Despicable Me

Let us take time away from the grind of writing, deadlines, vampires, angst, romance, and anything else one can think of. Let us escape. Let us embrace the wonder that is DESPICABLE ME.

Not me... Despicable Me. I went to see this with Ahmed this weekend as a complete indulgent escape, and have not been as charmed and swept-away since Aladdin blew me off my theater seat. Steve Carell is that good as Gru.

Despicable Me is old-school animated fun, relying not on 3-D nonsense and trickery, but on great voice work and incredibly good writing. It's gothic, riddled with homage moments (Gru seems to be a combination of Peter Sellers and Boris Karloff with a dash of Boris Bedanof from Rocky and Bullwinkle). It's got a dash of Lemony Snicket without the severity, a bit of Willy Wonka without the absurdity, and touch of Beetlejuice without the esoterica. Roll it all together with Carell's absolutely perfect timing and we're off to the races.

Gru is, of course, the man who aspires to be the greatest villain of all time. He just keeps losing out to another super-nerd villain. In his quest to steal the moon (no kidding), Gru comes up with a diabolical plan to manipulate three little orphans. Intending to use them in his evil plot, he isn't expecting them to sneak up on his heart when he's busy planning dark deeds.

I just LOVED this movie. It was about family, and the true nature of fatherhood, and the power of the human heart. That it's set against a backdrop of not-so-evil super-villainy is brilliant. The Minions-- an army of weenie one and two-eyed critters with an infectiously elusive language of their own-- provide some of the most giggly comic relief ever. They will be the new Gremlins come Christmas-time.

Go see it. Now. Or I shall banish you to the box of shame!

at the movies

I heart going to the movies...and I'm one of those people who wants to get to the movie in time for the previews. (BTW, we went to see Kick-Ass the movie and it was actually pretty darn kick ass! And it's rated R for language and violence but if you're a mature 15 you should totally go see it...with parental permission of course)

I'm really looking forward to the following movies:

MaGruber!

MACGRUBER: Movie Trailer. Watch more top selected videos about: MacGruber, Jorma_Taccone, Will_Forte, Kristen_Wiig, Val_Kilmer

You know I'm a huge fan of the SNL skit...and I've heard from a good authority (someone who's already seen a sneak preview) that this movie is AWESOME. So on May 21...I'll be enjoying the awesome with other like minded individuals...

Killers

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Ashton Kutcher (looking yummy and ripped)and Katherine Heigel. This has the potential of being LOL funny. I hope it's not disappointing.

The Expendables:

THE EXPENDABLES: Movie Trailer - Watch more top selected videos about: The_Expendables_(2010_film), Jason_Statham, Sylvester_Stallone, Jet_Li, Arnold_Schwarzenegger, Bruce_Willis, Danny_Trejo, Dolph_Lundgren, The_Expendables

Holy cow! With this cast this movie is either going to be made of awesome, or a train wreck that you can't look away from. Either way, I'm there!

What movies are you looking forward to?

you can keep your 3-D

I don't enjoy 3-D movies and I haven't since Jaws 3-D.

Why?

Because I can't see it. I can't wear contacts anymore and since I wear glasses, those 3-D glasses don't fit me properly. So when I'm watching a 3-D movie, I see a lot of red and green and blur. No fun at all.

Plus, I really don't understand what is so thrilling about having to duck so you won't get poked in the eye by a 3-D arrow. Or punched by a 3-D fist. Or all wet by a 3-D waterfall.

So even if I could see 3-D, I just wouldn't enjoy it. During Jaws 3-D as a severed arm floated into my lap I remember thinking "Why did I think this would be fun?"

I know I'm pretty much alone in my anti-3-D world, but I'm okay with that.

Oh, and before I forget, we actually had a snow day in Little Rock last week, check out my pics on my website!

holiday traditions

Every year, we try to catch a couple of movies over the Christmas holiday. (Like most everyone else, it seems...) This year, I saw IT'S COMPLICATED Christmas night with a girlfriend and then the family went to see SHERLOCK HOLMES over the weekend.

