Sunday Social 37

1.  What is the best Valentine's Day you've ever had?

Apparently I’ve learned to treat myself very well on Valentine’s Day. My best Valentine’s Day was probably last year when I bought tickets to see Lady Antebellum in concert. It was way fun. 

http://abbaqueen.blogspot.com/2012/02/thompson-square.html

2.  What is the worst Valentine's Day you've ever had?

My worst Valentine’s Day would probably be 2011. My roommates all got home from work and school and we were all inexplicably in a bad mood, maybe because we didn’t have dates. So we ended up hanging out at home and watching the movie Valentine’s Day.                                                                    3.  What did you do for Valentine's this year?

It was like any other day. I went to school in the morning. I worked until 6 and then went to the gym. Afterwards I went to a late showing of Safe Haven.

4.  What is your best Valentine's idea if you're single?

Definitely getting tickets of any kind. You could go with a friend to a play,  a concert, or to see a comedian.

5.  What is your favorite Valentine's candy?

Preferably anything with chocolate and caramel. I like the boxes of chocolate but I am just as happy with Halloween candy like Twix Snickers.

6. Favorite Valentine's memory from your childhood?

          I remember making delicious heart-shaped sugar cookies with homemade cream cheese frosting with my mom. They were so good. 

Retroactive

I’ve noticed a music trend for the last 5 years or so. New artists are working classic melodies and motifs of old songs and working them into something completely new. For the most part I think this a really cool idea. I love hearing something old be brought back to life. It’s amazing how the retro and the new can combine and fit together so well.

New Artist: Spin Me Right Round -Flo Rida

Original: Spin Me Round (Like a Record) -Dead or Alive

New Artist: Goodbye-Christina DeBarge

Original: Hey Hey Goodbye-Steam

New Artist (sort of): Madonna-Hung up on You

Original: Gimme Gimme Gimme a Man After Midnight-ABBA

This is the one I really did not like at all, but that’s just my opinion.

New Artist: Time of My Life-Black Eyed Peas

Original: I’ve Had the Time of My Life

Movie News

Movies Opening This Weekend (February 15^th)

Beautiful Creatures
A Good Day to Die Hard
Safe Haven

New Trailers

Rewind This                                                                                                       Monster’s University                                                                                         Room 237

Video: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.

Nicole Kidman Doesn't Remember Colin Firth in 'Before I Go To Sleep'

When Alex visited the Cannes Film Festival in 2012, he snapped a photo of a poster for an upcoming film called Before I Go to Sleep. The poster hyped Nicole Kidman in the lead role, and now Variety confirms her casting and mentions that The King's Speech star Colin Firth will play her husband in the thriller, with Mark Strong (Green Lantern, Sherlock Holmes) and Anne-Marie Duff (Nowhere Boy) rounding out the cast. 28 Weeks Later writer Rowan Joffe wrote the screenplay and will direct the suspenseful story of a woman with amnesia that sounds like it shares some DNA with Christopher Nolan's Memento. Read more.

Elizabeth Olsen & Bryan Cranston May Encounter 'Godzilla' in 2014

Legendary Pictures' Godzilla reboot hasn't exactly had the smoothest path to production so far. Last month, word came out that producers Dan Lin and Roy Lee were being ousted by the studio, but things have slowly started turning around for the super-sized tentpole. Frank Darabont was brought on to tackle a rewrite of Drew Pearce's screenplay and Aaron Taylor-Johnson was being courted for the lead role. Now the good news continues, as Variety reports that indie darling Elizabeth Olsen and Argostar Bryan Cranston are being eyed for director Gareth Edwards' new take on the classic movie monster. Read more.

 Jason Bateman Returns to 'This is Where I Leave You' for Shawn Levy

At one point, Jason Bateman, Leslie Mann, Zac Efron, Jason Sudeikis, and Malin Akerman were all in talks to star in an adaptation of This is Where I Leave You, an adaptation Jonathan Tropper's novelabout four siblings who come home to sit shiva after their father passes away, and what happens when they're trapped in the same house for a week. Adam Shankman was going to direct, but then was replaced by Shawn Levy and it wasn't clear if any of the cast would stick around. Now THR has word that Bateman is returning to the project, but some new actresses are going to test for some of the female roles. Read more.

Jennifer Aniston Joins the Comedic Cast of 'She's Funny That Way'

Director Peter Bogdanovich hasn't had a feature film released in theaters since 2001, but that's about to change. The 73-year-old filmmaker behind classics like Paper Moon and The Last Picture Show, has a new project in the works, a comedy formerly known as Squirrel to the Nuts (or Squirrels to Nuts) that's now being called She's Funny That Way. Indie stalwarts Wes Anderson and Noah Baumbach are producing, and we already knew that Owen Wilson had joined the cast, but now we're getting word that he'll reunite with his Marley and Me co-star Jennifer Aniston here, as THR reports that the actress has just signed on. Read more.

