yep that is what I was thinking. So I went as a sort of joke just to say that I saw them, and the fact that I wanted to go to a concert since at the time I have had never been to one and I never say no to a road trip. I went to the concert and my view on Hanson changed. They were real genuine musicians. They each write and play their own music, unlike most people of the time that would have songs written for them and their concerts were more like dance shows than actual singing performance.

Isaac, 29, Taylor, 27, and Zac, 24, who are now all fathers, just released their fifth studio album Shout it Out. It is just a pretty awesome cd. The cd is a good mix of songs that will get you up and dance and some ballads that showcase their trademark harmony. They have just started a summer tour that will be sure to showcase new songs off the Shout it Out cd as well as fan favorites from their previous albums, Middle of Nowhere, This Time Around, Underneath and The Walk. If you go to a concert you will not regret it. Check out their new single Thinking 'bout Somthin':


Hanson likes to stay connected with their fans. It is one thing to hear from your favorite band when they have a new cd coming out and they do many tv interviews, but from Hanson you hear from them all the time. Recently they have held events on their website called aLive @hnet. These are live streams with the band. In these live streams they answer fan questions from Twitter, play a couple songs, or even take you on a trip to Wal-Mart with them. They have also have had a live stream of entire concert, so people who tuned in got a free concert experience. Most of those steams are found on YouTube. They also because they are on tour they have a aLive stream before every show to answer fan questions or have a conversation with the opening band. It is really just fun because no matter where you are you can feel a part of the concert going experience.

Another thing that Hanson interacts with their fans is to hold a one mile walk before each of the shows. These one mile walks help to fight poverty in Africa. These walks started with a partnership with TOMS shoes. TOMS shoes has the one for one model that with every pair of TOMS shoes that are bought a pair is donated to a child in need in Africa. So Hanson would hold a one mile barefoot walk to see how these children have to deal with everyday. They would sell the TOMS shoes at their concerts. This then moved into helping more people. So now if you go on a walk Hanson will donate a dollar for the cause of your choice that they have listed which good go to buying a child a pair of TOMS, build a fresh water well, medical care for mother who are affected by AIDS, or to build a school. These walks are a good way to interact with fans and at the same time help people in need. To learn more about the walks go to http://www.takethewalk.net/

I prob could go on and on but I will stop now. If you would like to more about Hanson and their summer tour go to Hanson.net, I would also recommend watching their Taking the Walk documentary, documenting the making of their album The Walk.


Basically I think that you all should give Hanson a new look and see what kind of band they are today.

(Picture from Hanson's Facebook page)