Resolutions and Solutions

Some of you have heard me say this more times than you probably would have liked to but… I just am going to say it – again. I cannot believe that we are less than 36 hours away from closing out 2011. There are a number of things that come to mind with ushering in a brand new year. Some of them might be important changes in life like using it as the chance to start afresh, to right wrongs or to strive to accomplish that one thing that has always been out of reach. Another thought that comes hand-in-hand with the holiday is the ever-popular New Year’s resolutions. Just some of the more recognizable ones might be a new job or to spend more time with family, live a healthier lifestyle or losing weight. I’ve not been one to “buy” into all the hype of resolutions, but I have been known to mentally coach myself on what I want to see change although it doesn’t have to be a new year – sometimes it might be taking another step in seeing completion to one of my goals or changing flaws about myself; human imperfections and all. 

Categories: Changes, Culture, Life

Review: New Year's Eve (2011)

Generally speaking, anytime a movie is headed up by Garry Marshall it nearly guarantees a grand treat at the theater – especially if you are in the mood for a chick-flick sort of movie. Each time I see a Garry Marshall film, I am enchanted by its fairy-tale qualities. Some of his works are family-friendly (or at least appropriate for teens) and some are very “adult.” The pre-cursor of this flick, Valentine’s Day certainly left something to be desired. This follow-up (of a sort) has its flaws but it is ten times better than Valentine’s Day was – or could ever hope to be.

Despite a seemingly “hopeless” world, there is one night when the whole world does gather together – New Year’s Eve. It is the one night in the entire year where the entire world can join together to celebrate the start of a new day – a whole new year where anything seems possible and a magical moment can be captured in a kiss... the one kiss that might change everything for someone. Ingrid (Michelle Pfeiffer) wouldn’t dream of letting her hair down like that and she isn’t the boldest person, either. In fact, she is something of a bore when it comes to excitement and living it up. Not one who looks a person in the eye, Ingrid finds herself at the office on the one day she wasn’t expecting to be, and is snapping at the courier service guy who has delivered packages to her building for month now. Paul (Zac Efron) just wants to cheer up his buddy and roommate, Randy (Ashton Kutcher). Not in a very festive mood which stems from lack of work, Paul is determined to get his friend out in the heart of the city for a night of fun. His answer comes when Ingrid offers him four tickets to the hottest party in town, contingent upon him working for her for the day to help her check off each of her new year’s resolutions… and then, Randy gets stuck in an elevator with an aspiring singer (Lea Michele) who is supposed to be singing back-up vocals to the hottest act at Time’s Square, Jensen (Jon Bon Jovi). It was just one year ago when Jensen messed up his own life with his girlfriend whom he proposed to and then left. Now Laura (Katherine Heigl) is catering the same party that Jensen has been booked at, only she is not in the most forgiving mood, but despite her anger, Jensen is betting on a chance to make things right. 

Categories: Abigail Breslin, Ashton Kutcher, Comedy, Culture, Drama, Garry Marshall, Josh Duhamel, Katherine Heigl, Movie, Review, Romance, Sarah Jessica Parker, Zac Efron

Favorites from 2011

Since this post is going around a lot in the blogging scene, I thought it might be fun to add my own post to that list of bloggers. I feel like I am putting this together on a whim, so it is not likely to be very organized, and for that I do beg your indulgence. This winter, I plan on doing a more "complete" list and have some fun with it, but until then... read on below to find out what some of my favorites were - including books and movies from 2011. 

Categories: Fun

Life as we Know It (2010)

Life as we Know It takes a crack at perfecting the typical opposites-attract set-up. The one glitch is this scenario has complications – a baby. So, how does “life” transcend from screen to life as we know and live it?

Sharing mutual friends isn’t always the best thing. Holly Berenson (Katherine Heigl) is a responsible, hard working woman attending culinary school with dreams to own a bakery and catering business. Eric Messer (Josh Duhamel) is quite the opposite – he’s irrational, never one to stick around in a relationship, but has a promising career as a network sports director for major sporting events. Their friends Pete and Alison think they would make an ideal couple and set them up for a date – a date that has “disaster” written all over before it even begins. They make it to the car arguing over which restaurant to dine at before each stomp off in the opposite direction throwing insults over their shoulders at each other and breathing sighs of relief at never having to see one another again. Little do they know how wrong they were…

Categories: Comedy, Drama, Josh Duhamel, Katherine Heigl, Life, Movie, Review, Romance

Review: A Princess for Christmas (2011)

Usually I do not see the new seasonal movies that air on Hallmark channel (or any “cable” network) until the following year when – and if they release to DVD. This year, this film was released in the U.K. and Canada, and was one I really wanted to see, it was my one “guilty pleasure” buy. It looked so sweet and because it starred Katie McGrath from Merlin (such a fun show). Turns out despite the fact that I shouldn’t have bought it, it was well worth it. 

