Big Brother 12 Houseguests

It's that time again! You can find out who the house guests are for Big Brother 12 right here and stay tuned for my thoughts on the upcoming season.



Big Brother 12 premieres Thursday, July 8, 2010 at 8/7c on CBS.

Back to the Future: 25th Anniversary Trilogy

Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd are coming to your living room this October 26th, when Back to the Future: 25th Anniversary Trilogy releases on Blu-ray & DVD! Dang, I can't believe it has been 25 years!



Back to the Future (1 hour, 56 minutes)
From the Academy Award-winning filmmakers Steven Spielberg and Robert Zemeckis comes Back to the Future, the original, groundbreaking adventure that sparked one of the most successful trilogies in Hollywood history. When teenager Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) is blasted to 1955 in the DeLorean time machine created by the eccentric Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd), he finds himself mixed up in a time-shattering chain reaction that could vaporize his future—and leave him trapped in the past. Powered by innovative special effects, unforgettable songs and non-stop action, Back to the Future is an unrivaled adventure that stands the test of time.

Back to the Future Part II (1 hour, 48 minutes)
Getting back was only the beginning as the most spectacular time-travel adventure ever continues in Back to the Future Part II—the sequel that proves that lightning can strike twice! Picking up precisely where they left off, Marty and Doc (Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd) launch themselves to the year 2015 to fine-tune the future and inadvertently disrupt the space-time continuum. Now, their only chance to fix the present is by going back to 1955 again before it’s too late. From Academy Award®-winning filmmakers Steven Spielberg and Robert Zemeckis, Back to the Future Part II provides more of the timeless excitement that made Back to the Future an unforgettable adventure.

Back to the Future Part III (1 hour, 58 minutes)
They've saved the biggest trip for last as the most popular time-traveling movie trilogy ever comes to a rousing conclusion in Back to the Future Part III. Stranded in 1955 after a freak accident, Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) discovers he must travel back to 1885 to rescue Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd) before he becomes smitten with schoolteacher Clara Clayton (Mary Steenburgen). Now, it's up to Marty to keep Doc out of trouble, get the DeLorean running, and put the past, present and future on track so they can all get back to where—and when—they belong. From the Academy Award®-winning filmmakers Steven Spielberg and Robert Zemeckis, Back to the Future Part III is a spectacular grand finale to the unforgettable blockbuster series.


There will be plenty of BONUS FEATURES exclusively for Blu-ray customers, but check out the list below of what will be included on both the Blu-ray and DVD:

* Tales from the Future: New six-part retrospective documentary featuring interviews with Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, Director Robert Zemeckis, Producers Bob Gale and Neil Canton, plus Executive Producer Steven Spielberg.
* The Physics of Back To The Future
* Nuclear Test Site Ending Storyboard Sequence: Storyboard sequence of the original proposed ending of the film.
* 16 Deleted Scenes
* Michael J. Fox Q&A
* Q&A Commentaries with Director Robert Zemeckis and Producer Bob Gale
* Feature Commentaries with Producers Bob Gale and Neil Canton
* Archival Featurettes (Including "Making the Trilogy")
* Behind-the-Scenes Footage (Including Outtakes)
* Back to the Future: The Ride
* 2 Music Videos
* Photo Galleries, Including Production Art, Additional Storyboards, Photographs, Marketing Materials and Character Portraits
* Theatrical Trailers

They've really outdone themselves with the bonus features and I can't wait!

Back to the Future: 25th Anniversary Trilogy releases on Blu-ray & DVD October 26, 2010.

TV Review: Louie on F/X

Set to premiere June 29, Louie is a comedy filtered through the observational humor of Louis C.K. Each episode puts a spotlight on Louis' hectic life as a successful stand-up comedian and newly single father raising his two daughters. The single-camera comedy is a mix of Louis C.K.'s stand-up comedy and scripted short films. Louis C.K. serves as executive producer, writer and director, and Dave Becky and 3 Arts are executive producers. FX has ordered 13 episodes of the series which is shot in New York.



You will definitely want to stay tuned to F/X after Rescue Me for Louie every Tuesday night. Each episode tells 2 stories from the everyday life of a newly divorced single father and comic living in New York. After going to many comedy shows in New York myself, I can tell you that the majority of the comics I have seen are divorced loners living in the city. So it is remarkably funny to me to see Louis C.K., one of those guys, portray one of those guys so well on screen. Every aspect is true New York City. Even better, Louie is a good father, so the situations that he gets himself into as he continues to be a good father and do the right thing in general make for fantastic entertainment. If there is one single camera comedy to watch this summer, it is Louie.

The Pilot episode opens up with quite a comedic stand up set from Louie that will have you laughing out loud. The integration of Louie's stand up shows and an actual story is very well executed. Story wise, Louie accompanies one of his two daughters on a school trip. But things turn sour as he not only gets into a confrontation with the bus driver, but the bus gets a flat in Harlem. Not wanting to stay in Harlem for any longer than he has to, Louie does the unthinkable and it will make you chuckle. After another stand up bit, things don't get any better for Louie when he goes on a very awkward date. The ending of the date was abrupt and just plain odd, so the conclusions of stories need more work. The closing stand up bit, though a bit morbid still brings a few chuckles. Aside from the odd ending of Louie's date, this episode was very strong and will gain many dedicated viewers from the get go. Poker/Divorce starts off as a typical poker night out with the guys. The most interesting topics come up at the poker table, and tonight the boys are enlightened by their gay friend about what goes on at certain get togethers. The debate turns serious when the gay friend talks about the use and the back story of the "f" word. Needless to say, this is more about getting a serious point across straight forward than covering up the point with comedy. Then episode continues the next day as Louie finalizes his divorce. His divorce is the inspiration for his latest stand up show. Not showing his ex-wife's face was a nice touch. Newly divorced, Louie searches for old flames on facebook and meets up with one in particular he remembers. Tammy doesn't quite remember Louie but that doesn't stop the two from getting down and dirty. The stand up bits are not nearly as hilarious as those in the Pilot, but the stories were very engaging.

Ricky Gervais guests stars as Dr. Ben in the episode Dr. Ben/Nick...needless to say this was my favorite episode of the first four in the series. Dr. Ben is such a goofball, fitting for Gervais and this half hour comedy. Hopefully this won't be the last appearance from Gervais because seeing Dr. Ben give Louie a full rectal examination was just as funny, if not funnier than you would imagine it to be. Unfortunately for viewers, every episode has 2 stories and the second story in this episode is more serious (yet again). Louie has a heated debate and quick throw down with an old friend, Nick after Nick has quite a terrible stand up night due to his distasteful political views. Honestly, things would be much more satisfying for the show if this was the beginning and the end of the politics debate. This episode could have been so good if the stories weren't so unbalanced. Instead of going from one high to one low, this episode should have taken viewers on a high throughout the entire half hour. Still, Gervais dominated, making his story line my favorite of the series. In So Old/Playdate, Louie's latest stand up gig about old age leads him to random sex with a 26 year old. Thankfully, this is not the main focus of the story, as later in the week Louie decided to attend his first PTA meeting. Things do not go smoothly, leaving Louie feeling very uncomfortable until a parent strikes up a conversation with him outside. The woman he meets seems like a catch, so fingers crossed this is his love interest for the remainder of the season. The two hold a play date for their children at Louie's which seems to go quite well...leaving viewers anxious for more scenes with these two. This episode created optimism viewers made not have had for Louie's love life in the Pilot. That definitely shows how much Louie is progressing in life, in each episode and it will leave you wanting more.