Both movies were fun and I would highly recommend seeing them. The kids saw AVATAR as well and they've been dying to take me to see it ever since.

Do you do holiday movies? What movies did you see this year?

Movies with bite

In keeping with the Halloween week, I've decided to do a little post on my favorite vampire movies. I despise almost every scary movie known to mankind, but somehow vampire movies get a pass. I love them!

Here are a few of my favs:

Let The Right One In

I don't think this movie is nearly as popular as it should be. It's a real sleeper, full of unexpected goodness and a touch of in your face violence. Of course, it's also got a sweet romance. What's not to love? Seriously, check it out. (If you're a Netflix customer you can watch it instantly online.)



Next up is another semi-sleeper:

Near Dark

Near Dark is gritty tale of a family of vampires and the human they lure into their midst. You'll see some familiar faces in this one, too. The whole feel of this film works for me.



Now for the more popular choices:

Underworld I & II

While not a straight up vampire movie because it also features werewolves, it's the atmosphere that pulls me into these films. That sort of blue-black gleam that everything has makes these movies feel slick and edgy even while focused on characters and story lines centuries old. Just great flicks!




Some more favorites:
The Blade series - Especially the one with Ryan Reynolds. You know what I'm talking about.
The Lost Boys - a fond remembrance from my teenage years. Also? Billy Wirth shirtless. Um, yes please.

What's your favorite vampire movie?

Favorite Romantic Movies

As you've likely figured out, this week's theme is all about LOOOOVE. As for me, I love a good romantic movie. Dark, light, funny, serious--I don't care, just give me the romance, bay-bee! I want to release cathartic tears during the dark moment where all seems lost. I want to sigh with breathlessness at the ultimate declaration of love. I want to experience those highs and lows of falling in love--I think that's part of the reason I really enjoy writing romantic comedy.

There are quite a few tried-and-true movies I return to again and again whenever I want to watch a good romance:

The Thorn Birds. The forbidden love between Meggie and Father Ralph in this miniseries always, ALWAYS leaves me on the edge of my seat (and it doesn't hurt that I totally think Richard Chamberlain is HOT in it, LOL). The scene where Meggie's on the beach and running away from him, and then he runs after her and catches her, and they start to kiss--BAM! It gets me every time.

Little Women. I looooove Behr so much--he's so romantic and sweet and gentle and nervous toward Jo! *swoon* And they both bring out the best in each other in such a quiet, strong way. LOVE it.

Love, Actually. I adore Colin Firth, and when he proposes to his love in Portugese after studying hard to learn how to speak her language...I bawl like a baby!

Pride and Prejudice. Yup, another Colin Firth one. His portrayal of Darcy is magnetic--the way he tries to conquer his feelings for Elizabeth but just can't...it's so intense to watch.

The Princess Bride. Okay, we all know this one HAD to be on here, LOL. Carey Elwes, as a romantic pirate hero who rescues his true love? Classic.

Return to Me. The scene where David Duchovny is weeping in agony over the death of his wife tears me up EVERY TIME. I root for him to find true love again with Minnie Driver! They both SO deserve it.

Never Been Kissed. The baseball field scene at the end of the movie, where she's waiting for him to show up...and she thinks he isn't going to...and then he does, and he plants a whopper of a kiss on her! *siiiiiigh*

Sabrina. A great makeover story with heart. I love how the love slowly develops between the hero and heroine, until they just can't be without each other.

There are SOOO many other movies I could add to this list, but right now, I'm more interested in hearing your favorite romance movies. Share, share, share!!

sports movies

I'm a huge fan of sports related movies. Friday Night Lights, We Are Marshall, Bull Durham, Hoosiers, Jerry McGuire, Juwanna Mann (seriously, too funny)--you name a sports film, I've probably scene it. More than once. Hell my favorite TV Show of all time was Sports Night--which was about sports casters.

