Anna's Write

My 15 Minutes, 24 seconds of Fame

I cannot believe the last few hours.

You see, I wrote a blog on Saturday for TV Squad (it's something I'm paid to do!). The post was The Five: Least Watchable News Personalities.

Um, it got pretty popular.

On Sunday, it appeared on a news website called TV Newser. And tonight it appeared in an industry newsletter called ShopTalk... a newsletter that everyone I know in television receives. A newsletter that a lot of respected journalists receive. I've already received two e-mails from people wondering if I was the one who wrote the article. I did. That was me.

Tonight, I was contacted by The Lionel Show, a syndicated program out of New York City, to discuss my list. You see, the host LOVED it. He hates most news personalities, except Keith Olbermann (whom I praise in my blog post).

So, I went on the show. I giggled. A LOT. I'm a big, big dork who should just stick to writing.

Anyway, if you want to hear me giggle on nationally-syndicated radio, click here.

Just Stuff...

We had a great Thanksgiving, but we forgot to take photos! Sorry! Let's just say there was television, wine, turkey, lots of other food, Nintendo, Cranium, and good friends. Just how we like it!

Also, I found these photos in iPhoto and realized I had forgotten to post them. They were actually taken this summer when I parked next to a truck with Pez and other strange toys attached to the hood of a truck. I kinda think that Sid from Toy Story got his drivers license.

Finally, I've been writing for a website called TVSquad lately. I post 4-5 stories each day--just summing up other television-related news and posting my own opinions on various television-related topics. This weekend, I posted a list of The Five: Least Watchable News Personalities and it got a lot of links on television news sites that I read (and so do other professionals). Hopefully I didn't cause any serious harm to myself by lashing out at Ann Curry, Geraldo, Anderson Cooper, Nancy Grace, and Rita Cosby. I did mention how much I adore Keith Olbermann...maybe it'll tickle his ego and he'll offer me a job. Heh, heh. Right.

Finished

I lost sleep today so I could finish "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix". I started the 800+ page book back in June when it arrived at my door but I put it down for about a month because it moved pretty slow. Harry is suffering from teen-age angst throughout the entire novel. But, I picked it up again over vacation and then sped through it last weekend and up until this morning. It was pretty good although I think I liked "The Goblet of Fire" much better. I devoured that one. This one is darker, no doubt. And the end was drawn out. I read only a portion of a review the day the book came out and I agree with the reviewer that J.K. Rowling needed an editor on this book. Of course, the end of the book left me wanting the next installment. Still a good book but definitely not the best.

Spy Kids 3-D

We went to see this movie this weekend because it's in 3-D. I mean, how often do you get to wear 3-D glasses in a theater? Never! Unless you're at Disneyland for that Michael Jackson thing. Well, this movie was a big let down in many ways. First of all, the 3-D graphics weren't very impressive. I never really felt like anything popped out at me. The third dimension was pretty weak. Speaking of weak... the storyline just went out the window. Obviously the filmmakers thought that since it was in 3-D they could just leave holes in the script. Events happened, decisions were made, and characters knew information based on NOTHING. It just came out of thin air. It's a bummer because the first Spy Kids was actually pretty good but they seem to be getting worse and worse.

SpellBound

Jason and I saw this documentary this afternoon... if you get a chance, YOU MUST SEE IT! The movie follows 8 kids as they prepare for the National Spelling Bee. As you might imagine, each kid comes from a different background. One girl lives on a ranch in Texas- her parents snuck into the U.S. for a better life. Her dad's a ranch hand. Another girl is from the projects in Washington, D.C. and her mother is just horrible. Then there are the kids from educated, well-to-do families. One Indian kid has 3 different spelling coaches- to teach him the ethnic backgrounds of words. And then there's Harry. Let's just say he's the wildcard. He's one hell of a character. I love that kid.