The series premiere of Louie airs Tuesday, June 29, 2010 at 11/10c only on F/X.

TV Review: Obsessed

It's that time again! Obsessed premieres tonight on A&E and for all of you reality junkies...well, this will make you happy to know that being obsessed to reality TV is your only/biggest addiction.



Intense and highly personal, A&E's true-life docuseries Obsessed examines the lives of everyday people imprisoned by unmanageable, repetitive behaviors and sometimes debilitating fear. Whether it is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Panic Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder, General Anxiety Disorder, Hoarding or a variety of phobias, the unscripted series gives viewers a chance to see first-hand how an obsession can radically affect a person's life.

The episode that I screened tells the story of a man who is obsessed with being clean, as he constantly feels contaminated and a women who is obsessed with over exercising and restrictive eating. Cindee, 35, with a husband and 5 children has worked out everyday for the last 15 years with no day off. Cindee had her first child when she herself was just a child. The impact this had on her weight has effected the rest of her life, for the worst. A professional comes in to examine her, forces her to stop exercising to see Cindee's reaction (enabling the pro to see how much progress is needed to resolve Cindee's obsession), and then shifts Cindee's priorities from the treadmill to her family. It doesn't seem like any progress is made until Cindee is seen camping with her family (far away from the gym and her 2 home treadmills). But this is an hour long show following 2 people and the progress parts of these stories need some serious work. The outline goes like this: Introduction, Back story, Examine Patient, 1 or 2 tests, Patient explains whether or not they are satisfied with their progress. There is no indication of the time span between the tests and perhaps the tests just do not seem tough enough. Or perhaps what is lacking is the psychological dissection of these patients. This show just does not seem as captivating as Hoarders and other A&E shows, but perhaps this premiere is just building up to the more engaging episodes. As for Graham, his obsession has a lot to do with his past history with alcohol and drugs. So it is safe to say that he took "going clean" to the extreme, which led to his OCD. Graham can take up to 10 showers a day! But it's not his actions at home that may scare you the most. It is the fact that he feels that anyone who has done bad things in their past (presumably involving drugs and alcohol) is foreign and contaminated. Though it is frustrating, because just as viewers think they are going to get a deeper understanding of this comment...we don't. Instead, viewers see Graham taken to a jail and a small water park, as he attempts to remain calm around all of the contamination. It's really heartbreaking to watch Cindee and Graham struggling with their obsessions that they clearly do not enjoy having...but it is even more disappointing to see a less than satisfying conclusion to their stories. Perhaps there should be an Obsessed reunion show after the season has aired, so viewers can get a better look at everyone's progress.

Obsessed premieres tonight at 10/9c on A&E.

Official Trailer for HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS

My heart just skipped a beat.

Film Review: Bitter Feast

Bitter Feast made its world premiere at the LA Film Festival not too long ago and if you are in the LA area, you must check out this limited release as soon as possible. Those not in LA should be anticipating this film's wider release, as it is one of the most entertaining films that you will see this year.



Peter Grey (James Le Gros), an overly zealous television chef, kidnaps J.T. Franks (Joshua Leonard), an influential and notoriously snarky food blogger after a particularly nasty review deals the final blow to Grey’s already plummeting career.

Sequestered deep in the woods of the Hudson Valley, Grey keeps Franks chained up in a basement, presenting him with a series of deceptively simple food challenges - from preparing a perfect egg over easy, to grilling a steak precisely medium rare - punishing him sadistically for anything less than total perfection.

A tense thrill-ride served up with wicked wit and culinary flare, BITTER FEAST is an exploration of the creative impulse gone tragically and ferociously awry.

Bitter Feast is one of the most entertaining indies of the year so far. While it is debatable if James Le Gros plays a psychotic character, it is safe to say that this film can be described as horror with comedy and class. In the film, a very well known chef, Peter Grey (Le Gros) decides to teach a food critic a thing or two about his art after a bad review is released. There are some serious consequences for anything less than a grade A after his lessons. It's torture. Literally. If you have ever judged something before trying to become successful at it yourself, this film will be quite an eye opener! You know the saying, "It's so easy, a monkey could do it?" Well, "Calling all monkeys" Peter Grey (Le Gros) says to his latest student. Grey takes his lessons for the food blogger, T.J. Franks (Leonard) to the extreme when he gets T.J.'s wife (Amy Semiet) involved. It's quite a psychological and comedic thrill. Peter has kidnapped T.J. to help him become more attentive in understanding the craft and have empathy for the lives of those chefs he is writing about. Of course that is not all, as the writing is simple on the forefront but quite layered and complex when you really think about where Peter's head is at. The back story on Peter is quite incredible and really comes full circle which is quite poetic, to say the least. The empathy can be felt for not only Peter but for every character - and there are not too many films that do that. The characters make this story and those really are the best stories. The cast gave their all and had fun with their roles, really giving their characters life. Bitter Feast is just as terrifying as it is witty and clever and more engaging than I expected it to be.

In the Q&A following the screening, viewers found out the story behind Joe Maggio getting celebrity chef, Mario Batal to make a cameo in the film and some other interesting tid bits. Before the film and Q&A, I had the opportunity to interview Joe Maggio and actress, Amy Seimetz...so watch and read below!



What is your favorite element of horror?
Maggio: I think that the horror genre is really remarkably similar to describing the world we are living in right now. If you can take a situation to its wildest extreme, which is what we do in this movie, and address issues that can affect everyone...you know, it's a movie about someone who wants someone else to understand him - which is what we all want.

Aside from directing, what else are you passionate about?
Maggio: I always wanted to be a chef. I might still be a chef, I don't know. I have really look knife skills and I've worked in a lot of restaurants in New York. The thing that kept me from being a chef is that I don't like the lifestyle in the restaurant, it's just brutal. I like to cook but not in that environment.

So I take it you read a lot of film blogs?
Maggio: That's all I read. (smiles) You know, I'm a film maker but I am so uninterested in what film makers are doing. I subsrcibe to food magazines, I do all of the shopping in my family, I do the cooking...and I am just all about food and wine.



