PostSecret 11-30-2008

PostSecret

Twilight Thoughts & Review

I was going to do a really specific, several posts about my thoughts on the movie vs. the book, the movie by itself, and then the specific parts of the movie that I liked or disliked. But then I realized - not everyone is as crazy or interested in it as I am.

So here's my condensed (as best I can do) thoughts on all those things: I give the movie a C rating. After seeing it the 2nd time, I thought I would be able to give it a B, but the more I thought about it, I just realized I couldn't do it.

First of all - if you have seen the movie and have not read the book, you need to read the book. This movie in no way at all even a slight little bit compares in any way to the book. The book develops the characters, the story, the events, the attraction, the family, the plot, and the setup for the future books in a way that is much more detailed, understandable and complete than the movie. But that's okay because that's what should be expected from a movie. A movie - especially one like this - is a cheap Cliffs Notes version of the book. So while it was not as awful as some movies from books I have seen (ahem, The Count of Monte Cristo), it is also not as good as I think it could have been.

My problems were as follows:
Nothing looks like I pictured it - at all. The people aren't exactly right - my least favorites are Carlisle and Rosalie probably. The ones I'm okay with are Alice, Billy and Jacob (although he will have to have a MAJOR growth spurt for the rest of the movies). I'm not okay with any of the places. I pictured the school, Bella's house, the Cullen house and even Bella's bedroom completely differently. Actually, the Cullen house in the book is described as an old white house that looks like it had been there for like 200 years - not some new, art-deco thing.

Edward's deer-in-headlights look. I feel like they told him to look scared or mad and he just opened his eyes really wide. It ruined a couple parts for me - specifically the part where he picks her up from Port Angeles.

The whole tantric staring at each other thing in the meadow. No. Just no. I liked the parts where they showed them talking a lot without hearing them. That was fine. But with the staring thing, I feel like they were trying to show desire without being able to act on it and it came out awkward and unneccessary. Really bad and embarrassing for me.

Edward's general demeanor throughout the movie. He walks all hunched over and he yells in the woods when he's talking to her about who he is. Read the book again. That's not accurate. Edward, while definitely being a tortured soul, is cool and collected most of the time - especially at school, with the exception of having to try to control his base insticts around Bella. He is bored by the people around him because everyone has become boring from knowing everyone's thoughts and ulterior motives and inner ideas. He just isn't awkward.

The scene in the hospital where Bella gets all upset and says he can't say things like that to her. It just wasn't right for me. I'm not sure why, it sort-of annoyed me. Although, Bella annoys me in most of the books, so maybe they got that part right.


The parts I did like were:
Saving her from the van.
When he was standing there listening to Mike ask her to prom.
The first kiss (while totally slow and painful in my opinion, definitely right-on).

That's maybe it.

I did NOT like how almost everything is out of order and in the wrong place and they smooshed things together that didn't need to be. They could have put some things in the right order and even expounded a little bit and cut stupid things like the tantric staring thing and still kept themselves in about a 2-hour time frame.

So, feel free to disagree. I've talked to a lot of people who really liked the movie. And that's great! I'm totally okay if you like it. I think that's what they wanted. Seeing as how no one is going to read a book and see the exact same thing in their head, it would make sense to me that some people would see this movie and it would be perfect for them and then others, like me, would see it and it wouldn't really be what they imagined at all. Almost frustratingly so.

Here's what I will say, though: I have been watching lots of interviews with Rob Pattinson and Kristen Stewart and while I don't 100% like them as Edward and Bella, I do like them as actors which made me like them a little bit more as Edward and Bella as I saw the movie more than once. I'm not telling you how many times I have seen the movie. As someone who didn't really love it, it's sort-of awful how many times I've had to see it. But I wanted to see it with my friends for their first time, but they couldn't all go at the same time!

What did you think of the movie?

Big Love: Season 3 Teaser Trailer

Who watches Big Love?