Anyway, the movie introduces you to the kids and their families. Each story is told differently- through a different point of view. Sometimes it's a brother. Or the parents. Or the kid. It kind of depends on the chemistry of the family. One kid only has one line at the END of his story. He's obviously not in charge! And the community support for some of the kids is hilarious. Let's just say the banners of congratulations and encouragement... aren't always spelled correctly. True irony. I love it.

The first half of the movie is a meet-and-greet with the kids. Then they make it to Washington, D.C. It really just becomes a Spelling Bee but you've got a vested interest in who you want to win. The tension is built up well. Especially because no one in the theater knew if these kids had the words right.. we were all waiting for the approval or the "ding" if the spelling was wrong. This was just cute- and sad- and sweet. And just life.

Link: Spellbound Site

Old School

This was so damn funny! I laughed out loud a lot and was even doubled over in my seat a few times! It's about 3 guys who put college behind them and therefore lost some of their identity. They're bored in the working world so when Mitch (Luke Wilson) breaks up with his gang-banger girlfriend, his buddies push him into making his home next to the university a party house. And Frank the Tank (Will Ferrell) goes overboard- he's hilarious! And Vince Vaughn plays this rich dad who's a riot. It's sort of like Animal House- but not quite that caliber in the end. Still, I'd highly recommend you go see this movie. There is a hell of a lot to laugh about.

A Beautiful Mind

So I'm a little behind. This movie won Best Picture last year but that usually doesn't mean much to me since the Oscars are just a popularity contest. And not a big Russell Crowe fan. But, I really liked this movie. A lot! In fact, I might even be changing my mind about Mr. Crowe.

The storytelling of this movie was terrific! It takes the viewer along for John Nash's confusion about what's real. And not only is it a story about "one man" fighting his demons... it's also a very tender love story.

James Bond

James Bond is old. He's Senior Citizen old. The actor obviously doesn't do his own stunts in this and even the stuff he obviously does do is slow. Halle Berry ran circles around the old fogie.

This wasn't my favorite James Bond movie. There was a lot of action but I thought the plot was unusually weak. And I figured out the "big surprise" WAAAAYYY early in the flick. I'm always up for a loud, cool-looking action movie but I just was bored this time. It was just gratuitous explosions and fights. Yes, I know I'm supposed to suspend all disbelief for a Bond movie but I think I'd at least like to be slightly intrigued by a plot.

Red Dragon

Good thing I had to work last night because I wouldn't have been able to sleep. "Red Dragon" terrified me! There were so many good actors in this, all of them played their parts beautifully. Anthony Hopkins, of course, chilling as Dr. Hannibal Lecter. I always think I'd probably be one of those people he ate because I'm just not high class. You can categorize people two ways: people Hannibal would eat, and people he wouldn't.

Ralph Fiennes was the bad guy and he was astonishing! He ran around naked a lot (no frontal nudity) with a HUGE tattoo from his shoulders to his knees. He was so afraid of everything, yet so evil! Yikes!

Of course, my boyfriend, Edward Norton did a terrific job. He was very yummy with a tan and no shirt. He's put on a few pounds since his skinny fight club days. Yum.

This movie was good. It was terrifying. But not gross like Hannibal. I'd recommend you see it. But go to the matinee because 1) it's cheaper, and 2) you won't have to go home and think about the movie in bed.

Igby Goes Down

I really loved this film! It was so tragic yet heroic...and the lead character (one of the many Culkin kids) was so lovable! The writing was smart...although I agree with Jason that the screenwriter could've cut back on ALL the smart talk. A little more real dialogue probably would've made it more believable. Although, Culkin's comment "Captain Charisma is my Godfather", referring to Jeff Goldblum's character, is well-placed.

Anyway, this was a beautifully told story about a spoiled rich kid who didn't want to end up like his god awful relatives. He made me cry a few times, even! That doesn't happen in movies much. Then again, it was the end of the week and I was sleep deprived. It's a toss up. Go see it. It's original. It's disturbing. It's tragic. It's funny. And it's very touching.

Link: Official Movie Site