Official Eat, Pray, Love Movie Trailer–Who Can’t Wait Until Summer?

Eat, Pray, Love became a New York Times best seller with over five million copies now in print seemingly out of nowhere. In a matter of speaking, this is the coming-of-age, travel memoir that could. I have been wanting to read this book since it first hit the best seller lists and everyone was talking about it, but never did end up picking it up and it very quickly became the book that everyone in the world has read, except me. While sure, I may not be the only person in the entire world who hasn’t read the book, enough people did read it–and enjoy it–for it to be coming out this summer as a motion picture.

The first theatrical trailer for Eat, Pray, Love came out just a few days ago and I saw it for the first time last night. Since seeing it, I have ordered the book and cannot wait for it to arrive. Yes, making a movie adaptation of a book is a great way to spike book sales again; it happens all the time.

Eat, Pray, Love, the movie, looks like an incredible journey and the beauty seen in just the trailer is beyond all comprehension; from the scenery of the locations we’re brought to–Italy, India and Indonesia–to the vivid colors seen throughout. I really cannot wait for the book to arrive so I can sink my teeth into it and then come August, experience the story in theaters because from what I hear and from what I’ve read so far, Elizabeth Gilbert’s story is one every woman can relate to and crave.

Eat, Pray, Love will be in theaters August 13th and stars Julia Roberts in her first main role since last year’s Duplicity and also co-stars James Franco and Javier Bardem. You can also follow @EatPrayLove on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook to keep up with all of the official information coming out up until the movie’s release. Will you be going to see Eat, Pray, Love when it comes out?

Academy Apologizes for Farrah Fawcett being Omitted from 2010 Oscars “In Memoriam”

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has been apologizing to the friends, family and fans of a few different well-known figures in Hollywood that had been omitted from the 2010 Oscars “in memoriam” since the awards show aired last Sunday night. Three of the biggest names that had been left out were Farrah Fawcett, Bea Arthur and Gene Barry, but the one name who continues to be a thorn in the Academy’s side is Farrah Fawcett and those who have been making the biggest ruckus are critic Roger Ebert and Oscar winner Jane Fonda.

The “in memoriam” segment first began in 1993 and since that time, the same man has been responsible for the segment–the Academy’s Bruce Davis. Davis has since released a statement, saying:

“There’s nothing you can say to people, particularly to family members, within a day or two of the show that helps at all. They tend to be surprised and hurt, and we understand that and we’re sorry for it.”

Although people continue to be outraged over the decision to leave Farrah Fawcett out of the segment, Davis stands by his decision of omitting her, saying that he ultimately felt her “remarkable television work” would be more appropriately honored during the TV Academy’s Emmys and backed up that line of thinking to include that several notable screenwriters were not included in the tribute, either.

The Academy has also explained why Michael Jackson had been included in the “in memoriam,” which surprised quite a bit of people, even fans of Michael Jackson, saying that while he was better known for his musical accomplishments, Jackson was the subject of a successful feature documentary last year, thus earning his place.

The Academy’s apology about Farrah Fawcett not being included in the “in memoriam” sounds very much more like a non-apology; like hot air being released to the universe to get everyone to stop talking about Bruce Davis’s oversight. And on the topic of Michael Jackson being included–I think his “remarkable musical work” would be more appropriately honored during the Grammys. Oh wait, it was.

The 82nd Annual Academy Awards Red Carpet Arrivals

The 82nd Annual Academy Awards took place last night at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood. The biggest night in Hollywood was a tremendous success for filmmakers and actors alike, but the first thing we saw last night was the fashion–and there is no event bigger than the Oscars to get celebrities to go all out, putting their best (and sadly, sometimes their worst) fashion foot forward.

Brittany Murphy’s Last Film, Abandoned, Picked Up by Anchor Bay Entertainment

Abandoned, the last film made by actress Brittany Murphy before she died in December after suffering cardiac arrest caused by pneumonia, anemia and multiple drug intoxication, has been picked up for North American distribution and is scheduled to arrive in theaters this summer.

Anchor Bay Entertainment has bought the film and President Bill Clark stated that it was an honor, but also bittersweet to be able to release Murphy’s last film, which finished filming in June of last year. Anchor Bay Entertainment has released a statement, saying:

“It was important to Anchor Bay that the timing of this release be right, because we’re sensitive to such a tragic loss. However, we also recognize that Brittany’s fans will want to see her amazing work.”

The producers of the psychological thriller, Jeffrey Schenck and Barry Barnholtz have released a joint statement, saying:

“Brittany will be deeply missed by everyone who worked on Abandoned. The film is a taut thriller which portrays Brittany’s character as smart and tough – and that’s how we all want to remember her.”

