'Twilight' No.1 in Box Office


Hooray! to all of "Twilight's" biggest fans who stuck it out over the past year, waiting for the film to finally appear in theaters around the country! Many reviews have come in and overall, I'd say people enjoyed it. Critics from all over seem to be more satisfied and didn't think the book blew the movie out of the water. However, I'm sure most people can agree that the book is still better. How can it not be?

My opinion: I felt that the book was better, but the film definitely did a fabulous job portraying the state of Washington (under a constant misty rain) as beautiful, alive and filled with green life. Also, Stephenie Meyer's descriptive tale of how the vampires and wolves came to be was much more drawn out in the book than in Catherine Hardwicke's film, which is understandable given the fact that Hardwicke, as a director, had to squeeze in about 544 pages into two hours of film.

I was very satisfied with the actors they chose for the film as well as the scene snapshots they had in black and white during the credits when they ended with the red apple in Edward's arms. And one last thing, the fact that the last scene before the credits rolled showed Victoria ready for revenge made for a very suspenseful ending!

This leads me to my next comment: Summit Entertainment has announced they will produce the second film, "New Moon."

For more information on "Twilight" making the No. 1 slot in the box office with $70.6 million, visit CNN.com. For more on the future "New Moon" film, visit entertainmentweekly.com.
Here's a YouTube clip of the cafeteria scene in "Twilight":



Thanks for reading!
*~*Felicia*~*

Weekend Updates


Photo courtesy of 100xr.com.
Looking to get out one last time before the quiet, and maybe even hectic, Holiday season begins? Here are few places you can go to satisfy that very craving ...


Saturday:
Cranky Pat's Pizzeria and Pub in Neenah will host live music from the local group Ifdakar from 10 a.m. to noon. For more information, please call (920) 725-2662

Cranky Pat's is located at:

905 S. Commercial St.
Neenah, WI 54956


The Grand Opera House is having a high energy performance from Shangri-La Chinese Acrobats starting at 2 and 7 p.m. Cost ranges from $16 to $28. For more information, call (920) 424-2350 or visit their Web site at http://www.grandoperahouse.org/.

Grand Opera House is located at:

100 High Ave.
Oshkosh, WI 54901


UW-Oshkosh presents a Student Recital for Laurel Sanders in the Arts and Communications Center Music Hall at 3 p.m. For more in formation, call (920) 424-4224.

Arts and Communications Center

is located at:
926 Woodland Ave.

Oshkosh, WI 54901


Sean Michael Dargan Combo will be playing at 8:30 p.m. in Becket's Restaurant. For more information, you can call (920) 230-3333.

Becket's Restaurant is located at:

1 City Center

Oshkosh, WI 54901


Sunday Flood, Heller Mason and Leading the Blind will be playing at Maritime Tavern around 10 p.m. Call (920) 733-1099 for more information.

Maritime Tavern is located at:

336 W. Wisconsin Ave.
Appleton, WI 54915


Sunday:

The Arts and Communications Center Music Hall also presents Infusion: Chamber Music for Everyone starting at 3 p.m. Costs range: $8 to $5 for non-UWO students, $3 for children 12 and younger, free for UWO students with Titan ID. For more information, call (920) 424-4224.


The Riverside Ballroom presents Puddle of Mudd with Red, Ashes Divide and Tempered Cast! This event starts at 7 p.m. and the cost is $28. Click here to get tickets. For more information, you may call (920) 432-5518 or (920) 432-1414.

Riverside Ballroom is located at:

1560 Main St.
Green Bay, WI


Every Sunday Peabody's Ale House has The Jazz Orgy for live music entertainment starting at 9:30 p.m. For more information, call (920) 235-4004.

Peabody's Ale House is located at:

544 N. Main St.

Oshkosh, WI 54901

Everyone enjoy a safe weekend!



As always, thanks for reading!

*~* Felicia *~*

The Fray


This is a big day for fans of The Fray!!

Their new single, "You Found Me" will be streamed at thefray.net, starting at 10:00 p.m. EST tonight!! And BONUS: On Sunday, November 23rd they will preform the song live at the American Music Awards.

