WInner!!

Now, the winner, my top favorite actor of all time is—drum roll please—Jensen Ackles! Jensen Ackles is an actor and director (more recently).  Jensen was born in Dallas, Texas to Donna Joan and Alan Ackles who is also an actor.  Jensen has an older brother and a younger sister.  His plan before getting into acting was to study sports medicine at Texas State University and was going to become a physical therapist, but abandoned that plan and moved to Los Angeles to start an acting career.  

Jensen was not an amateur to the acting/modeling scene. He began a modeling career at the young age of four.  However his real acting career started in 1996 when he began guest starring in different roles such as; Mr. Rhodes, Sweet Valley High, and Cybil.  He later landed a recurring role on the SOAP, Days of Our Lives as Eric Brady.  In 2000 he left the SOAP and starred in a TV series Blond about Marilyn Monroe.  After that was over he auditioned for the lead role as Clark Kent in Smallville, but wasn’t given, instead he had a smaller part as Lana Lang’s boyfriend.  He then managed to land another role in yet SOAP in 2003 in Dawson’s Creek, but sadly the TV show was dropped with no warning.

All of these minor roles leads up to his star role on the hit TV series that is my favorite show of all time—Supernatural.  This show centers around two brothers Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean (Jensen Ackles) These brothers have a job, but it’s no ordinary job they save the world by hunting down ghosts, demons, ghouls, and any other paranormal being you can think of.  They suffer many deaths, and life altering events that either bring the brothers closer or tears them apart which could be from a fight, to one of them dying and going to hell, or purgatory. However they always find their way back to each other whether they are okay with each other or in some sort of fight.  This show contains a lot of heaven VS. Hell conflicts that surprisingly doesn’t have more controversy seeing as how they talk about a lot of controversial topics.  They manage to stay under the radar and have very loyal fans.  The TV show and refers to the “Fandom” as the “Supernatural family” because it really is like that.

The boys Jared and Jensen are two Texan boys who once the show began (eight years ago) have become best friends. Their wives are close, and they were even roommates during some of the season being filmed in Vancouver Canada.  The Supernatural cast even does conventions where the fan can meet and greet them take pictures and ask their questions and just have fun with the cast.

Jensen is currently married to Danneel Harris, a model and star of One Tree Hill. They are now expecting their first child—a girl—and I are very happy for them. This show is my favorite of all time I own all the season and I hope it’s around for many more seasons.

Cory Monteith

Now the next player up to bat will have to be Cory Monteith.  Cory had a very hard life growing up.  His parents sadly divorced when he was younger. However he was a bright young kid. At the age of five he was reading books at a fourth grade level.  However as he got older he started turning his habits into some not so great choices. He turned the books in for drugs, partying, and alcohol. Corey got kicked out of twelve different schools, including alternative schools for troubled teens. At the age of sixteen Cory dropped out of school.  He then turned to petty crimes stealing from his friends and families so he can feed and fuel his drug addiction.  At the age of nineteen his family staged an intervention that lead him into rehab where he said “I’m lucky on so many counts—I’m lucky to be alive.” He then in 2011 got his high school diploma.  Before getting a lead

Role in Glee he was a Wal-Mart greeter, taxi driver, and bus driver. Sadly Cory has recently checked back into rehab for alcohol, but this time he did it all on his own realizing he needs help and needs to do something about it. He has the support of his friends and family at his side including his girlfriend Lea Michelle.  

Cory Monteith began his acting career in Vancouver, British Columbia where he played minor roles in Final Destination 3, Deck the Halls, and a recurring role in Kyle XY.  Cory also had many guest roles on Smallville, Flash Gordon, Stargate Atlantis, and my favorite show Supernatural! After many “small roles” Cory finally landed a star role on the hit show Glee. Cory’s agent submitted a video of Cory playing “The drums” with pencils and Tupperware containers. Ryan Murphy took notice in his fun talent (he can actually play the drums rather well) but told them that he needed to have skills in the vocal department. Cory then submitted a video of him singing REO Speed wagon’s “Can’t fight this feeling anymore” His singing skills were considered weak, but he later had a great audition and was able to capture Fin’s fun character aspects. Cory later goes to say after landing the role, “I was like a lot of kids, looking for something to be interested in. Something to be passionate about. All you need is permission. Not only for Glee, but for anything in life.”  Cory (Obviously on a role) landed another role in a cute romantic comedy starring Selena Gomez called Monte Carlo. I’ve seen this movie and I must say it wasn’t that great and I only watched it for Cory, but I saw how it had a “cute” aspect to it and thought it was alright, but not worth seeing in theaters (thankfully I waited). 