Big Love: Season 3 Invitation to the Set

I am EXCITED!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!!

We went to Cracker Barrel and then to see Four Christmases (which was cute)!

Green Beaver

My friend Leanne told me about this company from Canada called Green Beaver! Their products are 100% natural, biodegradable, vegan & gluten-free! I will definitely be checking out their selection!! You should, too!

Twilight Picture

Source

This was one of the parts of the movie that I actually liked.

Top Viewed YouTube Video of All Time??

Avril Lavigne - Girlfriend. Seriously?

(The specific video has disabled embedding.)
This is the top viewed YouTube video of all time. Really??

What is your favorite YouTube video?

Quote for the Day

“I do not wish to treat friendships daintily, but with the roughest courage. When they are real, they are not glass threads or frost-work, but the solidest thing we know.”

-Ralph Waldo Emerson


I think this is the way we should all think of our friendships - if they are real friendships. I wonder sometimes how strong a friendship can be if you don't really trust someone. I feel incredibly blessed to know that I have some friendships that are stronger than my darkest moments and are not limited by my inability to be everything I should be. Friendships should be places we are free to be honest and open. We should never be afraid that what we say or do will break them because they are stronger than all of that. I have some friends I trust completely with my secrets, my fears, my struggles, my mistakes, my past and my future. I hope you have some similar friendships in your life.

Angels & Airwaves

Sort-of a boring blog day, I'm aware. But I wanted you all to listen to this song that I've been listening to a lot this week!!

Angels & Airwaves: Secret Crowds

Trailer: Coraline

What do you think of this trailer?? It's based on a Neil Gaiman book.

Dakota Fanning is the voice of Coraline.

New in Theaters 11/26/2008

Most excited about: Four Christmases

Also released today:
Australia
Transporter 3
Milk (Limited)

Thanksgiving Traditions

Just out of curiosity, I'm wondering what is normal for Thanksgiving - what are your normal plans?? Do you have lots of meals? Just one big meal? Do you go to more than one family's house? Are you out of town? What do you eat?

I'm just curious!!

Quote for the Day 11/25/2008

“You think your pain and your heartbreak are unprecedented in the history of the world, but then you read. It was books that taught me that the things that tormented me most were the very things that connected me with all the people who were alive, or who had ever been alive.”

-James Baldwin (Source)

10 Directors

I found this post and made a point to not read it fully, so I'm not sure exactly what they said. I didn't want to get ideas from it, just inspiration. It just got me thinking about my favorite directors. I definitely have a few. Let's discuss...

Cameron Crowe
He is one of my favorites because I love how he makes the music a part of the movie in ways that a lot of directors aren't able to make work. My favorite movies of his are Almost Famous, Say Anything and Elizabethtown.


M Night Shyamalan
While a lot of people are starting to like him less and less, he has continued to grow for me as one of the best. He just presents things in a different way and it's always thinking outside the box and not along the lines that most go in movies today. The Village was more emotional and beautiful for me than scary and I think that was the point. The performances of Joaquin Phoenix and Bryce Dallas Howard were just fabulous and I think Shyamalan presents all his movies in a way that makes the actors better. Even Mark Wahlberg, although I know many also disagree with that. My favorite movies of his are The Sixth Sense (obviously - just classic) and The Village.


Kevin Smith
I think Kevin Smith is hilarious. I was immediately sold on Jay & Silent Bob way back in the day, before everyone knew who he was. My dad, brother and I used to watch Clerks and Mallrats all the time. Kevin Smith won me over as a more rounded director with Jersey Girl. Although not the best movie I've ever seen, I enjoyed it and loved how he did it. The little girl singing the Sweeney Todd song in the end was always my favorite. My favorite Kevin Smith movies are Mallrats, Dogma and Jersey Girl.


