NOTE: I know this category is normally called Music Monday and there is lots of Dave Matthews Band posts that could be written…BUT…I saw Toy Story 3 over the weekend and I just had to write about it. So, here it goes:

The first Toy Story movie came out for Thanksgiving weekend, 1995.  I remember feeling a little silly wanting to see it, being a senior in high school and all, but I saw it anyway and watched it many times after that.   Toy Story 2 came out only 4 years and later and Pixar, once again, outdid themselves.  There aren’t many movies whose sequel was just as good, if not better than the original.  When I heard that they were making a 3rd movie in 3D, I took Emily to see the Toy Story double feature last year in preparation for the big event, and when I was at Disneyland in January, I went on the Toy Story ride (and beat my Mom’s score!).

So, you could say I had some pretty high expectations of Pixar when I walked into that movie theater yesterday.  To say they delivered would be an understatement.  I laughed. And I cried.  I got emotional at the end, as most of the audience did. I heard the guy in front of me crying.  And the woman to the left of me. At least I wasn’t alone.

Some of my favorite highlights of Toy Story 3:

Spanish Buzz Lightyear – Buzz is set to Spanish Mode and becomes a smooth Latin ladies man.  Hysterical.

Ken and Barbie -  When Barbie first met Ken and told him, “I like your ascot,” I laughed out loud and Emily nudged me because she didn’t get it.  Michael Keaton, who voiced Ken, was hysterical.  Loved the closet scene.

Mr. Potato Tortilla Cucumber Head - I never really thought about it, but there are so many other options besides potatoes!

Although I suppose they left it open for a 4th movie (Toy Story 4: Bonnie?), I would be perfectly fine with the way they ended the trilogy.  Props to Disney and Pixar.  Well done.

Yesterday, I took Emily to the movies to see How To Train Your Dragon. I really wanted to see Date Night, but Emily wanted to see this so we went. The theater was surprisingly packed considering how nice it was out. The movie was great. Really great. It would have been more great if I could HEAR all of it. This old hag next to me was coughing the ENTIRE movie. I don’t even know if you could classify it as coughing. It was more hacking. And there was lots of phlegm involved. It was just lovely, really. Thank goodness there was a seat in between us. Hopefully her germs stayed over there.

As if the coughing was not bad enough, her cell phone rang in the middle of the movie. And she didn’t even answer it right away. She was looking at the caller ID as it was ringing. Then she answers it and has a WHOLE CONVERSATION. When the movie ended, I had to climb over her because she obviously wasn’t leaving. She had the nerve to give me a dirty look. Are you kidding me?

Moral of this story: If you are sick, stay home. Don’t bring your germs to a packed movie theater AND ruin the movie for everyone else. Oh, and put your phone on SILENT!

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of 20th Century Fox. All opinions are 100% mine.

Steve Carell and Tina Fey have been making the press rounds lately for Date Night Movie which comes out tomorrow, Friday, April 9th, 2010.  If you haven’t heard of it, check out the trailer below:

I want to see “Date Night” for a variety of reasons.  I have outlined the top 5 below:

1. It Reminds Me of “Adventures in Babysitting”- Except it’s about adults.  But, you know what I mean.  Suburbanites thrown into crazy city situations.
2. Steve Carell & Tina Fey – He is really one of my favorite actors.  Maybe he’ll even say “That’s what she said” at least once in the movie.  I love Tina Fey.  Pretty much anything she touches is funny.  I think the combination of her and Steve Carell alone will be worth the price of the ticket.
3. Something for Everyone - There is a car chase, a shootout and lots of other adventures.
4. Rated PG-13 – So I can take Emily.
5. Shirtless Mark Wahlberg - ‘Nuff said.

If you haven’t already, make plans to see this movie over the weekend.  Make sure to come back and leave a review in the comments after you see it!

Paramount and MTV Films have joined forces to make a 3rd installment of JACKASS in “eye-popping 3D” for release on October 15, 2010.  The film is set to begin shooting in January with Jeff Tremaine directing and producing along with Spike Jonze and Johnny Knoxville who also stars.  Knoxville says:

“We’re going to take the same 3D technology James Cameron used on ‘Avatar’ and stick it up Steve-O’s butt.  We’re taking stupid to a whole new dimension.”

