White Noise

My review of Man On A Ledge...

2012-01-18T23:14:00.001-05:00

My first reaction when I saw the commercials for this movie was, "This looks like a stupid movie." It wasn't a smart thriller like Contagion by any means, but it surprised me. I was actually entertained (even though I figured things out early into the movie). It was good to see how they put the pieces together. I would recommend this movie if you are looking for an hour and 42 minutes of pure entertainment. It will make you forget about your stresses until the movie is done. After all,isn't that the point of a movie?

The Devil Inside...

2012-01-05T23:14:00.001-05:00

Isabella learns that her mother murdered 3 church members while undergoing an exorcism and she travels to Rome with a documentary crew to discover the facts about exorcisms and her mother.

It was dark, creepy and sometimes a little shocking and yet, sometimes pretty predictable. I actually had to cover my eyes in a couple of parts. I would say go see it (if you are not bothered by that kind of subject). But it's not a movie that I would say deserves the full ticket price. I would rather see the extended cut of the Exorcist instead.

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo...

2011-12-25T21:14:00.000-05:00

For once I didn't actually read the book before seeing the movie. So I wasn't as disappointed as my sister at how many details were skipped in the movie that were in the book. I thought it was a sexy,action packed,thriller/mystery. I highly recommend it.

The Darkest Hour

2011-12-23T19:53:00.000-05:00

The movie was o.k. It reminded me too much of Independence Day. Especially when some of the characters were giving their inspirational speeches. The aliens looked cool (when you could see them!) All in all, I recommend that either you wait until it gets to the cheaper priced theaters or rent it from Redbox.

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows

2011-12-13T23:12:00.001-05:00

Before you see this, rent the first one, just so you can remember how it ends. The second one seems like it takes place right from where the first one left off. It was good. It made me realize that I need to really pay attention to details. It's just so hard for me to do that! Lots of action, things blown up! Definitely a man's movie! Jared Harris (Professor Moriarty) is a really good bad guy and I enjoyed Moriarty's and Holmes's witty banter. Go see it!

My review of Hugo...

2011-11-24T15:48:00.007-05:00

It's a good family movie. It's educational, yet entertaining. The 3-D really wasn't essential to the story, but some of the scenes were kind of cool especially when it looked like the characters were walking off the screen and right into the theater! It was good. I recommend it.

Here is the trailer for the movie in HD... http://youtu.be/hR-kP-olcpM

My review of Apollo 18...

2011-09-10T22:00:00.000-04:00

Although the poster pretty much gives away the plot of the movie, I still thought it was OK. It still scared me a little bit. I wouldn't recommend paying to see it. I would wait until it's available for rental.

My Super 8 review...

2011-06-12T20:57:00.000-04:00

The movie is set in the late 1970's in a small Ohio town. These kids are filming a Super 8 zombie movie and happen to witness a pickup truck drive on the train tracks and derail the train causing huge explosions and something that escapes from one of overturned the train cars. Pets and people start mysteriously disappearing and it's up to the town deputy and the kids to figure out why.

I liked it although there were some plot holes and it really did remind me of Cloverfield. It was a entertaining movie.

P.S. Stay after the credits roll, you won't be disappointed!

Something Borrowed...

2011-04-27T23:51:00.000-04:00

This movie was very predictable and clichéd. Plain girl versus pretty girl in a rivalry for the good looking man's affection. I personally think that Ginnifer Goodwin is not plain and Kate Hudson really pissed me off in this movie. I am getting so tired of her being the pretty b**ch. This is one movie I am glad I didn't pay for and definitely wouldn't!

Girl Walks Into A Bar...

2011-03-14T15:57:00.001-04:00

Just watched Girl Walks Into A Bar on YouTube.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7D4yQPQfFQM&feature=fvwkrel I really liked it! It was a good story about a woman who somehow meets up with at least 10 different people on a quest to retrieve something that her ex-husband possesses. Somehow these 10 different people have their own stories and somehow they all intertwine together. Definitely worth watching!

My review of I Love You Phillip Morris

2010-12-20T22:51:00.000-05:00

First of all, I didn't realize that this was a true story until I looked at the bottom of the poster. It did say that in the beginning of the movie, but I really couldn't believe all of it was true. I actually had to look it up on the Internet! Secondly, I agreed with the filmmakers (or possibly the scriptwriter's) opinion that Steven Russell (Jim Carrey's character) made a fool out of the state of Texas and Governor George Bush!
It was a good movie, but if you have issues about two men (if you get my drift) then don't see it.

Morning Glory...

2010-11-04T22:26:00.000-04:00

Liked it It was cute. Rachel was cute in it! A young newbie Associate Producer has to figure out how to fix a failing entertainment news show, put up with a diva anchor and a news anchor who thinks that the frivolous show is beneath him. How does she manage to fix all that and still meet someone to share her life with? Watch the movie to find out!

Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps

2010-09-15T22:13:00.000-04:00

I liked it! I didn't think that it was going to be as good as the first one, but it surprised me! They filled in most of the plot holes that were left from Wall Street. Michael Douglas was good though not as good as he was in the first one. I think that anyone could have played Shia's role and they would've been fine. He was mediocre.

Paranormal Activity 2...

2010-06-30T14:09:00.000-04:00

There were some creepy parts in the first one! Can't wait to see how they do this one! http://www.paranormalmovie.com/?dl

Toy Story 3

2010-06-22T22:58:00.000-04:00

Toy Story 3 was really a great ending to a great series of movies. I couldn't think of a better way to tie up the franchise and I hope they don't make another Toy Story movie. I think they have ended the series the classiest way possible. Go see the movie. It's definitely worth the money!

Super 8 - Official Teaser Trailer HD (2010)

2010-05-12T14:52:00.000-04:00

This comes out in 2011. Can't wait to see it!!!

Iron Man 2

2010-05-07T00:39:00.000-04:00

It's been a while since Iron Man came out, but I thought this was pretty good! I really liked Don Cheadle. I think he got some of the best lines in the movie! I would recommend it!

How To Train Your Dragon...

2010-05-04T15:59:00.000-04:00

I liked it! I thought it was really cute! I would definitely recommend it for all ages. The voice actors were good, especially Craig Ferguson (kinda interesting that they had 2 Scottish Vikings!). The animation was really good too.