Ron Howard
My first real experience with a Ron Howard movie was Cocoon and I really think that anyone who can get me to love a movie about aliens taking up old people really deserves an award or something. He continued with just fabulous movies that make you laugh and cry and remember why you like watching movies to begin with, like Apollo 13, A Beautiful Mind and Cinderella Man. I can always count on his movies to move me and to make me think a little more and appreciate things. Not necessarily the place to go for action, but definitely the place to go for heart.


Michael Bay
I started loving Michael Bay when I watched Armageddon. Cheesy, I know. I'll admit that my love of the movie Armageddon is in the embarrassing category. That's okay. I still love it. He also did Transformers and The Island which had that look that just lets you know - THIS is a Michael Bay movie. You can feel it when you're watching it. I'm interested to see how his next movie, the remake of Friday the 13th, goes. My husband is really excited to see it, but as I don't see scary movies, I will have to rely on the opinions of others.


Tim Burton
Who doesn't think Tim Burton is fabulous? You just don't know what you're talking about. If we are measuring in terms of flat-out creativity that can take your breath away, he would be #1. He somehow always finds the perfect balance of beauty and horror. I mean, Johnny Depp as Willie Wonka in the Chocolate Factory is scary and strangely attractive all at the same time. The partnership between Johnny Depp and Tim Burton is another one of the appealing things for me about him. They work so well together and Johnny Depp can perfectly capture that strangely beautiful look. I literally cannot wait to see Alice in Wonderland. I'm sure it will creep me out, but it will also be everything I expect it to be and more.


Ridley Scott
Gladiator. Kingdom of Heaven. Body of Lies. I feel like I could have just stopped with Gladiator and everyone would know why he is on my list. I love the way his movies make me feel when they are over. They are inspiring and they flow in a way that a lot of movies don't. When I see that he directed a movie, they don't even have to tell me who is in it. I'll be there.

(Wow, what a random combo, right?? Those are in no particular order.)

YouTube Videos

Let's just start the day off right...

Cute little kid who doesn't speak English singing Hey Jude!



Ever gotten Rick Roll'd?? Check out the Barack Roll!

Happy Birthday!!!

Today is my dad's birthday!!!!

Wish him a happy one!!!!!

I bought him a stinking awesome painting for his birthday...

(He likes the Beatles.)

New on DVD 11/25/2008

Most excited about: Hancock

Also being released:
Fred Claus
Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Beverly Hills 90210: Season 6

Quotes for the Day

"I’m selfish, impatient, and a little insecure. I make mistakes, I’m out of control, but if you can’t handle me at my worst you don’t deserve me at my best."
-Marilyn Monroe

"My head says “who cares?”. My heart says “you do, stupid”."
-Source


These both remind me of myself. I tend to get so down on myself for the stupid mistakes in my past or the millions of times I have said or done the wrong thing. I make mistakes - absolutely - it happens all the time. I am not the person I want to be, but I'm closer to that person than I was a year ago, a month ago, even a week ago. How different would the world be if we just embraced the fact that we are not going to be perfect and we aren't going to make everyone happy and be everyone's ideal of beauty or grace or strength. But we all have something to offer. I refuse to be defined by my darkest moments. I am not that person.

I also tend to apologize all the time for my eccentricities. I got little business cards made for my blog. They're super cute and they have the girl in the header on them with my blog address and blog email. I've told everyone not to make fun of me before I give them out because I'm so worried that someone will think I'm dorky because I have a blog. But - to all you who read blogs or have blogs - you understand why I do this blog and why I keep it up and spend so much time on it. It's not to be vain or to be self-indulgent. It's to be creative and to be myself. It's because I enjoy it. It's because there is a huge part of me that looks forward to those couple of hours each day or week that I post on my blog. I'm proud of it and I like it and if that makes me dorky, then so be it. I'm always trying to say "whatever," "who cares?" And the quote is right - I DO. I like Buffy, I like television, I like blogs - both my own and other peoples, I would rather read than go out a lot of the time, I love Jesus and I love my friends and I am proud of how far I've come in my life. And if all those things make me dorky, then that's fine. At least I'm unique and authentic and am not blending into the background of complacency and apathy in our culture. I am me. Take it or leave it.