Later in life Cory met follow cast member, and on screen on and off girlfriend Lea Michelle. Now, she has become his real life girlfriend and is very supportive of his recent self-admittance to rehab. I believe Cory will do great things, and I think he made the right decision.   

Emma Stone

Now I’m starting to run out of really good ideas of what to write about when dealing with movies filmed in the Detroit area. So I was thinking of doing my last three blogs on something a little different but sticking with the acting, and film industry theme. In my next three blogs I will be writing about three of my most favorite actors/actresses of all time.  Now trying to think about this is very difficult to narrow down because I have so many. I’ll be starting with my third favorite, second, and then my last blog will be on my top of the line, very best actor that I hold dear to my heart.

So this blog will be dedicated to a girl that is hilarious, gorgeous and very talented—Emma Stone.  She has been in many movies after her real break out hit Easy A. If you don’t know who this is, or have been living under a rock for the last four years, then I’ll fill you in on this very talented woman.  Emma stone has been in many popular, and well made movies ever since she was in the movie Zombieland.  Now, I’ll be honest I didn’t think Zombieland would be a good movie, but it was on TV one day so I thought “What the heck” and put it on. To my utter surprise Emma Stone was in this flick, her character was a big sister to Abigail Breslin’s character and she has quite the bit of sass that she dishes out throughout the movie with a hint of “Badassery.”

The next movie she was in was the movie Easy A that I had mentioned earlier on. This movie is based off the book “The Scarlet Letter.”  It is a hilarious and Emma Stone once again plays a very sassy girl in high school who has two crazy parents and an adopted brother. This movie is about Emma Stone’s character trying to get through high school trying to get by after she helps her friend out in making the school believe he wasn’t a “loser” and staged a fake hook up at a party. This in turns starts a spiral effect causing everyone asking her for sexual favors causing the guys to love her and the girls to think she is a “trollop.” There is also a lot of Christian undertones, well not so much undertone as much as in your face.

Following these two movies was The Help, The Amazing Spider-Man, and her recent movie Gangster Squad. 

Emma Stone began her acting career at a very young age where she was a part of an organization called Valley Youth Theater in Phoenix, AZ where she made her debut in Kenneth Grahame’s “The Wind in the Willows.” She then wanted to take her career to the next level at the age of fifteen so she decided to make a powerpoint to convince her parents to let her drop out of school to become an actor. They eventually agreed and she got her debut on film in the VH1 original “In Search of the Partridge Family” then later played Jules in Superbad.

Four Brothers

Blog nine

The next movie I am about to talk about is called Four Brothers I love this movie, it is one of my favorites. It centers around, well, you guessed it—four brothers.  They all are adopted by the sweetest old lady who had raised them from when they were all young.  She took them all in and were all considered “trouble children” or “beyond help”.   They all are now well grown except one who is still living at home.  One terrible night she went out for some groceries at a local covenant store when suddenly it was robbed and shot up. Sadly, she was caught in the cross fires and was killed. The boys all return for the funeral and all come together to catch up but one brother (Mark Walberg’s character) wants to look into this crime to find out who did it.  It doesn’t take much to convince the his other brothers to do some good old fashion detective work. However they also have to deal with the cops who are actually trying to solve the case. The boys figure out some truths about what really happened and find out it doesn’t resonate to far from home. Sadly more sorrow and heart ache faces this family as they begin to uncover more and more about what really happened.

Now this movie was of course filmed in Detroit, if I am not mistaken this movie is even based off of Detroit, AKA it is taking place in Detroit. Now this movie really doesn’t do anything to help Detroit’s cause on trying to be less “criminal”.  It really hammers in how dangerous Detroit can be and doesn’t really show the nicer aspects of Detroit.  This movie in my terms really helps to Detroit’s bad name especially when dealing with gangs which this movie really has. 