Music Player

2010-03-31T23:44:00.000-04:00

Music Playlist at MixPod.com

My thoughts on Michigan drivers...

2010-03-25T16:30:00.000-04:00

Why must you all suck at driving? Today two of my biggest pet peeves about bad driving occurred. Whilst (impressive word use, hunh? Thanks Kevin!) driving on the expressway to my crazy ex-husband's apartment. My first pet peeve happened. A driver before me just decided to go slow for no reason!!! What the f*ck was going on that you'd have to slow down on an expressway for!! Stop playing with yourself and pull over before you get into a accident!!!! The second pet peeve happened (this is the one that bothers me the most) when a person ahead of me just braked for NO APPARENT REASON!!! Oh no, an eye floater!!! What the heck are you thinking??!!

Bite Me by Christopher Moore is out today!

2010-03-23T17:16:00.003-04:00

Can't wait to get my copy!!!

Our Family Wedding

2010-03-11T21:27:00.005-05:00

I enjoyed it! I thought it was a very well-written dram-edy. I would recommend it! Forest Whitaker can be funny!! Who knew??!!

The 80's are back!

2010-03-05T22:06:00.003-05:00

A typical guy movie. I would describe it as a Back to the Future crossed with The Hangover. I personally think the best thing about the movie was the soundtrack. There were some funny moments, but I'm glad I didn't pay for the movie. I would've asked for my money back.

Catching up on Being Human Season 2 episodes...

2010-02-18T11:36:00.002-05:00

I love this show and wish I could see season 2 on t.v. in the states!

Legion

2010-01-26T18:27:00.005-05:00

I thought it was good. The special effects were awesome! Doug Jones was creepy as the Ice Cream Man and Paul Bettany was great as Michael.

Men Who Stare At Goats...

2009-11-14T23:09:00.003-05:00

I thought it was good! Funny! Different! Interesting! P.S. Goat was a very talented actor!

NEW Progresso Soup Can Phone TV Ad - Enjoy the View

2009-11-10T13:37:00.002-05:00

I like this commercial because of what the husband said, "Hey, can you tell my wife to relax and enjoy the view?". It's the way the actor says it that cracks me up!! I feel like telling the wife to stop whining about how he looks and just be happy he's saying for her to enjoy the view, and not everyone!! If my significant other looked like he did 20 years ago (i.e. Rob Estes or someone) than I would be freakin' excited and not waste time bitching about it. I'd be showing him how attractive he is to me and jump his bones!

Paranormal Activity

2009-11-05T13:39:00.003-05:00

Kinda wish I hadn't seen reviews on it before I saw the movie. They kind of ruined it for me 'cause I knew more than I should have. It was good, creepy and the special effects were good. I thought it was ok.

Rally held in Pontiac to protect film tax credits | detnews.com | The Detroit News

2009-10-27T10:12:00.001-04:00

Rally held in Pontiac to protect film tax credits | detnews.com | The Detroit News

Don't take the tax credits away!!!

I just realized something....

2009-10-19T00:28:00.003-04:00

I really need to do something with my life. I need to get out there and get educated! I can't wait until November 9 and hopefully I can qualify for the "No Worker Left Behind" program and get into The Center for Film Studies.

Dave Levey impresses Gordon Ramsay to win Hell's Kitchen prize of job at Whistler's Araxi

2009-10-14T18:47:00.003-04:00

Dave Levey impresses Gordon Ramsay to win Hell's Kitchen prize of job at Whistler's Araxi

Shared via AddThis

I have to admit, I'm a little disappointed Kevin didn't win. I thought that he was a more professional chef and his menu made my mouth water!!! I agree with some of the comments from the above article. Most people think that Kevin did a good job and hope that he will get a job from the HK experience!

2009-10-13T14:25:00.001-04:00

Success!

2009-10-13T14:24:00.001-04:00

Testing to see if I can update my account from my cell!

2009 Zombie Walk in Royal Oak!

2009-10-11T10:12:00.003-04:00

I will not be able to attend, but I hope some people I know will! Please take pictures for me!!

Zombieland...

2009-09-17T21:48:00.002-04:00

Go see it! It was dark and funny and everything I like about a horror movie. I like when a movie is scary and funny and snarky! I will definitely buy the movie when it comes out. I wish they would make more of these type movies rather than wasting scriptwriters on remakes that will never be as good as the original!

Drew Barrymore & cast visit Bonaventure Family Skating in Michigan!

2009-09-16T13:37:00.002-04:00

Drew Barrymore in Farmington Hills

I used to hang out at Bonaventure when I was a kid! I wish I could've been there to meet Drew and the cast!

Inside The Actors Studio: Family Guy...

2009-09-14T21:14:00.003-04:00

It was really good, funny!! I just kind of wish there was more!! I was watching it and thinking there must've been more audience questions!! Maybe the Inside website will have deleted scenes.

Good news!

2009-09-14T11:11:00.002-04:00

I got a job!! I will be a workin' woman again! Now, next step is to start repairing my credit. I also have a new cell phone which I have been setting up (o.k. playing with!) I finally feel like my life is slowly coming back into focus.

Damn! Two things I am trying to do to earn $$!

2009-08-31T10:48:00.002-04:00

The 7 Most Overrated Businesses
By Kelly K. Spors and Kevin Salwen

Open for BusinessWith roughly 6.7 million jobs lost since the start of the recession, it's tempting - and often a great idea - to launch your own business. That way, of course, you can take matters into your own hands. No more rolling your eyes at the boss; it's your show.

But many people do a lousy job of picking businesses they can realistically turn into a profitable operation.

"There's this very sad pattern about how people start businesses," says Scott Shane, an entrepreneurship professor at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. "People are most likely to start businesses in industries where start-ups are most likely to fail."

The problem: Many would-be entrepreneurs are drawn to businesses they like to patronize or the ones that are cheapest and easiest to start. Instead, experts argue, aspiring entrepreneurs should create firms in which they have professional experience so they have a competitive advantage in the market.

So, what are most overrated businesses out there? We spoke with small business experts to find out. Here are seven you might want to think twice about - and then maybe twice more.

1. Restaurants. Dining out and cooking are among Americans' favorite pastimes. But "restaurants are among the toughest businesses to run," says Donna Ettenson, vice president of the Association of Small Business Development Centers in Burke, Va.