Movies I Watched This Weekend

Twilight

I do not yet have a permanent opinion. I liked some things, I didn't like some other things. I'm in the middle of reading the book again and then I'm going to see the movie again. I'm not posting my full thoughts until I'm confident in my opinion.


Just Like Heaven
I love Reese Witherspoon and Mark Ruffalo and there are several reasons why I own this movie and watch it every once in a while. I don't buy very many movies and I realize that it's strange that I bought this one. It's no Sweet Home Alabama - which is probably one of my favorite chick flicks of all time - but it's still good. I love when Mark Ruffalo is talking about his wife who died and he talks about all the things that were annoying about her, but it's still so clear that he just misses her and misses even the annoying things. It's just very sweet.


Father of the Bride
This movie is just a classic. Everytime I watch it, I cry, because it's just perfect in describing those emotions on that day. Lewis and I watched it together when we saw that it was on tv. It's so funny - Steve Martin is just the best. If you haven't seen this movie, you should definitely watch it. Just be prepared for the fabulousness that is her early 90's wedding dress. Wow.


Footloose
For someone who loves dance movies as much as I do, this is just an absolute classic. It's back when Kevin Bacon was totally hot and not creepy like I kinda think he is now (ever since Hollow Man really, I never got over that movie). I love love love the part where he dances alone and then the end when everyone is dancing - it's just the best thing ever. SO awesome.


Legally Blonde
If you don't totally fall in love with Reese Witherspoon in this movie, you have no heart. She is so sweet and charming, even as a full-on blonde sorority girl - which can be difficult to deal with in and of itself - she just makes you totally love her. Luke Wilson is adorable and I also always forget that Ali Larter, now from Heroes, is in it!


My Best Friend's Wedding
I always cry at the end when Julia Roberts' character loans "their song" to Dermot Mulroney & Cameron Diaz. It's so sweet and it's so weird to see Cameron Diaz that young! She's sort-of a big deal now and back then, she was just so different. It's a good movie, though. I DVR'd it.


(You're probably wondering how I have time to watch all these movies in 1 weekend...it's called DVR and a laptop for doing lots of homework as I watch.)

The Measure of a Man

This is from a recent episode of Bones. It reminded me of my husband.

"I would like to propose a toast to my partner, Seeley Boothe. I know who he is. But I forget sometimes because—because he never shines a light on himself. He shines it on other people. . . . Anthropology teaches us that the alpha-male is the man wearing the crown, displaying the most colorful plumage and the shiniest baubles. He stands out from the others.

But I now think that anthropology may have it wrong. Working with Boothe, I’ve come to realize that the quiet man, the invisible, the man who is always there for friends and family, that’s the real alpha man. And I promise that my eyes will never be caught by those shiny baubles again."
-Temperance Brennan, Bones, "The Con Man in the Meth Lab"

Mocha Club

I was one of the many bloggers who was emailed and asked to post about Mocha Club today. You'll probably find a lot of blogs today talking about it. Mocha Club is an organization that encourages people to begin thinking about Africa and giving only $7 - the cost of 2 mochas at most coffee places - to help make a difference in Africa. $7 in Africa will feed 1 person for 1 month, educate 2 children for 1 school term, save 1 person's life from malaria, and provide clean water to 7 Africans for 1 year.

Mocha Club uses the phrase, "I need Africa more than Africa needs me." To me, this phrase represents the unity of all of us. We need to recognize that if one person is suffering, we are all suffering. Africa doesn't need our pity, they need our help, our partnership to solve the greater problems. We need to recognize the strength and beauty of Africa and the benefits of partnering with Africa to bringing peace, health and prosperity.

Share your thoughts about Africa, partnership, and what you can do to help. If you have your own blog, please write something about it yourself. Check out Mocha Club's splash site that is up right now and join in the worthwhile cause of recasting the damaging images that force pity over partnership. Come back Dec 1st to see what Mocha Club is doing about reforming that image.

