Friday Mashup: Fitz and the Tantrums, Friday Flix & Fred

Happy Friday!  Aren't you happy the week's almost over?  I am.  There's a few things that I'm obsessed about this week other than my family, work, Conan O'Brien or my manuscript.  And so I thought I'd share my obsessions this week.    

Fitz and the Tantrums

As I go through the projects I'm working on I can't help but relate to this video by Fitz and the Tantrums.  In their Walker video, this guy is at the DMV and bless him because we all know how maddening that can be.  To be honest though, when I first saw this, I said to myself, "Oh, he must be writing a novel."  Hehe.  Am I right?  Anyway, I really enjoy this band, the video and the song.  You'll have to watch the video on YouTube since it's restricted content here.

Friday Flix

Watch Hansel and Gretel Witch Hunters on NetFlix!

This movie didn't review that well.  In fact, Rotten Tomatoes gave it a 1 star rating.   LOL!  Now I've learned to not read too much into these types of reviews.  Last January this movie released in the US and made a disappointing $55M.  Interestingly enough, the movie then released internationally and was reported to gross a whopping $177M in other countries.  Worldwide, the film made over $225M.  See all the fascinating facts here.   And with numbers like that, you knew there would be a sequel, right?  Yup...see this article from last year mentioning movie number two.

I find it intriguing that even though a movie isn't a hit in the US, it can still be a sensation worldwide.  Have you thought about this perspective with respect to books?  Do you have a favorite book that hasn't made it over to the US yet?  Or if you're an author, are your books doing better in the US as opposed to other countries?

On another note, if you're interested in reading the real-deal, check out my Creepy Classic review of Grimms' Fairy Tales: Hansel and Gretel. Have you read this classic?

Fridays with Fred

Its been some time since I've posted an image of Fred.  I'm sorry to say this but Fred's getting older and is a bit grouchy in his senior years. :(  He has issues with his back legs and frankly I try not to bother him anymore.  Anyway, the kids were playing with the dinosaurs one day and I snapped this one of Fred walking with the dinos.  Can you feel the ground shaking?

Fredrannosaurus Rex

Did you watch the video?  Are you a fan of Hansel and Gretel?  Do ya miss Fred at all?

Hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Mina B. 

Creepy Classic: Hansel and Gretel

It's been far too long since I've featured a Creepy Classic.  I'm such a slacker it's embarrassing.  Life happens and that's my only excuse.  The last book I was supposed to post on was H.G. Wells The Island of Dr. Moreau.  I'll get to that at some point but today I want to feature Grimms' Fairy Tales: Hansel and Gretel. 

Since Halloween is almost here and magic and sorcery continues to have a foothold in my brain, I couldn't resist reading this classic again.  I realize everyone recalls the creepy children's tale, but when was the last time you read it?  Why do I ask?  Well, because most original fairy tales (minus the Disney angle) are disturbingly dark--like I like it.   Who doesn't want to eat little children? Muhwahhhh! Better yet, what parent hasn't thought about dropping their kids off in the middle of the forest to fend for themselves? Heh. Heh.  Like I said, Hansel and Gretel wonderfully paints a freakishly good picture of what witches in classic literature represent: pure unadulterated evil. #lovedit!

Did you know...

Paramount Pictures  is scheduled to release their take on the classic tale--Hansel and Gretel Witch Hunters in early 2013.  Check out the bad ass movie trailer below featuring Jeremy Renner (yum!) as Hansel and Gemma Arterton as Gretel.  Damn, I hope Hollywood doesn't disappoint.

Did you love H&G as much as I did? Which tale is your fav from Grimm? Did you like the movie trailer?

Mina B.