If you’re interested in the film, Murphy plays Mary Walsh who takes her boyfriend to the hospital for a routine outpatient surgery but he vanishes with no record of him left behind. Soon, however, Walsh receives a random demand. The film co-stars Dean Cain and Mimi Rogers.

Will you be going to see Abandoned this summer?

Have 2010 Oscars Predictions? Get the New Vanity Fair Hollywood iPhone App

The Oscars are coming up in March and nearly everyone is abuzz with their predictions for this year’s winning people and films. Vanity Fair wants to know who you think will be taking home an award this year and have launched the Vanity Fair Hollywood iPhone app.

The app, said to be developed in order to engage the Vanity Fair readership with technology and social media, is sponsored by L’Oréal Paris, whose products can be found in the Gift Bag section of the app, including itmes such as the True Match Roller Foundation, Double Extend Lash Boosting Mascara (which we actually reviewed here–see week 1 and week 3,) Studio Secrets Professional Crystal Shadow Duos, Telescopic Explosion Mascara, Go 360° Clean Deep Facial Cleanser, and many others.

For those of you out there, like myself, who don’t have an iPhone or iPhone Touch, the Vanity Fair Hollywood app is also available as a web-based application. So get those predictions and votes in and tune in on March 7th for the Oscars to see if you were right!

4/365 Days: I’m an Angela Shelton

In 2004, a woman left her house and her dog (well, not completely, I’m sure she left her dog with other responsible adults that cared for her needs) and went on the road with a small crew to film a documentary across America. She wanted to survey women; to see how we, as a gender, were doing and what we were up to. She met some amazing, inspiring, spectacular, successful, kick ass women and they were all named Angela Shelton. They all had a story, but a great deal of their stories had very similar themes as she moved from one to the next to the next. Their stories were also her stories. Their stories are my stories, and the stories of countless women, girls, men and boys all over the world.

Angela Shelton wanted to survey women in America who all just happened to share her name. She wanted her documentary to be light, airy, fun and hilarious, but it ended up being a documentary about not-so light, airy, fun, and definitely not hilarious issues. Angela found that most of the women she was able to talk to for her documentary had either been raped, beaten, or abused in their lifetime.

I heard about Angela Shelton through a forum I was active on quite a number of years ago. I saw her documentary, Searching for Angela Shelton, during the worst time in my life. I whole-heartedly believe that Angela Shelton, along with the fabulous volunteers for the RAINN hotline, saved my life.

I am a survivor of child abuse, childhood sexual assault and rape. I live with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and major depressive disorder. I wear this shirt when I need to be reminded that I survived. That I am a survivor. And I am never going back.

Learn more about Angela Shelton at AngelaShelton.com, as well as the Angela Shelton Foundation, The Survivor Manual and join the Army of Angels.

Urban Girl Squad Hosts Intro to Bollywood Dance Class

Inspired by the beautiful Bollywood dance number of Oscar winning film Slumdog Millionare? Want to take your chance with a new style of dance? Now is your chance! On Thursday, Febuary 11, 2010 Urban Girl Squad will host an Intro to Bollywood Dance Class at The Dance Theater Workshop at 7:00PM.

Join Urban Girl Squad as we learn “BollyBasics,” an introduction to the famous Indian folk dance called Bollywood, with the founder of Bollywood dance company Dhoonya Dance. Dhoonya Dance is a growing dance company that has taught Bollywood on Oprah! In our class, you’ll learn the fundamentals of Bollywood and Pop Bhangra dance in a fun, beginner’s setting. No dance experience is necessary. You’ll get a great workout, learn a new style of dance, and meet new women in NYC!

At this class, you’ll learn Bollywood Basics and receive:

• A gift bag of South Asian goodies from City Saheli, including a Bollywood CD, a pamphlet with basic Bollywood steps, a henna tattoo, and a piece of South Asian inspired jewelry. City Saheli is an online platform that brings to you New York City with a South Asian twist–you can learn more about new types of yoga, natural healing, fusion designers and more.
• 1 free class for every 4 class package you purchase from Dhoonya Dance

Dhoonya Dance is home of the best Bollywood talent, teachers and training providing simple, artistic instruction. The Dhooyna Method of Bollywood dance emphasizes strong fundamentals and choreography rooted in traditional, folk and classical Indian dance.

