Reel Access

Lauren

2009 definitely had its best and worst moments that we will remember for the rest of our lives. We also had some sad moments where we lost memorable people as well. My lists feature some of the movies, tv shows and music that I personally believe were the highlights of 2009. So without further delay, here is my 2009 memorable list.

Best New TV Shows That You're Not Watching:

Glee

The Good Wife

NCIS: Los Angeles

The Modern Family
White Collar 

Best Movies:

An Education

(500) Days of Summer

Adventureland

The Hangover

New Moon

Where the Wild Things Are

Avatar

Inglorious Basterds

Up 

Worst Movies:

All About Steve

The Last House on the Left

The Box

Best Songs:

Phoenix- "1901"

Gossip-" Heavy Cross"

Owl City-" Fireflies"

Jay Z & Alicia Keys- "Empire State of Mind"

Shakira " She Wolf"

Death Cab For Cutie- " Meet Me on the Equinox"

Passion Pit- " The Reeling"

Best Moments:

Slumdog Millionaire wins 8 Oscars including Best Picture

Taylor Swift gets 8 nominations at the Grammy's

Twitter dominates the Internet with the help of celebrities

Susan Boyle

Harry Potter and New Moon dominates the box office
The series finale of Monk 
Drop Dead Diva

Worst Moments:

Kanye West Ruins Taylor Swift's moment at the MTV VMA's

Jon and  Kate Gosselin's very public divorce battle

Tiger Woods sex scandal

MTV's Jersey Shore

Rihanna and Chris Brown debacle

Christian Bale incident

In Memoriam:

Film:

Natasha Richardson

David Carradine

Ron Silver

Patrick Swayze

John Hughes

Music:

Michael Jackson

Les Paul

Mary Travers

Journalism:

Walter Kronkite

Don Hewitt

TV:

Ed McMahon

Farrah Fawcett

Dom DeLuise
Eartha Kitt

Bea Arthur

Ricardo Montalban 

Books:

John Updike

Frank McCourt

E.Lynn Harris

Dominick Dunne

Other Moments:

Oprah announces 2011 will be the end for her show

Paula Abdul says goodbye

Ellen DeGeneres replaces Paul on American Idol

Adam Lambert's infamous American Music Awards performance

Jay Leno steps down from The Tonight Show and Conan O'Brien steps in

David Letterman Scandal

Breakout Stars:

Carey Mulligan

Chris Pine

Lea Michele

Taylor Lautner

Sam Worthington
Matt Bomer
Katie Cassidy 

Top Entertainers:

Lady GaGa

Taylor Swift

The cast of Glee

The cast of True Blood

Meryl Streep

The cast of Mad Men

Zooey Deschanel

Joseph Gordon-Levitt

Max Records

I have been waiting to see some type of trailer for "Sex and the City 2" and I have to say I am very excited and curious on what's going on with the fab 4. The film takes place two years after from the first one, so you can imagine a lot has been going on for them. The trailer just implies so much adventure and new things that are out of this world. I will just say this: a desert in probably in the Middle East some where is involved. The film comes out on May 28, 2010 and you can check out the trailer at yahoo.com at this link : http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1810111276/video/17281908

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I just wanted to wish everyone a joyous and wonderful holiday this week. This is one of my favorite times of the year, so it means a lot to me. There are many films out there dedicated to the holidays that you can enjoy with your family tomorrow. Some include: "It's A Wonderful Life", " A Christmas Story" and "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation." So from the bottom of my heart, be merry and be safe tomorrow on your festivities.

Lauren

Steven Tyler made an statement yesterday confirming that he entered rehab for his painkiller addiction. In that statement that he hopes to join the band quickly after dealing with his treatment. Tyler suffered  a broken shoulder after falling off stage at a South Dakota forcing the band to cancel their summer tour with ZZ Top. The rumors of him wanting to leave Aerosmith  surfaced when he was going through physical therapy. Tyler clears those rumors with an interview with Rolling Stone magazine expressing that he will continue to make music once his deals with his rehabilitation. I just want to send my gratitude to him and his family on this situation. I am also glad that it was just only rumors on him leaving Aerosmith and I can not wait for what's to come from Aerosmith.For that interview, just check out this link: http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2009/12/22/aerosmiths-steven-tyler-enters-rehab-vows-to-stay-in-band/