Far too many people assume their culinary abilities will lead to success in the restaurant business. Instead, about 60% of restaurants close in the first three years, according to a 2003 study at Ohio State University. That's quite a bit higher than the roughly half of all start-ups that close in the first five years.

The reason: Restaurants typically have low profit margins and need strong managers who can run an ultra-tight ship through seasonal fluctuations and other struggles. Most people don't have that kind of intense managerial ability to pull it off. By the way, the pitfalls are quite similar for restaurants' cousin – the catering business. In other words, Chef Emptor.

2. Direct Sales. It's a tempting pitch: Work from home and earn commissions by selling cosmetics, kitchen knives or cleaning products. But companies that recruit independent sales reps tend to attract new team members by pointing to the success of their highest earners.

A harder look shows that those high earners are making big money in large part by recruiting new reps into the organization and getting bonuses or a cut of their recruits' commissions, says Ken Yancey, chief executive of SCORE, a Herndon, Va., organization of current and retired business executives who volunteer time counseling entrepreneurs. The new reps then have a much harder job because they need to recruit more people on top of selling product even though the number of reps out there is increasing.

The result, Yancey says: "Most of them wind up with a bunch of jewelry or kitchen equipment sitting in their basement that they can't sell."

3. Online Retail. By far, one of the easiest businesses to start is selling items through online marketplaces such as eBay or Amazon. But as online commerce ages and these sites fill up with more established retailers, it's much harder for new, small sellers to compete for attention and generate a viable income.

"A lot of people are thinking it's the Web of five or 10 years ago and you stand out simply because you're on the Web," says Rieva Lesonsky, chief executive of GrowBiz Media, a content and consulting company for small businesses based in Irvine, Calif.

Instead, successful online retailers today must have a handle on sourcing their products at a low enough price, then layering on clever online marketing and fine-tuned logistics. These businesses won't generate much income if they can't be easily found in searches, maintain a good reputation among buyers or add enough value so that sellers can build profit margins high enough to take on bigger players and physical stores.

4. High-End Retail. Many people dream of opening a day spa, luxury jewelry store or designer clothing boutique – businesses they feel good patronizing. But specialty retail businesses close at higher rates than non-specialty stores, according to the Small Business Administration's Office of Advocacy, and are even riskier now that consumer discretionary spending has dried up and people are no longer spending money on little luxuries.

"It's going to be a long time before we return to the days of conspicuous consumption," says Ms. Lesonsky of GrowBiz Media. High-end retailers often suffer from poor locations and lack of understanding of how to source and market their products in an effective way. In today's economy and in coming years, she says, retail entrepreneurs should be looking to sell non-discretionary consumer goods or offer items at a value rather than high-end products.

5. Independent Consulting. Common advice for aspiring entrepreneurs is to stick with industries they know. So, for many looking to escape the corporate treadmill that means turning their professional expertise into a one-person consulting firm.

It seems practical – more companies are indeed relying on independent contractors and freelancers these days – but it's not as easy to pull off as many imagine, says Dennis Ceru, an entrepreneurship professor at Babson College in Babson Park, Mass. Many consultants struggle with time management problems, spending so much time scouting work that it's very difficult to earn steady income. "The difficulty many face is they go through peaks and valleys of having work," says Prof. Ceru. "When the engagement ends, they are frantically looking for work," which may take weeks or months.

A possible solution: "A successful consulting firm needs people to find the work, grind out the work and mind the work. Unless you know you can do all three yourself, you potentially expose your business to great risk."

6. Franchise Ownership. The idea of being handed a proven business plan without the uncertainties and headaches that come with building a business from scratch is understandably alluring. But too many people don't understand the risks associated with franchising and sign restrictive franchise agreements without thoroughly researching their franchisor and their contractual obligations, says SCORE's Yancey.

Some franchisors, for instance, allow franchisees to open stores too close together, oversaturating the market. Or they simply require their franchisees pay so much in royalties and fees or other operational costs that it's very difficult to be profitable. Beyond that, when a franchisee fails, a franchisor may make it extremely difficult and costly to get out of its contract.

It's a myth that franchises are far more successful than independent businesses. A 1995 study by a researcher at Wayne State University found that 62% of franchises were open for business after four years, compared with 68% of independent businesses. And franchises were also found to be less profitable in those early years.

7. Traffic-Driven Web Sites. Everybody has witnessed the success of social-networking sites like Facebook and popular blogs that generate all their revenue off advertising. But as the Internet ages, that's much harder to accomplish, says Martin Zwilling, a start-up consultant in Fountain Hills, Ariz., who specializes in helping entrepreneurs find angel investors.

Zwilling says he hears pitches for new social-networking sites about once a week, but actively deters people from starting them. "I say, skip it," he says. "You need to invest $50 million to get any presence" in the social-networking space right now and it's very difficult to get people to leave established sites. What's more, he says, the amount of traffic needed to build a lucrative traffic-driven Web site is far more than most new Web entrepreneurs realize: "Until you get to the point where you have a million page views a day, you're nowhere."

The Final Destination...

2009-08-28T11:00:00.003-04:00

It was entertaining. I wouldn't have paid to see it though. It was kind of predictable too. The acting wasn't that good either. All in all, it was ok. It's probably a good decision for them to end the franchise though. Before it got really bad!

More imaginative screenplays...

2009-08-26T09:53:00.001-04:00

38 Planned Movie Remakes You Didn't Know About
*WITH NEW BONUS CONTENT BY ME!

Simon Brew

The Thing? Fame? Footloose? Akira? Just some of the names being raided once more by a Hollywood system that's fast running out of ideas...

Published on Mar 12, 2008

We’ve already pointed out recently 30 sequels that were in the works in the factories of Hollywood – but how about remakes? Cast your eyes over this little lot, and prepare to be depressed…

The Shadow
Presumably this a reboot of the hilarious-but-iffy Alec Baldwin non-franchise of the mid-90s. Sam Raimi is producing, and the project is at the screenplay stage right now. Expect a release no sooner than 2010.

Battle Royale
The brilliant, brilliant, brilliant Asian movie is getting a Western remake. Producer Neal H Moritz is currently attached to the project, which has been optioned but not yet got much further. It didn’t help that New Line was linked with funding the film, and the same New Line got swallowed up by Warner Bros totally the other week.

