In addition to A Dash of Cinema, I founded and run the website, Carpe Juvenis. On Carpe Juvenis, we have a series where we spotlight awesome people about their life advice and how they got to where they are today. One of these amazing people we spotlighted is Robin Wehl Martin, the founder and baker of Hello Robin Cookies. These are a few of the photos from Robin’s spotlight, and you can read her full interview here!
{Photos by Lauren}
I have yet to see a Rock Hudson movie I didn’t like. From Pillow Talk (1959) to A Farewell to Arms (1957) to Come September (1961), Hudson has established himself as a classic actor and a solid leading man. Mr. Hudson can play funny, serious, and romantic characters while maintaining his grace and charm. A pretty great combination if you ask me. These are my five favorite Rock Hudson films. Which ones are yours?
When I think of romantic comedies, I think of Drew Barrymore. She is the Queen of RomComs! Therefore, she is perfect to spotlight in February, where every night is romcom night. Or maybe that’s just me. Also, her birthday is this Friday (February 22). The February spotlight suits her.
I’ve always been a Drew Barrymore fan because she is not afraid to be herself and she is hilarious. She can really deliver the emotion in each and every film she stars in. My absolute favorites include Never Been Kissed (1999), Charlie’s Angels (2003), Fever Pitch (2005), and Going the Distance (2010). If Drew is in a film, you can bet I’ll see it with enthusiasm.
Recently, she came out with her own affordable makeup line at Walmart called Flower. An inspiring entrepreneur, actress, and woman, Drew Barrymore will always be a favorite. What are your favorite Drew Barrymore films?
Buddy the Elf, played by the hilarious Will Ferrell, is the beloved character from the movie Elf (2003),which tells the tale of Buddy leaving the North Pole to search for his true identity. Enter: New York City, the place where you can find yourself and dreams come true. On the journey of finding his real father, Buddy experiences the ‘real world’ and the adventures of a lifetime.
Bringing laughter and happiness everywhere he goes, Buddy is a sweet, innocent, and cheerful ‘elf’ who just wants to be loved. Elf is one of the funniest Christmas movies out there, and it never gets old no matter what time of year you watch it. Directed by Jon Favreau, who is responsible for Iron Man (1 and 2) and Cowboys and Aliens, this movie is perfect for both kids and adults. A blonde Zooey Deschanel plays the role of Buddy’s girlfriend and she is almost unrecognizable with her bleached locks.
Whether you are watching the movie or seeing the musical (yes, there is an Elf the Musical!), this movie is easily a holiday favorite. If you want to laugh, check it out.
World’s Best Cup of Coffee:
Happy birthday, Grace Kelly! Born November 12, 1929, Grace Kelly epitomized the very essence of elegance. Starting out as an American actress, she married the Prince of Monaco in 1956 and became Princess Grace. Grace Kelly performed in many theatrical productions, but ultimately became a movie star after winning the Academy Award for The Country Girl. After 6 years of acting, Princess Grace decided to take care of her three children. In 1982, Princess Grace died in a car accident after supposedly suffering from a stroke. Her daughter, Stephanie, was in the car with her but survived the accident. With a successful acting career, Grace Kelly will not soon be forgotten, and she continues to grace the screen and captivate viewers after all these years.
The phenomenon that revolves around Frankenstein stems from Mary Shelley’s novel, Frankenstein, which was published in 1818. Frankenstein tells the story of a creature born from a scientific experiment gone wrong. Frankenstein is often viewed as one of the first examples of science fiction because of the fantastical elements in the story. Oftentimes, the name Frankenstein is viewed as being the monster’s name, when it is actually Dr. Victor Frankenstein’s. Frankenstein’s monster has greatly influenced pop culture, and he remains an icon after all this time.
{Graphics by Lauren}
I first fell in love with Olivia Newton-John when I watched her playing Sandy in the classic and beloved musical Grease. Olivia is a stunning beauty and has a very sweet quality in both her acting and singing. Born on September 26 (today!), 1948, Olivia started singing and acting when she was just a teenager growing up in Australia. After releasing several popular albums and starring in a few movies, Olivia became an international sensation after Grease. Olivia has been married twice, and is currently married to her second husband, John Easterling. Last spring, Olivia released a healthy living cookbook.
I will never, ever get tired of blasting Grease songs in the car, listening to Olivia’s music, or watching her in movies. Check out some fun facts about the star above!
Lucille Ball is the perfect woman to honor in this month’s In the Spotlight column since her birthday was just a few weeks ago (August 6, 1911). Above are some random fun facts about Lucy. Lucy made the world fall in love with her when she graced television screens and showed off her acting and comedic skills. Lucille Ball started acting in the 1930s, and she excelled in radio, film, and television. Many of us know Lucille Ball from her hit shows, I Love Lucy and Here’s Lucy. I remember watching these shows on re-run when I was younger, absolutely loving the way Lucy used her facial expressions to express sarcasm or a joke. Lucille Ball led a very interesting life – check out Lucille Ball’s autobiography for more interesting tidbits and for a deeper look at the woman who made America laugh. Happy birthday, Lucy!
For more In the Spotlight fun facts, check this out!
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Charlie Chaplin was an influential comedian, actor, writer, and producer in the silent film era. I had always heard Chaplin’s name from random sources growing up, but it wasn’t until last year that I actually saw some of his work. As the lights dimmed and the screen turned black-and-white, I expected greatness from this Mr. Charlie Chaplin. What I got in return…was indeed greatness. Beyond greatness, even. I was in awe of Chaplin’s ability to command attention on-screen in subtle ways. One of the first clips that I saw was this one from Modern Times, which I found particularly funny because of Chaplin’s graceful movements across the floor and his facial expressions. Chaplin’s talent is undeniable and inspiring.
Chaplin was born in London on April 16, 1889. Chaplin, like his mother Hannah, developed a love for the stage and worked hard to make it in show business. Chaplin’s first classic movie was The Tramp (1915), which only further elevated his star status. While Chaplin was talented, he was also a very hard worker and did anything to get the shot right. Chaplin would work with everyone on set to achieve the scene that he envisioned. Interestingly, even after production had begun, Chaplin was not afraid to replace a main star in his film with someone else (sounds a little like Woody Allen). Throughout this life, Chaplin had 4 wives (not at the same time) and 11 children.
In the 1950s, Chaplin moved to Switzerland after being banned from the U.S. due to alleged “un-American activities.” In 1972, Chaplin was welcomed back into the states when he was awarded an honorary Oscar. Chaplin died in 1977 in Switzerland. This part sounds a bit crazy, but Chaplin’s body was stolen from his grave by men who requested money. 11 weeks later, Chaplin’s body was recovered.
Charlie Chaplin continues to be prominent not only in the film industry, but he stands out as a cultural icon, as well. I am so interested in learning more about this man who greatly impacted the film industry. I plan on watching more of his films, in addition to reading more about him. This book in particular looks really interesting, and I can’t wait to read it (one of these days once I finish my sky-high pile of books). Have you seen any of Charlie Chaplin’s movies? Do you find him funny?
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