"Overboard" Remake in the Works? Hollywood, Please Be Careful!

  Most of the time, I'm okay with remakes of B-list movies that are at least 20 years old.  But this time, Hollywood might be going too far.  Many of you have probably never even heard of the 1987 Goldie Hawn-Kurt Russell comedy Overboard.  Let me tell you, you're missing out.  Although I'll rarely put the  DVD in, Overboard is the kind of movie where I find myself quoting its lines in everyday situations, and I'm ecstatic every time I discover that it's playing on TV.  Goldie Hawn delivers each line with such perfectly dry humor that I can't see anyone rivaling it, least of all Jennifer Lopez, aka J. Lo, who is in talks to star as the rich snob who gets amnesia and is tricked into thinking she's the wife of a carpenter, who wants revenge for her rudeness.  It's not that I don't like J. Lo (I admit, I will watch Monster-in-Law and Enough pretty much anytime they're playing on TBS), it's just that Goldie was so great that I have a hard time seeing any actress equal her performance--especially "Jenny from the Block." I guess it would be too similar to the original to have Goldie's daughter, Kate Hudson, take over the role.  But let's face it, she is her mother's daughter--she'd be perfect.  No word yet as to what actor will take over Kurt Russell's role, but the casting crew better put some serious effort into finding someone who will have as much on-screen chemistry with J. Lo as Russell did with Hawn--they were, after all, a couple in real-life as well.  So please Hollywood, don't ruin this 80's classic for me.  You have some very big shoes to fill, so make sure J. Lo can actually pull off the uptight, rich-bitch snobbishness: "I'm not a bitch. ANDREW! Are you going to bring me my lemon or do I have to squeeze it from my hat?"


How do you feel about an Overboard remake?  Should J. Lo be cast, or is there someone better?  Who would you cast as Dean?

Attention Muggles! Harry Potter Theme Park to Open June 18th!

Harry Potter fans, get ready.  The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios officially has an opening date.  Starting June 18th, Muggles around the world who have waited anxiously for their Hogwarts acceptance letters will finally be able to fall into the pages of J.K. Rowling's beloved series.  Visitors will be able to venture through Hogwarts Castle on "Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey," enjoy a butterbeer at The Three Broomsticks, find their wands at Ollivanders and more!  FYI: the Harry Potter fanatic inside me in screaming in excitement.  You can bet on the fact that I'll be making my way down to Orlando this summer, ready to play some Quidditch and live out my literary fantasies.  Watch the video below for a sneak peak at the main ride!

Katherine Heigl Officially Announces "Grey's Anatomy" Departure

After months of speculation, Katherine Heigl officially announced to Entertainment Weekly that she will not be returning to Grey's Anatomy--ever.  I don't think anyone is really surprised by this information, as Dr. Izzie Stevens has been practically non-existent this season.  With all the tabloid drama over the years involving and/or caused by the increasingly popular actress, I wouldn't be surprised if the producers are breathing a sigh of relief at her departure.  As a Grey's fan though, I do feel the tiniest hint of betrayal, and definite disappointment.  Izzie was a major character on this show for five years.  Despite her many controversial comments (think Emmys and public complaints about long work days), there was a time when I only watched this show because of her.  For this character to get an ambiguous, Dr. Hahn-esque send-off is an insult to the memory of this once-beloved character, and really demonstrates what has happened to the show that I once watched so religiously.  I don't know whether to be mad at Heigl or the writers, but I do feel bad for the character of Izzie, whose personality was so completely changed this season that it will forever leave a bad taste in my mouth.  Similar to Isaiah Washington's abrupt exit, I guess we will be forced to live without closure for the emotional and normally endearing character of Dr. Isobel Stevens.  At least George got a funeral.


How do you feel about Katherine Heigl's exit from Grey's Anatomy?  Feel free to share any of your favorite Izzie moments from over the years!

"New Moon" DVD Released Today

To be honest, I'm surprised that it has taken me this long to write a post about the Twilight series.  I'll admit, I am a big fan of Stephanie Meyer's vampire romance series.  Not a fan in a "buy a Team-Edward T-shirt " kind-of-way, but definitely a "read every book twice and will read any article related to the movies" kind-of-way.  So naturally,  I'm pretty excited about the fact that New Moon was released on DVD at midnight last night, with nation-wide Harry Potter-esque midnight release parties for those fans who couldn't wait until morning to go to their local Best Buy and get their hands on a copy.  And while I can admit to being a fan of the insanely popular series, I can be honest about it too.  I know that the writing isn't top-quality, the plot is fairly absurd and the acting in the first movie was downright awful.  But somehow, that doesn't stop me from re-reading each novel, or throwing my Twilight DVD in on a rainy day, or re-watching the New Moon and Eclipse trailers (the latter of which was recently released) on Youtube every so often.  There is just something about the Bella and Edward romance that is simply addicting, and I'm not ashamed to admit it.  At some point this week, I'm sure I'll get my hands on my own copy of the DVD and spend a night watching an awkward Kristen Stewart be abandoned by the equally awkward Robert Pattinson, while the bulked-up Taylor Lautner shows them both up in acting skills.  And, quite truthfully, I'll love every minute of it.

