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Showing posts from June, 2013

Shemar Moore (Criminal Minds) and The Bounce Back film

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Shemar Moore and the cast of Criminal Minds Something you might not know about me is that I like to partake in some TV when I'm not watching movies. I watch everything from Pretty Little Liars  to Hot in Cleveland  to Rookie Blue , and one of the shows I regularly watch is Criminal Minds . It's one of the best procedural shows on TV, and some of the storylines they come up with are crazy and very interesting. So when the opportunity came up to promote Shemar Moore (aka Derek on Criminal Minds ) and his new movie, I definitely didn't hesitate in saying yes! Shemar is using Indiegogo (similar to Kickstarter) to raise funds for his new movie, The Bounce Back . I read the plot synopsis over on his Indiegogo and it sounds like a good romantic film. Here's what Shemar has to say about it: Shemar Moore "The Bounce Back" is a heartfelt romantic comedy about finding the courage to love after love has let you down. When I read “The Bounce Back” - that ve

The Heat

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The Heat was supposed to be one of the funniest movies of the summer, with Melissa McCarthy and Sandra Bullock headlining. Unfortunately, even though they are both talented actresses, the script was just so-so, and because of that, the film is one of the more uneven comedies coming to theaters this summer; some parts were hilarious, but others were just okay. Special Agent Sarah Ashburn (Bullock) is known for being a smug perfectionist, and when she finds out that her boss (Demian Bichir) is being promoted, she wants his job. He has reservations about her, however, and sends her to Boston to try and arrest a drug kingpin. While there, she has to work with Detective Shannon Mullins (McCarthy), a brutish woman who thinks that anything can be accomplished by force rather than questioning. Ashburn and Mullins have exact opposite personalities, but they must work with each other to try and solve the case before the DEA solves it, since they are now claiming they have jurisdiction in Bost

BlogHer '13 and Chicago festivities

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*Disclosure: I am receiving a free fireworks cruise in exchange for writing this post. All opinions expressed, however, are my own. If you're a blogger, you've undoubtedly heard of BlogHer, one of the biggest blogger/writer conferences in the country. I had the fortune of attending BlogHer last year , for my first time, in NYC, and the even better fortune of learning that it will be in Chicago this year: a quick four or five hour drive from the Detroit area, where I live. The conference kicks off in about five weeks, and invites for events happening in Chicago at the same time are starting to roll into my mailbox. I'm in a few Facebook groups where event invites pop up, as well, and I happened to see and then be invited to this one: a fireworks cruise hosted by Madame Deals  with Sea Dogs Cruises ... and I have to say I'm VERY excited about it! I took a boat ride on the "Pay it forward express" last year in NYC, and that was also through Madame Deals

Monsters University

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Monsters Inc. is one of my all-time favorite Pixar movies, and so Monsters University , its prequel, had some pretty big shoes to fill if it wanted to please me. Although MInc . is still my favorite, MU was very funny, and it's a movie that anyone will be able to enjoy in the theater; it even has a few "hidden nuggets"  for people familiar with the first film. Before Sully (voiced by John Goodman) and Mike (Billy Crystal) were working on the scare floor at Monsters Inc., they attended Monsters University, in the Scare School. Mike wore braces and was a bit of a geek - but a bookworm and very smart - and Sully was invited to pledge one of the most popular fraternities on campus. Dean Hardscrabble (Helen Mirren), however, doesn't think either of them will be good scarers - Mike because he's, well, not scary, and Sully because he relies too much on "the Sullivan name" to get him through life - and she throws them out of the Scare School. Mike and Sully de

The Bling Ring

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I had been wanting to see The Bling Ring because Emma Watson (yes, Hermione of Harry Potter fame) was in it, and the trailer made it look like it could be a fun film. However, I should have reminded myself that it's a Sofia Coppola movie, and she likes to do everything in excess (see: Marie Antoinette , 2006). The plot of the film was interesting, and even more so in that it's based on real-life events, as well an an article - not a book, an article - but unfortunately, Coppola doesn't explore the lives of the main characters at all, except on a very superficial level. Marc (Israel Broussard) recently moves back to the L.A. area with his mom, and on his first day of high school he meets the beautiful Rebecca (Katie Chang), as well as her friend Chloe (Claire Julien). Rebecca has a taste for designer jewelry and clothes, and also a penchant for stealing, and she realizes that when celebrities go out of town for highly-publicized parties, their houses are just sitting the

