I'll be "home" for Xmas...

Okay, so a tree fell on my house and I will be blogging from my hotel room in my hometown. Needless to say, things could be much worse. My family made it out okay and my room was spared so I am all set as far as that's concerned.

SO Christmas is upon us! What does that mean?... crappy Christmas movies. Yup, and this year it seems as though ABC family will not disappoint. Now, I loves Patrick Swayze as much as the next girl. I still watch Dirty Dancing but I also know when it's time for people to bow out. Why not leave when people still respect and remember you for the outstanding role you played and the hearts you still melt whenever that horrible duet of Time of My Life booms over the school dance speakers. Admit it. You've fantasized about doing the lift. Fine, don't admit it now, but you know you have. I'm listening to it as I'm writing this. I love it.
So, judging by the commercials, Swayze plays a dad who gets laid off during the holiday season. His kids and he end up in some sort of mega mall. A mob boss lady played by Carmen Electra (Oh don't worry, I'll get to that in a later blog after I

ve seen the movie.)has two brainless idiots do a seemingly easy job of picking up her very big bag of money to give to her. Well, what do you know, the kids find the bag of money and go on a shopping spree and probably try to help their dad out. I'm sure the idiots go and look for the kids, they fall into shenanigans and the mob lady threatens the life of the children. Swayze learns the truth, gives them the money, the cops get involved, Swayze gets a job, and everyone lives happily ever after. I'm not really expecting an Oscar worthy movie, I'm just expecting a good holiday movie. I mean what happened to the good old holiday movies, like It's A Wonderful Life, Rudolph, Frosty the Snowman, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, Charlie Brown's Christmas Special, the first two Home Alones, (Don't even get me started about the others) or my personal favorite A Christmas Story. You know, the one with the red Ryder B.B. gun. I grew up on that movie with my dad. My dad had me watch that movie so many times I was able to quote most of it by age ten. This kind of goes without saying but, there is a very unlikely chance there will ever be another good Christmas movie at that level. Sure, there are some contenders. Elf starring the ever present Will Ferrell was cute. There were jokes appropriate for adults and children which in my opinion, is always fun,and it also had good laughs from Ferrell. Very rarely do I find a Will Ferrell movie that is genuinely funny. The last genuinely funny Ferrell movie I saw was Anchorman. I know, but it really was funny. Bodily humor is a weakness for me. I guess what I'm looking for is something that reflects reality a little more closely. I mean, not everything has a happy ending just because it's Christmas. Maybe that's the adult in my speaking... or the cynical one anyway.

Well, you never know maybe Four Christmases could be a new classic. As for movies coming out on Christmas or around the holiday, my pick is going to be The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. I think this will be one of Brad Pitt's best performances. I've seen his other movie Burn After reading and it was refreshing to see him in such a comedic role. I think his new film will be a great addition to his resume. Not to be left out, Tom Cruise is starring in a film I am most excited to see titled, Valkyrie. I saw the ads and Cruise looks like he has uhm.. how do I say this... become a little more sane. I can't wait to see him in this film that has already gotten so much acclaim. I love history as well and what could be better than a historical movie people will like watching. I was equally as excited when Heath Ledger starred in The Patriot in 2000. With the New year also brings Robert Pattinson's new film, Little Ashes, Friday the 13th, and there are a few others out there already. So... the next time I write it will most likely be closer to Christmas if not that very day, so, if I do not write until after, Merry Xmas, Happy Channukah, Happy Kwanzaa, etc.

At least she's still wearing black...

Heath Ledger was my favorite actor. Legit. He had an amazing way of bringing viewers directly into the story and also had a way of completely disappearing into a character which, is what some people led to his death. Michelle Williams was the one lucky woman who got to give him life in the form of their beautiful daughter Matilda Rose. She looks so much like her father in these pictures and I can't imagine anyone wanting to actually forget about Heath. MICHELLE DIDN'T GET THE MEMO. Michelle is with a new guy director Spike Jonze at the Gotham Awards. It hasn't even been a year since Heath Ledger has passed. I would know, the date is very significant for me. I can't even imagine moving on from this horrible tragedy yet. I mean, it's only been 11 months and tabloids have already said she has moved on. How could she? Her child's father was an acting legend (in my opinion) and I believe a woman or a man who has lost their child's parent should really take the time to figure out when the time is right to step out publicly with another man. Regardless or whether or not they were or were not married but still a part of him is in your daughter and you can't deny that you once felt for him. You once felt so strongly that you wanted to merge yourselves together in one being. Matilda deserves a father, yes. However, no father will ever be more perfect than her biological daddy. I think Michelle should wait a little longer to step out with another man.

And God answered my prayers...