What did you think of New Moon?  Did anyone go to a midnight release party?

Disney's "Waking Sleeping Beauty": A True Fairy Tale

Today, Disney is one of the largest corporations in the world.  But did you know that the now wildly successful animation studio almost went under in the 80's?  A new documentary called Waking Sleeping Beauty gives you a behind-the-scenes look at the animation studio between the years of 1984 and 1994---a time when the company went from almost closing down to producing some of its most beloved masterpieces.  Also known as the "Disney Renaissance," this period of re-birth was responsible for classics like Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid and The Lion King.  Quite the come-back!  As a huge Disney fan, especially of these movies in particular, the trailer alone gives me goosebumps and makes me want to go home and pop Aladdin into the DVD player.  You may recognize a few names in  the trailer: Tim Burton? John Lasseter? Jeffrey Katzenberg?  Unfortunately since I'm sure it will be shown mostly at festivals and then in limited theatrical release, I guess I'll just have to wait until it comes out on DVD to enjoy the true story behind this real-life fairy tale.

Book-to-Movie Adaptations...What's your Favorite?

EW's PopWatch blog recently did a post on favorite book to movie adaptations.  I could probably sit here for hours thinking of all the movies I like that were books first, but my personal favorite would have to be The Notebook.  I know what you're thinking--out of all the amazing adaptations, I pick a Nicholas Sparks book?  Here's why: it's the only one where I can honestly say that the movie was better than the book.  I'm a big Nicholas Sparks fan--I've read every one one of his books and usually know months ahead of time when his next one is coming out.  The Notebook was, of course, a great book.  But Nick Cassavete's movie brought this romance to a whole new level, and few (women) who have seen this movie will forget the on-screen chemistry between the amazing leads, Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling, who were actually a real-life couple at the time.

Thinking about book-to-screen adaptations makes me think of other books I can't wait to see on the big screen.  Emily Giffin's Something Borrowed, one of my favorite chick-lit books, comes out next year starring Ginnifer Goodwin as main character Rachel.  Sara Gruen's Water for Elephants has recently announced the casting of Twilight's Robert Pattinson and Reese Witherspoon for the lead characters (not sure how I feel about this pairing).  And coming to the small screen, Ken Follett's epic historical novel Pillars of the Earth has been turned into a TV mini-series starring an array of well-known actors, including Donald Sutherland.

The one I'm most excited for though, which I Google almost daily, is the coming adaptation of Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series.  If you haven't heard of this series, check it out here.  Think The Time Traveler's Wife meets Braveheart.  The series focuses on Claire Randall, who accidently travels back to the Scottish Highlands of the 1700's, where she falls in love with the handsome and heroic Jamie Fraser.  Move over Edward Cullen--Jamie Fraser has just topped you as the most ideal male character of all time.  Although no casting has been announced, Outlander fans have been eagerly waiting and making suggestions for who they want in these unforgettable roles.  Though each book is close to a thousand pages, if not more, I just finished book four and still can't get enough of the epic romance between Jamie and Claire.  I'll be counting down the days until I can see it come to life on screen.

So what book-to-movie adaptations are your favorites, or what books would you love to see brought to the big screen?

Tim Burton's Wonderful "Alice in Wonderland"

After months of hype and anticipation, I finally got to see Tim Burton's adaptation of Lewis Carroll's classic story, Alice in Wonderland.  With his distinct style, both strange and magical, Tim Burton has definitely grown on me over the years.  Add in Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter, and you're pretty much guaranteed entertainment.  Alice is certainly no exception to that rule.  Set years after her first trip down the rabbit hole, Alice returns to Wonderland for a second time, where she is destined to kill the Jabberwocky (a CGI dragon) in order to end the Red Queen's reign of terror.  As you would expect, Depp and Carter really do steal the show as the Mad Hatter and the Red Queen.  Although Depp looks a little too much like Bozo the Clown, he delivers yet another hilarious and quirky performance to be added to his long list of unforgettable characters, while Carter never leaves you doubting Burton's choice to cast his "wife" in all his movies.  Mia Wasikowska as Alice isn't bad, but isn't anything phenomenal either, and my high expectations of Alan Rickman as the Blue Caterpillar weren't exactly met by the little CGI-animated bug.  Still, a host of other crazy and often "mad" characters, like the Chesire Cat and the March Hare, make this movie well-worth the trip to the over-priced theater.  See it in IMAX if you have the chance, for a truly "wonder"-ful experience. 

