Summer Entertainment: Books & Movies

Summer is the perfect time to get swept away in a good book or movie. Over at NPR, they've come up with more than 100 movie and book recommendations and staff picks. It's worth checking out just to see the graphics of all those book and film covers. My to be read and watched lists just grew exponentially. Thanks for all the ideas, NPR. :)

Andy Samberg & Adam Levine "I'm So Humble"

I'm a fan of The Voice on NBC because they seem to really go the extra mile to teach and help prepare their contestants for the stage. The show gets extra kudos for their ability to bring on a variety of music and entertainment stars. Sometimes it results in show-stopping performances, and sometimes it's great for laughs. I think this covers a bit of both. 

Enjoy "I'm So Humble" performed by Andy Samberg as Conner4Real and the Real Adam Levine. 

Books to Movies 2016

It's no secret I love books and entertainment. Just read any of my Summer Reads book posts, or search the TV show updates I've posted. Many of them involve me going on about legal shows, dramas and music—I'm a true blue Nashie, among other things.

While I'm busy raising a family with my husband and writing the second Harper & Mackenzie novel, there are times I have to be away from my kids, notes, computer, phone, you get the picture. Sometimes I just need a break. So, when there are books lists, television programming updates or movie trailers to be found, I'm there!

I found this list of 19 books hitting the silver screen this year compiled by BuzzFeed and thought I'd share. If you are bored or just unsure of what to do this weekend, you might check this out and head over to your local library or bookstore. 

Enjoy!
Kristen

Avengers Age of Ultron Mystery Hero Revealed

If your summer plans include superheroes, then check this out. I'm a little behind on the Marvel series, but plan to catch up before summer. I also hope to find time to publish my first book chapters, read a half-dozen other books, get outside with the kids, and plan some fun events. Let's hope I can fit all this in before the end of May! 

The Vision is revealed in Entertainment Weekly, and this Yahoo brief. 

https://www.yahoo.com/movies/the-vision-in-full-view-avengers-age-of-ultron-115886252322.html?soc_src=mags&soc_trk=copy

Are you a Twi-hard, a Hunger-ling or both?

I have to say that I’ve been meaning to comment on the Hunger Games movie that debuted a few days ago, but I’ve been busy entertaining family. Or, they’ve been entertaining me, not sure, maybe a little of both.

Since comparisons are being made, it’s about time to speak up.

What did I want to say about the Hunger Games movie? Go. See. It. Not because I previewed it or will have time to see it before it hits the dollar theater, although I’ve talked about it at least ten times a day for the past week. I think it’s worth seeing because (IMO) the movie is based on a really great book. Suzanne Collins crafts this dystopian society where children, a boy and a girl, from 12 districts outside of the opulent and controlling Capitol are selected each year to fight to the death in the Hunger Games. It’s interesting, it’s political, it’s gut wrenching and it’s good. That’s all I will say, you should read it then see the movie, especially if you like a little more sci-fi.

I also wanted to say there are a few important changes that might irk some Hunger-lings. In an Entertainment Weekly (EW) story I read recently (and found more online), it sounded like the moviemakers were trying to convince themselves as much as the public that the story changes and cuts they made were crucial to keeping the movie at an acceptable length and budget.

Today, I saw a twitter post from EW outlining more differences between the book and movie. The author also gave an opinion of what worked and what didn’t. It’s good, but subjective, so if you’re interested you can check it out.

Now, I liked the Twilight saga too. I read a lot and since I spend most days neck deep in diapers and drool, any romance, action or departure from reality, between the hours of midnight and 3 am when I finally get some me-time, is a welcome escape. I don’t think you need to compare them, but go ahead if you want, USA Today does. Three main characters, a female and two suitors, sure. But, beyond that, I say enjoy them for what they are, stories.

If you are a fan of both, plan to be busy this Thanksgiving holiday and next. Twi-hards can see the final installment of the series when Breaking Dawn Part 2 hits theaters this Nov. 16. And Hunger-lings will be hungry waiting until Nov. 22, 2013, for the second story in the Hunger Games trilogy, Catching Fire.

Oscars and the Grouch

The Oscars are on this weekend, but not in our house.

I used to watch celebrities and think, Someday I could do what they do. Well, someday is here, and let’s just say I went another direction. I’m not a grouch. I’m happy with my life, and I still enjoy arts and entertainment, but there isn’t much time to say movie, much less see one these days.

Anyway, who really needs Meryl Streep’s career creds or Melissa McCarthy’s humor, really? Okay, so maybe I’m a little grouchy, but it’s only because I’m sleep deprived and feeling wrinkly today.

