#4 Thing to get you Spring-cited

In the last week, dear reader, I've seen TONS of photos from the upcoming movies "Mirror Mirror", "The Raven" and dundundun ... "Dark Shadows".

I. AM. SO. EXCITED.

I shouldn't be. It's been a fickle year for good films and these movies have some pretty big hype around them, so my expectations should be lower than they are. But, COME ON ITS DARK SHADOWS. Only Johnny Depp could get this movie made and I will thank him forever for the attempt.You see, I remember when I was younger and the original Dark Shadows played on the Sci Fi channel (yeah, BEFORE it was SyFy...when it was normal and campy and didn't try to be cooler than itself. Okay, I'm done being bitter), about a year after I discovered Pride and Prejudice and Jane Eyre. It was costume drama with ghosts, and vampires, and zombies, and horrible B movie acting that I just eat up like grandma's favorite leftovers. I know this is a little melodramatic, but a part of me felt lost when they just stopped airing the classic series. So bring it Tim Burton, I want to see your best with this classic soap opera.

The Raven is a heavily edited bio-pic about Edgar Allen Poe, which seems to be walking the fine line between Wolfman subdued and Sweeny Todd enthusiastic with a serious dash of Castle plot-line tossed in. Still, you have to admit, it looks really cool and the acting seems strong.

And Mirror Mirror. Oh Mirror, why are you doing this to me? The summer we'll be welcoming 2 Snow White adaptations into our theaters, both looking questionable, but both with fantastic evil queens. I just can't decide if I'm excited, simply interested, or just having anticipated Once Upon A Time withdrawal (you know the Beauty and the Beast episode it tomorrow, right?). Whatever driving reason I can't determine, I am also interested in seeing what Lilly Collins can do in this color-tacular movie. That's right, I'm sizing up our Clary Fey for the Mortal Instruments series. Don't worry friends, locals,...mom....I won't make you sit through rusty Heather comments during this movie. I'll see it by my lonesome. It might be better that way.     

And in case these 3 films didn't get you excited for the spring movie rush, here's a few more I'll be lining up to see in 2012: W.E., John Carter, Wrath of the Titans, Avengers, Hysteria, Snow White and the Huntsman, Abe Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, Brave, Les Miserables, The Hobbit, The Great Gastby. 

5 things to get you Spring-cited #1

After my pathetic rant about a listless New Years, and after a good 2-3 inches of snow fell here in the east, I thought the only way to excite myself for warmer - at least more sunny - weather is to talk about all the things that remind me of spring. And first on this list of top 5 - Florence + the Machine.

I discovered Florence last Spring -- about 6 months after everyone else as I do with most things -- and since then have had her albums on my go-to playlists; Howl is my top played itunes song with 160 plays, just in case you're wondering. There's just something about Lungs that I can't get out of my head. The songs embody spring with rose colored glasses; or they just reminded me of the California sun in a 1970's picture.

While I haven't found as deep a devotion for her new album Ceremonials as of yet, I blame that on having no time to listen to it, and even less time to blast it in the car. Unfortunately (but completely okay with me), this means all my song choices and recommendations are from Lungs.If you want to listen to the songs featured, you can hear them over here.

Listen to Raise it Up if - Every time I hear Rise it Up I think Greek mythology and early morning sunlight. It's normally my go-to first song in the car on the morning drive.

Listen to Howl if - Do you have a warewolf thing? Then this is your song. Trust me, vampires don't have an anthem like this, and they never will. And the reference to classic Wolfman? Priceless.

Listen to Drumming song if - Borgias fans - this is your song. More specifically, Cesare and Lucrezia OTPers I dare you to listen and not have an entire plot line develop in front of you. Go on. I dared you. I'll wait till you're done. ... ... ... I was right, wasn't I? 

Listen to Cosmic Love/Binding if - These are completely meant to be apart of the 'Once Upon A Time' inspired-by soundtrack. Just saying. These two certainly rival each other to be my favorite Florence song and often, I simply refuse to pick my favorite.

Listen to My Boy Builds Coffins/I'm Not Calling You a Liar if - You know that saying "Sweet; creepy, but sweet"? They were talking about these songs. Indulge your slightly morbid song tendencies with these two selections. They really are sweet...creepy, but sweet. 

“I want my music to sound like throwing yourself out of a tree, or off a tall building, or as if you’re being sucked down into the ocean and you can’t breathe,...It’s something overwhelming and all-encompassing that fills you up, and you’re either going to explode with it, or you’re just going to disappear.” -Florence Welch