FIrst Day Down

Well, I'm not sure I'm quite up for typing a complete rundown of today but last night Boaz and I met up on the Amtrak train and got off at Essex Junction, Vt to the most beautiful sunset and orange-colored sky. It was chilly and a few minutes later we were met by Steve and his friend, Jeannie who were kind enough to give us rides through town and then back to Steve's house where he kindly hosted us for the night. We had warm split pea soup and homemade bread when we arrived and woke up to a french toast breakfast before it was time to hit the bikes and ride to Airport Park. Steve invented a really cool bike which you can read all about on his website and was extremely gracious. Once we arrived to Airport Park we met up with Brooke who came up with a way for you to bike down a snowy mountain in the winter. The news van then pulled up and briefly interviewed Boaz as did Matt, a photographer for the local paper. Then Jason pulled up with a car loaded with paddle surfboards for the next leg of the journey. Worried that all of our stuff would get ruined in the lake, I hopped in a car with Matt who was kind enough to drive me to the other end of the cut where Boaz and Jason paddle surfed to. We arrived a little late due to some wrong turns. Boaz was standing on a ferry with a bunch of great guys who were a great help to us today. We were then in the hands of Phelps who had bikes for us and led us along the lake to the ferry. We boarded the ferry along with many cars and then we were dropped off in Plattsburgh, NY where I sit right now, in a Best Western. We missed the train to Canada because Boaz couldn't get a ride to the train station in time. I hopped in a taxi and had the most interesting and hysterically funny driver. I'm tired. I want to say a lot more. Good night.

Going to the Chapel and We're, Gonna Get M-a-a-arried

Last night I attended a shindig thrown by WEtv (television for women) at the 23rd street Clearview Cinemas. The event was to promote the new season of We shows specifically Bridezillas, Amazing Wedding Cakes and My Fair Wedding. It was also to promote the new Sandra Bullock-Ryan Reynolds flick, The Proposal.

As we ascended the movie theater staircase, we came to a level where there was a flurry of activity. Free stuff? You betcha. Immediately, we were handed veils, and a piece of white chocolate molded into the We logo and placed in one of those wedding pouches reserved for Jordan Almonds. Next, we were offered mini cupcakes that promoted master cake designer Lauri Ditunno's shop, Cake Alchemy. At the next table were plastic We champagne glasses filled with sparkling cider and Pelligrino. They also had a photographer taking photos of people wearing their veils in front of a green screen to which they could add different backgrounds of your choice.

So back to the sparkling cider station. My retelling isn't going to do this justice and you'll probably just think I'm nuts but... a guy picks up a bottle of the Martinelli's Sparkling Cider and looks at the bottle like he is trying to find a year.

Man to server

Man: Is this Martinelli's?
Server: Yes
Man: And this (he points to the other glass)
Server: Pelligrino, yes.

Hmm..this isn't going to be funny to anyone else is it. Sorry. You had to have been there.

Once we were seated we heard two of the stars from We shows speak, David Tutera and Lauri Ditunno. They answered questions and plugged their shows until the socket was overloaded. Then came the Bridezillas promo.

I have never seen Bridezillas. We watched some scenes from the new season in complete horror. How can people watch this? It was the most disturbing and upsetting look at marriage and love. Not to mention some of the people had kids and I felt for those kids. I don't know how much of this show is staged and I'm sure the editing makes people look even worse. It actually reminded me a lot of Jerry Springer. Why do we like watching this? Does it make us feel better about our lives? Is it just entertaining? To be honest, I thought the funniest line was that this one couple met at the show, "Lucky Stiff".

Once Bridezillas ended, it was time for The Proposal. I went into this film not expecting much and it's by no means a great film. Is it fun? Yeah, and Sandra Bullock doesn't look half bad in a towel. Not to mention a lot of the film takes place in Alaska so for those not interested in the movie you can enjoy the scenery. I've seen far worse movies but if you're looking to see a movie this weekend, I recommend waiting for this one on DVD and seeing either The Hangover or Away We Go.

Those who know me well enough know that I love going to these types of events. I love seeing what ideas these networks come up with to promote their products. It was a great night and now I have to find a missing passport so I can get into Canada. Eh.

And Away We Go...

No, this is not a review of the Pixar film, Up. Away We Go is the new film directed by the talented Sam Mendes and written by Dave Eggers and Vendela Vida which opens in select theaters this Friday.

At least once in our lives we have taken to the road for a roadtrip, whether across the country or to a neighboring state. It can feel good to stop your everyday life and go out exploring. On Sunday, I will be joining the Un-Road Trip and will end up in Ontario, Canada. You can follow the journey at www.unroadtrip.com. Away We Go is in essence a roadtrip film, one that you aren't going to want to miss.

Burt Farlander (John Krasinski) and Verona De Tessant (Maya Rudolph)are expecting their first child. They suddenly find themselves with no close family and decide to hit the road in search of a "home" and along the way encounter some of their over-the-top relatives. In the end, Burt and Verona find a place to call home and learn more about parenting than they would have just by reading What To Expect When You're Expecting.

I'd like to alert you to the first scene in this movie, my "Awkward Parent Moment". If you go see this movie with your parents just a warning that some of you may be embarrassed or feel awkward. This might help however. Last night at the screening, a gentleman with glasses remarked, "I don't understand why Burt's character is always wearing glasses. In the first scene, I don't know anyone who would wear glasses when they are doing that."

John Krasinski is the actor who really carries this film along with the amazing, amazing, amazing talent who have small but really meaty and interesting roles. The performances given by Catherine O'Hara, Jeff Danniels, Allison Janney, Jim Gaffigan and Maggie Gyllenhaal are just superb. I hope we start seeing more of Catherine O'Hara. I've missed seeing her on the big screen lately. These actors were handed some really great material and they ran with it.