Categories: Christmas, Comedy, Fairy-Tale, Family, Hallmark, Katie McGrath, Movie, Review, Romance

Review: Sherlock Holmes - a Game of Shadows (2011)

The first film in this franchise did not receive favorable accolades from purists of the Sherlock Holmes “fan club.” Most found it to be a degrading way to look at the sharp-witted intellectual who Arthur Donan Coyle created decades ago, and as far as critics were concerned… it was just a waste of filmmaking. If you disliked the first film, then chances are high you’ll detest this sequel – all I can find to say about it was: what fun!

Categories: Adaptation, Adventure, Costume Drama, Drama, Jude Law, Movie, Rachel McAdams, Review, Robert Downey Jr., Sequel, Slueth

Christmas...

Season's Greetings! I hope each and every one of my readers has spent this time surrounded by those who mean the most to them and enjoyed the holiday season, and all of the beautiful joys that accompany it. Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a happy new year, 2012!

Categories:

Review: A Christmas Wish (2011)

Making accurate and wise judgment calls has not been Martha Evans (Kristy Swanson) strong suit. So far she has made two grievous misjudgments – decisions that have left her alone with three small children. Married as a young woman without the smarts to know what she was setting herself up for, her husband turned out to be a real jerk and so she left the marriage with a small daughter, Mary Ellen. Then she was swept off her feet by a charming cowboy who had a son Miles. After a whirlwind romance, they were married and less than a year later, baby Lily was added to their combined family. It doesn’t take long for Martha to realize that her marriage is not a match made in heaven… and then Cal walks out on them, taking all their meager savings with him in the process. Packing up her three children, Martha travels as far as her limited cash and beater car will take her. 

Categories: Christmas, Family, Hallmark, Movie, Review

Review: Christmas Mail (2010)

I see enough Christmas movies each year to realize that, like romantic comedies they are all nearly the exact carbon-copy of each other. This movie is one of the silliest little holiday flicks I’ve seen but at the same time, it made me smile with such pleasure that its over-sweet premise and such endearing characters could be nothing but “perfect.”

Letters to Santa are supposed to mark the beginning of a magical season filled with joy, twinkle lights and the people that we love most around us – and maybe that coolest toy under the tree. For Matt (A.J. Buckley) all these letters signify is more work. As a postal worker, the holiday season means the start of a longer day and more packages to haul around on his route. An aspiring guitarist who left his free-spirit band mates and days on the road behind in order to take custody of and care for his precocious niece Emily, Matt is determined to give his niece a stable environment to grow up in. Little does Matt know that Emily is writing Santa for something more – this year she wants only her beloved Uncle’s happiness… and someone who can make their family feel complete.

Categories: Christmas, Comedy, Family, Movie, Review

Review: White Collar - Season One (2009)

Ever since becoming a follower of USA produced shows where they beckon “Characters Welcome” as their trademark slogan, this show has popped up in promo spots and all kinds of material interrelated to the series I was already enjoying. Further reading only tempted me more and the shows premise sounded like wicked good fun – plus a commentator compared it to BurnNotice… enough said.

Categories: Burn Notice, Comedy, Drama, Matt Bomer, Season One, Slueth, TV Show, USA Network

Traditions

What is the first thing that you think of when you see the word ‘Christmas’ in print?

Is it the smell of cookies baking? Twinkle lights proudly gleaming on their evergreen perch? All of the deals you might snag on the over-publicized Black Friday? Or is it something – or rather Someone much more precious? Christmas conjures up all sorts of images and thoughts in our minds. A Christmas tree with all the trimmings and presents piled high beneath it. Tables laden with a centerpiece that is a perfectly cooked turkey and every mouth-watering side dish that goes with it, snowflakes falling gently through the air blanketing the landscape in a dazzling coating of white. Salvation Army buckets outside of stores entrance or Santa Clause sitting at the mall patiently listening to children’s wish lists. Fireplaces crackling with bright cheeriness, cups of hot cocoa with marshmallows on a cold winter’s evening or a Christmas album blaring on the stereo – whatever thought might pop into our heads when thinking of the holiday,  we all have traditions that mean something to us amidst the hustle-bustle of the season that should be anything but taxing. 

