I have heard nothing but good things about the book “The Hunger Games” written by already widely loved author Suzanne Collins of the adult Underland Chronicles. But it wasn’t until I got the recommendation from a good friend of mine in a book group that I attend every month that I finally decided to pick up the first book.

Considering that I’m short on money and have been in the middle of the series “A Song of Ice and Fire” by George R.R. Martin for months now, I shouldn’t have even thought about starting a new book….but I was kinda tired of tons of people recommending it to me. Like they knew something that I didn’t. And they were right.

It didn’t take long for me to fall in love with these books. In fact, it only took one chapter. I thoroughly enjoy post apocalyptic stories when I come across the good ones. Like the Uglies Trilogy by Scott Westerfield, who is one of the best young adult authors out there today, and I’m sure, gonna be seeing his best selling trilogy into some movies very soon. But The Hunger Games is very different from any others that I have read. Although still classified as science fiction/fantasy…it is more real and authentic than most.

From the beginning, we wonder how a government could have possibly degraded to this. A world much like what is presented in Children of Men, where there are more forbidding laws than freedoms. And a President that invents something so barbaric as The Hunger Games. In short, 74 years ago there was an uprising in the 13 Districts of the country Panem, which lies in what we know as North America. Led by District 13, the government was just barely able to subdue its citizens, and blew District 13 to kingdom come. A Treaty was forged and agreed to, seeing as the remaining Districts had no choice. That Treaty inducting something called The Hunger Games. An event that would happen once a year. Each District has to give up one boy and one girl through a lottery of 12 to 18 year olds to the Games, called Tributes. These 24 tributes battle to the death in an arena that can hold amount of environment challenges and dangers on live TV.

However disgusted I was as a reader, it kept me reading. Reading these books frightened me as well…because it’s not that hard for me to see our government especially, becoming what is the ruling body of Panem in this trilogy. It is a dreadful use of fear mongering power. It is makes you root for the main characters even more.

No matter how intriguing the story was, the real thing that kept me wanting more was the protagonist: Katniss Everdeen. She is walking sarcasm, much like myself, and it took almost nothing for me love and root for her. She was a 16 year old girl, half starved and taking care of her family, with everything going against her. And now, being marched off to certain death as the next female tribute for District 12 in the 74th Hunger Games.

And as young adult novels, I was a little surprised with how graphic it was. I’m not talking about blood pouring all over the place, but if you do not like violence, I wouldn’t read these books. Already the premise is enough for people to veer away from them simply because of how authentic they are. And that is the wonderful thing about them. The story is so real and so authentic, that it scares the reader to death. It is simply not difficult to imagine this as a possible future.

 But, other than that fact, Suzanne Collins is just a terrific writer. I have known about her adult books for some time, but like Rick Riordan, there is just something about an adult author becoming so much better when they write in young adult books. It’s kinda crazy how that happens, but it doesn’t really surprise me. The world has become obsessed with the genre of young adult series, especially that are fantasy. Most of the books that I have read in probably the past 8 years have been from this section, young adult fantasy. And all of my favorite books of all time are in that catergory except for the very top 2, which are adult fantasy. There really is something about this genre that is just so genius. Even though they are written for teens, if written well, and I mean to specifically exclude the Twilight Series, the genre is written for teens and above. Just how Harry Potter is a book for all ages. There are things in young adult fantasy for everyone 12 and up. Now, I wouldn’t let a child younger than that read some of the books I have read from the genre, but most would be okay.

The Hunger Games is a perfect example. I would say it is a good book for everyone over 12 and under because it can be a little violent. Now, if your kids are used to that kind of stuff at a young age, like I was watching rated R movies by the time I was about 7 0r 8 years old, then fine. And in most cases, many books in this genre, like The Hunger Games, raise issues not just about the main story line, but issues that are relevant in the rest of the world. Political, social and environmental just to name a few. And in The Hunger Games, there are plenty of controversies to sink your teeth into, which means there is plenty to talk about.

First, the political situation in these stories is horrid. I certainly wouldn’t want to live in any of the 12 Districts. Not even in the Capitol. In fact, I wouldn’t want to live in this possible future at all. That’s how scary it, wondering every year from 12 to 18 if it would be my turn to die for the sick entertainment of the Capitol, and act as a slave for the government. Which is really the whole argument behind this story. Is how the government runs thing, right? Even if it keeps the peace? There are definitely arugments for both sides. Now, because the story is told in point of view of Katniss, we are of course on her side of the issue. It’s hard not to be. But, as an intelligent reader, it would be hard not to at least, understand why the government began to run things this way to begin with, even if it was a punishment.

This story, more than anything, plays on the ideas of free will. We, as human beings, have the right to our own free will. That’s what we are taught as Americans, even if many other countries in the world do not believe, or many religions. But for the sake that this book is written by an American author, let’s stick to that. We have the right of free will. And the government in The Hunger Games, has two faces. One, that it shows the public, and another, that only the smartest of the Districts can truly understand, like Katniss and her allies. The actual Games are a wayof punishment, to remind the Districts who is in charge. I reminder of who is more powerful, and we can get away with anything we want. And in reality, they can. With the first two books of the trilogy, the government does all it can to make Katniss what they want, even with the constant subtlty of her rebellion.

That’s how the rebellion beings in “Catching Fire”, book 2. Katniss is a natural rebel, not realizing at times what exactly she has done to make the people of the Districts look to her as a savior and banner for freedom. And with the constant war going on in her head on who to turn to and which road to take, she never goes against her ideals. That is a real hero. She has principals and beliefs that she refuses to go against, no matter what the government sends her way.

Whether you enjoy this genre or not, this trilogy has something that appeals to everyone. Great characters, fascinating story line, or just great issues to talk about. if anything, reading these books will make you moreof a patriot than ever. It will give you the urge to stand up and believe in something. It is these feelings, that makes Suzanne Collins such a great writer, because only great writers can envoke such powerful feelings.

I can’t wait for the movie and the last book of the series.

LOL, and it makes you either Team Gale or Team Peeta. LOL

I loved the Academy Awards last night, more than I have in a long time. For the first time in many years, there were no politics. All the oscars that were given were based on the performance and quality. But let’s start at the beginning…

I was very surprised to see so much color on the red carpet this year. And I mean color. Lots of blues, some reds, a bit of orange and a lot of silvers and golds.  All in all, almost everything was bright. But hands down, my favorite dress of the evening goes surprisingly to Kristen Stewart. I have never seen her look so beautiful on the red carpet before. Her strapless midnight blue, or black as it looked on TV, gown was simply gorgeous on her. The drapery was perfect for her shape and her hair in a classic updo with no big time overdo on the jewelry. Simple and elegant. She really does have a natural elegance when she does it right. I think a very close second was Queen Latifah. Once again, she has never looked so gorgeous on the red carpet. The light pink was perfect for her skin tone and the silver, diamond straps crossed her torso were placed just right, showing all the right angles.