Starfighter
A planned remake of the 1984 movie The Last Starfighter, which remains popular today. Nick Castle is currently attached to direct the project (he did the original as well, although his biggest hit as director is the 1993 kids’ movie Dennis). We fear this one may get lost in development hell. Hope not. NOOO! NOT THIS ONE!!!

The Evil Dead
Sam Raimi is attached to the remake of one of his most loved films, with both he and Bruce Campbell on producing duties. Set for release at some point next year, they’ll have to get their skates on, as there’s no sign of cameras being turned on just yet.

Knight Rider
Forget the recent TV rebooting, the Weinstein Company has the option to produce a feature film, and the original creator of Knight Rider – Glen A Larson – is hard at work on the screenplay. Expect a release around 2010/11. If the new TV version doesn’t kill the franchise stone dead, of course…

Conan The Barbarian
The script is still being written for the remake of one of Arnie’s best-ever roles. It’s a fair bet that Arnie won’t be returning, but Sahara scribes Thomas Dean Donnelly and Joshua Oppenheimer are beavering away on the screenplay. Production may yet start this year, apparently.

Logan’s Run
Uber-producer Joel Silver is pushing this long-mooted remake, which has director Joseph Kosinski attached (whose name is also being linked with the new Tron film). Logan’s Run is believed to be first in line, though, and a 2010 release is being mooted. YEA!!!

Death Wish
Sylvester Stallone is set to step into the role made famous by Charles Bronson in a remake of Michael Winner’s violent original. Stallone is set to write, produce and star, and production is planned to start at some point this year.

The Taking Of Pelham 123
Tony Scott is directing, and Denzel Washington and John Travolta are starring in a remake of the brilliant 1974 Walter Matthau original. David Koepp has written the screenplay, and the film will be released in the Autumn of 2009. ORIGINAL WAS MUCH, MUCH BETTER

Fahrenheit 451
Frank Darabont – he of Shawshank Redemption and The Mist fame – has been linked with a fresh take on the Ray Bradbury book for a while. It seems he’s getting closer to honing a script too for him to direct, but it’s still not ready, so no idea of release date. Tom Hanks had been mooted to star.

Friday The 13th
Marcus Nispel – director of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre remake – has inked his name on the dotted to helm the remake of the original Friday The 13th movie. It’s a great solution: run out of sequels, start at the beginning! It’s in pre-production now for a 2009 release. ORIGINAL WAS MUCH, MUCH BETTER

Last House On The Left
A remake of the brutal 70s Wes Craven movie, this time it’s relative-newcomer Dennis Illiadis in the director’s chair. The cast is rumoured to feature Liv Tyler, along with Monica Potter, Garret Dillahunt and Tony Goldwyn. It’s due to start filming next month, ORIGINAL WAS MUCH, MUCH CREEPIER

Hellraiser
They’ve given up making sequels, so now they’re remaking the 80s original. No sign of Doug Bradley as Pinhead, but Clive Barker has been involved with the script, and Alexandre Bustillo and Julien Maury will be making their English language directorial debuts with the project.

Tron
Will it be a sequel? Will it be a remake? Will they call it a ‘reimagining’? All these questions and more are set to be answered, as three decades on, Tron will be heading back to the big screen in 2010. NOOOO!

Clash of the Titans
The 1981 film is being remade, and Stephen Norrington has – after not being seen behind a camera since League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen – agreed to direct. He did the original Blade, too. Lawrence Kasdan has been penning the script, and the film is in pre-production for a 2010 release.

Akira
A live action version of the iconic anime film of the same name, the adaptation is believe to be being handled in two parts, and Leonardo DiCaprio has been linked with the project. It’s still at the scripting stage, although director Ruairi Robinson is attached to helm.

The Birds
How depressing. Hitchcock’s awesome thriller is getting the remake treatment, with Martin ‘Casino Royale’ Campbell rumoured to be directing, and Naomi Watts linked with the project too. It has a release date of July 2009. OBVIOUSLY, THAT WAS CHANGED. I PREDICTED THIS REMAKE!!!

Frankenweenie
Tim Burton’s terrific early short film is being brought to the big screen by… Tim Burton! There’s logic there, somewhere. December 2009 is the targeted release time.

A Nightmare On Elm Street
Hurray! That ‘reimagining’ word is being used to describe the now-in-the-pre-production stages new Elm Street movie. Michael Bay produces, but doesn’t direct. Thank goodness. STARRING JACKIE EARL HALEY AS FREDDY KRUGER

Westworld
The terrific forerunner to Jurassic Park – also penned by Michael Crichton – Westworld has long been mooted for a remake. Billy Ray, who directed Breach and Shattered Glass, is the latest writer to take a stab at the theme-park-attraction-goes-out-of-control concept. YEA!!!

The Warriors
Director Tony Scott – once he’s finished on The Taking Of Pelham 123 - remains attached to the proposed remake of Walter Hill’s 1979 classic tale of rival gangs on a mission that takes them across a dangerous city. It’s still in the writing stages, and may be held up in development hell for some time yet. YEA!!!

Piranha
Alexandra Aja, who enjoyed success with his remake of The Hills Have Eyes, is directing a potentially 3D version of Joe Dante’s terrific original. A 2009 release date has been eyed up.

Escape From New York
Another John Carpenter classic is getting remade, and Terminator 3 director Jonathan Mostow – with Ken Nolan - is taking a stab at the script. No word if he’s going to direct, but a 2009 release is mooted.

Meatballs
Another 80s comedy getting a remake, Meatballs has – oh dear – Big Momma’s House 2 (not even the original!) director John Whitesell attached to it. And no sign of Bill Murray, either. Never a good thing. BOOOOOOOOO!!! NO BILL, NO ME!!

Howard Stern’s Porkys
A remake of Bob Clark’s bawdy early 80s comedy, this is still in the planning stages with US shock-jock lending his name to the project and the title. It’s planned to have it ready for 2009. Expect an array of shitty sequels if it hits. BOOO!!!

The Lives Of Others
The stunning German film is getting an American remake, with Anthony Minghella attached to produce, but not direct. It’s only been optioned so far, so 2010 would be the earliest you see it. Our advice? See the original. It’s genuinely stunning.

Short Circuit
Number Five is, er, still alive, with original screenwriters coming back for the reboot of the 80s original. No news of a finished script, director or shooting date, though. THEY ALREADY REMADE IT, IT'S CALLED WALL-E (TEE HEE!)
Straw Dogs
Rod Lurie – the man who directed The Contender – is scripting and directing the remake of the Dustin Hoffman-starring original. It’s only been optioned thus far, and so the planned 2009 release date may be optimistic.