Categories: Christmas, Family, Life

Leverage: Season One (2007)

He has helped people for years reclaim their prized possessions and when it turns out he is the one needing assistance, there is none to be found. 

Nate Ford (Timothy Hutton) stood by while his young, eight-year-old son lay dying, suffering through medical procedures, and when an experimental treatment did finally come along the insurance company refused payment. As a former insurance investigator, Nate knows the system, but he cannot forgive the corporate company who let his son die. When he is approached to steal top-secret airplane specs by a man who claims they are legitimately his designs but were stolen, Nate is doubtful about the role he is to play in working the thief scene – but an opportunity to hurt the insurance company who took his son makes it an interesting offer. Turns out he is to play leader to three well-known thieves – some of whom Nate previously chased in relation to various insurance claims and investigations. There is the techno genius Alec Hardison (Aldis Hodge) and weapons and hand-to-hand combat expert Eliot (Christian Kane)… and then, there is Parker (Beth Riesgraf). Parker is all heart but completely insane, so much so that she actually likes jumping off buildings and doesn’t like to spend money but instead she likes just having money. With that, the team is in place, the plans are stolen back and all that’s left is the pay-off… right? Wrong. That payment never does come along. Instead, the four of them realize they were played (and nearly killed), and decide to con the man who hired them as a means of satisfaction.

Categories: Comedy, Friends, Heist, Leverage, Review, Season One, Timothy Hutton, TNT, TV Show

Review: Tangled (2010)

Gosh! - but this movie really gets around in the blogging scene. I cannot count the number of times I have seen it featured on someone’s blog. So, I decided I might as well post my thoughts... plus it's the most perfect movie to watch with the family during this holiday season. *smile* ...Fairy-tales have given us generations of stories and fables - some good and some bad. They are not only found as told in Little Golden Books, but also have been fodder for many a filmmaker. Perhaps there is no production company with any bigger name (or budget) than Disney, who has in essence become the leading name when one thinks of happily-ever-afters. 

Categories: Animated, Disney, Fairy-Tale, Family, Mandy Moore, Storybook

Review: Love, Wedding, Marriage (2011)

I do not remember exactly what on-line retailer or Internet site I was visiting when this first snagged my attention but it did so because of its two leading ladies. After that, the rest of the cast sounded impressive and the plot sounded adorable. Since I am a sucker for any romantic comedy, seeing this was inevitable.

Categories: Comedy, Drama, Mandy Moore, Movie, Review, Romance

Review: The Christmas Card

Warm fuzzy Christmas movies are some of my favorite things to indulge in over the holiday season. That is the main reason why every year at this time I will scour Amazon.com for all the latest television films that I read about the previous year, hoping that the title I type in will be on DVD this year. That was the case with The Christmas Card, a Hallmark channel movie – this endearing little film has now skyrocketed to the top of my “classics.” 

Categories: America, Christmas, Drama, Hallmark, Movie, Review

Review: Sherlock Holmes (2009)

Warner Brothers’ recent take on the ammeter detective and his sidekick is not something that will likely find much "middle ground" with viewers. Instead, this blockbuster will either be loved or despised. Fans of the original Holmes find it a huge letdown to his character, while some of us can merely enjoy this for what it is. 

Categories: Adaptation, Adventure, Comedy, Costume Drama, Drama, Jude Law, Movie, Rachel McAdams, Review, Robert Downey Jr.

Guest Post from Danielle

Hello fellow bloggers. Today, I am thrilled to welcome Danielle from Book or Big Screen? to my blog with a guest post here at Scribbles, Scripts and Such – she has reviewed the book The Life of Pi. Her blog explores the differences between the book and its companion movie adaptation. You may remember a few months back when I guest posted on her blog, which was great fun, so I am thrilled that she agreed to write something here. Read on below to find out what Danielle thought about this book…  

Categories: Blog, Book, Fun, Guest Posting

Review: One Day (2011)

Initially I was drawn to this for two reasons. The first was Anne Hathaway starring – she is Hollywood’s “princess” who shot to fame in her role as Mia Thermopolis in Disney’s The Princess Diaries – and secondly, because I am always up for a good romance. I knew how this one ended long before seeing it and, although I was far from happy with it, still I saw it. 