I wasn’t so thrilled with Zoe Saldana’s dress, and a little disappointed actually. I love the top half, but once it got furry on the way down, it was over. Although I don’t think she would ever have a problem rocking a big dress like that, it just wasn’t a very well designed big dress. And although I loved the dress Vera Farmiga was wearing, it was too much dress for her as well. That kind of dress belongs on the runway, left for supermodels to work, not actors.

I was pleasantly surprised to see Niel Patrick Harris and his opening number. But I loved it, even if it seemed a little misplaced. But that’s probably because I love NPH a little too much. LOL. I was never quite sure how the dual hosts would work out with Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin. I was even surprised at how much I laughed at their opening number. I guess, if they got two people that could work well off each other, then it would work. I should have figured Martin and Baldwin would be able to pull it off. Although there may have been too many of them, their references to Meryl Streep were all hilarious. But I think the best of all their jokes they pulled off right at the beginning, with Christoph Waltz, refering to his character Colonel Landa, the Jew Hunter in “Inglorious Basterds”. “Well, Christoph,” Martin motioned to the audience, “the motherload.” LOL.

Speaking of Christoph Waltz, I was very excited to see him win Best Supporting Actor. Not even can stand Tarintino movies, including my mother. She started watching it with me, and walked away within the first 15 mintues, which I thought were absolutely brilliant. There are only so many actors that can pull off an opening scene like that, and completely understand Tarintino when he said he would never be able to do this movie without an amazing actor that can do Col. Landa. But an actor with the talents of Christoph Waltz, anything is possible.

Which brings me to the awesomeness that is Mo’Nique. LOL. Although I have yet to see “Precious”, I have seen enough of her performance from clips and sneek peaks to know that she deserved to be a nominee and I’m sure, deserved the oscar. Other than Kathryne Bigelow, I enjoyed her acceptance speech the most. “To my amazing husband Sidney, thank you for showing me that sometimes you have to forego doing what’s popular in order to do what’s right.” He couldn’t be more right about that.

For someone who wants to be a screenwriter one day, I was very happy how the Screenwriting awards turned out. I knew I wanted Mark Boal to win Original Screenplay, but was even happier finding out it was his first script, that he was so young, and used to be a journalist. It’s impressive once again to see such an new writer in the business win an oscar, and it was the third year in a row. Diablo Cody won for “Juno” and Dustin Lance Black won for “Milk”. Although he had written for TV before, “Milk” was his first feature film. It was also nice to hear all the acceptance speeches from “The Hurt Locker” winners include a dedication to all the soliders in the military.

Although I’m sure Jeff Bridges deserved the award for “Crazy Heart”, but I really wanted Jeremy Renner to win for “The Hurt Locker”. I have been a fan of his for a long time, and I hope this film and being nominated for this movie gets him more work and into more quality films that can make it to the Oscars again. I loved the introductions that were given by past or current co-stars of both the Leading Actors awards. When Oprah was talking about Gabby Sidibe, it had to be one of the best moments of the night. Her owns tears almost drove me to tears. And Colin Farrell’s friendly badgering of Jeremy Renner, co-stars years ago in “S.W.A.T.” was one of my other favorites.

Everyone knew Sandra Bullock was going to win for her role in “The Blind Side”. I knew it too, no matter how much I would have loved to have seen Gabby Sidibe win for “Precious”. I guess I was just a little spoiled with some of the shocking results of last year’s acting awards. Sean Penn winning for “Milk” when everyone expected Mickey Rourke to win for “The Wrestler” was probably the best moment of the night. He was so beyond honest in that moment, shock still written all over his face and his hands trembling. And it wouldn’t have been a Sandra acceptance speech without her friendly banter. LOL.

Then the two awards that everyone has been talking about all awards season. Best Director and Best Picture. Although I have been rooting for “The Hurt Locker” all along, I really didn’t think they would take both awards. I assumed, as has happened in oscar history before, that the awards would be split. I thought Cameron would take Best Director and “The Hurt Locker” would take Best Picture. I am so glad that I was wrong. As a hopeful future filmmaker that is a woman, I am very proud that the first woman to win an oscar for directing was Kathryne Bigelow. There truly is no one better. I can’t imagine being her, not even off stage for five minutes before Tom Hanks annouces that “The Hurt Locker” also wins Best Picture. LOL. I wouldn’t be able to wrap my head around it.

As for “Avatar” not winning the best prize, I believe that the Academy did right in giving the award to “The Hurt Locker”. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not in it for the political reasons, although I do believe that there are many smaller independent films that are far and above many mainstream films that are nominated for Best Picture every year. I was a very happy movie fan when indi films started to get recongized for their achievements, are are often times, much better quality than many that have won Best Picture over the years. Like many, I wasn’t too sure about the expansion this year, having ten films nominated instead of just five. Although it wouldn’t have been very hard for me to decide this year if I was a member of the Academy, I can imagine it being impossible for me in the years to come if it stays this way. Although, if they were doing this to give more mainstream or blockbuster films a chance to be nominated, or a chance to win, it didn’t exactly work this way. Even with ten nominations, I still believe there was a film that was snubbed for a nomination: “Star Trek”. Maybe that’s the scifi geek that is in me that wants to protest, but honestly, I’m not the only person that believes this. “Star Trek” is a science fiction masterpiece, and should have been recongized as such. I would have been good if it took “Avatar”s place on the list. But, I guess they can’t make everyone happy.

Anyway, as I was saying, “The Hurt Locker” definitly was the best film of the year, over and above “Avatar”. Don’t get me wrong, I loved “Avatar” and went back to the theater to see it many times. Was even one of the people at Comic Con last summer that was ecstatic to be the first to preview 25 minutes of the film in 3D. But it wasn’t the best of the year. When it comes down to quality of writing, acting and the simplicity of the story, “The Hurt Locker” deserved the oscar. James Cameron has never been the best writer. That’s clear with the screenplay of the “Titanic”. Although I have to agree, that this script was better than “Titanic”, it wasn’t as good as “The Hurt Locker”. Now I know, Iwas talking about Best Picture than went back to screenplays…but the screenplay is where a good movie begins.

There are three major parts that make a Best Picture deserving of the oscar: the writing, the directing, and the acting. Now, “The Hurt Locker” had all three, a perfect collaboration as said by Kathryne Bigelow herself when accepting the award after winning Best Picture. “Avatar” on the other hand, only had about one and a half. Nowhere near the writing or acting that “Hurt Locker” had.

And when you get down to the simple foundations of the story, “Avatar” is something we have seen a million times over. Where as the story of “The Hurt Locker” is original, raw, and almost too authentic. And in times like these, it’s the kind of story that stays with you and “Avatar” will eventually blend into the background of science fiction, no matter how much of a game-changer it was for cinema.

The simple fact is, “The Hurt Locker” is true film and story power, that punches you in the gut with it’s truth. That’s why it won Best Picture.

