Thank you Michael Bay!  Well for not deciding to make Transformers 3, but for dropping Megan Fox.  Transformers 2 may have made millions at the box office, but failed in comparison to the first film. 

Did Fox deserve to get fired?  In my opinion, yes she did.  You can not talk negatively about a director who gave you a job and put you on the map.  Yes, Fox has done previous rolls before Transformers, but can you name one or two? 

Will being dropped from Transformers 3 change Fox’s career?  Only time will tell.  Her film, Jennifer’s Body, tanked at the box office.  I don’t think she can carry a movie at the box office nor will she ever be able too.  She has a few films coming out this year and in 2011 including Red Sonia (yes, another Hollywood remake), Jonah Hex, and Passion Play.  Let’s see how well they do in the box office.  Ms. Fox, watch what you say about your directors for now on.

There are rumors Michael Bay is auditioning for another female lead.  I know films usually have eye candy for men, but I think the film will be just fine maybe better if there isn’t a love interest.  If they are looking for another female lead, I would prefer a newcomer.  Introduce us to someone new.  Who would you all prefer as Sam Witwicky’s love interest or female lead? 

Side note:  Shia Labeouf has recently spoke about Steven Spielberg “dropping the ball” on Indiana Jones IV.  I’m going to say these young actors have not had their judgement and reason set in.  Studies show judgement and reason set into a person’s brain by the age of 26.  If you have a problem with a director or their work, how about giving the director a call privately and stating your opinion.  How about making a suggestion about the next film?  It could help.

The stars walked the blue carpet to celebrate the premiere of Disneynature’s Oceans on April 17^th at the El Capitan Theater in Hollywood, Ca.

Pierce Brosnan, narrator, waved and smiled to fans as he walked down the carpet along with several Disney stars including Roshon Fegan, Camp Rock, and Ryan Newman from Zeke and Luther.

The hottest stars of the premiere were the Jonas Brothers. Nick and Kevin were escorted down the carpet as the press and fans shouted their names. Before going into the theater, Nick and Kevin quickly ran over towards their screaming fans to say hello as the fans shouted, “I love you Nick!” and “Marry me Kevin!”

The “it” couple, Demi Lovato and Joe Jonas, arrived separately, but later joined each other to pose for photographers. The newly announced couple held each other as they smiled for the cameras then quickly walked together into the theater.

Television personality Michelle Harris, host and co-creator of “Alive & Well with Michelle Harris,” has a passion for the environment and lives a “green” lifestyle. To show her support for nature, her amazing bag was made out of recycled Coke bottles, the bracelet was made of recycled plastic salad dressing bottles, and her lovely dress was also eco-friendly!

Oceans is the second nature documentary by Disneynature. Their first hit, Earth, broke records as the highest grossing nature documentary. With spectacular never-before-seen imagery captured by the latest underwater technologies, Oceans is set to break box office records.

Make a Wave, performed by Demi Lovato and Joe Jonas, can be heard during the end credits of the film. Purchases of the duet from iTunes will be donated to environmental charities through the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund as part of Disney’s Friends for Change.  Disneynature’s Oceans is currently in theaters.

Nick Cage is such a big comic book fan and now has two comic book movies under his belt.  Appears as though his acting in this movie isn’t his best, but thankfully he’s not the star of the film and hopefully won’t have that many lines.  I think it will be a very entertaining movie and will definitely check it out. 

The first film was great entertainment and nonstop action.  The second film, well, I don’t really remember the second film because it was that bad.  Reeves chooses his movies based on the quality of the script.  Thankfully, he decided not to take part in Speed 2. 

If 20th Century Fox can pull of another Speed movie, more power to them.  What will the plot be this time?  First film, runaways bus.  Second, speeding cruise ship.  What’s next….a runaway Toyota? 

Maybe they will stray away from the speeding vehicle and just have a regular action film.  We will see what happens. 

Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock pair well on-screen. If they make another movie together, whether it’s Speed 3 or something else, I hope it’s a great film and a success at the box office.

     Heat oven to 375 degrees.  Thaw a premade refrigerated 9″ pie crust, fill with apple filling, and top with roll out crust or leave the top bare.  Bake for 20-25 mins. or until edges are golden brown.

     Or preheat oven to 350 degrees, roll one pie crust on a 12″ pizza pan, pour apple pie filling in the center leaving a one inch margin around the edges, fold edges over pie filling to create overlapping, and place in oven for 15 min. or until crust is golden brown.  Top with whipped cream or ice cream.

     Quick and easy apple pie.  Other pie fillings will work well also.  The taste of both will leave your family and friends thinking you spent hours in the kitchen.

     Movie soundtracks and scores may not be the top music on MP3′s and iPods, but it is one of the most powerful ways to recall memories of a movie and/or a particular scene.   

     After a film ends, I like to listen to the end credits.  The credits always contain the best parts of a score composed into one perfect song.  Each song makes me remember that perfect fight scene or that one moment the hero(es) saved the day.

     Who can’t listen to the Raider’s March, also know as the Indiana Jones theme song, and not picture Harrison Ford running from a boulder, cracking a whip, or the famous map scene with the red line showing the distance traveled? 

     What about listening to the Back to the Future theme song?  Do you automatically imagine Marty McFly driving the Delorean trying to reach 88 mph?  Can you see the lightning bolt striking the clock tower? 

