Pirates of the Caribbean 4

So, I know a while back I ranted about movies not needing a bajillion sequels. I'm about to sound hypocritical when I tell you I'm pretty darn excited to see POTC 4: On Stranger Tides. It looks like it's going to be a good one. And I'm not just saying that either. Plus to top in off, it will be shown in IMAX 3D, which is freaking awesome. It is... okay, just see for yourself.

Looking for something to do this Friday night?

Look no further. Here is IMDb's list of the top 10 movies this week. So if you're thinking you'd like to take your date to the movies this weekend, here are some that are sure to get you bonus points for a good pick.

1.) The Unknown
2.) Gnomeo & Juliet
3.) I Am Number Four
4.) Just Go with It
5.) Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son
6.) Justin Bieber: Never Say Never
7.) The King's Speech
8.) The Roommate
9.) The Eagle
10.) No Strings Attached 


These movies were the top grossing for the week of February 18. Check 'em out!

Feature of the Week: Mamma Mia!

People everywhere
A sense of expectation hanging in the air
Giving out a spark
Across the room your eyes are glowing in the dark
And here we go again, we know the start, we know the end
Masters of the scene
We've done it all before and now we're back to get some more
You know what I mean...

Recognize this song? If you do, I have to give you some major props. Even if you haven't heard the song, I'm sure you've heard of the group in some form or another. Any guesses? Come on. Oh wait, what's that? You think it's ABBA? DING DING DING!!! You would be correct.

For those of you who have no idea who ABBA is (shame on you), let me enlighten you. ABBA was a popular band back in the 70s. (Perhaps you've heard of the A*Teens, a group of kids who covered ABBA's music in the late 90s, early 2000s.) Two of the group members decided they wanted to use their music to write a musical; Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus worked with Judy Craymer, and Mamma Mia! was born. 

Mamma Mia! is the ultimate feel good production. I've seen both the show and the movie, and both are mind-blowing. The music is catchy, the acting well done, and the plot uplifting. When I saw the play, the atmosphere in the theater was absolutely infectious. I couldn't help but laugh, smile, and sing the whole time. Not only was the show fantastic, but on top of that, the costumes were outrageous (as you can see). I loved it! It also helped that I sat in the second row of the orchestra right behind the conductor. 

This production shows what happens when a girl gets lonely... and then her daughter wants to meet her dad. Who gets to walk her down the aisle? I guess you'll have to watch the movie and find out.

Can it really be time already? It sure is: Production 2011

Finally, the time is here.

Every February, the drama club at my school gets ready to shine.  Production usually runs in the last week of February, but it was moved up a week this year. And that week, is, in fact, this week.  I know I speak for the entire cast and crew when I say anxiety levels are currently through the roof.  Tonight is dress rehearsal; everyone gets out of class at 1:30 and we will all be here indefinitely (Yuck).  Stress is running me into the ground (when you're x amount of assignments behind in calc class with a test set for the beginning of next week with no time to catch up, this is what happens) and I'm hoping to catch a break here soon.  But for right now, I'm just trying to live in the moment, and enjoy the last performance of my high school career.  The last performance at my high school.  Ever.

The play is a showcase with many small skits.  My skits are Blithe Spirit (I play Ruth, the wife of a man who's dead ex-wife has come back to haunt him and torture me [it's great!]), Mama, Look Sharp from 1776 (I play one of three mama's and we all serenade our dying sons) and Cool, Cool Men from the same show (I get to be a man!).  The last two are musical numbers.  SO MUCH FUN!

It will be fun.  It will also be crazy, frustrating and beyond chaotic, but above all, it will be fun.  If you're in the area, come check it out.  Tickets are $6 for adults and $4 for kids at the door.  Friday and Saturday, 7:30 PM.

Be there, or be square.