So.. ironically enough after posting that last thing about how Robert Pattinson had the most potential out of the Twilight cast I found out that he will be starring in a new movie about the life of Salvador Dali. His acting will definitley be put to the test in this role. Salvador's character experiences love from both genders and both harbors his love and desire to create something of himself through visual art. His character is also quizzical. There are many different types of quizzical characters, there's Napoleon Dynamite, Juno, Little miss Sunshine types, but this will be one of the most challenging roles he will ever encounter as an actor. From the trailer I see that he definitley takes the character's mannerisms and thoughts very seriously, this actually may be his chance to break out of the teen movie genre. This could be the role that changes everything for him. This could lead him into the land of successful actors that were once child stars, this could either make or break him.


On another note, I actually did see the Twilight movie online for free. The quality was actually really good and I love the website. As for the movie itself... it had moments where I actually did laugh, "Google it." was one of my personal favorites. Everything in the end seemed like a really bad sci-fi channel movie. I kind of started laughing near the end. I'm sorry but it was beyond pathetic. Robert Pattinson did however fullfill my expectations of his character portrayal. He mastered the brooding young teenager role and even the responsible boyfriend at some parts. In all seriousness though, the story line of the movie seems a little out there, but maybe that's why so many people are into it. Kristen Stewart as Bella Swan was a little disappointing. Her looks were probably up to par but her acting could have been a little better at some parts. One of the best things about this movie was, was that the characters successfully established the sexual tension throughout the alotted time. At one part, the characters actaully do kiss and the hormones might as well flood off the screen but the fact that they don't have sex make it if anything a very different type of film for this day and age. I respect their choices. It's refreshing.
So, about this whole Jacob character, he's a creeper. The long hair freaks me out personally, yeah you're Native American... but... come on now. Cut it off. I have a feeling he will be more involved in the next movie but as for now I consider him to be a creep. Creeper. Creeper McCreeperson. But hey, that may prove to be as a challenge for the director because let's face it half the cash cow is Robert Pattinson. Not nearly as many people would go to see Jacob. It's just a fact. well, I guess we'll have to wait for the sadistic lion to finally eat the lamb and kill the wolf off in a later sequel. No worries though, I'm sure it will be just as enteraining as this last movie.... it'll have its moments.

Twilight Express Now Boarding

Today is November 20th and at midnight millions of tweens and young teenagers will flock to the theatres to see this movie called Twilight. I personally don't read the series but I can say that the amount of advertising and crazed fans have successfully made me NOT want to see the movie or read the books. Purely because of the fact I will then be a sheep or under this trance that Stephanie Meyers, the author has put these people under. I'm sure it's a wonderful series but you need to understand that in the beginning I would have been more than happy to read the books yet, when you tell somebody they "have to read this" I eventually stop listening to you because the only reason these people can give me, is, "Well, it's better than Harry Potter." or my personal favorite, "It has vampires." I don't understand how that is persuasive at all. The twilight plugs on t.v. have actually not been that bad. There has been an ad here or there but not nearly as much advertising as say, The Dark Knight. This movie relies on its fan base to ignite enough interest and pure fanaticism to draw crowds. Eye candy doesn't hurt either... which brings me to Robert Pattinson who plays the male lead, Edward Cullen.

Mr. Pattinson has graced the screen of another novel phenomenon, Harry Potter. Although he was not the lead male, he rivaled Harry with his good looks as the fictional Cedric Diggory. I thought out of all the actors in the Potter series he showed the most promise, go figure. I thought there would be so much more for him than sleazy teen films. Perhaps he will move on from this genre after Twilight. Don't get me wrong, the movie may be done well, but personally, this actor is capable of so much more. I may eat my words if I ever read the books or see the movie, but I do believe the main attraction to this story is Edward's character. If he were an ugly vampire who fell in love with an attractive girl and they loved each other how many people would show up to the theatres? Not very many would want to show up to an updated version of Beauty and the Beast. Which, in my opinion, this movie is. This movie is primarily a modern tale of this from what I hear. A brooding social outcast from both genders come together and learn they love each other despite the fact that he's a vamp and she's a normal girl. There's definitely more to it than that, but the main premise is that "love conquers all." So here's to you, Mr. Pattinson making it in another novel to movie franchise, I dearly hope you don't typecast yourself anymore than you already have.

What makes a phenomenon in the movie business? Is it the fact that so many people are interested in something at the same time? Or is it the fact that that people are persuaded into thinking they're into something? In a culture where we are bombarded by mass media and consumer generated advertisements, it becomes more and more unclear to me everyday. In the situation of Twilight I feel it is something for people to hold on to. Since Harry Potter has ended and there isn't anything for the facebook generation to latch onto movie wise, Twilight is the perfect antidote. Let's hope there is no chance of overdose or side effects.