Movies are a luxury. One of my Resolutions for The Twelve is to see more movies, but I have seen exactly one this year, and it was in my living room. Still, it’s a start. So, since I couldn’t offer much insight into the Oscars or the movies, actors and writers nominated, I thought I’d give you cocktail ideas to celebrate the silver screen instead. 

Oh, and here’s a cool link to this year’s Official Oscar Nominee List in case you occasionally get lost during the program like I do (used to). 

Blackberry Kir

Ingredients:

            6 Tbs. blackberry liqueur 

            1 bottle (750ml) Sauvignon Blanc or Chablis, well chilled 

Directions:

Pour 1 Tbs. of the blackberry liqueur into each wineglass. Fill each glass two-thirds full with wine (about 4 fl. oz./125ml). Serve immediately. Serves 6.

Adapted from Williams-Sonoma Easy Entertaining, by George Dolese (Simon & Schuster, 2005). Read more

Sidecar

Ingredients

            Ice cubes

            1/2 fluid ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice

            1/2 fluid ounce Cointreau or triple sec

            1 fluid ounce brandy

            1 lemon wedge

Directions

Fill a cocktail shaker 3/4 full with ice cubes. Pour in lemon juice, Cointreau, and brandy. Cover and shake vigorously for about 30 seconds until the outside of the shaker becomes cold and frosty. Strain into a martini glass and garnish with a wedge of lemon. Read more

Baby Bellini (Non-Alcoholic)

Ingredients

            1 1/2 cups peach concentrate, chilled*

            4 bottles (750 ml bottle) sparkling cider such as Martinelli's, chilled

            48 raspberries**

            *If you cannot find peach concentrate or purée, buy frozen peaches and purée.

            **Raspberries are generally sold in either 1/2-pint or 6-ounce packages; you'll need more than one 1/2 pint or one package for this recipe.

Directions

1. Pour 1 tablespoon peach concentrate into each glass.

2. Fill each Champagne glass two-thirds full with sparkling cider.

3. Drop 2 raspberries into each Champagne flute and serve. Read More

Enjoy!

'Breaking Dawn' Teaser

Hey Twihards! Here's a 'Breaking Dawn' Teaser Trailer from the Hollywood Reporter. Just so you know, Stephenie Meyer is set for a cameo appearance in the movie as well.                                              
THR Reports: The biggest tease of them all just entered the world of teaser trailers.

To promote its unveiling of a trailer for The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part I on the MTV Music Video awards Sunday, the network released a 10-second teaser of the trailer.

The clip gives away nothing, and there's not even a full frame shot of Kristen Stewart in it!

What it does show is Robert Pattinson's Edward standing at the alter, waiting for a bride whose identity is not revealed.

Tags: 2011 MTV Movie Awards, Movie Main, Twilight: Breaking Dawn

Clooney Sightings and Midwest Movies

At last, there's something hot going on in the Midwest. The weather is creeping above freezing and we're seeing stars. 


Just the other day my mom called and told me there was a George Clooney sighting near Race St. in Cincy. And now, I'm reading that he is shooting scenes at Xavier with Ryan Gosling and scouting locations at the University of Michigan. 


Wow! If I weren't so close to labor, I'd be heading out to watch or sign up as an extra. Hey, maybe I'll check it out anyway. 


If you're interested, more details can be found online


http://www.wlwt.com/r/26876145/detail.html
http://michiganacting.com/acting/auditions-casting-calls/ides-of-march-extras-casting-detroit

Success or Mess: How old is too old? Resultszzzzz

I’m in day #2 of recovery from our midnight premiere of Eclipse. My friend and I went to the first showing of this Twilight Saga film, and we loved it.

It’s the experience of being there with tons of other Twi-hards, waiting to see what most of us already know – what happens with Bella, Edward and Jacob?

This movie delivered. There was plenty of conflict between the love interests, and tension leading up to a full-scale battle. Oh, there might have been some hot and heavy kissing and shirtless werewolves, but we all love it for the story, right? I have to say they did a good job of throwing in occasional humor about the teen angst, and balanced things out. If you enjoyed the books and the first two movies, you should go see this one.

I can’t remember the last time I was out that late/early – it felt like we owned the night, at least until my kid yelled at me to “wake up, mommy” four short hours after I got to bed that morning. I also wanted to be part of the phenomenon from more than just my comfy couch. That’s where I read all the Twilight Saga books, even the still unpublished Midnight Sun.

So, demonstrating ‘you’re only as old as you act’ was a success. But, since this girl is still recovering from the all-nighter, I would seriously consider the matinee next time. Maybe we’ll throw in a blue-plate special and get the full, early bird experience. Nah, we’re not that old, yet!