Movie Review: Last Christmas

Posted on November 7, 2019 by

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It seems like Christmas romantic comedies have taken a hiatus from the big screen, and have been more present on the Hallmark Channel and Netflix. This Friday, November 8 – Last Christmas will be coming to a theater near you. Last Christmas features music by George Michael, and of course the WHAM!\’s  song we have grown to love \”Last Christmas.\” As someone who absolutely loves romance and romantic comedies, I believe this one missed the mark. Unfortunately, this Christmas, I will not be giving Last Christmas my heart.

Kate played by Emilia Clarke has found herself in a bit of a rut. You see, Kate grew up in Yugoslavia circa 1999 and could sing George Michael like no one\’s business. However, at the present moment, she\’s the woman who drowns her pain in a local London pub. Kate alienates her most loyal friends and well as her family, so she is definitely a hot mess.

Kate spends her time half-heartedly working at a year-round Christmas decorations store (reminds me of Bronner\’s in Frankenmuth Michigan – only smaller), run by \”Santa.\” While working one day, Kate spots Tom (Henry Golding) through the window, this handsome boy drives Kate nuts. He is always telling her to \”lookup\” because that\’s how you see the wonders of everyday life that are above you and all around you. Tom more or less convinces her to start being nicer to people and to herself. Tom says that he works nights, and doesn\’t have a phone because it\’s locked in a cabinet at home, which makes it hard for Kate to find Tom sometimes and this results in a lot of frustration.

One day while searching for Tom, Kate goes into the homeless shelter that he volunteers at and ends up volunteering her, at this moment her mess of life starts to get better. She even tries to do a little matchmaking for her boss \”Santa\” played by Michelle Yeoh, who ends up falling for one of the customers that comes into the Christmas shop. She also calls him \”Boy\” instead of using his name, which…. yeah I can\’t even go there.

Last Christmas has the comedy down but definitely misses the ball on the romance part of the movie. A big reveal comes in the movie, that I personally wasn\’t expecting at all and it kind of ruined the movie for me. I wanted Last Christmas to be good, and yes it goes have it\’s funny parts and feel-good moments, personally, I thought it was bad. The kind of bad that gets a lump of coal in its stocking. I really tried to like this movie, and just couldn\’t. When I think of romantic comedies I want that sickening sweet Hallmark romance and unfortunately, Last Christmas missed the ball completely.

If you go see Last Christmas, let me know what you think of the movie!

Soft Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

Posted on November 6, 2019 by

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It’s the most basic time of the year, Hallmark is playing all those fall romance movies and pumpkin spice is everywhere. Fall is my favorite time of the year, and since the gorgeous fall leaves and pumpkin spice are only around for a limited time I try to indulge as much as I can. These pumpkin spice chocolate chip cookies are the only recipe you’ll need this fall. They’re so easy to make and are sure to be a big hit at home, work, with neighbors, family or friends. These pumpkin chocolate chip cookies are soft and chewy. Put down that pumpkin spice latte and head to the kitchen, this is one recipe you won’t want to miss out on.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingredients
2 cups flour
¾ teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoon baking powder
2 ½ teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
Dash of salt
½ cup dark brown sugar (packed)
½ cup sugar
½ cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup pumpkin puree
1 egg
2 cups chocolate chips

Directions
1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Prepare a cookie sheet with parchment paper
3. Add flour, baking soda, baking powder, pumpkin spice and salt into a mixing bowl.
4. Whisk together, and set aside.
5. In a mixing bowl, add brown sugar, sugar and oil.
6. Mix to combine.
7. Add vanilla, pumpkin puree and your egg to the mixer and combine.
8. Slowly add in the flour mixture.
9. Once mixed together fold in the chocolate chips.
10. Scoop out dough onto your baking sheet. I used a dough baller.
11. Bake for 10-15 minutes.
12. Remove and allow to cool.
13. Enjoy

Coming to Detroit: Roald Dahl’s CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY

Posted on November 5, 2019 by

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[this is a sponsored post]


You have no idea how excited I am to announce that Detroit has a Golden Ticket! Roald Dahl’s CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY is coming to Detroit! This Broadway musical is sure to be extravagant as it will be playing at the Detroit Opera House from February 18 – March 1. Tickets will go on sale Sunday, November 17 – so mark your calendars, because this show is one you do not want to miss! 

