"It's nothing like the experience of raising your first dog"

A personal depiction by John Grogan in his book, Marley & Me, with the line monotone-ly delivered by Owen Wilson in the opening sequence of the film.  I won't interject much into what the box office could very well lead anyone to believe -- that Marley & Me is a smash hit, but then again -- it could also depict that out of the swarm of movies released this 2008 holiday season there wasn't much available for the family demographic and Marley & Me took hold and ran with the opportunity.

Owning a dog myself, who is more than occasionally destructive did give me an advantage, in finding enjoyment of this film, over someone who doesn't own a dog.  Marley was a very bad and big dog, but as any dog who finds their place in a family, he was dog loyal, and loving.  As for the cast -- I found Marley to be the most interesting, but hence the title Marley & Me (over $50,000,000 at the box office since Christmas Day thru Dec 28).

Being it Gregorysm's day -- 

Gregory had no real comments coming out, but going in, he was sure he was making himself into the biggest exhibit ever.  Gregory has however defined the words he's so proudly coined and I will publish this list next year, which is almost here.

Have a safe New Year's evening.

Ciao Y'all!

Movie poster courtesy of IMDB.com 2008.

Who Ate All The PEZ!

As I sat pondering and wondering what I should write, the constant sound of cocking back the top of my newest PEZ dispenser echoed over and over until one more click and no more PEZ!  It would be easy to blame Coco - you remember her - my most beloved Bishon Frise (I am a cat lover and my Mother gave me this dog about 6 years ago).  Coco however only had one - so thinking it was me who had the others.

What is your favorite candy -- past or present.  Mine isn't PEZ, by the way, but I do enjoy sour LifeSavers, and an occasional SugarBaby.  Yes, I am bored  - or maybe restless with not much to write.

Off to see Marley and Me, will report back tomorrow.

Ciao Y'all.

As 2008 Comes to a Close

May all who read my blog be blessed indeed, may God who provides for all your needs, increase your territory, and keep His hands always on you to keep you away from evil, so you will not experience unnecessary pain or cause unnecessary pain to anyone.

Thank you for reading and following this site.  I hope you are getting what you are looking for out of reading it.  If in the soon coming new year you develop a blog of your own please let me know, and I will advertise it here.  From me in 2009 you will see more movie reviews, Dodgers updates, and sneak peaks into what's going on with L'AMORE, because everything I do is from a deep place inside my heart.

Ciao Y'all!

"Only God can judge us now"..."I don't think Father Flynn did anything wrong"..."They said I was gonna die soon but, maybe not"

Holiday movies 2008 -- These three for me rated least to most liked.   No, none merited "love", but depending on your own interest you very well could love them all or hate them all.  Yes, worth seeing them all.

VALKYRIE -- "Only God can judge us now" delivered by Tom Cruise in this don't go see at night after you have viewed one 2 hour and 48 minute movie, and you are sleepy on Christmas day.  Pheww!  The botched plan to kill Hitler was the premise, and you can take the rest as you like it.  The patch Tom Cruise wore did give him a very dapper look, and wardrobe was pretty darn good.

DOUBT -- "I don't think Father Flynn did anything wrong" delivered innocently by Sister James (Amy Adams) when put on the defense by Sister Aloysius Beauvier (can somebody say "and the OSCAR goes to Meryl Streep").  Being a uniformed clad Catholic school girl myself, I must admit this nun was reality scary!  The story itself was quite predictable, and I DOUBT there will be healing for anyone who lives with the memories of innocence lost.

THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON --  "They said I was gonna die soon, but maybe not."  A wise beyond his years, or perhaps old for his age, Benjamin Button (Brad Pitt) delivers this line upon meeting the love of his life Daisy (Cate Blanchett).  The research of the developmental stages of human life alone, deserves the Oscar.  An enjoyably long feature worth every moment you had to hold your bladder - considering there are no intermissions at the movies.  I would even sit through it again, just to catch all the little things I'm sure I missed the first time.  I am curious to read the short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald.  My number one pick for the holiday releases, but then again - I haven't seen Marley and Me.

Ciao Y'all...

All movie photos courtesy of IMDB.com 2008.

iPhone or iTouch

Is it like Coke vs Pepsi?  Or is it like the chicken or the egg?  Or does it matter?  To my left there's a grown man fiddling with his iPhone and to my other left there's a teenage xy chromosonoid (good word) fooling around on his iTouch.  They both appear to be having the same amount of fun, and I feel as though I am witnessing the generation gap closure.  Dude, that's way cool.  Or should I say "f" an a?

Ciao Y'all!

MERRY CHRISTMAS

May the joy of the real message (Luke 2: 1-7) today bring joy to your heart, warmth to your soul, and peace to your spirit.