Also, at the same time tonight, fans will be able to pre-order the the deluxe version of their new album at thefray.net With the pre-order, die hard fans will receive a bonus live digital album which will be recorded during their upcoming January club tour (it will be delivered digitally on February 3rd, 2009). In addition, you will receive a code which gives you a chance to purchase two tickets to one of their Club shows in January. This code will give you access to an exclusive 2 day pre-sale, starting December 3rd and ending December 5th, which is before the general public on-sale. While there are no club shows in Wisconsin, we have two not TOO far away. On 1/8/2009 in Minneapolis and on 1/9/2009 in Chicago.

The group's album will officially be released on 2/3/2009. I am so excited! I thought their first album was amazing and had a lot of quality songs that never made it to the radio. Here's hoping their second album lives up to my expectations!

UPDATE: I just listened to the new single and it's goooooood! It sounds just like them :) If you check it out, why don't you let me know what you think by leaving a comment or submitting your vote to the right.

Photo courtesy of thefray.net.

~j.

TV Today-Guilty Pleasure


So from time to time when I'm bored with what's on TV or I have nothing better to do I will allow myself to get wrapped up in the dramas of reality TV. Now, I'm not a total reality TV-aholic like some people, but particularly a Bravo station reality TV-aholic.

The Housewives of Orange County became a favorite of mine about a year or two ago. They were only on a few seasons and then the title and subject turned its sites to the East Coast with The Housewives of New York. Only on a season, because quite frankly they were no West Coast housewives, we have no moved on down South to Atlanta, Georgia with the Housewives of Atlanta. At first I was annoyed with these women. They were super fake and super rich, but not because they worked hard, but because they married big, or divorced for even more. However, after some time of watching it's clear these women are some nasty, catty, egotistical and superficial. How fun! Perfect reality TV entertainment.

After reading an article of Yahoo.com I found they're even worse off than they appear on TV. I must say, their messy road to rich and famous is predictable. If you have the slightest interest in reality TV yet, I do recommend spending some time getting to know the rich wives (or ex-wives) of Atlanta. Read some of their dirt and you'll be intrigued to see how the "rich" got be where they are.

Movie Mania Tuesdays

Laughter, Drama, and Kirk

Today sees the release of Tropic Thunder and Wall-E, one I've seen and really liked and one I really would like to see. I've been a fan of Pixar since I was a kid, so I don't see why this film wouldn't be good.

This past weekend I saw Quantum of Solace and thought it was a pretty good entry in the Bond franchise, though not as good as Casino Royale. Some of the scenes reminded me of a Bourne action scene (I won't spoil the specifics for those who haven't seen it). Daniel Craig was a great Bond again, but story is weaker.

I'd give it a B.

As for other news, there's a new Star Trek trailer:

Monday Sports Hangover


...and the Bears still suck!

My two favorite things in the National Football League happened yesterday. The Packers won and the Bears lost. Actually, the terms "won" and "lost" are complete understatements in this case. The Packers DOMINATED and the Bears were CRUSHED.

After the game, I made my annual gloating phone call to my dad (a Bears fan) which led to this exchange, which seems to happen every year.

Me: Hey pops! Watch any football today?
Dad: No. Was there a game on?
Me: Oh you know there was a game on, and you know the Pack were mercilessly victorious.
Dad: I don't know anything about that. I was sleeping.
Me: Sleeping?!?! How could you sleep during such a tremendous display of sporting prowess!?! That was a slaughter!
Dad: Yeah, yeah. Have you heard the latest with CC? Do you think he'll take the Yankees offer?

Clearly, Dad was in no mood to discuss the pathetic effort put forth by the monsters of the midway, and quickly changed the subject to the one team we've ever been able to agree on. I was not yet ready to move on in conversation, and I proceeded to talk about how great the Packers have been at home. Mister Rodgers certainly plays well in his neighborhood, that's for sure. The Frozen Tundra advantage that has been curiously absent for the past few years seems to be returning in full force. 37-3 to the division-leading Bears? Oh, hell yeah.

Everything about that game yesterday was just awesome. We even had a Rex Grossman sighting, which is always fun for so many reasons. He's a walking punchline, he brings nothing to the table, he turns the ball over in hilarious ways, and he looks like the identical twin of my buddy Jimbo, which always makes for an onslaught of unnecessary jokes. I mean really, not many quarterbacks can pull something like this before being entered into a game:



Please, Lovie Smith, keep playing Rex. It's too much fun for Packer fans. Watching him fail gives me so much joy.

OK, that's all for now. I'll have more later this week when there is CC Sabathia news to ramble on about.