About Urban Girl Squad
Amanda Hofman created Urban Girl Squad, a community-based social group for women in their 20’s and 30’s in New York City, in January 2008. Urban Girl Squad creates opportunities for these women to try new things, spend time with friends, and meet new people. Our events include food and wine tastings, beauty and fashion nights, dance and fitness classes, sports events, cocktail parties and more. We provide special, discounted access to the city–you’ll meet store owners and designers, taste gourmet food and drinks, receive personal attention from popular venues, and score some amazing gift bags. The welcoming atmosphere at our events makes it easy for members to attend on their own or with friends!

Join us on February 11th as we learn the basics of Bollywood dance. Space is limited and advanced placement is required, so purchase your ticket today! Wear comfortable, workout/yoga attire. No shoes necessary.

Fast Facts:
Date: Thursday, February 11, 2010

Location: The Dance Theater Workshop
219 West 19th Street
New York, NY 10011

Time: 7:00PM

RSVP/Purchase Ticket: Bollywood Dance Class

Info: Urban Girl Squad

Cost: $20 per ticket

67th Annual Golden Globe Awards Red Carpet Arrivals

All the big stars from movies as well as television gathered together last night for the 67th annual Golden Globe Awards. Let’s take a look at some of the fabulous red carpet fashion and of course, some major cases of celebrity style gone bad.

Check Out the Red Carpet from the Sherlock Holmes Premiere in Berlin

Last night, Guy Ritchie, Robert Downey Jr, Rachel McAdams and the rest of the Sherlock Holmes cast walked the red carpet at the Berlin, Germany premier. Check out the hit cast and their red carpet style.

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[Images via INF Daily]

Book Review: Julie & Julia by Julie Powell

I must preface this by saying that I know very little when it comes to cooking, never mind French cooking. I know enough to prepare something with very simple instructions, but for the most part my partner does the majority of any cooking that involves more than boil water, add noodles, wait until noodles are tender and cover with sauce. In addition to my lack of culinary expertise, I also knew very little about Julia Child when starting this book, so one could assume that this would not be a book that I would be interested in, if not having to force myself through. However, I surprisingly took to this book very well because you don’t have to know pretty much anything about cooking, French cooking or Julia Child to enjoy the humor and biting cynicism of Julie Powell and her ability to bring you on the journey, the upheaval, the frustrations and the victories that became her life.

Julie Powell was just a temp secretary working at a government office full of Republicans in a post-9/11 era where, among other things like filing, she answered phone calls about people’s ideas for the September 11th memorial that had not yet been placed where the World Trade Center towers once stood. Living with her husband, three cats and what one could assume to be a minor drinking and chain-smoking problem, she worked a thankless job and lived a mundane life in a crappy apartment. She lived the life so many people are currently and will continue to live–getting by without doing much of significance.

But that’s where we get Julie Powell’s life all wrong. Of course she did not mean to do something of so much significance, but she did strive to do something. While being told she had a condition that would make it difficult to impossible to have a child after the age of thirty, and being twenty-nine, she set out on a mission to restore her ambition, change her life and save her soul… by cooking all 524 recipes in Mastering the Art of French Cooking, Volume I.

As she details her way through dish after dish, through long and excruciatingly-detailed pages on the insides of marrow bones and how to really go about stealing the lives of lobsters before turning them into delectable French cuisine, Julie & Julia is the kind of book you pick up on a rainy day when you don’t want to get out of bed in the morning, so you don’t and allow yourself to relax the morning and early-afternoon away in bed with a good book.

A memoir was the perfect thing for Julie Powell to write, being an honest and often self-deprecating woman who bears it all and isn’t ashamed of it. However, on this same note she did write in the author’s note that throughout the book she did just make things up but of course, does not touch on what is made up and what is true-to-life. That did not necessarily have a negative impact on my overall enjoyment of this book because as I found myself laughing during certain passages and then wondering if that had really happened or not, I realized that if it had, well, that would have been hilarious and if not, then Julie Powell is equipped with a great and witty imagination–And she is.

Her blog that inspired the book, the Julie/Julia Project gained a great deal of media attention towards the ending months of her project. She prepared dinner for newspaper columnists she had admired and even missed the last episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer to do it. Her blog garnered a great deal of attention from people whom she called bleeders that cheered her on and also pleaded with her not to make aspic-and-anything ever again.

More-so than the art of French cooking, I was more intrigued by Julie Powell the woman. I enjoyed her anecdotes and expletive-filled tangents about her boring and thankless job, her varied and equally satisfying and satisfied friends and of course, a husband in which she portrays to be the textbook definition of perfect. While I had seen the trailer for the movie before picking up the book, I was actually quite thrilled to see that the real Julie Powell was not as wholesome as Amy Adams portrays on the silver screen.

Julie & Julia is a satisfying journey of discovery full of laugh-out-loud tales and lists of foods I am certain I will never let grace my dinner plate.

Rating:

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