Actors Strike Possible

I'm really nervous about this. The writer's strike last year really messed up the whole schedule for tv. I realize that the world doesn't revolve around tv, but I love tv and movies and I will miss my shows. The Screen Actor's Guild is made up of 120,000 tv and movie actors.
Click this link to read more about the possible actor's strike.

New Hair?

I kinda want to do this to my hair - cut & color - what do you think?

Ashlee Simpson
Hers is too long for me, but the color is okay.

Hayley Williams
I wouldn't do quite this red, but I also like the darker red.


This is me currently at Halloween this year (I'm on the right):

PostSecret 11/23/2008

PostSecret

"The children the world almost breaks become the adults who save it."
-Frank Warren (founder of PostSecret)

Robert Pattinson - again, not spoiler or review

So without discussing the movie, I would just like to discuss Mr. Pattinson:

I have watched several interviews with him and I've been obviously interested in the movie because of the book and while I still think Henry Cavill was the best choice for Edward, I have some thoughts on Robert Pattinson: the actor and not Robert Pattinson: as Edward.

I have decided that I like British actors. The British male actors are just very reluctant to fame, in my opinion. I saw David Beckham on the Ellen Degeneres show a few months ago and that was my initial thought about him, too. He was more reserved than a lot of the American actors that come on her show. I thought maybe it was just him, but then I saw Robert Pattinson on her show. While I do think he's pretty awkward, I've never had a problem with awkward. I think the problem for me is that Edward Cullen in the books is not awkward. He is definitely tortured about being a vampire, but he's got it all together in terms of who he is and what he does. He's cool, not awkward.

Watch these videos of Robert Pattinson in interviews and tell me what you think. I'm starting to warm up to him as an actor, although my opinions of him as Edward are not cemented yet. I am starting to think he's almost charming, although awkward and reluctant to the whole fame situation he has been thrown into.

Robert Pattinson on Ellen - Nov. 21 2008



Artist on Artist: Robert Pattinson & Hayley Williams

America vs. the rest of the world

I had a really interesting conversation last night with my new friend Leanne from Canada. We were discussing the difference between America and other countries. It was really interesting to see how we are viewed by the rest of the world and how different we really are. Lewis and I have talked a lot about how we would like to live in another country for a few years to just gain a new perspective on the world and life in general. The more I learn about other countries and how different they are from America, the more I want to just spend some time living outside the U.S.

I don't want this to come off as me being anti-America. I definitely appreciate the blessings and freedom that we enjoy here, but I also know that we can get so consumed and poisoned by the Capitalist consumerist ideals we daily encounter. It's difficult to think outside of our own box. My friend Leanne was talking about how they had an election in Canada recently and I didn't even know about it. It was within the last couple of months. She said that they all heard everything about our election, but we didn't know anything about theirs. They found it absurd that we spend 8 million dollars and 2 years preparing for an election. It's more like celebrity than politics.

America has resources that are absolutely outrageous. I posted earlier this week about Water for Christmas which talks about how Americans alone spend almost 450 billion dollars each year in Christmas gifts, while it would take only 10 billion dollars according to some studies to provide clean drinking water to the whole world. We idolize people like Angelina Jolie who gives a huge percentage of her income away and who spends a lot of time in other countries helping where she can and who also adopts children from other countries because there is such a need for parents to adopt. In reality, we could all give away just a portion of our income or time and make a huge difference in other countries. According to Water for Christmas, $20 can give 1 person water for 20 years. It doesn't take much. Especially in America where so many of us have more than we need.

I would just like to encourage everyone to start thinking a little more about what we can do. A little goes a long way. I like the idea, also from Water for Christmas, where we change our mindset 'from consumerism to compassion.' We really have so much to offer.