Bitter Feast is written and directed by Joe Maggio and stars James LeGros, Megan Hilty, Joshua Leonard, Amy Seimetz, Larry Fessenden, John Speredakos, Owen Campbell, Tobias Campbell, and Mario Batali.

Interview: Lisa Callif Talks LA Film Festival Move

With the successful kick off of the Los Angeles Film Festival in Downtown Los Angeles, I wanted to get to know more behind the festival's move from Westwood to the city. So I spoke to entertainment attorney, Lisa Callif who negotiated the legalities for the move.



Let's talk about the LA Film Festival because I am very intrigued with the work you have done for the move.
It has been a lot of fun! I’ve been working with Film Independent for five years and they are such a wonderful organization to work with. There were certainly some obstacles in the negotiation with AEG, but it was exciting because we were all interested in being downtown and having everything in one place. We are all really hopeful that the festival will be a success downtown and will continue to be centered at LA Live.

Can you explain the obstacles that you faced with negotiating this move?
It’s tough negotiating with a large company like AEG because they are typically so set in their ways. They generally have standard agreements for their concert and sporting events, and there is usually not much negotiation. However, since this is their first festival – their first event of this kind – they were really flexible in accommodating our needs, like with food... LA Live has so many fantastic restaurants, but nowhere to grab a sandwich. That's a big concern, because there are going to be a lot of people who aren't going to want to sit down and eat a $100 meal. Originally there was going to be no outside food, but after they realized that it could hurt the festival, this was amended so that there are kiosks and such. We all want this to be a successful festival, so it worked out at the end of the day.

The other obstacle is always money. AEG already had sponsorships in basically every category. So it was interesting negotiating, in asking "What about the film festival sponsors?" So again, at the end of the day, it all worked out, actually more than we expected them to be. I don't believe there were any sponsors that were lost.

You mentioned the food advantage but what are some other advantages to the move?
The nice thing is having everything under one roof - not only the theaters, but venues for parties, and reduced rates for the nearby hotels. In Westwood, it was sort of like this though many things were a few blocks apart and here everything is in one place. So it is quite exciting. There are events taking place at the Orpheum Theatre and there is a bit of branching out downtown, but for the most part it is all at LA Live.

Were the filmmakers involved at all in the move?
Well, the filmmakers didn't really have a say in it but it was really done in the best interest for them since the festival is looking to expand each year.

So is the move in any aim to make it more like the Sundance Film Festival?
That's an interesting question. Sundance is the festival where everyone wants the festival to be as popular as the successful films are. So in terms of it being successful and contained in one place, then sure.

What went behind your decision to move from working in the music industry to working in entertainment law, specifically independent film making early on?
I always wanted to be a lawyer and around age 14, I decided that I would be an entertainment lawyer. I originally thought that I wanted to represent the Cameron Diazes and Tom Cruises of the world. But when I was young, I fell into music with an internship at Jive Records. I ended up getting a job there and then took some time off before going to law school. Once I was at law school, I still had my sights on film and television. I didn't want to do music because I felt television and film would be a better match. Then I met Michael C. Donaldson who had this practice representing independent film makers and theater. Having been here for 5 years and working with Michael, it has been so much fun. It is very rewarding. We are helping people create artistic products and do what they want to do and that feels good.

What were you shocked to find out about the industry?
The one thing that shocked me in a good way was how persistent artists can be. That is one of the reasons why I wanted to practice entertainment law. I am not a natural artist but I love being around the art. Seeing artists who don't give up is always so wonderful to me.

For more information, visit Donaldson+Callif.

The Los Angeles Film Festival is AEG's first film festival. It run June 17 - 27, 2010.

Jonathan Clay Releases Sophomore Album

To celebrate the release of Jonathan Clay's sophomore album, Everything She Wants, Jonathan performed an intimate acoustic set in West Hollywood today!

The album is currently number 6 on the iTunes singer songwriter chart and after seeing Jonathan perform a live set, I can definitely see why.



Check out my interview with Jonathan here, the music video for his new single “Gypsy Woman” here, and get your tickets to see Jonathan perform the entire album live this Monday at Hotel Cafe!

Everything She Wants is available on iTunes now.

Film Recap/Review: Toy Story 3

Note: This Recap/Review may contain spoilers.

The gang is back this Friday in Toy Story 3 and they are on a mission to figure out where they belong as Andy heads to college. Toy Story 3 takes viewers on quite a comedic and emotional roller coaster in stunning IMAX 3D. And even after all of these years, Disney-Pixar has created another classic.



The film opens with the toys playing in a western setting, as it is what little Andy has made up in his imaginary game. Viewers are reeled in even more with a montage of Andy playing with his closest toys over the years. This leads to “operation play time” in the present day...as Woody, Buzz, Jessie, Hamm, Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head, Rex, Slinky, Bullseye, and the Aliens attempt to be played again before Andy heads off to college. The toys have not been played with in years! Meanwhile, Barbie has been thrown out by Andy’s baby sister, Molly. This leaves Mr. Potato Head calling dibs on Barbie’s Corvette and the rest of the gang uncertain of their fate…the attic or outside on the curb as garbage. Unfortunately, Andy separates Woody from the rest of the toys by boxing Woody up for college and the others for the attic. Even more unfortunate but equally exciting since it is the moment that really jump starts the story is when Andy’s mom thinks the toys are trash and takes them outside. Without the help of the family dog, Buster, Woody sets out to save the toys. Though Jessie tries to save the day and her actions raise the stakes like never before for the toys. The gang ends up being driven to Sunnyside Daycare which may have seemed like a solution to their problems but is revealed to be quite a huge conflict. Although this is not so much the case for Barbie, as she finally meets and falls in love with Ken (Michael Keaton). Barbie not only gets her chance to fall in love but she also has the opportunity to show just how intelligent she truly is throughout the film. Other Sunnyside Daycare toy residents aside from Ken include Lots-O (Ned Beatty), Stretch the Octopus (Whoopi Goldberg), Twitch (John Cygan), Chunk (Jack Angel), Sparks (Jan Rabson), Chatter Telephone (Teddy Newton), BookWorm (Richard Kind), and Big Baby. Lots-O is the leader of the pack and the surprise villain…that is aside from the vicious children at Sunnyside Daycare who do not understand play time etiquette.