I always knew that Channing Tatum was a great actor. I remember when I saw him in a movie for the first time, “Coach Carter”, which really was his first big big mainstream film, even though he was a large cast. He stood out for me. I mean, he obviously was good looking, but I could tell that he was be a great actor if he was given a chance.

And the moment he got that chance, was in “Stop-Loss” with Ryan Phillipe…which of course, he plays a young soldier in the middle of the Iraqi War and is forced to extend his service. But he was also a young soldier that suffered from nightmares, relationship struggles and post traumtic stress. His performance was stunning and dearly hoped that he would do more simple dramas.

Being a huge Nicholas Sparks fan, I of course am always excited when another one of his books are being optioned for another film. I have read all but three of his books. For years, my favorites have been “Dear John” and “The Guardian”. I have always had a soft spot for military because of my parents, my brother, and my countless friends that are Marines, Air Force, Army and Navy. I myself am joining the Navy this year. And I knew as soon as I finished reading “Dear John” that John Tyree would always be my favorite character that Sparks ever created. In all honesty, I loved him because he’s the kind of man that I wanted in my life, and I was terribly jealous of Savannah…LOL…jealous of a characters…how ridiculous is that?

I was very excited when they decided to make this one, being one of my favorites. And when Channing Tatum signed for it, I couldn’t wait. I KNEW he would be perfect. KNEW it…I am so happy that I was right.

I can barely describe how much I LOVED “Dear John”…I am still caught up in all the emotions that I still have after seeing it a little while ago. I can say this…it is definitly the best version of one of Nicholas Sparks’ books turned movie that have yet come out. DEFINITLY the best, and the closest to the actual book itself. There wasn’t much, if anything missing. I was a little worried that Amanda Seyfried was not gonna be good enough for Savannah, but she proved me wrong.

Whatever the worries I had about Amanda Seyfried were shot down as soon as her and Channing Tatum were on screen together. Their on screen chemistry was amazing, and intimate, how I always imagined John and Savannah in the book. John, the quiet and almost dangerous loner that everyone shied away from while he walked the beach, who was scared to care about someone. And Savannah, the girl next door who made sure everyone else was okay before herself.

But what really made me ecstatic about this film, how well they portrayed the relationship between John and his father. I was actually unsure whether they would put the autistic part of the book into the movie. Nicholas Sparjs has become very good with writing love stories that are not just about the couple, but also about family. The story between John and his father always touched me more than the love story because of the relationship I have with my own father, and the bumps that we have gone through. That’s why I also love “The Last Song” so much.

Richard Jenkins did so well in portraying autisim, and with Channing Tatum, creating a father and son that completely touched me to the core. The scene where John reads his letter to his father when he is lying in the hospital…heartbreakingly poignant and created so effectively with Tatum’s tears and struggle to get through the words and Jenkin’s trembling hand on John’s shoulder, gently leading his son’s head onto his chest. It was perfect.

I can’t say enough about the acting that Channing Tatum did in this movie. It’s got to be almost impossibly difficult to act a character that is a quiet introvert and soldier struggling to find himself. He did alot of face acting, that usually involves movement to convey the feelings across the screen, and being able to really connect to the character you are acting. Alot of writers and directors forget that this is very important to love stories, but not Nicholas Sparks. This story gave Channing Tatum the oppertunity for this kind of acting, and he definitly pulled it off.

Well, saving people from spoilers, that all I’ll say about it, except for one more thing for those of you that want to know, like my best friend whenever she wants to borrow another Nicholas Sparks book…it has a happy ending, even though I cried throughout the last 45 minutes, its good. Even though the book doesn’t go this far, I always knew that it would end this way.

I truly can’t wait until Channing Tatum is in more true dramas. I even think this has the power to finally knock Avatar from #1 in the weekend box office…as long as enough people want to go see it.

SO GO SEE IT!!!!

“So…I’ll see you soon, John.” I can’t wait to have my own John.

I’m sure I wasn’t the only member of Team Edward that could really care less about Edward last night during the midnight showing.

Arriving in the line at 5pm may have created the greatest build up pf anticipation that I have EVER experienced for a midnight showing…and I have been to countless. In all honesty, I did not expect New Moon to be good after the disappointing premiere of Twilight last year. But Chris Weitz, a fantastic director, gave me hope that maybe I didn’t have to worry.

After 6 1/2 hours in line, we were finally let into the theater, and I found my way inbetween two great movie watchers, one of them in particular.

Knowing the story of the book, I had no idea how Chris Weitz was going to create something fabulous, especially with an actor playing Jacob that I didn’t necessarily like. But he did. I will never doubt Taylor Lautner again, in anything that I ever see him in for the rest of my life.

Not only did this film have an actual storyline, unlike Twilight, because of the leaps and bounds the script has over the first, the acting is also better. After Twilight, you never would have known that Kristen Stewart, Rob Pattinson and Taylor Lautner are a group of very talented actors. ESPECIALLY Taylor.

We all know how the story ends, and who Bella chooses. But…just…WOW. I would never have found the strength to say ”No” to Jacob like she does countless times. And I’m not just talking about the abs, although…I’m sure they play a part. LOL. Taylor interprets Jake’s desperate love for Bella just PERFECTLY.

He doesn’t even need the words to describe it. Just the looks on his face tell the audience all we need to know. The way that he naturally takes her hand at the movie theater and almost kisses her in the truck….then DOES in the house right before Edward calls! (I was literally holding my breath screaming “YES!” in my head…then hated Edward for the rest of the movie) And when he whispers that sentence in his peoples language to her right before he kisses her….mmmmm….I seriously, melted! Melted into complete mush in my seat. LOL

Okay…done talking about Taylor. For the moment.

It is beyond obvious that the quality of writing in New Moon is in another league compared to the disaster that Twilight was. As I said before, better writing automatically creates better acting performances. As an aspiring screenwriter myself, I know at least that much about the film industry. And with no more exact scenes being pulled directly out of the book, but being CREATED for the big screen…the audience and fans of the books finally get what we already should have had with the Twilight.

But the one thing that was directly from the book that I was glad to see, was the passage of time after Edward left. That part in the book shocked me…and the way that it is shown in the movie…with camera circling around Bella as we see the change in season out the window…was PERFECT. I loved it.

I am still astonished about how Chris Weitz was able to put together such a good film version of the book that many would say the slowest, and maybe even worst of the books. Although for me, Breaking Dawn holds the title of my least favorite for the books, I do have to agree that New Moon is the slowest paced book of the series. And it just shows how much of a great storyteller Chris Weitz is to be able to pick and choose all of the RIGHT things from the book and presenting them in a way that a MOVIE needs to, not a book. That was the problem with Twilight. They were trying to make it TOO MUCH like the book, and because of that, the story was way over the top, and failed miserably to capture the fan’s hearts.

But New Moon will not have that problem. It has not only renewed faith in all Twilighters that these films don’t have to disappoint. That the stories of the books can be made into a GREAT MOVIE. 