1984
Tim Robbins is apparently hunting for the money for a new big screen adaptation of George Orwell’s classic and never-more-relevant novel. He’s not having much luck though, we’re led to believe.

Red Sonja
Roy Thomas (Conan The Destroyer) has been drafted in to write a screenplay for a new Red Sonja film, although don’t expect Arnie to be in it. Nor should you expect it soon.

The Dirty Dozen
Alias veteran Josh Applebaum has the unenviable task of coming up with a suitable script for the remake of the original classic. 2010 is the earliest it’ll be released.

Footloose
Surely not? The 80s musical could be coming back to life if director Kenny Ortega has anything to do with it. That said, given he directed High School Musical and its spin-offs, he’d probably be allowed to do anything he wanted in Hollywood right now. Sigh. Footloose has thus far been optioned, and may go before the camera this year.

Dune
Frank Herbert’s source material is set to be mined again, for a new movie due out in 2010. Peter Berg, who directed the brilliant Friday Night Lights movie, is waving the megaphone, but further details are still sketchy.

The Thing
A remake of the 1982 classic, that’s got Battlestar Galactica producer Ronald D Moore attached to it. That said, it’s being described as a companion rather than a remake. Hmmmm. No word on it going before the cameras yet.

Near Dark
Kathryn Bigelow’s 1987 vampire flick enters the remake chamber, with music video director Samuel Bayer making his debut in the directors’ chair on the film. Cast has yet to be announced, but it appears that Bigelow has had a hand in the screenplay.

The Swarm
This is more like it! Lots of bees! Frank Schaetzing’s book is plundered again for the big screen, with Silence Of The Lambs adapter Ted Tally on scripting duties. No director or cast yet, though.

Fame
Alan Parker’s 1980 musical is being remade by MGM, who originally had a Christmas 2008 release date inked in. Andy Finkman – who directed The Game Plan and She’s The Man – is down to direct, though, and the project will no doubt move forward shortly.

The Witches
Roald Dahl’s book has already been filmed with Anjelica Huston in the leading role, but Guillermo Del Toro is toying with the idea of having a stab himself. No start date has been announced for the project, though.

This looks good!

2009-08-22T13:21:00.000-04:00

S.A.D.

2009-08-14T10:27:00.002-04:00

I knew I have Seasonal Affective Disorder, I tend to get really depressed in the winter. Now I have heard that there is a such thing as Summer Seasonal Affective Disorder. I wonder if I have it. On one hand, I could be depressed because I have no job, and no motivation. On the other hand, maybe it's just S.S.A.D. or allergies??!!

The Time Traveler's Wife...

2009-08-13T11:26:00.005-04:00

It was good, although there were some gaps in some of the smaller characters. I.E. The doctor, the main characters keep referring to the doctor as some miracle worker, yet he's only in a few scenes and the movie doesn't fully explain why he is a miracle worker! Why is his best friend his best friend? If I were him, after what I'd seen, I'd hightail it outta there! Overall, it was good.

P.S. Thanks MyTV20 for the great giveaways!

Dino and Me!

2009-08-08T15:52:00.003-04:00

Photo by ktdguru.

My birthday (8/3/2009) day at the Detroit Zoo...

2009-08-07T15:27:00.002-04:00

Photo by KTDguru

District 9

2009-08-07T14:36:00.004-04:00

I liked it!! Yeah, KTDguru, it may have been formulaic, but I liked it. The only thing that I noticed was that (spoiler coming!) how many times could Wikus escape danger? The special effects were great, the movie was fast paced and I would definitely pay to see this movie again and again.

(500) Days of Summer

2009-07-23T21:53:00.002-04:00

I thought it was good! I was wondering why was Summer crying when they were watching The Graduate. Was that the pivotal point when she knew that they weren't going to last?

More depressing unemployment news...

2009-07-23T11:24:00.003-04:00

States Where the Unemployed Are Giving Up

* By Liz Wolgemuth
* On Wednesday July 22, 2009, 11:06 am EDT

In some U.S. states, nearly half of the job seekers who have stopped looking for work have done so because they simply don't believe they'll find anything. Indeed, the number of discouraged workers nationwide has more than doubled in the past year. This trend won't be reflected in the widely publicized unemployment rate, as discouraged workers aren't included among the unemployed. Still, in states as diverse as Mississippi, South Dakota, and New York, the span of this often invisible slice of workers signals a population losing its hope.

Most jobless people who have stopped looking for work are otherwise engaged--they're back in school, taking on family responsibilities, or too sick to search. They, along with workers who have stopped because they're discouraged, make up a group that the Labor Department calls the "marginally attached." They're included in some of the broader measures of unemployment, but they're officially not part of the workforce. While discouraged workers make up about a third of the marginally attached nationwide, their numbers have been increasing.

Between the third quarter of last year and the second quarter of this year, Mississippi averaged the highest percentage of discouraged job seekers among its marginally attached--nearly 50 percent, compared with 32.6 percent nationwide. South Dakota ranked second after Mississippi, with 48.5 percent of marginally attached workers classified as discouraged. Florida, Michigan, Connecticut, West Virginia, and New York followed in ranking for the highest rates of discouragement.

Discouraged workers are characterized by their perceptions. They don't think work is available for them, or they believe they lack the necessary training to be hired. They may be convinced that employers think they're too young or too old, or they believe that they face some other kind of discrimination that prevents them from finding work. And while there are discouraged workers in healthy economies, in a prolonged recession such as this one, worker pessimism tends to skyrocket.

The heights of discouragement in Mississippi are significant. "It says something about the situation in that state when half of the people with a relatively recent commitment to searching for a job have stopped because they believe nothing is available for them," says Thomas Krolik, an economist at the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Between the third quarter of last year and the second quarter of this year, Mississippi's average unemployment rate was 7.9 percent. Add in all the discouraged workers, and the rate shoots up to 8.8 percent, a 0.9 percentage-point jump. Nationwide, the average difference between the unemployment rate and the rate of unemployed plus discouraged workers was about 0.4 percentage point. Michigan and New York also ranked high by that measure.

