Dolphin Tale Poster

How much did everyone love Dolphin Tale?

Well good news, Dolphin Tale 2 will soon be released!

And I have the official movie poster to give away.

Want it?  Let me know.

Movie Review: Gimme Shelter

A few weeks ago I was asked if I would watch an upcoming movie and write up a review on my blog. Since I like nothing more than sitting back to empty my head and take in a movie, I was quick to accept.

I actually had the option of getting a "press pass" to see it on the big screen the night before it premiered, but my schedule put its foot down and said no way, Jose, you can't fit a movie in on a Thursday night! So instead I watched it on my laptop from the comfort of my couch. I Just followed the link they sent me and voila, movie time.

I'm fancy.

I'm high falootin'.

Anyway, the movie is Gimme Shelter. It stars none other than High School Musical's own Vanessa Hudgens. When I told my friend that Vanessa was in it, she said, "Who?" And I just stared at her and said, "Uh, High School Musical....? DUH?" She continued to stare at me blankly while I stared at her like she was an idiot until it dawned on me. She's no idiot. Just the mother of two sons.

But I digress. Here is the official two sentence synopsis of the movie:


Based on a true story, Gimme Shelter centers on pregnant teenager Agnes "Apple" Bailey (Vanessa Hudgens) who flees her drug-ridden mother (Rosario Dawson) in search of a better life of her own. Turned away by her Wall Street father (Brendan Fraser), Apple is forced into the streets on a desperate journey of survival.

Cast:
Vanessa Hudgens, Rosario Dawson, Brendan Fraser and James Earl Jones

James Earl Jones didn't have a large part, nonetheless, he was amazing. Don't you just love James Earl Jones? Is there anyone who doesn't love James Earl Jones in anything he does? I even love to say his name.
James Earl Jones.
James Earl Jones.
James Earl Jones.
Say it with me,
James Earl Jones.

Ok enough of that.

As for Vanessa Hudgens, she was wonderful. As you may or may not know, it is generally true that an actress's talent in a movie is indirectly proportional to her attractiveness. Vanessa uglied herself up pretty good for this role, and as a result, her performance was stellar.

The story line was a bit predictable, but since it is based on a true story, I guess that's not much of a factor upon which to weigh the merits of the movie.

Because the protagonist is a traumatized, abused, foster kid with attachment problems, I kept a watchful eye as to how they would portray this angle, and I have to say kudos. Job well done.

With a very minimal soundtrack, the movie had a bit of a documentary feel to it. Id didn't seem very "movie-ey". That's a word, isn't it? Can fancy high falootin' movie reviewers say "movie-ey"? I say yes.

Even so, I enjoyed the movie. I laughed, I cried, it became a part of me.

Well, hold on. I don't think I laughed. I did cry. I cheered a little. I smiled. I related. I rooted.


Would you like to see the trailer? Here it is for your viewing pleasure:




Gimme Shelter.
Check it out!





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You Had Me At Russell Crowe.

I just got word of a movie coming out called Noah.

It's about, well, Noah.

And it's starring my man Russell Crowe!

So, yeah....

Anyway, here's the word.

And a trailer.

Enjoy!!!


NOAH
Synopsis: After visions of an apocalyptic deluge, Noah, the world’s only righteous man, is chosen to undertake a divine mission to build a massive ark to save his family and all of creation before the impending rains fall and the flood waters rise.

Cast: Russell Crowe, Sir Anthony Hopkins, Jennifer Connelly and Emma Watson

Director: Darren Aronofsky

Trailer:


Remember, you saw it here FIRST, ladies and gents.



Click to vote?

Captain Phillips

I went with some of the kids to see Captain Phillips last night.

I was very disappointed.

I did not see Phil Phillips ONCE in the whole movie.

There wasn't even any singing.




Image source


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Thanks!

Percy Jackson

Everyone change your plans for tonight.

You need to get yourselves to the movies.

Why, you ask???

To see Percy Jackson, Sea of Monsters, of course.

Why, you ask again?

To see my sister Mary Birdsong!

Mary plays a creepy-scary-ghoulish-cab driver from hell.

You can read what she has to say about the experience by going to her blog Big Mama's Honeymoon Underpants.

She has a video clip of her scene on there, too. You will NOT believe how six hours of make-up and prosthetics can transform my Bee-U-ti-ful little sister into something so ghastly.
(Mary is the one behind the wheel)


Image source


Check it out!


