About Time for an Alien Jolt: The Darkest Hour 2011

Time to celebrate Christmas with a little more oomph than ever before! That is if you go ahead and check out the upcoming motion picture, The Darkest Hour which is scheduled to hit theaters on December 25, 2011. Well, if you have been wondering, in the past, Close Encounters, ET, Super 8, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, Attack the Block, District 9. They were all marvelous alien apocalypse flicks. And movies about alien invasion will always have a special, snug little place in our hearts, no matter how romantic comedies and fanged romance rule tinsel town this time around. And perhaps the producers really have our penchants f alien invasions in mind when they made the show, and we are about to welcome The Darkest Hour in no time.

Established art director and film visionary Chris Gorak brings to alien apocalypse fanatics The Darkest Hour, which is his second shot at directing a feature film, tells the story of five young adults, Emile Hirsch, Olivia Thirlby, Rachael Taylor, Joel Kinnaman, and Max Minghella, in this peculiar quest to defend themselves and their home planet against a squad of vicious, invisible aliens, draining Earth of its power supply in an ominous and deadly attempt t take over the whole world. This one’s a traditional story, but this is one that has been consistently thrilled so many of us since H.G. Wells penned on War of the Worlds. Check out the very invigorating images from the film. The Darkest Hour opens on Christmas day

New Year’s Eve: A Charming Review for a Dumb Story Line

You’ve got to be kidding me Hollywood! But there are times, watching a wreck of a movie and enjoying the film for more than an hour can be very embarrassing. That’s what you get when you see how New Year’s Eve made its way to fame. As you may recall, the year-end blockbuster has conquered United States on December 9, 2011. This is the too-faced comedy of all sorts which wrecked the rest of Fandango Galaxy cinema in Carson City. As you remember, the movie is plagued with an all-star cast, from Hilary Swank to Robert de Niro. And even if the film is entirely sheer twaddle, director Gary Marshall keeps his head on the clouds. Of course he should, he produced the same move the other year, Valentine’s Day? Anyone?

And of course, everybody loves a good movie review so here we go! So bottom line of the film are eight somewhat not related people, who are facing personal problems. For instance, spokesperson got a little awry about the Time Square ball which got stuck halfway up the pole. De Niro’s glitch is that he’s on his death bed but is dying to see the ball descend one more time. Halle Berry is De Niro’s nurse who conspired to let him have his dying wish? 

And Michelle Pfeiffer plays as a recording company secretary with a list of things including quitting her own job. Bike messenger Zac Efron helps her with motor bike rides and swinging her from aerial ropes before he kisses her as she protests she's too old for him.

Jon Bon Jovi on the other hand spills and sings his heart out loud to Katherine Heigl’s character whom he stood up last New Year’s eve. . And Josh Duhamel in black tie has to give a speech at a swank party, which he does nicely giving the movie a touch of sanctimony before hooking up with Swank, who also delivers some uplifting oratory.

Berry got to purify things a bit as well with a TV chat with her man in Afghanistan, and not to forget Sarah Jessica Parker, who stands as the mother of Abigail Breslin who only wanted to celebrate 2012 with her friends, but mom’s dead-worried about her daughter’s safety with all the enormous crowd out there in Time Square.

Ashton Kutcher and Lea Michele get to get all fuzzy after being stuck in elevator; he's anti-New Year's and she's got a backup singing date on Times Square. But they make it up in the end. And to top all of it, there’s this dumb race as who will win the $25,000 prize for the first baby born  in 2012. I don’t know about you but the movie is not that blockbuster inducing as you can see, but it’s as charming and enchanting, considering it’s an all-star cast movie. Get on with the show and see the rest of New Year’s Eve, it doesn’t matter if the premiere has already passed, you still got more time!

Zoey Deschanel on Music, Christmas, and Her Newest Album

As bright-eyed brunette beauty Zooey Deschanel winds down with the busy year, including a very successful sitcom launch, some film appearances and a marvelous Christmas album as a half of She and Him, the songstress tells about how she already is in the preliminary stages of putting together the folk-pop duo’s next full-length show. see her again this time around on New Girl Season 1 Episode 10: Christmas which will be on December 20, 2011. 

