January 2008 Archives

I am a sucker for romantic comedies, so of course "27 Dresses" was on the top of my list of movies to see.

Katherine Heigl is also one of my favorites, she's so innocent and sweet. She plays the role of Jane, a people pleaser that can never say no.

The movie plays off a lot of stereotypes (like the story-hungry journalist that sneaks around for a story), but overall, it's a great feel-good movie with enough laughs to keep you connected.

"Lost" is a shining beacon of hope amid the super-cheesy, reality-filled network lineups due to the writer's strike. The show might just be ABC's savior. Wednesday night, last season's finale will compete against Fox's oh-so-awful "Moment of Truth," in which desperate people reveal damaging personal information for cash. Thursday night, "Lost" season four starts. It will compete with "CSI" reruns and NBC's painful "Celebrity Apprentice." I find "Lost" overly dramatic and needlessly confusing, but I might tune in since I need to fill the void left by the dearly departed "Office."

The Grammy Awards will happen despite the writer's strike.
Britney Spears is getting help.
I feel so relieved.

Winning was in this weekend. The stars finally walked the red carpet Sunday night for the Screen Actors Guild Awards. Winners included "The Sopranos," "The Office" and "No Country For Old Men." In a touching speech, best actor in a dramatic role winner Daniel Day-Lewis dedicated his award to Heath Ledger. Miss Michigan, Kirsten Haglund, was crowned Miss America 2008. The biggest surprise winner of the weekend was "Meet the Spartans." The spoof comedy topped the weekend box office.

Thursday night Nicki Lefever and I went to check out "The Vagina Monologues" at York Little Theatre. Nicki had seen it twice before, but it was my first time. As I sat in the black-box theatre, surrounded by older women and a few brave men, I found myself a little nervous about how the audience would react to the racy subject matter. We were in South Central Pennsylvania, after all.

After the 2004 wardrobe malfunction that rocked the world, Super Bowl officials seem to be sticking with classic rock acts for the big halftime gig. This year is no different. Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers will perform Feb. 3 at the Super Bowl XLII halftime show in Glendale, Ariz. Steve Winwood is the opening act. The next day, tickets for Petty's 2008 tour go on sale. He'll stop at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia on June 5.

Australian-born actor Heath Ledger was found dead in his Manhattan home. The 28-year-old star was nominated for an Oscar for his role in the 2005 film "Brokeback Mountain." Some of his other films include "10 Things I Hate About You," "The Patriot" and "Lords of Dogtown." He had a daughter, Matilda Rose, with actress Michelle Williams in 2005. Ledger also starred as The Joker in the latest installment of "Batman," which is currently in postproduction. It is sad to loose such a talented actor so young.

The nominees for the 80th Academy Awards were announced bright and early Tuesday morning in Hollywood. "Atonement," "Michael Clayton," "Juno," "No Country For Old Men" and "There Will Be Blood" are all up for Best Picture. Daniel Day-Lewis, George Clooney, Johnny Depp, Tommy Lee Jones and Viggo Mortensen are up for Best Actor. Cate Blanchett, Julie Christie, Marion Cotillard, Laura Linney and Ellen Page are up for Best Actress. Producers say the Feb. 24 Oscar ceremony will go on even if the Writers Guild of America is still on strike. Jon Stewart will host the show.

Monster movie "Cloverfield" stormed into theaters this weekend and raked in $41 million. It looks awesome, but I'm a sissy and need to be able to mute the scary parts. "27 Dresses" came in second.

With many network shows airing repeats, there are many other options out there. I personally, have been watching HBO's "The Wire" on DVD for the past few months.

The series has been on since 2002, and is currently on its fifth and final season. It's about the Baltimore City Police Department and the criminals that run the streets, mostly focusing on the West side of the city.

It's full of action, unique characters and many story lines layered into one another.
So, if you are sick of reruns, check out "The Wire" on DVD.

Many primetime TV series showed their last new episodes this week. There is no end in sight to the Writers Guild of America strike, so what are big networks to do? The answer might be to run cable series such as "Monk," "Dexter" and the Golden Globe award winning "Mad Men." I guess these days there is more decent TV available for recycling.

As a member of the news media, I understand reporting what the people want to see, but last night CNN overloaded.

I was at the gym where you can't change the channel on the row of 20 TVs. Without realizing it, I planted myself in front of CNN and another news channel that was broadcasting Britney getting in and out of her car on at least six different occasions. I couldn't hear the TV because I had was jamming to my iPod, but they were talking about her missing her court hearing and not being able to see her kids.

I don't feel bad for her, I feel bad for her kids. In every scene it seemed like she was carrying them around like a show piece, or someone was carrying them for her.

