New Moon

BOOK: Great! It's actually one of my favorite in the series (mostly because I can relate to Bella when Edward leaves her...)

MOVIE: Eh...

I must say, I think director Chris Weitz caught some of the most important parts from the book beautifully on film, but it wasn't enough. The movie just reminded me how boring the first three books actually are. Stephanie Meyer writes emotion, not story. It's not until her last book when something actually happens! (Note to Mrs. Meyer: Edward leaving is SOMETHING HAPPENING. Having a baby is SOMETHING HAPPENING. Not knowing whether you like Edward or Jacob is NOT something happening!)

But thanks to this movie, however, I am now for Team Jacob... ;)

I give this movie 2 RED BULLS!
(meaning I would need 2 Red Bulls to see this movie again...)

2012

Are....you....KIDDING ME!?

So apparently, John Cusack seems to be the only person who can drive a limousine through the streets of California while the earth is crumbling beneath him and buildings are falling all around the place. REALLY!?

But no, honestly, I don't know WHY I saw potential in this film. I guess I thought the plot was going to be more about the Mayan prediction, or the belief in high solar activity for the year 2012, but boy, was I wrong...

This was your typical disaster movie, and I think director Roland Emmerich knew it. I'll admit, this film was VERY FUNNY! But it had to be due to such a poorly written script. I just wish it were the other way around....

I give this movie NO RED BULLS!

(meaning that even if the earth were crumbling beneath me, I wouldn't dare waste a perfectly good Red Bull just to watch this movie again...)

Sexting

SEXTING = "sexy tesxting"

SERIOUSLY!? Have you ever done this?

(NOTE: Thank you, "Glee," for creating this wonderful new word...) ;)

"Nerds Among Us" This Weekend!!! :)

Russ Weatherford

Check out Russ's website!

Finnian's Rainbow

First off, let me say that I HOPE this show does well now that it has officially opened. I saw it during previews, and it deserves good praise....

But, that being said, the second act is MUCH BETTER than the first! The first was very slow and boring. The music was great, as were the voices of Kate Baldwin and Cheyenne Jackson! And don't get me wrong....the story is cute, but I feel like our ingenue's fall in love instantly. And there's no "love at first sight" thing going on, either. One seen they meet, and the next they're already talking about marriage. What ever happened to some fun flirting!? ;)

What really caught me, however, was in the second act....there was a BEAUTIFUL dance piece between the mute girl and a harmonica player. I was so mesmerized, I was hooked for the rest of the show. I only wished the play had opened with a similar number. Then I might have paid attention during the first act more....

Regardless, the message of the show was beautiful, and it's amazing to think that something that was written so long ago can still coincide with the values and nature of today's society. You would think we might learn over so many years....

I give this musical 2 RED BULLS!

(meaning I would need 2 Red Bulls to see this show again, and mostly for Act 1)

Away We Go

This was a very beautiful movie, and much different than I expected. This film got a lot of hype when it was in theatres, and it was much deserved.

From the trailer, I thought this movie would be about raising a new baby to a couple unfamiliar with raising a family. But instead, this was a beautiful film not just about starting a new life for a new family, but it was more about finding a new home. And sometimes, home is where we least expect it.... :)

I give this movie only HALF A RED BULL!
(meaning I would need less than a full Red Bull to watch this move again...)

Where the Wild Things Are

Wow.

I don't even know what to say about this BEUATIFUL film....

So let me start by saying this....

You have a book....with 4 complete sentences in it.....with only about 335 words.....HOW DO YOU MAKE THAT INTO A MOVIE?

Well, Spike Jonze knows how! He took a classic picture book and turned it into a wonderful piece of art.

Without giving too much away (I want everyone to experience this film the way I did....with an open mind....), the story reminded me of my good friend, Robert Sambursky, who died during my senior year of college. It reminded me of the people who come and go in our lives, just like Max came and left in the world of the Wild Things. Furthermore, it reminded me about what we learn from those people, just like what Max learned from the Wild Things and vice versa.

I must also give mad props to Max Records for his AMAZING rendition of Max, the "King" of the Wild Things. This boy was the perfect find! He was so naturally talented, I only hope he can at least be nominated for an Oscar for his role. He deserves it....

