Michael Ealy...

So I just saw the video for Beyonce, Halo - and how delighted I was to see Michael Ealy as her love interest. He is so dreamy - his eyes, his smile..... ah!


Halo - Beyonce

Upcoming albums....Chris Cornell is the MAN!

So I went ahead and pre-ordered a few albums; Kelly Clarkson, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and Chris Cornell. And so I went onto Chris Cornell’s website and heard this great song, which caught my attention for two reasons… 1) Chris’ voice is the reason I’ve always followed him throughout his career but his voice in this song...breathtaking but heartwrenching - his voice really punches through me and I just felt his ache and sadness. 2) I then started paying attention to the lyrics and it was even clearer – I had to have this song. But let's not forget, it also shows courage and hope!!
Unfortunately, I can’t seem to find it where I can download it or purchase it, but I did find out the sad but sweet story on how this song came about.

This song was written by Rory (a fan) who lost his daughter to cancer and then he was also diagnosed with cancer and his favorite musician was Chris Cornell. So he wanted to reach out to Chris to thank him because his music put a smile on his daughters face and brought much joy to Rory and his daughter. What can I say about Chris? Full of heart and most likely he felt honored to have been given this opportunity for a fan and also it just shows the courage this child and her father has.

You can hear the song on www.chriscornell.com


I Promise It's Not Goodbye

Mommy, please don't cry
I'm as safe as I can be
I know you miss me so
But I've finally been set free
If you find that you need me
I'll be waiting right here
To help you get through
And take away all your fear
I love you so much mom
But it's time for me to fly
I'll visit you every night
I promise it's not goodbye
Bubba, please don't cry
I'm still your best friend
We will always be together
There'll never be an end
I hope you don't forget
The games we loved to play
Keep me in your heart
And forever I will stay
I love you so much brother
But it's time for me to fly
I'll visit you every night
I promise it's not goodbye
Daddy, please don't cry
I am still here everyday
It may not be the same
But beside you I still lay
When you think of me tonight
Hold me tight in your mind
If you ever again need me
I won't be hard to find
I love you so much daddy
But it's time for me to fly
I'll visit you every night
I promise it's not goodbye


I’ve also sampled some songs off his new album….its a different sound than his past albums, but I’m excited. I’m really enjoying Scream (which is also playing on his website…and video if I believe, so definitely check that out).

Sorry....

First, let me apologize for the delay in writing to you about all that’s been on my mind regarding music, film, etc.

I'm going to start by stating that the Oscars was pretty entertaining - I thought Hugh Jackman brought along his charming charisma, class A, genuine personality. It was not too pushed or shoved. I thought he did a very good job! The show itself was pretty good, minor those awards given to contributers who the majority of the audience/viewers don't really care for (I know that sounds mean - sorry!). I watched the Oscars with a few people and we were just anticipating the winners for the final best actor, actress and film and were stuck watching who won for best action, which not to take away from their important job - which I believe is important but from a viewers point - I could have missed. Think about the Grammy's - they are continuously giving out awards to musicians or producers; and some to those we would or would not like to see. Why can't they do something like that at the Oscars?

I'm happy with who won best actor (sean penn) and best actress (kate winslet); and let's not forget best supporting actor, heath ledger. You could have heard a pin drop it was so quiet when his parents and sister accepted the award on his behalf, which will one day be given to his little girl, Matilda. It is so super bittersweet - truly!

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Oh I saw Friday the 13th…it was definitely frightening and kept me on my toes, which in my world means half of my face is covered either by my own jacket or by own hand and would close my eyes anytime I knew Jason was going to kill one of the characters. It still does not beat out the classics! So if you have never seen the original classics, such as Friday the 13th, Halloween, Nightmare on Elm Street - GO WATCH them!

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Also I just read this interesting article on a new pop band with some great musicians from past hit makers -- check it out!

http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/pumpkins-hanson-cheap-trick-fountains-of-1003944450.story

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Oh and I am super excited about seeing Van Morrison Friday night! I've read some of the reviews of his show at the Hollywood Bowl and haven't read one bad one yet! :o)
There is a clip from his concert at hollywood bowl performing sweet thing, check it out www.vanmorrison.com

Good listening!

Oh I almost forgot....

I'm glad to see that Taken did well for the second weekend in a row. It was #2 this weekend… but still brought in a little over 20 million. I'm really happy about that! I'm surprised the movie Push did not make it in the top 5.. It was #6. Fanboys did not make the top 10 - not totally shocked by this.. I didn't see any promotion for this or any buzz around it.