Remaking classic and well known film seems to be recurring again as the  hottest thing in the film industry right now. "The Last House on the Left", "The Step Father", Friday the 13th" and "Fame" are just the tip of the ice berg of the wave of remakes that will be coming out soon in the future. "Nightmare on Elm Street" is being remade as " A Nightmare on Elm Street" which chronicles how Freddy became the Freddy Kruger. The original is definitely a classic horror movie that I hope won't be destroyed with the new version. Johnny Depp as you should know was in the original and the new version stars Rooney Mara, Katie Cassidy, and Kellan Lutz.  Jackie Earle Haley (Watchmen, Little Children) is taking over the iconic role that Robert Englund played. I have nothing against Haley because I adore him in his movies,  but I was sad that Robert Englund wasn't going back as Freddy.

"The Karate Kid" is also being remade as well with Will Smith's adorable son, Jaden Smith is the new Ralph Macchio and Jackie Chan as his mentor. This version is interesting since it's taking place in China. The trailer is pretty decent and I feel this one is more for the children based. Also Sam Worthington (Terminator Salvation, Avatar) is going to be playing Perseus in the "Clash of the Titans" remake and was just confirmed today that he is going to be in the "Flash Gordon" remake as well. I'm pretty excited about the "Flash Gordon" remake. I really love that movie despite the setbacks the 80's had. I definitely feel more remakes are going to be springing on us like hot cakes in the future. I guess adaptations are taking a breather for once.

As we say goodbye to 2009, I will have a special post giving a time line to things that I thought were important in entertainment. There will probably certain exceptions since my blog is not a gossip based site. This is one of the many of the future features for "Reel Access." I want to keep you guys posted on things on my opinions of what's not being talked about in the industry and my personal opinions as well. Once again, I would like for you to share your input and email me what you feel is important as well. The yearly review is one of the many things that will hopefully make my blog good. So please don't hold back on the feedback. I will definitely try to post daily, due to my work schedule and school.

I am off for a whole month and this will be very possible to give you as much content as possible. With that being said. Thank you.

Lauren

Right now I am lost for words on the sudden and unexpected death of actress, Brittany Murphy. I did not get the news of her death later into the today at my job where my manager told us. I am completely shocked because I am a fan of her movies. "Clueless" being one of them is my all time favorite movie featuring Brittany. The details of her death are very unclear, but they are saying that she died from natural causes this morning at 10 a.m. in Pacific time.

There is so many factors that could be into play into Murphy's death. From my opinion, she looked as she was losing a lot of weight and that could be a reason as well. Brittany was a fine actress and I loved her movies very much. I did not know her personally, but you can just tell that she had a bubbly and great personality. She looked like someone you would want to hang and be around with.

My condolences goes out to Brittany's family, friends and her husband. Once again, I am truly saddened by this sudden lost of a great actress. Once again we lost one creative life too soon and she will continue to live on in the movies and other projects that she was involved in.

This weekend box office's top spot went to anticipated Disney's "The Princess and the Frog." The movie ended up making only $25 million, which I was a little bit disappointed about to tell you the truth. My reasons for that are completely society and demand reasons. This is Disney's first ever African American based film, which is not a common thing in the land of Disney. In the history of princesses have been dominantly Caucasian, with the exception to Aladdin's Princess Jasmine, whom is Muslim. We have come a long way and I felt that it would not probably be an issue for people.

This is my opinion, but I feel that reasons for the low numbers is that many people can not relate when it comes to anything related to African Americans. A huge chunk of entertainment shows, music, movies, etc are by Caucasian decent. I have no problem with that, but there needs to be a change in everything that is being done right now in entertainment.  What I mean is that create more things that younger children particularly can relate to. Like I mentioned before in a previous post that I did not grew up with all these historic things that are happening now. I hope that will the low numbers in gross sales, that it won't discourage Disney to continue by making more movies with not only an African American princess, but for all ethnic backgrounds.

 

Saturday's episode of Saturday Night  Live was by far one the funniest episodes I have ever seen. Taylor Lautner  was pretty awesome on hosting the show. The skit that I loved the most was Taylor poking fun at "Twilight" by being a teenage girl rooting for Edward. It was so funny to see Taylor calling Jacob a wet dog. LOL. That was completely classic in my eyes on all levels. He even poked on himself by arguing that the actor who plays Jacob should deserve an Oscar. Overall the show was extremely funny and definitely proves that Taylor is going to be a mega successful actor after the "Twilight" saga. While watching him, I really truly see the potential in him. I'm not just saying that because I'm a huge fan, but as a critic as well. I really do hope that  people give Taylor a break and gets roles that he is truly worthy of.

