Today marks the official opening of the latest James Bond film, SPECTRE, in the United States. This 24th installment in the official Bond series has been widely anticipated for months now. U.K. box office records have been smashed with the opening of SPECTRE, and I have high hopes for a very strong performance after following up from Skyfall being a massive hit in 2012. Daniel Craig dons the tux for the fourth times as 007 and I cannot wait to see this movie. As I mentioned previously in our fall round table, this is the second most anticipated film of the year for me, just behind Star Wars: The Force Awakens. If you haven’t already, go back and check out my post on SPECTRE and why I cannot wait for this movie here.

Before I see this movie, probably multiple times in the next few weeks if it is half as good as the trailer seems to be, I wanted to share some of my wishes for this James Bond movie.

SPECTRE is the classic organization featured in Ian Fleming’s original stories as well as most of the Sean Connery era Bond flicks. I hope they reintroduce this group of baddies in a fresh way, but still paying homage to the Bond films of the 60s and early 70s.

To take this one step further, I’d love to learn the connection between SPECTRE and Quantum, and I’m sure Mr. White is somehow involved.

Bring Blofeld back! It doesn’t have to be the Oberhauser character that Christoph Waltz is playing, but I do want to see the return of the criminal mastermind in this or Bond 25 in a couple years.

I need to see a classic M/Q/Moneypenny scene in and around M’s office with the double red quilted leather doors. Ralph Fiennes as M needs to go back to treating Bond like Bernard Lee did back in the beginning. He acts as a scolding father figure who always has his agent’s best interest at heart, but never loses sight of the mission.

A return to the gun barrel opening with Daniel Craig as Bond would be amazing! This is just one of the quintessential Bond elements I would love to see in SPECTRE.

Another element I’ve been missing is a great action skiing scene reminiscent of On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, The Spy Who Loved Me, For Your Eyes Only, and The World Is Not Enough. Maybe we can skip the cheesiness of the snowboarding to the Beach Boys’ California Girls in A View to a Kill.

Speaking of music, I’d love to hear more of the James Bond theme used properly at dramatic or action filled moments.

Lastly, I would adore a return to some of the fun, quippy one liners that we got with Sean Connery and Roger Moore. I understand this has been a reboot and was going for a darker tone, but just throw me a couple fun moments and I’d be a very happy Bond girl.

Are you planning on seeing SPECTRE this weekend? Are you one of the lucky ones overseas who has already been to see this new Bond film? What are you most looking forward to?

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I have found a new love in my life, and it is a tv show called Jane the Virgin. This fantastically quirky, heartfelt, and humorous show debuted on the CW in 2014 and just started its sophomore season a few weeks ago.

Gina Rodriguez plays the title character whose full name is not really Jane the Virgin, but Jane Gloriana Villanueva. Jane is 23 when we first meet her, and despite the fact she’s in a two year committed relationship with her boyfriend, Michael, she is still a virgin. This is almost completely due to the influence of Jane’s abuela (grandmother), Alba, who Jane lives with, along with Jane’s mother Xiomara. Alba is originally from Venezuela and is a devout Catholic. Xiomara had Jane when she was only sixteen, so it is Alba’s mission to protect Jane’s virtue and to not let Jane follow her mother’s path.

The show is set in Miami and is so delightful with the cast of characters. The best way I have come up with to describe this fantastic show is a wonderful combination of the Gilmore Girls, a Mexican telenovela (soap opera), and the magical realism of author Gabriel Garcia Marquez, infused with the hallucinations of Ally McBeal. For Gilmore Girls fans, there are many similarities between Jane and Rory, and Xiomara is a much looser interpretation of Lorelai. Jane is hardworking, determined, goal oriented, and loves her family. She also longs to know her father, but Xiomara lied to Jane telling her he was a soldier on leave. In reality, Jane’s father was Xiomara’s high school love, Rogelio de la Vega, who turns out to now be a megastar on the Villanueva family’s favorite telenovela, The Passions of Santos.

The premise of Jane the Virgin is tricky, but I’ll try to explain in the least complicated way I can. It is a soap after all, complete with a narrator and captions on the screen. Jane lives at home with her mom and grandma, is in a loving relationship with Michael, is finishing up her undergraduate degree in education with hopes of becoming a teacher. To help pay her way through school, Jane works as a waitress at an upscale hotel on South Beach called the Marbella.