"I've been writing a lot," says Deschanel, "so hopefully we'll be in the studio pretty soon." Instead of diving into the proper follow-up to 2010's "Volume Two" this year, Deschanel and guitarist/producer M. Ward took a detour and decided to issue "A Very She & Him Christmas," a 12-track holiday covers album released in October on Merge Records. Since its release, the album has sold 128,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

 "We just do what we want, really," says Deschanel, who tracked "A Very She & Him Christmas" over a six-day span with Ward. "There's no grand plan for our career, or something. The wonderful thing is that we're on an amazing indie label that's super artist-friendly, and gives us the room to do our thing. This is just something we've been wanting to do for a long time, and actually we wanted to get one out last year, but it was too hard to get together. So we ended up getting in the studio in April and got it done."

Ever since the release of the Christmas album, She and Him have been performing “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” on Ellen and “The Christmas waltz” on The Tonight Show. The New Girl star has also picked up a Grammy nomination for Best song Written for Visual Media. 

"To me, this is much more comfortable," she says. "Even though the hours are really long, it's more comfortable to me to work with a character and develop it over time… I know we have a big hiatus in the spring and summer though, so that's when I can do other projects." And don’t forget to see her around on New Girl Season 1 Episode 10: Christmas.

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Blake Lively in Big Apple: Dressed Down and Cool Like a Pro

She’s stylish, she’s posh, and she’s polished and poised. What more could you say? It’s Blake Lively on downtown garb, make way! Yes, we’re talking about the Gossip Girl starlet, and don’t forget about her when you check out the next episode of Gossip Girl Season 5 Episode 12 which will hit small screens on January 23, 2012. It’s sooner than you think it is so don’t miss to check it out!

Now back to the budding fashionista. As her on-screen alter ego, it-girl Serena van der Woodsen, all of us are as used to seeing Blake Lively flaunting her garb and glamour in all manner of Lanvin, Chanel, Louboutins, or Balenciaga, like we are used to change our clothes once a day. But give her a big break, and you’ll see her dressed down not to the nines, which is still as chic as ever, and as surprising at all.

She looked effortlessly cool as she hung around in New York wearing dark blue skinny jeans, a sparkly red and black striped sweater and hooded leather jacket. It looks like she hung up her heels for the day too, instead opting for a pair of tough looking flat boots.

We especially love her ultra glitzy top – who doesn’t love a bit of sparkle in December, after all?!

While we’re sure Blake hasn’t retired from her designer threads permanently, it’s good to see her looking so laid-back and stylish. Top marks also for her natural hair and makeup, too.

Ah, this New York socialite malarkey looks like a hard life… But don’t make it so hard on your own leisure life, and check out Gossip Girl Season 5 Episode 12.

Ricky Martin and Gloria Estefan Conquers Glee Come New Year!

It’s official! And we’re giddy as can be to announce to you that pop Latino artist and diva extraordinaire Ricky Martin and Gloria Estefan are up for the charts to start the New Year right with Glee! And speaking of Glee, don’t worry, because we’ll be on for Glee Season 3 Episode 9:Extraordinary Merry Christmas when it airs on your favorite websites and small screens right this month on December 13, 2011. No, you’re not hearing anything wrong. It’s because everything rings true, Ricky Martin and Gloria Estefan are all tangibly confirmed to join Glee for another episode in the new year. And if you still can’t believe that, just wait and ask the show’s executive music producer, Adam Anders.

"We just announced Ricky Martin and Gloria Estefan for a Spanglish episode," he told Billboard.com Sunday night. "We're just starting the planning, so I don't know (which songs the pair will sing.) I wouldn't tell you anyway!"

Anders for his part did confirm this crazy, hazy mash-up with Martin’s ‘Livin’ La Vida Loca ‘ amd Estefan’s ‘Conga’, which would be one cool route for the two hit superstars. According to some of the earliest reports, Estefan will be in the most compromising role ever: Santana’s mom and Martin will be McKinley High’s newest and hottest Spanish teacher (‘scuse me, Will,) in the very next episode.

