Behind the Scenes: Betty White fools us on great Lorax performance

February 21, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax hit theaters on on March 2nd and my favorite celebrity Grandma Betty White‘s role seemed like it was written just for her. I had a chance to get up close and personal with Betty and she was fabulous.

When walking into her interview with us, a woman complimented her on a great performance, and Betty replied with “Have I got her fooled.”

It’s no surprise that this spunky woman is playing an adventurous grandma who gets into just as much mischief as her grandson. I tried to pull a few of my favorite answers from our interviews with Betty so you can see how truly genuine and spirited she is. Hope you enjoy as much as I did. Here’s a snapshot of all the bloggers hanging with Betty – we just adored her!

On her Funny Personality

Blogger: You have the most brilliant comic timing. Have you always been? Were you the funny kid? I just think you have the best delivery.

Ms. Betty White: Oh, bless your heart. I was an only child with the best mother. I did a magnificent job of choosing a mother and father. And there wasn’t a straight man in the house. I mean that in a nice way.

But, we would have Sunday morning breakfast together or we’d have dinner together every night around the table, and my dad would always ask me how things were at school and somehow, we’d get into silliness and fun. And we also would talk very seriously. It wasn’t all giggle time.

But, I think those dinner tables and those breakfast tables went a long way on teaching me how to appreciate the positives as opposed to the negatives.

On Obama sending Betty White birthday wishes:

Blogger: How did it feel to have the world celebrate your birthday and to have the President wish you a happy birthday?

Ms. Betty White: Do you believe what he did? He broke me up. I’ve never met him. I’m a tremendous fan of his, but I’ve never met him, anything like that. So, my agent called and he said, “Wait till you see what President Obama did.” I mean, the people out here didn’t generate that.

They did that in Washington, and I loved him picking up my picture and putting it so it blocked Michelle’s picture. I still can’t believe it. I play it over and over again, and that kind of sense of humor and the fact that he would take the time to do that. But, it really blew me away and made me laugh and still makes me laugh.

Blogger: Happy belated.

Ms. Betty White: Oh. That’s a way to celebrate your birthday. He didn’t have to do that to get me to vote for him. He didn’t have to go to all that trouble.

On Betty White recording her voice for the The Lorax movie:

Blogger: Was it hard to do the animated voice over alone like in a studio without other actors? How was that?

Ms. Betty White: Well, you feel kind of silly because they ask you to make all these weird noises and you don’t know what they mean by, well, it’s a gasp, but you’re doing this. So, you’re sitting there by yourself and you finally feel rather ridiculous.

But, somehow, pretty soon, you get into it, and then you get into the beautiful visual thing that it is as well as the Dr. Seuss loveliness. And so, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I really enjoyed it.

On Betty’s thoughts about The Lorax:

Blogger: What was your favorite part of the movie? What was your favorite part of creating the movie or your favorite scene of being the voice?

Ms. Betty White: Overall, the beautiful colors and the celebrating the environment and the caring about the environment, which is one of my big, big, big things, and the fact of looking for trees and wanting to find trees. Dr. Seuss has a way of doing, you could get into it. I hope everybody else loves it as much as those of us involved in it.

On why she chose to be in The Lorax:

Blogger: How did you get involved with it?

Ms. Betty White: They called me and asked me. It’s all the things that I believe in and love. And I think it’s a great message to send out to kids to get the thing across about appreciating trees, for example.

Blogger: I love strong empowering female roles. So, in this, you’re the kickass grandma. I was just wondering how it felt? You’re just that granny that just makes it happen, because you’re all soft and sweet, and then you make it happen.

Ms. Betty White: Oh, that’s the fun of it. And I love the way they wrote it because it doesn’t make fun of anybody. It’s not mean spirited.

On her growing popularity with the young audience:

Blogger: It seems like you’re really connecting to the teenagers.

Ms. Betty White: I think it’s honesty. I think they’re pretty honest at this point, and if you start talking down to them, they’ll turn you off in a minute. But, please thank them for me.

Watch and share The Lorax trailer on Facebook! Watch clips, play games, get free mobile downloads and download printables! 

THE LORAX is now on Pinterest! Browse the film’s boards at http://pinterest.com/theloraxmovie 

Disclosure: Thanks to Universal Pictures for paying for my travel expenses to attend The Lorax press junket in Los Angeles, CA – which hits theaters in 3D on March 2nd, 2012. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

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David Arquette and Sharon Osbourne Show Off new toys from Disney Junior

February 14, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Ahoy Matey! Today in New York City, celebs David Arquette and Sharon Osbourne were hanging out with Mickey and Minnie Mouse to help launch Disney’s new line of toys from Disney Junior.