Charles Campbell, a professor of economics at Mississippi State University, says the state struggles with regions of particularly high unemployment, "where there really are no jobs." Many of the residents of those regions lack the skills and means to find work in outside areas, Campbell says, so they remain unemployed.

In other states, the situation may be more obvious. In Michigan, the demise of the domestic auto industry has brought job destruction far outpacing the national average. Michigan's unemployment rate for June topped 15.2 percent, compared with 9.5 percent nationally. Across the country, Florida has been hit hard by the housing bust, and unemployment in the state reached 10.6 percent in June.

But higher unemployment rates and lousier job markets alone don't explain the high rates of discouragement. Connecticut, New York, and West Virginia have seen their numbers of jobless workers rise during the downturn, but their unemployment rates are all below the national average.

Several things could nudge job seekers toward hopelessness: negative media coverage of the job market; unsuccessful job searches among friends and family; their own long-term unemployment. Also, men are more likely to give up their job search because they've become discouraged--they make up 63 percent of the total group. Younger workers, blacks, and Hispanics are also overrepresented in the discouraged-worker category, according to the Labor Department.

The housing bust could be partly to blame. Workers may simply give up because there are no openings matching their skill set within their geographical area, Krolik says. If workers own homes they can't sell, their ability to move for a new job is severely limited. The effect could be exacerbated by areas where homes are a particularly difficult sell or homeowners are disproportionately underwater, as those markets have also tended to see higher unemployment rates.

Whatever workers' motivation, many economists are now focusing more on their results. Hoyt Bleakley Jr., a University of Chicago economist, says researchers are paying less attention to how many job seekers say they're looking for work and more attention to how quickly they are actually finding it. With 4.4 million job seekers nationwide out of work for more than 27 weeks or more in June, "those numbers are pretty grim," Bleakley says. "People who claim they're looking for work are not finding it." It's hardly surprising, then, how many have simply given up looking.

Unemployment Rate...

2009-07-03T12:21:00.002-04:00

Unemployment rate is 9.4%. Highest point in 26 years. It's only going to get worse before it gets better.

The many, the depressed, the Unemployed.

How celebrities bankability is measured...

2009-06-25T13:11:00.003-04:00

A-List to Z-List Celebrities: What Do the Lists Mean?
Everyone hears about A-List celebrities. But what do these classifications REALLY mean in the entertainment industry?
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/226917/alist_to_zlist_celebrities_what_do.html

Away We Go

2009-06-25T12:34:00.004-04:00

I liked this! I thought it was a well written. Maya Rudolph was the breakout star of the movie!

Dave's Trip to South Florida Music Video

2009-06-16T20:18:00.001-04:00

Sing it butthead! Sing it!

Dave sings theme to Gilligan's Island

2009-06-13T19:21:00.001-04:00

Watch This!

New favorite song from a commercial...

2009-06-10T11:32:00.003-04:00

Let Your Love Flow by Petra Haden

Download the MP3 @ http://www.myspace.com/toyotamusic

Great scary, sort of funny movie....

2009-06-06T17:22:00.002-04:00

Go see this!! It's scary and a little bit darkly funny! I really liked this and will probably purchase the DVD when it comes out!

Things I Want...

2009-06-05T09:43:00.002-04:00

All the DVD's are inside the lunchbox!

I can't help it! I'm a Sid & Marty Krofft kid!

The Cleveland Show Theme Song

2009-06-05T09:36:00.001-04:00

Can't Wait!

I want this song!

2009-05-14T21:30:00.003-04:00

Hello IBM, Dell, Apple!!!

2009-05-09T13:18:00.001-04:00

I would gladly try and hopefully keep any of your computers and give an honest review of them! Contact me, please!

Funny stuff...

2009-05-09T12:58:00.000-04:00

Talking Cat Says "Hello" @ Yahoo! Video

Michiganders & Ex-Michiganders....

2009-05-09T09:42:00.002-04:00

http://www.farrellsusa.com/Default.aspx

More Family Guy News...

2009-05-06T10:07:00.005-04:00

'Family Guy' spinoff gets added boost from Fox
AP

In this image released by Fox, the character Cleveland Brown, from the animated AP – In this image released by Fox, the character Cleveland Brown, from the animated series, 'The Cleveland …

Tue May 5, 3:34 pm ET

NEW YORK – Fox is rewarding "The Cleveland Show" with a second season even before the first season has begun.

The spinoff from the network's hit animated series "Family Guy" is scheduled to premiere next fall.

But now Fox says its boosting the initial 22-episode order by another 13 half-hours, which would carry the show into the 2010-11 season.

From "Family Guy" creator Seth MacFarlane, "The Cleveland Show" focuses on Cleveland Brown, a popular character from the "Family Guy" gang.

___

See this website for more info... http://www.fox.com/cleveland/

Yea!!! Cleveland is my fav!

New Job Info..

2009-05-05T12:10:00.000-04:00

Interesting news...

2009-04-30T15:08:00.000-04:00

Funny stuff!
Amy Sedaris writing new bookAssociated Press - 2 hours, 58 minutes ago

celebs:David Sedaris..
FILE - In this Oct. 22, 2007 file photo, author and actress Amy Sedaris arrives at the third annual Quill Awards in New York. (AP Photo/Stuart Ramson, file)Associated Press NEW YORK - Amy Sedaris is preparing more literary laughter.

The actress and comedian is working on a follow-up to her best seller, "I Like You: Hospitality Under the Influence." The new book, currently untitled, will come out in 2010 and will again feature "her unique approach to home life through the use of fun, long-forgotten crafts," according to Grand Central Publishing, which announced the book Thursday.

Sedaris, 48, is the sister of humorist David Sedaris and plays Jerri Blank on Comedy Central's "Strangers With Candy."

Zombie Me...

2009-04-30T13:08:00.003-04:00

Just watched FIDO, it's funny! check it out!

Still unemployed...

2009-04-05T19:54:00.002-04:00

Why does it seem soo hard to find a job? It's not like I'm not putting myself out there, I am! I've gone on interviews, job fairs, networking, online jobsites. Sometimes I just want to pack it all up into a suitcase and go to Florida. At least it's sunny there.

Adventureland is good!

2009-04-02T22:51:00.002-04:00

Martin Starr Adventureland Interview...

2009-04-02T22:50:00.004-04:00

I'm glad Martin Starr has gotten some great roles! I've liked him since Freaks and Geeks.