Tickets start at $29 and can be purchased online at broadwayindetroit.com or ticketmaster.com and by phone at 800-982-2787. Tickets may also be purchased at the Detroit Opera House and Fisher Theatre box offices beginning on Monday, November 18.

Roald Dahl’sCHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY tells the story of Willy Wonka, world famous inventor of the Everlasting Gobstopper, who has just made an astonishing announcement. His marvelous—and mysterious—factory is opening its gates…to a lucky few. That includes young Charlie Bucket, whose life definitely needs sweetening. He and four other golden ticket winners will embark on a mesmerizing, life-changing journey through Wonka’s world of pure imagination. Get ready for Oompa-Loompas, incredible inventions, the great glass elevator, and more, more, more at this everlasting showstopper!

 

Roald Dahl’s CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORYfeatures direction by Matt Lenz, based on the national tour’s original direction by three-time Tony Award® winner Jack O’Brien. Original music by Grammy®, Emmy® and Tony Award® winner Marc Shaiman, lyrics by Grammy® and Tony Award® winners Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman, a book by Artistic Director of Edinburgh’s Royal Lyceum Theatre David Greig, based on original choreography by Tony Award® nominee and Emmy Award® winner Joshua Bergasse and includes additional songs by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley from the 1971 Warner Bros. motion picture.

 

Roald Dahl’s CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY features original scenic and costume design by five-time Tony Award® nominee Mark Thompson, which has been recreated by Christine Peters; lighting design by four-time Tony Award® nominee Japhy Weideman, sound design by Andrew Keister, projection design by Jeff Sugg, puppet and illusion design by Obie and Drama Desk Award winner Basil Twist, orchestrations by three-time Tony Award® winner Doug Besterman and music supervision by Nicholas Skilbeck.

 

The hit Broadway musical features songs from the original film, including \”Pure Imagination,\” \”The Candy Man,\” and \”I\’ve Got a Golden Ticket,\” alongside a toe-tapping and ear-tickling new score from the songwriters from Hairspray.

 

Roald Dahl’s CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY is produced by NETworks Presentations.

For more information, visit www.CharlieOnTour.com.

PRODUCTION BIOGRAPHIES

NETworks PRESENTATIONS, LLC (Producer), is an industry leading producer of touring musical theater productions committed to delivering quality entertainment to audiences worldwide. Having produced national and international tours over 20 years, NETworks’ productions include Cameron Mackintosh’s The Phantom of the Opera, Les Misérables, Miss Saigon; The Band’s Visit, A Bronx Tale, Blue Man Group Speechless Tour Fiddler on the Roof, Once On This Island, Nickelodeon’s The SpongeBob Musical, and Waitress.

ABOUT ROALD DAHL AND HIS LEGACY

 

Roald Dahl (1916-1990) was a spy, ace fighter-pilot, chocolate historian and medical inventor. He was also the author of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, The BFG and many more brilliant stories. He remains the World’s No.1 storyteller.

 

Sitting in a hut at the bottom of his garden, surrounded by odd bits and pieces such as a suitcase (used as a footrest), his own hipbone (which he’d had replaced) and a heavy ball of metal foil (made from years’ worth of chocolate wrappers), he went on to write some of the world’s best-loved children’s stories. His first children’s story, James and the Giant Peach, was published in 1961, was a hit and every subsequent book became a best-seller.

