Stayin' Alive...but barely.

First, let me say for those of you listening to Paul Kelly today--I AM NOT THE CULPRIT OF THE FOWL ONION SMELL SUFFOCATING THE STUDIO. That would be Kevin, our recently-turned-vegan Assistant Promotions Director. I myself enjoyed a very tasty BLT from Jack's in Pleasantville which I ate to fast to leave any lingering smell.

That being said, let's get on with the business of BLOGGING!

It's Friday and its my favorite day of the week. This is true for 2 reasons: 1. It's the end of the week, hello?!, and 2. Duh, the Big 80's Weekend. So I thought I would take this opportunity to defend one of my favorite (and widely underrated) movies--"Stayin' Alive".

Okay, before you give me the "Omigod did she just say 'Stayin' Alive'?" reaction hear me out. Yes, I am referring to the sequel to the 70's cult classic "Saturday Night Fever". Part two brings us back in contact with Tony Menaro, the character immortalized by John Travolta ("he hits my hair...Ya know I work hard on my hair and he hits it!"). True the character developement is not as prevelant in "Stayin' Alive" as in the original, but this movie is like a car crash--you don't want to watch but you can't help yourself.

"Stayin' Alive" finds Tony Menaro out of his native Brooklyn and in the heart of NYC's Manhattan. No longer disco-in' down at the 2001 Odyssey club, Tony aims to hit it big as a dancer on Broadway. The movie canvases his journey from lowly bo-hunk to 42nd St. success.

Now as I said I fully give over that the characters in the sequel aren't nearly as tortured as in "Saturday Night Fever", yet I find myself wildly amused by them all. John Travolta is on fire as a dancer and in such good shape he would rival Brad Pitt's "Fight Club" physique (by the way his hair is grown out, and he is tan, and he is dripping with sweat 3/4 of the film--HOTTTT!!!). Cynthia Rhodes (wife of Richard Marx and Penny in "Dirty Dancing") co-stars as the Tony-obsessed Jackie, a fellow dancer who just can't seem to get her love interest to make a commitment to her. Cynthia Rhodes not only dances in the movie, she sings as well. She has the kind of voice on soundtrack songs like "Finding Out The Hard Way" that could easily have fit her into the 80's music scene as a solo artist had she not had better success as an actress.

However, in my opinion the REAL star of "Stayin' Alive" is Finola Hughes (Ana on General Hospital and host of "How Do I Look?" on Style Network). Hughes plays Laura, the hoity-toity (please forigve if I misspelled THAT one), well-0ff, well-bread, "I'm sexy and I know it", "I'm beautiful and I know it", "I am the greatest dancer and I know it", British-bred socialite. Laura captivates Tony from the moment he sees her dance. Her long flowing black hair and to-die-for dancer's body addict Tony instantly. Laura realizes this and uses it to her advantage to successfully string Tony along and make him her new "project". The pair start an unrequited love affair that lasts until the very last scene of "Stayin' Alive". Finola Hughes is VICIOUS, self-obsessed, and more importantly, quick-witted. There is nothing she can't have. But once she has something its old news. She has the best lines in the film--lines that make you hate her and love her at the same time. Hughe's character is part of the reason I am so mellodramatic. I saw the movie at 5 years old and walked around talking in a British accent for months. I have every single line of hers memorized and she may be a bad-ass (this I am not) and self-centered (this I am not either) but her stingy attitude is palpable.

Quickly, the soundtrack includes several new Bee Gees tunes, and because the film was directed by, get this, Sylvester Stallone, his brother Frank picks up the rest of the slack. Frank Stallone created one of my favorite movie themes "Far From Over", a song that would ultimately end up on Mike and Diane's 40 Worst Sings of All-Time list.

No, the movie or soundtrack wasn't a bounty of success or critical acclaim but the real stars of "Stayin' Alive" shine--the dancing which is wildly entertaining, and the 3-way love triangle.

Rent it. Heck, buy it since I think its only $5 on the clearance rack at any movie store.