So Woody manages to leave Sunnyside Daycare, in his mission to be with Andy again, even though the other toys have accepted that their time with Andy may be over. It is not until he finds himself in the home of a child name Bonnie that he finds out that Sunnyside Daycare is not so sunny. Bonnie’s toys who fill Woody in on the truth include the thespian hedgehog named Mr. Picklepants (Timothy Dalton), Chuckles (Bud Luckey), Buttercup (Jeff Garlin), Trixie (Kristen Schaal), Dolly (Bonnie Hunt), and the Peas in a Pod (Charlie Bright, Brianna Maiwand, and Amber Kroner). Even though Woody is welcomed with open arms by Bonnie’s toys, he must go back to save his friends. When he gets back to Sunnyside, he finds that Buzz has been reset to his demo mode again! This is not a driving force in the overall plot, so it is a welcome throw back to the previous films. What is also a welcome throw back is “The Claw” which comes back in a big way. The ending of the film will exceed your expectations and the film as a whole will have viewers demanding an early DVD and Blu-ray release. The IMAX 3D experience really is the best way to see this film as the level of genuine emotion is so high in the film, that the IMAX screen and 3D effect enhance every movement, facial expression, etc... Everything was so intricately developed and was made at such a high quality on paper and on screen. It really is such a sincere and magical experience for the entire family that you do not want to hesitate to see it this weekend. This is how it is done. This is story telling at its finest.



Toy Story 3 opens Friday, June 18, 2010.

Note: The short film, “Day & Night,” directed by Teddy Newton is shown before the feature presentation of Toy Story 3.

Trailer: $5 A DAY

Check out the trailer for the film, $5 A Day featuring an all-star cast of Walken, Sharon Stone, Amanda Peet, and Peter Coyote which releases on DVD & Blu-ray August 24, 2010.

Nat (Christopher Walken, Oscar winner, The Deer Hunter) is an eccentric conman – a hustler content with a life of schemes and underhanded deals. He lacks one thing: a reconciliation with his son, Flynn (Alessandro Nivola, Jurassic Park III), who has ceased trusting his father long ago. But Nat’s time is growing short: he has been diagnosed with a terminal illness. True to form, Nat cons Flynn into joining him in a cross country journey to an experimental medical facility. Short on money, but not on imagination, the two realize that to reach their destination they can spend no more than $5 A Day. They come up with increasingly ridiculous schemes to keep within their budget - but there is a distance of emotion as well as miles to cover. Are they on the path towards a father-son reunion?



What do you think? Will yoube buying the film this summer?

DVD Review: The Secret Life of the American Teenager Volume 4

The Secret Life of the American Teenager returned in a big way for Season 3 last week and this week, fans can buy Volume 4 of Secret Life on DVD! The second half of Season 2, aka Volume 4 was very entertaining and ended in quite a shocking way. So Secret Life fans, go out and get your copy of quite an interesting drama filled volume!



Release Date: June 15, 2010
Rating: TV 14
Running Time: 516 minutes

In the wake of their breakup, Ben and Amy explore new relationships, though their attraction still lingers. Meanwhile, Ashley tests her parent’s limits, and Anne wants to remarry George on their next anniversary, but will he be able to wait that long? Relive every moment of televison’s celebrated drama – uninterrupted, plus enjoy fascinating bonus features, with The Secret Life of the American Teenager: Volume Four.

Home life drama, break-ups, make-ups, new relationships, and a possible new pregnancy shake up volume 4 of The Secret Life of the American Teenager. There is lots of drama in this volume, so there is quite a lot to look forward to in that regards. The screenwriting is stronger in this volume, (yes, I am looking at you, "Losing my virginity killed my dad" storyline from a previous season - what a joke), the acting is much better, and Amy does not play as large of a role in this volume. The last has to be mentioned, as it is a nice break from such a selfish personality. Speaking of personality, Ben and Grace are so far removed from who they were in season 1 and not in the best way. The story line involving Ben's Italian girlfriend was quite weak though that might be able to be overlooked as Ben and Adrian hooking up was a solid and brave story line to write. This story line alone makes the last 10 minutes of the volume all the more entertaining and is the perfect build up for the new season. There are not many new characters introduced, but for the few that are introduced, there is not nearly enough screen time for the viewers to connect. So yet again, there is a focus on the core group with no newcomers into that group...apparently these people have no other friends. Hmm. Well, this volume has its strengths and weaknesses but overall, it is a pretty solid season and worth the buy for Secret Life fans.

Bonus Features:

Behind the “Secret” Scenes – With Mikaela Part 1 (1:44) and With Mikaela Part 2 (2:14) is a laid back interview with Secret Life stars, Amy Rider & Allen Evangelista. This is a very laid back interview and Mikaela asks the fun questions about life off set, so fans will anticipate the answers for sure. In part 2, Amy & Allen turn the tables on Mikaela, but they do not ask who she is...as I'm sure many viewers will have no idea who she is. Still, this was the most fun of the extras to watch. The next extra is Shooting Hoops(1:14) where viewers watch Daren Kagasoff, his brother Justin, and Greg Finley play basketball. Viewers find out more about Daren and his brother, so there is something to be learned in this fun feature. The next extra is Megan Talks to Canada (:49) where she shows Canadians what it is like working in Hollywood. I am not Canadian and I found it funny, so I know Canadians will find it extremely funny. The last feature is Music Scoring (2:32) which takes viewers to Capitol Studios. Secret Life Composer, Dan Foliart introduces his team, who was behind the music of 7th Heaven and discusses what separates this music from the rest on television. Because this feature is so brief, there is no time to discuss the inspiration and origination of the main theme and sound for the show, which would have been interesting.

Cast on Family (5:02) - The main cast members of the show give an overview of where their characters stand with their families or how other families affect their lives in this volume...nothing the fans don't already know. It really is quite general and when it just begins to analyze things more specifically, the feature is over. There is no discussion of the cast talking about their real life families, so the title of this feature may be a bit general in that regards. Basically, this is not a must see feature.

Diary Entry - There is a mini booklet inside the DVD where fans can read the first diary entry of the new Secret Life teen novel, “The Secret Diary of Ashley Juergens.” If you are interested in seeing things from a different and fresh perspective, this is definitely worth the read.


You can own The Secret Life of the American Teenager Volume 4 on DVD today.

DVD Review: The Book of Eli

One of the most anticipated films from this winter, The Book of Eli is finally on DVD! What a captivating film this is.



Release Date: June 15, 2010
Rating: R
Running Time: 118 Minutes

Eli walks alone in post-apocalyptic America. He heads west along the Highway of Death on a mission he doesn't fully understand but knows he must complete. In his backpack is the last copy of a book that could become the wellspring of a revived society. Or in the wrong hands, the hammer of a despot. Denzel Washington is Eli, who keeps his blade sharp and his survival instincts sharper as his quest thrusts him into a savage wasteland... and into explosive conflict with a resourceful warlord (Gary Oldman) set on possessing the book. "We walk by faith, not by sight," quotes Eli. Under the taut direction of the Hughes Brothers (Menace II Society), those words hit home with unexpected meaning and power.