How We Fell in Love

It's still Valentine's Day for a few more hours.  Whether you hate it, or you love it, V-Day is a time to celebrate! Even if you don't have a special someone to share the day with, you still have friends and family who love you.  This day has particular significance to me- today, my boyfriend and I share our two year anniversary.  (Go ahead,   a nice long "awwww!" is appropriate here.)  For those of you who have someone special to share the day with (and even those who don't!) check out this clip from When Harry Met Sally.  It makes my heart smile, and hopefully yours will too.

Feature of the Week: Castle

She's armed. He's dangerous. 

What a fantastic line. Never heard it before? Then you, my friend, need to turn your tv to ABC at 10 PM EST every Monday night and pay close attention. Why you ask? The answer is simple. Richard Castle and Kate Beckett have some crime solving to do and they need an audience. 

Let me give you some background. Richard Castle (Nathan Fillion) is a best-selling mystery writer with all kinds of connections. Kate Beckett (Stana Katic) is a homicide detective who's only goal in life is to keep the scum of NYC off the streets. Castle lives a life of luxury with his daughter and later his mother (who moves back to his house) while Beckett eats Chinese take-out on an almost daily basis.  See the connection yet? Good, because I haven't given it away yet.  At the very start of the series, a murder is committed and staged to look like a scene from one of Castle's novels.  Beckett enlists his help and he proves rather helpful, even though he also proves he's rather good at "pulling her pigtails." This shindig was supposed to be a one-time deal. Or so Beckett thought.  Castle uses his famous-guy connections with the mayor to tail Beckett for "material for his next book," a novel with a main character based on Beckett. (Both books he wrote in the show are actually in print. Heat Wave and Naked Heat.  Excellent books.  READ THEM!!!!) As time goes on, the romantic connection between them is so obvious, but of course nothing has yet to happen.

This show is fantastic!  It has a CSI-type edge to it, but with more humor and quite a few more feel good moments.  But don't get me wrong; Castle is notorious for two-parters that leave you on the edge of your seat for a whole week.  The show has been signed for a fourth season due out later in the year (it's still in the third).  In my personal opinion, having a gorgeous lead actor has helped out the show quite a bit. (Nathan Fillion = sexiness.)  After all, Castle himself says it best- "I really am ruggedly handsome, aren't I?" Yes Nathan, you sure are.

So what are you waiting for!? You have approximately an hour an a half to tune in. Get going!

Ten Most Iconic Movie Kisses

Valentine's Day is almost here and it's time to break out the rom-coms, chick flicks, and just flat out feel good movies to watch with your sweetie. And what's Valentine's Day without a little smooching? I'm sure you've seen many, if not all of these kisses happen, whether you watched the movie or not. These are some of Hollywood's greatest romantic moments. 


1. Gone with the Wind: Every girl wants a romantic like Rhett Butler in her life. "You should be kissed, and often. And by someone who knows how," he tells Scarlett O'Hara, and later shows her he is the perfect man for the job. I think we all need to be kissed often, Mr. Butler.

2. Lady and the Tramp: Who ever thought a classy uptown girl would fall in love with a dirty little stray? Well, it happens in this 1955 Disney classic. The two share a sweet doggy kiss over a shared plate of spaghetti.

3. Breakfast at Tiffany's: Despite the fact that this romantic movie is based on a less-than-lovey novella, the kiss between Holly and Paul in the last scene is still heart warming.

4. When Harry Met Sally: This movie sparked quite a bit of controversy-- can men and women really be "just friends?" Harry and Sally can't, that's for sure. And as Harry told Sally, "I came here tonight because when you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with someone, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible." It's true.

5. Pretty Woman: Vivian can't get attached to her clients, so she makes it quite clear that she doesn't "kiss on the mouth." Things soon begin to change when she becomes attached to her client Edward. It becomes obvious when the two share on full-on-the-lips kiss. I'm sure you can figure out the ending.

6. Ghost: The finally scene in this movie is utterly heart wrenching. Molly kisses Sam's spirit for the last time before he can finally make the transition to heaven. Brings me to tears every time, I swear.