So far the plans for "Breaking Dawn", the final installment to the "Twilight" saga are pretty much hush hush right now. There is nothing!!! No director!!! Nothing!!! Just like the millions of "Twi-hards" are scared out of our minds because "Breaking Dawn" is a very crucial book to the series and it can not be destroyed at any costs what so ever. I don't want to give any information about the story, but I will say that it has a lot to do with physical contact and a lot of CGI for this film. Due to the sexual contact parts and other graphic elements the Rated R rating is very much needed. A lot of "Twi-hards" are hoping for that rating because most of the crucial elements of the novel will not be changed for a PG-13 movie. Also " Breaking Dawn" may be filmed in two parts because the novel is told not only in Bella's point of view, but the other half is also in Jacob's point of view. So that's going to be a little bit tricky to do as well.

That would really kill the vibe and essence of "Breaking Dawn" to tell you the truth. I am hoping that it will be Rated R because I want to see everything in the film. When comes down to the director, that is pretty difficult because "BD" needs someone that is familiar with CGI. Would that mean that Chris Weitz will be back to direct both parts if that is going to be the case? I heard that Gus Van Zant was in talks to direct "Breaking Dawn", so I'm not sure what's going on with that scenario. All I know is that "Eclipse" as we speak are in the editing process and is ready to be released on June 30, 2010. So solution to "Breaking Dawn" will have to be settled soon.  Author Stephenie Meyer also stated her concerns as well for the book.I just hope Summit Entertainment make wise and careful choices when it comes to the final film.

Even though I was born in 1986, I still wished that the events on December 8th, 1980 never happened to the you the truth. Today marks the 29th death anniversary of musician and peace activist, John Lennon. I am big Beatles fan and I just wish had the chance to exprience not only what the group did for music, but the impact that they had on people. Mark David Chapman shot Lennon in the back four times in the entrance of the Dakota apartment building. Earlier that evening, Lennon had autographed a copy of Double Fantasy for Chapman who had been stalking Lennon since October.

Every year a memorial services are continuous in all over the world to celebrate what John Lennon's life and what he brought to the world. I, sometimes imagine what if things were different that night. What if he left an earlier time or that he bodyguards. How would music and the world be like with John Lennon still among us? I know for sure that Lennon would do everything is his power to help third world countries and continue to prevent hunger and poverty. I can see him along with Bono and other celebrities just pushing that message on.  That is something I prayed was happening now. We may never know what it would have been like to still have John Lennon around.

All I know that he left a great legacy with Sean and Yoko continues to push John's love to the world through everything he has done. So today, just "imagine" what could have been instead of mourning the lost of John Lennon.

Twilight hottie, Kellan Lutz was on Jimmy Kimmel last night just talking about Twilight and other things that had happen in his life. It was cool to listen to him talk about his experience in South Africa while he was shooting the HBO television series, "Generation Kill." He revealed that he and his co-stars were arrested pretty much everyday in Maputo, Mozambique. He also revealed that they bribed the officers with money so they won't be put in jail. I don't want to give away too much because it was a really funny interview. You can check it out here at http://abc.go.com/watch/jimmy-kimmel-live/93521/242783/jimmy-kimmel-live-121 to watch the entire Kellan interview.

So far in the year 2009, as not only Americans, but the world has seen some remarkable historical events take place. Barack Obama is the first African-American president, which gives hope and inspiration that we can also see other ethnic backgrounds taking charge of the White House. Along with President Obama, comes a serious and exciting change in Disney in which they finally debut their first African-American princess named Tiana played by Anika Noni Rose from "Dream Girls."

As an African- American, I am excited beyond belief that finally their is a face that can be a part of other Disney princesses such as Ariel, Belle, Snow White, Cinderella, Jasmine and Sleeping Beauty. In a time and age, where the color of skin is a somewhat small problem, it's great to give younger children a place and comfort in the things that they watch. I have a younger sister, who is seven and she knows the date (December 11th)  of when "The Princess and the Frog" comes out. For a girl that age she is very lucky because I did not have the chance to see and experience seeing a familiar face in cartoons.

I am hoping that not only African-Americans take their children to see this movie, but other races as well to support and understand this change that is occurring in Disney. I hope this movie teaches people of self-love and appreciation to all the colors God has created on Earth. I will definitely go and see this movie.