Well, I promised you that follow up post about my husband Mike’s interview with Julianne Hough, so here it goes. Julianne was the first interview of the day and she was very excited to speak to a room full of moms, plus one dad: Mike. Mike got the interview off to a start with his questions. This is her fourth Hollywood film as a lead, but first non-musical. Afterall, she’s been in the new Footloose, Rock of Ages and Burlesque. She also had a cameo in a Harry Potter film about 12 years ago.
Julianne was asked how different her experience was on Safe Haven by having to rely only on her acting talent and not her singing and dancing. Julianne responded by saying, “I thought this was, for so many different reasons, the greatest film that I could have done after those movies because Nicholas Sparks is one of my favorite authors. I’ve read all of his books, I’ve seen all the movies that have been adapted.So, to be a part of a film like this was huge. One of the main reasons why I took the film was because of [Director] Lasse [Hallstrom]. I knew that he is the most prestigious director I’ve worked with thus far, and I knew that he was going to push me and help me grow.It was a struggle to get this part because nobody had really seen me do this before. But, it was well worth the struggle, so I’m happy.”
As I said before, my husband promises that the men out there will enjoy this film too. So ladies, tell your significant other to include this movie on your Valentine’s Day date this weekend.
My husband Mike is happy to report that this Valentine’s Day, there is a film out their the ladies will want to see (hello! Josh Duhamel) but men will also enjoy. How is that possible you ask? Mike describes the new movie Safe Haven, as a romantic thriller! I often send Mike to cover movie events since that is his deal. I mean, the man has a masters degree in film studies. Of course, by sending him this meant sacrificing my chance to meet Josh, but as you can see, Mike seemed to enjoy the experience.
Josh Duhamel - Photo credit: Caryn Bailey
Mike joined several other bloggers and had the chance to interview the stars of the film, Josh along with Julianne Hough and writer Nicholas Sparks. When asked what he enjoyed most about making this film, Josh referred to the relationship of his character with Julianne’s and said, “I think that what makes the story interesting about these two is that it’s a bunch of little moments, it’s not a lot of big forced romantic gestures. Its little things that collectively, by the end of the movie, you’re rooting for [them}."
As I hinted at, Safe Haven is not just another romantic movie. According to Mike, it lies somewhere between Hitchcock's North By Northwest and a dark Woody Allen film. Josh elaborated on the film making process, "(Director) Lasse’s whole idea was to not force anything. The expectations are already going to be there in a Nicholas Sparks movie to have these big romantic movie moments. We tried to play against that as much as we could. They're still going to be there, but we don't have to force feed the audience with it."
The movie has twists and turns. The plot was so surprising, that Mike won't even tell me what happens and insists on taking me Valentine's weekend to see it. I can tell you this, the film takes place in a beach town in North Carolina, which is the location of choice in all of Nicholas Sparks's books. Some other Sparks books turned into movies include: Message in a Bottle, A Walk to Remember, The Notebook, Nights in Rodanthe, The Last Song and Dear John.
Nicholas Sparks - Photo credit: Caryn Bailey
Nicholas Sparks describes the character development of Josh Duhamel and Julianne Hough’s characters who both have had tragedies in the past and are moving forward through the course of the story, “what you have to do is realize that everyone has a past. And as long as you really feel like you can get to know someone, a future is still very possible.” This could also be the film described in a nutshell.
In an upcoming post, I will tell you all about Mike’s interview with Julianne Hough!
Billy Crystal and Bette Midler have never before been in a movie together. Can you believe it? Well now they are finally together in a film for all ages, Parental Guidance. Billy Crystal conceived the idea for the movie after spending some time with his own grandchildren. His daughter gave him a laundry list of rules about what they kids can eat, how to discipline them and special terminology to be used when speaking to them. This zaniness makes it into the film, along with many other “modern parenting” styles that so many of us are prone to when raising our children.
The hilarious film also features Marissa Tomei and Tom Everett Scott as the parents of three busy children. One day they realize that they have not had a vacation alone since their youngest was born five years ago. They decide to enlist Tomei’s parents, who live in another state, to fly in and watch the kids for a week, while the parents attend a business trip for Scott.
The chemistry between Midler and Crystal is remarkable and leaves everyone wondering why they haven’t made a film before. There is also a musical number, which surprisingly, Midler was initially against doing because she felt it did not fit the feel of the movie. During a recent interview my husband attended, she explained that only after Billy Crystal and the director convinced her of a place in the film where it did seem a natural fit, did she agree to do it. This required the creation of an impromptu musical studio being created onsite to the make the scene happen. It’s a show stopper!