Sharon Osbourne and David Arquette play the voices of Mama Hook and Skully on Jake and the Never Land Pirates. You can see photos of the new Disney Junior Toy line here.

Disney Consumer Products is introducing new toys from a multitude of brands. The line features colorful play sets, figures and feature plush from Fisher Price; role play sets, accessories, plush and dolls from Just Play; interactive board games from Wonder Forge; children’s electronics from VTech; ride-ons from Kiddieland; and bikes and scooters from Huffy to name a few.

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Michelle Obama Hits Disney to celebrate the Magic of Healthy Living

February 11, 2012 By Leave a Comment

First Lady plays tennis with local kids at Walt Disney World today. I love Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move initiatives to promote healthy eating and living for our kids – and to see her literally getting out there on the court with the kids.

The event celebrated the First Lady’s Let’s Move! Initiative and recognized Disney’s efforts to promote healthier lifestyles among kids and families. (Matt Stroshane, photographer)

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Elizabeth Banks on the Hunger Games, Marriage, Surrogacy, Cupcakes and more

February 7, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Celebrity Mom Elizabeth Banks is HOT right now.

Gracing the cover of Women’s Health this month, Elizabeth is currently starring in   Man on a Ledge. Later this year she’ll play Effie Trinket in the much anticipated Hunger Games and also star in What to Expect When You’re Expecting. Here’s the scoop from the article and her behind the scenes interview with Women’s Health:

Elizabeth on becoming a mother through surrogacy…“It helped that other moms had said that once they had their babies, they forgot they were ever pregnant. So once my focus became the baby and not the pregnancy, it was a very easy decision.”
 
Elizabeth on the secret to a happy marriage…“Don’t embarrass your husband. Unfortunately, everything I do embarrasses him. But he’s very accepting. I’m onscreen making out with other men! I know I could never be married to an actor.”
Elizabeth on working with her husband…(they run a production company together and are producing their second movie, a comedy called Pitch Perfect)…”The couple that trains together, stays together. Working together provides a lot of balance in our life, and it’s a way for us to [see each other], because I travel so much for work. I’m a good role model. I have an amazing marriage and it will be long lasting. I think I’m a good mom. I could run for office, no problem, because there are no skeletons in my closet. Not that I would run for office…”
 
Elizabeth on how she’s stayed happily married…“Number one, I never check any previous Google searches that my husband did. I don’t want to know those things and, more than that, I don’t want to confirm the things I think I know! It’s good to maintain that mystery and trust.”

On playing Effie Trinket for The Hunger Games…

“Effie Trinket was a really fun role to get ready for because so much of it was about her hair and her clothes and the way she talks and walks. She is a very theatrical person. I watched a lot of Auntie Mame to prepare for playing Effie.”

On working on What to Expect When You’re Expecting…

“I had a great costar named Ben who had never done a kissing scene before so I had to guide him very sillily through our kissing moment.  He had a hard time touching me and I literally had to take his hand and like put it in inappropriate places to get him used to the idea of touching me inappropriately.”

On the best advice she ever got…

“I get great advice from lots of people. I suppose the best advice I ever got, frankly the advice that changed my life, came from my uncle who told me to go to drama school and study acting instead of taking a job, because he said the job would always be there.”

On staying fit while traveling…

“My tips for staying fit on the road include, drinking tons of water, trying to get as much rest as you can, and yummy blankets, stay warm so you’ll sleep really well at night.”

On her favorite splurge…

“I don’t really diet, but I love to splurge on chocolate and cupcakes. I’m a huge cupcake fan, especially Magnolia Bakery. It gave me great joy when they opened inLos Angeles, where I live now.”

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Behind the Scenes: Dermot Mulroney & Ted Danson talk Conjugal Visits & Saving the Ocean

February 2, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Last weekend at the Big Miracle movie junket we had the chance to hang out with Ted Danson and Dermot Mulroney. They were both such a treat. And pairing these fellows together just brought out their personalities and sense of humor.  Big Miracle hits theaters on February 3rd, 2012. I think it’s a must see family film that is surprisingly fabulous on so many levels. 

The Moms loved these guys and we think the feeling was mutual since we suspect our “Parent Blogger roundtable” is more relaxed, less intense, and just more fun, than the more stressful interviews they need to do with mainstream journalists during the day. So the actors truly seem to just like the break & be willing to spill fun tidbits with us – which we of course devour and love.

