Snow White & The Huntsman Movie Review Party

Girls at any age love Fairy Tales
Snow White & The Huntsman is now available on DVD & Blue Ray Disc. 

The Pre-Party

The makings of a perfect low-key get together that can be thrown together within seconds: Yellow Tail Wine (always at least a couple bottles...we finished 3), sweet & salty snacks from The Popcorn Factory, and the obligatory veggie tray to balance out the Good:Evil calorie ratio.

The Movie

"In this spectacular action-adventure, Kristen Stewart (Twilight) is Snow White, the only woman in the land fairer than the evil queen Ravenna (Oscar winner Charlize Theron).  Ravenna wants nothing more than to destroy her young rival, but she doesn't know that Snow White has been training in the art of war with a huntsman (Chirs Hemsworth) the queen dispatched to kill her.  Together with a handsome prince (Sam Claflin) enchanted by Snow White's beauty and power, they assemble an armed force to recapture the kingdom.  This breathtaking new vision of the legendary tale from Joe Roth, the producer of Alice in Wonderland and acclaimed commercial director and state-of-the-art visualist Rupert Sanders is, in the words of Shawn Edwards, Fox-TV, "A film that soars with creativity, stylistic genius and amazing battle scenes."

My Catty Review

Snow White &The Huntsman is visually stunning. The costumes & sets are extraordinary and the actors...well they are beautiful.  Charlize Theron portrays the Evil Queen effortlessly. Kristen Stewart though was a poor choice for Snow White.

Of course anyone watching this movie will be comparing it to all Snow White movies ever released as well as the fairy tale read as children. We know Snow White as meek & gentle, with an endearing personality.  K Stew's Snow has just a pretty face, void of expression, personality, or chutzpah. I caught myself wanting to fast forward K Stew heavy scenes and yearning for an exclusive twist to the story to make this movie worth watching in its entirety. Mind you, I was full of wine while watching. I will sit down this week to watch the film again, sans booze, to see if my perception of it changes for the better.

Judge for Yourself

All in all, the movie is one to see, if just to have more fodder for K Stew, to look at beautiful people, and to have another option for an age old story. Don't let my cattiness be your judge, see for yourself!

*I received a sample of products to facilitate my review. All actions & opinions are my own.*

"Mirror, Mirror" on the wall, this party's the HOTTEST of them all!

"Mirror, Mirror" DVD Release Spa Party: A Sweltering Success

Excitement was electric, actual electricity was absent: Queue Mother Nature

This past Saturday was my "Mirror, Mirror" party sponsored by ThinkJam and 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment. Friday night at around 9pm a little Mircroburst occurred in my town of Lockport and besides nearly 1 of every 3 trees being neatly uprooted, power lines snapping, streets flooding,  and mayhem ensuing, my electricity went out...for 26 hours! Yep, the outage lasted through the party.

My street turned small river

Uprooted tree in the cemetery

My neighbor's car was not lucky

Absence of power is not a good enough excuse to cancel, so the shindig commenced. Trust me, as I was sweating my arse off all morning getting the house set up, I contemplated calling the whole thing off. But NO! I'm the consummate entertainer and the show must always go on!

Welcome to my spa

The guests arrived to a sweltering main floor of my home where the food and spa stations were presented. Grabbing some snacks and cold beverages we headed to the basement for some small talk and cooling off by candlelight until my husband retrieved a second generator to hook up the air conditioning.

The Spa Area all set up

The Party Favor Spa Kits

Towels

Around 8pm the power came on! Like excited dwarfs who just found a beautiful maiden, we scurried upstairs to soak, lotion, and paint our hands and feet while enjoying the cool comforts of a/c and light. It was here that each guest received their Party Favors: a branded clear water bottle filled with a nail file/mirror, nail brush, and book mark. I added some Watkins lotion samples and foam toe separators for pedicures to round out the spa kit. Twenty minutes later,  poof...darkness and dankness. It really was like sitting in a sauna, quite fitting for a Spa Theme!

Nail polish station

Activity sheets during drying time

Watkins spa products

A knight with a shining generator arrives

Shortly after the second outage my husband arrived, hooked up two air conditioners, a couple fans and some extra lights to the new generator and Hi-ho, hi-ho it's off to the living room we headed to watch the movie.

My gal pals who attended all have little girls in their lives who would love this movie just as much as mine. During the movie smiles were on my guests faces, chuckles were emitted throughout, and when finished everyone left with a sense of whimsy, smelling like lavender or peppermint and a new movie title to add to their collection of classics. About 30 minutes after all had left, the power came on, for good!

