2010: The Year of The HumDrum Flicks...kinda sorta...

2010: The Year of HumDrum Flicks...Kinda, Sorta...
Lackluster Lights, Cameras, & Action…

2010 was NOT a blockbuster year for movies but, there were a few goodies and “Honorable Mentions” that I would like to share with you. Hopefully, you will find my choices useful and an added delight to your list of must-sees on a cool winter’s night or “it-ain’t-shit-else-to-do” evening.

Here goes…

10. FLIPPED











A delightful coming-of-age tale created to tickle your sweet memories of love when it was cute and innocent. Quite refreshing and honest.

9. THE TOWN

I KNOW that I’ve seen this plot before either through Set It Off , Takers, or Heat but it was still a worthy effort by Afflect. Not as edgy as it could have been, but decent.

8. BURIED

Took me back to Cast Away with the “one-man-show” & a wicked twist. Interesting modern day thriller worth a peek-a-boo if you have PATIENCE.

7. SOCIAL NETWORK

Didn’t think I would enjoy this but surprisingly, it was pretty good. I walked in thinking I would see some good old fashioned spying and espionage but only found a socially repressed genius that stumbled on a social gold mine. Now isn’t that IRONIC?

6. SCOTT PILGRIM vs. THE WORLD

I LOVE Michael Cera. Nerdy swag RULES!

5. DEVIL

Great comeback by M. Night Shyamalan (thank God he didn’t direct this one!). Eerie at best, but definitely a message/story to be told. Good to see Bokeem back on the big screen. Just remember, there are no coincidences…

4. THE KING’S SPEECH

Let me first admit that I am QUITE partial to British flicks AND Colin Firth AND Geoffrey Rush. With that said, I also add that this very well acted and noble portrayal of king George VI and his struggle with a stu-stu-STUTTER was DELIGHTFULLY RICH. Loved the warmth & honesty sprinkled with a few chuckle moments.

3. LET ME IN

It’s the Year of the Vampire…again! Dark, brooding, & disturbing. How easy it is to fall prey when you are being preyed upon. Innocence lost, dreams deferred… definitely worth checking out if you have a penchant for the raw and freakish.

2. WARRIOR’S WAY

This year’s SHOCKER! This movie was supposed to be a “filler” for me but I was absolutely captivated by Jang Dong-gun!!! When the Wild-Wild West meets Ninja Power, and very unlikely heroes, comedic mayhem and bloody action take place. KUDOS to director Sngmoo Lee for creating this refreshingly gorgeous piece!

FINALLY…(AND I KNOW I’M GOING TO RECEIVE A LOT OF FLIP-FLAP & MOUTHING OFF FOR THIS BUT… THIS IS MY SHOW! )

MY #1 MOVIE OF 2010 IS…

1. SPLICE

This movie was so twisted and bizarre that I couldn’t help but be captivated by its uniqueness. Taking a page from Species, SPLICE pushes the envelop! Great special effects and make-up, strong cast and performances, and just DAMNED WEIRD! I had several YUK moments and the ending bout took me out the game…but that’s what I live for in a movie! Definitely a breath of fresh SCI-FI air!


Although I have restricted my list to the Top 10, I do have a few “Honorable Mentions” that I felt I would be remiss in not mentioning (in no specific order)…

* Lovely Bones
* For Colored Girls Who

*Going the Distance
*City Island
*Iron Man 2
*The Killer Inside Me

I hope you have enjoyed this VERY brief list and that you have the opportunity to check out some, if not all, of these flicks. I think you will enjoy EACH and EVERY ONE of them!

This is YOUR Roving Movie Reporter…Your chick checking out ALL the flicks! Toodles!!!

I Know How to... WORK. IT. OUT!

MUSIC can really be an inspiration. I have been on a walking program for the past year, on and off, and what has always been a constant motivator for me is my iPod...LOADED!

As a result, I have decided to share my latest, & greatest PLAYLIST. Now, get ready because it is FRESH, KRUMPED, FAST-PACED, RAUNCHY, & F-U-N-K-Y!!! It ain't for the weak-at-heart (& sanctimonious)!!!

LORIANN'S WALKING

JUKE-JOINT PLAYLIST:

♥Track 1: WHO DAT (Dirty) by J. Cole:

You gotta get your GAME FACE on and push off with an "I mean business" start. J. Cole has produce a Tru Dat, Who Dat hit! It's one of my Top 100 favorites! It gets me in the mood to get my heart pumping at a GANGSTA pace.