Spotlight Interview with Adventureland Actor, Martin Starr
Posted by MM on March 9th, 2009
(+1 rating, 1 votes)

Adventureland, Martin Starr Recently, YouBentMyWookie had the chance to chat with the Santa Monica native Martin Starr, who plays Joel in the upcoming Greg Mottola movie “Adventureland” which we’ve reviewed. Starr is perhaps best known as Bill Haverchuck from the short-lived NBC comedy-drama “Freaks and Geeks,” as well as a number of guest appearances and smaller roles in movies such as “Knocked Up,” “Superbad,” “The Incredible Hulk,” and “Good Dick.”

Sitting in with us was also a reporter from The Stanford Daily (TSD).

TSD: In the film, you play a “pipe-smoking, Russian literature loving, drolly philosophical game-booth worker.” In what ways do you identify with this character?

MARTIN STARR: He’s definitely well thought out - very neurotic with very low self-esteem, which is somewhat related to the poverty stricken circumstances in which he grew up. You know it’s so easy because he feels similar to “Freaks and Geeks” and Bill — he’s kind of like the every man. He’s the guy that you find yourself to be more often than not, especially if you have a pessimistic attitude, which is just the guy, sitting there, watching everything unfold and wanting to be a part of it and not having the self-control to just do it and the self respect to just go over and do the things you want to do. You’re so scared of living almost, so it’s easy. I don’t know. It’s easy.

WOOKIE: How did you prepare for this role, how much of it were you playing yourself or were you playing a character?

STARR: I feel like you are always playing some part of yourself in order to do it in the first place. You read a script and you get a feel for a character. I went in to audition for Greg [Mottola] I just kind of, you know… I listen to a lot of 80s music, but I love that any way, so it’s not different than a normal day I guess, almost. But you know, I audition for Greg and I thought it was horrible. I thought it was the worse audition, and you he liked it. And so I was like okay, so I’m onto something. I ended up getting the part that I had two days to prepare for. That was the foundation for what ended up on film, and then it was just kind of like going over things with Greg and talking things out and feeling comfortable doing everything.

Adventureland, Martin Starr, Kristen Stewart, Jesse EisenbergTSD: What in particular attracted you to this script?

STARR: Greg is an amazing storyteller. He has such compassion in directing and writing that all of his characters have here - even Frigo in the movie, who’s kind of a total douche bag. The person that he cast, Matt Bush, who is immensely talented, brought so much heart to him because he’s such a genuinely nice guy; it’s hard to think that’s the guy he picked to be the asshole. You kind of want someone you’re going to hate initially, so that the film all makes sense, but because he had such heart, it made it work so much better. There’s so much history and back-story between the two characters that it works so much better if he’s a human being and not just a complete asshole. I think that’s an immense talent that Greg has: to write and cast and direct people that brings out compassion - he’s such a compassionate director.

WOOKIE: Your character in Adventureland is very similar to some of the other roles that you’ve played that have made you famous. Are you afraid of being typecast or have you ever tried to actively seek out different roles?

STARR: I definitely like trying new things, but I feel like people told me that right after I did “Freaks and Geeks” ten years ago. I didn’t really know what it meant. I was so young and I think I worried about it then, but at this point I am so fortunate to be able to do this anyway. These are characters I loved playing, so I’m not worried about it.

WOOKIE: So it’s a role you’re comfortable in, that it’s your niche and you’re good at?

STARR: I wouldn’t call it a niche. This is just where I ended up. You know there are different things that will happen in the future that I am planning for myself. I mean it’s good to work with your friends and I never really worried about whether this was similar to something else. I definitely try to avoid small details that are identical. I don’t want to say the same line that I said in something else. I just don’t like it.

Adventureland, Martin StarrTSD: You mentioned what you envisioned in your future? What does that entail?

STARR: At this point, I’ve been writing a lot more and taking control of my own career. As an actor, it’s very easy to sit back and wait and hope that things happen. They either do or they don’t and it’s not based on talent as is obvious because there are a lot of immensely famous people that I don’t think are talented. Well, I wouldn’t say a lot; there are a few. I think that’s reasonable and that way I’m so vague no one knows who they are.

WOOKIE: We wont ask you to name names.

STARR: (Laughing) I’m not going to go and list them all. But I mean they all must have some good qualities or they wouldn’t have made it as far as they have — and they are probably amazing business people. But I wanted to take control of where my future is, and I found out how much I enjoy the writing process so I have been writing with my writing partner Charlene Yi for the last two years. So we’ll have our first thing finished in a couple of months - so that’s exciting.

That’s part of what keeps me going. I’ve gone through droughts in my life and probably just due to my growth as a human being.

I wasn’t ready, I had years of horrible auditions and feeling bad about myself as a person and allowing this business to have such an effect on me, but now I feel I’ve taken a lot more control over the last two years and it doesn’t phase me anymore if I have a bad audition, because I know I’m my own creator, is that what it is, I don’t know, some famous line.

WOOKIE: You’re pretty much your own being, in charge of your own destiny.

STARR: (Laugh) That’s right, in charge of my own destiny.

WOOKIE: For the cast of Adventureland, did you know any of them prior?

STARR: I know Bill [Hader] and Kristen Wiig prior. Kirsten Wiig is the most talented and sweet human being ever. And Greg I knew, I worked with him twice before and that’s what made me want to do it initially. I mean that’s what made me want to read the script so bad and then once you read the script you’re hooked. He’s such a great story teller.

WOOKIE: How was it working with the Jesse, any common grounds — anything to relate to?

STARR: We got along good from the get go. Kristen Stewart wasn’t in town yet so he and I grabbed dinner and talked and bonded immediately. We had about a week of preproduction so we sat around and got to know each other and hung out every night and a friendship naturally evolved. We’re similar people in some level, we’re both kind of neurotic and over-thought out in certain areas of our lives, but we got along great, and that’s defiantly where it has to start in order for any thing to come out on screen as a friendship in my opinion.

Adventureland, Martin Starr, Greg MottolaTSD: What got you started in the acting business?

STARR: Well my mom moved out here when she was 19, Jean St. James, when she had me I was maybe six years old. She started to coach me in the direction of acting and I didn’t know what it was, it was just a very vague thing.

When I was a kid, I had… do you remember that movie “Blank Check,” I had like these false hopes of what acting was like.