GIVEAWAY: iPad with Retina Display, ends 7/11

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Welcome to the iPad with Retina Display Giveaway Event Sponsored by Parcelbound.com I love using my mom's iPad to check my email, play games, and even watch movies - and now you can win one! (and yes, I wish I had one for myself!) Do you live overseas and enjoy shopping in the Unites States? Do you run your own eCommerce site and need to ship to international customers? Do you have loved ones overseas and wish to send gifts to them as safely and inexpensively as possible? If you answered yes to any of these questions then Parcelbound.com is for you!! Watch this video below and find out how. Parcelbound is a top rated international package forwarding company. They provide great savings to international customers wanting to shop on all their favorite USA websites stores, and saving them up to 75% on international shipping costs! Parcelbound's service is also great for USA residents wanting to ship gift to friends/family living overseas. Get your own Parcelbound USA ship

Metro Detroit Mommy Birthday Bash - many prizes! Ends 7/5

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First I would like to thank the bloggers who are helping to promote this awesome giveaway:  Mom Among Chaos http://momamongchaos.blogspot.com A Busy Mom's Slow Cooker Adventures http://www.slowcookeradventures.com Mind on Movies http:// www.mindonmovies.com/ MichiGal http://michigalmom.com/ Yes/No Films http://www.yesnofilms.com Daily Leisure http://www.dailyleisure.com Baby Bear http://www.babybearhugs.com 3 Months Free Mom Sponsor on online Magazine for Michigan Mommy business owners Michigan Home Mommy Works And here are the wonderful prizes:  $50 cash prize from Metro Detroit Mommy Life on Paper Photography by Bri Mason http:// www.lifeonpaperphoto.com/ http://www.facebook.com/ LifeOnPaperPhoto On-Location Family Photography Session (two adults with kids) within 25 miles of Canton. ($175)Brithday Bash/5K Fan Prize:

GIVEAWAY: Jack the Giant Slayer Blu-ray combo pack, ends 6/22

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Jack the Giant Slayer  came out in theaters in March, and I gave it a "Yes" review - it was a fun movie, and Nicholas Hoult was great for the part of Jack. Warner Bros. is proud to announce the arrival of Jack the Giant Slayer released on DVD & Blu-ray on June 18, and I have one copy to give away  to one of my lucky readers! Unleashed on the Earth for the first time in centuries, the giants strive to reclaim the land they once lost, forcing Jack (Nicholas Hoult), into the battle of this life to stop them and rescue the princess! The question is... are you courageous enough to rescue the princess? Are you brave like Jack? Take the quiz to find out! GIVEAWAY: One Yes/No Films fan will win a copy of Jack and the Giant Slayer, which includes a Blu-ray, DVD, and Ultraviolet copy of the film. Enter via the Rafflecopter form below. Contest will end on Saturday, June 22nd , at 11:59pm EST, and winners will be emailed on June 23rd and have 24 hours to respond to

Man of Steel

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I will admit off the bat that I've only seen one of the Superman movies - Superman Returns , in 2006, starring Brandon Routh. I've been meaning to watch the Christopher Reeve movies - I love him in Somewhere in Time , which was also filmed in Michigan, at the Grand Hotel - but never got around to it. That being said, I appreciate a good superhero/action movie, and Man of Steel is that, to the max. Rabid fans of the Superman movies may feel compelled to contrast and compare with the older versions, but Man of Steel stands out on its own as a fun movie, with great 3D. The action starts on Superman's home planet, Krypton. His parents, Jor-El (Russell Crowe) and Faora-Ul (Antje Traue), know that Krypton is crumbling around them, and make the difficult decision to send their newborn son, Kal-El, into space, towards a planet to which they've never been. At the same time, Krypton's leaders are being overthrown by General Zod (Michael Shannon), a former friend of Jor-El&