A pivotal scene is when Billy Crystal’s character attends his grandson’s baseball game, only to learn that they do not keep score and every game ends in a tie. Anyone who’s had their child in at least T-ball understands this concept and that nowadays, this is standard. Much like in the movie, Crystal says that in real life, he does not feel this is fair. “Life is a competition,” he said and the children we are raising should be aware of this. This is one of the main things he wants parents to take from this film.
Parental Guidance is rated PG and opens Christmas Day.
We love summer for many reasons. One of my favorite reasons (besides the incredible weather, beach days and just enjoying the outdoors) why Summer is my favorite season of the year, is all of the fun summer movie releases. There is always at least one movie that we look forward to watching. One of the movies that the we are all looking forward to watching is Ice Age: Continental Drift.
The movie opens July 13th and yes we are counting down the days! Stay tuned for a fun little Ice Age: Continental Drift giveaway coming next week.
It looks like it will rain this weekend and I don’t know about you but if it is cold and I have bored kids I want to do something that is simple, fun and well cheap. The movies are usually a good idea but tickets can add up quickly. A night at the movies has become painfully expensive. With prices hovering over $10 a person, it can really put a dent in your pocketbook. Thankfully we have several dollar/bargain theaters in the Southern California area. There are local dollar theaters in the Inland Empire, LA , Orange and Ventura Counties. I searched and searched and couldn’t find anything for the San Diego area. If you know of one in the area , please email me so I can add it to the list.
We love visiting bargain theaters because they’re inexpensive and if the kids became bored and we need to leave, we are only out a couple of bucks. Family films are particularly popular at these type of theaters, so it’s usually easy to find something for everyone. We’ve had a great experience and I’m sure your family will too!!
Los Angeles County Academy Cinema – Pasadena – $2 before 6pm, $3 after Cinemark Movies - Lancaster- $2 before 6pm, $2.50 after, $1.50 all day Wed Starplex Cinema – La Mirada -$2 all day, $1.00 all day Tue
Orange County
Cinema City – Anaheim Hills- First run movies- $5 all day Tue, $5 before noon, $6 before 6 Charter Center Theatre – Huntington Beach – $ 3 all day, everyday Starplex Cinema – Irvine -$2 all day, $ 1.00 all day Tue
PictureShow@Mainplace Mall – Santa Ana – $2 all day, $1.00 all day Tue
One of my favorite memories from my childhood is going to the drive in with my family. My sisters and I would be stuffed in my dad’s truck sharing popcorn and licorice. We would go a couple of times a month and it was always a guaranteed good time. We would stop at our favorite hamburger or taco joint and pick up drive in food. My Drive-In memories are so special and I really want my little ones to be able to make some memories of their own. Unfortunately most of the drive-in theaters across the country and especially in Southern California are gone. They are almost a thing of the past.
After doing a little research I discovered that there are a handful of drive-in theaters in operation in So Cal. In fact the local theaters that are still around are making quite a resurgence I think many of us that grew up with the Drive-In’s are heading to them in droves to make memories with their own families. I can’t wait to take my kiddos to their first drive in and perhaps go on a date with the hubby. I can almost taste it- In-n-Out, homemade treats and a family movie. Sounds good to me!!!
Here’s a list of local drive-in movie theaters in operation and admission. Enjoy!!!
1.Van Buren Drive-in
3035 Van Buren Blvd., Riverside
951-688-2360
Screens: Three
Capacity: 1,500 cars
Opened: 1964
Admission: $7, 5-9 $1.00, under 5 free- Cash only http://www.vanburendriveintheatre.com/#/movies/
2.Rubidoux Drive-in
3770 Opal St., Riverside
951-683-4455 http://www.rubidoux.icyspicy.com/
Screens: Three
Capacity: 600 cars
Opened: 1948
Admission: $7, kids 5-9 $1.00- under 5 Free- Cash only
3. Mission Tiki Drive-in
4407 State St., Montclair
909-628-0511 http://www.missiontiki.com/
Screens: Four
Capacity: 1,885
Opened: 1956
Admission: $7, kids 5-9 $1.00, under 5 free- Cash only
4. Vineland Drive-in
443 N. Vineland Ave, City of Industry
626-961-9262 http://vinelanddriveintheater.com/
Screens: Four
Admission: $8.00, kids 5-9 $1.00, under 5 free- Cash only
Almost forgot- not only is a visit to the local drive in a fun experience – it’s also easy on the wallet with kids either being free or a buck.
p.s. Don’t forget to enter the Australia Giveaway – you have until Sunday night to enter. Good luck!!
