RIP Nora Ephron

I normally don't talk about the passing of celebrities here, but Nora Ephron was definitely one of the most groundbreaking women in Hollywood. Writer, director, producer, actress, essayist, journalist... she did it all. She made a name for herself in the Boys Club of Hollywood and cut a wider trail for those women who came after.

Nora wrote fifteen screenplays, including Heartburn (based on her novel), Silkwood, When Harry Met Sally, Sleepless in Seattle, Michael, You've Got Mail and most recently, Julie & Julia. She also co-authored the Drama Desk Award winning play, Love, Loss and What I Wore.

She directed eight films, writing the screenplays for seven of them. When Harry Met Sally, Sleepless In Seattle and Silkwood were all nominated for Best Original Screenplay. In addition to her work in film, Nora was also an accomplished author. She wrote five essay collections, including the NY Times bestsellers I Feel Bad About My Neck And Other Reflections On Being A Woman and A Wallflower At the Orgy. 

Nora is an iconic creative spirit who redefined the genre of romantic comedy. She inspired countless women, including yours truly with her work. 

She is survived by her husband, author and screenwriter Nicholas Pileggi of Goodfellas renown.

Super 8 Equals Super Thrilling

Young Joe Lamb wants to spend the summer of 79 hanging out with his friends, making their zombie movie and forgetting the horrific death of his mother. Things are going according to plan until he and his friends witness the derailment of a secret military train. All of a sudden, strange occurrences crop up. All the dogs run away, there are rolling blackouts and more ominously people begin to disappear.

Expendables.....All Brawn and No Brains?

The Expendables has ranked number 1 in both UK and US box office charts this week. Stallones movie which has the biggest action cast ever assembled including Bruce Willis and Arnold Schwarzenegger is proving to be a cash cow for movie goers this summer.
But is this action packed testosterone fest all Brawn and no Brains?