MOVIE REVIEW: 50/50

50/50
Movie review by Kathy Cano-Murillo
CraftyChica.com


LINK

Director: Jonathan Levine.

Writer: Will Reiser.

Cast: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen, Bryce Dallas Howard,  Anjelica Huston and Anna Kendrick.

Rating: R

Runtime: 99 minutes.

Official synopsis: Inspired by a true story, a comedy centered on a 27-year-old guy who learns of his cancer diagnosis, and his subsequent struggle to beat the disease. 

Why I was excited to see this film: Bottom line? Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Ever since I interviewed him in 2007 for The Arizona Republic in 2007, I've been smitten by his personality and career choices. So much heart! Plus, the movie is about his character's struggle with cancer. I lost my dad to cancer two years ago and I felt like this film would be a sort of healing process for me.

Review: Go see this movie! Yes, it's about a cancer victim and his struggle to overcome, but it is so much more than that. It's sad in spots, but never depressing. It's hilarious without being tacky. It's a film about friendship, taking risks, letting go, owning up, and embracing the little moments in life. 

Gordon-Levitt plays Adam, a happy-go-lucky, yet overly cautious twentysomething. Out of fear of being a roadside fatality statistic, Adam is so safe - he doesn't drive, much less cross the street without the proper traffic signal. He kindly recycles, doesn't drink or smoke, yet finds out he has a rare form of cancer. That news from his doctor triggers the plot, but the real memorable movement comes from the way his friends and family react and deal with his battle. Just like in real life, not everyone is on board, notably Adam's self-centered girfriend Rachael (Bryce Dallas Howard in another love-to-hate-her part). 50/50 could easily have been cornified with sentimental cliches, but it never veers down that path. 

Gordon-Levitt, channeling the adorable good guy essence of his (500) Days of Summer character, is the gem that makes the film sparkle. He fills the role so effortlessly, he'll melt your soul because you just want to jump through the screen and be there for him. I predict this is his time to be noticed and respected as solid actor. Kudos to the rest of the cast  - Rogan as his smart ass BFF, Kendrick as his newbie therapist and Houston as his melodramatic worried mother. They each come together to make this flick a timeless heart tingler. 

Five out of five stars!

If you want to see more of Joseph Gordon-Levitt, check out these films: Inception, 10 Things I Hate About You, Miracle at St. Anna, Angels in the Outfield, (500) Days of Summer.

Felicidades,
Kathy :-)
Check out my new novel! MISS SCARLET'S SCHOOL OF PATTERNLESS SEWING

This weekend: Scottsdale Film Festival!

If you are in Arizona this weekend and love indie films, check out the Scottsdale Film Festival! It opens Friday with a movie I've been craving to see - Like Crazy.

I caught up with festival organize, Amy Ettinger about the treats we can expect!
 

How would you describe the essence of the festival?
Smallish boutique films from around the world wrapped in a milieu of mainstream hit films from around the world.



What films are you most excited to have on deck?
When asked this question I always refer everyone to my list of 5 recommended films which are listed on the Schedule page. They are: 3, Hermano, Oxygen, Pure, and Transfer. However, I will throw in a 6th and say do not miss Aftershock! Of course now that I have said all that, no one should miss Like Crazy, The Way, We Need to Talk About Kevin, or Janie Jones.  

Can you describe the selection process for a film to get into a festival? It's one of those great mysteries of life, you know?

I have seven fave film fests from around the world and I look at their films starting in January. With the help of interns we obtain the print source and go to work contacting the filmmakers. I usually find 400 films of interest and then various circumstances conspire to whittle it down to far less than that for this Fest. 

How has the festival evolved over the years?
The Toronto Film Festival mentored us for four years and insisted that we bring in mainstream movies from the studios or big indies to lure sub-title phobes. I finally caved in and started booking films like Babel, The Queen, Kite Runner, The Diving bell & the Butterfly etc. Last year our opener was The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest and it was a US Premiere! Of course it was our 10th anniversary so we had to go big. 

Aside from movies, what can attendees expect?

While standing in line ask people what they have seen to get the buzz. Then come back to see the movies everyone is talking about. You can get a lead on a film that was not on your radar based purely upon those random conversations and eavesdropping. You can also expect to be inside and out of the heat or rain because this year we moved to the Harkins Shea 14. We have enough room to finally protect everyone from the elements, lots of parking, many eateries within walking distance, etc. 

Do you know of any celebs who be in attendance?
Anton Yelchin & Felicity Jones with the opener - Like Crazy, and John Sayles who will receive the Fest's 1st Artistic Diversity Award and present his 17th film Amigo.

