Minions – Show ’em some love!

Posted by donnamarie on November 18, 2014

In essence, I’m just a big kid at heart. Just ask my alter ego Agnes from the Despicable Me films and my About page. I love her spirit and have long believed that honoring your “inner child” helps keep life fresh and can lend a “think outside the box” perspective in this messed up world in which we live.

I’d been feeling a little beat up lately dealing with politics and the overwhelming sense of negativity surrounding the issues so I decided to call on my “inner child” and connect with my Despicable Me buddies – the Minions! I can always count on them to never fail to make me laugh and teach me to stay positive in an often times troubling world.

So excited about their upcoming 2015 spinoff/prequel to Despicable Me – Minions!

(Told you I’m just a big kid at heart:)

ENJOY!

Shout out to my girl Agnes!

Robin Williams – A Tribute

Posted by donnamarie on August 12, 2014

Robin McLaurin Williams (July 21, 1951 – August 11, 2014)

My heart was deeply saddened by the news of Robin Williams’ passing. Even though we’d never met, the news hit like losing an old friend. He made me laugh in ways and places that were utterly unique and hilarious! Listening to tributes not just from Hollywood but from my own friends, it’s stunning how his genius and sincerity as a human being reached beyond the stratosphere. His true gift was being able to listen, internalize and transform his energy into a non-stop series of humor and insights that no one has ever done before. I’ve followed his career from the beginning in the late 1970’s with his stand-up routines. His first TV performance as “Mork” from Ork on Happy Days resulted in his own series Mork and Mindy in 1978. His subsequent films and stand-up performances were the ultimate proof of his unlimited talents and abilities.

In celebration of his genius and the man, here are some of my favorite Robin Williams moments:

Thanks so much Robin for all the joy, laughter and love you shared with us all.

Rest In Peace

Robin wins Oscar - Good Will Hunting 1997

Rock out for the weekend remix – “Were-Rabbit” style

Posted by donnamarie on July 11, 2014

Growing up in the 70’s I was all about Rock and “Hocus Pocus” by the band Focus was always on my playlist. When I saw this remix of Wallace and Gromit “Curse of the Were-Rabbit” I thought I would die! What a brilliant idea. It totally fits with the off the wall antics of BFFs Wallace and Gromit.

Check it Out!!

Hocus Pocus by Focus – Wallace and Gromit

Focus

is a Dutch progressive rock band formed in 1969 by classically trained organist/flautist Thijs van Leer. The band is most famous for the instrumental pieces – “Hocus Pocus” and “Sylvia.” The group broke up in 1978 but got back together in 2002 and have been recording and touring ever since. “Hocus Pocus” received new fame as it was used for the theme of the 2010 World Cup Nike ad.

Top of Pops 1974

Wallace and Gromit are the British stop-motion franchise characters and brain child of creator Nick Park of Aardman Animations. Wallace is an absent-minded, cheese loving, inventor. Best friend Gromit is a silently intelligent dog.

“Curse of the Were-Rabbit” (2005) finds the duo working to apprehend the rabbit population who are eating up all the vegetable gardens of the residents of Wigan right before the annual Giant Vegetable Competition. Events go horribly wrong when Wallace invents a Mind Manipulation-O-Matic contraption to brainwash the rabbits not to eat the vegetables. The result is Wallace being transformed into a giant, veggie loving Were-Rabbit.

Helena Bohnam Carter (Ms Tottington) and Ralph Fiennes (Lord Victor Quartermaine) lend their voices to the non-stop hilarity.

This is the original trailer:

Wallace & Gromit “Curse of the Were-Rabbit” won Academy Awards for:

Best Animated Feature Film	Nick Park Steve Box

Best Animated Effects	Jason Wen
Best Animated Feature
Best Character Animation	Claire Billet
Best Character Design in an Animated Feature Production	Nick Park
Best Directing in an Animated Feature Production	Nick Park Steve Box
Best Music in an Animated Feature Production	Julian Nott
Best Production Design in an Animated Feature Production	Phil Lewis