Categories: Adaptation, Anne Hathaway, Book, Drama, Movie, Review, Romance

Elizabeth Camden's The Lady of Bolton Hill

Here, I am posting another "alternate cover art" post. I've done two prior to this one and it has been fun. Today, I am featuring Christian author Elizabeth Camden's debut novel. There were a handful of working concepts for this novel before the final design was sent to press. Published by Bethany House and designed by Jennifer Parker, here were three differing versions of the early working designs:

                              

...and below, here is the final cover art from back to front: 

Overall, I definitely prefer the final design. It is pretty and compliments the story well (which is a charming story fashioned after North & South). Of the prior designs, the middle cover is my favorite and the other two are just... "okay." Jennifer Parker is a well-known graphic designer whose work is often found on the the books published by Bethany House - including authors such as Cathy Marie Hake and Janette Oke. 

What are your thoughts about these designs? 

Categories: Author, Book, Cover, Fun

Sometimes the Only Good Guys... are the 'Bad' Ones

Perhaps I am working under a mistaken assumption but... don’t we all love the good guys in stories? To see their missions go out in an awesome blaze of splendor – even as our logical minds tell us that it is in an enclosed special effects set, nothing can take the fun out of it, because it’s cool, right!? Is there any better way for a movie to end or more gratifying? I didn’t think so. What do you do though with heroes who have built a reputation on thieving? Why, you reform them, of course! That is the working premise for TNT’s summer hit Leverage, a show that hinges on the bad guys doing the right thing.

Categories: Friends, Leverage, TNT, TV Show

Review: Hawaii Five-O - Season One (2010)

During the summer of 2010, the promotion for the fall 2010 television season was constantly playing promotional spots on TV and this show, popped up a lot in articles. It interested me for more reasons than one, none of which had anything to do with the original series. 

Categories: Alex O' Loughlin, CBS, Chalie's Angels, Crime Drama, Hawaii Five-0, Re-make, Review, Scott Caan, Season One, TV Show

Blog Award

Good evening, readers! This past week I was awarded with the "Stylish Blogger Award" by Ella from the Door in the Air - thank you so much, girl! Reading a new post by you is always fun. I appreciate you picking my blog as one of your "five," and including me in this award. *smile*

The general "rules" of this award are seven facts about yourself and passing along the award to five others. All of my followers are awesome - each time you participate in commenting, I appreciate it so much. Reading those thoughts makes it more worth blogging - so all of you, keep them coming! This award needs five people to pass it along too, so I did my best to create that short list. To see if you were one of my followers that I picked, read on below to find out which followers I've chosen to pass along this award to. 

Categories: Blog, Fun, Thanks

Review: Water for Elephants (2011)

From the better part of my movie viewing experience I’ve learned that I do not particularly take to or like movies that start in the present day – or some years later timeframe and then go back decades to tell its primary story. Even though there are a rare few that I do not mind, it just doesn’t pique my interest – this beginning wound up being one that did rub me the wrong way. 

Categories: Adaptation, Costume Drama, Drama, Movie, Reese Witherspoon, Review, Romance

Review: 12 Men of Christmas (2009)

From Lifetime, this piece of yuletide fluff aired on television a couple of years ago billed as a book-to-screen adaption. Not something likely to disappoint, this is most definitely one of my most favorite flicks. 

She didn’t get where she is by being a meek “girl” about everything. No, this career-driven woman doesn’t have the word “no” or its description in her vocabulary. On the fast lane towards success, E.J. Baxter (Kristin Chenoweth) got to where she is by taking control – refusing to be told “no.” Her engagement was even at her insistence when, instead of being a total girl about it, she took the initiative and proposed marriage to her equally career-minded fiancé. A New York publicist who knows, not only how to work her clients but wow her boss, E.J. is counting on having one of the best Christmases she’s had in years… but that is when things come to a halt. When she finds her fiancé and boss making out, her reaction is to break the heel off a thousand dollar pair of pumps, which in turn, gets her unceremoniously fired.

Categories: Adaptation, Austen, Christmas, Comedy, Kristin Chenoweth, Lifetime TV, Movie, Review

The Stuff Dreams are Made Of

Pink tutus and fairy-tales, Superman’s red cape and heroic acts of courage – these are what dreams are made of. Or our childhood dreams are. As children, anything is possible and to most of us, the sky is the limit. For some unfathomable reason, the American mentality that everyone should have equal opportunity to realize their dreams and all of the half-truths coupled with the very definition of dreams became inspiration for a post, so here I am typing out thoughts - in a very random fashion, on the subject of our dreams. Culture often tells our adult minds that we should have everything we want, that we should be treated “fairly,” that life shouldn’t deal us a hand that is anything less than charmed (gosh, but don’t those of us who actually live in the real world know what a white lie that is!?). Mainstream media tries to lure us every single day into a sense of false comfort not unlike what a security blanket might provide, when in reality they are lying not only to themselves but their viewing audience. The definition of “dream” is as follows:

Dream

1 : to have a dream or dreams 2 : to spend time having daydreams 3 : to think of as happening or possible.