The movie obviously was about gangs and the “bad parts” of the neighborhood and the kids from the “wrong side of the tracks” but Detroit has some interesting places that aren’t that dangerous those movies seem to neglect in showing in their movies.  I feel like they should (not just this movie) show more the interesting aspects that Detroit has to offer.

Now this might be my sentimental side coming out, but I feel bad that Detroit is constantly getting a bad rep. But once a city gets the bad rep, it’s very hard for it to rise up and prove otherwise. Regardless if they are trying to rise from the ashes as of right now and trying to get themselves on track. But it seems like the government maybe even have given up on the poor city.

I know this might seem random but as I have been picking movies to write about I have noticed the reoccurrence that is the bad rep I hope sometime I’ll find a movie that isn’t so rough about Detroit, and show the hidden gems that hide within the city of Detroit.

Hardcore Pawn

Now one of my guilty pleasures when it comes to TV dramas is the hit show on the channel “truTV” Hardcore Pawn. It stars three people who are a close knit family, when they aren’t fighting constantly with each other on how to run their family business. This establishment is located in the heart of Detroit—8mile road. They recently in 2011 expanded their store to another building in Pontiac Mi. However, Seth ended up selling the Pontiac location behind his father’s back which caused massive turmoil within the store, but mostly within the family.  Les would actually not talk to Seth for a very long time.  The owner of American Jewelry and Loan is Les Gold, yes the last name Gold with that name of course Les’s father opened up a pawn shop! His son Seth Gold and daughter Ashley Broad both work and head the store to makes sure everything is in order when their father is away.   

There is in every episode some kind of family drama. Either, Seth and Ashley are competing for Daddy’s attention, or for management and power within the store, constantly arguing and going behind their father’s back.  This causes Daddy to get involved and either proposes a battle of who can sell the most items or the most money, or he has a “sit down” with them in his office that usually just involves them caving and apologizing.

Seth is a very level headed business oriented man who likes things done a certain way. He’ll fight tooth and nail to get things done his way even though his father has been doing it longer and own the entire business. Ashley likes to boss people around and be the center of attention. She comes off and is portrayed as a…well….not a very nice person, she has yet to prove herself otherwise.  She constantly walks out because she believes she is treated unkindly then comes back and expects to be treated with respect.

Less on the other hand follows his gut unlike his son. Less also tries to avoid conflict and drama unlike his daughter. It seems Les is the “Godfather” of the business and is a very easy going conflict resolving man.  

The show has many angry belligerent customers that add to the entertainment. Some drunk, angry, legit crazy to the point that they have imaginary friends, desperate, kind, and even hilarious customers—this show really shows you a range of people that are living in this city.  This show also shows how hard the economy is affecting the people of America and how they have to sell priceless items for less than what they are worth just so they can buy food for their families. This show also shows you how people are legit crazy and will do anything to be the highlight of a show whether they are portrayed as a crazy person who needs to calm down, or a swearing harlet.  Either way this show is literally down the street from us and it will continue to be a guilty pleasure I put on whenever I see it on TV.

Real Steel IDes of March

Hugh Jackman. He needs no introduction whatsoever. He recently stared in a futuristic movie about steal and boxing—Real Steal.  We are brought to the year of 2020 where human boxers have been replaced by robots hence the “steal” aspect in the title.  Charlie Kenton played by Jackman is such a competitor. Charlie had lost a bet and now owes 20,000 dollars.  Upon this terrible debt, he has found out his ex-girlfriend has passed away and he must attend a court hearing to find out who will have custody of his pre-teen son.  He is forced to learn how to become a father, and grow up to pay off his debts.

Now staying with this theme you all must know what is about to be said…You guessed it! It was filmed in Detroit—several location in Michigan to be exact. First we have Auburn Hills; this made my jaw drop since we are so close!  Learning all of this now, instead of when this was being filmed irritates me because I wish I knew sooner so I could go watch them film and possible meet the actors! Because as we have all found out through these blogs I’m “that girl” that fan-girls over the celebs. Other jaw dropping places this movie was filmed include; the Pontiac Silver dome which was used as one of the robot fighting arenas, Detroit Fire Department Headquarters, GM Renissance Festival, Bad Axe, and Nemo’s in Detroit.

