VidMama » Entertainment

Hot Rod: SNL Returned

admin — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 20:07:05 +0000

There are some movies that change people’s lives for ever. Films that top the critics’ lists, like “Jaws” or “Blue Velvet,” are capable of introducing a whole generation of movie goers to a new way of looking at reality. And then there are films that, like Hot Rod,” don’t do much of anything. Except, for the 90 minutes that we spend watching it, those are some of the most fun moments we may have had in awhile. If we’re daydreaming, it’s about raceline wheels or something equally elegant, slick, and cool, and not about the usual problems that we tend to take with us into the movie theatre.

The zany, feel-good movie may have been in hiding for awhile, but in 2007, these SNL regulars brought it back to life. There have been plenty of comedies, and plenty by other SNL cast members, for sure, but they were tending toward a rather dark and cynical look at the world. To enjoy them fully, audiences had to enter into the outlook fully, but “Hot Rod” made it all right not to be embarrassed not to be gloomy. It even made it cool again. That’s not a small task, either, considering the way the show has gone in the popular opinion over the last decade. With few exceptions (Will Ferrell being perhaps at the top of the list), there haven’t been many shining moments on the show, and fewer still by the SNL alumni on the big screen. It’s been more than one critics’ experience where, seeing one of the offshoot films is a bit like chewing on exploding caps. Eventually, it’s going to get a little bit painful. However, that seems to be shifting, and one might wonder exactly what kind of turn things have taken.

Interviews with SNL cast members involved with the film reveals a dynamic that hasn’t been around for a very long time. In a film where everything could be reduced to michelin jokes in order to fill out a prescription for a comedy, this one took chances. The chances seem to have come from the very center of what’s risky for anyone in the comedy business: the things that make people laugh to begin with. And there’s a certain sense that these folks are used to making each other laugh, on and off the set, and they still enjoy it. There’s a freshness to the sharing of each other’s company, one that rubs off on television as well as in the movies. It looks like things have taken a wonderful turn.

Hot Rod: SNL Returned is a post from: VidMama

No related posts.

Movie Co-Stars that could have used Onset Mediation

admin — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 16:49:20 +0000

We all know that, for the most part, what we see in movies is fiction. The story lines are made up, the characters aren’t real. But if a movie is done well, and the actors know what they are doing, a movie can be 100% believable. In fact, sometimes the actors are so good at their jobs that the fact that they don’t get along at all off screen isn’t apparent. But it does happen. Actors and actress fight on set, creating a negative work environment. But they still manage to have chemistry in the movie. But just imagine, if they had someone mediate their disputes how much better the movie would have turned out.
Mediation is a tried and true way of settling disputes. Unlike going to court where only one party wins, with mediation both parties come out on top, working together to resolve their issues and get what they want. Working with a neutral third party, the feuding duo airs their grievances and what they are looking for in the relationship. The mediator keeps things friendly while the parties work out their issues. So much better than complaining about each other and creating an unhealthy work environment.
Here are a few movie co-stars that definitely could have benefited from onset mediation.
Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey
They heated up the screen as Johnny and Baby in Dirty Dancing, but off screen they created a completely different kind of heat. It’s no secret that these two just did not like each other. Patrick thought Jennifer was a bit of a diva and claims in his memoir that she was moody, slipping between tears and laughter at the drop of a hat. And when Jennifer found out that Patrick was her co-star she threw a fit. The two worked together previously in Red Dawn and according to Jennifer they didn’t get along on that set either.
Reese Witherspoon and Vince Vaughn
Pretty much from the moment they both stepped on the set of Four Christmases, these two were fighting. Most of the fights stemmed from Reese’s frustration at Vince’s laid back approach to work. The rumours were that Vince would stroll on set looking like he had been partying all night and it would take him a while to actually get into work mode. Meanwhile Reese, ever the professional, would be all ready to go and would have to wait for Vince. This is a classic case of personalities clashing.
Richard Gere and Debra Winger
An Officer and a Gentleman is considered one of the most romantic movies of all time. Hard to believe the two leads hated working with each other, but it’s true. The fighting was so bad that Winger was almost fired several times. She also claims that making the movie was the worst experience of her life.
Bill Murray and Lucy Lui
These two apparently had a spat on the set of Charlie’s Angels because Murray thought Lui had a huge ego and couldn’t act. Things blew when Murray told Lui she couldn’t act and Lui threw a punch or two. Murray disliked her so much that he refused to do any publicity for the movie and turned down the role in Charlie’s Angels 2 because he wouldn’t work with Lui.
Each and everyone of these feuding costars could have greatly benefited from online mediation. For the most part the fights occurred because of a personality difference. With mediation, a mediator would have helped the costars to realize why they were feuding and help them come up with some solutions and coping strategies. This would have not only helped them onset, but also in future projects, if they ever end up working together again. Mediation is a much, much better alternative to fighting.
Do you think mediation training could have helped these fighting costars?

