Review: Fort Bliss
I admit that military movies are not usually my thing. The ravages of war are just too severe for me—they almost always graphically depict hundreds of people getting blown up or shot, and no matter if they’re the “good” guys or the “bad” guys, I just can’t get over the fact that they’re somebody’s parents,…
Kesha's Beach House Bliss
I’ve never paid much attention to pop star Kesha, but she recently closed a real estate deal that made me sit up and take notice. She bought a beautiful Spanish bungalow in Venice that is sweet, charming, and extremely well-designed. She did drop $1.65 million on it, which ain’t cheap (this is Venice, after all), but…
A&E Ditches Grown Up Viewers
As odd as this sounds, basic cabler A&E, the network that brings you such television treasures as Hoarders, Epic Ink and Storage Wars, has just canceled its second most popular show, the Wyoming country detective drama Longmire. Why would the network make such a strange move after three successful seasons? Because, while Longmire averages 5.6…
Buy the House That Jack Black Built
Who knew that comedic genius Jack Black had such good taste in architecture and design? The 1958 home that he and his wife, Tanya Haden, remodeled from top to bottom in 2006 is now on the market for $2,899,000. That’s actually quite the reasonable price considering the home’s size, architectural integrity and location, just off Mulholland…
Review: Dolphin Tale 2
Dolphin Tale 2 is sure to make a big splash with audiences–the fact that it shows wholesome, smart, thoughtful teens, rather than the f-bombing, sex crazed, post apocalyptical warriors is enough to make it praiseworthy in my book. But, surprisingly enough, there’s more to this film, inspired by real life happenings at Florida’s Clearwater Marine Aquarium, than…
Fox's Utopia
I admit: I bit. The premise of a group of 15 people from all walks of life living together for a year on mostly undeveloped land does sound intriguing. But after watching the entire two hour premiere of Fox’s new reality series Utopia ($50 million in the making) I have to say I’m done. I watched it…
Ooh La Bra!
Okay, so you’re at an outdoor barbecue wearing a strapless maxi dress, you accidentally step on the hem of said dress, and much to your horror (and the male guests’ delight), your bodice suddenly slides down to your waist, exposing your goods to countless beholders. If this hasn’t yet happened to you, as it has to me,…
The Skeleton Twins
Attention everyone! The Oscar race officially begins with the release of the wonderfully poignant The Skeleton Twins. You heard it here first. Knowing that this tender movie stars Kristen Wiig and Bill Hader as complicated twins, with a little Luke Wilson and Ty Burrell thrown in on the side, you might think this dark “dramady” would…
The Best of the Emmy Gift Suites
Every year prior to the major awards shows (Oscars, Golden Globes, Grammys, Emmys) savvy PR and marketing companies hold lavish gifting suites in posh hotels. You might guess they’re full of top designer swag — Gucci, Prada, Cartier, etc. — but you’d be wrong. Those huge brands have to pay A-List stars millions of dollars to…
Life of Crime
This is a classic Elmore Leonard tale, adapted from his novel The Switch. Full of hardened but sympathetic criminals, crazy eccentrics, corrupt businessmen, ambivalent lovers and dames of distinction, you’ll find Life of Crime a darkly amusing diversion. The casting is smart and intriguing. We have Tim Robbins (when did he become John Voight?) as…