The Book of Eli will become one of your favorite post-apocalyptic films. The cast is fantastic and each present colorful or should I say, edgy and very well layered characters. The Book of Eli is a gritty action drama that is slightly more graphic than I expected in terms of violence. Speaking of, there were very well choreographed and directed fight scenes that are not to be under-appreciated. The cinematography is also quite fantastic and sets such an engaging tone. Best of all, the screenplay is solid and becomes more gripping and thought provoking every time you watch the film. Who would have thought a loyal bible reader would be the hero of a mainstream Hollywood film? The film does not preach religion and really this reveal only touches the surface of what The Book of Eli is about. The saying goes, "Reading is fundamental" but this film actually shows the power words can have on everyone's lives. It may make you long for a prequel to the film. I know I would love one. The Book of Eli is the must see action drama of the year that you must own on DVD. You'll be entertained and be inspired to think about what words you would live and die for.


The Book of Eli is available on Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD, On Demand, and for Download on June 15, 2010.

DVD Review: When In Rome

Film favorite, Kristen Bell leads the way in the romantic comedy, When In Rome which releases on Blu-ray & DVD today!



Release Date: June 15, 2010
Rating: PG-13
Running Time: Approx. 91 minutes

An ambitious young New Yorker (Kristen Bell), disillusioned with romance, takes a whirlwind trip to Rome where she defiantly plucks magic coins from a fountain of love, inexplicably igniting the passion of those who threw them in: a sausage magnate (Danny DeVito), a street magician (John Heder), an adoring painter (Will Arnet) and a self-admiring model (Dax Shepard). But when a charming reporter (Josh Duhamel) pursues her with equal zest, how will she know if his love is the real thing?

When In Rome may not be all that you expect, but it will still get a few laughs out of you. It's more slapstick comedy than romantic comedy. Viewers will watch 5 men jump hurdle after hurdle trying to win over Beth, who is not at all interested and has to deal until she breaks the spell she put on herself. The concept is clever but in the end, it does not come across as charming and as magical as it could have been. It seemed a bit too silly for its own good. Also, at times it was a bit overwhelming with all that was going on on screen. There should have been more of a focus of a deeper back story behind the spell, the coins, fountain, and Roman myths. As for the cast...Danny DeVito trying to win over Kristen Bell's heart just seemed creepy. Though it must be said that Kristen Bell and Josh Duhamel have great chemistry, which made their scenes the strongest. Lastly, I find it odd the film is titled "When in Rome" when A) The film mainly takes place in New York and B) The saying is "When in Rome, do as the Romans do" but I don't think it is a Roman thing to steal coins from the fountain. Or maybe I missed the point of the title. I don't know. This movie was all over the place...so if you like random fun wrapped in a loose story line, this is the film to watch.

Bonus Features:

Kerplunk! Bloopers From Rome (3:07) – This was quite an entertaining blooper reel to watch, as anything is with Kristen Bell in it. She, along with the rest of the cast are just so goofy! There is talk of peep shows, Kristen's strength is tested, Jon Heder loses a heart, there are many fumbles...and most of all, lots of fun.

Deleted Scenes - There are 3 scenes, "Setting the Record Straight," "The Saddest Thing," and "Suitors Make A Scenes." While the first scene may bring a few laughs in the end, it does not further the story line. While the second may seem like a smart idea of Beth's, her solution doesn't work and takes away from her going after the resolution that will work. There is also no need to see Josh's character get struck by lightning. It was done well enough in the final edit. Last and least, the third deleted scene was just pointless.

Music Videos (3:46) - "Starstrukk" by 30H3! featuring Katy Perry and "Stupid Love Letter" by Friday Night Boys are the music videos featured on this DVD. "Starstrukk" will get stuck in your head and you might be tempted to go on iTunes and search for the song. It is so fitting to the film but the second song, "Stupid Love Letter" is more fitting in regards to incorporating the movie in its music video. Both are worth checking out.

Own When In Rome on Blu-ray and DVD today.

DVD Review: Family Matters The Complete First Season

The time has finally come for all of you sitcom fans. Family Matters The Complete First Season is finally on DVD!



Release Date: June 8, 2010
Rating: Not Rated
Running Time: 484 Minutes
Info: 22 Episodes/3 Discs

“Hi, everybody!” Fans of ’90s sitcoms know those words mean Steve Urkel has come to call, bringing lots of geeky, goofy fun with him. A spinoff of Perfect Strangers, Family Matters began as the at-home adventures of elevator operator Harriette Winslow and her multigenerational family. But midway through the first season, Jaleel White made a one-shot appearance as neighborhood nerd Urkel. With oversized glasses, undersized body, screechy voice and indomitable self-confidence, Urkel proved irresistibly funny, turning White into an overnight sensation and a new star of the show. Join Urkel and the Winslows for the 22-episode debut season of the hit series that proclaims love matters, laughing matters, Family Matters!

First off, I find it incredibly interesting that Steve Urkel appears prominently on the DVD cover as well as the episode guide and on all 3 discs considering the show is called “Family Matters” and the one person who isn’t even integrated into a full episode of the show until halfway through the season is the main focus. Though Steve becomes part of the family, he isn't at all what the show is about in the first half of the season. Perhaps only 2 promotional photos were taken with the family, one with Valerie Jones who played Judy Winslow in the first episode and another before Jaimee Foxworth was recast as Judy. Though isn’t that what screen caps are for? Hmmm. Maybe those responsible for the cover thought that fans would forget what was so memorable about the show aside from Steve? Well, anyway, as for watching the first season, viewers will be taken back to 1989 when it all began. As I have never seen the series in order and had only seen a few episodes from Season 1 prior to this, it was quite fun to see how this show that became a phenomenon started. Going into the season, one has to remember that sitcoms are not the same as they used to be. There was more of a generic, predictable outline for the plots so this wasn't exactly groundbreaking television in the story line aspect. The good thing is, the issues are timeless so it works. But this show will make you laugh. One thing that I did not either realize or remember was how unintelligent Eddie was.
I also did not realize that Eddie’s future best friend, Waldo makes his first appearance in the series in episode 16, “The Party” and is not even his friend at that point. Now whether you are buying this DVD for nostalgic reasons or are buying this DVD to find out what out about this pop culture sensation of a show, you will laugh and and find yourself gathering your family and friends to join in on the fun. I must say, if you have seen the other seasons of the show, the first season is moderately entertaining compared to what is to come. The only disappointment is that there are no bonus features. Not one member of the cast was available to take the time out to discuss anything for this DVD? There's not even a simple side by side slide show of actor portraits from then and now. Even that would have been something. Ah well, I'll keep hopeful for bonus features in future seasons.

Own Family Matters The Complete First Season today.

LA Review: Love, Loss, and What I Wore

I enjoyed Nora and Delia Ephron’s Off Broadway production, Love, Loss, and What I Wore so much in New York this past January, that I decided to see the Los Angeles production last week. This cast featured Lucy DeVito, Conchata Ferrell, Justina Machado, Rhea Perlman and Nancy Travis.