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The Conjuring

I saw The Conjuring on Saturday night with a few kids.

If you like good old-fashioned ship your pants kind of scary, go see this movie.

Scary.

Scary.

Scary.

Oh my gracious.

Good times.

Here's a trailer.

If you like scary, go see it.

And be ready with a big bucket of popcorn.



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Circle of Moms plug!

There are only two more days to vote and I'm hoping to keep a place somewhere in the Top 25.

Will you help?


If you'd like to vote for me, just click on the image below, then scroll down till you see my blog, then click on the vote button. You can vote once a day till the contest ends on 7/24. If I can keep in the top 25 I can get a cool badge to wear proudly on my blog!





XOXO!


*************

And don't forget Top Mommy Blogs! You know the drill by now. Just click the juggling chick and you've voted. You can vote every day till like, forever.



Thanks!

Sister Treat 14

My sisters Mary and Veronica and I go on a sister's retreat every year. It's the brilliant brain child of Mary, and we've been doing it 14 years now, ever since my baby Daniel was about a year old.

When my kids were little, they always called it our "sister treat", so of course that's been it's official name for years.

I just came back from Sister Treat 14, and I shall go into a year long period of mourning till we can do this again next year.

A few times we've pulled out all the stops, whatever that means, and done things in grand style. Last year for instance, we flew to Mexico and stayed at a lovely resort for a few days. Once we went to Puerto Rico, and once to LA. Usually, however, we stay pretty local. Someplace we can get to within a few hours drive, and a few times we stayed right at Mary's place in Manhattan.

This was one such time.

We decided we would make this a Jerry Seinfeld treat. Much as Jerry Seinfeld was a show about nothing, this was to be our treat about nothing. We went into it without an itinerary and just flew by the seat of our pants all weekend.

And it was lovely.

On our second Treat, we had a waitress that could double for Julia Child in appearance and voice that would ask us, "Would the ladies care for some winnnnne?"





This year we had our first dinner at the Italian restaurant downstairs from Mary's apartment. The food was gourmet and delicious and carried us through several hours of talking and reminiscing and home-grown therapy.

Next day we had the most amazing brunch at a place we just happened to be passing by near Times Square. I had French Toast that was sitting in some kind of maple-infused cream and it had caramelized apples and I thought I was in heaven. Weight Watchers can just back off for a couple days. We got massages at a little spa that we almost passed right by and it was serene and cheap and utterly transforming. We laughed ourselves silly at "Avenue Q" off Broadway and finished off the night with another round of therapy, talking till 2 or 3 in the morning.

On Sunday we had high tea, did some upper East side shopping, got mani-pedis, and took in a movie with lots of buttered popcorn and cold drinks (stand down, WW, I'll be back soon, I promise).







Monday brought a few more hours of shopping and little surprises and more talking and laughing.

I didn't want to leave!!!

But all good things must come to an end, I suppose.


At least we have next year to look forward to.

And the year after that,

and the year after that,

and the year after that.....





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My blog has been nominated for the Top 25 Moms With Big Families - 2013 list on Circle of Moms!
If you'd like to vote for me, just click on the image below, then scroll down till you see my blog, then click on the vote button. You can vote once a day till the contest ends on 7/24. If I can keep in the top 25 I can get a cool badge to wear proudly on my blog!




XOXO!


*************

And don't forget Top Mommy Blogs! You know the drill by now. Just click the juggling chick and you've voted. You can vote every day till like, forever.



Thanks!

Movie Pass Giveaway!

Hey there readers!

I have a giveaway for you!

Two movie passes for The Conjuring (click the link to see the trailer).

Have you seen the preview/trailer yet? It looks REALLY spooky and awesome.

I can't wait to see it.


If YOU'D like a chance at seeing it for FREE, leave me a comment below.

I will pick one winner at random, and will have two movie passes for The Conjuring sent to you asap.



Let the commenting begin!


************

My blog has been nominated for the Top 25 Moms With Big Families - 2013 list on Circle of Moms!
If you'd like to vote for me, just click on the image below, then scroll down till you see my blog, then click on the vote button. You can vote once a day till the contest ends on 7/24. If I can keep in the top 25 I can get a cool badge to wear proudly on my blog!




XOXO!


*************

And don't forget Top Mommy Blogs! You know the drill by now. Just click the juggling chick and you've voted. You can vote every day till like, forever.



Thanks!