Movie Co-Stars that could have used Onset Mediation is a post from: VidMama

No related posts.

Transformers Dark of the Moon in Theaters Today

admin — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 19:23:16 +0000

The latest explosion fest from director Michael Bay – Transformers: Dark of the Moon – debuts in theaters today, June 29, 2011. To celebrate the movie’s most likely successful launch, Chevrolet, pardon the pun, is in full gear and ramping up production on their new 2012 line of Camaros. The latest General Motors vehicles including Chevrolet’s Camaro have debuted in every Transformers film since 2007. Based on a line of children’s toys created by Hasbro Entertainment, the Transformers are a race of sentient alien robots that hide on earth disguised as common machines from cars to giant mining excavators . In the film there are two warring factions of Transformers: the protagonists, the virtuous Autobots; and the antagonists, the villainous Decepticons.

In the first Transformers film, one of the main characters — an Autobot named Bumblebee – was disguised as a fifth generation Chevy Camaro. Bumblebee has had a recurring role in the Transformers series receiving an upgrade to the latest Camaro model with reach release, the latest film in the series – Dark of the Moon is no different. In the last film Bumblebee was disguised as an average yellow and black fifth generation Camaro, but in the new film the Bumblebee will appear as a new 2012 Special Edition Camaro with new deep amber paint jpob and dark black rims versus the chrome rims that were standard on the Concept Chevy Camaro.

And in a move that hasn’t surprised anyone, Chevy recently announced that dealerships will start accepting pre-orders for the new Transformers Special Edition 2012 Camaro in July, which is scheduled to be released this September. The new Special Edition Camaro is $3000 upgrade and only available to Rally Yellow 2SS and 2LT Camaro Coupes. To match the appearance of the Camaro in the film, the Special Transformers Edition Camaro comes with a two black racing stripes and a rear spoiler, not to mention the awesome black wheels. The car also features a leather interior with yellow trim and Transformer decals.

People will no doubt be lining up to purchase the new Special Transformers Edition Camaro, but the one thing that Chevy could include the make the entire package even better is unique manual. It would be awesome if Chevy included a Haynes manual that had in-depth information about how to repair a Transformer like Bumblebee disguised as a 2012 Camaro. Haynes has made some really cool manuals for auto body repair and have even been known to dabble in the more fantastical manuals (Star Trek space ship manuals anyone), so it wouldn’t be out of the ordinary for the company. And it’s not like it would be all that difficult to do since he is already part Camaro so they would only really have to add all of the other cool transformer parts. Dark of the Moon stars Shia LaBeouf, Josh Duhamel, Tyrese Gibson, and newcomer Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and is in theaters today.

Picture courtesy of General Motors

Via Consumer Reports & General Motors

Transformers Dark of the Moon in Theaters Today is a post from: VidMama

No related posts.