Twilight...NOT A SPOILER OR REVIEW

Here is what I'm going to do:

Like many movies, there were things I liked and things I didn't. I actually was in a theater where people were very obnoxious and loud, so be prepared for that - those of you who are going sometime soon. I think that it affected my opinion on it a little bit.

Because of that, I am going to read the book again this weekend and then I'm going to go see the movie again sometime next week. After that, I will post my thoughts.

Until then, I am very interested now in everyone else's thoughts so you can post a comment with whatever you thought of the movie! I would love to hear it! Maybe you'll change my mind about something when I see it again next week.

Also, for Fred, I am currently working on a list of my likes and dislikes after my first screening. I will edit that after my 2nd screening and post that next week. I'm aware that this is mildly obsessive and probably a little crazy, but I want to give it a fair shot because I like the books so much.

Approval Rating

Sara posted this and it really made me think a lot!! It's an interesting question that I think she found on another site: "Would my teenage self approve of who I am today?"

After some thought, here's what I have concluded:

Teenage Cameron would approve of my friends. Diana, Allison and Emily are still a big part of my life just as they were in high school, so I know that teenage me would be happy about that. BUT, teenage Cameron would also not approve of some of the choices I've made with friends through the years. There are a few people, like my friend Liz, who have slipped a little too far out of reach. I am pretty sure that teenage Cameron would give the current Cameron a pretty strongly-worded piece of her mind on this topic if she had a chance.

Teenage Cameron would approve of my choice in career: teacher. It's always seemed to be where I knew I would end up anyway. It just fits me. Hopefully within 2 years I'll actually be teaching and not still in school, which leads me to my next conclusion:

Teenage Cameron would not be very happy with how long it has taken me to get through school. 'Nuff said. Goodness gracious!

Teenage Cameron would not approve of my husband. This is not to say that I didn't pick a fabulous one! Teenage Cameron did not have the best taste in boys. Lewis and I have discussed several times about how if we had met just 2 years earlier, we wouldn't have liked each other because we were different people. The timing was perfect for things to end up the way they did.

Teenage Cameron would approve of my style. I think I've maintained my ability to care, but not care in terms of style. I've had to grow up a little bit and start to dress more appropriately, but I still think it's pretty clear that I don't necessarily fit in the preppy-mold.

Teenage Cameron would want me to be more fearless. While pink hair and pink dress at my senior prom will haunt me forever, at least I was fearless enough to step out and do something like that. In high school, I would wear my mom's old blue jeans from the 70's and a plaid button-down from Goodwill just because I was comfortable and felt sort-of cute. Now, I am nowhere near that fearless - in almost any aspect of my life. Teenage Cameron would do a little butt-kicking in that area if she could see me now.


Overall, we are who we are for a reason. Things change for a reason. I miss teenage Cameron sometimes. The fearlessness, the sincerity, the craziness, the ability to actually SAY what I'm thinking, they're all things I wish I still had, but I don't. Life beats a lot of things out of you. But I'm still loved by the people who want to and I'm still friends with the people who have stuck around no matter what. I'm still that girl at heart and no matter what, I am who I am today because of who I was back then.

What would your teenage self have to say about you?

Twilight Week: Here we go....

I am currently going to dinner before seeing the movie at 9:50!

Where are you???

Isn't this just typical America?

Source

Movies I've Watched Lately

Quantum of Solace
It wasn't as good as Casino Royale, but it was still awesome!! Daniel Craig is definitely my favorite James Bond!! Unlike Pierce Brosnan, who I feel like is just kinda old and awkward and goofy, Daniel Craig is totally hardcore!! I really like Olga Kurylenko as the Bond Girl! She is starting to be one of my favorite female leads - after Hitman and Max Payne, seeing her in this has just cemented me as a fan!!

Forgetting Sarah Marshall

It was my 2nd time seeing it and Lewis' first time. It was still just as hilarious as the first time! I love the British guy and I think Jason Segel is so great! Watching this makes me want to watch How I Met Your Mother!! I want to see more of him because I think he's just too funny!! But my favorite guy in the whole movie probably is the honeymooner!! I laugh so hard everytime he talks about the park and the sewage system!