♥Track 2: MASSIVE ATTACK by Nicki Manaj

Oooohhhh...this B.B. (Black Barbie, LOL) is FIERCE, not Sasha Fierce, but juicy fierce. The beat to this song energizes and jolts me into movement EVERYTIME!!!

♥Track 3: GRINDIN' (Dirty) by Clispe

The "thump" is marvelous! As you contemplate your route and distance, this song puts you back on target to GRIND towards the finish line. "I'm your pusher..."

♥Track 4: ELECTRIC TWIST by A Fine Frenzy

This group is not mainstream but I love 'em!!! By the time this song hits me, I'm a bit winded (and angry) and in real need of a fun, pick-me-up ditty. Electric Twist is cotton candy & perk-i-licious!

♥Track 5: GET ME BODIED (Extended Mix) by Beyonce

Bey reminds me that looking the part of Diva requires work...hard work...and when I'm getting my "Naomi Campbell walk" on, bizness is being taken care of! I AM GETTING ME BODIED!

♥Track 6: TEACH ME HOW TO DOUGIE (Dirty) by California Sway District

I'm slowing it down now, but still feeling motivated. This song brings out the playfulness in me. Silly-joy, ring-around-the-rosie-joy! I am so amazed at how simple some of the songs are today...really infantile, but the beat, rhythm is so good, it just makes you say, "oh, what the heck, I'm gonna Dougie too!"

♥Track 7: OMG (Extended Mix) by Usher

I can see the finish line now. Usher & I have an understanding. He's gonna "let it burn" & I'm going to OMG myself right down to a size 6. I'm DETERMINED! Sidebar...Have you seen the video for OMG? Will.i.am has on some really TIGHT pants. Hmmmm...

♥Track 8: ON TO THE NEXT ONE! by JayZ

How a propos! What better way to say, "It's a wrap!"?

I don't know if any of this helps you, but it surely helps me! The two-mile, 35 minute journey is one that I use to make "it" happen. "It" being Self-improvement, Self-discovery, & turning something that I absolutely DESPISE (exercising) into a tolerable, sometimes even invigorating, experience. So, what's your playlist like?

How do YOU GO TO WORK?!?!?!

Another One BITES the Dust!

Okay, so I'm a little embarassed but I'm going to say it:

I AM A TWILIGHT MOM.

There. It's out...sighhhh...

I just can't seem to get enough of this latest teen phenomenon. Team Edward, Team Jacob, Team EVERYBODY!!! I just love 'em all!!!

You know, it all started so innocently. Maybe due to my early fascination with vampires and the sensational magic and mysticism of "glamorizing". Remember pale-faced Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise in Interview with a Vampire. Or maybe Gary Oldman's portrayal of Dracula in Brahm Stoker's epic classic? OMG... Loved them!!!

Trust me when I say I feel nothing "cougarish" in the young bucks that are rendering teens and their moms all over the world THIRSTY for more BUT...it's the sugary romanticism that Stephanie Myers has woven (not coven...well, maybe) to make such a vile and evil myth come alive with such innocence, simplicity and pure fluff that has captivated me through and through. It is FANG-A-LICIOUS!

To appease myself, just a bit, in feeling better about how I am flitting about with my TEAM EDWARD shirt on, I've decided that it's okay to "wanna get away".

The Twilight Saga gives us the opporutnity to transport ourselves to another place, time, and REALITY. It gives us a chance to believe that all monsters don't HAVE to be monsters. Awwww... forget about the weak chick with no self-confidence, finesse, & loose morals. In the end, the chick grows up, gets her man, and grows a pair. END OF STORY (& get over it, tight-lippers).

Of course, Twilight is no Lord of the Rings, Pretty Woman, or 16 Candles, but it holds its own. There is a place for it in the Cinema Hall of Fame. And to all of those who haven't jumped on the band wagon yet, this is what I have to say...

BITE ME.

PS...Always remember, "Don't Blame it on the SUNSHINE, Blame it on the Boogie!"

It's Been a While...

And so...

"A day, or two, or three...no matter the amount of time which passes, in the grand scheme of things...it's just a moment in time." - Loriann

Been thinking a lot about CHANGE. Not "Obama Change" (you know, like changing the world) but a PERSONAL CHANGE.