Graffiti Summer Modesto Memories

admin — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 04:10:00 +0000

Modesto is officially the center or also known as the heart of the great state of California. Modesto is home to some of the finest restaurants in all of California, the best shows and the best in living are all here. In the great city of 206,000 people, you will find incredible independent restaurants, things to do with the entire family, nationally recognized musicians and performers like Tony Bennett, Modesto resident Carol Channing, Dwight Yoakam, Hootie and the Blowfish, Veritcal Horizon, Avril Lavigne and many more.

Modesto is the home to Graffiti Summer in June, X-Fest in July, Modesto Art and Wine in August, Picnic at the Pops, and the annual MAMA Music Awards in October. Graffiti Summer is a day of tribute to pay homage to the home town hero George Lucas and the movie he made called American Graffiti. It was created in 1973 and was about teens growing up in 1962. On the day of the celebration the city of Modesto is a buzz. Antique cars are on display as people of all ages come out and reminisce about past events and the young generation listens to the stories and sees the cars.

Modesto also is known to have some great art galleries, museums, and places to keep people interested. There are new things to see and lots of music at the Gallo Center, State Theater, and the Fat Cat Nightclub. The majority of the local restaurants and bars have live music and regular bands that play there. It is a good idea to take your kids to events at the Great Valley Museum and at the Modesto Museum and learn about the city of Modesto while having a fun day out.

Come out to Modesto there is much to see and do, find a nice hotels modesto and start your vacation to remember.

Graffiti Summer Modesto Memories is a post from: VidMama

No related posts.

Wax Celebrities and Scares in Las Vegas

admin — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 17:27:00 +0000

At one time, the only way to see one of Madame Tussauds’ wax creations was to travel to the United Kingdom and make your way down Baker Street in London. If you’re in the United States, whether you’re on the East Coast or West, you may see a Madame Tussauds Wax Museum in New York and Washington D.C. or Hollywood and Las Vegas. Each museum draws from its local surroundings, as well as traditional wax figures. Madame Tussauds Wax Museum in Las Vegas is especially interesting, adding an interactive twist to the wax creations, featuring everyone from the President of the United States, to Hollywood celebrities, and famous Las Vegas magicians.

The museum contains a wax figure of the President Barack Obama, his arms folded, standing behind his desk in a partial recreation of the Oval Office. It’s possible to sit in a replica of the chair in the most powerful office on the planet. Among the celebrities, you’ll find comedienne and two time Emmy award winner Kathy Griffin, who stars in her own television program on Bravo, titled Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List. You can now find her wax figure among A-List celebrities, such as Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Madonna, and Britney Spears. You’ll also find here Criss Angel , magician and star of a magic show at the Luxor hotel, titled Believe. Some of the figures you’re even invited to touch, such as Jennifer Lopez or J-Lo, who will blush if anyone should grope her lower cheeks. Certainly, wax museums have changed from the days in which you could only look from a distance.

Most recently, Madame Tussauds Las Vegas has added a permanent scare maze to its attraction, titled “Scream! One Way Out.” The theme of the maze reads like an old horror movie. Visitors are warned that they’re going to go into the Neveda State Institute of Wax (NSIX), where researchers conducted horrifying experiments with the criminally insane, killers who were once all workers in the secret army base, Area 51. The implication is that these killers are now looking for someone else to kill: The guests who choose to enter this exhibit. The London Madame Tussauds certainly didn’t have an exhibit like this one when I was there. After this experience, you might be ready to lie down for a while in any one of a number of great rooms , from New York, New York, Caesars Palace, Paris Las Vegas, or the Venetian (where Madame Tussauds Wax Museum is located).

Wax Celebrities and Scares in Las Vegas is a post from: VidMama

No related posts.

Missouri Legend of the Ghost of Goat Milk Woman

admin — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 18:36:46 +0000

My boyfriend Carl and I were visiting my aunt and grandma in Jefferson County Missouri last summer. They live in a little rural area and my family all thought it would be the perfect place for a family reunion. I hadn’t been back to visit my grandmother in years and was eager to see her so I decided to help my mom make the trip happen and I applied for the time off of work and tried to help plan it. As it turns out only a couple of cousins were able to go and the whole reunion agenda kind of fell apart. And because of the small response I decided to ask my boyfriend to go with us because it didn’t seem like a lot of reunion activities were going to happen and I thought maybe we could take my cousin and go into St. Louis to see a show or something and spend the night in one the hotels to kind of night burden my grandma and aunt so much.

