Thursday, December 24, 2009

The Top Ten Sequels of 2010

Olivia Wilde and Garrett Hedlund - "Tron: Legacy" (2010)
Olivia Wilde and Garrett Hedlund - "Tron: Legacy" (2010) - Walt Disney Pictures


film.com - Eclipse, Tron, Scream, Harry Potter... the year in sequels is shaping up nicely.

We admit it: we're suckers for sequels. And while 2010 is chock full of reboots (Nightmare on Elm Street, with a new Freddy), remakes (The Karate Kid, as played by ... Jaden Smith?), and adaptations (Machete!!!) the year boasts its fair share of highly anticipated sequels. Whether you're craving more dancing, vamping, wizarding, or straight-up people-killing in the year to come, here are the continued adventures and resuscitated franchises we're looking forward to most in 2010, in order of release date.

Piranha 3-D (April 16): Joe Dante's 1978 horror parody Piranha had a simple, silly premise: killer fish are loose in the water, and they want to nibble you to death with their tiny, razor-sharp teeth! (In the 1981 sequel, Piranha II: Flying Killers -- the directorial debut of James Cameron, a modest filmmaker you may have heard of -- the creatures go one step further and mutate into flying fish.) So what better way to celebrate the return of 3-D gimmickry to horror filmmaking than with a star-studded sequel in 2010? Thrill as the likes of Elisabeth Shue and Jerry O'Connell battle the prehistoric piranha in three dimensions! Delight as Richard Dreyfuss discovers there's something else in the water other than sharks! Wonder where Christopher Lloyd's career has gone in the last decade or so when his highest-profile project in recent memory is a movie called Piranha 3-D!

Wall Street 2: Money Never Sleeps (April 23): It's been over two decades and Gordon Gekko (Michael Douglas) is a changed man. Fresh out of prison, all he wants is to patch things up with his estranged daughter (Carey Mulligan), and to do it he'll give her trader fiancé (Shia LaBeouf) a quickie lesson in Corporate Warfare 101 so he can get revenge on a shady associate (Josh Brolin). Oliver Stone's first-ever sequel sounds more like it treads thriller territory than the financial dramarama of 1987's Wall Street, but we'll take it -- anything for another peek at the once-ruthless corporate warrior, who remains one of the most terrifying villains in a suit to ever grace the screen. Alright, who are we kidding? We mostly want to glimpse real-life lovebirds Mulligan and LaBeouf canoodling on-screen. But the return of Gordon Gekko's pretty cool, too.

Iron Man 2 (May 7): After making fanboys and girls swoon in the summer of 2008, Marvel's power-suited hero had pop culture's heart on lock. And once we saw the first trailers for the 2010 sequel, we were sold. Heck, Jon Favreau and Co. can even keep using the same Black Sabbath track in every trailer from now until Iron Man 10 and we'll keep coming back for more. This May, Tony Stark comes out of the superhero closet to embrace fandom -- and, like all super stars must, deal with the crazy psycho weirdos who become obsessed and stalk him and want to wear his skin as their clothes. Or rather, his Iron Man suit, which new baddie Whiplash replicates with his own unique twist: electro-powered whips. Even the new Rhodey (Don Cheadle) has a case of suit envy, getting into the spirit in his own War Machine outfit. And speaking of outfits, did you see ScarJo in black leather? How many more reasons do you need to put Iron Man 2 on your 2010 calendar?

Toy Story 3 (June 18): If you thought Toy Story 2 was existential and deep, get ready for even more introspection in this highly anticipated summer threequel. This time around little Andy is all grown up, and like all kids, he no longer needs his toys. So Woody, Buzz, Jessie, and Co. hit the road in search of a new home, enduring a classroom full of destructive preschoolers along the way. Will friendship and solidarity prevail? Probably. Take the kids and rest assured this'll be one children's movie you won't sit through in agony. It is Pixar, after all. (For added excitement, see it in 3-D!)

The Twilight Saga: Eclipse (June 30): No matter how you feel about the Twilight franchise, it's here, it sparkles, so get used to it! Twi-hards and skeptics alike should take interest in the third installment in the series, for a few reasons. First, Eclipse is much darker in tone than its predecessors, a serial killer movie about vampires on the loose in Seattle (and, as always, teenage bloodsuckers in love). Second, it's directed by genre specialist David Slade, whose previous films are the very scary Hard Candy and the very bloody 30 Days of Night. Third, given the ginormous success of Stephenie Meyer's books and the first two films, isn't it about time you found out what all this Twilight business is about?