Last week, I spent some time rewatching favorite movies. Friday was Bull Durham. There is a scene in that movie that makes every girl weak at the knees. Crash Davis set the bar high for men all across the world with this speech: (strong language warning)



And yesterday, while folding laundry, I watched my all-time favorite sports movie, The Replacements, starring Gene Hackman and Keanu Reeves. It wasn't a blockbuster hit, but I could watch this movie every time it's on. Wait, I do watch this movie every time it's on. And I watch it other times as well because it's on my keeper shelf.

This is my favorite scene in the movie. It cracks me up every time. Is it realistic? I dunno. But it's funny as hell. The best part of the scene? The very last line. So watch it all the way to the end. (sexual content warning)



Are you a fan of sports movies and tv?

book to tv (or movie)

Every writer dreams of selling the tv or movie rights to their book. When I first started writing Bite Me! I imagined HBO picking it up as their first edgy teen vampire show. Too bad fellow Arkansan Charlaine Harris beat me to it.

I happen to be addicted to TRUE BLOOD, the HBO series based on Charlaine's Sookie Stackhouse books. I'm sad because next week is the last episode of the season. And now I'm fighting the urge to read the books.

But not for the reason you think.

I've heard from several people who've read the books, that they don't like the show. I adore the show and I don't want anything to change that. (I will say, I'm tired of Bill the Vampire though and ready for Sookie to hook up with that hot blond vamp, Eric. I've been told to read book 5 for that...so I might just have to go there....)

As a writer, my desire not to read the books disappoints me. I would want people who watch and love Bite Me! to run out and buy my books. (I mean, DUH!) so why am I so resistant to purchase/read Harris's books?

I dunno. Because I love to be surprised, I guess. It's very rare that I love a movie/tv show more than the book. And if I read the books, I'll probably stop watching the show. And I don't want to do that.

What about you guys? Can y'all enjoy a movie/tv series after you've read and loved the book? Or are you so die hard about the books that you can't enjoy the show with all the 'creative licenses' the directors take?

And do you think I should suck it up and read the books? Or just sit back and enjoy the show?

I smell a theme...

I can't stop thinking about Mel's post yesterday, so I decided to keep it going - in my own way. So, let's say you're still headed to that deserted island and that it's fully equipped with a solar powered personal DVD player. What three movies do you take?

If you'd asked me in high school, I would have said:

1. The Breakfast Club
2. Better Off Dead
3.The Lost Boys

Now, although I still love all those movies (The Breakfast Club also provides a nice sampling of '80's music), there are others I might need to swap in. Plus, I like having a touch of something darker. I think my current list would look like this:

1. The Breakfast club
2. LA Story
3. Blade Runner

Of course, there are so many other great movies that list leaves out. That eternal classic, The Princess Bride, for example. My Blue Heaven or Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, two more of my favorite Steve Martin movies. The Underworld movies. Then there are the golden oldies: Mame, Cat On A Hot Tin Roof, Houseboat, or anything with Cary Grant.

How do you choose? What would you choose? Share your three!

Remakes of movies--good or bad?

Hollywood's been on a kick for a long time remaking older movies. Some of them turned out to be really good, and I was happy to see them done. For example, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (starring Steve Martin and Michael Caine) was a HILARIOUS remake of Bedtime Story. I also liked the remake of Ocean's Eleven (didn't care for the sequels, but that's a different blog post, LOL).

But then I hear that movies like Short Circuit, starring Ally Sheedy and Steve Guttenberg (if you don't remember the original, go HERE to check out the IMDB info) are getting remade.

REALLY?! My jaw dropped clear to the floor when I found that out.

The original film was so, so, so cheesetacular, LOL...why waste time remaking this instead of coming up with a whole new movie? Who gave this idea the thumbs up?!

AND, to make me cry even harder, they're remaking Dirty Rotten Scoundrels to release in 2010. How can they possibly come close to the working chemistry between Martin and Caine? They were so, so funny together.

So, how do you feel about remakes--yay, keep 'em coming? Nay, it's time to move on to fresh material? Dish!

friendships

Chrissy blogged about friends the other day, and I'm going to continue with that theme.

I saw the Sex and the City movie this weekend. It was an emotional rollercoaster full of happiness, nostalgia and real life pain. But most of all, it was a great lesson on friendship and forgiveness.