 

Today, his stories are available in 58 languages and, by a conservative estimate, he has sold more than 250 million books. Many of these stories have also been adapted for stage and screen, including the 1971 film classic Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Wes Anderson’s acclaimed Fantastic Mr Fox, the multi-award-winning Matilda The Musical from the RSC with music by Tim Minchin, and Steven Spielberg’s blockbuster The BFG. The latest adaptation is Charlie and the Chocolate Factory the Musical which opened on Broadway in April 2017 following three Golden years on London’s West End.

 

DETROIT ENGAGEMENT INFO

 

Performance times for Roald Dahl’s CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORYappearing February 18 – March 1, 2020 at the Detroit Opera House, located at 1526 Broadway St., in Detroit are:

·         Tuesday – Saturday evening performances at 7:30 p.m.

·         Sunday evening performances at 6:30 p.m.

·         Saturday matinees at 2:00 p.m.

·         Sunday matinees at 1:00 p.m.

·         Special open captioned and audio described performance on Sunday, Feb. 23 at 6:30 p.m.

 

Tickets for Roald Dahl’s CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORYstart at $29 (includes facility fee) and will go on sale Sunday, November 17. Tickets can be purchased online at broadwayindetroit.com or ticketmaster.com, and by phone at 800-982-2787. Tickets may also be purchased at the Detroit Opera House and Fisher Theatre box offices starting Monday, November 18. A limited number of premium seats will be available through Ticketmaster and at the Fisher Theatre box office. For group sales (12 or more) please call 313-871-1132 or email groups@broadwayindetroit.com. Tickets for the open captioned and audio described performance may be purchased in person at the Fisher Theatre box office or by phone at 313-872-1000, ext. 0. Performance schedule, prices and cast are subject to change without notice.

 

Broadway In Detroit uses Ticketmaster as its sole, authorized ticketing agent. Individual tickets purchased from a ticket broker or “third party” ticket reseller involves risk and may not be authentic, sold at box office prices, or with correct performance and venue information. Broadway In Detroit box offices cannot reprint or replace lost or stolen tickets sold through a third party or ticket resel

Coming to Detroit: Sweeney Todd

Posted on November 4, 2019 by

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Get excited Michiganders, Sweeney Todd is coming to town! Michigan Opera Theatre’s (MOT) 2019-20 opera season continues with Stephen Sondheim’s “Sweeney Todd,” Nov. 16-24 at the Detroit Opera House. Considered one of the greatest pieces of musical theater of all time, the production features operatic singing, a thrilling story and dramatic special effects and costumes. It will be MOT’s first presentation of ‘Sweeney Todd’ since 1985.
“After an absence of more than 30 years, we are excited to return ‘Sweeney Todd’ to the Michigan Opera Theatre repertoire,” said MOT President and CEO Wayne S. Brown. “This highly-anticipated production is sure to please opera and Broadway fans alike.”
“Sweeney Todd” is the story of a barber out for revenge after being unjustly imprisoned by a judge who wanted to steal his wife. After returning to London, he teams up with Mrs. Lovett, a meat pie baker, in an insane partnership intended to bring him vengeance and her, riches.
Though originally a Broadway musical, “Sweeney Todd” features operatic singing and is considered a crossover piece. It is considered one of Sondheim’s best works with a famous score that includes “Johanna,” “The Worst Pies in London” and “Not While I’m Around,” in addition to its titular “Ballad of Sweeney Todd.” 
The production features steampunk costumes and elements from the original 1979 Broadway set, complete with a trap door barber chair. 
The cast includes notable stars in both opera and musical theater, including Stephen Powell in the title role, Tony award-winner Karen Ziemba as Mrs. Lovett and Tony and Emmy award-nominee Ron Raines, also famous as Alan Spaulding on CBS’s “Guiding Light” soap opera, as Judge Turpin. Ziemba is a Michigan native born in St. Joseph and later raised in Farmington Hills. The cast also includes Nathaniel Hackmann as Anthony Hope and Amy Owens as Johanna. It is conducted by Rob Fisher and directed by Ron Daniels. 
It is sung in English with English supertitles. MOT will offer a free opera talk one hour before the performance. 
This production is made possible by 2019 Fall Opera Season Sponsor, Ford Motor Company.
Ticket prices range from $39 to $160. Tickets may be purchased online at http://www.MichiganOpera.org, by calling (313) 237-7464 or in person at the Detroit Opera House (1526 Broadway, Detroit). 
For full casting and additional information visit https://michiganopera.org/season-schedule/sweeney-todd/. 
“Sweeney Todd” is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).
“Sweeney Todd”
Music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, Book by Hugh Wheeler, Based on the play by Christopher Bond
Performed at the Detroit Opera House, 1526 Broadway, Detroit
Saturday, Nov. 16, 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Nov. 20, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 22, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 24, 2:30 p.m.