Here is where it starts to get complicated. Jane the Virgin works for the super hot young hotel owner, Rafael Solano, with whom she had shared a kiss five years prior when she was a waitress at the country club where he belonged. Rafael is married to Petra, who wants to have his baby to save their troubled marriage. He previously had cancer, but is now in remission, so Rafael had saved some sperm prior to his chemo with hopes of eventually having a child with Petra after she miscarried a few years earlier.

Petra is now taking Rafael’s sample to her ob/gyn to be artificially inseminated, without his knowledge. It so happens that Jane is at the same doctor for her annual exam. The doctor also coincidentally is Rafael’s half-sister Luisa, who is very upset, having found her wife cheating on her the night before. Even though her nurse tells Luisa correctly that she has an insemination in one room and an exam in the other, Luisa mixes up the rooms and goes into Jane the Virgin’s room. Luisa asks the exhausted and partially sleeping Jane if she’s ready for her insemination and Jane pulls a “what? yeah” out. So Jane is accidentally inseminated with her boss Rafael’s specimen, then Luisa enters the second room to find Petra there waiting to be inseminated. Did I mention this was also Rafael’s only remaining sample?

As you can imagine, hilarity, and a good bit of drama ensues once it is discovered that Jane the Virgin is pregnant with the baby her boss’ wife was trying to surprise him with and it was his half-sister that caused the mix up. Many soap opera tropes appear like hidden identities, twin swapping, unknown parentage, affairs, and of course murder.

Having said all of this, Jane the Virgin is one of the funniest and most lighthearted shows I’ve seen. I highly recommend you check it out. The first season is streaming on Netflix and available on dvd, and the first four episodes of this season are still streaming online at the CW. Jane is one of my favorite characters on tv ever. She is intelligent, independent, loving, and hilarious. Go watch Jane the Virgin now and I bet you’ll fall in love too!

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Recently Disneyland announced they’d be adding a new meal experience at the Jungle Cruise in Adventureland. This Jungle Cruise breakfast goes for $300. per guest (including tax and gratuity) and also includes the chance to helm one of the Jungle Cruise boats while reciting skippers’ lines. Also, as a souvenir, guests will receive a tiki mask reminiscent of those seen on the ride. The Jungle Cruise Sunrise Safari Breakfast will be served in the African section of the attraction, and will take place on select days between September 21 and December 2, 2015.

This got me thinking, what if we had this here at Walt Disney World, but not in the Jungle Cruise? Where would I like to have the meal, and what themed souvenir would I pair with it?

In the Magic Kingdom, I’d like a dinner in the Carousel of Progress Christmas scene. I know this may not be particularly original since there’s already a dining room table and kitchen there, but I think it would be fun. As a take home souvenir, I’d like one of the Mickey Mouse nutcrackers from the mantle of the living room.

At Epcot I think I’d most enjoy a meal in the Living with the Land attraction. I’d want to set up right near the pretty little waterfall just across the water so I could enjoy the view while having a meal featuring foods from the Land. I think it would be cool to get a ceramic replica of the Mickey pumpkins they grow, along with the plastic mold and pumpkin seeds.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios presents a bit more of a challenge. I’ve both been to dinners in attractions and known friends who have been to meals in others. I would love to eat in the Great Movie Ride, but I know that’s a real thing, so I don’t want to cop out. I will go with one of the best themed Disney attractions anywhere, the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. I think it would be amazing to have an outdoor meal on the terrace part of the extended outdoor queue, or in the ballroom that we don’t see other than the door as you exit the ride into the gift shop. For a souvenir from the Hollywood Tower Hotel, I’d love a plate setting maybe minus the silverware.

Even though it is open to the elements, at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, I would select a nice alfresco meal in the Maharajah Jungle Trek between the tiger enclosures. Like one of my favorite restaurants, Sanaa, this would offer a fantastic view of the animals. I believe a replica of one of the beautiful bird cages along the trek would make a great souvenir. There’s a bright red and gold one I’d particularly fancy.