Next while reading about Real Steel It was accompanied by the hit movie Ides of March starring two heartthrobs George Clooney and Ryan Gosling.  This movie was directed by Mr. Clooney himself. The plot of this movie was very difficult for me to read, it’s very heavy in politics which is my least favorite thing which is partially why I didn’t want to go see it—even though the leading men were Clooney and Gosling.

This movie was filmed in many Michigan locations.  Such as; Anne Arbor’s University of Michigan their Arthur Miller theater, Cliff Bells—Detroit, The Gem Theater—Detroit, Grace and Wild’s studio—Farmington Hills, Ann Arbor U of M, and many more locations all over Detroit.  All of these places many lucky movie goers were able to spot Mr. Gosling all over.  Now, I actually remember my friend calling me up and freaking out to me over the phone going on about having to go on a man hunt looking for him—we never did.

Don’t get me wrong please by all mean check this movie out! It’s just way to politically heavy for my taste. I’m learning more and more about how Michigan, Detroit mainly, is becoming home for cheap movie filming industry and I’m so excited to see and possibly witness the new movies coming to our home to make a splash.

Red Dawn (2012)

**POSSIBLE SPOILER ALERT***

I recently saw the movie Red Dawn starring Chris Hemsworth, along with this actor and heartthrob was also accompanied with Josh Hutcherson.  This movie was very action packed that contains a former U.S marine who comes home after a long tour of duty.  His brother, played by Josh Peck resents him for leaving after their mom had passed away, feeling abandoned by his older brother. However they must come together once North Korea invades the U.S and begins bombing their home.  They gather a small group of friends and head off to their old cabin in the woods. However they were found out, and circumstances arise causing the brothers, and the group to band together even further to stay alive, and fight this.  This movie also has many ups and downs when dealing with the characters which will get your heart pumping and the adrenaline going. 

Personally, for me, I loved this movie. Yes this movie does have Chris Hemsworth in it so that did tend to sway my opinion about the movie. But I loved how it had all types of genres in it, such as; romance, action, tear jerker and a bit of comic relief with in it.  I liked it. It also drives the point home that you can always rely on family to get you through things.  Also, that family will always be there to save you, and to love you even when you screw up, or let them down.  They will fight for each other and come together to overcome great odds.

Now, let’s get to the point. This movie was filmed in multiple places in Michigan and especially in Detroit.  The sites that had been used are Pontiac Mi. Royal Oak MI., and Lake Orion MI.  Many people went to be extras for this movie.  If you pay close enough attention to this movie you can spot a few landmarks that Detroit offers.  A major shock to me, a major “landmark” you can say would be none other than our very own Oakland University marching band!! This blew my mind! My Jaw dropped! I hadn’t known that! Well, nevertheless, they were there performing during the football game. One could say my mind has officially been blown! 

During this movie there are many check points set up so the North Korean army could check out the Americans as they go into different “districts”.  These check points were filmed in the streets of Ponitac Mi.  There was also a former K-Mart used in Troy as the headquarters for the enemy.    

 I really wish I had known that this movie was being filmed in our ol’ Michigan.  As I have mentioned several times in multiple blogs I love actors (some) and I would have loved to meet someone, or anyone in that cast.  I would have especially Chris Hemsworth or Jeffery Dean Morgan who plays a father on my favorite TV show Supernatural. (Down town Pontiac check point scene)

Gran Torino

Due to a tax incentive passed many more movies are being filmed in our neighborhood AKA KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN!! Anyway, Clint Eastwood took to Detroit in filming and starring in his hit film Gran Torino.  Gran Torino focuses on a retired Ford Factory working Walt Kowalski who has been a resident for almost all his life in the declining residential area in Detroit. 

Kowalski’s house is located on Rhode Island Street in Highland Park.  The church where Kowalski had his wife’s funeral was in St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Grosse Pointe Park.  The famous little barber shop is located on 11 mile in Royale Oak, once again just minutes from Oakland University.