When we asked them about their family life they were quick to share details and jest away with us upon our inquires if their wives or children visited frigid Alaska during the filming of Big Miracle. Ted was quick to quip that although Dermot’s 3 children didn’t make the trek to Alaska (given it’s dark there half the time not to mention freezing) that Dermot did enjoy a conjugal visit from his wife but that he had to travel for his. I felt like I was watching a mini comedy act with the 2 guys joking with each other.

Ted’s thoughts on being a Grandfather

Ted reported he had just become a proud grandfather 9 days earlier for the very first time.

Ted Danson: “And I think the reason why I took CSI, which is what I’m doing now, which is in town, with this great cast, great crew, but, to be here in Los Angeles and to be able to be at the birth and to be able to hang around and babysit and do all of that and not be in Anchorage, Alaska. And to be able to work in town at my age is such a treat. I’m so grateful.”

Dermot Mulroney Juggles the Kids like the rest of us

Dermot certainly seemed down to earth when it came to figuring out child care for his 3 young kids as he didn’t report having live in Nannies but instead said that with his crazy schedule – sometimes traveling 10 out of 12 months in a year, that he is lucky to rely on their mother -in-law for extra support.

Dermot: “In the last 14 or so months since the start of this, these are the places that I had to go for work reasons: Anchorage, Toronto, Vancouver, Nashville, Pittsburgh, New York, Bangkok, Thailand for a month, Washington, D.C., and back to Bangkok, Thailand to finish.”

Dermot:  ”I have a mother-in-law who’s young and vital, so she’s indispensable. She only has a six-month visa, though. So, she can only be in this country precisely six months a year.

So, we use it like it’s gold. And I had all this business, and this job came up. So, we get her for three weeks and send her back to Italy, because later, if I’m working, I’m going to need her to come back so that we don’t go over the 180 days or whatever it is.

So, the whole thing is this incredibly intricate Web, like I’m sure most of you also have to deal with. I don’t separate myself to any higher plain of complexity.”

The Moms hanging out with the guys below when our interview ended.

On a more serious note, Ted Danson, who plays the “Big Oil” guy in Big Miracle, is actually an incredible advocate for our Oceans.

Ted Danson’s tips on how we can help save the oceans:

His first tip was to download the Seafood Watch app for our smartphones & his second was to sign up for Ocean.org, an organization he founded in 2001,  to become an advocate for our oceans.

Ted Danson: “This app will tell you, wherever you are, it’ll see where you are in the country. It’ll tell you what’s good to eat, what’s not, and why. So, if you start educating yourself on what’s sustainable, you will end up having an impact on the markets, which will have an impact on the fisheries, hopefully.  (Note: You can download Seafood Watch free from the iTunes store here.)

 

But, the truth is, you need to be international advocate. And the best way to do that, from my opinion, is to go to Oceana.org, click here, and say, “Yes, I will become an advocate.”

And then, in your busy, crazy, insane week, you can spend five minutes a week by looking at your e-mail and clicking here and clicking there, and you will send letters that Oceana directs you to that have a huge impact, because this is such an out of sight, out of mind subject, the oceans.

Disclosure: Thanks to Universal Pictures for paying for my travel expenses for this lovely stay in Santa Monica to attend the Big Miracle Press junket. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own. 


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J.Lo & Cameron Diaz Shine in these Funny What to Expect When You’re Expecting Movie Posters

January 30, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Seriously this “What to Expect When Your Expecting” movie  looks like it will be hysterical and relatable to all us Moms. I am loving these movie posters showcasing the actresses various “take” on their pregnancy. If you’ve ever been pregannt you will relate!

Here’s Jennifer Lopez’s movie poster for “What to Expect When Your Expecting” :

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And here’s Cameron Diaz – I can’t wait to see her pregnant in real life someday.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here’s Elizabeth Banks perspective – I admit I have to agree with her based on my pregnancy experiences – non stop nausea, pre term labor, back pain, and pre-eclampsia. No thank you to all of the above!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brooklyn Decker ‘s thoughts…. yeah right!

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Behind the Scenes: Life on the set of Big Miracle with Drew Barrymore

January 29, 2012 By 7 Comments

Last week in Santa Monica I had the chance to sit down with Drew Barrymore and John Krasinski to get the inside scoop on their experience filming the  movie Big Miracle in Alaska. This inspirational movie is based on the true story about the rescue of 3 whales trapped under  Arctic ice in 1988. It’s a fabulous feel good movie that I highly recommend – it will leave Moms & Kids alike feeling inspired that they can make a difference.

Both Drew and John could not have been more real or down to earth. There was no “diva” in the air from either of them.

Drew spilled on her love of snail mail, hot yoga, and cozy sweatpants. Love it! Here’s a quick shot we were able to take with Drew & John after our Parent Blogger roundtable interview ended. Aren’t they both so adorable?  And yes Drew’s brand new engagement ring was beyond gigantic and super sparkly – but that was truly the only “fancy” thing about her.

