Women

Get ready to cuddle up close and watch some great movies during those cold winter nights with Dish Network Satellite TV. Even though it is so much more expensive, it’s nice to venture out to the theater every now and then. The winter season will soon be upon us and many people will decide to head to the movies with their loved ones and friends. Here is a preview of what you can expect in theaters for the holidays!

Old Dogs
Release Date: 11/25/09
This movie stars Robin Williams and John Travolta and it looks absolutely adorable! The two actors have been favorites of movie fans everywhere for years and it looks like they’re going to make a hilarious pair in this comedy. One is a bachelor and one a divorcee, Travolta and Williams are about to land a huge business deal but are suddenly given the responsibility of taking care of 7-year-old twins!

The Road
Release Date: 11/25/09
I’m not sure what to make of this film just yet since I’ve only seen one trailer but it seems very interesting. This film hasn’t picked up much buzz but there’s still time. I can say that the acting is guaranteed to be of great quality. It stars Viggo Mortensen, Charlize Theron and Robert Duvall. The plot is based on post apocalyptic times where a man and his child need to fight to stay alive, keeping themselves safe from starving cannibals. This sounds dramatic with a little splash of horror- just the way I like it.

Everybody’s Fine
Release Date: 12/4/09
Robert De Niro stars in this heart-warming holiday drama that is sure to please a wide variety of viewers. He has already won Best Actor at the Hollywood Film Festival for his role in this film and his acting has also been noted as Oscar worthy. DeNiro’s character makes an attempt to reclaim his relationship with his adult children played by Drew Barrymore, Kate Beckinsale and Sam Rockwell.

The Lovely Bones
Release Date: 12/11/09
This movie looks unique to say the least and it’s difficult to tell what type of message, if any, it will deliver. It seems very depressing as a young girl is murdered and is watching over her family from Heaven. She is also keeping an eye on her killer. She needs to make a difficult decision in the spirit world- allow her family to move on or take revenge on the person who took her life. This film could be troublesome to watch for parents but if done carefully could possibly become a blockbuster hit. The cinematography looks beautiful. This film stars Mark Wahlberg, Rachel Weisz, Susan Sarandon (one of my favorites) and more.

Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squekuel
Release Date: December 25
Here’s an adorable flick for the whole family. These tiny-voiced creatures are sure to keep the kids entertained with a fun story, music and dancing. The original Alvin & the Chipmunks released in December 2007 won Favorite movie at The Kids’ Choice Awards, USA and the BMI Film Music Award and made $44,307,417 at the box office.

It’s Complicated
Release Date: 12/25/09
Meryl Streep is on a role once again. She’ll be starring in this drama with Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin. Streep is a restaurant owner and the mother of three grown kids who has been divorced from her husband for many years. She and her ex-husband embark on a trip that unexpectedly reunites their passion for each other and Meryl’s character becomes “the other woman”.

Who is your favorite actress? I know it is very difficult to choose who you like the best since there are so many variations of talented women to choose from. I know that I cannot decide on just one but can certainly state that Kathy Bates would be in the top five. She is probably one of the most versatile and consistent actresses around and has proven her talent with her many characters in movies of every genre.

Bates has starred in over 60 movies since she made her big-screen acting debut in the film Taking Off released in 1971. Her stage performance in the play ‘night Mother earned her a Tony award nomination in 1983 and she was just getting warmed up. She also starred in the Off-Broadway hit Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune. The play lasted through 533 performances. The reason why this may sound familiar is because it was adapted into the movie Frankie & Johnny starring Michelle Pfeifer and Al Pacino. Bates was a huge hit on stage and her career in film was about to explode when she starred in the classic horror smash Misery (1990) as the psycho Annie Wilkes! This performance landed her the Academy Award for Best Actress that year.

Kathy Bates went from one hit film to the next when she took the role of Evelyn Couch, an unhappy housewife, in Fried Green Tomatoes. She was able to make audiences everywhere put aside their fear and, alongside Jessica Tandy, melted the hearts of all her fans. She went from a horror film to a drama and came back to Stephen King once again for Dolores Claiborne. This film was very slow moving and certainly did not have as many followers as Misery, but as far as character studies are concerned, they couldn’t have picked a better actress for the role because without Bates, the film would not be half as good.

Bates stole our hearts again as “Molly” Brown in Titanic (1997). I’ve talked to plenty people about this film because it was such a huge success. Everyone I’ve spoken with seems to have similar opinions of the movie in that the topic was suspenseful and breathtaking but that DiCaprio’s and Winslet’s performances were completely overacted and almost laughable at times, but we like their characters so it was enough to make it work. Bates, on the other hand, played her part to the tee. You would swear she wasn’t acting since she was so comfortable and her lines just rolled off her tongue as if she was completely improvising. She made us laugh and cheer with her astounding performance. I am shocked that Winslet was nominated and Bates was not. Winslet is now a decent actress (most notably in the film Little Children) but she was simply getting her feet wet when she made her mediocre debut in Titanic.