In Photo: Carol Kane, Caroline Aaron, Rita Wilson, Tracee Ellis Ross and Natasha Lyonne in the West Coast premiere

Love, Loss, and What I Wore, an intimate collection of stories by Nora Ephron and Delia Ephron is based on the best-selling book by Ilene Beckerman, as well as on the recollection of the Ephrons' friends. Like the popular book, Love, Loss, and What I Wore uses clothing and accessories and the memories they trigger to tell funny and often poignant stories that all women can relate to.

For approximately 90 minutes, audiences will be engaged by 5 women who share the stories behind the pieces of their wardrobe. The show is compiled of monologues (some overlapping in script, many interconnected in story) that will take audiences on quite a journey.

Every story told is incredibly compelling and entertaining. There really is a beautiful balance for both and the transition between the emotions felt is very smooth. One moment you will find yourself laughing at the memories remembered and the next tearing up at the moments in life that changed the paths for these women in ways they could not have expected. Everyone will appreciate this show not only because it is very well written and relatable but also because the cast is fabulous. The women are so lively and the comedic timing is great. Timing and tone are everything for this show and the women could not have done a better job at keeping this reading tight. Each actress is witty and charming in their own way and it really comes out in the few off the cuff moments throughout the reading. The audience loved the homage to Madonna especially. The Dressing Room and Fat/Thin were also among the audience favorites as laughter filled the room. One could hear a pin drop during the scenes, The Bathrobe and Boots. Seeing the Brides scene again, knowing the ending of this specific story, made me appreciate the story so much more from the beginning. Interestingly, I did not find The Gang Story to be comedic at all in the beginning this time around as opposed to when I did in January. One of my favorite lines from the reading included, “I don’t understand, you could look so good if you tried.” Even though these stories take place in New York and there are so many references to the city, everyone can relate. There really is so much to enjoy and learn from in the many themes presented in Love, Loss, and What I Wore. This is a fantastic reading that will encourage you to take a look in your closet, examine the memories your clothes hold, and think about the memories you would like to hold in the future.

Love, Loss, and What I Wore plays Tuesdays - Sundays at the Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles for a limited time. Buy tickets today.

Toy Story 3 Opens This Friday

Move aside little kids, I have been waiting for Toy Story 3 to come out for years! Who else will be first in line this Friday to see the film?



The creators of the beloved “Toy Story” films re-open the toy box and bring moviegoers back to the delightful world of Woody, Buzz and our favorite gang of toy characters in TOY STORY 3. Woody and Buzz had accepted that their owner Andy would grow up someday, but what happens when that day arrives? In the third installment, Andy is preparing to depart for college, leaving his loyal toys troubled about their uncertain future. Lee Unkrich (co-director of “Toy Story 2” and “Finding Nemo”) directs this highly anticipated film, and Michael Arndt, the Academy Award®-winning screenwriter of “Little Miss Sunshine,” brings his unique talents and comedic sensibilities to the proceedings. TOY STORY 3 will be presented in Disney Digital 3D™ in select theaters.

The original “Toy Story” voice cast is set to return in Toy Story 3, including John Ratzenberger (voice of Hamm), who is the only actor to voice a character in all 11 DisneyPixar films. Toy Story 3 stars Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Don Rickles, Wallace Shawn, John Ratzenberger, Estelle Harris, John Morris, Laurie Metcalf, R. Lee Ermey, Jodi Benson, Ned Beatty, Bonnie Hunt, Timothy Dalton, Jeff Garlin, Whoopi Goldberg and Michael Keaton

Toy Story 3 opens in theaters June 18, 2010.

A Time for Heroes Celebrity Picnic

Yesterday, Kodak sponsored a photo sharing booth at the 21st Annual 'A Time for Heroes' Celebrity Picnic benefiting the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation on the Wadsworth Great Lawn in Los Angeles.

Every year, Hollywood's best-known celebrities volunteer their time as "heroes" working carnival-style game booths and activity areas to raise funds to fight pediatric AIDS around the world with the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation.

At the picnic, celebrity guests were able to check out the latest Kodak products, which you can find out more about here. Check out some of the celebrity guests who attended:



Mary Lynn Raskjub



Mark Paul Gosselaar



Laila Ali



Gregg Sulkin, Bailee Madison



Erika Christensen



Olivia Munn



Cheryl Hines, Billy Bush, Lori Loughlin



Bridgit Mendler


It seems like the event was quite a lot of fun! For more information on Kodak, visit here and for more information on the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric Aids Foundation, visit here.

Marching for NoH8

Earlier this year, I interviewed Adam Bouska and Jeff Parshley, founders of the NoH8 Campaign for Gleek Squad Podcast...and earlier today, I met up with the two and marched with their campaign as part of the LA Pride Parade. I am straight but seeing as how I am both a female and African American, fighting for equality is no stranger to my history. So I wanted to see history being made since I didn't get to the last few times when women won the right to vote and African Americans were freed, given the right to vote, and racism began to stop being so in your face. So I went to the parade...and aside from seeing history being made...I also caught up with a few celebrities.

Adam & Jeff



Chima Simone (Big Brother)




Shanna Moakler (Former Miss USA)



Check me out in the TwitPic Shanna tweeted here. I'm in the very front, with the yellow balloon, right by the #72.

Sharon & Kelly Osbourne on a float



The event was quite fun. It officially began at 11am and the NoH8 Campaign group ended the parade route around 1:15pm. The festivities are still going on and probably won't end until midnight, so if you are in West Hollywood, go check out what's still going on!

The Dark Knight Available for Download

Starting Monday, June 14th, Warner Bros. is releasing The Dark Knight for Download as part of the DC 75th Anniversary Celebration.

The Dark Knight will become available on iTunes, Amazon On Demand, and On Demand (in July)...and only on iTunes will viewers be able to see 31 Minutes of Bonus Content! Here's a preview of the Bonus Content:




Will you be downloading The Dark Knight?

Demi Lovato is Coming to a Mall Near You

Demi Lovato Presents the Shop Til You Rock Mall Music Tour this summer as she visits 121 malls throughout the US from July 17 – August 28, Hot Topic stores specifically.



For more information on how you can see Demi on the mall tour, visit Shop Til You Rock.

You can also like Shop Til You Rock on Facebook and follow Shop Til You Rock on Twitter.

Jessica Sutta at The Roxy to Support Tomorrows Bad Seeds

Former Pussycat Doll Jessica Sutta recently came out to The Roxy to see one of her favorite bands, Tomorrows Bad Seeds perform to a packed house.


In this photo: Tomorrow’s Bad Seeds lead singer Moi Juarez and Jessica Sutta
Photo Credit: Handout

You can check out tour dates (scheduled until July 31st right now) for Tomorrows Bad Seeds here. Jessica Sutta's next project has not been announced, so it is only a matter of time before we find out whether she could be performing again at The Roxy herself.