I'm not surprised how well written the script was for this film, because anything Dave Eggers touches turns to gold. He also co-wrote Where The Wild Things Are, which is the one film I am most looking forward to. Songs for this film were written and performed by Alexi Murdoch. This movie has a lot of feeling and the music complements this perfectly adding to the already existent moodiness.

I found myself laughing out loud during many scenes in this film and I have some favorite moments which I don't want to spoil for you. Let's just say I will never be able to look at a stroller again without thinking about this film.

If you like smart, well written and really funny films, you will enjoy Away We Go. Tell your friends.

What Happens In Vegas, Stays in Vegas...

If you haven't already heard the buzz about The Hangover, you soon will. This is going to be the comedy of the summer even though it's technically not summer quite yet.

The Hangover is Todd Phillips' look at a bachelor party gone bad, really bad. But like all bachelor parties, these guys all learn a lesson. Or do they? And in the end, everyone lives happily ever after.

NYU alumnus Todd Phillips directed this flick and Jon Lucas and Scott Moore wrote the script. Todd Phillips brought us such memorable comedies as Road Trip, Old School, Starsky and Hutch, Borat, among others. He also has many others in the pipeline such as Old School Dos...but back to The Hangover.

The big wedding day approaches and Doug (Justin Bartha), along with two friends, Phil (Bradley Cooper), Stu (Ed Helms) and his soon-to-be brother-in-law (Zach Galifianakis) take his father-in-law's Benz to Vegas for an unforgettable (well, really forgettable) Bachelor party. When they wake up after a night of craziness, they can't remember a thing and must piece together what happened the night before in order to find precious cargo that is now lost. Along the way, the guys meet some interesting characters and in many scenes are beaten or witness some sort of nudity, which brings me to my "genital theory".

Evan's genital theory states that when a comedy writer is looking for laughs, he or she will throw in a naked guy running around to get people rolling on the floor and covering their eyes. As was the case in Observe and Report for those of you who saw it. The genital theory can be applied to The Hangover but because the movie is funny and well written, the nudity works. Come to think of it, Todd Phillips must have a thing for nudity (mainly buttocks). Most of his films incorporate it somewhere, somehow. You may see more skin that you'd like, but it'll make you laugh and cough twice.

I must say I thought about all you ladies out there. I'm wondering if you are going to like this film. It does not portray women in the most positive light but, there is a cute baby and Zach Galafianakis is worth the price of admission alone. He really shines in this film and I think it's going to make his name known to anyone who isn't familiar with him.

While I laughed out loud during many parts of this film, I did feel that some moments fell flat. Believe it or not, these were the moments that we have all seen from the trailers. Mike Tyson for example. You know he's in the film and it turns out that there's a reason for this. Because like these guys, he did some crazy sh*t when he was messed up.

Looking for a comedy that will have you laughing down the aisle and leave you craving an ice cold glass of water? Then check out The Hangover, in theaters Friday, June 5, 2009.

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

I received some sad news yesterday that my advisor is withdrawing from NYU due to severe health problems so please send love and prayers to her and her family.

Going to a screening of The Hangover tonight so expect a full review tomorrow.

I'm not in the mood to write any more today...

A Little Over 24 Hours In Washington

I made a whirlwind trip to Washington this past weekend and although it was very brief, I had such a wonderful time. I boarded a late Bolt Bus on Friday night and our driver Kevin (who I just happened to have on the way back) was excellent. We pulled into DC around 11:30pm Friday night and I hailed a cab to my hotel, The Renaissance Mayflower. I had an amazing room on the 9th floor and it was so nice to collapse into a freshly made bed. But before I was able to do that, I needed something to eat. Problem was, everything was closed. So when I asked a man downstairs what was open, he unlocked a door and came back with some secret menu from a pizza place that delivered. I ordered a salad and although it was too late to be eating, I enjoyed the salad in my room. The next day was beautiful and I was up and out early. I met up with Justine for lunch and we went to Vapiano because it was close to the hotel. We had no idea what this place was and basically, it's an upscale cafeteria. You get a card which you touch at each station when you order. You take a tray, napkin and utensils and you enjoy your meal. Then you head to the checkout where they swipe your card and tell you how much you owe. It's an interesting concept and the places are really nicely designed. I didn't get a chance to eat at any the staples in DC but I plan on going back when I can spend some more time there.

After lunch, I toured the city by foot walking by some of the monuments, The White House, and even stopped off at the Museum of American History where I saw Julia Child's kitchen, Kermit, Oscar, and numerous other cool objects. I continued my journey around the city and ended up back at my hotel a few hours before I had to be at Union Station for a Monuments By Night Tour I had signed up for. A 2.5 hour trolley tour that makes a few stops my favorite of which was the Lincoln Memorial. Luckily we had 40 minutes to enjoy it. Our tour guide on the trolley was Da Vinci, and she was extremely knowledgeable and had some really interesting stories to tell. I was definitely one of the younger people on the tour but I enjoyed taking photos and enjoying the night air. It was a really nice night to be out. Sunday morning I had breakfast and made my way to the Bolt Bus. It was a great weekend trip and I'm already looking forward to going back.

It's June! Hard to believe it's here already! Do you have fun summer plans? Do they include a trip to Coney Island?

While I was in DC, The Obamas were in NYC, dining at Blue Hill and going to see Joe Turner's Come and Gone. I enjoyed the video that David Wain posted..



Sacha Baron Cohen, you are amazing...

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