That you just get this check and “Wow, I want a Ferrari,” I’m gonna write an insane amount of money on this check and get a Ferrari or whatever and it became very superficial in my head.

As a child all you do was get things, and I was a single child, so I was all like “ME ME ME” and then when I was 12 or 13, I started acting class and had just the most amazing experience with a man named Kevin McDermott at a place called Center Stage LA. He’s just an incredible talented human being and a compassionate director. He would coax performances out of people sitting five or ten feet away. I cannot wait until he becomes a director because he’d be very talented. But that’s what made me love acting to begin with and it was mostly improve, drama and comedy.

WOOKIE: Do you consider yourself a geek in real life or do you just play one on TV?

STARR: I am definitely a gamer geek, I would love to call myself a comic book geek but I don’t know enough about comic books to classify as one. My favorite at the moment is [Bill] Sienkiewicz. I read anything he writes. I have the new Thor which I haven’t read yet — but he’s crazy talented.

Ya, I am probably a bit of a geek. Proud to say it.

WOOKIE: Thanks again, Martin!

“Adventureland” premiers April 4, 2009 and stars Jesse Eisenberg, Kristen Stewart, Marin Starr, Bill Hader, Kristen Wiig and Ryan Reynolds.

Speaking of Breathers: A Zombie's Lament...

2009-03-30T10:14:00.004-04:00

My world just got a little bit better!

Geoff LaTulippe Adapting Breathers: A Zombie's Lament for Diablo Cody and Mason Novick

February 16, 2009
by Alex Billington
Breathers: A Zombie's Lament

Budding screenwriter Geoff LaTulippe is on a roll - his breakout script Going the Distance was on the Black List and is in development at New Line and now he's set to adapt a novel called "Breathers: A Zombie's Lament" written by S.G. Browne. In advance of its actual debut on bookshelves, LaTulippe is teaming up with producers Diablo Cody and Mason Novick (Juno, Jennifer's Body) to adapt the zombie novel and sell it to a studio. Sounds like one hell of a dream team. I'm sure the three are planning to whip up a "rom-zom-com" movie that, just as book does, "reinvents zombie culture for the 21st century."

This news originates from the Twitter for Production Weekly (via SlashFilm), although since that was posted, I've been able to confirm that it is indeed completely accurate, given I really don't trust Production Weekly at all. That said, since the book isn't even out in stores until March 3rd, I haven't really heard much buzz yet, so I'll turn to the plot description that comes from the trusted critics on Amazon:

"Andy Warner reanimates after the car accident that kills his wife, but is too mangled from his injuries to talk. He lives in his parents' wine cellar, occasionally attending a zombie support group and struggling to rejoin a society that offers the undead no rights, bans them from working and doesn't even punish those who destroy them. When Andy and his fellow zombies—notably Rita, a sexy suicide victim with a lipstick fetish, and Jerry, a Playboy-obsessed stoner—learn why they're so driven to consume human flesh, the repercussions are both tragic and hilarious."

That actually sounds like a hilarious story. Apparently it "neatly mixes humor and extreme violence with a surprisingly tender love story, some witty social satire and an extremely strong narrative voice." I'm actually very interested in reading it and I suggest you reserve a copy as well. If you're unsure at the moment, the first chapter of the book can be read in its entirety on the official website. While the zombie comedy genre has been explored extensively in the past few years, only a few particular movies really stand out - namely Shaun of the Dead, Army of Darkness, and Fido. Though I'll say that it sounds like "Breathers: A Zombie's Lament" is on the right path to becoming another zombie comedy favorite as well.

I have found the zombie book!

2009-03-30T10:02:00.005-04:00

Get your own - Open publication

I need a job!

2009-03-29T13:26:00.003-04:00

I'm getting really worried, I really need a job. I really feel guilty having to borrow money from friends and family. I want to get a job so I can get myself financially secure, then pay back my friends and family, then start saving again. I wish I didn't have to move out of my apartment. I miss it.

Long distance dedication to turtle fans out there...

2009-03-21T19:43:00.000-04:00

Another commercial I like...

2009-03-21T19:41:00.001-04:00

Give me that Filet O' Fish, give me that fish! It grows on you, it really does!

Seth MacFarlane's Hulu.com commerical...

2009-03-21T19:35:00.002-04:00

Looking good, Seth!

Favorite Family Guy quotes...

2009-03-20T12:02:00.000-04:00

Peter Griffin: Lois, come see what I did with the money your dad gave me.

Lois Griffin: Oh my God. You turned the den into Pee-Wee's Playhouse?

Peter Griffin: [singing] Come on, get up / Knock off your napping / It's a crazy, messed up place where anything can happen / There's a chair that freakin' talks. Hey look! / There's some fish that give advice. Holy crap / It's screwey at Peter's Playhouse. Ha ha ha. Watch this, Lois.
[imitates Pee-Wee]
Peter Griffin: Hewy Jambi.

Brian Griffin: [as Jambi the Genie] Mekka-lekka-hi, mekka-hinie - God, I hate you so much.

Lois Griffin: Peter, that reparation money should be going to worthy black charity.

Peter Griffin: Lois, the King of Cartoons will be here in 5 minutes. I will not have you embarrass me.

Lois Griffin: Peter, you're acting ridiculous.

Peter Griffin: [everyone screams, "Ridiculous" flashes at the bottom of the screen] You said the secret word!

I like this quote because it combines two of my favorite shows, Family Guy & Pee Wee's Playhouse!

A quirky indy movie...

2009-03-20T09:30:00.000-04:00

I liked this movie. The cast was good, the plot was new and inventive (finally, something that was not a remake or rework of a 70's or 80's movie, TV show)

My 2009 movie reviews...

2009-03-20T09:19:00.000-04:00

I liked I Love You, Man. I saw 2 advance screenings and laughed in both of them. It was funny and I have told everyone I've seen to go see it. I would even pay to see it again!

Searching for a job...

2009-03-20T08:49:00.001-04:00

My friend, Bryan says that looking for a job is a full-time position. Every time I have an interview I get my hopes up thinking this is it! This is the job for me! Great hours, benefits, weekends off (although that really doesn't bother me if I had to work them). Then blamo! The rejection letter... "Thanks for interviewing with us, we decided to go with someone with more experience".

Unemployment depression

2008-11-16T22:27:00.000-05:00

I hate being unemployed. I hate being poor. Did I make a mistake quitting? I don't think so.