Kathy Bates displayed her confidence and agreed to appear naked in the film About Schmidt (2002), also starring Jack Nicholson. The scene consisted of Bates undressing and entering the bathtub. I’m not quite sure why everyone claims how disgusting this part was. Perhaps it’s because many young people may see her as a mother figure. As a grown woman all I could think was, Go, girl! Bates’ body was obviously not stick thin, but if my skin looks like that with no spider veins or cellulite when I am 55 years old, I certainly will not be wearing a moo-moo at the beach!

Kathy Bates has earned every award that has come her way and deserved so much more. She is one of the most accomplished actresses of our time. Not only has she proven her perseverance in the world of film she has also made a huge personal achievement. Bates was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer in 2003 but has since beaten the disease. She kept her disease a secret from the press and went to chemotherapy appointments on her own. She said that she needed to deal with the disease without any distractions. Bates is grateful that she was diagnosed right at the beginning stages and wants others to know that early detection is the best step toward fighting cancer. Bates has now joined the Ovarian Cancer Foundation to speak out for early detection and cancer treatment.

Do you love watching television shows about health topics? I’m a fan of networks such as Discovery Health, BBC and RFD-TV because they, along with local and national news and health magazines, keep me updated on ways to maintain a healthy lifestyle. I learned about the benefits of organic Noni juice while reading a magazine from my local health food store and have been drinking it here and there ever since. I just had to share it with those of you health conscious people who have not yet heard about this miracle juice.

Noni fruit grows from trees that are part of the coffee family. Tahiti is well known for this fruit as it is more abundant there, but it also grows in French Polynesia, the Indian subcontinent, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Costa Rica. The trees can grow up to 30 feet tall and boast large green leaves along with the green Noni fruit. People living in the Pacific Islands eat Noni fruit as a “famine fruit” or a regular staple. It contains many seeds that can be eaten more easily when cooked. The fruit is consumed both in raw form and after it has been cooked.

The most nutritional part of the Noni fruit is located in the pulp as the fruit contains mostly Vitamin C. This entire little 6 cm fruit can yield the following: Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Potassium, Iron, Calcium, Niacin and Carbohydrates. Noni fruit also contains the following phytochemicals that offer many health benefits: fatty acids, alkaloids, lignans, polysaccharides, iridoids, flavanoids and more! So what do all of these wonderful nutrients do?

We’ve learned about the benefits of many vitamins but equally important, if not vital, are phytochemicals. These are naturally occurring chemicals found in fruit and vegetables that can make a marked improvement on your health when consumed on a regular basis. Let’s look at just a few, starting with fatty acids. The words “fatty acids” would probably frighten people away who don’t know their benefits. Fatty acids help to distribute oxygen throughout your body through your blood stream. They are “cell food” because they work hard to repair damaged cells and add strength to your tissue and organs. Ladies, you know you would love to find the fountain of youth. Fatty acids are great for cell regeneration and work to fight the effects of aging. Want to lose a few pounds? Fatty acids help your body break down cholesterol and keep your thyroid functioning properly. They help to regulate blood pressure and strengthen your immune system! This ingredient alone is enough for me to run out and buy a bottle of Noni.

As if fatty acids weren’t enough, you will also reap amazing health benefits from lignans. Lignans are currently being studied for their ability to fight cancer, more notably, breast and colon cancer. Most cancers grow in estrogen. If there is already a decent amount of estrogen in the body, lignans replace the existing hormone and push it from the cells. This is one of the ways lignans may protect us against breast cancer and other cancers. Lignans can also be found in flaxseed, pumpkin seeds and cranberries. Some animal studies have already received favorable findings.

These are just two of the many beneficial nutrients found in the Noni fruit. Imagine what a combination this is when it is attached to all of the other vitamins and phytochemicals! You can find organic Noni juice at your local health food store. Make sure that the label states that it is organic because it is slightly expensive and you don’t want to pay for a juice that has been diluted. Hold your breath each day as you gulp down an ounce of this powerful fruit juice. You will wake up with a spring in your step, clear and calm thoughts and energy! More importantly, you’ll be on your way to a healthier you!

Watch HBO Signature on Satellite TV for movies with powerful women!

Amelia will be premiering in movie theaters tonight. Hilary Swank will star as Amelia Earhart, the first woman to fly an airplane over the Atlantic Ocean. This historical moment reminded me of a few women who made their mark in film history. I came up with five female pioneers in film but the list goes on for miles!