I can honestly say that I believe New Moon is as great of a version of the books as both of the Narnia movies. So close to the story told in the books that I can almost find nothing that is missing. Everything that I wanted to see…I saw.

My greatest concern with New Moon was whether the audience would get over the absense of the Cullens. But the relatiohship and conflict between Jake and Bella is writing and shown so well, the audience doesn’t even give a second thought to the Cullens. Not even Edward, in most cases.

And where Twilight was failed miserably with dorky special effects, those in New Moon far from disappoint. Not only did the wolves look KICK ASS period, but  their transformations were FANTASTIC and believeable. And the fight scene with the Volturi are just a taste of what we will get in Eclipse.

Speaking of….the Volturi. Exaclty what I always pictured. Michael Sheen was a perfect Aro and Dakota Fanning a perfect Jane. A VERY CREEPY Jane. The girl sitting next to me asked why she dressed like a little girl, with the schooly uniform and shoes….BECAUSE CREEPY KIDS MAKE MY SKIN CRAWL…LOL…I believe that was the point.

All in all…a fantastic film. I loved it…and plan on seeing it many times over. In fact, I’m going again in a few hours…LOL…with a new Jacob Shirt…LOL

Sorry I’ve been away this summer…been all over the place and then some.

But a little movie called Paranormal Activity has brought me back to you all for my review. And if you haven’t seen it yet…I’ll let you know when I’m about to spoil it…because I want everyone to see purely the first time.

All in all…this movie scared the shit out of me!!! Which is GREAT…

I never get scared in movies. I am more critical of horror movies than any other genre, because it is this genre and can so easily be over done and lame compared to others. There are very few horror movies that are done well in this era of fim because so many are relying on the use of special effects. We are forgetting about the very basic ideas that scare us as human beings. The things that all the old horror movies always remember…which is why very few modern day horror films are better than oldies like The Omen and Rosemary’s Baby.

Personally…I never liked The Excorist. I thought it was boring, slow and went a little overboard at the parts that are supposed to be the most frightening. So I have never believed with the claim that The Excorist is the scariest movie of all time. But I do respect the impact it has had on the public. Considering the fact that it released in the theaters two full generations before mine, and the book has been around even longer than that…it is a wonder that it still does have the “scare power’ to frighten movie lovers today, who are used to special effects in every frame and the new era of film as it continues to fall into the 3rd dimension. Although it has never scared me, it continues to scare my generation, and and the 2 after me. Still, in every conversation about horror, it is mentioned along side horror giants like Hitchcock and Stephen King.

And now, in the aftermath of one of the most spectacular rushes on the internet that covered facebook, twitter and myspace…the “Demand It!” button has been hit 1 million times, and the newest horror film of 2009 continues it’s decent into horror legends as it will open nation wide next friday.

Paranormal Activity has done what no film has done in the history of the entertainment industry…by demand of the public, it is the only film to go from select theaters to nation wide. And in only a few weeks. From the moment the trailer hit the theaters, the word began to spread. And for a horror film that has never gotten so many great critic reviews, the film certainly speaks for itself.

Planning to see it after it’s nation wide opening, I spent the last week clicking the “Demand It!” button myself, hoping to see it soon, not expecting to find myself in LA for a sold out showing.

Paranormal Activity has finally done what I’ve been wishing horror films to do for years. It goes back and rediscovers the basics of what terrifies us. From fear of the dark to being hunted in your own home…Paranormal Activity takes a very basic storyline of a couple trying to catch the ghostly events going on at night…and takes it a million steps further to terrify the audience in their own beds.

The most unsettling part of this film is the fact that most of it takes place in the middle of the night, in their bedroom. A place where we all naturally believe we are safe. And once you become powerless in your own home, and own bedroom is a fear that no one ever wants to encounter. This film promotes that, and lives in it. When we sleep, we are at our most vulnerable state. And as the audience watches this invisible force move door, punch glass and pull off sheets…it makes you wonder without even wanting to, what goes on in our own rooms at night.

As Kate and Micah sleep, we sit in our theater chair, straining our ears and looking everywhere at once for what will move next. The brilliant thing about the progression of this movie is that it doesn’t just jump in like most horror films do, with blood and gore in the first ten minutes. It is gradual with the unexplainable events, and slowly gets more and more terrifying…each time, making you curl up more and more into a ball in your own chair and more and more unaware of the person next to you.

I have never seen a movie where the entire audience is so engrossed, laughing, gasping, jumping and screaming all together. I will tell you honestly….I have NEVER gotten scared in a movie in my life. Whenever I go to a horror movie, I go in with the expectation to be disappointed, but hoping to be surprised. And I never am. With Paranormal Activity carrying a few simularities with The Blair Witch Project, I was afraid of disppointment once again because I completely HATED that movie. With all it’s hype, I was sincerely disappointed with it.

But I was not disappointed with this. Along with the rest of the audience, I gasped, jumped and even screamed at the very end….much to my much and absolute joy!!! Finally, a horror movie did the impossible…not only impressed me with it’s “scare power’…but really did scare the shit out of me…LOL.

Not only was I visibly trembling walking out of that theater…I was scared of the dark, scared to drive home, and scared to go to sleep. And although I slept perfectly fine with no nightmares…I was ready to see it all over again. And I did.

I went to Universal Studios Hollywood Horror Nights with a group of friends last night, telling them all about the movie…and they pulled me with them to see it yet again. And even the SECOND TIME…it scared me. I still jumped and screamed…and walked out trembling, and turned on all my lights when I got home 5 am…hoping the sun would rise before I fell asleep.

The critics were certainly right with there reviews…if you can go home after seeing this movie and not be afraid of the dark, and not jump or flinch at every little tiny sound you hear…that is quite the accomplishment.

Overall….it is important to know that this movie is for the people that go to the theater and love beings scared. There are plenty of people that I dont want to see the movie because I know how easily they get nightmares, and how long those same nightmares frighten them for years and years.

I even witnessed two people walk, or rather run out of the theater about 20 minutes before the end because they couldn’t handle it anymore. Going into this movie, you have no idea how or for how long it will affect you.

That is why is it simply so TERRIFYING…BECAUSE YOU DON’T KNOW…

well…that’s what I think…I ended up giving no spoilers after all…I want everyone to discover the end themselves…not from me.

…GOOD LUCK SLEEPING…

And one other thing. This is the Star Trek movie for people that never got into Star Trek. You watch this, and I guarantee you, you will be a Trekkie after. I have been excited for this movie since I first heard about it. I grew up a Trekkie. Both of my parents grew up watching the original series…so naturally….I grew up watching the Next Generation. It being one of the few, if not the only show that my whole family sat down and watched…we were also always some of the first ones to see all the Star Trek movies…

The point is…Star Trek is in my blood, it being probably the first science fiction anything that I was ever exposed to. And then as time went on…learning that J.J. Abrams was the director, and all the actors that were attached to the project…Chris Pine, Zach Quinto (I’m a huge Heroes fan), Zoe Saldana, Karl Urban, Bruce Greenwood…and that Mr. Nimoy would appear in it as well…I don’t think I have been so excited for a movie since I saw the first teaser trailer for The Lord of the Rings almost 10 years ago.