Counting down to the end of 2008.

Ciao Y'all

"I did something really bad once and I'm never gonna be the same! "

This statement made by Ben Thomas (Will Smith), or was his name Tim.  Whoever he was, he read a text while driving (really bad).  That will soon be against the law here in LA -- January 1, so HAPPY NEW YEAR but don't text while driving, or you might get finished off! 

Yes, it's Wednesday, Gregorysm's Day.  For today, in honor of Gregory who co-starred in an episode of the Fresh Prince (a Christmas episode with Boys II Men -- check it out), I have decided to be a finisher and write about 7 POUNDS.

OK, here it goes, my critique of a movie Will Smith stars in.  

If you go to the movie theater, sit in the center and munch some pretty decent popcorn, with a chaser of fruit punch, you would pretty much be taken in by the depth of this movie.  Comments from the mostly 40+ crowd that day, were audible at the end of this film.  "WOW"was the consensus.  They gave it a WOW.  I think that's a thumbs up?  

What I give it is a bit more detailed.  I liked the movie, would probably give it 3 stars if I had to.  It was good.  The premise was good, viable, the casting was great, the 8 x 10's were all wonderful in their own element, but then --

On your way home you start to thinking, and it hits you, as beautiful as Rosario Dawson is and as sexy as Will Smith is, the intimacy between the two threw the whole thing off.  That point was where I was no longer buying it - as my old writing instructor used to say to me when something in one of my screenplays was unclear or throwing her for too much of a loop.  "I'm not buying it".  And then --

You think a bit more and that's when it hits you -- the back story is insufficient.  Things start to be told vice shown on the screen to fill in the missing back story.  Then --

You understand the reviews from the Los Angeles Times, the New York Times, and Variety.  Go see it, it's not bad, but take some tissues because the person sitting next to you might need them and if you don't have any they might just snot all over your shirt.  This happened to the man sitting beside me -- but I think the women was his significant other.

Ciao Y'all!  Merry Christmas Eve.

Photo courtesy of IMDB.com 7 Pounds 12/2008

"...What can a slumdog possibly know?"

More than an A+.  My whole-hearted belief -- "Slumdog Millionaire" is the epitome of  how to write a great screenplay as taught by the well known Writer's Boot Camp.  All the elements are put on the page and brought together with brilliant creativity that this film is sure to win many awards.

With all the news coming out of India about the Hindu extremist gangs and lack of police control in this over populated area of the world, Slumdog Millionaire invites us into the ugly streets of this dismal place with the only beauty found in the vibrant characters who survive daily there.  Simon Beaufoy adapts a magnificent tale from the novel by Vikas Swarup - more than likely exquisitely detailed, as I have yet to read it - and places us directly into the dung heaps of  a former India, and over a span of approximately 10-12 years as we follow the life of "slumdog" Jamal Malik (Dev Patel) as he goes from child to young adult - from rags to riches.  With the real riches being to finally re-unite with the love he feels he is destined to be with.  

Bollywood takes the helm with this one.  A tent pole I must say.  More theaters need to pull it into there house as it will, without a doubt, bring in the ticket sales.  A MUST SEE!

Ciao Y'all.

Photo courtesy of Slumdog Millionaire, Celador Films, IMDB, 12/2008.

It Never Rains in Southern California...

...but does it SNOW?  Yes, indeedee!  And that song writer was wrong, it's no Seattle, but it does rain.

Not much to blog about other than the closed freeways headed north of Castaic, and Canyon Country, both towns in the beautiful Santa Clarita Valley - the SCV - the 661 - you get what I mean.  Ok, it's not as bad as this picture, and I hope - no "pray" it never gets this bad.  Well, unless I rent a snow maker.

Trunks are still parked along the shoulder of the 5 and 14 freeways at the above mentioned sites and it is COLD.  The hill near my house that raged with fire last year this time is now covered with snow.  And it's COLD!!  This coming from the girl born and raised on the east coast, Washington DC area, who escaped the four seasons just for this precise reason -- IT WAS COLD!

A good day to stay inside with lots of hot chocolate.

Ciao Y'all

Photo courtesy of google image search from dailyapple.blogspot.com

Have You Made An Exhibit of Yourself Today?

It's GREGORYSM'S DAY! Yay?!

Exhibit, exhibition (yada yada) -- (verb, adj) the act of putting yourself on the spot for the whole world to see (Greg's definition). I see it as more like Gregory over-thinking the every day happenings in life.

Sentence -- Gregory claims he became the biggest exhibit when he auditioned for a voice over spot that called for an Irish accent.

