Express Yourself – And Gratitude

This week I am doing another blog hop mash up: Express Yourself and Celebrate The Small Things, in order to participate in all of the wonderful blog hops that happen to be on at the end of each week!

Express Yourself asks what our favorite movie of 2014 was? Ah, I love movies – after all I am a Screenwriter, so that is kind of a job requirement – so I could make a list. But the ultimate favorite movie of last year, well that was “Lucy”, a movie with Scarlett Johansen, that flew a little bit under the radar. Here is the trailer:

Which brings me to gratitude. I am grateful for movies, and how many wonderful movie theaters are in our area.

I am grateful for the way they make me feel, and inspire me in return to want to make an audience feel. That to me is ultimate entertainment, to arouse some kind of emotional responds, may it be the one I intend, or one unintended. Either way.

I am grateful for the Authors and Artists I have spoken to this week, some of which I am interviewing for this blog, and for Medium, and some of who’s work I will share here as Guest bloggers – which is a new thing I am about to start on Avalon.

I am grateful that I have ideas, and even if they are sometimes scary to pull off, I am grateful that I am not shrinking back from the opportunities.

I am grateful to be an Artist.

I am grateful that we have a successful business which allows me to explore my art, without having to worry about the bills being paid, or if there is food on the table.

I am grateful for having a wonderful and supportive husband, great employees, and loving kids.

Enough about what I am grateful for, what are you grateful for this week? I hope you all had a wonderful week, and I am looking forward to sharing again with you next week – blessings!

Claudia

Summer TV Shows – Something To Look Forward To

Summer break – many things come to mind, when I hear those two words, good television is usually not one of them. It has traditionally for me been always the time of waiting between shows (okay, I don’t just watch TV and sit around at home, but I do find a good show a relaxing break from writing, and the stress of owning a business) for something good to watch, that does not require a trip to the theater.

This year seems to be different. Some shows have caught my attention.

1. Murder In The First (June 9th TNT)

Yes, you saw that correct, this show includes someone from the Harry Potter cast, all grown up! Tom Felton joins this highly anticipated drama. Sounds interesting!

2. Extant (July 9th CBS)

Halle Berry is coming to the small screen! I am looking forward to the new SciFi show. Here is taste:

3. The Last Ship (June 22nd TNT)

What if the only hope we have laid on a ship? Yes, this is another outbreak, epidemic story, and we have seen many of those (fail), but after watching the trailer I want to give it a try. At least Eric Dane (McSteamy from Grey’s Anatomy) is an incentive to watch show that could be a good premise, if it has been realized to its full potential. Directed by Michael Bay, do I need to say more?

Happy Watching!

 

J Is For Johanssen

As in Scarlett Johanssen that is. You know her from the Iron Man movies, as the voice in “Her”, and also, “Robot Chicken”.

Scarlett Johanssen has been busy. Yes I know she is pregnant, not what I meant, but besides working on Avengers 2 and having a kid, she has two movies coming out shortly (or have been released last week), which both sound weirdly interesting. Oh, and a Black Widow movie has just been announced! Busy woman, good for her. Let me start with “Lucy”

Lucy

Release Date: August 8th 2014

By: Universal Pictures

Director/Writer: Luc Besson

In Lucy, Scarlett plays a young woman who gets caught in the midst of a dark deal, waking up with drugs sown into her stomach. As one of them bursts, her abilitiy to access her brain becomes enhanced, leaving her able to manipulate her environment beyond what should be physically possible. It is a movie tailored to Scarlett’s abilities, her fighting skills she equired for her role as Black Widow come to display. Impressive action scenes seemed to be littered throughout this dark movie, that also features Morgan Freeman.

Here is the trailer:

And here is the second one:

Under The Skin

Release Date: April 4, 2014

Director: Jonathan Glazer

Under The Skin is a surreal, limited release movie, with Sci-Fi elements. It is based on a novel by Michel Faber.
The main character, an Alien, played by Johanssen, takes on human form in order to seduce men, so she can harvest their organs, under the supervision of another alien, who has taken on the form of a male motorcyclist.

 

Both movies are certainly worth taking a closer look at, building around a strong female lead character. Enjoy!