And I gotta say…it definitly lived up to the hype. I was so blow away by this movie from the very first moment. And after seeing three times since Thursday, one of those showings in IMAX…I can’t find one little thing wrong with it. Everything about this movie is perfect.

J.J. Abrams was so smart with this movie, I don’t think I would have trusted anyone else with this project. The whole point of doing a film like this is not to just create a wonderful piece of science fiction, but create something for the original fans, and for people that never had the chance to experience the original Star Trek series. A movie for both the older and new generations. A movie for all audiences. And J.J. Abrams did that….perfectly.

So many things about this movie are so ingenius. And if you are reading this and haven’t seen the movie yet, I am about to reveal a huge piece of the plot. The greatest thing about this movie, and about what will be the sequels is how the timeline was changed. Because of the appearance of Nero, young Spock says it perfectly what will happen…”What are lives and destinies may have been are now changed.” …A new timeline with all the same characters, and perhaps some new ones eventually. Basically now, because of this new timeline…as long as Abrams says close to the values and traits of the characters….he  can almost do whatever he wants with the next movie and perhaps more. He no longer has to worry so much about canon, or what happened in the series. So many things are now changed….are different…and the stories will be ones we have yet to see.

Like I said…J.J. Abrams is a freaking genius.

The acting is this movie couldn’t have been better. I have been a huge fan of Zachary Quinto since th vert first season of Heroes. I was so ecstatic when I heard he was cast as a young Spock. He would be perfect. And he was. He was what I imagined a young Spock would be. Conflicted with so many of his emotions, that he is unsure whether he should be a Vulcan or a human, and so confused on how to be both. Zach Quinto presents that. And I think because of the emotional conflicts he has in this film…with the death of his mother and destruction of Vulcan…it’s an emotional place that Spock had never been in all at once in the original series…which is why I think the whole Spock/Uhura thing that is done here….completely works. I have always loved Zoe Saldana too…who is perfect for Uhura. And you know what…it’s just about damn time that Spock gets the girl!!!!

Now on to the man of the hour…Chris Pine as a young James T. Kirk….I loved him. Knowing who Chris was before this movie, I was completely excited for him because this would be a big break…the whole world would know him now. The same for Zach Quinto…before, he may have only been huge for Heroes fan…but now, both of these men, they are huge for the world and the biggest group of science fiction fans ever.

Chris Pine even kinda looks like a young William Shatner. He was perfect. This Kirk is completely what I imagined a young Kirk would be…especially one that lost his father the day of his birth. That definitly gives room to new traits and character qualities that William Shatner’s Kirk would have never had…the same for Zach Quinto’s Spock compared to Leonard Nimoy’s Spock. He would have that anger against the world because of what happened to his father…and that anger is pointed mostly at the government and all authority types. The cop in the beginning, the Starfleet cadets in the bar, and Captian Pike when they first meet. He has that unbridled larger than life attitude that he hasn’t learned to control yet. And, the same, I can’t get away with anything I want attitude. The entire transformation that he did with Kirk from the farm boy rebel, to Captian of the Enterprise.

Anf of course…the Kirk and Spock relationship. I loved that they began hating each other…well, not standing each other at least. I’m not sure it would have made sense if they got along right away. They are two very people who lead in two very different ways. Kirk goes with his gut, with what he knows about people, and Spock would rather go with logic, not ever considering the people and their abilities that are around him. He doesn’t like to gamble. And bumps and hiccups that they have to go through, to realize that they do need each other…I don’t think it could have been written or acted better. And Abrams puts in the perfect moment at the end to yet the audience realize their relationship has come full circle. When Nero’s ship is being sucked into the black hole, and Kirk offers him help, and Spock doesn’t like the idea….for the first time, Kirk has made a logical decision, and Spock has made one based on emotion…what a great pay off. I’m sure in no time, posters of Chris and Zach will be hanging next to ones of William and Leonard…being of equal reverence to all Trekkies. At least they will be in mine.

When I got home from the first showing I saw, I went online immediately and read fans first thoughts…and one of them I completely agree with, and goes with what I began telling people that same night….this movie is what the new Star Wars movies should have been. I’m sure I will get alot of angry fans from saying that…but then there are those of us that were alittle disappionted with the new Star Wars trilogy. Niether Episode I, II, or III even come close to the perfection of this movie. In fact, after doing a little brainstorming last  night, the only science fiction movie I could come up with that came out in between Return of the Jedi and this movie….was the original Stargate that came out in 1994. I think that is the only other scifi movie that even comes close to this Star Trek. None of the Next Generation movies are even this good.

Like I said to begin with…there is nothing I could find wrong with this movie. Directing, acting, writing, special effects, soundtrack, and cinematography are all top notch and some of the best I’ve seen in a while when it comes to a big blockbuster or science fiction movie. In fact, I think the only other movie that is as close to masterpiece as this one is The Dark Knight…and I have been telling people in the last year that it is almost unfair to judge things against Dark Knight because of how close to masterpiece that it is…not anymore. The only movie you can judge beside it is Star Trek….because in my eyes…nothing else in a while comes so close to perfection and masterpiece as this…..

So go it and be amazed…

Live Long and Prosper…LOL

Not only is Hugh Jackman the man in this movie…but Gavin Hood is the REAL man.

I know the X-Men Trilogy is fabulous…but I gotta say…this one film is better than all three. Gavin Hood really knows how to bring these characters to life. If there was one problem I had with it, I wish one of two things. Either make it a  little longer to give more scenes to the other characters, or, don’t use as many mutants.

I’ve waited years to see all my fav mutants on screen in these series…and I wasn’t satisfied with how much screen time they got. Maybe it’s just me…but I wanted more of Deadpool, Gambit and Wraith. And I really do hope that they get their own films…because with what was established in this film for these 3 characters…would make great films for all three.

And we comic readers all know how interesting thier stories are.

The film was great from the first scene…seeing Victor and Logan when they were children. Though it does deviate from the story in the comics….it is still great. It establishes a relationship that was kept until the end, and hopefully for more movies. The credit montage at the beginning of these two brothers going through all the major wars since the mid 1800′s was just…cool.

And you can always trust Harry Gregson-Williams (however you spell it)  to create a fabulous score to complete the whole package.

I think the real question about this film is who can’t love it???

I know you will always have those people to expect to see everything exactly the same as the original story, whether it is a comic or a book, or whatever…who are the same idiots that I thank god arn’t the writers and directors in Hollywood, because they would never get work…but you know…the acting and the characters make up for that.Some were even above my expectations

…especially Will.i.am as Wraith. He was perfect, and personally, I never really thought he could act and be, well…good. I was worried about this, but as made the darkness of this character shine just perfectly. And of course, Talyor Kitsch as Gambit. Now I knew he was would great…but still, I was so impressed with him. This is how I invisioned Gambit in my head. This arrogance and wit…and this kick ass ability. Then Ryan Reyonlds…God I hope he too gets his own film. His mouth is just perfect…and when you see it…you’ll know what I mean…LOL.