Now the movie wasn’t based in Detroit, but again due to the tax incentives that were passed.  Also, since they wanted to lead character to be a retired Ford’s worker, obviously there are many Ford plants in Detroit. 

Another fascinating fact about this movie is one of our very own theater professors—Thomas Mahard, who I actually had my freshman year—has a role in this movie who was by the name of Mel.  So next time you watch this movie, keep an eye out for the character Mel and see if you can recognize him.   

Kristen Bell

A show that I recently got into that has been off the air for six years is Veronica Mars starring Kristen Bell.  She is also very much known for her roles in When in Rome, Gossip girl in the hit TV show Gossip Girl, You again, and Forgetting Sara Marshall.  Kristen Bell was also in many more films.  Kristen Bell was born July 18^th 1980, in Huntington Woods Michigan.  Kristen Bell attended a catholic high school in Royal Oak Michigan which is only about thirty minutes away from Oakland University. As she attended high school this is when she really got into acting and the drama department.  She won the role of Dorothy in her school’s production of the Wizard of Oz.  Now, once again I am learning so much about the stars that I watch on a daily basis—I love it.  Bell graduated from New York University’s prestigious Tisch school of Arts where she studied musical theater.  After graduating from there, she made her Broadway debut in “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” where she played Becky Thatcher.  Then in 2002 she starred in “The Crucible” working alongside the legendary Liam Neeson.

Kristen Bell recently went on the Ellen DeGeneres show where we saw her obsession for baby sloths at its all-time high.  Ellen managed to get her hands on a never before seen footage of Kristen on her birthday finding out that a sloth would be also making a guest appearance and be the main attraction.  Kristen immediately dropped to her bed and began having a complete meltdown out of happiness which you can view below. ENJOY! 

 

Home Improvement…Or Last Man Standing

 home improvement cast

One of my favorite actors who I instantly fell in love with from his hit television show “Home improvement” and his awesomely done “Santa Clause” movies that is my traditional Christmas movie—Tim Allen.  I had no idea that this man was from our very own Metro Detroit area!  He grew up in a suburb of Detroit—Birmingham.  He first started out in Central Mi. University, and then he attended and graduated from Western Michigan University.  He also performed standup comedy at Mark Ridley’s comedy castle in Detroit.  When I found this out my jaw dropped! I love this man, and I had no idea that his hometown was so very close to us.  Like I said in the very beginning I was hoping to learn new things about the stars I love to watch and follow the gossip train with, I guess I got my wish!

However this man didn’t always have his “shit together” pardon the term.  While attending college, he met his long term girlfriend and picked up a side job that was bringing in the cash, but not in the best of ways—He became a narcotics dealer.   He got married, graduated from college, and also got a job in a sports store, then quickly offered a job in the stores advertising.  However Allen was still selling drugs.  Things began to get bad when his accomplice and him got arrested at Kalamazoo airport in Michigan (again shout out to Mi.! not the way we would have hoped for.)  For possession of nearly a pound and a half of cocaine on his person.  He managed to plea out, and get a deal for testifying against his accomplice.  His time was reduced to eight years, and only spent twenty eight months in prison.  This really got him interested in comedy.  I guess his way of coping.  This is when he got his first performance at the comedy castle.

He then began filming his hit show “Home improvement” which was actually filmed in MI.  Now I should have known this because of Tim’s constant wearing of the Lions gear, and always cheering for the Lions football team.  He I think eve wore some attire for CMU! Which now writing about it has come back to mind?

However Allen wasn’t out of the woods yet.  He was brought up on some drunken driving charges in 1997.  He was brought up on charges and was forced to seek help for his drinking.  He then made a commitment to sobriety.  This did not hinder his fame and success for his hit show Home Improvement.

He has recently began a new show called “Last man standing” which is practically just like “Home  Improvement” except instead of three boys, he has three girls, and instead of a tool time show, he has a sports shop, just like real life job.  (Along with his “Tool time” on home improvement Allen was in a few Good wrench commercials whilst trying to make it big.)

I would say Tim Allen was able to make it big winning many awards and best yet, finding sobriety and keeping himself out of jail.

Last man standing cast (see the resemblance)