Predators (July 9): It's sort of unfair. Ridley Scott's sci-fi masterwork Alien spawned three sequels and two cross-over Alien-Predator spin-off films, but John McTiernan's Predator's only had one sequel to speak of to date. Thankfully, producer Robert Rodriguez will tip the balance in 2010 with Predators, the second sequel about the alien hunter race and their pseudo-space dreadlocks. The unfortunately-named Nimrod Antal directs Adrien Brody, Topher Grace, Danny Trejo, Alice Braga, and Laurence Fishburne in a plot about humans who accidentally land on Planet Predator and quickly discover that the locals aren't all that friendly.

Step Up 3-D (August 6): Now that America is unabashedly in love with dancing (thank you, America's Best Dance Crew, So You Think You Can Dance, and Dancing with the Stars), you don't have to hide your excitement for yet another Step Up sequel! Next August, Step Up 2 the Streets director Jon Chu takes his crew to the mean rues of Paris, where MSA nerd-popper Moose (Adam Sevani, who battled Miley Cyrus in an online dance-off last year) has been left behind like Kevin McAllister in Home Alone 2 and joins forces with his new French pals to win an international dance competition. Former Step Up stars Briana Evigan, Robert Hoffman, and Channing Tatum show up, along with SYTYCD alums Twitch, Katee, Joshua, and Ivan. And did I mention it's in 3-D??

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part One (November 19): We Muggles have waited long enough to see the final chapters of the Harry Potter saga play out, and we want our Deathly Hallows, already! Part One hits theaters in November, catching up with Harry, Ron, and Hermione as they prepare for the final battle against the evil Voldemort. Director David Yates returns after helming the previous two installments (Order of the Phoenix, Half-Blood Prince) with new cast members in the mix (Rade Serbedzija as Gregorovitch, Nicollette Sheridan as Prof. Trelawney, Rhys Ifans as Xenophilius Lovegood, Jamie Campbell Bower as Gellert Grindelwald). Get your wands ready!

TRON: Legacy (December 17): Betcha never thought you'd see Flynn's Arcade again, but nearly three decades after Jeff Bridges rode his light cycle to glory in the original TRON, he'll lead a cast of newcomers back into the game. Expect a visually dazzling update of the familiar world of TRON, now that technology is at a place where we can immerse ourselves into a video game world in realistic fashion. Director Joseph Kosinski, who's also got a Logan's Run project in the works, wowed the crowd at last year's Comic-Con with his ubercool footage -- and if you can please the geeks, you know you're on the right track. With a soundtrack by French electronica duo Daft Punk, TRON 2 could turn out to be the coolest looking and sounding new film of the year.

Scream 4 (TBA): Wes Craven's Scream was an iconic, tongue-in-cheek slasher film of the '90s, and though it spawned a successful franchise, the films arguably got worse with each passing sequel. Now that Craven and screenwriter Kevin Williamson have had a decade-long break from the series, Williamson is back scripting a new sequel for returning characters Sidney Prescott, Gale Weathers, and Deputy Dewey. What's more, he's hoping Scream 4 will kick off an entirely new trilogy! With production tentatively planned for the spring, we might see Scream 4 yet in 2010 ... and, if rumors are true, Wes Craven himself might be back behind the camera.

Honorable mentions: The Strangers 2, Jackass 3, Shrek Forever After, Sex and the City 2, Get Me to the Gig, Little Fockers, Saw VII 3-D, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Dawn Treader, A Very Harold and Kumar Christmas

Jen Yamato writes weekly for Film.com.

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Liv Doll vs Moxie Girlz


The Liv dolls - Daniela, Sophie, Katie and Alexis - are real teenage girls with trend-setting styles and unique never before seen features including wigs to create lots of hair play options, 14 points of articulation for great pose ability and real glass-like eyes that add to their look. Neither perfect nor bratty, the Liv teens are fun with distinct personalities, likes and dislikes, and they face all the same challenges of growing up as girls everywhere.

Liv dolls have easy-to-change wigs so girls can instantly switch hair styles and colors, or even cut and style their dolls hair without ruining their doll; their fashion is detailed and realistic.


The Moxie Girlz(TM) line consists of four core characters: Lexa(TM), Avery(TM), Sasha(TM) and Sophina(TM), each with a unique style and story. Girls can interact with these characters through three main themes:

– Art-itude(TM) – an art -based theme that allows girls to personalize the dolls’ clothes to create one of a kind looks.
– Magic Hair – a hair styling-based theme, where girls can curl, twist and color unique hair styles, on their doll’s hair and their own, utilizing special products and accessories.
– Jammaz(TM) – a music-based theme where girls can show their individuality and express themselves through music.

Saturday, December 5, 2009

How to Decorate a Small Patio/Deck for Christmas


I live in a townhome and one of the many drawbacks for those of us who do, is the limited space we have to decorate for Christmas, both inside and out. This goes for those that also live in condominiums and apartments not only do we have limited space we also have limited electrical outlets especially on the exterior of our building. If you are lucky enough to have purchased or rented a newer property, you may have outlets on your small deck, patio or front stoop/porch.