Treats

Chocolate "Mud Mask" Pudding

No Snow White party would be complete without Apples

"Wedding" Cupcakes

Beverage Station

Get yourself of copy of this movie

"Mirror, Mirror" is a refreshing new take on the story of Snow White.  The colors, costumes, whimsy, and artistry of the sets and cinematography are fairy tale like, immersing the viewer into a make-believe realm. It is geared towards every age with childlike quirkiness and adult snark.  "Mirror, Mirror" is an all around beautiful retelling of an old classic for all ages.




*I received a Walmart Gift card to purchased needed supplies for the party and a Copy of the Movie to watch from ThinkJam & 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment. No other monies were exchanged and all opinions stated good, bad, or ugly, are all mine...no matter what I was provided to throw this little shin-dig with!

Movie Review: Shark Night (aka hot shirtless undergrads get eaten)

Shark Night

Seriously, the worst movie I have seen in a long time.  Don't cross it off your list, if you actually have it on one.

Said list of course looks something like this:

-beer
-wine coolers
-tell mom I'm spending the weekend @church camp
-go to mall for sexy outfit from Victoria Secrets (ask dad for his cc)
-get nails done
-BUY SHARK NIGHT
-study for psych exam on drive to party

When my 25 year old BIL asked in a shocked huh tone "Shark Night was a bad movie???" I knew those under 25 will enjoy it!

For you young whipper-snappers,  this movie is better than clown porn for a party where cheap booze, lots of "Oh my god"s, hugs, crying, and hopes of hooking up is in plenty.

For an old timer like myself, the movie from its cover to the end is text book college thesis film predictable.   Don't get me wrong while watching, I proudly felt like a dirty old lady enjoying the shirtless boys with all the six pack abs, bulging biceps, and those sexy-ass "V" shaped muscles by their waistbands...but I digress.

Let me outline the movie for you:

• College kids
• white, rich chic, with secrets
• white, poor, med student, uber smart
• black, star athlete, friends with poor white med student
• white, Abercrombie asshole probably pseudo wealthy who's best subject is himself, nude model for an art class.
• latina love interest of the star athlete
• dorky white dude with his own style and comedic demeanour covering a damaged self esteem and yearning to be like the others
• Katharine McPhee from American Idol fame who hits its with the nude model
• They all go away for a weekend to celebrate the star athlete's B+  at the rich white chic's house.  In my book that ain't worth celebrating but I'm old, maybe B's are the new A's. 
• Said house is on an isolated island in the bayous of Louisiana
• The townies are pervs
• the only way to her house is via boat
• no cell service at the island house is stressed too many times
• The star athlete gets eaten first, then his Latina lover. Not to spoil the remainder of the shark buffet, in the end 2 are left standing, the bad guys get kicked by karma, and the sharks are still in the water.

The hubs and I seriously were laughing throughout the movie at its ridiculousness-I had tears in my eyes from laughing so hard.  If you are 25 and under I recommend this film.  If you are not-well, see for yourself so you can decide.

*I received a review copy of this film from Fox Home Entertainment/Think Jam Publicity. Please all my nice contacts there, don't black list me for this review. I'm sure you knew the movie sucked but you are in the industry of selling them, I get it. This turd is as polished as it can get. So, back to disclaiming. No monies were exchanged and I was not requested to give a glowing review...obviously. All opinions are MY OWN and this movie should not reflect poorly on anyone involved in its making and distribution, dudes.*

Movie Review: The Big Year

"Steve Martin, Jack Black and Owen Wilson portray three men from very different walks of life, facing a mid-life crisis, a work-life crisis and a no-life crisis.  In the biggest competition of their lives, they undertake an unforgettable trek through North America, engaging in hilarious and bizarre adventures and forming friendships that will last a lifetime!"--Official Press Release

Owen Wilson: I do not like him. It's his nose. Yes, the superficiality catapults my thoughts into punching his face every time I see it.

Jack Black: I love-yet I want to tie him to a chair and force some downers down his gullet. It is hard to imagine having a calm, still, conversation with the man.

Steve Martin-Well, there is nothing wrong with him.

The previews did not provide enough for me to know what  The Big Year was about-from them I figured one of the main characters was terminally ill-like the Bucket List just with younger characters played  by comedians about birds. With that prefaced, here's what started the evening with the hubs, "Let's watch The Big Year so I can review it, but check on RedBox for a backup movie to watch after." Yep, superficial and judgmental.