True friendship comes unconditionally and the movie was a great example of how fiction can portray real life. I highly recommend the movie to anyone sixteen and up (it's pretty darn Racy--hence the R rating)--even if you didn't follow the show, I think you'll leave the theater with a good understanding of what friendship can and should be.

I have one really good friend from high school. We've remained very close all these years. We survived high school, colleges, broken hearts, getting fat, getting skinny (and getting fat again) babies, money troubles and moving away. What we have is special. I know this. I think the reason we found each other and have remained such good friends is because we truly put no conditions on our friendship.

As an adult, I've learned to go with my gut when it comes to forming lasting friendships. Unfortunately, it took me a long time to learn that lesson, and I ended up hurt because I had chosen a few friends who did not know how to be a "friend" back. I don't regret the lesson I learned when the friendship fell apart because it taught me to be true to myself no matter what.

The point of my rambling is, be true to yourself and your real friends will be true to you. You may end up weeding out a faux friend or two, but when its all said and done, your true friendships will be stronger than ever. Go with your gut. It really won't lead you astray.

Gwen is about.....

Getting to know....Gwen

Yeah, I know I'm a writer-type person. But something about droning on and on about myself just doesn't appeal. So, I searched the internet for a fun meme...or bleme if you wanna get technical with made-up words.

Movie Meme

1. Name a movie that you have seen more than 10 times.

Grease, Star Wars, any Disney movie from the 90's (thank my kids for that), Wayne's World, Christmas Vacation, Dirty Dancing, Princess Bride

2. Name a movie that you've seen multiple times in the theater.

Grease, Star Wars, Titanic, Dirty Dancing

3. Name an actor that would make you more inclined to see a movie.

Harrison Ford, Will Ferrell
Cary Grant...he's dead, but I spose that would be part of the big draw.

4. Name an actor that would make you less likely to see a movie.

Jim Carrey really bothers me.



5. Name a movie that you can and do quote from.

Oh Gawd, don't get me started! Airplane, Napolean Dynamite, Blades of Glory, Christmas Vacation, Princess Bride, Dodgeball

6. Name a movie musical that you know all of the lyrics to all of the songs.

Grease. And any Disney movie from the 90's of course.

7. Name a movie that you have been known to sing along with.

Grease..I got chills.......

8. Name a movie that you would recommend everyone see.

Blades of Glory and Titanic

9. Name a movie that you own.

Seriously? All the ones I've mentioned. And then some.



10. Name an actor that launched his/her entertainment career in another medium but who has surprised you with his/her acting chops.

Will Smith


11. Have you ever seen a movie in a drive-in? If so, what?

Dodgeball was the last one.

12. Ever made out in a movie?

Am I really lame if I say no? Cuz no.

13. Name a movie that you keep meaning to see but just haven’t yet gotten around to it.

Night at the Roxbury

14. Ever walked out of a movie?

A movie reel broke once, so I had to leave. I was pretty upset about it too. And there was one movie my parents made me go to when I was really sick. I wish I could have walked out. I believe I napped.

15. Name a movie that made you cry in the theater.

Beaches, E.T., Titanic

16. Popcorn?

MUST have popcorn. A lot of it. Keep it coming.

17. How often do you go to the movies (as opposed to renting them or watching them at home)?

Hardly ever anymore. Too spendy.

18. What’s the last movie you saw in the theater?

Blades of Glory, I think

19. What’s your favorite/preferred genre of movie?

Comedy. In case you weren't sure.

20. What’s the first movie you remember seeing in the theater?

Cinderella (ella ella ella) is the first I remember. I'm sure there were some prior to that though.

21. What movie do you wish you had never seen?

The Exorcist. I wish I could "unsee" it.

22. What is the weirdest movie you enjoyed?

11:14 was really bizaree and good. And The Last Supper...omG that was good

23. What is the scariest movie you've seen?

The Exorcist. I was too young. I'm still Traumatized.

24. What is the funniest movie you've seen?

No, really. I can't.
Something About Mary. maybe. Airplane. ack