If you were to choose to have a meal in a Walt Disney World attraction, other than the Jungle Cruise since we are getting the new Skipper Canteen later this year, what would you pick? What would your souvenir be? Are you doing the meal in Disneyland? If so, please let us know.

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SPECTRE … the Special Executive for Counter-Intelligence Terrorism Revenge and Extortion. A cooler name for a criminal organization cannot be found. It made its first appearance on film back in Dr. No in 1962, and SPECTRE is the title of the newest and 24th official James Bond film.

 

5.) The new tv trailer that dropped Tuesday night during the NBA finals looks incredible! It has enough action to whet any 007 fan’s appetite for SPECTRE. Cars, explosions, gun battles, girls, Daniel Craig saying, “Bond, James Bond.” Full of win!

http://www.007.com/first-spectre-tv-spot/

4.) Daniel Craig looks like a complete badass and the ultimate spy in the SPECTRE teaser poster.

3.) Christoph Waltz, an amazing Oscar winning actor, and Dave Bautista, WWE star who played the fantastic role of Drax the Destroyer in Guardians of the Galaxy, are both playing baddies in SPECTRE. These guys are both intimidating in completely different respects, so it will be very interesting to see how they both fight Bond.

2.) SPECTRE, the organization, is back for the first time in decades now that the legal brouhaha has been resolved between EON Productions and Kevin McClory. It has been since Sean Connery’s appearance in Diamonds Are Forever in 1971 that we last saw SPECTRE in any official form. A character looking much like Ernst Stavro Blofeld, who couldn’t be credited as such due to the aforementioned lawsuit, was seen briefly at the beginning of For Your Eyes Only with Roger Moore as Bond in 1981. SPECTRE dominated the early Bond films, featuring prominently in six of the seven first official 007 films from Dr. No to Diamonds Are Forever, with the exception of Goldfinger in 1964.

1.) The ring is back!!! The SPECTRE logo ring made me literally scream out loud with joy when I saw a quick glimpse of it in the teaser trailer that was released in March. November 6th is so close, yet so far away!

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With the Tony Awards coming up in just a couple of months, I thought I’d start a new series of posts about musicals to gear up for the awards ceremony. You may have seen me mention in the past my love of musical theater. I performed some as a kid in school and camp, but never anything serious. I have always had a love of Broadway and show tunes and wanted to share some of my favorites on film.

A while back I was having a discussion across multiple social media platforms about what are some of people’s favorite movie musicals. I thought I’d compile a listing of my collection of movie adaptations of musicals that I own on DVD and Blu Ray to start. To try to keep this list from being never-ending, I will exclude things like Disney animated films, and focus on the more traditional incarnations of movie musical and shows.

1776 – This 70s classic about the founding of America, and specifically the writing of the Declaration of Independence, was a staple in school history class for me. Favorite songs: But, Mr. Adams and Sit Down, John

Annie – I have both the 1982 Aileen Quinn version I grew up with, and the 1999 Disney/ABC remake of the story of the lovable orphan. Favorite songs: Maybe, It’s A Hard Knock Life, and You’re Never Fully Dressed Without A Smile

Chicago – The 2002 film about murderesses during the Jazz Age has some seriously catchy tunes. I especially enjoy Queen Latifah as Mama Morton. Favorite songs: Cell Block Tango, All That Jazz, and Razzle Dazzle

Grease – This is 1978 classic first entered my life in second grade when the fifth graders at my elementary school performed We Go Together at the school concert. I have seen this movie literally dozens upon dozens of times. You may say I’m hopelessly devoted to it. Favorite songs: We Go Together, Look at Me, I’m Sandra Dee, Summer Nights, and You’re the One That I Want

Les Miserables – I was first intrigued by the 2012 version when I heard about how the singing was being recorded for this film on set with music as opposed to in a studio. Throw in Hugh Jackman, and Samantha Barks and her amazing performance and I was sold, despite Russell Crowe’s singing. Favorite songs: Master of the House and On My Own

Mamma Mia! – Gorgeous setting in the Greek Isles, Christine Baranski, and ABBA? This was a no brainer for me. I remember laughing incessantly the first time I saw this musical, and on subsequent viewings with friends and family, despite Pierce Brosnan’s singing. Favorite songs: Dancing Queen, Chiquitita, and Take A Chance On Me