Alice Guy-Blache
Alice Guy-Blache was the first female film director. She did her first film titled La Fee aux Choux (The Cabbage Fairy) around 1898 while in charge of production at Gaumont Film Company in France. She went on to direct a total of 324 films of different genres. As early as it was, many of Guy-Blache’s films targeted female audiences and contained feminist ideas. She moved to the U.S. with her husband in 1909 to oversee the production company in Ohio. They would eventually leave Gaumont and form The Solax Company in New York, the largest movie studio in America before the explosion of Hollywood. Guy-Blache was not only a director. She was also a writer and experimented with visual and sound effects- all during a time when women didn’t even have the right to vote!

Penny Marshall
Penny was the first female director to make a movie that earned over $100 million dollars at the box office with Big in 1988. She hit a new record when she did it again with A League of Their Own in 1992.

Reese Witherspoon
Ms. Witherspoon in certainly doing something right. She is the highest paid film actress of all time followed by Angelina Jolie and Cameron Diaz. Reese makes between $15 million and a whopping $20 million per movie! Male actors however are still taking home the bigger paychecks in Hollywood.

Katharine Hepburn
Katharine Hepburn was the most praised actress of all time. Her career was in full force for 49 years. Hepburn broke the mold when she set the record for having the most time between Oscars. She also made history by winning the most Oscars for Best Actress. She was nominated for Best Actress twelve times and took home four Oscars! Meryl Streep came in second with 12 nominations and one win over a 24-year span.

Audrey Munson
Munson was an actress in the silent film Inspiration (1915). She was the first lead actress in film to appear in the nude. Her beautiful figure was an inspiration for over 15 statues in New York. She has obtained such nicknames as American Venus, Miss Manhattan and the Exposition Girl.

Extra: Betty Boop First Female Superhero!

Watch HBO Signature on Satellite TV for movies with powerful women!

Amelia will be premiering in movie theaters tonight. Hilary Swank will star as Amelia Earhart, the first woman to fly an airplane over the Atlantic Ocean. This historical moment reminded me of a few women who made their mark in film history. I came up with five female pioneers in film but the list goes on for miles!

Alice Guy-Blache
Alice Guy-Blache was the first female film director. She did her first film titled La Fee aux Choux (The Cabbage Fairy) around 1898 while in charge of production at Gaumont Film Company in France. She went on to direct a total of 324 films of different genres. As early as it was, many of Guy-Blache’s films targeted female audiences and contained feminist ideas. She moved to the U.S. with her husband in 1909 to oversee the production company in Ohio. They would eventually leave Gaumont and form The Solax Company in New York, the largest movie studio in America before the explosion of Hollywood. Guy-Blache was not only a director. She was also a writer and experimented with visual and sound effects- all during a time when women didn’t even have the right to vote!

Penny Marshall
Penny was the first female director to make a movie that earned over $100 million dollars at the box office with Big in 1988. She hit a new record when she did it again with A League of Their Own in 1992.

Reese Witherspoon
Ms. Witherspoon in certainly doing something right. She is the highest paid film actress of all time followed by Angelina Jolie and Cameron Diaz. Reese makes between $15 million and a whopping $20 million per movie! Male actors however are still taking home the bigger paychecks in Hollywood.

Katharine Hepburn
Katharine Hepburn was the most praised actress of all time. Her career was in full force for 49 years. Hepburn broke the mold when she set the record for having the most time between Oscars. She also made history by winning the most Oscars for Best Actress. She was nominated for Best Actress twelve times and took home four Oscars! Meryl Streep came in second with 12 nominations and one win over a 24-year span.

Audrey Munson
Munson was an actress in the silent film Inspiration (1915). She was the first lead actress in film to appear in the nude. Her beautiful figure was an inspiration for over 15 statues in New York. She has obtained such nicknames as American Venus, Miss Manhattan and the Exposition Girl.

Extra: Betty Boop First Female Superhero!

After a four-year hiatus, VH1 has opted to bring back the legendary live concert event "VH1 Divas".  This year's concert will feature some of today's most talented female artists - Adele, Kelly Clarkson, Leona Lewis and Miley Cyrus. The concert will be televised live on VH1 on Thursday, September 17th at 9:00pm. ET/PT.

The ladies will perform together live at the Brooklyn Academy of Music at the Howard Gilman Opera House in Brooklyn, New York. And in true "Divas" tradition, the evening will feature a night of unforgettable performances from various performers, presenters and special guests. Additional performers and presenters will be announced in the coming weeks.

"Divas" originally premiered in 1998 and soon became synonymous with some of the most memorable live female vocal performances in television history. It grew into a phenomenon and featured such past performers as Diana Ross, Tina Turner, Cher, Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, Aretha Franklin, Mary J. Blige, Shania Twain, Faith Hill, Whitney Houston, Beyonce, and Shakira.