I believe that often, our view of life and dreams get a little mixed up. Sometimes we become so focused on a fairy-tale that we forget the good in life – and, despite the strife, it is beautiful. Still to this day, America is thought of as the land of “dreams.” Maybe to many it is, but to me it is merely a land where dreams can come true, if we want it enough; are willing to work hard for it, and have the skill-set to see them through but they aren’t often a part of reality, instead aspirations are more “practical.”

Categories: Childhood, Culture, Dreams, Life, Opinions

Review: Christmas Lodge (2010)

The Hallmark Channel is well renowned for their family-friendly fare. They are no more well-known for this than all through the holiday season when networks air a number of holiday-themed productions. This year they have a dozen or better airing over the course of a month-and-a-half. Add on top of that a world renowned name like Thomas Kinkaid and this movie is bound to pique fans interest. 

Categories: Christmas, Family, Hallmark, Movie, Review

Valentine's Day (2010)

Since Garry Marshall’s follow-up (New Year’s Eve) to this romantic-comedy is releasing this upcoming weekend, I thought, why not re-visit this, his first attempt to monopolize a highly publicized holiday? This is one of those movies I really shouldn’t like because its moral compass is more off-beat than your average comedy is, but still… I do “like” it.

Categories: Anne Hathaway, Ashton Kutcher, Bradley Cooper, Comedy, Emma Roberts, Garry Marshall, Jennifer Garner, Movie, Review, Romance, Taylor Lautner, Taylor Swift

Femnista: Arsenic & Lace

Good Morning, Readers! Once again, today, I am excited to invite you all to read yet another edition of Femnista! In this issue, the writers give us a glimpse into some of the most-loved PI's, detectives and three-letter government agents. When I heard about this topic, I was thrilled that Charity chose this as one of the webzine's subjects but... it was also more challenging than usual for me to chose just one topic to write about! Crime shows are my primary genre of TV shows, so to narrow it down to one was "difficult."

This issue features Lydia's ever-popular "Ask Lydia" column, articles on Richard Castle (Castle) and the always enigmatic Sherlock Holmes is featured in the "Book vs. Film" column. Also in this issue is Bones (welcome, Danielle!) and White Collar (absolutely love this show), and many, many more! I hope you all check out this issue and enjoy the mysterious "twists and turns" these characters become entangled with.

Scroll down this page to find the link on the right sidebar to read it on-line, or click on the link below to download or print out this issue to read at your leisure. Please let us know what you all think of this issue - feedback is always great! We hope you join us again February first for a look at iconic author Charles Dickens' and his vast library of classics.

Femnista: November/December 2011 - "Favorite Sleuths" 

Like this post? You may also like...

• Banter, Battery - and (*gasp*) Murder! (Castle) 
• Femnista: September/October 2011 - "Literary Men" 
• Femnista: Special Edition, October 2011 
• Review: Covert Affairs - Season One 

Categories: Femnista, Fun, Sleuths, Webzine

Book: Leaving

About the book:

Publisher: Zondervan

Publication Date: 2010

Author: Karen Kingsbury

Series: “Bailey Flannigan” (book 1 of 4)

Genre: Christian Fiction, Young Adult

Synopsis: twenty-one-year-old Bailey Flannigan is nearly done with her college education but she isn’t sure what that is going to mean. She’s surrounded by a loving, wonderful family and, recently she co-starred in a movie next to Hollywood’s hottest heartthrob… but something is missing – a piece of her heart is broken beyond repair. Developing a close friendship with one of her father’s football players, Bailey and her family welcomed Cody Coleman into their lives with open arms... then, Cody walked away. A guy with a broken past, Cody leaving behind their friendship without so much as a logical reason hurt Bailey so much that the hole in her heart seems now untouchable.

Now, determined to follow dreams of being on Broadway, Bailey decides it is time to spread her wings... until friend and former co-star, Brandon Paul pursues Bailey’s heart, and regardless of her reservations, his gentle caring and genuine feelings for Bailey give her the push she needs to get to know the new Christian better, but is she realizing her dreams – or allotting for the loss of Cody? 

Categories: Book, Fiction, Karen Kingsbury, Series