As for John Krasinski – he is literally the “guy next door” and I felt like he just personified his role as “Jim” from the Office in person. Super funny, friendly, quietly cool & confident, and seemed like he could easily be your closest buddy after only a 15 minute conversation.

My best friend from college actually went to high school with John – and her sister even went to Brown with him. So at the end of our interview, I was able to make a connection with him and relay a “hello” from my friends. He was super excited to hear I knew his old high school & college comrades and wanted to hear all about how they were doing. Given his fame,  I’m sure he often gets the “do you remember so and so” game from strangers, but he could not have been more genuine in his inquiries and memories about my friends. John even admitted to once being in love with my friend’s sister in high school. This was too funny but I’m sure very true as she is super adorable and every boy always had a crush on her!

Very sweet and John certainly won me over with his boy next door personality.

Big Miracle opens in theaters on February 3rd, 2012 and here’s some of my favorite tidbits from our conversation with these lovely superstars.

John and Drew’s thoughts on filming in Alaska

Ms. Drew Barrymore:  It was very fun.

Mr. John Krasinski:  And Anchorage is a really, really cool town.

Ms. Drew Barrymore:  I just like slowing down up there.  There’s just only so much to do on another level.  And you get really quiet, and you go to work, and I would do some hot yoga at night.

Then, there would be some poker.  And we all lived on the same floor, so it was very dormitory, and it was just–.

Mr. John Krasinski:   It did.  It felt like camp.  It was amazing.

Ms. Drew Barrymore:  And I got a lot of letters from my friends because I tend to shut down when I’m doing parts as an actor and just want to not email, not be on the cell phone.  And it’s a great excuse for me to say, “I’ll see you in three months.”  But, if we want to write letters, here’s the address.  And it’s a full tilt snail mail campaign.

Mr. John Krasinski:  Wow.

Ms. Drew Barrymore:  So, it added to the camp element, because it would be dear such-and-such–

Mr. John Krasinski:  Yes, she made me write letters to her.  I couldn’t talk to her directly until now, actually.  

Question: Did you explore Alaska while filming? 

Mr. John Krasinski:  I did.  I went up to Fairbanks, Alaska and it’s kind of like the Jetson’s.  Everybody has these little planes because it’s the only way to get around Alaska.

And so, while we were shooting, there were hundreds of planes flying around.

Ms. Drew Barrymore:  So many.

Mr. John Krasinski:  So, we went up to Fairbanks.  I had a day off, and I just wanted to see another place, and I went up to Fairbanks with Ted Danson, Rob Riggle and Ted’s wife Mary.  And we went to these hot springs that were 115, 120 degrees in the middle of below temperatures in a snowstorm.  That was totally surreal and a fantasy of mine, so check, done.

Drew’s thoughts on filming the “underwater scene” with the whales -which were actually gigantic life like animatronic whales – think robotic puppets the size of real whales. She actually had to jump into a freezing cold seal tank for this footage.

Question: Can you talk about jumping in the cold water? 

Ms. Drew Barrymore:  

It was so cold. 

Freezing, freezing, but just wonderful.  Again, it’s that sort of conviction where you’re like I just want to do it, please let me do it.  I think they were afraid the conditions were too bad.

And so, they want to sort of be nice to you and not have you do it, and they talk about how they’ll do it in post-production.  And I said, “no, please,” let me do this. 

 Well, Ken, our director, again, he wanted us to be in Alaska, and he wanted to make sure that the whales looked and felt real.  I mean, it’s in the room.  It’s not like CGI where it’s added in later, these whales.  It’s authentic.  They’re really there.

And I know that that makes a difference for us, and I think it makes a difference when you’re watching it because it is in the room and not painted in later in another location.

And the same with stuff like getting to scuba dive, I was so game and just wanted to do it so badly.

It’s funny, when you do stunts or you do anything like that, they say, well, we’re gonna bring in a double, and you’re like, no, you’re not.  I have to do that.  

They were talking about a double, and I thought, no, no, please no.  So, I think you end up sort of begging to do something just because you really want to be the person that gets to do it

Drew’s thoughts on me telling her she seemed so real:

Ms. Drew Barrymore:  Thank you.  And I like to play dress up, you know?  Sometimes, I want to wear all pink and put on a lot of makeup and then, sometimes, it’s sweat pants.  I don’t think there’s anything more that I value than my sweatpants. I just like being at home and being cozy.

Want to donate to a good cause? 

Watch and share the Big Miracle trailer on Facebook and Universal Pictures will donate $1 to Oceana!