The "VH1 Divas" specials will continue to raise funds for the VH1 Save The Music Foundation, which is a non-profit organization dedicated to restoring instrumental music education in American public schools, and raising awareness about the importance of music as part of each child's complete education. Since VH1 Save The Music was created in 1997, more than $43 million worth of musical instruments have been donated to 1,600 public schools in 100 cities.

Expanding on the success of the original hit series, "The Real Housewives of Orange County," and the watercooler sensation, "The Real Housewives of New York City," Bravo is heading south for its newest installment, "The Real Housewives of Atlanta." The seven episode series will follow five women from Atlanta's social elite from NBA and NFL wives to sassy single moms as they juggle their burgeoning careers and busy home lives with the whirl of the south's hottest city. The announcement was made by Frances Berwick, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Bravo.

"Bravo's 'Real Housewives' franchise has resonated with our viewers across the country and we think they will be equally fascinated by the lavish lifestyles and personalities of these Atlanta wives," said Berwick. "They let us peek inside their exclusive, affluent community and see how they live their often dramatic lives and manage families and careers. There is truly never a dull day for them."

An up-close and personal look at life in Hotlanta, "The Real Housewives of Atlanta" follows five glamorous southern belles as they balance motherhood, demanding careers and a fast-paced social calendar, and shows what life is like in the most exclusive areas of Atlanta. These driven and ambitious women prove that they're not just "housewives," but entrepreneurs, doting mothers and classy southern women. These ladies show the world what it takes to live large in some of the hottest zip codes in the south.

Bravo will air a 30-minute preview special of the series on Wednesday, July 30 at 12 a.m. ET/PT after the rebroadcast of "Project Runway."

The Food Network seems to be on a tear this year as it continues to add new shows to it's line-up, while at the same time dropping those shows which have outlived their appeal with the home viewer.

One of the networks new and upcoming show which will be hosted by Sunny Anderson (who currently hosts "Cooking for Real") is titled "How'd That Get On My Plate". During each episode viewers will be able to follow the journey of the food being showcased that week as it goes from it's origin (be it land or sea) to it's final destinatio, which could include restaurants, supermarkets, and our own homes. The show will premiere on July 7 at 9:30 p.m. EST.

While this concept might seem new to some folks the fact is that several shows with this same idea have already been on tv. One such show, which I'm sure most people are familiar with is "Follow That Food" which was hosted by Gordon Elliott. The show took viewers globe trotting around the world as they followed various food from their origin until they finally landed in the kitchens of some of the best chefs in the country. Eerily similar wouldn't you say to the Food Network's latest offering, "How'd That Get on My Plate".

Another show whose concept is somewhat similar to "How'd That Get on My Plate" is "The Secret Life of... which was formerly hosted by Jim O'connor and then George Duran of "Ham on the Street". This show also highlighted the history and origins of food in addition to providing some tasty recipes, which used said food.

It would seem that Food Network execs. are able to understand and appreciate the value of a winning concept. Why else would they revamp old shows which had mass appeal. It's always easy to breathe new life into an old idea. In some cases, as with their latest offering "How'd That Get .....,you know the rest, it's as simple as adding a new host and tweaking things to appeal to today's home viewer and Voila! a new show is born.

Whether it's new, old or just I remake, I'll tune it to watch it anyway because A) I like Sunny Anderson and her "Cooking for Real" show and B) I'm a Food Network junkie. If the network is airing either a new show or episodes them I'm either watching or recording to watch when I have the time. Don't won't to miss any mouth-watering, scrumptious recipes. So "Bon Appetite" to all you food network junkie's like myself.

When I first saw the trailers for this show called "Peter Perfect" on the Style Network, I was somewhat intrigued. I couldn't imagine what a fussy, British, Dudley Moore look-a-like stylist could possibly bring to the Style Network. Who would even bother to watch this show.

After viewing the premiere episode (and all subsequent ones) I can most definitely tell you who should be watching Peter Perfect - everybody. Celebrity stylist Peter Ishkhans, who has coiffed celebrity heads from rock legends to Tinseltown hotties is sooo... much fun to watch as he does what only he can. That is to create a "Style". The perfect look, so to speak for those who cannot, will not or are just plain style challenged.

In each episode Peter faces the daunting challenge of helping struggling business owners, who posess little or no flair for decorating. In other words, they lack the style skills necessary to improve the appearance of their business and make it more attractive and inviting to both current and would be new customers. In addition to giving the stores some much needed floor to ceiling pizazz (not wihout some opposition), Peter also transforms the owners and their employees with a more polished and professional look. This usually includes, hair, make-up, clothing and some points on selling their business products or services to the public.

You would not believe the before and after transformations of the business owners, their employees and their stores when Peter is finished. Totally unbelieveable.

I absolutely adore this show. It was a real treasure find on the Style Network. So listen to me when I say that "if you watch only one show on the Style Network, then "Peter Perfect" should be that one'.