Decorating for Christmas can present a challenge, but there are some great ways to decorate even on the smallest patios or deck with just a bit of imagination, some time and a lot of commitment. First of all you need to decide on a theme whether its snowmen, angels or the typical Santa then figure out how many items on your deck need to be stored to make room for your Christmas arrangement. Do you have a patio cover? If yes, then you want it to become part of the arrangement by using lights or garland, if no, than you might want to use some of the deck furniture as part of the design.

Let’s design the deck or patio space on a piece of paper and determine the exact location of each decoration. If new decorations are needed make a list and don’t forget things like nails, tape or tacks.

You may decide to use fabric against a wall as a backdrop and hang lighted stars from the outdoor patio covers. If you don’t have a patio cover, hanging lights from the patio overhang will also keep to the theme. Cover existing furniture with Christmas fabric or black fabric; use garden gnomes to represent elves, small outdoor tree on top of a table. Place wrapped boxes or old toys underneath. Use various sized Styrofoam balls and make snowmen placing them in various levels throughout the area. Buy a used Christmas tree and spray it with fake snow. Buy some berries and birds and maybe a real bird feeders for that old, country Christmas feel.

If you like to sew or make crafts there are some great patterns to make Christmas carolers, see below. Place them around the area or by the door and play Christmas carols.

True Blood Gift Guide: For the One who has Everything

true-blood.net - Happy holidays, Truebies! It’s that most wonderful time of year, when everyone frantically tries to locate The Perfect Gift for everyone on their lives. Need some help? Here is something for:

The One Who Has Everything

We all have that one person on our list, the one who is impossible to buy for because they have everything they think they need or want. Thanks to some clever souls, we have a few ideas that are sure to surprise and delight even the most difficult to buy for!

TBsetTrue Blood Ultimate Gift Set – with FREE Script: HBO has put together an amazing gift package for any fan of True Blood or vampires in general. The set includes True Blood season 1 on DVD, the True Blood soundtrack, a set of True Blood pint glasses, a 4-pack of the Tru Blood beverage to serve in those pint glasses, a True Blood bottle opener (handy for opening the Tru Blood beverage), a copy of the script from the pilot episode (act out the episode as part of the holiday festivities!), and limited edition framed art from Fangtasia. Seriously, who wouldn’t want to find that under their tree? The gift set is currently on sale, so head over to the HBO Store to order yours and cross one more name off your list.

vdk-picVampire Defense Kit:Bill and Eric, Jessica and Pam – they’re hot and many wouldn’t mind getting bitten by them, but what about the not-so-attractive vamps? Do you really want an Eddie or Lorena coming after you? Fortunately Pepper & Clover have developed the Vampire Defense Kit, for the vampire behaving badly. This pocket sized tin conveniently fits in your purse or pocket and is loaded with all the essentials to insure that you won’t be a victim of an unprovoked vampire attack. The kit includes things like a mirror, mix of holy water and collodial silver, and a mini wooden stake.


TBjewelTrue Blood-Inspired Jewelry: Udi Behr’s line of silver, steel and ruby jewelry, inspired by True Blood, is stunning and makes a unique gift for someone who already has every True Blood DVD, CD, poster, and t-shirt, thank you very much. Choose from earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and rings with prices ranging from $50-$1300, and watch her (or his!) mouth drop when the package is opened.

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

1960's Christmas Trees and Christmas Tree Decorations





Growing up in the 60's we had some great Christmas tree decorations.  We also bought our first fake 5' green Christmas tree.  I say a green tree, because many popular Christmas trees were all silver or gold aluminum tinsel.  If you had a silver aluminum tree you also needed a rotating color wheel that would shine on the tree and change colors of green, blue, red and amber.  Don't ask me why, but I guess these color wheels are popular today.  

Some trees were all white and looked like they were covered with snow.  People added frosted ornaments in mauve, silver, blue or pink for a sugar plum look.  Those that couldn't afford a silver aluminum or a white tree but wanted the same look would purchase either a lot of tinsel (which is a pain to clean up and keep from year to year) or buy snow in a can.  

 
















Christmas tree decorations in the 1960's would seem rather tacky in today's standards.  Plastic, Styrofoam and fabric were used on many "modern" ornaments which were made in Hong Kong, as well as the United States.  Remember the Styrofoam balls that were covered in silk threads and sequins?  Or the plastic reflector ornaments?  


Luckily my mother wasn't into the "modern" ornaments and continued to use and purchase the lovely hand blown ornaments, like these 1960's Coca Cola  collector ornaments.



 


















Many were animals, balls adorn with lace or glitter, Christmas themes such as; bells, angels or Santa and many more.  These Christmas tree decorations are on my fake 5' green Christmas tree today and will be passed down for many generations to come.