On the weekend I took my youngling to see Bolt and I have to say that it was a truly cute and wholesome movie, with a minimal amount of adult humor but a few really good laughs. It was refreshing, kind of made me feel like it was in the good old days of family values. These days, not so PG cheekiness seems to be the norm, even in movies marketed as kid flicks. Bolt was a movie reminiscent of Homeward Bound and The Truman Show, except in this instance Truman happens to be a dog. Rhino, our little hamster friend who reminded me of the hilarious Jack Black, is the comedic relief in the movie. The hyper optimistic and undaunted hamster balances out Bolt’s serious, single minded determination and the disposition of Mittens the cat, who is firmly grounded in the disappointment of harsh reality. John Travolta as the voice of Bolt was a stroke of brilliance, making the pooch instantly likeable and giving believability to our hero dog that he can accomplish exactly what he sets out to do. JT’s voice also allows this little dog to have shoulders big enough to carry the movie. Penny is Bolt’s “person” and her role demonstrates the beautifully complex simplicity of the bond between human and pet…love. The character of Bolt really was a little bit of lightning and epitomized the meaning of loyalty. The character of Mittens, who by the way never intended to go on a road trip, really asks that we examine the serious meaning of our commitment to the animals we bring home with us as pets. Have we ever thought about what it is like for the animals abandoned by thoughtless owners who view pets as expendable and temporary? I also found myself thinking about Hollywood and the power and influence it has on our minds, our views and pop culture. In a way, Bolt is an examination of life imitating art, and the realities we choose to believe that are woven by the Hollywood machine, where image is everything and everything is for sale. The unscrupulous agent in the movie, who bore an uncanny physical resemblance to Dr. Niles Crane from Frasier, is hilarious yet sobering at the same time. He managed to identify a way to capitalize on every event, no catastrophe was too big because the show had to go on and every moment was a way to project image. And in real life, there is a spin to everything in Hollywood and the show must and does go on, and even the lead role actor is dispensable. Despite the gravitas of my musings, we left the theater happy to have spent our Sunday afternoon together doing one of our favorite pastimes. Although I do have to say the price charged for a ticket to see this movie in 3D was astronomical considering we would have been happy to see it with regular vision. There really wasn’t a huge 3D impression like you’d get at the IMAX watching dinosaurs jump out and scare the living daylights out of you. We did, however, get to keep the 3D glasses which is cool. I laugh every time my cutelet puts them on, and we’ll be able to use them when Ice Age 3 comes out in July, and we know there’ll be some mammoth dinosaur action in that movie.

I just read that they’ve greenlighted another installment in the Twilight saga—TY Perez!—-due to the crazy turnout and fandemonium, and it isn’t even the end of opening weekend yet! Can I get a F-R-A-N-C-H-I-S-E? Didst thou have any doubt that this would be true? I so totally knew this would be the case. How can you not guess that there would be more screen time for the fangalicious crew from the pen of Stephenie Meyer? It’s simply a no brainer. I could totally smell it coming from a mile away! I knew it! I can’t wait!

The dreaded end of the boy wizard adventures is fast approaching, and his pop culture reign of literary success and as box office king is coming to an inevitable close. In so many ways it marks the end of an era for many children (who are tweens and teens and young adults now) who grew up watching the crew at Hogwarts. Of course before the end does come, we will squeeze every last ounce of enjoyment out of the sojourn of this franchise.Yet before we’ve seen the last of Harry and pals, we will surely quest for something new. It is in our nature, and we are a voracious and hungry culture, always looking for something to fill the void. Enter Twilight, the first book in the teen series written by the very talented and spellbinding Stephenie Meyer. The new saga is filled with vampires, teenage angst and the first stirrings of true, bittersweet love. It is a saga that is being feverishly and zealously feted by the teenage masses and movie studios alike. Indeed this phenom has vamped its way onto the New York Times Best Seller list and has cast a full on glamour on its bevy of readers. The movie is in theaters tomorrow , November 21st, and proves once again that teens rule the entertainment arena, and can and do drive the industry. It took me a while to get on the Stephenie Meyer train; I am after all a parent to a very busy youngling. During my travels over the past year, I would come across advertisements in book stores and in magazines, and I heard a buzz about a great new voice in the paranormal genre set to rival Anne Rice. I would stare quizzically at the huge Bella’s Choice posters, only vaguely aware that something big was happening. I was too preoccupied with adult endeavours to realize that this book was taking the world by storm and jumping off the literary pages and onto the silver screen faster than you could say bite me. So, now that I am aware, let’s shake off this cloak of jaded cynicism and adult responsibilities and willingly invite the phenomena that is Twilight to swoop down and fall upon me. Move over Lestat, Edward is here.