Moulin Rouge! – This tale of love in turn of the 19th into 20th century Paris was not adapted from an existing stage show before being made into a movie musical. I will say that I hesitated to include it because it doesn’t consist of original songs, but rather regurgitates (albeit in often very unique ways) familiar songs with a twist. Favorite songs: Elephant Love Medley, Complainte de la Butte, and Sparkling Diamonds

The Music Man – Although I’ve seen and enjoy the Matthew Broderick version of this musical, I tend to favor the original Robert Preston film from 1962 with Shirley Jones, despite the song Shipoopi existing. Favorite songs: Lida Rose, Marian the Librarian, and Pick-a-Little, Talk-a-Little

My Fair Lady – I remember seeing a high school performance of this while in middle school and falling in love with it before I saw the film. Then I fell deeper in love with Audrey Hepburn’s charming portrayal of Eliza Doolittle. Favorite songs: Wouldn’t It Be Loverly, I Could Have Danced All Night, and On the Street Where You Live

Newsies – Despite my friends Traci and Carrie professing their love for this movie musical throughout middle and high school, I am ashamed to say I didn’t actually see this movie until about three and a half years ago when our friends at the Disney Film Project Podcast covered it in one of their episodes. This is an instance of the film as the predecessor to the hit Broadway musical, but I’m including it. Favorite songs: Carrying the Banner, Seize the Day, and King of New York

The Phantom of the Opera – Quite possibly the quintessential example of musical theater, this classic from Andrew Lloyd Webber was made into a rather enjoyable film adaptation. Emmy Rossum stars and shines brightly, despite Gerard Butler’s tendency to overly growl through his songs. Favorite songs: Think of Me, All I Ask of You, and Masquerade

The Rocky Horror Picture Show – Even though I was admittedly introduced to this too early at the age of 12, it remains a favorite musical of mine and a cult classic for 40 years now. Second Tim Curry appearance on the list. 😉 Favorite songs: Dammit Janet, The Time Warp, and Sweet Transvestite

Singin’ in the Rain – What can I say? They just don’t make stars like Gene Kelly anymore it seems. He was a triple threat who could sing, act, and dance, but still be masculine and a great romantic lead. This story of the transition from silent films to talkies is definitely towards the top of my list of the best of the best movie musicals. Favorite songs: Singin’ in the Rain, Good Morning, and Make ‘Em Laugh

The Sound of Music – I don’t know if there’s a way to improve on this musical, other than maybe make the Baroness Elsa Schrader less scheming, but it’s fun to hate her. Julie Andrews is practically perfect in every way. 😉 Favorite songs: Sixteen Going on Seventeen, My Favorite Things, Do-Re-Mi, Edelweiss, So Long, Farewell, and Something Good

West Side Story – Remake Romeo and Juliet and set it in the early 1960s on the West Side of New York and you’ve got the Jets vs. the Sharks instead of the Montagues and Capulets. The musical is no less tragic, but beautiful with moments of levity. Favorite songs: Tonight, I Feel Pretty, Somewhere, and America

White Christmas – I remember singing along to so many of these songs on repeat viewings even well outside the regular Christmas season. Favorite songs: Sisters, The Best Things Happen When You’re Dancing, Snow, Love, You Didn’t Do Right By Me, and Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep

Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory – Although the tunnel scene used to scare the living daylights out of me, I will gladly stop and watch this movie musical almost any time I find it on tv. Favorite songs: The Candy Man Can, Cheer Up, Charlie, I’ve Got a Golden Ticket, and I Want It Now

The Wizard of Oz – From what is arguably the best year in film history, this 1939 classic musical even spawned one of the most interesting sci-fi films in my collection (Zardoz – see this film if for nothing else than Sean Connery running around in the equivalent of a red cloth diaper and red suspenders). Favorite songs: Over the Rainbow, If I Only Had a Brain, and We’re Off to See the Wizard

 

Did I miss any of your favorite movie musicals? I know there are dozens more out there, but these are just some of my favorites that I like enough to go out and buy. I will continue my musicals series by talking about some of my favorite shows I’ve seen on stage. All images courtesy of IMDb.com.

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