The top 5 movies are below:

He's Just Not That Into You
Taken
Coraline
The Pink Panther 2
Paul Blart: Mall Cop

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Music-wise

Lily Allen, It's Not You, It's Me - GOING TO BUY IT!
I actually heard the entire CD and I think this is so much better than the last album. Don't get me wrong the first album was good - there were songs that were new and lyrics themselves were completely different. But this album seems more refined - and she's had a rough year so I think some songs was her way of escaping realty because the album seemed more peppy but you can still hear her attitude and humor in things. I actually really like the title of this album as well!

Van Morrison, Astral Weeks: Live at the Hollywood Bowl - GOING TO BUY IT!
In the past two, three months - I discovered the Astral Weeks album and quickly loved it. Growing up, I had known his mainstream hits and some of the songs that were on movie soundtracks. I'm excited to hear this album live and I actually just found out that I'm going to attend one of his shows at madison square garden at the end of this month! So I can't wait for that!!

In the original Astral Weeks - my top songs, Sweet Thing, Beside You, Madame George, Astral Weeks

I can only imagine how great this will sound live - if you haven't heard Van Morrison and his soulful voice, just really grabbing and to be honest, i love when a song makes me really think and feel sad, joy or love.
I'm excited to see on this new album, he has added the song on the concert playlist - Gloria, another favorite of mine. Can't wait!!

Also, if you love legendary and iconic musicians and need a good greatest hits, purchase Buddy Holly, Memorial Collection; released this week.

Some thoughts...

Grammy's -- unfortunately, I was a bit under the weather and did not get a chance to see the Grammy's Live, however I did youtube certain performances, such as the great ensemble for the song, Swagger Like Us. I don't think it was the best performance of the night or the best ensemble performance ever in history (remember MTV kid rock, run dmc and aerosmith, or p diddy, sting, faith evans and 112, or p diddy, busta rhymes, Ginuwine, Pharrell & Usher). Sorry, back to Swagger…you have to give credit though - its some of the best rappers/musicians/lyricist of our time. In my opinion, two of them had the best album last year -- T.I. and Lil'Wayne and I honestly enjoyed Kanye West new album.. It was the first album of his that I loved every song. Obviously, Jay-Z is Jay-Z. Oh and gotta give some credit to M.I.A. who singing on her due date…and honestly, I had read some people were like, "is she nuts?" but think about it - when would this opportunity ever come again - with all those great great artists at the grammy's and they want to have you up there - NEVER, so I would have been up there too!

T.I. and Justin's performance was ok.. I am a huge fan musically of both these guys and really wanted to see more interaction with Justin and T.I.

Lil'Wayne performance with Robin Thicke for Tie My Hands -- Great job on that one and even got to play more music with the legendary and iconic songwriter and producer, Allen Toussaint and a jazz musician from New Orleans also joined them.

Obviously, have to see the rest of the performances - Coldplay, Jonas Brothers with iconic Stevie Wonder, and so forth.

The ratings were up from last year though, 19 million viewers, if I'm not mistaken.
But how would you have rated them?

* * *
Also, can I just make a comment about Chris Brown and Rihanna and the drama circulating around them right now - It's a real sad story and no one deserves to get physically attacked by anyone, especially not a loved one. So I hope the truth is told and that the guilty party faces their demons and tries to take responsibility and try to better themselves and that the victim can heal and live their live to the fullest.

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So last night, I caught about the last 30 minutes of the new show, T.I.'s Road to Redemption on MTV. I enjoyed it so much that I decided to watch the beginning when they repeated the show later on. You can watch the episode online, http://www.mtv.com/ontv/dyn/road_to_redemption/series.jhtml

Definitely try to catch that - it will air every Tuesday evening at 9pm (eastern time) -- in the first half hour; there were clips of his arrest, the shooting where he lost his best friend, and he basically, very honestly describes everything to the viewer. Where his mind was at - how he began hustling and where he is now. He even opens up the doors to his home; you see him interact with his children and his fiancé and his family. He also decided to help out some teenagers and try to help them realize that hustling won't make their lives better. I loved his last album, the music, the lyrics - just really well done and so honest and fun! If you get a chance, definitely try to watch this - definitely worth it!

That’s all I can think of for right now.. Take care!

New Weekend - New Movies.....

