It happens every once in awhile.  Twilight Zone Outdoor Cinema is fortunate enough to show the blockbuster “Twilight”.  Last night at Huber Park in Shakopee  was a perfect night for such an event.   The moon and stars were out.  It was not too hot and not too cold.  It was a perfect!

I am always amazed at the audiences that this movie captures.  I always laugh when the teenage girls scream with delight and the mid 30 somethings (You know who you are- no names mentioned here) that smile with the twists of the tale, and the boys who love a good conflict and a little touch of blood/gore.  This movie has a sense of maturity to it that brings in a wide vast of target audiences.

I can say this movie when it first was released did not pique my interest.  My 11 year old want to see it, so we went.  I was pleasantly surprised at the plot and acting.  I can now say ” I” yes “I” (a 30 something)  can not wait for the second movie in the saga New Moon I will be one of the first to see it!

Thanks Shakopee Park and Recreation Department, as always its a true pleasure for us to come out and show movies!

“Everybody was Kung Fu Fighting”  ( *music*)  Those kids were fast as lightning(*music*)….” Ok maybe not actual fighting but every time time I hear “Kung Fu”  I cant help but think of the Carl Douglas song “Kung Fu Fighting”  Its a great song.  Of course I don’t know the lyrics.  It’s the magic of the song.  Everyone knows the first line of the song, and only a few know the rest of the song because they have taken the time to listen careful and learn.  This is much like the actually martial art of Kung Fu.  You need to believe in what you have, and you need to have expert timing and patience.

We American seem to have a healthy respect for Kung Fu.  We have songs about it, a TV series “Kung Fu” that ran 1972-1975, and now we have Kung Fu Panda. What a great picture for the children( and adults) of today.  In a world of instant EVERYTHING.  Its good to be reminded that we need to be OK with who we are and to have patience.  We need make our “mark’s” on the world when the timing is right.  It’s a great message delivered with great laughs.  The audience young and old were laughing at the various one liners.  My favorite quote in the movie was “There is no charge for awesomeness…or attractiveness”   and Friday night was definitely “awesomeness”.  A crowd of 800 gathered at the Mt. Normandale Band shell to celebrate the community.  The fact that Maui Waui was on site to deliver their signature drinks made the celebration an extra treat for me and my family.

Thank You, M & I Bank ( Bloomington branch) and the Blooomington Park and Recreation for a great community driven event.  You were a fun  and efficient team to work with.  The appreciation for the community you serve was very apparent in every aspect of the event.  It was great to learn about the VEAP organization, and all the assistance they provide to the Southern Metro Communities.

Thanks!

P.S.  Just because…Here are the lyrics to the Kung Fu song.  Enjoy

Everybody was Kung Fu fighting, those kids were fast as lightning

In fact it was a little bit fright’ning, but they fought with expert timing
There was funky China men from funky Chinatown
They were trapping when up, they were trapping when down
It’s an ancient Chinese art, and everybody knew their part
For my friend, ain’t you a stiff, then I’m kickin’ from the hip

Everybody was Kung Fu fighting, those kids were fast as lightning
In fact it was a little bit fright’ning, but they fought with expert timing

There was funky Billy Chin and little Sammy Chong
He said, here comes the big boss, let’s get it on
We took the bow and made a stand, started swaying with the hand
A sudden motion made me stiff, now we’re into a brandnew trip

Everybody was Kung Fu fighting, those kids were fast as lightning
In fact it was a little bit fright’ning, but they did it with expert timing

2009 Boat-in Movie on Lake Minnetonka

The 2009 Boat-in Movie near Big Island made headlines today.  “Top Gun” was shown on the 40ft screen in Cruisers Cove on a barge and help up by a floating crane. Those who subscribe to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune can find it on the front page of the Metro section. Here is link to the full story.

Read full Star-Tribune story about the 2nd Annual Boat-in Movie.