30 Things to Do in November

Posted on November 1, 2019 by

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Hello November! The stores are flooded with holiday decor, and I am still over here wondering what happened to summer. You know I am a huge fan of lists and decided to change up my monthly bucket list and do a little something different. Each month I am bringing you a bucket list that is jam-packed with plenty of ideas to get the most out of your month. Since November has 30 days in it, I am bringing you 30 tips and ideas to get you through the month. If you’d like more ideas check out 30 Ways to Celebrate September, 31 Ways to Celebrate October, A-Z Fall Date Ideas or my 2019 Fall Activities List. So let\’s get started…

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1. Head to the zoo, with the cooler temperatures the animals are sure to be active. 
2. Create a fall wreath to hang on your door. 
3. Make a cute doormat for your front porch. I am thinking of watching one that says “Did You Turn Your Straightener Off?” or “Shhh…Watching Hallmark Movies.”
4. Visit a local arts and crafts fair. They’re a great place to shop for gifts. 
5. Build a chili and soup board on Pinterest. I have been trying out vegan soups and chilis lately.
6. Temperatures are dropping it’s time to do some sock shopping. My favorite brands are Darn Tough, Smartwool and Wigwam. 
7. Send notes to friends, family, and others to express your thanks and gratitude.
8. Host a Friendsgiving – think potluck, build your own pizzas, chili bar and more.
9. Go play fowling or do some ax throwing with friends.
10. Leave goodies outside for USPS, FedEx, UPS and Amazon workers to lift their spirits during the busiest time of the year. 
11. There’s no better time to clear out your refrigerator then today! Plus, you definitely want to make sure you have room for all the holiday goodies.
12. Crochet or knit a scarf? Don’t know how to crochet or knit, no big deal! Right now is the perfect opportunity to learn.
13. Celebrate World Kindness Day by doing something nice for someone else – even something as little as putting money in a parking meter. 
14. Volunteer at a soup kitchen.
15. Make a Pinterest board of holiday goodies you want to make. 
16. Make some appetizers to enjoy while watching Michigan crush Michigan State.
17. It’s Take a Hike Day! Bundle up and head outside for an adventure.
18. With Thanksgiving right around it’s the perfect opportunity to donate to a local food bank.
19. Brrrrr, treat yourself to a new winter jacket or pair of boots. 
20. Pick up a new candle scent. I love Bath and Body Works Twisted Peppermint, Peach Bellini, Peppermint Marshmallow and Cranberry Peach.
21. Buy or make Christmas cards to mail out to friends or family.
22. Donate clothing that you didn’t wear this year to the Salvation Army, Purple Heart or Goodwill.
23. Warm-up from shoveling with a bubble bath.
24. Have a fall bonfire.
25. Head downtown to explore the sights and sounds of the city during the holidays. Detroit has little pop-up markets that I cannot wait to shop.
26. Pay it forward today and buy the person\’s drink behind you in line.
27. Don’t forget to bake a pumpkin pie for tomorrow…yum!
28. Happy Thanksgiving! Make a list of all the things you are grateful for.
29. It’s Black Friday! Have fun shopping, and don’t forget to treat yourself to something as well. Pro tip from a marketer: you can find better deals in July than you will find Black Friday.
30. Happy small business Saturday! Shop your favorite local shops and companies to show your support this holiday season.
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