"I'm excited everyone is here together supporting this cause," said Harry Shum Jr., who was on hand with his co-stars to introduce Amber Riley's performance. "Last year I was here, but it wasn't this big of a scale. I'm so happy to see it grow over a year and bring awareness. I danced last year. We're alternating, this year Darren (Criss) is doing it and Amber's doing it, but I'll just enjoy watching."

Anders also served as the musical director for the rest of the night, working hand in hand with Adam Shankman, who also directed the entire event. Anders described his role as "selecting songs, arrangements, artists, pulling favors," but admitted that he didn't need to twist anyone's arm to be involved in Trevor.

"We thought we'd have to, but everybody wants to be part of it and help out," he said. "The amount of talent that's come out to support has been amazing."

 But don’t wait for long, and don’t miss Glee Season 3 Episode 9: Extraordinary Merry Christmas. 

Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol Crew Struck a Pose in Tokyo!

There’s nothing better than getting in touch with the people who admire and look up to you most. And for a simple fan, there’s nothing sort of shocking as to see your most admired and well-loved actors shows up in your locality for a dose of fans meet and greet… a total surprise! Just when you thought you knew everything about them, wait until you see Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol as it explodes with action, high-octane mission impossible stunts, and the enduring sleek-sleuthing only the one and only legendary Tom Cruise could pull off.

Anyways, let’s cut to the chase. What I wanted to blabber about is that the cast members of the hottest movie this year-end season Paula Patton and Tom Cruise himself struck poses at a promotional event for their most explosive hit film Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol back in Tokyo just this week! And just when you think Le Cruise is supposed to be dealing with his rather little bratty princess and sorry lovelife that turns to be a little bit lukewarm at this point in time, he hightails his career with kicking off on the massive rollout of the fourth installment of his Mission: Impossible franchise with a limited fan screening in Japan this Thursday, which is way ahead of its official world premiere which will be next week.

What’s with Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol anyways? Well, unless you’re a complete jerk and a killjoy yourself, everybody finds the newest motion picture a total knock off! So schedule your date night and assemble to your nearest theaters on premiere night! See you there!

Lucy Lawless Serves Up Coffee For Starship Welfare, Auckland

She may be a vindictive little ninny named Lucretia Batiatus in Spartacus, sure, but she’s an actress and a woman by heart. See more of Lucy Lawless in Spartacus: Vengeance Season 1 Episode 1 which will hit millions of small screens on January 27, 2011.

And what’s more surprising this time is that Lucy Lawless will be your bonus the moment you get tp claim your morning coffee and breakfast .

Wearing a black apron, she cheerfully asked customers: "Is there anything I can get you?".

Lawless now greets customers at Café Melba somewhere in downtown Auckland’s Vilcan Lane just yesterday in order to raise some funds for the Starship Children’s Hospital.

Celebrating 15 years this week, Café Melba has been donating to Starship for the past five years and for this week, c’mon in for your caffeine and donate 50c for every cup of coffee sold.

Lawless - who worked for about an hour yesterday - served several customers who were clearly awestruck.

Mates Grant Fife, Zach Hitchcock and Gus Pickering were about to tuck into their breakfast when they realised who had just brought their drinks.

"I didn't recognise her at first," Mr Pickering said. "I think I was a bit awestruck."

Mr Hitchcock did recognise the star: "I watch her onSpartacus."

Mr Fife said it was great to see a celebrity giving back: "I think that it's a wonderful thing she's doing - especially for a good cause like Starship."

Lawless, who is also a member of the hospital's Board of Trustees, said it was a good chance to get people involved with Starship, which was in much need of new medical technology and equipment.

"Science and medical technology is improving at an exceptional rate and right now there's a lack of technology here. This will help Starship get there," she said.

Cafe co-owner Shawn Pope said the aim was to raise at least $10,000 for Starship this year.

He said news of Lawless' arrival had brought excitement to regular customers.

Lawless said: "Melba has been helping Starship for years - I'm only too happy to come out and give them a little bit of love." Now that’s a feast of love and humanitarian concern. Just don’t miss her on Spartacus: Vengeance Season 1 Episode 1.