I love giveaways!! I’m sure you all do too!!It seems that I usually find myself only giving away movies for the kiddos on this site ,but not today.. You are in luck. Let me tell you about what I have in store for you grownups.
I have a couple of copies of the beautifully shot and pretty amazing movie in my opinion- Australia. It stars – the hunkiest man on the planet- Hugh Jackman and the lovely Nicole Kidman- How can you go wrong with the combo? It’s directed by Baz Lurhman- who directed one of my favorite films(Moulin Rouge). It’s a feast on the eyes and it’s a great movie to watch when the kiddos are fast asleep. It’s absolutely romantic and you will fall in love this movie. You will be swept away.
I could keep gushing on and on about it but see for yourself. Australia will be released on DVD today March 3rd- make sure to buy or rent a copy. You will not be disappointed!! Enter the giveaway by leaving a comment on this post.. any comment. I will pick a couple of lucky winners next Sunday evening. Please leave a comment and enter to win a copy of this great movie!!! Good luck!!
P.S. You have until Sunday night at 7pm to enter!!
It looks like it might rain this week and I don’t know about you but if it’s not a weekend and I have bored kids I want to do something that is simple, fun and well cheap. The movies are usually a good idea but it can add up quickly. A night at the movies has become painfully expensive. With prices hovering over $10 a person, it can really put a dent in your pocketbook. Thankfully we have several dollar/bargain theaters in the Southern California area. There are local dollar theaters in the Inland Empire, LA , Orange and Ventura Counties. I searched and searched and couldn’t find anything for the San Diego area. If you know of one in the area , please email me so I can add it to the list.
We love visiting bargain theaters because they’re inexpensive and if the kids became bored and we need to leave, we are only out a couple of bucks. Family films are particularly popular at these type of theaters, so it’s usually easy to find something for everyone. We’ve had a great experience and I’m sure your family will too!!
As of January 2008:
Los Angeles County Academy Cinema – Pasadena – $2 before 6pm, $3 after Cinemark Movies - Lancaster- $1.75 before 6pm, $2.25 after, $1.25 all day Wed Redondo Beach Cinema 3 – Redondo Beach- $3 all day Starplex Cinema – La Mirada -$1.50 before 6, $2 after, $1.00 all day Tue
Orange County Charter Center Theatre – Huntington Beach – $2 before 6, $ 3 after Starplex Cinema – Irvine -$1.50 all day, $ 1.00 all day Tue
PictureShow@Mainplace Mall – Santa Ana – $1.75 all day, $1.00 all day Tue
If you have real little ones you know it’s almost impossible to go to the movies. I’ve always read in a couple of parent magazines of the mommy and me movie deals but never was able to actually find one in the So Cal area. I’ve doing some research and I finally found a program that is geared for those with little ones.
Pacific Theaters offers Monday Morning Mommy Movies offers a chance for all you sleep deprived mom of babies or toddlers every Monday morning. Bring your crying baby and stroller for a chance to see a first run grown up movie. No one will mind if your baby cries because chances are their little one will be fussing along.
The Monday Morning Mommy Movies is offered every Monday at 11am except on holidays at 4 local theaters.
1. Pacific Theatres at the Grove
189 The Grove Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 692-0829
2.Glendale 18
322 Americana Way
Glendale, CA 91210
(866) 722-9790
3. Paseo 14
336 East Colorado Blvd.
Pasadena, CA 91101
(626) 568-8888 4. Beach Cities 16 Cinemas
831 S. Nash Street
El Segundo, CA 90245
(310) 607-0007
While it’s not advisable to take real young children, there is a movie theater is Anaheim Hills with $4 early matinee prices and first-run movies. You have to be there before 11 AM for that rate, but before 6 PM the prices are only $5. With that low price, you can afford to bring you toddler to a film like Ratatouille and not worry about losing a lot of money if the experience does not work out and you end up leaving the film early.
Another fantastic thing about this theater is that all screens now feature digital projection and stadium seating is found in each auditorium.
The theater is easy to find off the 91 Freeway at Imperial Highway and La Palma in Anaheim Hills. Their recorded message number is 714-970-6700. The box office is completely automated with ATM-like machines to purchase your tickets. Credit cards are accepted.
(This theater was formerly known as Cinemapolis and is still to referred to as such by everyone we know that goes there!)