     How about one of my favorites, the Superman theme?  I can see the late Christopher Reeve running down the street revealing the “S” under his shirt then soaring through the sky of Metropolis as Superman. 

     While watching a movie, the score of the film can also add excitement to a scene or make you feel its sadness.  The beginning of Star Trek (2009) was a powerful scene due to Michael Giacchino’s Labor of Love score.  The beginning may have been an action scene, but the score reminded you of its intended sadness.

     A lot of remakes of earlier films are hitting theaters.  A great way to link the remake to the original film is to incorporate the original theme song.  It doesn’t have to be the same, but a mild tweak can still give tribute to the original film and its creators.

     Whether people realize or not, a movie soundtrack or score leaves a lasting impression that remains longer than your average music.  I only hope people learn to appreciate it more.

     The Pirates of the Caribbean franchise has been a huge hit for Disney.  I’ve seen all three films, but believe the first Pirates of the Caribbean movie was the best of the bunch. 

     The first film provided simple yet entertaining action scenes and comedic moments while introducing us to new characters including the famous Captain Jack Sparrow played by Johnny Depp.  The film also introduced Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean ride to those who have never been to the attraction. 

     The sequels, Dead Man’s Chest and At World’s End, were filmed simultaneously.  Bit of a rush?  Yeah maybe.  I won’t say the plot destroyed the sequels.  I’m leaning more towards the comedic scenes becoming more frequent and annoying instead of funny.

     Elizabeth Swann, played by Keira Knightley, was a likeable character in the first film.  She quickly became very irritating in later films due to her whining and conflicting love between Jack Sparrow and Will Turner.

     Thankfully, to my delight, Keira Knightley and Orlando Bloom will not reprise their roles in the next Pirates of the Caribbean film.  Johnny Depp will return along with Geoffrey Rush as Barbossa.  The fourth film will focus on Jack and Blackbeard searching for the Fountain of Youth. 

     Some films can’t afford to lose main characters, but eliminating Swann and Turner was a good move by the writers.  Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides hits theaters May 20, 2011.

     The first Scream movie created a new generation of teen slasher films along with one of the top Halloween costume since its release in 1996.  The first scream movie poked fun at horror movie clichés including running up the stairs instead of out the door when a maniac is after you, who will die in which order, and more.

     After Scream pulled in $173,046,663 worldwide, it was only a rule of thumb for the studio to make another in 1997 and a third film in 2000.  The three films made a total of $507,244,240 worldwide.

     A movie franchise often ends with a trilogy; however, if a studio runs out of ideas or decides to reboot a film (the “in thing” for Hollywood now), the studio will release a fourth film. 

     Wes Craven is returning to direct the fourth installment of the Scream franchise due to be released later this year.  A specific date has not been set.  Neve Campbell, Courtney Cox Arquette, and David Arquette will reprise their roles in the film. 

Question is who will be the killer this time?  ****SPOILERS AHEAD****

     First film, the killer was Sydney’s boyfriend, Billy, and his friend.  Billy was upset Sydney’s cheating mother slept with his father and destroyed his family. 

     Second film, Billy’s mother, Ms. Loomis, and Mickey were the killers.  Ms. Loomis wanted revenge for her son’s death.  Mickey just wanted to take part in the murders to get arrested and become famous for the killings. 

     Third film, the killer was revealed to be Roman.  Roman was Sydney’s half-brother and Maureen Prescott, Sydney’s cheating mother, illegitimate son.  Roman was also revealed to be the brains of all the murders including convincing Billy to start his killing spree.

     In summary, the franchise is based off of Sydney’s cheating mother and the lives her mom destroyed along the way.  Will they stick to this storyline or try something new?  We’ll see later this year.

•1 cup (2 sticks) butter or margarine, softened
•2 cups all-purpose flour
•1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
•1/4 teaspoon salt
•2 cups (12-ounce package) Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips, divided
•1 can (14 ounces) Sweetened Condensed Milk
•1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)
•1/3 cup strawberry jam

PREHEAT oven to 350° F. Grease 13 x 9-inch baking pan.

BEAT butter in large mixer bowl until creamy. Beat in flour, sugar and salt until crumbly. With floured fingers, press 1 3/4 cups crumb mixture onto bottom of prepared baking pan; reserve remaining mixture.

BAKE for 10 to 12 minutes or until edges are golden brown.

MICROWAVE 1 cup chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk in medium, uncovered, microwave-safe bowl on high power for 1 minute; stir until chocolate is smooth. If not yet smooth, microwave for 10-15 extra seconds.  Stir until smooth.  Spread over hot crust.

STIR nuts into reserved crumb mixture; sprinkle over chocolate filling. Drop teaspoonfuls of strawberry jam over crumb mixture. Sprinkle with remaining chocolate chips.

BAKE for 25 to 30 minutes or until center is set. Cool completely in pan on wire rack.
*Makes 36 bars*

*If you would like to make a smaller batch, you may add only 1 stick of butter and 1 cup of flour.  Continue to use 1/2 cup of brown sugar or decrease the amount to 1/4 cup.  Melt 1 cup of chocolate chips and 7 oz . of sweetened condensed milk.  Instead of a 13 x9-inch pan, use an 11 x 7-inch pan.  The adjusted recipe will make 18 cookie bars.*