LINKS:


Films
Schedule
Tickets & Passes
Sponsors
Special Events
Program Guide
Volunteer
Past Events
Links
Home

Felicidades,
Kathy :-)
Check out my new novel! MISS SCARLET'S SCHOOL OF PATTERNLESS SEWING

This week's appearances! (arizona)

Store display from last week in California!

Last weekend, Patrick and I zoomed all over California for store appearances to promote the new Crafty Chica line in Michaels! This week we're circling our hometown!




Come say hi!

SEPT 28
Michaels, 12-2 p.m.
285 N Federal St
CHANDLER, AZ 85226-3192

Scottsdale Society of Women Writers, 5:30 pm
WHAT: Monthly Speaker/Dinner Meeting – Celebrate our 6thAnniversary
WHERE: Chaparral Suites Resort, 5001 N, Scottsdale Rd. at Chaparral Rd light, NE corner - Enter off Chaparral Rd - 4th Floor Grill entrance, take elevator, exit 4th floor, left to the Cactus Room

SEPT 29
Michaels, 12-2 pm

55 S McClintock Dr Ste 125
TEMPE, AZ 85281-2042

Michaels, 6-8 pm
9470 W Northern Ave
GLENDALE, AZ 85305-1104


SEPT 30
Michaels, 12-2 pm
1925 E Camelback Rd, Ste 132
PHOENIX, AZ 85016-4140


OCT 1
Tucson Home and Garden Show
The Tucson Convention Center is located at 260 South Church, Tucson, AZ 85701.
Felicidades,
Kathy :-)
Check out my new novel! MISS SCARLET'S SCHOOL OF PATTERNLESS SEWING

I'm still here - always looking up!

Always looking up!

Have any of you been wondering where I've been? I've been traveling so much, plus there has been a lot going on here at home, and work, and well, it knocked me off my game!

For the first time in years, I just kind of dried up creatively. I lost my desire to make anything or write anything or blog anything. I didn't want to force anything when I didn't feel it in my heart. 

But you know what? The pause helped, because now I feel excited and energized. I've been going to bed by midnight, so I feel replenished! I've settled into a new groove.  I guess I needed to at the nearest mental sauna and chill. Now I'm ready to bust out some crafty goodness and hopefully turn in that book outline I've been working on for the past year.

Anyhoo - thank you for being so patient! 

I have some new things coming! I'm going to be adding movie reviews on a regular basis. I really miss that part of my life's adventures. I don't think it will be every week, but close enough! 

Okay, I'm off to bed to dream and plan! I hope you have a wonderful day!

Felicidades,
Kathy :-)
Check out my new novel! MISS SCARLET'S SCHOOL OF PATTERNLESS SEWING

Me with Margo from NachoMama!

San Diego appearance: display sold out in 49 minutes!

California! Thank you to La Quinta!

They are providing us with rooms for our little tour this weekend!!

Mamiverse: Latina Moms Changing America

Mamiverse, a site I write for, is in search of Latina moms who are making a difference in their families and communities! We're talking about supporting education, breaking stereotypes, setting a positive example and more. There are all kinds of fantastic prizes and opportunities!

This is a chance for you to nominate yourself, a loved one, friend or family member. Shine the light on them for all their accomplishments!
- How it works
- View and vote on those already nominated.

- Check out the prizes!

Felicidades,
Kathy :-)
Check out my new novel! MISS SCARLET'S SCHOOL OF PATTERNLESS SEWING

THIS WEEK: Three California appearances at Michaels stores!

This is a friend of mine shopping at the display in San Diego!

 Patrick and I are hitting the road this weekend to make some appearances at three California Michaels stores! We'll be promoting the NEW Crafty Chica endcap at Michaels stores!

Special thanks to La Quinta Inns and Suites for sponsoring our trip! If you are in the area, please come visit! I'm bringing goodies... :-)


Thursday, SEPT 22
Michaels, 6-8 pm
2740 Midway Dr
SAN DIEGO, CA 92110-3203

Friday, SEPT 23
Michaels, 6-8 pm
10345 Magnolia Ave
RIVERSIDE, CA 92505-1809

Saturday, SEPT 24
Michaels, 6-8 pm
2040 Tully Rd
SAN JOSE, CA 95122-1300

Last weekend, we were in Tucson at two stores. Here are some pictures!

BlogHer Handmade & The Creative Connection Event, Part One

I'm home from a whirlwind weekend in Minneapolis where I attended the BlogHer Handmade and The Creative Connection Event. Before I go any further with this post, I want to say THANK YOU to the sponsors who made this event happen. you are loved! This conference changed a lot of lives...okay, on with the full report!

 Every meal was sponsored by a different company, complete with gifts at every setting. Our first breakfast? Starbucks!

Tie-dyeing with the stars!