We turned on The Big Year and when it ended both my hubs and I felt good. Not in a "I want to climb Mt. Everest I'm so motivated because of this flick" way.  In a "hey, no matter where we are in life right now we can still travel the path for our dreams."

WTF? Yes, I got that from this movie!

Quick Synopsis:
Owen's character as would be expected is an ass, he holds the record for the number of bird species viewed in a year, called "A Big Year". He will do anything to maintain that title. He is narcissistic, his family & career take second place to his desire for the spotlight and his dreams are darkened from the title he fights to keep,

Steve's character is an overachieving owner/CEO of a mega profitable corporation that he has coddled too much, his customers want him not "his people", an his people don't know what to do without him.  He has retired twice before but this time he is ready.  He retires, yet just a phone call away to encourage his underlings that they can do this.  An avid bird watcher his dream is to go on A Big Year.  His wife fully supports him, nearly pushes him out the door, and he sets off-quite comfortably.

Jack's character is a divorced computer programmer who is infatuated with all things birds. He puts in way too many hours in his cubicle, is taken advantage of by his boss, is close with his mom and his dad seems a bit ashamed of his son's life and the whole bird thing. Jack's character needs A Big Year, he needs to fulfill a dream so his life can move on to better.  His credit cards maxed, his mom underwrites his trips and on weekends he sets out to not fail at one thing in his life...while sometimes sleeping in his car.

As you may guess, the three of them nearly immediately cross paths while following the most coveted of bird species and it is there the movie unfolds.  It is steady paced and level.  Your adrenaline doesn't pump and your tears don't flow.  The actors become their characters and you find yourself not rooting for any but enjoying watching their Big Year unfold.  When you push eject is when the smile creeps on your face and you realize--this IS a good movie.

Its a feel good movie with out fluff and yes, I do recommend it as a nice family night film.

Here's more from the official Press Release:

Let the fowl play begin!  Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment presents the story of a competitive trio who quickly turn a simple quest into the ultimate competition whenTHE BIG YEAR spreads its wings on Blu-ray and DVD January 31.

Directed by David Frankel (The Devil Wears Prada, Marley & Me) and featuring outrageous supporting performances from Joel McHale (“Community”), Jim Parsons (“The Big Bang Theory”), Angelica Huston (50/50), Dianne Wiest (“In Treatment”),Brian Dennehy (The Next Three Days), Rashida Jones (“Parks and Recreation”), Kevin Pollak (Red State) and Anthony Anderson (Scream 4), THE BIG YEAR Blu-ray is loaded with special features including the theatrical and extended editions of the film, over 40 minutes of deleted scenes and the featurette “The Big Migration.”  The Blu-ray combo pack and single-disc DVD will be available for an average retail price of $29.99 and $19.99 respectively.  Prebook is January 4, 2012.

THE BIG YEAR Blu-ray Special Features

• Extended Feature Film
• “The Big Migration” featurette
• Deleted Scenes              
  • Roger Tory Peterson
  • Bird Behavior
  • Stu Late for Boat, Bird Puns with Brad & Ellie, Stu Gets Bostick’s Autograph
  • Longer Boat End, Dock, Pretzels & Skippy
  • Nozzle Theft and Other Newscasters
  • Longer Cars to HI
  • Cereal Rat with Talk
  • Lanky Birder Makes Time with Ellie
  • Stu’s Summer Montage with Fire Island Fauna
  • Bostick Returns Home
  • Long Pelagic
  • Bostick Goes to China
• Gag Reel

About Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment LLC

Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, LLC (TCFHE) is a recognized global industry leader and a subsidiary of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, a News Corporation company. Representing 75 years of innovative and award-winning filmmaking from Twentieth Century Fox, TCFHE is the worldwide marketing, sales and distribution company for all Fox film and television programming, acquisitions and original productions on DVD, Blu-ray Disc Digital Copy, Video On Demand and Digital Download. The company also releases all products globally for MGM Home Entertainment. Each year TCFHE introduces hundreds of new and newly enhanced products, which it services to retail outlets from mass merchants and warehouse clubs to specialty stores and e-commerce throughout the world.

###

*I received a free copy of this movie from Fox Home Entertainment/Think Jam in return for an honest, upfront review. No monies or specified expectations for the review were exchanged.*

Black Swan on Blu-ray & DVD March 29th!