First Look: Dodge Challenger

“Freedom” is the third of five ads in a series featuring the new Dodge Challenger. Here’s your first look at the latest ad, which will be featured during the World Cup. The ad highlights American Independence at its best!



A Behind-the-scenes video will go live tomorrow on YouTube, so be sure to check it out.

Car fans, also make sure to get all of the latest content and updates on Facebook and follow Dodge on Twitter.

What I Have Been Up To

It has been quite exciting for me, moving back to LA but I'm not going to write too much..instead I will just show you...

The day after I arrived, Russell Brand held a social experiment at the Beverly Center Mall which I attended & blogged about here.



Not too long after that, I made my first trip to the Staples Center to see a WNBA game between the Sparks and Mystics. The Sparks won and the game was so much fun to watch.





But being as how I'm not a big sports fan, I needed something I really enjoyed to kick off my move here. So I went to the Troubadour and The Roxy to see Thomas Ian Nicholas and Samantha Marq perform their latest music. They were great and the venues were very comfortable as well.





Then, I decided to connect more with the community. On the first weekend of June, City of Hope (a Comprehensive Cancer Center) held their annual Pediatric Picnic at Griffith Park and I wanted to take some time to check it out, as I have members of my family who have passed away from cancer. The event was basically a mini fair and was very uplifting and I hope to attend again next year.





The next day, I went to volunteer orientation for the Make A Wish Foundation. Look for more updates on that soon.



Now anyone who knows me and has been reading the blog knows that I absolutely love television. So last night, I attended the True Blood Season 3 Red Carpet Premiere as a fan, which I wrote all about at TVOverMind...as I am now a contributor for that website! Here are some photos from the event:




Yes, that is One Tree Hill hunk, Joe Manganiello in the picture above...I interviewed him here.




So the first 2 weeks of my arrival back in Los Angeles have been very good for me if I may say so myself. And this is only the beginning...again.

Movie Review: Killers

Killers hit theaters this past weekend and if you didn't check it out yet, here's what you should know about the film before buying your movie ticket.



Release Date: June 4, 2010
Rating: PG-13
Running Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
Starring: Ashton Kutcher, Katherine Heigl, Tom Selleck, Catherine O'Hara

Spencer Aimes is just your average, undercover, government-hired super-assassin accustomed to a life of exotic European locales, flashy sports cars and even flashier women. But when he meets Jen Kornfeldt, a beautiful, fun-loving computer tech recovering from a bad break-up, he finds true love…and happily trades international intrigue for domestic bliss.

Three years later, Spencer and Jen are still enjoying a picture-perfect marriage – that is, until the morning after Spencer’s 30th birthday. That’s when Spencer and Jen learn he's the target of a multi-million dollar hit. Even worse, the hired killers have been stalking the happy couple for years, and could be anyone: friends, neighbors, the grocery store clerk, even that crabby old guy shuffling across the street.

Now Spencer and Jen are on the run for their lives. As their suburban paradise turns into a paranoid game of dodge-the-bullet, they must find out who wants Spencer dead and why, all the while trying to save their marriage, manage his pain-in-the-ass in-laws, keep up neighborly appearances…and just plain survive.



Killers was a fun romantic action comedy to watch over the weekend but its hilarity and romance could have been heavier. The film starts out slow, setting up the character and the story...but once it picks up, it really picks up action wise! There are a few laughs here and there, mainly coming from Catherine O'Hara who plays Jen's mother. Heigl and Kutcher are funny as individuals, funny together, but the romantic chemistry seems a bit off. Also odd was seeing Lisa Ann Walter playing the promiscuous character that she played, since I will always see her as Chessy from The Parent Trap. Though the overall casting was fantastic in my opinion. There was a completely unexpected cameo by singer, Usher who hasn't had a big screen acting role since 2005...and he did well! Someone else I was not expecting to see was Letoya Luckett (previously of the singing group, Destiny's Child), who has a slightly larger role in this film as one of Jen's good friends from work. As far as the plot goes...it is not as strong as one would think for a film titled, Killers. The concept was smart but the execution, especially the ending should have been thought out more thoroughly. Props to giving an unexpected twist...the only problem is the twist is quite dumb. You will either be upset that you spent your money seeing the film because of the less than satisfying ending or you will be content with a not so layered action comedy and call it a day.. No matter, viewers can see that the potential was clearly there for a hit summer flick - not just in box office numbers but in terms of being talked about highly. Though it is quite mediocre entertainment and if you are fine with that, make sure to see it this weekend. Otherwise, wait until the film comes out on DVD so you can Netflix it.

Killers is in theaters now.

Laura Leighton Talks About Pretty Little Liars

As the premiere date nears for ABC Family’s new original series Pretty Little Liars, Laura Leighton who plays Ashley Marin in the series took some time out to talk about her role in the series.



What do you find challenging about the role?
It’s a juicy part, which I love. It’s challenging, always, to have a character that’s acting sort of outside your own moral compass; making choices that you wouldn’t necessarily make. Ashley is certainly finding herself in the position of making some parenting choices and choices in general for herself and her family that are a little bit shocking.

You have to find a way to justify that within the character and go, “Okay, what kind of person would do this, and where is she coming from?” And it’s a challenge. It’s fun. It’s always fun to figure that out, and certainly more fun than playing someone who is very boring and milk toast and predictable.

Is this a show your own children will be allowed to watch?
I do have a couple of older children—teenagers, that I think are within the demographic and it could be appropriate and definitely appealing for them. My younger children definitely not, but they’re use to that. Just sort of like that’s where we go to work, and as far as their concerned they’d rather we’d just stay home and play.

Can you tell us about your character?
Well, Ashley Marin is the single mother on the show, parenting one of the girls—one of the pretty little liars, and Hanna is her daughter. And Ashley is working to keep it all together, as any single mom has to. She’s a business woman; she’s got a bit of an edge. She’s very matter-of-fact, and she places very high value on appearances. She wants to maintain her image and pulling herself together every day is high on her list.

So when her daughter makes the mistakes and she needs to cover those up, she acts in desperation and thinks of the best thing she can think of at the time. Like how she should try to cover up and what’s the best way to do it. She’s really just trying to maintain appearances and her life and her lifestyle. She’s struggling to balance it all.

How does playing this character compares to some of your previous roles? Sydney, for example.
Well, yes, going from Sydney to this character, I definitely think they’re completely different characters, different roles within the show, and the shows themselves are different. But it is funny. I find myself playing a character who makes some controversial choices. I don’t know if it’s because once you play one role that goes in that direction it’s easy to see you doing it again, and some people are able to envision you in that role and you’re more likely to get cast. I don’t know.

I’m happy to have the opportunity. Like I said, I think it’s always much more interesting to play somebody who’s got some gray areas, and maybe a dark side and some questionable attributes. There’s some humanity in them. It’s just interesting. It’s interesting to try to figure it out, and I think it’s more fun than playing somebody predictable.