The stars came out to shine (and tie dye) on Saturday, September 17th, 2011 in honor of the 63rd Primetime Emmy Awards! My friends and co-workers, Alexa and Allee from iLoveToCreate attended The Borgnine Group Emmy Gifting Suite at the legendary Sportsman Lodge hotel and tie dyed with the hottest stars of the small screen and film. Above as you can see, they got caught up with Fiona Gubelmann of the FX show Wilfred, Vik Sahay of Chuck, Josh Sussman of Glee, and Kathryn Joosten of the West Wing and Desperate Housewives fame!

Random samplings of things I make

Special thanks to my friend, Alexa, for putting these images together for me! You want to know something cool, that made me flip out a bit? I recently had someone say "You're like a Latina Betsey Johnson!" Whoa. I'm not worthy. But it sure made my whole week!!! That is the best comparasion I've ever had!

Felicidades,
Kathy :-)
Check out my new novel! MISS SCARLET'S SCHOOL OF PATTERNLESS SEWING

Introducing - a new Maya in the Moment site!

Now that Maya is in college, she decided to redo her web site. She has a lot of new videos, crafts and all kinds of things! 

Check it out!

Felicidades,
Kathy :-)
Check out my new novel! MISS SCARLET'S SCHOOL OF PATTERNLESS SEWING

How to create an embossed look with GLUE!

LINK

In this video Heidi Borchers teaches you from start to finish how to create the look of embossing with Aleene's Original Tacky Glue, Aleene's Spray Acrylic Sealer and a wood frame.
For more Craft Inspiration and Creative Projects go to our website at http://www.ilovetocreate.com/. And check out our blog at http://ilovetocreateblog.blogspot.com/
Also be sure to check out http://www.cool2craft.com/ and http://www.michaels.com/
Felicidades,
Kathy :-)
Check out my new novel! MISS SCARLET'S SCHOOL OF PATTERNLESS SEWING

New: More mystery boxes!

 

Now that our art room is clean, we're working on cleaning out our storage cabinets - which means more supplies to pare down! Here is a new batch (and likely last) of mystery boxes that I put together! Each box is filled with random art supplies that we no longer need. They are still great to use, we just need to clear room in our studio for more supplies.

First come, first serve!

Click on links below to purchase:

MIXED MEDIA (3 available)

FABRIC (3 available)

CRAFT SUPPLIES (3 available)

CRAFT BOOKS (2 available)

 Felicidades,
Kathy :-)
Check out my new novel! MISS SCARLET'S SCHOOL OF PATTERNLESS SEWING

RERUN: Publicity Class (self-guided), $50, one week sale!

click for larger view

 If you missed the first run of my online publicity class, I'm opening it up again! I've had a lot of requests for this, so I'm going to open it for this limited time. Sign ups will only be available for one week - today though Sunday, September 18th. Once you sign up, you'll have full access to the course for the next three months.

This is same course and materials I offered in June, except this round is self-guided - which means, everything is there for you to download, read, watch and click, etc. I won't be offering consultations like I did for the first group (hence the discounted price).

There is a LOT of fabulous information packed into this course, lots of insider tips from days working as a journalist!

TO SIGN UP:
Pay for the course below. Make SURE to use a PayPal email that works - this will be how I send you your class invite! Once you pay, i'll email you 1. Crafty Chica classroom invite and and 2. The PR Class invite.

PR CLASS - $50 SPECIAL

Here is an intro video I did back in June about the class! Keep in mind that this "rerun" will not include personal consultations, the $50 special is a self-guided offering.

LINK

Felicidades,
Kathy :-)
Check out my new novel! MISS SCARLET'S SCHOOL OF PATTERNLESS SEWING

MOVIE REVIEW: Contagion (and a giveaway!)

Contagion 

Review by Zachary Andrea

Special for CraftyChica.com

Director: Steven Soderbergh

Rating: PG-13   

Runtime: 1:45

Cast: Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow, Marion Cotillard, Laurence Fishburne, Kate Winslet, Jude Law.

 

LINK

 Official synopsis: Contagion tracks the start of a virus that very swiftly becomes a worldwide epidemic, killing almost everyone that contracts it. As the virus spreads at rates unbelievably fast, top notch medical communities seek a solution to this lethal virus while striving to keep the world free from panicking. Specific lives of individuals are also documented as they try to handle the effect the epidemic has had on their lives.

  

Why I was excited to see this film: An Oscar-winning cast racing against the clock to save the world from... a nasty flu? They had me at "ah-choo!"

Who should not see this flick: If you are someone who freaks out when someone coughs in your elevator, you should probably stay home. Contagion will make you even more paranoid of germs. Even the toughest will think twice before touching doorknobs or blowing kisses on dice in Vegas.