The visualization of the movie was also stunning! It was MORE than what I was expecting, and it made me want to LIVE in the world of the Wild Things. And the music was also well done! Congrats to all! :)

I give this movie NO RED BULLS!!!
(meaning I would need NO Red Bulls in order to watch this movie again.)

So I THANK YOU, Spike Jonze, for NOT ruining a beloved children's classic, but turning it into something even more beautiful than the original... :)

The Invention of Lying

Cute movie. I thought the original concept/idea for the film was very unique, but it went in a completely different direction than I was expecting. This movie became FAR TOO RELIGIOUS than what it should have been. I wasn't expecting it, and it just became a little too awkward in the end...

That being said.....

Ricky Gervais is always worth a laugh, and the rest of the cast was very true and natural as well. I DID enjoy what Ricky's character LEARNS from the whole experience, I just wish he had discovered it with less religious undertones.

I give this movie 2 RED BULLS!
(meaning I would need 2 Red Bulls to watch this movie again...)

National Equality March - October 11th, 2009

Wow.

It's only been a couple of days, but I am still quite emotional over the experience I had at the National March for Equality in Washington, D.C. that took place on October 11th, 2009...

First of all, I just want to THANK EVERYONE WHO ATTENDED!!! The last I heard there was over 150,000 people there, which truly makes it the largest march for gay/equal rights in the past decade! GO US! :)

Next, I am 26, and to some, I am still young, but I was TRULY INSPIRED by the amount of teenagers I saw at the rally. My brother is also gay, and he came out at a much earlier age than I did, and I always admired him for that. So to all the teens who attended, way to represent. :)

Also, I received MUCHO SUPPORT from friends and family members before I went down to D.C., and I just want to thank everyone else who (for whatever reason...) could NOT make it down to the march for sending someone in their place to represent them. I, personally, felt like I was representing AT LEAST 10 friends who weren't there physically, but it made me feel like a stronger person. :)

I also MUST THANK Broadway Impact. They, alone (with Equity Cares) sponsored 25 buses from NYC to D.C. and back, bring 1400 people to the march, and that is truly amazing! This organization makes me want to do more for gay rights....so THANK YOU BROADWAY IMPACT for being a true leader! :)

Now, as for the march itself....

Again.

Wow. :)

To start the day off with a RAINBOW IN THE SKY WITH NO RAIN FOR MILES....that is TRULY a sign from a higher power! The weather couldn't have been better, I was only bummed because I prepared for the cold by wearing my rainbow sweatshirt, but it was so hot, I had to take it off....thank God I had my "peace shirt" underneath....

But it truly felt inspirational and emotional to march down the streets of Washington with THOUSANDS of people with the same beliefs! I took many great pics at the White House, as well as the Capitol where we ended up, but no words can really recapture the moment as I was living it. Marching for something you TRULY BELIEVE IN is something EVERYONE has to do AT LEAST ONCE in their lifetime....

I was also very proud to find that my hometown friend, Tanner Efinger, made a BEAUTIFUL speech at the rally! Just another reason to be proud... :)

I was also glad that many people were standing up to President Obama. Yes, we know we voted him in, but one of the speakers said it best when she said, "We voted for you because we BELIEVE you are the one who can help us. BUT...we can no longer wait. The time is NOW! CHANGE IS NOW! NOW! NOW! NOW!" I only HOPE the President heard....

On the other hand.....President Obama made some MAJOR promises at the HRC dinner the night before. I would love to see him hold up to these promises in the next 3 years, just in case he can't get re-elected, but we shall see what the future brings....

Finally, I realized something today....

Someone told me that it is "sad that we have to march for our own rights." But I actually have to disagree....

I am actually GLAD that I have to march for my own equal rights! Our forefathers have always talked about "those who died to defend this country," well....maybe it's MY TURN (or OUR TURN) to defend it! I am actually PROUD that WHEN I have equal rights, I will have EARNED THEM MYSELF! And after this march, I won't have to say that I did NOTHING just to be treated equal....

....I can say that I MARCHED for my rights....and DAMN did it feel good.... :)

KEEP EQUALITY GOING!!!

TELL YOUR STORY....

PASS MINE ALONG!

PASS MY VIDEO ALONG: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AS-VKJn5lPw

KEEP LOVE STRONG!!! :)