~P.S.~ There is a midnight screening of Twilight tonight at a theater in my neighborhood and we all know that there is nothing quite like the energy which accompanies the first showing of a highly anticipated film. I wonder how much Hollywood will deviate from the author’s vision in order to make a film which translates successfully to the screen? Either way, there are sure to be thrills and teeth. Stay tuned!

Daniel Craig is James Bond

Did you know that Ian Fleming, the creator of 007, wrote a short story called The Quantum of Solace published for the first time in 1959 in a women’s magazine? In that short tale, James Bond only has a small role as a guest at a dinner party. Who would have ever thought that Bond, James Bond himself could ever play a bit part, except if Jinx ever got a movie? The movie Quantum of Solace is a complete departure from the short story wrote by Ian Fleming. The story actually takes place in Bermuda, and seems to be less of an action thriller and more of an exposition on human nature. The escapades Daniel Craig (the current reigning Mr. Bond and the best Bond to date by my estimation, and believe me, I love Sean Connery) takes us on in the movie, does not resemble in the least the original short story. Despite the exodus from the original, the movie is a wild ride, let me tell you, with the requisite number of dead bodies left in 007′s wake. I wonder what Ian Fleming would think?

~P.S~ Did you know that Ian Fleming also wrote Chitty Chitty Bang Bang?

A while back I heard somewhere that The Witching Hour was going to be made into a movie. Anticipation and excitement filled me at this prospect, but I have as yet to hear or see anything more. What’s the hold up, I wonder? This book would be amazing to watch! Anyhoo, y’all remember The Witching Hour written by the famously talented Anne Rice, right? (Anne Rice is the author of that little vampire tale.) Well, if you don’t (tsk! tsk!), and for the Mayfair virgins out there, here’s a quick rundown.

The Witching Hour_www.amazon.com

The Witching Hour is an incredibly eerie and chilling tale of the matriarchal Mayfair family who just happen to be a long line of witches. This powerful clan is deeply embedded in New Orleans and all that is Southern gentility, though they hail from Scotland and even journeyed to Haiti before becoming firmly entrenched in the crumbling secrecy of the First Street house. They are an extremely wealthy and successful family, very tight knit despite the plethora of family members. They have a family law firm founded by Julien, one of the most powerful of male witches ever born to the Mayfairs, which deftly manages the Mayfair Legacy, the Mayfair Emerald, and the female designee always chosen by the last designee (or so they think). They also have an inescapable covenant with a dangerous and seductive spirit named Lasher. The pseudo antagonists of this story are the mysterious Talamasca, a slightly decaying and aged secret order that at times reminded me of the church in its composition, but who are gifted scholars recording and witnessing the supernatural. They have in their possession a veritable treasure trove of occult artifacts, which they cleave to as their own private museum, and extensive archives of all sorts of paranormal events, occurrences and entities throughout the ages. These silent watchers, or supernatural spies if you will, have of course chronicled the lives of the Mayfair witches for centuries, unwittingly becoming bound to the very witches they were set to simply watch, and despite the very real peril to their own lives. But the witches are wise, “the man” is always close at hand, the devilish Lasher will protect his own as long as it serves his malevolent desire to live and breathe. Of course there’s lots more to this frightening tale. It is filled with the exploits of the many witches, their passions and pitfalls and hair raising paranormal peccadilloes. It is a book that is decadent and alluring, seductive and thrilling, abounding with deeds of very questionable morality and conscience, filled with delightful tricks that are a definite treat. Too delicious, right? For those of you who are unfamiliar with this trilogy of novels, which include Lasher and Taltos, Amazon.com is selling them in an affordable bundle. So pick up a copy of each and slide into this sensual and lush world filled with characters that are guaranteed to unnerve.

~P.S.~ I think this work of fabulous fiction is definitely screen worthy. I think Orlando Bloom would make a delectable Lasher. Any ideas on who could play Rowan Mayfair, Michael Curry and Aaron Lightner? Do tell if you do.