And the Bachelor Chooses...Vienna!

Last night's season finale of The Bachelor proved what spoiler sites have been claiming for weeks: Bachelor Jake said good-bye to the sweet and lovable Tenley, and proposed to the widely disliked Vienna.  After watching the show for two hours last night, which included the girls meeting Jake's family and each having an appropriately named "Last Chance Date" (for Tenley anyway) with our bachelor, we watched Jake get down on one knee and pop the question to the beady-eyed blonde.  You could tell throughout the episode that Jake was leaning toward Vienna, especially when he asked Tenley if she felt that they didn't have physical chemistry (FYI: it's never a good idea to ask someone that). Although Jake's family immediately fell in love with Tenley and were less than enthused by Vienna, they eventually came around and "saw what Jake sees in her" (I watched for weeks and still don't see it, but okay).  Then, as if devoting two hours of my night to this show wasn't bad enough, we then had the "After the Final Rose" special.  Poor Tenley returned to ask Jake "what went wrong" (hello, chemistry remember?) and see Jake and Vienna still happily together (for now).  I will say that Vienna did look a little less trashy than usual, with her platinum blonde hair a little darker and styled a little classier.  We'll see how long the couple lasts in the real world.  I'm not envisioning a wedding anytime soon (Jake will be too busy with Dancing with the Stars anway! haha I think someone likes being on TV!). 

Also announced was the next Bachelorette, and, BIG SURPRISE, it's ALI!  So much for loving her job and not being able to take time away from it.  Guess the idea of 25 sure-to-be gorgeous men all competing for her love and attention was just too good to pass up.  Shocking.

So do you think Jake made the right choice? And how do you feel about the (predictable) announcement of Ali for the next Bachelorette?

'Tis the Season...For Great New Books!

With rain and snow falling hard across the north east for days on end, it certainly feels a little more like December than March.  While December means that at least you have the holidays to look forward to, March usually brings nothing but confusing weather patterns and far-off dreams of summer.  But for me, the beginning of March brings something else entirely.  No, not just midterms or high anticipation for spring break (which is a tad consuming I'll admit).  This year, the month of March means the release of several new books by some of my all-time favorite authors.  Christmas hath come again for me.  Let's take a look:

Hitting the shelves tomorrow, March 2, is the latest sure-to-be tear jerker (as all her books are) from New England native Jodi Picoult, called House Rules.  Usually centered around an issue and involving a court case, Picoult's books are the kind that deliver intensely researched information and social commentary, wrapped within a heart-warming story.  In House Rules, Picoult takes on the currently high-profile issue of autism, in which a young autistic boy is accused of murder.  I've managed to read all but four of her novels, and some of the best include The Pact (teen suicide), Nineteen Minutes (school shooting), Change of Heart (the death penalty), and My Sister's Keeper, which was recently made into a movie starring Abigail Breslin and Cameron Diaz (who actually did a great job).  I have no doubt that House Rules will have me glued to my nook while sitting poolside in the Bahamas next week.  I'll try to keep the tears to a minimum.

Several weeks later on March 23, the next addictive book from Harlan Coben arrives in stores across the US.  And when I say addictive, I mean addictive.  Caution: be prepared to devote every waking minute to reading once you have started.  From the first page of one of Coben's books, the reader is like a fish on a hook, completely at the mercy of Myron Bolitar or one of Coben's other great characters.  Not until the end, when the reader is deliriously dizzy from all the twists and turns he manages to create, is the reader able to put the book down and go about his or her normal life.  I've read every one of Coben's books (usually the day they're released) and I've never been disappointed.  This next one, Caught, certainly won't be any different.  With missing people, real and faked murders, confusing clues and a never-ending array of witty characters, Coben's thrillers are definite must-reads.

Though her list of novels isn't as long as that of Ms. Picoult or Mr. Coben, Emily Giffin is another one of my favorite authors who has a new release coming out this spring.  While Giffin's novels can be categorized as "chick-lit," they are definitely the cream of the crop in their category.  Her previous four novels, Something Borrowed, Something Blue, Love the One You're With, and Baby Proof, are each easily devoured in one delicious sitting, leaving the reader wanting more.  Fortunately, Giffin delivers on this need with the release of Heart of the Matter on May 11.  I'm sure that she'll once again have us wishing that she could write faster.  At least we have the big-screen production of Something Borrowed to look foward to next year, and hopefully it's sequal Something Blue not long after.


So readers, do you have a favorite book by these amazing writers? Who are some of your favorite authors?