Mickey

I met Mickey( the black lab) last night at the Brooklyn Park  screening of Hotel for Dogs.  Mickey brought the entire crew out to Central Park to take in the blockbuster.  This is easily  becoming a Summer favorite with audiences young, old and furry.  It was a fantastic event.  The Brooklyn Park crowd is definitely a hearty bunch.  They would not let a little cold, wind and drizzling rain distract them from movie night.

Shana Ford the M & I Branch Manager said it best when she welcomed the crowd and said “Movies are met to be watched with family, friends and neighbors. ”  I certainly got that impression walking through the crowd.  We always feel so welcomed coming up to Brooklyn Park, It feels like I am going to an old friends house, which  makes it fun for me.

Many, many thanks to the Brooklyn Park branch of M & I Bank for sponsoring the event and for just being so friendly and outgoing.  You are an awesome bank and always so delightful to work with.  Also to the City of Brooklyn Park.  Thanks for having us to your neighborhood.  Your efforts to bring neighbors together is very apparent.

Until the next time, Your TZ crew!

I LOVE Summer, but when July hits, I have to admit I start thinking of Football!  Yup it is true, in just a few short weeks, Our Viking ( with or without a purple #4 ) will be in Mankato, getting ready to play one of the greatest games EVER!  This will be a fun season to watch with the sparkling new stadium for our Gophers and yes, the always drama filled Vikings.  I have always loved football.  I grew up at the Metrodome watching the Gophers and Vikings and sometimes on those special occasions both teams in one glorious day.  In fact, my family revolved around when College and NFL games would be played, Sunday dinner discussions revolved souly around the ups and downs of our favorite teams!  With all this said I still consider myself a “girly girl”.  And I can say I with all this love for the sport I would never consider playing tackle football.  I might get hurt!  This sediment has not changed since I was a kid.

Since I have this fondness for the sport of football I was really excited to watch The Longshot especially on a great night like Friday night.  The temperature was perfect, we had a cool slight breeze  and the stars peeked out from the clouds.  It was a great night.   The Longshot is based on a true story of Jasmine Plummer.  She was 11 years of age when she had enough guts to  play Quarterback for a Jr. Pop Warner Football team.  She  was able to assist the team in turning around their loosing season to a winning season. The overall theme for the movie is( drum roll please) No matter what, have the heart to do what you want to do, even if its a little “out of the box”.  This is always a good message, and I am always a fan of  ”Girl Power” stories.  I think that girls should be more involved with the NFL or Collegiate Sports.  I think that if girls are tough enough to take it ( or dish it out ) let them play with the boys.  I just know that I will not be one of those girsl.  I’ ll just continue to be a fan  of the greatest sport ever!

Thank You,  M & I Bank and the City of Burnsville for having Twilight Zone Outdoor Cinema at your event.  We always love coming out to see you!

One of my all time favorite movies is The Wizard Of Oz!  Judging by the crowd gathered in Huber Park in Shakopee Saturday night, I am not alone!  There were more than just a few ruby red slippers in the crowd that night, worn by both young girls and the older ones too!  Every girl I know enjoys a good ruby red shoe. and we owe it all to Dorthy and The Wizard of Oz!  I am a girl that enjoys movies and I am a girl that enjoys a great pair of red shoes.  As the proud owner of 7  pairs of red shoes, I consider myself a dedicated fan of the ruby red slippers, which makes this movie a perfect match for me.

The Wizard Of Oz special is more than a great  fantasy story,  its the music and technology.  This was the fist movie that I can remember experiencing the volume of the movie used to tell the story.  This was also a milestone for MGM Studios.  The Wizard Of Oz was the first movie to use Technicolor, which is why the slipper are a vibrant red color.  In the original childeren’s book upon which the movie is based, Dorthy’s slippers are silver.  MGM decided to add color ro showcase the prop.

The Wizard Of Oz, and Dorthy’s red slippers are now and American icon. Still after 70 years we ladies( young and old ) still love click our heels of our ruby red slippers and repeat “There is no place like home”.