Summer Reading List

Two years ago during the Film Festival, we screened The Descendants and had a Q&A with the lead opposite George Clooney, Shailene Woodley. I remember sitting there thinking how well-spoken, down to earth and real she was while holding a mic and speaking to a room full of strangers. She had a command and presence that just pulled you in.

Fast forward to today, and she is blowing up. With the lead in the Divergent series (which by the by, is a FANTASTIC series and highly recommended if you enjoy/ed Hunger Games) and The Fault in Our Stars (just picked up the book, plan on reading it during this weekend’s Colorado trip), she’s in this spectacular trailer, The Spectacular Now. It’s also based off a book.

There’s your Summer reading list courtesy of Shailene Woodley’s movie career.

Oh and naturally, I’m all about the song in this trailer– “Feel Again” by OneRepublic

Boys of Summer

It’s been a while since I’ve seen a film that truly strikes me and leaves me feeling like I can take over the world. This past week, we screened The Kings of Summer (a Grand Prize Jury nominee at this year’s Sundance) and it did just that. In the trailer, there’s a critic quote that sums up this movie part-Stand By Me and part-Superbad. And it’s spot on.

The carefree spirit of these three boys the film follows (Joe, Patrick and Biaggio) makes you immediately drawn to them. You sit there thinking of the someones from your past that remind you of these very characters. Which in turn, makes you so sad to see the movie’s end.

With parental roles played by Nick Offerman and Megan Mullally, you don’t know who you’re rooting more screen time for, these eccentric two or our boys of summer. The film opens May 31 and is a must see. It’s everything you want, miss and crave from summer.

Hands down my favorite scene was scored by MGMT’s “Youth.” I just wanted to relive that moment over and over and over again. Just like summer.

Heads up, the song in the trailer is super addicting. We Were Promised Jetpacks // “Keeping Warm”

An Evening of Greatness

While the movie hasn’t been getting all that great of reviews, our Great Gatsby night was a huge success! After getting all dolled up, everyone went to a screening in 3D then heading to PUBLIC Hotel for an after party in the library room. Napkins, shot glasses and movie posters awaited our partygoers while servers walked around with Stella and baby Moët bottles. And of course, the soundtrack played throughout the whole party.

Many thanks to our photographer Tim Sullivan for helping commemorate the night.

Creatives Gone Gatsby

Simply too fabulous to bother with modern photography

BLB with a bowtie

1920s Marketing Werkers

Junior Board is the Bee’s Knees

Bond With Believing

Sponsored Post: Everywhere, LLC provided me with compensation for this post. However, all thoughts and opinions expressed herein are my own.

As we continue to move our television, video gaming and movie habits to smaller and smaller screens, I can’t help but wonder if we’re missing a key part of the experience. Naturally, I was eager to head to the IMAX and see a film how it was supposed to be seen, and felt. Figuring it couldn’t get better than James Bond on a big(ger) screen, I went where few Chicagoans go: to Navy Pier on a Saturday afternoon. It was there I caught Skyfall among Bond fans, tourists and gals eager to see Daniel Craig in a larger-than-life way.

It.did.not.disappoint. From the very beginning, I felt like an added character. And peripheral vision? Forget it. No matter where I looked, the scene happened right before me.

Yet the screen did more than just make me feel like I had to duck and roll with James Bond. An IMAX screen did something I never imagined: tuned out the world around me. That man crinkling his plastic bag…heard it for four seconds and…wasn’t thinking of it anymore. The loud breather…the sound took away his breath for me while the movie’s score engulfed me.

I highly recommend the IMAX experience for any film with detailed elements (looking at you Pixar® Films) and action films. After watching the two-minute trailer for the upcoming Hobbit movie, I knew watching any other way would be disappointing. As we continually opt for the screens of laptops, phones and tablets, it’s nice to get a reminder of how movies should be seen. A nice big, six-story, massive reminder.

For more information on IMAX:

–IMAX on Facebook
–IMAX on Twitter

Someday, I’m Gonna Come Out of that Tunnel

When we spent weekends with my Dad growing up, I always remember two things: eating Beef & Broccoli and watching Rudy. That film was more than just a movie about football. It was a movie that reiterated the fact that whatever I wanted to do, I could do if I just had enough determination. And I’m pretty sure it was the first time a movie score ever really spoke to me. And moved me.

