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.

Cinema 411

Movies Opening This Week February 1

Bullet to the Head

Stand Up Guys

Warm Bodies

The Gatekeepers (Limited)

Girls Against Boys (Limited)

Haunting in Connecticut 2: Ghosts of Georgia (Limited)

Sound City (Limited)

New Trailers  
Upsidedown 

Mud
Phantom

I love this scene from Legally Blonde

More Details on What to Expect from Marvel's 'Thor: The Dark World'

As the buzz from The Avengers finally dies down, comic book movie fans are looking ahead to Marvel's Phase Two. We'll see Iron Man 3 this summer, but Thor: The Dark World is right on its heels, and that project is a lot more mysterious right now. We know that Dark Elves are involved with Christopher Eccleston leading the charge as Malekith, a second villain named Algrim the Strong plays a major part, and Tom Hiddleston is back as Loki. In a recent interview with Empire Magazine (via Yahoo!), Marvel Studios executive producer Craig Kyle revealed more details about what's coming in the comic sequel. Read more here.

Paul Giamatti is Rhino in 'Amazing Spider-Man 2' & Felicity Jones Joins

Taking cues from some of the other comic book sequels out there, The Amazing Spider-Man 2 seems to have a couple of villains on the docket. We already know that Jamie Foxx is slated to play Electro, but now Heat Vision has word that Paul Giamatti is in talks to enter the mix as The Rhino. Considering Giamatti isn't exactly the most fit of actors and he's certainly not anywhere near as buff as the comic book villain usually appears, this seems like strange, but wholly interesting casting for the comic book sequel. This isn't Giamatti's first comic book film as he led American Splendor, but it'll be his first superhero film. Read more here.

Paquin, Page & Ashmore Are Returning for 'X-Men: Days of Future Past'

After Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen were announced to reprise their roles as Professor X and Magneto respectively (with James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender still playing the younger versions of those same characters) in X-Men: Days of Future Past, we knew something interesting was going on with the sequel to X-Men: First Class. Then Hugh Jackman was confirmed to return as Wolverine, and now the story is getting even more interesting as more X-Men characters from the original trilogy are back. Anna Paquin, Ellen Page and Shawn Ashmore will reprise their roles as Rogue, Shadowcat and Iceman respectively. Read more here.

Disney Announces J.J. Abrams as Director of 'Star Wars: Episode VII'

It's official. Hot on the heels of yesterday's surprise scoop that J.J. Abrams had changed his tune from a flat out denial and was going to direct Star Wars: Episode VII, Disney has officially announced in a press release that the Star Trek reboot director will officially be at the helm of the sequel. In addition, the press release confirms that Michael Arndt is writing the screenplay, and that Lawrence Kasdan and Simon Kinberg are consulting on the project as well. Lucasfilm's new fearless leader Kathleen Kennedy says, "It’s very exciting to have J.J. aboard leading the charge as we set off to make a new Star Wars movie." Jumphere to read more.

Kate Winslet Goes Young Adult in 'Divergent' Starring Shailene Woodley

Hot on the heels of Smashed and The Spectacular Now director James Ponsoldt taking on an adaptation of the young adult novels The Pure Trilogy, a more familiar name is heading into tween territory as well. Shailene Woodley is already confirmed to lead Summit Entertainment's adaptation of Veronica Roth's book Divergent, the first in a hopeful trilogy of movies, and now Variety reports Kate Winslet is currently in talks to take an unknown role. Directed by Neil Burger (Limitless) the story is set in a dystopian future Chicago with the city separated into five factions, so it has shades of The Hunger Games, hence the appeal. Read more.

Sunday Social Week 34

1.  What is your ideal way to relax?

In my sweats, cuddled up with a blanket as I watch a movie or read a book.

2.  Where is your favorite place to be?

I love being at home with my family, but if I had to choose a place I would pick Barnes and Noble. The Café, Books, and Games. What more could you want?

3.  Who do you consider your biggest role model?

My oldest sister. She is smart, ambitious, and funny. She’s a mother of 5 started her own business last year. She’s awesome.

4.  What does your life look like in 3 years?

In 3 years I will be graduated so I will be getting my first teaching job. Within 3 years I hope to find a guy as well. I’ve learned that none of the plan I make ever work out the way I think they should so we’ll see what happens.

5.  If you could go back and change one decision, what would it be?

I wish I had continued with my violin lessons after high school. I wish I had continued with singing lessons as well.

6.  What is your biggest accomplishment in life so far?   

     

Off of the top of my head my biggest accomplishment would be graduating from college. I also getting close to receiving my second Bachelor's Degree. 

BB on the Way

Michael Bublé and his wife are having a baby Bublé!

Luisana Lopilato, the wife of the Canada-born crooner, is pregnant, and what better way to announce to the world that they're expecting? With a YouTube video of course.

Movie News

Movie Opening This Weekend (January 25^th)

Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters

Movie 43

Parker

John Dies at the End (Limited)

New Trailers

Emperor

Spring Breakers

Red 2

Olympus Has Fallen

At Any Price

Video: The Best Scene from Monster in Law

You might have to turn the volume up a tiny bit.

David Fincher in Talks to Direct Adaptation of Gillian Flynn's 'Gone Girl'

Though The Social Network director David Fincher has been working on getting 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea off the ground, not to mention being talked about for Star Wars: Episode VII and supposedly game for The Girl Who Played with Fire, we haven't head what his next project will really be. NowVariety has word that Fincher is currently in talks with Fox to direct Gone Girl, an adaptation of Gillian Flynn's novel of the same name. An official offer isn't on the table yet, but the story follows a woman who disappears on her fifth wedding anniversary and sparks suspicion and strange behavior from her husband. Read more here.

Relativity Media Picks Up Joseph Gordon-Levitt's 'Don Jon's Addiction'

Another day, another big sale at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival. Hot on the heels of The Spectacular Now getting picked up by A24, news has come from multiple sources saying that Don Jon's Addiction, the directorial debut from The Dark Knight Rises and Looper star Joseph Gordon-Levitt, has been picked up for distribution by Relativity Media, the company who brought Let Me In andHaywire to theaters. The film was purchased for $4 million and will get a wide release with $25 million going towards the marketing. Of course, a movie with Gordon-Levitt and Scarlett Johansson should sell itself, right? Continue Reading Here.

Jim Carrey and Adam Sandler Courted for 'Guardians of the Galaxy'?

Casting is underway for Marvel's cosmic superhero ensemble Guardians of the Galaxy from director James Gunn. We've heard more than a few names for the shortlist trying to lock down Peter Quill (aka Starlord), and now two more big names have come out of left field, but not for that role. Latino Review(who has always been reliable with comic book scoops) has heard that Jim Carrey and Adam Sandlerare among the names being considered as Marvel has inquired about their availability for this film. This would be the third comic book movie for Carrey, but the first for Sandler. So what role would they have? Read Here.

Rosario Dawson Joining Ryan Reynolds In Queen Of The Night

Queen of the Night sounds like a vampire movie, and given Hollywood’s penchant for bloodsuckers it’s easy to see why one might be swayed into thinking that was its intent. Instead, it’s a missing-child thriller from acclaimed Canadian filmmaker Atom Egoyan, and it just added a stellar leading lady to its growing ensemble.  Read more about the movie here.