So, it turns out the four day visit was actually really fun and not only did Carl get to meet everyone, but my cousins and I were able to have a great time and it was so good to see my grandma. One afternoon my cousin Shirley asked my grandma about a ghost town that was supposed to be in the area. My grandma said she must be talking about Hematite, though it really wasn’t much of a ghost town, according to grandma. We decided to make a little road trip out of it though and followed the directions three miles off of highway A. It was actually more fun to explore some of the area’s history than to investigate a stereotypical ghost town setting. Hematite, named after the iron ore that was mined there, was established about 1867 after the railroad had been there for about ten years. There are few old vacant homes and a graveyard from the time. We heard a story about an old lady outside of town that used herd goats and sell their milk. This was a remedy at the time and she used to care for people using the goat milk. Apparently she died of a heart attack and her ghost can still be fond wandering around trying to help people. We looked for her on our way out though we never saw anything.

Missouri Legend of the Ghost of Goat Milk Woman is a post from: VidMama

No related posts.

Bloomington Art

admin — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 15:59:44 +0000

If you have made it to the heart of America town of Bloomington Indiana and you are looking for a great place to stay you will find many fantastic accommodations here at www.bloomingtonhotel.net There is a list of great places to stay that will fit all styles and budgets. While you are in the city you will need to find something to pull you away from room service and the HBO Channel. You will find there are some quaint things to do that will give you a much needed break from your travel or work routine.

With all the universities in town there is undoubtedly going to be some high creativity and performance. The IU School of Music is turning out some amazing musicians that you will find performing. You may catch them in a more structured format like with the Bloomington Pops Orchestra or blowing of some steam of their own in the local bars and pubs in their original bands. The fine arts department has some great young artists motivated to hang their masterpieces in the many galleries located through out the city. There is a great one stop place called By Hand Gallery which has all sorts of treasures. They have furniture art pieces, jewelry, blown glass, hand woven articles as well as prints featuring mostly local and regional creators. It has been around for 25 years.

If you are a sports fan you may enjoy taking in a local high school or college game. There are also ways to get into the game at the Twin Lakes Recreation Center. They offer plenty of ways to get some exercise with there large weight training room and fitness area. They also have room for a lot of group sports with five basket ball courts, indoor soccer field and volleyball. So give them a call maybe they need another person to fill a team.

Bloomington Art is a post from: VidMama

No related posts.

Bruno Morphet in Cape Town

admin — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 00:10:39 +0000

Once you’ve settled into your Cape Town luxury hotel, you’ll soon realize that you’re comfortably poised in one of the hottest cities in the world. Cape Town is an amazing place, with an incredible array of cultures and languages coming into contact with each other every day. Our hotels provide the finest accommodations, meeting the highest standards in the industry, and are specially designed to refresh your body and spirit so that you can enjoy all the things the city has to offer. We offer a rich mixture of contemporary and classical design, providing a soothing and invigorating ambience for guests of all ages. Our culinary offerings are prepared by world-class chefs trained in international cooking traditions to reflect a cosmopolitan palate. After a wonderful meal and a fantastic rest, you’ll be ready to see the sights.

For first-time visitors, Cape Town will be stunning in its lively heartbeat. For return travelers (and there are always many of these…), it’s an exciting welcome back. The city offers something for everyone, from museums that educate about South Africa’s complicated history, to special events that celebrate the local cultures in style. There is also a spectacular night life. Some of the finest musicians on the African continent migrate to Cape Town, to take part in the heady evolution of world rhythms. The massive array of African traditions blends easily with those of other continents to forge new styles constantly. Electronic music would have to be enormously exciting and sophisticated to compete with the rest here, and there are some wonderful offerings from DJs like Bruno Morphet.

