Hollywood Book Festival Award

The new TRC E-Book version of IT HAD TO BE US, a romantic memoir my husband and I co-wrote under the names of Harry and Elizabeth Lawrence, is the winner in the E-Book category of the 2006 Hollywood Book Festival Awards program.

These awards are designed to honor books that deserve greater recognition from the film, television, game and multimedia communities. Criteria used in selecting winners are the story-telling ability of the writer and the potential of the work to be translated into other forms of media.

Naturally, we are very excited about this award and look forward to the possibility of our little book being adapted for the stage or screen sometime in the future!

ReelTalk Movie Reviews on Radio

Listen up, movie fans!

You can now hear the ReelTalk Movie Reviews radio show via the Internet. Each week, Laura Mills-Alcott, founder of The Romance Club, joins me to discuss films we have seen on the big screen and as home entertainment offerings. Laura and I believe no matter where movies are viewed, they are always fun to talk about.

For more information about this new radio show, go to www.ReelTalkRadio.com.

Extra Cheers for Johnny Depp and Meryl Streep

Have you ever noticed if one performer in a film stands out so far above the rest, it can be difficult to enjoy the movie when he or she is not on screen? Two recent examples are Johnny Depp in the second installment of Pirates of the Caribbean and Meryl Streep in The Devil Wears Prada.

I think part of the appeal in both cases comes from the way each character looks. Captain Jack Sparrow, as portrayed by Depp, is unforgettable because of his delightfully disheveled appearance, funny gold teeth and exaggerated eyeliner. Playing Miranda Priestly, Streep boasts a stunning new physical appearance highlighted by fashionably-coiffed platinum hair and gorgeous outfits from top designers. I was not able to take my eyes off either actor while watching the movies mentioned!

Of course, Depp and Streep also manage to act rings around the other actors in these films, as good as they all are. With his wonderful comic flair, Depp gives Sparrow a unique personality that will surely become one of the most memorable movie pirates of all time. And Streep pulls out all her splendid acting tricks in bringing Miranda Priestly, the boss from hell, to glorious life on the big screen.

A generous round of applause for both performances, please!

A Sad Superman Returns

Although Superman Returns is a well-made movie, it came across as too sad and gloomy for me. Expecting a fun summer blockbuster, I was disappointed with its serious tone and dreary presentation.

Yes, newcomer Brandon Routh looks great in those Superman tights and Kevin Spacey manages to get a couple of laughs as Lex Luthor, but most of the time the screen oozes so much dark magma that I hungered for even a glimpse of cartoon color. Plus it put me in a deep funk to see Superman suffering because Lois Lane, played by Kate Bosworth, moved on after our hero left without saying a word to her several years ago.

All the references to Superman as a savior and Christ-like figure also add to the somber atmosphere of this film. Still, I predict Superman Returns will be a big box office success. After all, the many fans of this popular superhero have waited almost 20 years for his return to the silver screen, and they will not let him down.