And there are always those mutant cameos that will be great to see…that hint to the past or the future. There was one that I thought we would see but did not…but I did completely call the main cameo…

And the most annoying thing about the movie tonight…ironically, was not about the movie.

We know that Marvel always sticks a scene at the end of the credits…and they are always great…well, here we are, a still full theater…waiting. Then  finally get the scene…ONLY to have it SHUT OFF in  the middle. In a few days, after I go see it again, I may be able to laugh about how the entire theater yelled…”OH!” and looked up.

So of course, after a minute of refusing to move until they put it back on, I got pissed, walked out and went striaght up to a manager, of which there were already a few guys complaining.

After learning that it was not only our theater that jacked up, but all four…we demanded free tickets to come see it again. And this guy actually has the audacity to ask us if we want him to tell us what happens…I just stare at him in disbelief ready to step up in his face. Of course I don’t want you to tell me…I WANT TO SEE IT MYSELF!!!!

So he goes in back to get some free tickets for us. It only takes a few minutes, of which during this time…our little complaint line went from 4 people to about 30. Maybe more since I left as soon as I had the ticket in my hand.

I probably would have gone and seen it again anyway…but that’s not the point. It made the night just a slight step from perfect. Now I have to try and fall asleep while trying to figure out who was going to show up in that scene since you just KNOW it’s gotta be someone. It’s gonna set up the next film…it has to…that’s the great thing about those scenes at the end of Marvel film credits…they are ALWAYS HUGE. Like Fury showing up in Iron Man…LIKE THAT…

Anyway…other than they screw up with the reel…

Everything was perfect, and as I suspected…everything Gambit was my favorite. I could hardly sit still when Wolverine finds him. A GREAT scene.

Although I was sad Gambit never showed up in the trilogy…I am now officially glad…becase he wouldn’t have been near this GOOD.

Loved it…and going to tomorrow again probably…LOL.

GAMBIT RULES!!!!!

Anyway, Daybreak Part 2 definitly took BSG out in a fashion worthy of those characters and one of the best science fiction shows to ever grace the television. I knew they had to end up on our Earth. It wouldn’t have been cool otherwise. And no matter how much finale’s of sci-fi shows should make sense to the story and the characters, they won’t be remembered much unless it’s ending also lives up to COOL….That’s just science ficiton for ya.

Honestly, I expected more characters to die. And I was quite relieved when one of those did not end up being Helo, or Karl Agathon. I would have hated it if he died. But I will say, I had a heart attack when he got shot and didn’t see him or hear him mentioned at all until the very end where we see him walking with a cane.

Roslin’s death I expected. She hadn’t been looking good for a long time. I actually thought that she would sacrifice herself for Hera. Either way, no matter how much I expected it, I still cried. Lots of crying going on with this episode. The way that every character was wrapped up was a great conclusion to the stories that we have been following for the last few years. Everything was right.

Things that I was especially excited to see:

1. The Opera House dream finally MADE SENSE. I was tired of saying “What the hell?” when I could never figure out what the hell it meant.

2. Starbuck led them to their destiny…and she “went home”. Although I still don’t understand what exactly happened to her when she just disappeared…I’m kinda glad we still don’t understand. For some reason, that makes it right. It makes part of the story continue to live on.

3. The visions of Baltar and Six are ANGELS!!! LOL…that was the number one thing I wanted them to reveal. What the hell were these visions that Baltar has been seeing since the damn miniseries. YES…and that last scene was FABULOUS. Wondering if we will have the same fate as the Colonies…I guess we’ll have to see…

4. I love the fact that we are all part Cylon. LOL…isn’t that wonderful…LOL..

All in all…I loved it. And there was no better way to sat farewell to one of my favorite shows of all time.

Gosh…I hate losing shows…but there was be nothing more wierd than to not always have new episodes of ER, which I have been watching since I was a kid. I remember watching the first season. I still remember when each character died, or left, and has made frequent visits back. It’s strange to think about how long this show has been on TV. I was only 8 when it began…now after the days of Carter, Greene, Ross, Hathaway, Romano, Morris, Pratt, Rasgostra, Gates, Jeannie, Lucy, Bennett, Corday…and all the others that have been part of this series…God, I didn’t realize until right now how many you can actually list in the regular cast…

Anyway…this last season has been a great one. With the returns of all the characters that began an actual era of TV 15 years ago. The flashback with Dr. Greene, which made me cry. Carter coming home for some shifts…of which many don’t know him anymore. Dr. Bennett…who actually probably saved Carter’s life in the OR, which was great. And THE KIDS…oh my…the kids. Bennett’s son who is now 13…holy crap.

But there was nothing better than to see med student Rachel Greene become the newest med student at County General in the series finale. I don’t think they could have ended it better. It may be over, but how…there are so many more stories left to tell…LOL…now its up to the lovely fan fiction authors to imagine them, and finish them. I freaking LOVED IT.

Yet still…it will be wierd to say goodbye to a show I grew up with. No other show can say that…but hey, I am excited to see was will be taking it’s place. No other than SOUTHLAND, created by John Wells, who created both ER and one of my other favorite shows of all time…THIRD WATCH. There is no one else who knows how to tell cop stories better than John Wells. He did it beautifully for 6 seasons…and now has a chance to do it again. I have been looking forward to it’s premiere for months.

OH…and something I am extremel ECSTATICALLY HAPPY about…FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS has been renewed for not only one more season but TWO!!!!! YES!!! I couldn’t believe it. Only one more episode left, and finally, NBC releases the news. YEAH!!! There is one less show that I have to say bye too…but I will have to say that to my favorite character in the show…the legendary Tim Riggins played by the wonderful Taylor Kitsch. And I still think it’s crap that they lost state. So freaking uncool.

And may I say offically…he is going to make a kick ass Gambit.

Oh, and quickly…I know I’ve been talking about how much I’m loving Jackie Earle Haley right now because of how wonderful of a job he did in Watchmen as Rorschach….and guess what I found out. I knew they were gonna remake the old Nightmare on Elm Street…which usually, I could care less about. I never liked Krueger or Jason. Personally…I think those are the most ridiculous horror movies ever made. I absolutely loathe them. Not just hate…loathe…

Anyway…the great Jackie Earle Haley will be bringing Freddy Krueger back to the screen….well…I can tell you one thing…with Jackie…at least it may have the possibility of being good.

Okay…now..what I really want to talk about…and slightly defend from the idiotic critics that are out there…

It was almost nine years ago that I became part of what would became a cult of our generation. The Fast and the Furious was released in summer of 2001. I loved racing…any kind. I grew up with a father that raced boats and bikes…so naturally, although I wasn’t out in the grease with him, I loved it. And seeing Vin Diesel in it, who I already loved from Pitch Black the summer before…made it even  more appealing.