Have you read any of the books?
I did. After the pilot, I was interested in checking out the books and I read one-and-a-half books, and decided to put them down and not spoil the surprise. It’s been so fun to read these scripts, and the cliff hangers are great, and the suspense throughout every script. It’s just a page-turner. It’s been so fun to read. For everyone in the cast, we feel the same way. It’s been a lot of fun not to know too many of the things that might come up.

In what way, if any, do you relate to your character of Ashley Marin?
I certainly relate to her being a mother and trying to juggle her career and make parenting choices and connect with her daughter. I think those are just really sort of classic themes that are in the show. And I think that throughout the various story lines there is with all the different children in the show with their parents, there is a unique relationship with each story. And I think that audiences will be drawn to that because there’s so much that you can relate to within families. Conversations that occur, or just the everyday life of getting ready in the morning and the craziness of everybody needs to go here or there. They’re just sort of classic themes.

But at the same time, the idea that kids go to school for so many hours of their day and they’re away from their parents—parents don’t know what goes on with their kids in many, many ways. They lead this whole other life with their school friends and their sports friends and this entire life for most of their day that parents aren’t a part of. And to try to maintain that relationship and know what’s going on with your kid and keep your dialogue open and really connect with them, it’s a challenge.

Pretty Little Liars premieres June 8th at 8/7c on ABC Family.

Honey 2 Coming Soon

The dance crews are back as Honey 2 has begun production in Los Angeles. Honey, starring Jessica Alba, Mekhi Phifer, Joy Bryant and Lil’ Romeo hit theaters back in 2003 and now Honey 2 is slated to premiere exclusively on DVD in the fall of 2011.

Here's the latest casting news:



In Honey 2, Katerina Graham (CW’s “The Vampire Diaries”) stars as Maria, a young girl who uses her passion for dance as a means to overcome adversity and life on the streets. Joining Graham is a diverse cast of incredible actors and dancers, including Randy Wayne (Dukes of Hazzard: The Beginning), Seychelle Gabriel (The Last Airbender), Christopher “War” Martinez (Bring It On: Fight to the Finish), Brittany Perry Russell (“CSI: NY”), Tyler Nelson (Stomp The Yard 2), Luke Broadlick (Britney Spears “Circus” tour, Step Up 3-D), and Melissa Smith (“The Pussycat Dolls Present: the Search for the Next Doll”). Also rounding out the cast are dancers Casper Smart and Justin DeAnda, character actor Gerry Bednob (The 40-Year-Old Virgin) and Lonette McKee (Honey, Sparkle) who reprises her role of Connie Daniels from the original film.

Honey 2 mixes it up with well-known dance crews from all over the country, from California’s Quest Crew (winners of MTV’s “America’s Best Dance Crew, Season 3) and Fanny Pak and the Beat Freaks to the Super Cr3w and the Strikers All-Stars of Tallahassee, Florida.

Honey 2 is directed by Bille Woodruff (Beauty Shop), executive produced by Marc Platt, produced by Paul Hellerman (The Mexican, Jackie Brown), and choreographed by Rosero McCoy (Step-Uup, MTV’s “Randy Jackson Presents America’s Best Dance Crew”).


Check out the synopsis:

The legacy of legendary dancer and choreographer Honey Daniels lives on in spirited 17-year-old Maria Bennett. After a brush with the law, Maria has returned to her gritty Bronx roots to rebuild her life with nothing but a talent for street dance and a burning ambition to prove herself. She finds refuge in the place that made her feel most alive as kid—the rec center where Honey’s exuberant classes first ignited her passion for dance. Keeping on the straight and narrow means living with Honey’s mom Connie and holding down a job just to make ends meet. But a rare night out at a local dance club gives her an opportunity to let loose with a joy and energy she had almost forgotten. Maria’s killer moves catch the eye of Brandon, a Rec Center volunteer, who invites her to help him transform a group of gifted but undisciplined dancers called the HD’s. Maria’s skills also attract the attention of her old boyfriend Luis, the charismatic leader of the award-winning 718 dance crew, who hopes to lure her back into the street world she is trying to escape. Seeing a chance at creating a new and meaningful life, Maria pours her heart and soul into dance and begins training the HDs to compete on the television dance competition “Dance or Die”—which means going up against the 718 and Luis. Like Honey before her, Maria rediscovers the thrill of dancing as she finds out who she truly is and where she belongs.

What do you think? Will you be seeing the upcoming dance flick? Honey 2 comes out on DVD Fall 2011.

Introducing: Joey King of Ramona and Beezus

Want to know who the next rising star of young Hollywood is? Look no further! I recently spoke with actress, Joey King who can be seen as the lead in the upcoming flick, Ramona and Beezus alongside Selena Gomez, John Corbett, Bridget Moynahan, Ginnifer Goodwin, Josh Duhamel, and Sandra Oh. You've seen Joey on the small screen, big screen, and even heard her voice on big screen animations, but this summer you'll get to see her leading the way in the flick that kids will be talking about all summer.



What was your audition like for Ramona and Beezus?
There were a lot of auditions. The audition process was long since I had a lot of call backs. The end was cool since it was narrowed down so much and when I got the part, I cried of joy! I was so happy!

What has it been like working with Selena Gomez?
Selena and I were really close and we still are! Though it is harder to see each other since we are both filming movies, but whenever we get a chance we still talk to each other.

Had you read the Beverly Cleary book series before you were cast in Ramona and Beezus?
I'm going to be honest with you, I only read one of the books before I got the job. After I found out that I got the part of Ramona, I read all of the books.

What is your favorite book in the series?
I don't have a single favorite book but one of my favorite books is Ramona and Her Father.

Is there anything in the books that didn't make the film that you wish you could have done?
No, I really loved everything that I got to do for the film. I was able to do a ton of things and was happy with it all.

What was your favorite thing to do and the most challenging thing to do on set?
My favorite thing to do was the water fight scene, that was the most fun to shoot! The most challenging part about it was probably waking up early in the morning.

Were you nervous about cutting and dying your hair for the role of Ramona?
No, I was actually excited to have a new look. I was a dirty blond before and when they dyed my hair dark and I absolutely loved it. I was a little nervous when they cut my hair but thought it was cute in the end.

You have also done some voice over work in Horton Hears a Who! and Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs, but when did you decide that you wanted to do voice over work?
Well, I never really decided...if I had an audition for voice over work, I just went to the audition. So I never really decided that I wanted to do voice over work, I just did it and have really liked it.

You recently appeared on Ghost Whisperer, which was recently canceled. Can you talk about your time working on that show for all of the fans out there?
I am actually afraid of ghosts, so to play a ghost was really cool.

What do you want to do in the future?
I want to keep acting in movies since I love movies, voice overs, and whatever comes my way.



Ramona and Beezus hits theaters July 23, 2010.