Since it seems that every movie lately (at least the last 3 that I have seen) is in 3D,  I suppose this shouldn’t surprise me.  It’s not that I don’t enjoy a little Jackass once in a while.  I think everyone does, even if they don’t want to admit it.  I am even known to watch Jackass and Viva La Bam marathons when they have them.  However, I’m really not sure I want to see Jackass stunts like the video below in 3D.   I mean, I’m sure it will be cool and all, but some of the things are already gross enough.

What do you think?

I just got home from Larger Than Life in 3D featuring Dave Matthews Band.  Since it was announced, I have been anxiously awaiting the opening of the movie, which will only be out until December 17th.  It is playing in 500 theaters across the country, so I thought for sure it would be crowded.  Since it was opening night, I purchased my ticket in advance and met some friends at the theater.  I cracked up when I walked in, 5 minutes before the movie started and there were about 10 people in a HUGE theater.

Gypsy punk band Gogol Bordello performed first at All Points West Music & Arts Festival in New Jersey.  I had never heard of them, but they were quite entertaining.  Next up were Ben Harper and Relentless7 with a performance at the Mile High Music Festival in Denver.   I was a huge Ben Harper fan when Welcome to the Cruel World first came out.  I haven’t listened to the new band’s music, and hoped to hear “Burn One Down” or “Forever”, but what they played was still great.

Dave Matthews Band, filmed at the 2009 Austin City Limits Music Festival in Texas were next.  I was a little disappointed in that there was no backstage footage as there was with Ben Harper.  Granted, it was only 30 seconds, but I would have enjoyed watching Dave put headphones in his ears more than Ben.  DMB played the following setlist:

You Might Die Trying
Funny The Way It Is
Seven
So Damn Lucky
Shake Me Like a Monkey
Why I Am
Burning Down the House
So Much To Say
Ants Marching

While the movie was great, I wish the people in the theater were a little more into it.   I think part of the fun at a DMB show is the energy of the crowd, and the audience at the AMC Stony Brook theater was lacking enthusiasm.  That didn’t stop my friends and I from clapping and singing along with every song. Nothing will ever beat seeing DMB live, but if you are a die-hard Dave Matthews fan, like myself,  it is a must-see.  And don’t forget…you only have till next Thursday to see it.  According to InConcert3D, it will never be released on DVD or on TV.

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When I first heard about this, I thought, it couldn’t be true.  They make concert movies for Miley Cyrus, the Jonas Brothers and Michael Jackson.  Not Dave Matthews Band.  But it’s real! And includes Ben Harper, who I love too!! Check out the trailer:

From the DMB official website:

This December, the first in a series of 3D concert events will debut with the digital cinema 3D release of “LARGER THAN LIFE…IN 3D” featuring Dave Matthews Band, Ben Harper and Relentless7 and Gogol Bordello. The Larger Than Life concert event featuring DMB will screen nationwide, one week only December 11-17th. Shot in Digital 3D, the format essentially brings viewers onstage, giving them a stunning 360? view of each live performance. Filmed by inconcert3d at critically acclaimed music festivals this summer, the performances include DMB at the 2009 Austin City Limits Music Festival, Ben Harper and Relentless7 at the Mile High Music Festival in Denver, and Gypsy punk band Gogol Bordello at All Points West Music & Arts Festival in New Jersey.

I’ve already demanded it for Long Island.  It says it is playing near me, but when I went to the movie site, it wasn’t showing up.  It might be too early.  Stay tuned for a review!

News was just released that John Hughes, writer, director and producer of such films as “The Breakfast Club”, “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” and “Sixteen Candles” died today of a heart attack.  His publicisist confirmed that he was in Manhattan visiting family and died during a morning walk.

Being a child of the 80′s, I pretty much grew up on films that were either written, produced or directed by John Hughes.  In fact, after looking at his Wikipedia page, I can say that there were films that I loved that I didn’t even know he was involved in, like “The Great Outdoors”, “Mr. Mom” and “She’s Having a Baby”.  As an ode to the genius of Mr. Hughes, see some thumbnails of my favorites below:

And here is “The Breakfast Club” trailer.  One of my favorite all-time movies.  A Classic.

RIP John.  Thank you for giving us so many great films.   Your legacy will always remain.