Peace in the Middle West,
-dan

Oshkosh Bars

Looking for some fun bars with good prices this weekend?


Fratello's Waterfront Brewery & Restaurant in Oshkosh (Located at 1501 Arboretum Drive.) offers many drinks for cheap and fun activities on the weekends:

Friday:
  • D.J. Z-Rated music
  • $3.50 Long Islands
  • $1 Kamikazee and Red Headed shots
  • $3 Captain Morgan Doubles

Saturday:
  • Live Music from 9 to 12:30 p.m.
  • Boxkar takes place
Mable Murphy's attracts many college students but has a more relaxing atmosphere than other college bars.
Located at 701 N. Main St.

Wednesday:
  • $3.50 martinis
How about a visit to Molly MaGuire's with its hip-hoppin' club and large stage, typically filled with college students ready for a break from exams and papers.
Located 539 Campus Plaza.

Wednesday:
  • Ladies Night

Friday and Saturday:
  • $1 rails and mixers

Monday:
  • $0.25 taps
And how could you forget about Peabody's Ale House with its new outdoor patio, although it may be closed for the winter. The drinks are a little more expensive but the atmophere is worth it!
Located at 544 N. Main St.

Check out Distillery Pub with their pool table and free popcorn? If you're not into playing pool that's okay, you can drink some beer with friends and watch the big football games on television!
Located at 515 N. Main St.

The CMAs


Country's biggest night (well, except for the other awards show they have where they rearrange the letters...) was amazing! But it raised the questions, just what is country music!? The line seems to have been blurred in recent years.

According to the Star Tribune:

"If what we saw on the 42nd annual Country Music Association Awards on Wednesday night was country, well, then Kid Rock, not George Strait, should be the king of Nashville. And Darius Rucker, the voice of 1990s rock sensations Hootie & the Blowfish, should be the prince."

Strait won a trophy for album of the year for "Troubadour" and for single of the year for "I Saw God Today", while Kenny Chesney won top entertainer for the third consecutive year!


Most would say that Rucker's performance of "Don't Think I Don't Think About It" was the most passionate performance of the night. Buuuuuut Kid Rock gave the night's best performance. His remake of "All Summer Long," featured rap hero Lil' Wayne on guitar. Yeah, that's right. Lil' Wayne was performing at the CMAs. What's up now?


For a complete list of winners and nominees, visit CMT.com.


Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

~ j.

Paula's Fan

A car with a dead body inside was found outside of Paula Abdul's house. The car was registered to a Paula Goodspeed, a season five contestant of American Idol. The police have not yet identified the body yet, but have ruled it an apparent suicide.

According to a statement released by Paula Abdul's agent she said, "I am deeply shocked and saddened by what transpired yesterday. My heart and prayers go out to her family."



To follow this story more visit People magazine

*ainsley

Movie Mania Tuesdays


Quantum of Solace Opens Friday!


This is the first true sequel in the franchise, which picks up right after "Casino Royale." The story features Daniel Craig in his second movie as James Bond, who is looking for revenge after the events in "Casino Royale."

First impressions:
Trailer - Looks like there'll be plenty of action in this one. I really like the image of Bond coming up the hill with the SMG.

Theme Song - Something different for a Bond theme.

Daniel Craig - I thought his gritty Bond in "Casino Royale" was great, so hopefully that continues in the new one.

What do you think of this recent "reboot" of the series? If you didn't like it, what would make you like Daniel Craig as Bond?

Also, why do you think the character of James Bond has lasted this long?

- Josh

ESPN: Packers MLB Nick Barnett out for season

From ESPN.com,


Packers coach Mike McCarthy said Monday that Barnett tore a right knee ligament in Sunday's game against the Minnesota Vikings, which the Packers lost 28-27, but he wouldn't specify if it was an ACL tear. Surgery has not yet been scheduled.


The injury bug keeps biting the Pack, who have already suffered major losses on a defense that can't seem to stop the run and gave up 192 yards to Adrian Peterson yesterday. The loss of Barnett will hurt, but could be an opportunity for linebackers such as Desmond Bishop, Abdul Hodge and Brandon Chillar.

More to come later in the Monday Sports Hangover...

Michael Crichton Dies


From Michael Crichton's Web site:

Best-selling author Michael Crichton died unexpectedly in Los Angeles Tuesday, Nov. 4 after a courageous and private battle against cancer.