T.R.L. Gives Me A Throwback

Last night was the last episode of TRL on MTV. I remember when Carson Daly hosted it and I would sneak around my parents to watch the Backstreet Boys and other favorite acts of mine perform on the stage as they counted down the top 10 music videos of the day. In those days you had to call in your vote, kids, no texts or Internet options... I definitely just showed my age. So, last night, the backstreet boys were there and they performed a few songs that make me wish I was nine again and had Nick Carter plastered all over my wall. They performed "All I Have To Give" which ironically, was one of the first videos I saw on TRL. They also performed one of their new hits, "Inconsolable". I love this song as much as their old stuff, it highlights each of their voices, minus Kevin of course, but nonetheless is a good tune.

I remember so vividly the first time I saw the Backstreet Boys... I was downstairs and they were on the news station my mum had on. They were described as "another Beatlemania" by the newscaster. Immediately, since I had no real connections other than the telephone, I called my best friend to have her go on the Internet and see if she could find anything about them. My family had a computer but I couldn't go online anytime I wanted. She said she saw some pictures and they were good looking. After that I remember listening to the radio non stop trying to get a listen to what everybody was talking about. Finally, a DJ put it on the airwaves, "Baby... Oh... Even in my heart I see... you're not being true to me..Deep within my soul I feel, nothing's like it used to be..." Looking back on it now, it's so cheesy but at that time what had befallen my young impressionable ears was that of the quintet composed by God, in my mind at least. It was as if I finally had an identity among my school mates. I was a Backstreet Boy fan who specialized in Nick Carter-ology. I was obsessed. Even to this day I still listen to them and have a tiny crush. I never got to go to one of their concerts. I don't have a t shirt like I've always wanted, I never got to say I met them. I remember trying to save up money to try and go see them. Only to save up to $48.72 and find out it's on a school night. My mum was not going to let me go. I was crushed. Even last night I felt a little envious of the girls that got to be at the Times Square studio, like the envy I had for the girls all over the world that got to see them perform.

I hope, I desperately hope that MTV replaces the time slot with actual music or music videos. I stopped watching TRL after 2002. It just didn't do anything for me anymore. They had people who didn't have talent or flash-in-the-pan artists would make appearances. I wanted what had come and gone. I really hope MTV promotes people that young kids can look up to or have fun listening to. It seems everything back then was about innocent love or girls or having fun. Everything now is adult. Let the kids be kids and let them sing about kid stuff. I will miss TRL but most of all I will miss the music and artists that it had brought to my attention, and those artists who still hold my attention regardless of their popularity on the radio or television.

<- then..

<- and now

And I still think Nick is adorable.

The name is Bond. James Bond.

The new James Bond film, Quantum of Solace hit theatres this past weekend. Daniel Craig gave a wonderful performance as the 007 agent. When he first became the new James Bond coming after Pierce Brosnan in Casino Royale I was very skeptical that he could fill the shoes worn by those before him. The big thing for me was that he has dirty blond hair and piercing blue eyes. Sure, I have learned to love those features but I had grown accustomed to the dark featured Pierce Brosnan. Craig does a great job of portraying the deeply affected and inconsolable Bond trying to avenge his last love.. fling would actually be a better word. Even though his love was short lived it must have struck him deeply because he spent most of his energy trying to find the people responsible for his love's sudden death. He does some amazing physical feats, for example, he and a foe fall through a glass ceiling and do a mind bending tango to the death while climbing, dodging, all while being suspended from ropes.

Craig also does not disappoint when it comes to the fantasy side of the movie. He is a true womanizer in every sense of the word. While in various hotels he manages to seduce or charm his way into and out of various situations, something that very few people have mastered with finesse. (I can't imagine living without it, personally.) Every movie one beautiful woman has to perish in order to save Bond or keep his identity safe. n this case, it was Fields, the woman he uhm, consummated. She was however, not the lead lady. This was the first Bond film where the leading Bond lady was not killed and not "loved" by Bond.

Craig is lovely as 007. He has done more than exceeded my expectations of fulfilling the James Bond role that had been occupied by such legendary and iconic actors such as Sean Connery and Pierce Brosnan. I hope to hear that he will last in a few more James Bond films because I feel he has done a fantastic job of carrying the iconic spy's personality and attitude.

The movie's theme song was also a hit. It was a brilliant mix of soul from Alicia Keys and edgy. rough staccato from Jack White of the White Stripes. The lyrics are intelligently composed as poetry and immediately entice the audience in the opening credits. This was the first time the theme song to a Bond movie was performed by a duet as well. In my opinion, they did a good job.