It is definitly one of the movies that defined not only my high school years, but will be one of the movies that define my generation when we were young.

I LOVED it. It still remain one of my favorite movies.

I was disappointed with 2 Fast 2 Furious. It was as great. Plus, Vin and Paul were so fantastic together that it wasn’t the same without both of them. Together they had such a chemistry and presence on screen, that only one of them wasn’t the same.

Then came Tokyo Drift. Not as great as the original, but better than the second. I loved that the story was opened up to a different circle of characters and racing that we wouldn’t see anywhere else. Or at least, hadn’t seen yet. I loved the new characters. More specifically…I loved Han..and of course, was pissed off at his death. But when the legendary Dominic Toretto made a sudden appearance at the very end…it was worth it.

Justin Lin brought life back to the F&F universe. All because of the connections made to the king…Vin Diesel. And all the possibilities that another story could have if in fact, Universal would be willing to do so.

And much to may pleasure, and many others who fell in love with Vin and Paul in the first…decided to risk it.

I loved Fast & Furious…and as I say up above…Vin and Paul are not only fabulous together again on screen…but they can still kick ass as Dom and Brian…still, nine years later. Along with a surprise appearance, of a very alive Han…it brings together every story told in the F&F universe. And brings back what we loved about the first one.

You still love seeing Dom put Brian in his place. “Still a buster…” as said so well by the lovely Vin. No matter how great it is to see Brian a much better driver…no one is better than the king himself.

You love seeing the mix of new toys and old american muscle.

You love seeing Dom and Brian wail on each other, even though you know they are friends.

You still love seeing Dom with that old Charger, actually, there is nothing better than Dom and that old Charger.

You love that no matter how good Brian tries to be, he really is nothing more than a bad boy.

And no matter how much crap they go through, you LOVE seeing Dom and Brian finally working together, and see them KICK the ASS of the bad guy.

Because all of this is exactly what happens. And all of this will make people who have been disappointed with the past stories…will fall in love with Fast & Furious all over again.

Jackie Earle Haley kicks ass as Rorschach

“Epic”. “Stunning”. “Masterpiece”. “Extraordinary”.

Those are the words I remember from all the TV spots.

And in my opinion…it all fits.

All comic fans already know story is perfect, being the most revered graphic novel of all time. After that, it was all up to the director to make it just as good of a movie. Truthfully, I would not have trusted it in anyone else’s hands. Very few directors have the kind of audacity and fearlessness to make this film. Zach Snyder is definitly the right man for the job.

The effects, the acting, how the story was stitched together…it was fantastic.

 As a reader, the thing that keeps me reading, no matter how long, happy, or sad the story is…is the characters. I get attached to one person, and hold on to that connection until the end. Reading Watchmen, it was always Rorschach, from the very first page, and his journal entry. His maybe twisted idea of justice in the beginning, that ended up making sense all along. He sacrificed his own identity for a cause that only he was unwilling to give up. No matter how dark and perhaps, “psycho”, he seemed…it was his story that I was following. His point of view was real and completely unbaised. He brought us the dark truth, and cruelty of the world.

When I went to see this movie, I knew sitting  there, waiting for the lights to dim, that my sole opinion on this film would rest on the image and acting of Rorschach. From the very first scene, Jackie Earle Haley was perfect. The voice, the mannerisms…he is RORSCHACH. No matter what else happened in the movie, I wouldn’t care. All I wanted to see was legacy of this character upheld from how he was originally imagined, and how I imagined him.

All of the acting was fabulous. The choices for each character couldn’t have been more perfect. Seeing as how the entire opinion of this movie for me would be based on Rorschach, there was only one problem that I had with the movie, despite the fact that I hate both in the book and movie that he dies in the end. His background story about how he kills the kidnapper was changed. Though not majorly…that was one of the scenes that I wanted to see exact.

However, being a aspiring screenwriter myself, I do know that when a story is adapted, you’re not going to get everything you want. How he killed the kidnapper was still cool, and it’s not like I hated it. It’s just one of those little nitpicky things that would have made the movie absolutely perfect. For me. I wanted to hear that guy burn alive.

On to the effects…which were amazing. But of course, with Zach Snyder at the helm, how can you now expect that. What they did with Dr. Manhattan was of course fantastic. Even more interesting, how they did it. I didn’t really expect that. A bunch of little blue lights on Crudup’s suit to create the glow. I just assumed, like everything else visually about Jon, other that the facial features, that it was computer generated.

And I was also interested to learn the creation behind Rorschach “face”. They chose fifteen different blots to identify with Rorschach’s expressions, as created by Jackie Earle Haley. And those emotions, which ever one he was feeling or expressing at the time, is the blot that would be seen. And of course, in the way that Snyder did in 300, he once again made violence beautiful to look it. Even scenes as gruesome as those in the prison with Rorschach…which was in my opinion, the best section of the movie…the best scenes and best lines all in that sequence….and my fav fighting sequence when Silk and Owl kick ass when they arrive.

The brilliance of the scene when Rorschach gets his revenge of the dwarf. Funny and brillant. He goes into the bathroom, and every time the door swings open, he’s a little closer to the man, who keeps cowering lower and lower against the wall. Then the door stops, we hear a flush, Rorschach exits and they leave…then, we see the blood. What great visual storytelling…

If there is one thing that Synder will never lack in…it is how to visually tell a story without any dialogue what so ever…and as a writer myself…it doesn’t always come very easy.

I think it was a success in bringing forth a story that is quite unique in the world of comics and graphic novels. I love the fact that these superheroes, are in fact, not really superheroes after all. They, except for Jon, are regular human beings with just extraordinary talents. It’s a world that would be ours if there were men and women that dress up and call themselves superheroes. That’s what makes it both appealing and brilliant at the same time. And that’s what brings greatness to fantasy.

I’ll tell ya all about it, but first, I have to start at the beginning at what is officially the all time best day of my life…

I got everything ready the night before. The number one goal of going down to San Diego was to get Adam Pascal to sign my guitar. And of course see the show again. To see it as much as possible before it’s over.

First of all, the family I live with was kinda disappointed that I would be gone for a 4th sunday in a row. Which means I will have missed church for a whole month. And people freak at my church when you only miss you day, I can imagine what they are going to say to me when I’m back next sunday..anyway..

I leave the house at 7am so I can get to San Diego soon enough to get in line for the lottery. I do of course, listen to the soundtrack the whole way down there, belting out the songs as I go. It’s a good thing that I gave myself 3 hours, because if I didn’t, I wouldn’t have won those seats.

I’m familiar with that area of downtown San Diego because I go to Comic Con. Well, where my directions were leading me were close to the convention center, and I could have sworn I never remembered not only a theater, but also an 11-story parking garage. Well, I was right. I’m not sure why the directions lead me there…but it ends up it was like…4 blocks away. I walked around for probably an hour and a half looking for the damn place, of which no one in the mall can tell me how to get to…finally, a valet guy at a hotel tells me finally where it is.