Through his books, Michael Crichton served as an inspiration to students of all ages, challenged scientists in many fields, and illuminated the mysteries of the world in a way we could all understand.

A private memorial service is expected, but no further details will be released to the public.

Some of his works included, the most recent book "Next" (2006), Prey (2002), Twister (1996), Jurassic Park (1990) and The Lost World (1995) and Congo (1980). He also created the show ER.

Crichton's first bestseller, The Andromeda Strain, was published while he was still a medical student. He later worked full tim on film and writing. One of the most popular writers in teh world, his books have been translated into 36 languages, and 13 of those books have been made into films.

To read more about his work and accomplishments, visit his Web site at http://www.michaelcrichton.net/.

*~* Felicia *~*

WEEKEND EVENTS

Theatre Updates:


Kimberly High School is putting on "Peter Pan" Nov. 7-8, 13-5 at 7 p.m. and Nov. 9 & 15 at 1 p.m. Tickets cost $10 for adults and $5 for students and children. For ticket reservations, call (920) 423-4170 or order online.



UW-Fox Valley of Menasha presents the "75th Anniversary Musical Revue Celebration" for shows and musicals staged throughout UW-Fox Valley's past. Over 50 performers will present a 90-minute show. Show times are Nov. 7 at 7 p.m. and Nov. 8 at 6 p.m. Tickets cost $5 for UW-Fox Valley students, $7 students/seniors and $9 adults.


Appleton's Fox Cities Performing Arts Center will present "Magic Tree House: The Musical," based on Mary Pope Osborne's series of children's books. The show time is on Sunday at 6:30 p.m. Tickets start at $16. Call to get your tickets at (920) 730-3760 or order online.


Now go out and enjoy those wonderful productions!!!


And as always, thanks for reading!

*~* Felicia *~*

50 Cent Premieres Tonight

MTV is launching a new business reality show featuring rapper 50 Cent!

In "50 Cent: The Money and the Power", 14 wannabe business moguls will live and work together in a warehouse in Brooklyn. The contestants will sleep in tents named after the five boroughs of New York City. They will compete in challenges designed to help teach them the very same skills that helped 50 Cent succeed.

At the end of every episode, 50 Cent will narrow down the contestants but testing them on the knowledge he has taught them. At the end, the winner will receive $100,000 to help them launch their dream.

"Ahead of my actual music taking off, I would have wanted to be on the show," he said. "$100,000 would have been great, and the MTV exposure."

The show will run for ten one hour episodes, starting tonight.

You can expect to see a lot more of 50. As previously mentioned, he is releasing his latest album, Before I Self Destruct, on December 9th.

Photo courtesy of MTV.

~ j.

Looking for some new drama?



For those of you who enjoy a little drama with your television "Law & Order" on NBC is premiering its 19th season at 9 p.m. With new and old characters returning, the show hopes to up its ratings from last year. Its successful spin off "Law & Order: SVU" is still named the No. 1 drama on television and I think rightfully so. "Law & Order's" success could be contributed to the series set up.There is no carry overs and you can miss one week's episode and not feel completely lost when you watch the next one. The episodes are clearly designed with a beginning, middle and end which adds to its appeal. With new, youthful detectives returning,
Detective Kevin Bernard (Andrew Anderson) and new ones stepping in, Detective Cyrus Lupo (Jeremy Sisto) perhaps the show will be able to continue its already long run on NBC. To read more on "Law & Order" in the N.Y. Times http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/05/arts/television/05orde.html

I Voted, Did You?

Whatever you do, don't ask Carrie Underwood who she's voting for!

“There is someone I do support, but I don’t support publicly,” Underwood told TV Guide. “I lose all respect for celebrities when they back a candidate. It’s saying that the American public isn’t smart enough to make their own decisions".

Over the past few decades, many bands, singers and rappers all seem to want to promote their civic duty. They perform at rallies and make videos and songs that give us a taste of their political ideals.

While I do support the "Rock the Vote" campaigns, I do not support musicians/celebs making it obvious who they are voting for. I could care less. What matters is that you vote and that you vote on the issues.

How do you feel about celebrity endorsements?

Photo courtesy of AP.

~ j.