Greg -- President Obama is the biggest exhibit of them all.
Me -- How's that? Because he's the first black US president?
Greg -- No. Just because he's president. All presidents are exhibits every day, because the whole world watches them.
Me -- Ohhhh!!

Cool.

Ciao Y'all

Hey all, check out this new blog site and maybe even consider making a site for yourself in the New Year.

Also go to ideeli.com for a new handbag giveaway.  Today's handbag is way cute!

L'AMORE INTIMO

I announced yesterday that the pre-launch of

L'amore Intimo

is set in motion for Summer '09 and have since received lots of buzz about my creative sensual apparel. WOW! That's way cool! This boost is a great incentive to work very hard to deliver quality designs that will be sure to "release the passion of you".

As always from a place deep inside my heart.
Ciao Y'all

FENDI FOR A DAY

Go to ideel.com and enter the great Fendi giveaway today. If you miss out, don't blame me. I look at it this way, if we don't have to buy the designer bag, then we can keep the designer money for a rainy day. It's been raining all day here today.

Did you know that the female butterfly carries around the dead weight of the male butterfly while they mate for 48 hours?! It just figures.

Ciao Y'all!

Face the Book

Me on ">facebook.   Don't get excited, as I won't be hob-knobbin' -- only networking for L'AMORE.  Let's network then!!!

Ciao Y'all

"If the Earth dies, you die. If you die, the Earth survives"

The Day the Earth Stood Still... yawn, but the beautiful actors in this flick make this sci-fi thriller worth while.  There was a slight applause in the audience at the end.  I frankly wasn't sure if the two people were clapping because it was over or just from the cute performance by Jaden Smith (Jacob Benson)-- who looks more like his papi every day.  Keanu Reeves (Klaatu) wasn't bad on the eyes either.  

Although a good premise, the content of the film left you wondering if there could have been more.  Not wanting to see more, but more like - ok, is that it?  The 1951 Golden Globe winner version was on television yesterday and caught my eye for a moment in all of it's black and white glory.   Maybe watching it would have detoured me to see another silver screen feature opening last night.  IDK...

Go see it if you must.  The IronMan looking robot with the mummy bug throwing effect might interest you -- or not.

Ciao Y'all.

Movie Poster from 1951 The Day the Earth Stood Still courtesy of IMDB.com

"I believe whatever doesn't kill you simply makes you... stranger"

They (news source) announced it as a snub, but I say they (the Golden Globe Awards) got it right.  The Dark Knight - as good as it is - is not an award winning film, but Ledger's performance in the movie is untouchable and should win every nomination he gets.   

May God rest his soul.

Ciao Y'all!!

Movie still courtesy of Warner Pictures 2008

Where's the Honor?

A question asked by my favorite character - Fielder Dreams - in my most beloved screenplay, First Base.  I love that question and count it as the theme of the whole movie.  A wonderful script waiting to come to life.  Soon.  Yes, soon.

Discouraging were the words from my realtor when he told me that one of his clients lost his home to foreclosure just last week.  Be mindful that the federal government had put a halt on all foreclosures until after January 9, 2009.  No, I wasn't the only one who heard this.  Yes, I am grateful for all of my blessings.  

To everyone who is going through tough times right now, I pray for all the best for your life.  Enjoy this holiday season, and revel in the realness of the season.  

Gas in LA is $1.63.  Always a silver lining.

Ciao Y'all

Today is Wednesday --

You know what that means?  That's right, it's Gregorysms day.  I got a lot of them but will only share a few to keep you wanting more next week and the week after that, and the week after that...

New word:

curbed -- that act of getting kicked to the curb after doing something obviously stupid, or as better put by the Gregory himself... imagine a curb and then imagine slamming someone's head against it.  

My question in all of this curbing -- does the head win?!  Probably not and I will probably get curbed for asking.  

Thanks for reading.

Ciao Y'all

Fresh From the Valor

The Carnival Valor that is.  Wish I were back on it - sailing away.  Cruising is fun and a very economical way to vacation, considering all you can eat is right on the boat.  There are also shows, sparkling pools, late night walks on the promenade deck, activities to keep the wee ones occupied, cute casino dealers from all over the world, club hopping, art auctions, and that's just on the ship.  Off the ship there are wonderful excursions in beautiful ports, shopping, and just discovering the world we live in.  

The Carnival Valor's theme is "a tribute to the USA and it's victories".  Lots of depictions about strong women too.  I like this boat but then again, I like them all, and hope to go back on it very soon.

Come sailing with me.

Ciao Y'all!

3-4-5 of Hearts

Yessiree buddy!  That's a straight flush and I was the lucky holder of it last night, the first night of our cruise.  It's been rainy yet very nice seeing the relatives -- some close some I haven't seen in a long while and barely know.  I am thankful to get out on the high seas again.