Well it’s finally come. Despite having friends that attended Notre Dame, I’ve never been. I’ve never seen the sight Rudy proclaims: “This is the most beautiful sight these eyes have ever seen!” And I’ve never seen the Grotto with all its candles.

Last month, when Notre Dame was in Chicago, I met up with an old friend from Oakville and Kansas, Ally, who works for the Athletic Department for Notre Dame. We rendezvoused, sang songs and enjoyed some long overdue dancing time. And I got a little taste of The Fighting Irish life. Needless to say, I wanted more.

Come Friday, I’ll be en route to South Bend via the train that only cost $11 (say whaaa??) to see The Golden Dome in person. And I’m 100% certain that I will be channeling Mr. Ruettiger the whole time while running around campus with uncontrollable glee.

 

 

To Ease Your Pain

I’ll never forget the first time I heard the  song, “If I Needed You.” It was in Stepmom and Julia Roberts sings it to Benjamin when he’s in the hospital after getting stitches. Ever since then, it’s a song that willingly pops into my head whenever I’m having a not so great day.

Yesterday, while listening to NPR’s World Cafe with Mumford & Sons, I got a sweet, sweet surprise. There, at the end of this fantastic podcast, is their rendition of the very song.

With the Film Fest going on, working and volunteering with Chicago Cares (all this week), it’s just what I need to keep myself going.

Note, I have no idea who this woman is featured in the film.

Return to the Screen

Keeping with tradition, it’s time to begin the great screening and writing nights and days for the 48th Chicago International Film Festival. Last year proved difficult at times, mainly because after a day of working, I had a night of watching and writing, but overall was greatly rewarding. Aside from seeing films in advanced, your write-ups are what people use to make their movie watching decisions. Plus last year, a few of the directors offered their gratitude for spot-on summaries. It’s a great networking tool to say the least.

I’ve screened three thus far and have yet to be disappointed. A lot of previous festival winners (Cannes, Sundance), which I think patrons of Chicago will greatly enjoy. So very confident the fest this year will be just as fantastic as last year. Schedules will hit stands later in September with the Festival running from October 11-25.

 

In a League of My Own

Last week, Werk was hurtin’ for some ladies to show up for the co-ed softball game. I typically go, but as team mom. I’m bringing the snacks, the beer and the cheers. I was quite content with my role. But alas, they needed me to not only “play” but “play” something other than catcher.

So I decided to really put my best foot forward and dress the part. The whole part. I must say, I played the best softball of my MW career. And karoaked afterwards in this to “You Can’t Hurry Love.” Many thanks to the lads at the window table and their “Dottie, Dottie, Dottie!” chants.

Oh Beautiful

Happy Fourth of July everyone! I cannot help but recall this scene from one of my favorite summer movies today. Heading down to the Pier to watch tonight. There’s just something about a sky, city and water lighting up from these things.

Check in to The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

With a membership to Cinema/Chicago, every few weeks there’s another screening of an upcoming feature. Over the year, I’ve been able to see some stellar films and hear inspiring Q&As with directors, writers and actors. As these screenings usually take place during the week, it’s a nice way to unwind after a work day.

This past week, we screened The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. It features an all-star, British cast and does not disappoint. It’s about a group of ex-pats seeking solace, meaning and a new hip in India. The film is rich with colors, sounds and moments that feel all too real. But the film wasn’t the only thing I got that night.

As this film skews to an older, mature demographic, there weren’t many young adults there, sans the staff of Cinema/Chicago. Didn’t bother me one bit, but if it weren’t for this film, I can assure you I would not have met a most fascinating person named Sandy. Sandy is probably somewhere over the age of 70, rents library books, quotes philosophers and has spent his years doing good in Africa, Europe and Asia. He’s basically the kind of person I want to become.

We had great talks before and after the film where he told me things about himself and just things in general. When he found out I was a writer, we spent a lot of the conversation discussing linguistics, which I can honestly say, I’ve never given much thought to. We went our separate ways with the promise of catching an art exhibit.

The one thing I took away from Sandy, was his comment when I told him that he’s had such an awe-inspiring life.

“The best is yet to come.”

And if we learned anything from The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, that’s exactly what’s to come.