Tuesday, Nov. 4 - Movie Mania Tuesdays

I put up a poll last week about if you were happy about Terrance Howard being replaced in the next Iron Man movie and almost everyone thought it's a bad idea. I would have to agree with that since I enjoyed the fun chemistry that Robert Downey Jr. Well, today on Rotten Tomatoes - a film site I use quite a bit - it sounds like they may have been unhappy with their choice of Howard from the start (here's the article).

I don't know about you, but I think that given the movie's success, I can't see why they couldn't get over their differences (if they had any) and keep him in the role. I'm not sure how Don Cheadle will do - I haven't seen many of his films - but I'll at least give him a chance.

Anyhow, following the announcement of a new Bourne, the first three films are now released as a box set on dvd. Check in next week for some Bond, James Bond.

- Josh

Time to rehydrate with the Monday Sports Hangover

Halloween weekend proved to be a heartbreaking one in the world of Wisconsin sports.

First, the Wisconsin Badgers (who I have given up on long ago) lost another Big Ten matchup with Michigan State in which they led for the entire game and (allegedly) were screwed by the referees. In fact, I should've gambled on that game because I knew the Badgers would lose in heartbreaking fashion as soon as my roommate Hardy decided to go to the game in East Lansing. Last spring, we went to Detroit to see the Badgers lose to Davidson in the Sweet Sixteen. Whenever Hardy goes to the state of Michigan, Wisconsin teams lose. It is now a proven fact.

Second, the Milwaukee Brewers hired Ken Macha as new head coach. Macha was chosen over former Arizona Diamondbacks manager Bob Brenley and former New York Mets manager (and former Milwaukee Brewer) Willie Randolph.

I like the choice. Macha coached in Oakland from 2003-2006, and had only one season where the team did not win 90 games. Oakland, like Milwaukee, is a small market team that can't compete financially with the Yankees, Cubs, Dodgers and Red Sox of the world. And it's difficult to fault Macha for not being able to take his team to a World Series, when in '03 and '04, the Yankees and Red Sox were absolutely loaded with talent. Reports have also said that, unlike the grossly incompetent Ned Yost, Macha is not much of a player's coach and is known to keep his distance between himself and his players. This is a good thing.

However, there have been a couple overlooked bits of news coming from Brewer Nation that are of vital importance. Jack Z, the scouting wizard who drafted the likes of Ryan Braun, Yovani Gallardo, JJ Hardy, Prince Fielder and Manny Parra, was hired to be General Manager of the Seattle Mariners. Another unsung hero of the Brewers organization has been pitching coach Mike Maddux, who has left the Brewers to become the pitching coach of the Texas Rangers. How the Brewers will fill these positions is yet to be seen, but losing Jack Z and Maddux certainly hurts.


Finally, the Green Bay Packers lost a real heartbreaker on Sunday afternoon when they lost on an overtime field goal by Tennessee kicker Rob Bironas, in an eerily similar end to the Pack's loss last January against the New York Giants in the NFC Championship.

The Packers had so many chances to win that game. Between the two dropped interceptions in the first half, a dumb penalty by Brady Poppinga, to the no-call on a clear pass interference by cornerback Cortland Finnegan, and a few coaching boners courtesy of Mike McCarthy, the Packers had every opportunity to win this game, on the road, against the best team in the NFL.

But it doesn't matter. A loss is a loss, and even though the Packers played the Titans better than any team in the NFL has yet this year, and still came up short, despite a spectacular game from Donald Driver and a gutsy performance from Aaron Rodgers in one of his first big tests outside of his neighborhood; all WITHOUT left tackle Chad Clifton against the most menacing defensive line in the NFL.

A few questions from the game...

- Is Mike McCarthy's 3rd and long middle screen becoming his version of Sherman's 3rd and long draw play? Have either of those plays ever worked in the entire history of the NFL?

- Is Atari "Space Invader" Bigby going to be the starter next week? Because after that performance, Aaron Rouse should clearly start. Space Invader looked terrible. I mean terrible.

- With 2 minutes left, the Packers had the ball inside the Titans' 45 yard line facing a 4th and 7. They opted to punt. I argued at the time that they should go 5-wide and go for it, because a) the Titans couldn't cover Donald Driver, Greg Jennings and Jordy Nelson at the same time, b) Rodgers is a mobile quarterback who might be able to sprint 7 yards for the first and c) Chris Johnson was killing us every time he got the ball. Um....wasn't I right?

Ah, well. Here are some highlights of Donald Driver embarrassing the Titans secondary on Sunday.