Bruno Morphet started spinning records here in 1996, and now he’s one of the most well-respected names in the industry. His style is deep minimal and techno, and he’s hyper-connected, with a solid foundation in the past and the present. It also seems as though he has glimpses into the future, based on his visionary stylings that keep the young people here dancing until the wee hours of the morning.

Bruno Morphet in Cape Town is a post from: VidMama

No related posts.

Poole, Great City, Beautiful Scenery

admin — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 17:18:53 +0000

The awesome architecture is found in the museums, cathedrals, hotels and other buildings throughout the city. Quiet or loud, subdued or wild, laid back or classy, yes, that’s Southend. Along the southern coast of England and on the English Channel lies the seaport and coastal town of Poole. It is the second largest city in Dorset. This ancient city has documented evidence of humans walking this land before the Iron Age. Over many centuries Poole grew into one of England’s busiest ports with valuable trade relations with North America. Due to its advantageous location, Poole became one of the main departing points for the D-Day landings during the Normandy Invasion of World War II.

Poole has become an extremely popular vacation area, with the beautiful, internationally acclaimed and award winning beaches, well known for their cleanliness and safety, historic landmark sites with unbelievable architectural design, the Poole Arts Centre, the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, museums, theatres, beautiful churches, shopping, music, concerts, sporting events, festivals and fairs. Merlin Entertainments is an incredible world-renowned theme park, second only to Disney. There are many options for accommodations when staying in Poole. You might secure a guesthouse, or a room in a bed and breakfast, or stay in a Poole hotel. You will find the staff welcoming and attentive and the amenities numerous and comfortable.

Parks and lakes, ponds and trees, gardens and flowers, all lush and colorful, all spectacular and well groomed. Sit on a bench, read a good book, people watch while you enjoy your favorite beverage. How good is that? The restaurants offer dining at its best, with fresh seafood and sometimes exotic cuisine. And the bars and pubs with the dart games and billiards, the simple, home-cooked menus, the flowing rich, amber colored ale, the friendly bantering among patrons, be they local regulars or visitors from other parts. You just have to experience the warmth, the camaraderie, the unique flair of the pubs. You will create memories here that will last a lifetime, vivid, treasured memories you can re-live at anytime.

Poole, Great City, Beautiful Scenery is a post from: VidMama

No related posts.

Northern Melbourne Diversity

admin — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 22:38:29 +0000

The Victorian Era Architecture is evident in Northern Melbourne, Australian. From the shops on Errol Street to the cafes and the Melbourne 5 star hotels. The buildings are historical in nature with porches and verandas, and the location of the old town hall, complete with the old clock tower as well as the Blackwood Street Meat Market have become thriving theater and performing arts venues. This, as many of the districts of the Melbourne neighborhoods, has its own unique and distinct character and personality, based in the arts and alive in the culture. There are many galleries exhibiting touring shows, and each street located within the district has something different to offer. Each spring the Fling Festival occurs, which in Australia is just around the corner in October, wherein all the communities, including those in West Melbourne, come together. The restaurants, the cafes, and the pubs become venues for comedy and theatrical shows. Food and wine is celebrated as well as the books, the jewelry, the local fashion designers and the musicians and artists.

The Queen Victoria Market is located just by, and offers shops for the locals and interest for the tourists. This is a historical landmark as well as being a modern example of the cosmopolitan and modern world of Melbourne today. Shoppers can wander through more than six hundred different shops, looking for everything from hi-trend fashion, to fruits, cheese, vegetables and fresh flowers. And should one be in the area, and also be a music fan, the Sea Catholic Church houses the first pipe organ in Australia, to have received classification from the National Trust. This, as in many of the districts located throughout the city is a blend of the traditional and the modern, of the conservative and the liberal, of cultures. And the diversity and acceptance of that diversity is one of the characteristics of this Australian city that makes it a pleasure to visit, and to be a part of, even if just for a short time while on holiday.

Northern Melbourne Diversity is a post from: VidMama

No related posts.