Movie Review ~ Hurt Locker

Hurt Locker, directed by Kathryn Bigelow, is the raw story of Army specialist in Iraq who volunteer for Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD), one of the most dangerous jobs -- disarming road side bombs. At times the movie is a bit over the top with Maverick EOD specialist, Staff Sergeant William James, played by Jeremy Renner, but the movie is very suspenseful. Many times I found myself holding my breath waiting for a bomb to go off. Anthony Mackie and Brian Geraghty were also excellent rounding out the EOD team.

Last night the Landmark theater had a special screening with a Q&A with Jeremy Renner directly following. Jeremy spoke about the difficulty filming the movie in such intense conditions, 125 degree heat, trying not to pass out in the bomb squad gear, and filming an Indy film in Jordan -- Intense and Amazing.

In theaters now in Los Angeles and New York, in select theaters July 10

See Nia Vardalos in person!

Nia will be at various places in Southern California this weekend to promote her film My Life in Ruins

Nia Vardalos will be at the Ventura County Greek Festival Saturday, June 13 from 2pm to 4pm.
Ventura County Greek Festival

Nia Vardalos and Alexis Georgoulis will be at the Arclight Sherman Oaks Saturday, June 13 for a Q&A directly following the 7:15 show.
Arclight Tickets

Movie Review: My Life in Ruins

I'm a huge fan of Nia Vardalos and My Big Fat Greek Wedding so I started following Nia on Twitter when I heard about her new movie My Life in Ruins. The movie hardly has a budget for advertising, so Nia has been basically doing a one woman advertising campaign.

On Friday I barely got to sleep and about 2:00 am my cell phone rang with a wrong number. I looked at my Blackberry and saw that dreaded red light blinking so I checked my email. There were a few Urgent messages from my friend Annette, of course I had to read the messages.

The messages were about Nia doing a Q&A at the Arclight after the screening! We had two choices, Friday night in Hollywood & Saturday night in Sherman Oaks. Both Annette and I had wanted to see the movie, but couldn't last week, well so much for getting much sleep!

By 5:30 in the afternoon we got things organized, bought tickets and on our way to Hollywood. I had told Annette that I read that Nia had Twittered she would be there that night as well as Alexis Georgoulis her co-star in the movie.

We decided to get front row, center tickets. The movie was so funny, many laugh out loud moments. The scenery is amazing and the Ruins, beautiful! I loved Alexis's transformation throughout the movie and Richard Dreyfuss was the best.

Well the movie was finished and Annette and I gripped hands, excited we were going to see Nia and Alexis! Nia is a kick, just a warm and genuine person. She and Alexis immediately moved their chairs closer to us. They were literally sitting three feet in front of us! We were the only ones in the first rows and everyone else was sitting in the stands. People started to moved down into the seats beside us.

Alexis' accent makes you swoon! Nia said a few things and thanked everyone for coming. She asked us to ask questions and she answered them all. Alexis was a little shy, but we loved every time he spoke.

I don't know how Annette does it, but she asked a great question about the comedy. She asked if Nia wrote it all or if some of it was add-libbed. Nia said there was a lot of add-libbing. Especially Richard Dreyfuss and the actors who played the American couple, Harland Williams and Rachel Dratch, so funny!

Nia asked how we found out about the movie and Annette told her about getting an email from the Arclight. All I managed to add was that I was following her on Twitter. She was so excited and thanked us for coming to support the movie. Nia asked us to spread the word.

Afterwards we asked for autographs and pictures with Nia and Alexis. There was a small crowd that stayed and talked with them. We were there until we got kicked out of the theater for the next show! LOL! Nia was the best and Alexis -- swoon!

Please go see My Life in Ruins, help spread the word and tell all your friends!

Tonight Nia and Alexis will be at the Arclight Sherman Oaks to do a Q&A directly following the 7:15 show.
Arclight Tickets

Annette with Nia


Alexis -- swoon!

Me with Alexis

Annette with Alexis

Me with Alexis and Nia

Nia and Alexis

In theaters now!

Christian Bale @ the Terminator Salvation Premiere

It's been a while! My friend gave me these pictures from the Terminator Salvation premiere a while ago, but I've been so swamped with school and work that I haven't had time to post anything. I guess it's better late than never. Sorry for the poor quality, they were taken with a cell phone.

Christian autographing our pictures


I can't believe we were this close to Christian!


And then Jadagrace who played Star in the film.

Happy Memorial Day

I hope everyone is enjoying the holiday. I've spent the long weekend writing and researching for my WWII novel. After two days of watching documentaries, I decided to attend Memorial Day services in honor of men and women who died for our country at the Los Angeles National Cemetery located in Westwood.



The Color Guard




The program was wonderful. The main speaker, Major General James W. Comstock, gave a very poignant speech, especially when he said the reason why we have the freedom of speech, freedom to protest, and even the freedom to burn the flag is because of the men and women who have died fighting for our freedom.



WWII planes flew overhead






There a few guests, actors and a writer, who read "Letters from the Front". Each one read letters from soldiers from the Civil War to the present. (Robert Davi, Robert Forster, David Horowitz, Lee Purcell, and Jon Voight). I have to say, none of the actors were acting while reading the letters, everyone tearfully. There wasn't a dry eye in the place when Robert Davi read the last letter from a soldier in Iraq who had written the letter to his sweetheart with the instruction -- Do not read this letter unless I have died.

Jon Voight

Lee Purcell

Robert Davi


Restoration of the Flag

The Color Guard


Carnations were handed out to the audience and then later collected to be given to the Coast Guard to throw out into Santa Monica bay in honor of the men and women who have died for our country.






After the service we walked around to find some of the 14 Metal of Honor recipients who are interned at the Los Angeles National Cemetery. We found four.





Next year, I encourage you to attend services at your local national cemetery.
National Cemetery

Pictures of the grounds





Thank you to everyone who has given the ultimate sacrifice, a love one.

Sherlock Holmes-Trailer

I went to Grauman's last night to see Terminator Salvation, yes AGAIN! I had to go support McG and Christian on opening weekend. We were treated to the Sherlock Holmes trailer. I can't wait!

In theaters December 25,2009

Terminator Salvation Premiere

Last night was the premiere of Terminator Salvation. One side of Hollywood Blvd was blocked off to make way for the "black carpet", Terminators, and the Stars.


Across the street and down an alley, a parking lot was converted to look like a scene from the movie. Bent metal and Terminators were part of the decor and trash can bonfires could be seen from blocks way.

Lots of Stars! Some of them were Director McG, Rodrigo Santoro (King Xerxes from 300), Mark Mcgrath, Rose Mcgowan, Amanda Righetti (The Mentalist), and Eric Dane (McSteamy - Grey's Anatomy). There were probably a lot more but I can't remember, it's a blur now.

The highlight of the night was meeting Christian Bale. He was very sweet when I asked him to sign my picture. He leaned in and looked me in the eyes and asked me what my name was.

I forgot for a second. Thank God I remembered. He smiled and autographed it for me. Annette remembered her name, but when he asked how to spell it she almost forgot! LOL!


You probably can barely see, but Jadagrace who plays Star in the film, so adorable, autographed my poster.

Terminator Salvation in Theaters May 21, 2009