 Mark Neveldine Going Solo to Direct Supernatual 'The Vatican Tapes'

 Over three years ago, Man on Wire director James Marsh was being lined up to take on the supernatural thriller The Vatican Tapes. Now as Pope Benedict XVI resigns from his post in the real world and a new pope must be found, a new director has been brought on for this project at Lakeshore Entertainment. Variety ran a report about funding for various projects at the production company, and they reveal that Mark Neveldine, one half of the directing duo behind Gamer, Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance and the two Crank films, will be at the helm of the film, but without his usual co-director Brian Taylor. Read more.

Hugh Laurie Feeling Villainous Again for Brad Bird's 'Tomorrowland'

Though Emmy winning actor Hugh Laurie was once slated to take on a villain role in Jose Padilha's remake of RoboCop, the British native didn't finalize a deal. However, it sounds like he'll get the chance to take on a villain role again as Heat Vision reports he's in talks to face-off against George Clooney in Brad Bird's secretive sci-fi project Tomorrowland at Disney. Though there have been some solid theories about the plot, the only real information describes the film as being in the same vein as Close Encounters of the Third Kind, the 1978 Steven Spielberg classic about aliens and the people who encountered them. Read more.

Sunday Social 36

1.  What was your first car?

The first car I drove was a green Ford Contour and it was slightly terrible. . I think it was a 1994 or 1995. We called it Le Contour-french for the Contour.

2.  Who was your favorite childhood teacher?

I would have to say my 3^rd Grade teacher Mrs. Peterson. She introduced me to one of my favorite childhood books, Where the Red Fern Grows. She read it aloud to us as a class. In 3^rd Grade I remember loving multiplication and learning my times tables.

3.  Were you involved in any sports/extracurricular activities? Share pictures if you can!

When I was little I did one year of ballet. Around Junior High I played softball and soccer, but my favorite activity was Orchestra. I played in orchestra all through Junior High and High School. I did competitions and played for a few of the school musicals.

4.  What was your favorite birthday party?

This is going to sound really lame. My 18^th birthday we had a senior skip day from school and we spent most of the day at the amusement park Lagoon. Then a few of my close friends had a murder mystery dinner. It was one of those deals where everybody is assigned a character and you get to dress up in costume. This particular was called Pasta, Passion, & Pistols. We were just that cool ha ha. 

5.  Who was your teen celebrity crush?

Besides Brian Littrell, Mark Wahlberg.  I loved the Italian Job when it came out in 2003. Isn’t Mark just handsome?

6.  What show/movie did your parents not allow you to watch?

For Some reason the Simpsons.

  

Risky Business.

So When I heard Taylor Swift was coming on tour to Salt Lake City, I immediately thought of my 10 year old niece and how much she would love to go. The day the tickets went on sale they sold out probably within 20 minutes. I was too slow and I was pretty upset about disappointing my niece. But I do have a reputation as the favorite aunt to protect, so I went to work.

The past few weeks I've been searching and searching online classifieds for reasonably priced tickets to a sold out concert.  I am afraid to admit that I was pretty much shooting for the stars on this one.  (Please excuse me for getting on a soap box here).  I did my research and I know how much these tickets cost at face value.  I found a girl who was selling her tickets close to where I live. With her ad, she put a picture of her physical tickets.  On the face of her ticket is the price that was paid. $89.50, or somewhere close to that.  Guess how much she was selling her tickets for? $300! I don’t know how these people sleep at night. Every ad was the same story. End of Soap Box.

So I finally found the cheapest tickets listed and luckily the lady lived close by where I work. I sent her a text message and arranged to meet her in a public location after we both were off of work, and by public location I mean a gas station. As I’m pulling up to the meeting spot I get a text message that says “I’m in a tan car in front of the red box”. 

So I park my car, and start wondering over to the red box and I see a tan car. I start looking at the driver to see if she’ll wave, get out of the car, say something. Anything!  I really felt like a creeper.  So the lady gives me a kind of suspicious look and finally rolls down her window. I introduce myself just to make sure I’m talking to the right person and not a random stranger. She doesn't even get out of the car or open the door. She has her window rolled down about half way.  I hand over the money and she passes me the tickets. I felt shady and I’m sure anybody who saw us probably thought there was a drug deal happening.

