Writer’s Block

Well, it’s been one crazy week. We started a new project at work and had a bunch of ducks to get in a row before we could proceed with the project. I had a meeting after work Monday night. And tomorrow I start my work as a teaching assistant for my church’s religious education classes (I’m going to be working with 3rd and 4th graders).

And beyond the personal, this past week we observed the 13th anniversary of 9/11 (seems like yesterday, yet longer than 13 years). President Obama gave a speech on ISIS. We discussed Ray and Janay Rice and the complex and thorny issue of domestic abuse.

Apple released several new technological products, including the Apple Watch. Guardians of the Galaxy continues to dominate the box office. And a little girl was bummed because President and Mrs. Obama visited her school, not Beyonce.

And because I hate Sarah Palin with the fiery intensity of ten thousand suns, I couldn’t help but laugh my ass off when I found out she and her family were involved in a huge brawl at a party. In fact this one of my reactions. And here is another:

Once again, I want to congratulate Lisa Brown for winning the This Is Where I Leave You giveaway and thank my readers for their participation in the giveaway. Speaking of This Is Where I Leave You, the movie’s star Jason Bateman showed up on David Letterman this past week. Here is a clip of Mr. Bateman discussing how his Kristy McNichol hair got him some tail. Millennials, ask your parents about Kristy McNichol.

And though insomnia sucks, I was able to catch a rerun of Charlie Rose featuring Jonathan Tropper, the author of This Is Where I Leave You, the film’s director, Shawn Levy, and two members of the cast, Jason Bateman and Tina Fey. Sadly, at this moment Lord Google isn’t very helpful in finding me a clip. I’ll update once I find one.

Have a great week-end!

We Have a Winner!!!!

I want to thank everyone who entered the giveaway. A winner has been chosen. And the winner is…

Lisa Brown!

Lisa’s favorite book turned movie is the Keira Knightly and Matthew MacFadyen version of the Jane Austen classic Pride and Prejudice.

Congratulations Lisa! Courtesy of Warner Bros. you will receive One (1) $25.00 Visa gift card to use towards a viewing of This Is Where I Leave You in theaters and a copy of the book with a movie tie-in cover.

I enjoyed reading all of your comments, not just the names of your favorite books turned movies, but why both these books and movies mean so much to you. Movies and books are more than mindless entertainment; they are a part of who we are as human beings.

Thank you to everyone who entered the giveaway. You rock. And once again, Lisa, congratulations!

Giveaway! Giveaway! Giveaway!

A few months ago I read a wonderful novel “This Is Were I Leave You” by Jonathan Tropper. Now the film adaptation is being released by Warner Bros. on September 19th, 2014. Click below to take a look at the movie’s trailer.

And here is the official synopsis of the movie version of This Is Where I Leave You:

“When their father passes away, four grown siblings, bruised and banged up by their respective adult lives, are forced to return to their childhood home and live under the same roof together for a week, along with their over-sharing mother and an assortment of spouses, exes and might-have-beens. Confronting their history and the frayed states of their relationships among the people who know and love them best, they ultimately reconnect in hysterical and emotionally affecting ways amid the chaos, humor, heartache and redemption that only families can provide—driving us insane even as they remind us of our truest, and often best, selves.”

This Is Where I Leave You stars Jason Bateman, Tina Fey, Adam Driver, Rose Byrne, Corey Stoll, Kathryn Hahn, Connie Britton, Timothy Olyphant, Dax Shepard and Jane Fonda

As a treat for my readers I have been contacted by film’s publicity team about hosting a giveaway to celebrate both the book and the release of the film. One lucky winner of this giveaway will win the following generously provided by Warner Bros.

One (1) $25.00 Visa gift card to use towards a viewing of This Is Where I Leave You in theaters and a copy of the book with a movie tie-in cover.

To enter you this giveaway you must do the following.

1. Leave a comment at this very blog post starting today and ending Sunday, September 7th at 6:00pm central time.
2. In the comment section you must type in your first name and last initial and name your favorite movie that was originally based on a book.
3. Note: An email is required to post a comment and this giveaway is only open to those with United States addresses. Only one entree per email address please.

Once I get all of your comments I will put your names with your comments in a hat and pick out a name. I will announce the winner’s name on Tuesday, September 9th. The winner will be contacted via email regarding his or her address so he or she can receive this wonderful prize package.

I’m really looking forward to your comments, and no way will they affect my choosing of the winner. Your favorite book adapted movie can be a classic like “Gone With the Wind” or something more recent like the “Hunger Games” franchise. Or you can mention a guilty pleasure gem like “Valley of the Dolls.”

I know I loved the book This Is Where I Leave You” and I’m really looking forward to the movie, especially considering it boasts such a top-notch cast.

To learn more about This Is Where I Leave You,” both the book and the movie, take a look at any of the following links:

This Is Where I Leave You Official Website

This Is Where I Leave You Facebook Page

This is Where I Leave You Book Discussion Club