Once
I finally watched this!! It was wonderful!! I loved how they were kind-of awkward, but so cute! The music was great, too!! I had heard that it was a modern musical and I was hesitant to watch it at first, but I have no idea why. I love the song "Falling Slowly" that won Best Song at the Academy Awards last year. I really can't believe I waited this long to watch it!!

Free Willy
Heck yes I watched this when it came on tv the other day!! I loved it - again! haha and the Michael Jackson song is my favorite!

Never Been Kissed
I always pretty much cry at the end when he runs down those stairs and onto the baseball field and kisses her!! It is just the best!!!! It's definitely the movie for the goofy, awkward girls like me!!

What movies have you watched lately??

I miss Buffy, too, Cable Girl!!

Cable Girl from guardian.co.uk misses Buffy!

I do, too!! I love what she said:

"The pain is there, however, because five years after it ceased production, there is still nothing comparable to its glory days."

I totally agree!!!!

Quotes for the Day

-Source

-Source

"Sometimes there is a reason your past didn't make it to your future."
-Source

Twilight Week: Black & White

I hate to burst your bubble, but you’re really not as scary as you think you are. I don’t find you scary at all, actually.

Bella, Twilight, Chapter 16

100 Greatest Singers of All Time: Part 5

Final Installment for the week of my favorite singers on the 100 Greatest Singers of All Time from Rolling Stone!

Joni Mitchell
"Joni's got a strange sense of rhythm that's all her own," Bob Dylan told Rolling Stone. Above all, Mitchell won't be boxed in. "The way she phrases always serves the lyrics perfectly, and yet her phrasing can be different every time," Herbie Hancock says. "She's a fighter for freedom."

Kurt Cobain
Kurt Cobain's ferocious rasp clawed its way out of the rock & roll underground in 1991, transforming the fury and anguish of punk rock into pop singing like nothing else had before. He could scream himself raw in tune.

Patsy Cline
With her husky alto and aching hiccup on early-Sixties songs like "Crazy," "I Fall to Pieces" and "Sweet Dreams (of You)," Cline was the first major country star to make a decisive crossover into pop, setting the stage for singers from Dolly Parton to Faith Hill.

Jim Morrison
Morrison's vocals were all mood, attitude and sex — he was grounded in roadhouse-blues hollering, but able to project the dreaminess of a mystical incantation ("Riders on the Storm") or the sleaze of a boozy pickup ("L.A. Woman"). And on the Doors' hardest rock songs — "Break On Through (to the Other Side)" stands out — his unhinged aggression presaged punk rock. "It was thrilling, sensual, powerful and experimental," said Perry Farrell.

Bonnie Raitt
"I've never been one to think about how to sing," says Raitt. "Once I start, I'm just living it. I prefer to just let 'er rip."

Funny People Teaser Poster

I posted about Judd Apatow's Funny People at the beginning of the month. Here is the teaser poster that was recently released for the movie!

They've also got an opportunity for walk-on roles in the movie! Click here for info!!

Twilight Week: Stephenie Meyer Q & A

Image Source

Click here for a Q & A with Stephenie Meyer. She discusses her thoughts on the movie, the development of it, the casting decisions, and then the situation with Midnight Sun.

Green Christmas!

Image Source

Click here for some tips for having a Green Christmas, specifically some Green Christmas shopping sites!!

Here are two other links from 2006 and 2007 with more tips for a Green Christmas:

How to Have a Green Christmas (Time Magazine)
How to Have a Green Christmas (Newsweek)

Twilight Week: The Cullens at the Lunch Table

I felt a surge of pity, and relief. Pity because, as beautiful as they were, they were outsiders, clearly not accepted. Relief that I wasn’t the only newcomer here, and certainly not the most interesting by any standard.
Bella, Twilight, Chapter 1