So, I find it, finally…which means I have to move my car out of the parking garage where it is, to another one…and pay for being there for lessd than an hour…ugh…

Well, I get there, in line, with my guitar about 15 mintues before they hand out the tickets for the lottery. Like I said before, I guess the whole being sent to the wrong place was meant to be, because I never would have got those tickets. I meet a girl in line who is also by herself and a fellow RENThead…we have a plan…if they call me or call her, we will get 2 tickets instead of 1. So we have just that bit more of a chance.

Well…it wouldn’t have mattered…because it was my ticket that won. I can’t even remember how I reacted. I know I stuck up my hand that was holding the ticket, but what I said after that…I have no idea. How ridiculous is that?

After buying the tickets, we still like an hour and a half to kick back until the show starts. Well,  that’s the time I spent standing at the stage door waiting for Adam so he could like I said, sign my guitar. Meanwhile, as we wait, meeting other members of the cast…I talk to another fellow RENThead, who has seen the show 54 times in 3 or 4 different countries, and who has close to 200 autographs across every cast RENT from the past 12 years. Sharing stories back and forth, she is another new facebook friend that I’m sure to meet again one day, at another show…whether RENT or something else.

Adam arrives. Everyone else crowds him. Me and her stand back, look at each other, and already know we are thinking the same thing. Hang back, be the last ones…the ones he remembers, that aren’t the screamers…but fellow artists. He gets around eventually. Get pics and autographs… And he is totally pysched he gets to sign another guitar. I was going to mention to him that I loved his solo stuff, but I completely lost it in the moment. Ah well…I’m sure I’ll see him again.

Anyway, we walk into the theater…all the way to the front. For a moment, I just stand there… “Dude… this… is… insane…” I said. Part of me still can’t believe that I got to experience that. Actually, all of me can’t. As soon as I sat down, I did a few things….

1. I took a long look at the stage, and man do you see alot more of the cool little details up there…I snuck in a quick picture with my phone.

2. I looked behind me, to see the whole theater filling in. And man, is that place a hell of alot bigger than the Pantages.

3. I called everyone I knew to tell them what happened. Mom, home, and the friends that I tried to convince to come with me, but didn’t…oh, did they wish they came now…hee hee…

Oh, wow. That’s still the best thing I can say to describe sitting there as we were waiting…I was shaking from head to toe. The band begins getting ready, turning everything on, tuning and the like. With every moment that goes by, my heart gets bigger and bigger…and my stomach filled with more and more butterflies. More than I could ever imagine. I mean…this is literally a dream come true. You guys have no idea how many times I have had this dream, especially in the last few months.

And finally…the moment I was waiting for…

Adam enters from the back of the stage…which means it has begun. Holy crap, holy crap, holy crap. Whether I said that out loud (after the screaming), I have no idea…but I was definitly thinking it. You know, there are a lot of plays or musicals that are horrible to see from the front row…but this one…it’s the only way to watch it. Sitting anywhere else after this is like an insult. There will be certain things I saw on stage that I will remember from the close up forever.

The full impact of where I was sitting completely kicked in once Rent began. Adam and Anthony completely rocking it out like, 2 feet from me. It was amazing. And when you are sitting there, you really can’t help but dance and sing through the whole show. They rock it on stage, I rock it in my seat.

You smell the smoke from the candle when Lext blows it out during Light My Candle. I could literally see the chords that Adam was playing on the guitar for Musetta’s Waltz. Just..a million things you could see, that you would see nowhere else. Including…Adam Pascal’s tears.

When  I saw it last weekend in LA, I wondered if he was really crying, but figured it was just good acting…but no, that close…I could see the tears on his face. Being that close makes you feel like you are almost part of the cast, and it so much more emotional, I cried more than I ever did during the show or the movie. And I was all good by the time Goodbye Love came around, I thought I was done…but when I noticed that…I started all over again. I dunno, there’s something with guys crying that makes me cry even more…

La Vie Boheme…there’s no way I can even explain how amazing that was. I was doing the exact hand movements from the beginning, having memorized them from watching the movie of the Final Performance. At one point, Adam looks down, and actually laughs.

That’s is a really cool thing about the front row. At one point, everyone looks down to the front row…and seeing as how I was dancing the whole time, when stage right…they always came to me.

I’m not sure there is much else I can say about it…other than it being something I will never forget, and something that I will always see as an artistic inspiration. It’s interesting isn’t it? You can love and apprecaite what Jonathan created by seeing the show anywhere in the house, listening to the soundtrack or watching the movie…but not like after an experience in the front row.

After the show…there was a charity auction. You would get a signed poster, playbill and RENT book, and a chance to go backstage with the cast…and all the money goes to an AIDS charity. Two people won…totaling 6,000$!!! Holy crap…it’s nice to have money, isn’t it? No shit…LOL

Later, I stood in line for the lottery after finally getting an autograph from Lexi Lawson, who is a really sweet girl even if she is not the best Mimi….I stand in line for the front row lottery for the evening show…and lose by ONLY ONE NUMBER…how much of a crazy dream would that have been…I really think I would have had a heart attack.

I get a seat in the mezzaine instead. I think they would have been much better seats if I hadn’t just sat in the front row a couple hours before. But I did notice a few things, that I never would have before. Just little things that the actors can or can’t get away with depending on the energy of the crowd. Every show is a little different, a little more or less funny, or alittle more or less emotional.

Another little thing, I noticed that Adam missed a line during the second show. In Goodbye Love, Anthony says “i hear there are great restarants out west.” And Adam is supposed to come back with “Some of the best. How could she…” but he missed the first line. It didn’t really matter much, most people probably didn’t even notice. I was crying too, totally wrapped up in the scene. Only other crazy RENTheads might of caught it. Adam even had to wipe his eyes. God, he is such an amazing actor.

After the show, I hurried out to the stage door, of which people were alreadt crowded around. Even though the guards said they would not come out for autographs, some of us RENTheads still stuck around. After no one came for for about 10 minutes or so, we decided to start singing. What else would get them to come out. So…we started singing Seasons of Love, and also got through Rent before a bunch of the cast did decide to come out.

Finally, I got Anthony’s auto. So I was happy about that. When it went quiet again…we decided to just keep singing, no matter what the guards decided to tell us. So, we sang pretty much all the main songs. One Song Glory. Light My Candle. La Vie Boheme. Tango Maureen. Take Me or Leave Me. Out Tonight. Another Day. Today 4 You. Ill Cover You. What You Own…and I think we sounded pretty damn good.

And when we finally decided to leave, we wouldn’t go without singing Finale B. Pretty fitting….uh?

Well…that is the conclusion of the best day ever in my life. Until I have the chance to do it all over again when I do see the show in D.C.

Chips, anyone????