Besides the many films I want to see currently - this weekend there are a few that I would like to see:

Push - Chris Evans, Djimon Hounsou, Dakota Fanning, Camilla Belle
The first time I saw the trailer - I thought of X-Men to be honest with you. Don't get me wrong, I think the movie looks good and I believe it will definitely entertain an audience, but I don't think its something new. But I would like to see it and hopefully, I can say I was completely wrong and although the trailer looked like a X-Men copy the actual movie is completely different!

He's Just Not That Into You - Drew Barrymore, Jennifer Connelly, Ben Affleck, Jennifer Aniston and list goes on and on….
Do you need more reason than the huge, huge cast. It actually looks like a real fun movie and I'm hoping to watch this with a few of my girlfriends! Make it a ladies night!

Oh, let's not forget the other films that will be competing this weekend for the #1 spot -- The Pink Panther 2 with the great Steve Martin and Coraline with Dakota Fanning and Teri Hatcher and oh let's not forget Fanboys, co-produced by the respected actor Mr. Kevin Spacey.

Also, when you get a minute - please check out this trailer for a new romantic comedy coming this May with Matthew McConaughey and Jennifer Garner (Ghosts of Girlfriends Past)
http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1809994768/info

***don't forget to set your tivo Friday Night Lights airing a new episode tonight!

Something for the weekend!

happy friday!

Few bands/songs I thought I would suggest....

The Bravery - great band from the East Coast (NY)!
Off their first album, The Bravery the song "An Honest Mistake"
Off their second album, The Sun & the Moon(released last year), "Believe", "Time Won't Let Me Go"
**Do me a favor and try to listen to the words of "Time Won't Let Me Go" -- just so real and lead singer, Sam Endicott's voice is magical for this song. ENJOY!
http://www6.thebravery.com/thebravery/promo/splash/index.htm


I just heard a song by Cold War Kids off their new album Loyalty, Loyalty, called "Something Wrong with Me" -- great new single, check out the video off their website. http://www.coldwarkids.com/index.php/media/

One of my favorite songs from this band is "hang me out to dry".

Bonnaroo Festival

Also, Bonnaroo festival in TN, is having some major buzz. Huge huge lineup (Bruce Springsteen, Wilco, Santogold and the list goes on and on)... if you like camping outside or if you have an RV, check out bonnaroo festivel in TN (June 11 - 14, 2009), go to www.bonnaroo.com

Solange Knowles covers Coldplay's Viva La Vida

Below is a link to solange knowles covering Coldplay's Viva la Vida…not bad.. i like the original better, but not bad. reminds me of Mandy Moore's cover of Rihanna "Umbrella" - if you get a chance, check that out! well done!



Also, if your not too familiar with Solange Knowles - she just released her second album last year - definitely check out the video of her first single, "I Decided" Great song & what a great video!

Recap of my weekend!

Taken – GO SEE IT

So as I said, I was a tad bit apprehensive about watching Liam Neeson tackling an action movie – but let me know tell you a great actor can really play any character. Liam did an awesome job as a simple, loving, kind of a dorky father, but yet paranoid and over protective; for good reason – retired from working for the government to spend more time with his teenager daughter. When she gets kidnapped – you just see this simple man change so quickly. I don’t want to reveal too much, but there was a scene that was very touching and I literally got chills watching his face and seeing his eyes (heartbreaking!).
My friend and I were both surprised to walk into a packed theatre and throughout the movie everyone kept commenting. Oh and at the end of the movie – people clapped! Yes, which is not very common, but I guess that just shows you what a great performance Liam Neeson did – he carried the entire movie and did a great job. My friend and I decided we are going to recommend this movie to anyone who asks.

* * *

Also, I know a few people who saw the Uninvited and they said it wasn’t that scary… but the ending was something unexpected…but suggested I should check it out if I get a chance.

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I saw Burn Notice (USA network) – I have to admit the past two episodes haven’t been the best, however, last weeks episode...the last ten/fifteen minutes of the show was incredible! My heart broke and then it was healed and then paranoid – that show is one of the best written shows and the cast does a superb job of playing it out! I can’t wait to see what happens next!!

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Did anyone watch the pre-show and the half-time performance? I didn’t catch the pre-show, but did see Bruce Springsteen, who as a singer – Love Him (especially his older stuff). There are some new songs that I have enjoyed but was glad that he ended his set with “Glory Days” – one of my personal favorites of all time!

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Oh tonight on Inside the Actors Studio (Bravo) – James Lipton will be sitting down with Anthony LaPaglia (Without a Trace, but also from one of my favorite movie, Empire Records).