As seasons pass, we evolve. But, do we ever take the time to do a personal "Spring Cleaning" of our intimate lives? Where we take stock of the conditions of our souls, happiness, minds, states, homes, decisions...? Take time to...Reflect? Take time to...Cleanse? Take time to...RENEW?

Well, I've arrived... IT'S SPRING TIME!!! I've done some cleansing, with a little more in store, & now, it's time to rebuild, renew, and RECHARGE!

I invite you to embark on your own personal journey. Take the time to evaluate all that is important and get rid of those insignificant nuainces that sap your juice, negate your energy, rain on your parade. Today is the greatest day in the world! But tomorrow, OMG, is sooooo much better!

There are those out there who have so much to offer and yet they sit on the sidelines, watching the show, critizing, adding nothing but malice. Don't be that person and don't let that person be a part of your world. There's a place and a time for it all. I got jokes, you got jokes, but at the end of the day...IT'S ALL A VERY SERIOUS MATTER. Treat it as such.

Listen to your heart, tell someone you love them, forgive (if you know me, I know you're LOLing), just BE ALL THAT YOU CAN BE!!! I'm turning a corner (I can feel it), leaving some behind, and not looking in that rear-view mirror. I have a few stops to make along the way but...the coast is clear!

And so...

Now I know that brighter days are on the horizons.

Surely, it all begins with the "Master Plan". You gotta have that "Master Plan" to give you the inspiration, motivation, & Kick-Ass MOJO that's going to keep you on the straight and narrow. Mind over body, cool over fools, and faking it till you make it BABY! Remember...IT'S SPRING TIME! Get to cleaning DAMN IT!!!



THIS IS: DAY 1... (whewwww...)

PS...Always remember, "Don't Blame it on the SUNSHINE, Blame it on the Boogie!"

2009: The Year in Review (Day 5 of 5)

*H*A*P*P*Y* *N*E*W* *Y*E*A*R*!!!!!

2010

2009: The Year in Review (Day 4 of 5)

BREAK
(in Case of an Emergency)

For 2010, I resolve to let my hair down & let my mind & body be free!

As we go about making resolutions about what we will and will not do, let us remember to cherish and cultivate the things that we have and don't want to lose.

How will YOU resolve to do this?

• Know yourself and the heights that you can reach
• DREAM, LIVE, BLOSSOM
• Remove the nay sayers!!! (You can do bad all by yourself)
• Set goals and never lose sight of them
• Take care of YOU first
• Grow, learn, challenge yourself
• Believe in YOU. Believe in YOUR FUTURE
• RELAX, RELATE, RELEASE
• LOVE YOU... it's the best love EVER!

I know that 2010 is going to be the best year yet.

Let's make it happen!







PS...Always remember, "Don't Blame it on the SUNSHINE...Blame it on the Boogie!"

2009: The Year in Review (Day 3 of 5)

Dating in 2009...
What a Dramedy!

Who ever thought that being intelligent, witty, attractive, African-American, and single would be so HARD in the MIA? What an experience...

Let's see what characters I've met in the past year...:

• THE OLD MEN- Lawd, please save us Tenderonies from the gigolos who shake and shimmy to the disco beat of Lou Rawls and James Brown.

• THE "WHATYOUSAYS": Living in THE ULTIMATE melting pot for every culture you can imagine exposes Tenderonies to cross-macking techniques from Hell! Sometimes it's so unintelligible that you can only respond by asking, "What you say?"

• THE EDUMACATED PHILOSOPHERS- Oh boy, these fellas WEAR YO AZZ OUT!!! I always keep the migraine medicine close at hand to survive the "movement". It makes me totally dizzy EVERY time!

• THE METROSEXUALS- smh... too much competition.
  

• THE WHAT-UPS- B-boys, gotta love 'em, as long as you don't have to talk to 'em. *high-five*

• THE POWER HOUSES- Fascinating, polished, intelligent, leaders, PLAYERS, and elusive. They know the game and how to play it very well. Few and far in between...
  

I've talked to many of my single, and married, girlfriends and the question is always the same...WHERE ARE ALL THE GOOD BLACK MEN? I know my brothers are TIRED of hearing this but, damnit, inquiring Divalicious minds want to know!

As I venture into 2010, I am prepared to hold fast and steady, keep hope alive and to NEVER GIVE UP ON A GOOD THING!



PS...Always remember, "Don't Blame it on the SUNSHINE...Blame it on the Boogie!"