Review: Watching this movie, at times, was painful. It was very mechanical - it lacked the emotional connection that is vital in all great movies. The individual performances themselves, mainly those of Matt Damon as a newly widowed dad, Laurence Fishburne as CDC top dog and Jude Law as a renegade blogger were fantastic, but their lives portrayed in the film were minuscule. Contagion would’ve truly been an excellent movie if we had more than mere glimpses into the trials and tribulations that the main characters had to overcome in order to triumph over the deadly epidemic.

2 1/2 stars out of 5.

If you like movies about germs, try these: Outbreak, 28 Days Later, 12 Monkeys.

Zachary Andrea, 18, is an aspiring movie reviewer who enjoys creating smiles through passionate writing. He hopes as he gets older he will create an impact on the world through his unique style of wording. You can reach him at andrea_zachary@yahoo.com

GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment and I'll draw two names this weekend to win a gift pack of some NEW Crafty Chica products!

Why I colored 50 pairs of shoes.

 To make a huge shoe shrine! Alrighty, let me back up a bit. Last week Michaels stores had a leadership conference for 3K+ managers from all over the US and Canada. They had workshops, panel discussions, etc - and an exhibit area where Michaels vendors set up displays of their products so the managers could play with them.

Over at iLoveToCreate, we wanted to make a bold statement! We had four demos going on - Tulip Body Art - where artist Hope Perkins painted a model from head to toe; PattieWack demoed our Tulip Fabric Paints inside a spin art machine and then created a ginormous dress form with them, and  Tiffany Windsor showed off the new Aleene's Dry Adhesive line in dozens of different ways.

As for me? This is what I did...

New product line coming to Michaels! (And fall appearance dates!)

Click to enlarge.

 I'm delighted to share that I have a new batch of goodies coming out in select Michaels stores this month! More to come, but I also have some new appearance dates to share!

SEPT 10
Michaels, 12-2 pm
7150 E Broadway Blvd
TUCSON, AZ 85710-1405

Michaels, 4-6 pm
1161 W Irvington Rd
TUCSON, AZ 85714-1165

SEPT 15-17
The Creative Connection Event/BlogHer Handmade

SEPT 22
Michaels, 6-8 pm
2740 Midway Dr
SAN DIEGO, CA 92110-3203

SEPT 23
Michaels, 6-8 pm
10345 Magnolia Ave
RIVERSIDE, CA 92505-1809

SEPT 24
Michaels, 6-8 pm
2040 Tully Rd
SAN JOSE, CA 95122-1300

SEPT 28
Michaels, 12-2 p.m.
285 N Federal St
CHANDLER, AZ 85226-3192
Scottsdale Society of Women Writers, 5:30 pm
WHAT: Monthly Speaker/Dinner Meeting – Celebrate our 6thAnniversary
WHERE: Chaparral Suites Resort, 5001 N, Scottsdale Rd. at Chaparral Rd light, NE corner - Enter off Chaparral Rd - 4th Floor Grill entrance, take elevator, exit 4th floor, left to the Cactus Room

SEPT 29
Michaels, 12-2 pm

55 S McClintock Dr Ste 125
TEMPE, AZ 85281-2042

Michaels, 6-8 pm
9470 W Northern Ave
GLENDALE, AZ 85305-1104


SEPT 30
Michaels, 12-2 pm
1925 E Camelback Rd, Ste 132
PHOENIX, AZ 85016-4140


OCT 1
Tucson Home and Garden Show
The Tucson Convention Center is located at 260 South Church, Tucson, AZ 85701.

OCT 6 AND 7TH
Hispanic Women's Conference
Chica Lit Panel
Phoenix Convention Center

OCT 13-16
Southern Women's Show
Orange County Convention Center
9400 Universal Boulevard
North Concourse, Hall B Orlando FL, 32819


OCT 22
Hollywood Forever Cemetery Dia de los Muertos Celebration
6000 Santa Monica Blvd.
Hollywood, CA 90038
directions

OCT 29-30
Desert Botanical Garden Dia de los Muertos
1201 N. Galvin Parkway Phoenix, AZ 85008
Get Directions
NOV 12-13
10th Annual Heard Museum Spanish Market


Felicidades,
Kathy :-)
Check out my new novel! MISS SCARLET'S SCHOOL OF PATTERNLESS SEWING

Prepping for The Creative Connection Event!

In about two weeks, I'll be in Minneapolis for The Creative Connection Event! Here is DeAngelo and my niece Sarah packaging 800 jars of glitter for the swag bags!

Felicidades,
Kathy :-)
Check out my new novel! MISS SCARLET'S SCHOOL OF PATTERNLESS SEWING