Wow. Rarely has a movie resonated with me so strongly as Black Swan has. Natalie Portman impressively gets the audience to know and understand her character Nina from the very beginning. This movie was not one that conjured emotions of fear or pity, but of concern and aegis for Nina's well being while she pursued a dream that may not have originally been hers. The juxtaposition of both main characters, Nina and Lilly (Mila Kunis), perfectly exemplified the  internal dichotomy Nina battled of her pursuit for perfection via intense disciplined restraint and her desire for freedom from the pressures of perfection. This movie is well deserving of the awards and accolades it received.

*I received a free copy of this movie for my review from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment and Think Jam. All opinions are mine.*

EXPERIENCE THE TWISTED YET INSPIRED MASTERPIECE LIKE NEVER BEFORE

Capture the Electrifying Thriller That Has Audiences on the Edge of Their Seats

On Blu-ray and DVD March 29

Starring Natalie Portman in her Academy Award® winning role*, BLACK SWAN is a seductive yet haunting film that will leave you breathless. Directed by innovator Darren Aronofsky (The Wrestler), this Best Picture nominated film boasts a wealth of talent including Portman (Closer), in the performance of her career, as well as Mila Kunis (Date Night), Winona Ryder (Girl, Interrupted) and Vincent Cassel (Ocean’s Twelve). In the film that Daily Variety hailed as "...wicked, sexy and ultimately devastating... fascinating," Natalie Portman’s mesmerizing transformation into the Black Swan leaves you breathless – and wanting to see it again. Become part of the haunting phenomenon and own BLACK SWAN on Blu-ray or DVD on March 29th from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment.

BLACK SWAN follows the story of Nina (Natalie Portman), a ballerina in the New York City Ballet trying to make it to the top. When artistic director Thomas Leroy (Vincent Cassel) decides to replace prima ballerina Beth MacIntyre (Winona Ryder) for the opening production of their new season, Swan Lake, Nina is his first choice. But a new dancer, Lily (Mila Kunis), also impresses Leroy and becomes Nina’s competition. Nina fits the White Swan role perfectly with her innocence and grace, but Lily is the personification of the Black Swan with her fiery personality. As the two young dancers expand their rivalry into a twisted friendship, Nina begins to get more in touch with her dark side with a recklessness that threatens to destroy her.

The BLACK SWAN Blu-ray disc contains special features not included on the DVD including exciting behind-the-scenes looks at the filmmaking process and interviews with the cast and director Darren Aronofsky. With the best-available sound and picture quality, the Blu-ray format provides viewers the premier way to experience the stunning Academy Award®-nominated cinematography, memorable character performances and flawless choreography of BLACK SWAN.

BLACK SWAN Blu-ray Disc Features:
• Metamorphosis: A Three-Part Series
o A behind the scenes look at the filmmaking process from Darren Aronofsky’s visionary directing, to the physically-demanding acting, to the stunning special effects.
• Behind the Curtain
o An inside look at the film’s costume and production design.
• Ten Years in the Making
o Natalie Portman and Darren Aronofsky discuss their creative journey, from “preparing for the role” to “dancing with the camera.”
• Cast Profiles – Roles of a Lifetime
o Presented by Fox Movie Channel, the stars reflect on the their challenging and rewarding characters

BLACK SWAN DVD Features:
• Metamorphosis: A Three-Part Series
o A behind the scenes look at the filmmaking process from Darren Aronofsky’s visionary directing, to the physically-demanding acting, to the stunning special effects
*Best Actress in a Lead Role, Natalie Portman
About Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment
Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, LLC (TCFHE) is a recognized global industry leader and a subsidiary of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, a News Corporation company. Representing 75 years of innovative and award-winning filmmaking from Twentieth Century Fox, TCFHE is the worldwide marketing, sales and distribution company for all Fox film and television programming, acquisitions and original productions on DVD, Blu-ray Disc Digital Copy, Video On Demand and Digital Download. The company also releases all products globally for MGM Home Entertainment. Each year TCFHE introduces hundreds of new and newly enhanced products, which it services to retail outlets from mass merchants and warehouse clubs to specialty stores and e-commerce throughout the world.