I also feel bad for the kids who look to her as a role model. She dresses like she is clubbin', not going to a play date with her kids. And CNN just kept on rolling the footage and asking "experts" like Dr. Drew and Kevin Frazier from Entertainment Tonight, what they thought of her.

I've had enough. Britney's personal life is not news. It's trash.

I'm sure you've noticed that stores are already displaying cutsey cards and sappy stuffed animals in preparation for Valentine's Day.

We here at the York Daily Record are preparing in a different way -- by asking our readers to share advice on break-ups and memories of their first dates (good, funny, bad or downright ugly).

Here's what we're looking for:
What nobody tells you about: Break-ups
It’s a rare and lucky soul who has never experienced breaking up with someone you love. Whether a falling out with a high-school sweetheart or an ugly divorce after years together, it’s never easy. Often, words of wisdom from those who have been through it offer the best consolation and advice.
Tell us, in 100 words or less, what you wish someone had told you about break-ups. Send your response to jvogelsong@ydr.com with the subject line “Break-ups.” Include your name, age, the municipality where you live, your current marital status and a daytime phone number.

And...
Who doesn’t remember their first date? The nervousness, excitement and awkwardness. Wanting to make a good impression and wondering if he or she would call again?
Whether it took place last year or decades ago, it’s one of those moments you never forget. Maybe you met at an old-fashioned soda parlor. Maybe it was at the mall. Maybe you set it up by passing notes in class, or by text message.
Funny or touching, dream or disaster, we’d like to hear about it.
If you have a memory from your first date that you’d like to share for our monthly Remember... series, call 771-2007. Say and spell your name, age, the municipality where you live, your phone number and then share your memory. Deadline is Saturday.
We’ll select one caller to videotape. We’ll post the audio files online and publish several of the responses in the paper.

Then, keep your eyes on the Living section of the paper as V-day approaches to see what fellow readers had to see on these two subjects.

Two Hollywood starlets gave birth over the weekend. Harlow Winter Kate Madden, the daughter of Nicole Richie and Joel Madden, was born Friday and Max Liron Bratman, the son of Christina Aguilera and Jordan Bratman, was born Saturday. Congrats to both couples.

Golden Globe winners were revealed Sunday in an anticlimactic news conference. "Atonement" won best drama. "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street" won best musical or comedy and Johnny Depp got a nod for his role in the film. TV winners included "Mad Men" for the best dramatic series and "Extras" for best comedy series. It just doesn't seem fair that the best shows and films of 2007 weren't properly celebrated.

If you're bummed about the Golden Globes blackout, don't despair. Here are a few shows to help ease the pain. The Critic's Choice Awards aired Monday night on Vh1 and will most likely be replayed several times. "No Country For Old Men" and "There Will Be Blood" were the big winners. Catch the People's Choice Awards at 9 p.m. Tuesday on CBS. You can even cast votes for your favorite stars on the Web site. An added bonus: Queen Latifah is the host.

NBC announced Monday that there would be no Golden Globes award show this year. Many A-list celebs were not going to attend the ceremony due to the writer's strike anyway. To fill in the programming gap, NBC will run Golden Globes-related clips on Sunday. This will include a news conference to announce the winners. Will the Oscars be the next awards show to bite the dust?

The ingenuinity of Pennsylvanians never ceases to amaze me.

Exhibit A:
Tractor Square Dancing

I really think that seeing it live would be an unforgettable experience, and a unique peek into local culture.

If you're interested (I know I am) check it out at the Pennsylvania Farm Show up in Harrisburg 7 p.m. Wednesday or 10 a.m. Friday.

First came "Sex and the City," the show that changed the game for single gals. Then came the somewhat similar but still fabulous "Girlfriends." Two more shows recently popped up, and both are blatantly similar to "SATC." "Cashmere Mafia" premieres at 10 p.m. Sunday on ABC and "Lipstick Jungle" will debut on NBC in February. Unfortunately, like cheap knockoffs of designer purses, the new shows look like "SATC," but lack the same quality and craftsmanship.

Last night, Hershey's got a major plug on the popular Bravo reality design competition "Project Runway." The contestants were ushered to the Hershey's store in Times Square and told they had five minutes to grab whatever they could find to make an outfit with. Reese's, Kit Kat, Hershey bar wrappers and even Twizzlers were transformed into colorful clothing. There was even a dress that was decorated with a York Peppermint Pattie wrapper. To see the yummy designs, click here.

NBC’s Jay Leno and Conan O’Brien and ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel plan to return to the airwaves Wednesday night without writers, prepared monologues or scripts for their shows. Guest stars will take up most of the show time. The late-night shows, which are down viewers, seem desperate to get back on the air after being shut down for nine weeks due to the Writers Guild of America strike. David Letterman recently won an agreement with the WGA, so his two CBS late-night shows will return Wednesday with their writers.