TTYL, Heather

When Two Become One

Been gone awhile I know. Feeling a bit uninspired lately. Watching E! News Weekend today cured that. So to get right on with it--What in the h-e-double hockey sticks is up with the media identifying celebrity couples by ONE name? Okay, I have to admit it was MILDLY comedic to refer to Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck as "Bennifer". I myself am guilty of using the term. But I should have known the whole "2 Become 1" fad was a bit out of control when "Bennifer" transitioned to "JennAffleck" and "JLofleck". It's natural for even more celeb-envy to set in when two incredibly sexy and attractive stars cohabitate. In general, when two people fall in love the atmosphere can be magnetic. But when it's someone like Ben and Jenn it's even harder to take your eyes, and your imagination, away. Wondering how they got together, who were they with (if anyone) when the courtship began, how many carats will the bling be if engagement ensues, who becomes the wedding dress designer, and finally HOW LONG WILL IT ALL LAST???!!! Celebrity coupling has even become a betting cult in Las Vegas and in the court of public opinion until you are on the edge of your seat waiting for an impending split. All of the above is acceptable to a fault. A fun distraction if you will from our my-so-called-ordinary-lives. But the line has to be drawn SOMEWHERE. Ben Affleck got lucky. He eventually went on the marry another Jennifer (Jennifer Garner) after his breakup with Lopez, thereby leaving him free from any other last name collaborations. Enter "Brangelina". That's right--THE king and THE queen and eptiomies of HOT--Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. The public was ever more forgiving of Brad's "alleged" infideltiy commited against fellow sex symbol and wife Jennifer Aniston because Angelina was considered by men AND some women to be an "upgrade". Understandable. But who sits around with pen to paper coming up with the possible scenarios of what the couple will further be known as? I can't remember anyone referring to Marilyn Monroe and Joe Di Maggio as "MonMaggio", or Liz Taylor and Richard Burton as "Elizadick". So as if we didn't already have gag reflex from the whole JLo-Affleck phenomenon we now have their pairing to thank for this new phase of media manipulation. Let's hope its JUST a phase (however, I must say I do fear for what will happen with the upcoming Jolie-Pitt offspring--waiting with baited breath). The whole irriation that started this blog in the first place came from one Giulianna De Pandi (E! News coorespondent) dubbed Vince Vaughn and Jennifer Aniston "Vaughniston". You can help end this ridiculous trend by restraining yourself from feeding into the frezny. GOOD LUCK! TTYL! Heather

Resolution Revolution

Welcome one and all to 2006. A new year, a chance to right the wrongs. On January 1st of every new year there is one word on almost everyone's lips--RESOLUTION. We all have a string of them--some achieved, most left to linger. The old stand-bys still hold true. To quit smoking, lose weight, save money, get motivated, yadda yadda yadda. My resolutions (and I need to start with just 2 since its rare that I ever finish what I start) are 1. To put an end to my tardiness. 2. To clean up after my disorganized self. Simple right? Well just as many others fail to stick to a diet or stay away from nicotine, I'm not doing so well. It's January 8th. One week into the new year and instead of tending to the loads of laundry collecting dust or sorting out that pesky junk drawer in the kitchen I am sitting on my lazy tush watching football. I can't seem to bargain with myself a good enough reason to do something--anything. Christmas presents still linger close to where the tree USED to be. Stacks of outdated magazines are still piled high on a bookshelf. Bags of summer close still wait to be stowed away. I just can't seem to keep the old adage "don't put off till tomorrow that which can be done today" fresh in my mind. I am my own worst enemy. The alarm clock continues to be my arch enemy as well. AAHHH the SNOOZE button. Is there anything MORE convenient in this world? Convenience isn't the word to describe my overuse of snooze--ABUSE would be more the word. I have such good intentions. I believe that at 30 years old I should be mature enough to force myself to get up when the alarm goes off the FIRST time. Who else is going to do it for me? No one. I've even tried putting the alarm clock across the room so that I have no choice but to pull myself out of bed the cease the annoying beeping. No luck. My bed calls my name like the Sirens to Odysseus. The only thing I was ever early for was my birth. I am notoriously late no matter WHERE I am going. I would love to save myself the stress of rushing around all the time. Its like my body just rejects the notion of not waiting till the last minute to do everything. Do I just have to face that I am ill-prepared and get used to it? New Year's resolutions just add up to one thing--pressure. Life is tough enough without having to worry about living up the one's own expectations. I will continue to try but something tell's me I will be sleeping in tomorrow and have nothing to wear. Any ideas on how to stick with the program? Shoot. I am all ears. TTYL! Heather