Black Swan Blu-Ray: (Catalog # 2271513 U.S. / # 2271514 Canada)
Street Date: March 29, 2011
Pre-book Date: March 2, 2011
Screen Format: Widescreen
Audio: English 5.1 DTS-HD-MA
French 5.1 Dolby Digital
Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital
Subtitles: English and Spanish
U.S. Rating: R
Total Run Time: 233 minutes
Closed Captioned: Yes



Black Swan DVD: (Catalog # 2271506 U.S. / # 2271507 Canada)
Street Date: March 29, 2011
Pre-book Date: March 2, 2011

Screen Format: Widescreen

Audio: English 5.1 Dolby Digital

French 2.0 Surround Dolby Digital

Spanish 2.0 Surround Dolby Digital

Subtitles: English and Spanish

U.S. Rating: R

Total Run Time: 179 minutes

Closed Captioned: Yes

Follow Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment on Twitter @FoxHomeEnt

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love & other drugs: Viagra & Love Collide

LOVE IS JUST WHAT THE DOCTOR ORDERED

LOVE & OTHER DRUGS

Find the Remedy on Blu-ray and DVD March 1st

KimD's Quick Review: I'm a sucker for any movie with Jake Gyllenhaal & Anne Hathaway. Love & Other Drugs did not disappoint. It's a feel good racy movie that makes you laugh, cry, angry, and happy all in 162 minutes.   There's a good amount of bare bodies frolicking about that borders on almost too much, but is central to the movie. This is one movie that I will watch over and over!***

Official Summary: Experience the wonders of love when physical chemistry between two of today’s hottest stars explodes onscreen! Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment presents the romantic drama LOVE & OTHER DRUGS, arriving on Blu-ray and DVD on March 1st, 2011. From director/producer Edward Zwick and based on the best-selling book Hard Sell: The Evolution of a Viagra Salesman by Jamie Reidy, LOVE & OTHER DRUGS takes aim with Cupid’s arrow when love is found in the unlikeliest of places!

Smooth-talking playboy Jamie Randall (Jake Gyllenhaal, Brokeback Mountain) is on a fast track to the top of the pharmaceutical sales industry – promoting the miracle drug Viagra by day and charming the ladies by night. However, Jamie is taken aback when he meets Maggie Murdock (Academy Award®-nominee Anne Hathaway, The Devil Wears Prada), a radiantly sexy free spirit who doesn’t allow her treatment for Parkinson’s get in the way of living her life. As Jamie and Maggie juggle their respective medications, they are forced to reassess their budding romance when they realize that love is the ultimate high.

With Golden Globe®-nominated performances by Gyllenhaal* and Hathaway**, LOVE & OTHER DRUGS also stars Oliver Platt (Frost/Nixon), Hank Azaria (“The Simpsons”), Josh Gad (21), Gabriel Macht (Behind Enemy Lines), Judy Greer (13 Going on 30), George Segal (“Just Shoot Me”), and Jill Clayburgh (An Unmarried Woman).

*Best Actor, Motion Picture Musical or Comedy
**Best Actress, Motion Picture Musical or Comedy

Follow Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment on Twitter @FoxHomeEnt




***I received a copy of this movie for my review. No monetary compensation was accepted nor a guarantee of a positive review. ***

A Shine of Rainbows-an Irish tear jerker!

Here's a movie that will get you in the mood for St. Patrick's Day! The movie's backdrop is the gorgeous Emerald Isle with its bright green countryside perfectly contrasting with the ocean blue. The beginning is a bit slow, then BAM! You don't want it to end! (And really, who wants to stop watching the handsome Aidan Quinn?) Grab some tissues and look for rainbows!

Here's the official 411 on the movie:

TAKE A HEARTWARMING JOURNEY WITH A REMARKABLE FAMILY IN

A SHINE OF RAINBOWS

ARRIVING ON DVD MARCH 15th

Open your heart to an ordinary family’s extraordinary journey when A SHINE OF RAINBOWS arrives on DVD on March 15th from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment. A Heartland Festival “Truly Moving Picture” Award Recipient, A SHINE OF RAINBOWS tells the inspiring story of hope, transformation and love while surrounded by the beauty and power of nature.

An orphaned boy named Tomás is adopted by Maire O’Donnell (Connie Nielsen; Gladiator) to live on a whimsical Irish isle filled with new friends, secret caves and a lost baby pup seal stranded on the coast. But when Maire’s reluctant husband Alec (Aidan Quinn; Legends of the Fall, Unknown) refuses to accept Tomás as his own son, the boy drifts down a fateful path of adventure and self-discovery, illuminating how rainbows can shine around — and within — us all.
Directed by Emmy-nominated director Vic Sarin, the whole family will enjoy this touching story about acceptance and self-discovery. In addition, the all-new DVD includes a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the film entitled “So Many Colours: The Making of A Shine of Rainbows.”

Follow Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment on Twitter @FoxHomeEnt

*I received a free copy of this movie to review.  I did not receive an monetary compensation.  All opinions are mine.*

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