I know I paid this lady too much money for the seat location but I did manage to get tickets. I am once again top tier favorite aunt material, and I’ve decided I really should get onto this scalping band wagon. Looks like a good way to make money.  =-)

Movie News Feb 5

Movies Opening This Week February 8

Identity Thief
Side Effects
Top Gun (in 3D)
A Glimpse Inside the Mind of Charles Swan III (Limited)

New Trailers

Ironman 3 (Super Bowl Spot)

Fast and Furious 6 (Super Bowl Spot)

Star Trek Into Darkness (Super Bowl Spot)

Video: Paperman (pixar short)

Kenneth Branagh Replacing Mark Romanek for Disney's 'Cinderella'

Just after the New Year, some troubling news came out of Disney that director Mark Romanek had departed their new live-action take on Cinderella after clashing creatively. Romanek was going for a darker telling and Disney thinks it's a little too dark to have a fairytale ending. Well, it sounds like Disney has moved quickly to get back on track, and they're bringing in a fantasy comic book adaptation and Shakespearean director to take over. Vulture has word that Thor and Hamlet director Kenneth Branagh is picking up where Romanek left off, and Cate Blanchett will be sticking around as the wicked stepmother in the film. Read more here.

Jon M. Chu Gets a Young Adult Adaptation with 'Matched' at Disney

With the release of the blockbuster sequel G.I. Joe: Retaliation finally upon us again (and hopefully it won't be delayed again), director Jon M. Chu is looking ahead to his next project. Heat Vision has word that Chu is currently in talks to take on his own young adult novel adaptation of Matched, based on the book of the same name by Ally Condie. The story is set in a future where people are told what to read, what to watch, what to believe and who to love, and follows a young woman who rejects an arranged romance and chooses her own path. David Slade was previously linked to the project but it sounds like he's fallen away. Read more here.

Denzel Washington to Direct & Star in Adaptation of Stage Play 'Fences'

While he's obviously best known as an actor, Denzel Washington has actually directed twice before in his career, helming the small dramas Antwone Fisher and The Great Debaters. It's been six years since he directed a movie, but it looks like the current Best Actor Oscar nominee is lining up a new project, because he told Empire that he'll direct and star in a film adaptation of August Wilson's stage play Fences. Washington is already familiar with the role, having won a Tony Award for his stage performance opposite Viola Davis on Broadway in 2010, so it should be a natural transition to bring the story from stage to screen. Click here to readmore. 

Marvel Plans 'Planet Hulk' Movie & 'World War Hulk' for 'Avengers 3'?

After Mark Ruffalo landed with a smash as The Incredible Hulk in The Avengers last summer, fans have been wondering if we'd get another standalone Hulk film with Ruffalo in the lead. However, Marvel has been mum on any official plans. Enter Latino Review, who has been super reliable when it comes to Marvel scoops, and they have word on what will happen with Hulk next. As you might expect, since Phase Two of Marvel's cinematic universe is already planned right up until The Avengers 2, a new Hulk movie wouldn't come until Phase Three and apparently the plan is to use the 2006 story Planet Hulk for the project. Click here to read more.

'Pitch Perfect' Director Teaming with Tina Fey for 'The Nest' Comedy

Following the conclusion of the NBC comedy series "30 Rock" (read my heartfelt review of the finale right here), it looks like Tina Fey is getting busier on the big screen. Soon Fey will be seen alongside Paul Rudd in Admission, and now Deadline reports she's attached to star in and produce The Nest, a new comedy from Pitch Perfect director Jason Moore and "Saturday Night Live" veteran writer Paula Pell. The film follows two thirtysomething sisters come home to find their parents’ house has been put up for sale, so they decide to spend one more wild weekend together there, bonding, feuding and finally growing up. Read more here.

Emily VanCamp Scores Lead in 'Captain America: The Winter Soldier'

A lot of Marvel movie news of late has involved Thor: The Dark World, voice casting for Guardians of the Galaxy, and even the studio's Phase 3 plans. But there's still a Phase 2 film that's shrouded in mystery, and that's Anthony and Joe Russo's sequel Captain America: The Winter Soldier. The search for the female lead has been underway for quite some time, with Mary Elizabeth Winstead rumored at one point and actresses like Alison Brie, Teresa Palmer & Emelia Clarke in contention, but now THR reports Marvel has selected "Revenge" star Emily VanCamp to join Chris Evans in Cap's upcoming adventure. Click here to read more. 

Sunday Social 35

1. If you were stuck on an island what are the two material items you would want to have?

A Tent

Toothbrush

2. What are two TV shows you'd watch over and over.

You probably already know I love Boy Meets so I’ll pick 2 new shows.

3. If your house was on fire what two things aside from family, pets, etc would you grab?

My Purse (It has my wallet, my phone, my iPod.)

Then, I would grab my violin.

4. What are your two most favorite articles of clothing?

Miracle Body Jeans

Deep Plum Cardigan

5. What two movies that you saw in the past year would you recommend to us?

6. What are your two biggest guilty pleasures? 

This is the Very First Season I have watched the Bachelor.