This is the End

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This is the End is both the weirdest and maybe the funniest movie you will see all summer. However, it had a lot of raunchy/gross stuff in it, which is not really my thing, so I loved half of the movie and wasn't really impressed with the other half. I also didn't know that it was a horror comedy (though maybe if I had watched the second red band trailer for it, I would have figured that out ...), and a lot of the "horror" parts were gross, although I will admit some were very funny as well. The moral: proceed at your own risk. This movie is packed with stars playing themselves. The core players, however, are Seth Rogen, who picks his friend Jay Baruchel up at the airport, where he's in visiting from Montreal; Danny McBride, Craig Robinson, Jonah Hill, and James Franco. The film starts off where Seth brings Jay to a party at Franco's house, even though Jay isn't really keen on going; Seth wants to introduce Jay to everyone. Everyone except Jay is havi

GIVEAWAY: $50 Target eGift Cards - 2 winners

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Target sells DVDs and Blu-rays, often at great prices - enter to win a $50 gift card! Two winners. GiftCardRescue is your place for discounted gift cards ! You can purchase discounted gift cards up to 30% off and get free shipping! Plus, they offer 100% money back guarantee! Why would you not purchase your gift cards from GiftCardRescue?! It's fast and easy to buy gift cards from GiftCardRescue.   Also, if you have gift cards you do not want and you know you will never use, sell them and get up to 90% cash value! It is a very easy process; get a quote, mail your card in, and Gift Card Rescue sends you a check! You will be mailed a check within 48 hours of receiving your gift card! Gift Card Rescue is offering two lucky readers a $50 Target Gift Card each Organized by: Mom Powered Media Hosted by: Baby Costcutters , Mom to Bed By 8 , Powered by Mom , Giveaway Booster , and My Jordanian Nugget Giveaway ends June 25th at 11:59pm , open to US residents, ages 18+. To enter p

The Kings of Summer

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There were approximately 5,023 screenings of The Kings of Summer , formerly titled Toy's House , but I wasn't able to see it until this week, at the AMC John R ( those seats are fabulous!). The movie is a coming-of-age film, and is done very well; it has a Michigan connection , too, as its director, Jordan Vogt-Roberts, grew up in Royal Oak. Although it had more minor laughs than real "laugh out loud" moments, the film will make you reminisce about your own childhood, and it's a movie you won't want to miss at the theater this summer. Joe (Nick Robinson) and his friend Patrick (Gabriel Basso) are sick of living with their parents. They've just finished their freshman year of high school, and their living situations are "awful," according to them - Joe's dad (Nick Offerman) is still getting over his wife's death, and Patrick's parents (Megan Mullally and Mark Evan Jackson) are driving him crazy. One night, Joe finds a secluded spot

The Purge

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I was intrigued by the premise of The Purge , which states that for one night - twelve hours - any and all crime is legal, and emergency services as well as police will not be active. It brings to mind many questions: would you participate in the purge? If you did, would it be something simple, like stealing, or something more serious, like murder? And would you be nicer to your friends and neighbors during the year, knowing that they could get revenge on you that one night if you were not? The movie attempts to answer some of these questions, but unfortunately doesn't give as much back story as I would have liked. James Sandin (Ethan Hawke) is a security systems salesman, and sales leading up to March 2022, another yearly purge, have been great. He and his wife, Mary (Lena Headey), recently added an addition onto their home, and their two kids, Charlie and Zoey (Max Burkholder, Adelaide Kane) are happy and healthy. They prepare to go into lockdown mode as they do every year for

The Internship

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The Internship is basically a 2-hour long ad for Google, even though it was only partially shot at Google HQ in Mountain View, CA - an Atlanta soundstage was built for some of the other scenes. I'm sure Google has never had any trouble finding job applicants but after this movie, they might notice a surge of new applications: their HQ at Mountain View, at least in the film, has everything from dry cleaning to all free food to sleep pods. I was excited to see this movie because it's the first time that Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson have teamed up again together since Wedding Crashers , one of my top ten favorite funny movies, and they definitely still have chemistry together; however, the movie could have been funnier overall. Watch salesmen Nick (Wilson) and Billy (Vaughn) find out from a customer that their company is closing, and they confront their boss (John Goodman), who tells them that they will have a hard time finding new jobs because they are "relics" with