Learn more about Whales and enter a few Big Miracle Giveaways

Brush up on your whale facts by visiting the Big Miracle Infographic. Plus check out the very special Twitter Sweepstakes featured within where 100 randomly selected Twitterers who follow @UniversalPics and include the hashtag #everybodyloveswhales will win a Big Miracle T-shirt!

BIG MIRACLE is now on Pinterest! Check out the film’s boards at http://pinterest.com/bigmiracle PLUS take time to enter the BIG MIRACLE “Pin To Win” Sweepstakes for a chance to win FUN prizes. Find out more details at: http://on.fb.me/Af2jg9

Disclosure: Thanks to Universal Pictures for paying for my travel expenses for this lovely stay in Santa Monica to attend the Big Miracle Press junket. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own. 

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Uma Thurman Visits Universal in Orlando

January 17, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Award-winning actress Uma Thurman popped by Universal Orlando Resort on Sunday, January 15, 2012 while vacationing in Orlando with friends and family. During her visit, she came face-to-face with a mysterious Egyptian guard moments before experiencing the pulse-pounding attraction, Revenge of the Mummy. Thurman is best known for action-packed films such as “Pulp Fiction” and “Kill Bill” and stars in the upcoming historical drama, “Bel Ami,” due out in March.

© 2012 Universal Orlando Resort. All rights reserved.

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Get the Look: Nicole Richie Shines at the Golden Globes in a Modern Sleek Pony Tail

January 17, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Love Nicole Richie. Her hair is looking beyond gorgeous at the Golden Globes this past weekend – her 1st Red Carpet look of the season.

Nicole got her look last night thanks to the essence of keratin and Suave Professionals®.  Even cooler – this is truly an “at home” look as Nicole  teamed up with Suave Professionals® to invite women to discover the salon inspired style of keratin can be used at home for smooth, manageable hair every day. Yes us Moms totally need this!

Take a peek at Nicole’s up close hair photo and read on to find out how to get the the look.

Get the Copycat Look:

How to style your hair in a Sleek Modern Pony Tail: 

1. Spray Suave Professionals Keratin Infusion Dry Shampoo directly at the root, crown and front of hair.  Use your dryer to work in excess powder, and brush through to refresh hair before styling.

2.       Pull-up and section-off hair around crown, then tease to create volume; set aside.

3.       Use a brush to smooth-out the hair on the sides and back.  Pull the back section of hair into a ponytail, securing it with an elastic.

4.       Take a side section and wrap around the ponytail, securing with a bobby pin. Take the opposite side and also wrap around the pony, securing with a bobby pin.  Lastly, take the teased crown section and lightly smooth and brush back over the ponytail.

5.       Work a dime-size amount of Suave Professionals Keratin Infusion Smooth & Shine Serum into the palms of your hands, then delicately smooth ponytail strands and eliminate flyaways.

Can’t wait to see what’s next for Nicole!

 

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Behind the Scenes: What to Expect When You’re Expecting

January 17, 2012 By Leave a Comment

This was my first behind-the-scenes set visit that was in sunny, southern Atlanta. I was extra excited about this trip because 1. I’m from the south and love to find my way back home and 2. A movie about pregnancy? My curiosity was officially peaked.

Not being a mom myself, I’m in awe of the entire process and was eager to find out how this movie would portray it. Are all the stories true?! Of course, I’ve heard bits and pieces of pregnancy stories through girlfriends and sisters, but nothing prepares you for walking into an Atlanta convention center to find almost 400 pregnant women (some real and some with pregnancy bellies) roaming all over the place. That’s something you don’t see every day!

Here’s the Trailer:

What To Expect When You’re Expecting, premiering on May 11, follows five couples through their similar…but oh so very different journeys to parenthood. Celebrities like Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Lopez, and Dennis Quaid put on a great show as moms and dads-to-be. As I sat in the back of the movie set, I watched the talented Elizabeth Banks rehearse her funny performance of a pregnant woman having an emotional breakdown in front of a packed-out room of other women.

Mental note to self. Never ever rip off your pregnancy bra while up on stage. That just doesn’t seem to wow the crowds, but Elizabeth amazed me with her ability to make the situation incredibly awkward and wildly entertaining. Whether pregnancy is a possibility in your future or you’ve already been there, done that, you’ll find this cleverly-written movie a must-see as the perfect Mother’s Day celebration.

Disclosure: Thanks to Lionsgate for paying for our writer’s travel expenses to attend this press junket.

Look for a Behind the Scenes: What to Expect When You’re Expecting on eBay - maybe you'll get lucky and find a great bargain!
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