7. Titanic: Yet another tear jerker. Not the movie for anyone is a bad mood. Although, this kiss will make you wish you could trade places with Rose (if you're a girl, that is) even if the boat does sink and kill a ton of people.

8. Spiderman: What girl hasn't fantasized about kissing a spandex-clad superhero upside-down in the pouring rain? ...Well, this steamy kiss will make you think about it. 

9. Slumdog Millionaire: Love really does come in unexpected places. Not only do Jamal and Latika share a sweet, optimistic kiss, but Dev Patel (Jamal) and Frieda Pinto (Latika) are real life off-screen sweethearts. Aww.  

10. Twilight: Whether you are Team Edward or Team Jacob, this kiss will make you desperate for more. Bella can't tear herself away from Edward and you won't be able to tear your eyes away from the screen.  

So get out there, grab your hun and, watch one or all of these firework inducing kisses. You may even get a little peck yourself!

*Courtesy of CNN.com

Ready for the Oscars?

Mark your calendar; once again it's time for the Oscars! On Sunday February 27th, 2011, the 83rd Annual Academy Awards will be held.  ABC will be hosting the event, which starts at 6:30 PM. But who (and what) has been nominated? Look no further, for the nominees are here. Keep in mind, these are not ALL of the nominees.  If you want to know the rest, tune in on Feb. 27!

Best Picture

·         Black Swan

·         The Fighter

·         Inception

·         The Kids Are All Right

·         The King’s Speech

·         127 Hours

·         The Social Network

·         Toy Story 3

·         True Grit

·         Winter’s Bone

Best Director

·         David O. Russell (The Fighter)

·         Darren Aronofsky (Black Swan)

·         Joel Coen, Ethan Coen (True Grit)

·         David Fincher (The Social Network)

·         Tom Hooper (The King’s Speech)

Best Actor

·         Colin Firth (The King’s Speech)

·         James Franco (127 Hours)

·         Jesse Eisenberg (The Social Network)

·         Jeff Bridges (True Grit)

·         Javier Bardem (Biutiful)

·         Annette Bening (The Kids Are All Right)

·         Natalie Portman (Black Swan)

·         Michelle Williams (Blue Valentine)

·         Nicole Kidman (Rabbit Hole)

·         Jennifer Lawrence (Winter’s Bone)

Best Supporting Actor

·         Christian Bale (The Fighter)

·         Geoffrey Rush (The King’s Speech)

·         Mark Ruffalo (The Kids Are All Right)

·         John Hawkes (Winter’s Bone)

·         Jeremy Renner (The Town)

Play of the Week: Phantom of the Opera

Broadway shows come and go all the time, but some stay longer than others.  Some are hits and last for years, while others flop almost instantly.  One of my all-time favorite shows happens to be one of Broadway’s longest running shows: “The Phantom of the Opera.” My first exposure to “Phantom” came in the eighth grade when the school band played a medley from the show.  I had another encounter one year later when I finally watched the show on DVD, and then again another year later when I finally saw the show on Broadway.  Words cannot describe what I experienced that day. The cast was spectacular, the costumes phenomenal, and the effects blew me away. Even the theater itself was gorgeous.


For those of you who do not know the plot of the play, it takes place in an opera house in Paris. Said opera house is the home of the unwanted masked musical genius known as the "Phantom", who has made it his business to see that the young dancer Christine, whose sweet voice captured his heart, stars in the operas he himself writes. The owners realize they must put on his productions or else terrible things begin to take place. With time it becomes obvious that the Phantom loves more than just Christine's voice, but the girl herself. However, Christine realizes she is torn between her love for her childhood friend, Raoul and her fascination for the Phantom, despite his growing reign of terror.


I must warn you: the show is 99.9% singing. For those of you who cannot handle this, I advise you to stay away. But, if you can handle the beautiful vocals of the performers, I highly recommend this show. It would get five stars in my book any day.