Thoughts on The Hunger Games

One word verdict on The Hunger Games: Intense.

I saw the film at midnight on opening night and to be honest, I'm still recovering. Like a lot of readers of the series as well as the cast and production team, I was worried that it would suck, but it was amazing. It didn't disappoint at all. Check out my review after the cut and warning there might be some spoilers!

Introducing Pop Digest

As I posted the other day, change is under way and here it is. The blog is now called Pop Digest and the twitter is now @ThePopDigest and I'll be posting a lot more! Instead of just mocking the news and my favorite and least favorite celebs, I'll try to give you all the short version of the news and movies I love. I'll digest and compress my views on pop culture just for you! Here it comes!

Change is Under Way

Hello to any readers I have left. I'm planning some changes for the blog in the next couple of days... starting with a name and url change and continuing with more posts! Considering I haven't posted in forever, anything will be an improvement so here we go!

Happy New Year

This year has been so great but I'm happy to usher in the new one. Happy New Year to everyone out there! Make great resolutions, have a ton of fun, expect great things, and have an amazing 2012!

Lovebirds Post: Blake and Ryan Edition

Blake Lively fascinates me. I once met her on the streets of New York and she was so sweet I've been a fan ever since. She has an amazing media persona from her films and Gossip Girl work, to her fashionista lifestyle, to her home life made public in her love of baking and cooking, and especially her love life.  Like many of her characters, Blake has had some slip ups... supposedly. Her reps say the nude photos that leaked in May and allegedly look exactly like Blake were fake.  All of that aside, the public, myself included love to watch her act and pay attention to her love life because none of it is bad enough to look away.

In keeping with that, here's the latest Lively update:

Burlesque and Inappropriate Part 2

In terribly exciting news, Christina Aguilera, the Voice coach, riffer extraordinaire, mother of Max, girlfriend of Matt Rutler, ex-wife of Jordan Bratman, and most importantly leggings lover will be releasing a new single in the coming weeks with an album to come out just when the Voice gets into full swing... Color me surprised. Xtina's going back... but she's skipping the Gaga repeat days and Burlesque and even the Car Wash days to get right back to "Dirty."  The single will be called either "Your Body," "Love Your Body," or possibly "F*** Your Body." I guess she's going to go for a "Moves Like Jagger" repeat with this one but we could hear it as early as next week! You'll find it here as soon as I get it... even with a review... Especially if it's bad.

But it'll never be bad enough.

Surprise of the Year: Katy and Russell

In a completely un-shocking move today, Russell Brand filed for divorce from Katy Perry citing---- wait for it------ irreconcilable differences. In a more shocking twist, the papers state that there are "community property assets" implying there may not be a prenup. The couple spent Christmas apart, she in Hawaii, he in the UK, both without their rings, and apparently Russell blindsided Katy because she's too hung up on hard partying. All speculation, but for Katy it's definitely "Not Like The Movies." Russell said on Ellen earlier this month that he said "til death" and meant it, but nothing is constant or true apparently.

UPDATE:
Sources that morning say that Katy asked Russell to be the one to file as her parents are Evangelical Christians who don't believe in divorce... Take that with a grain of salt, but it is interesting.

 The good news: single girls seem to make better music! Katy's first two albums were recorded and released while she was unmarried.

Hollywood Heartbreak?

There have been a ton of breakups and shakeups in Hollywood recently so here's my rundown. First I thought I'd start with the obligatory note to celebrities: KEEP GETTING MARRIED EVEN IF YOU'RE NOT READY! If you don't know your fiancé well enough to stay together for 14 months, 72 days, 14 days, or 52 hours, you probably shouldn't even put a ring on it, but if you do it gives me some nice writing material. Just saying. If celebs stopped this garbage, maybe it wouldn't be so easily forgiven in the mainstream world, but maybe they don't have that much of an effect. Sometimes divorce is necessary, but sometimes marriage isn't. That's just me though.

Etta James Breathing Again

Etta James, the 73 year old At Last singer who has made hearts melt and weddings slow dance for years, was taken off her respirator and is breathing on her own again! Earlier this month, EW confirmed that Etta has terminal illnesses that are making her life difficult, but this show of strength is good news and she may be able to leave intensive care soon.

According to Lupe De Leon, her manager of 30 years:

“Etta has a terminal illness. She’s in the final stages of leukemia. She has also been diagnosed with dementia and Hepatitis C. She’s in a home right now and mostly sleeps. She is under the care of a live-in doctor from Riverside Community Hospital and two others who have placed her on oxygen. Her husband is with her 24 hours a day, and her sons visit regularly. We’re all very sad. We’re just waiting.”

 I hope she can stay comfortable and see all of those she loves as soon as possible while she's healthy!

News Galore

Call me spoiled rotten, but I take a little break from blogging to sleep in, drink coffee, eat too much, and overall have a life, and I have a glut of stories to cover.  Everything from the Kelly Clarkson and Ron Paul, to broken marriages, to babies born... I've got it all coming up in the next couple days starting just as soon as I can write it! Get ready for some fireworks.

Back to Work

I've got a ton of new posts and ideas coming up in the next few days to jump start my life going into the New Year. Why wait til Sunday to start my resolutions when there is no time better than the present. I've been compiling folder upon folders of noteworthy stories and ideas so they'll start coming your way bright and not too early tomorrow! Get ready for lots of Kardashians, Lohans, hookups, breakups, scandals, and more here on Not Bad Enough!

Britney Wonderland

It's been a great week for Britney Spears and you're about to find out why! While we've all been blaring Femme Fatale and My Only Wish as loud as the speakers can handle, Queen B has been doing all kinds of fun stuff.

Adele Update

Adele was spotted out for the first time since her surgery looking great and happy. She has been tweeting quite a bit too! She's been writing instead of talking and following all of the doctor's orders! I hope she gets better fast and if it's not too selfish, I hope she uses her throat issues to write great music!

While Adele has been recovering from her throat surgery, Entertainment Weekly named her one of their entertainers of the year. Check out the mag for a little Adele Tribute writeup by Julia Roberts who got her copy of 21 from her hairdresser. Whispering in her ear much? Sorry I had to.

The Daily Mail also says they got their hands on her tour rider. Take it with a grain of salt because you never know what's true in tabs, but here it is!

 

She likes water, milk, only European beer, orange juice not from concentrate, cereal, cigarettes, sandwiches, fruit, and squeezy bottles of honey. Oh my gosh. The nerve of someone who sings for a living to like.... orange juice not from concentrate. And I can't believe she likes squeezy honey. Ok all kidding aside (I can't believe I said that). I hope she stops (or has stopped) smoking. I like my pop stars healthy and happy, not just one or the other. 

Update Preview

I've been neglecting the fledgling blog in the last week, but there are lots of updates coming in the next few days so here's a teaser. Lots of Britney, Lindsay, Gaga, Taylor, Nicki oh my! And that's just the beginning!

Here's a taste of the juiciest scoop!

Who got engaged last night breaking the hearts of men of all ages?

Quick Break

I know I haven't posted enough to warrant a break yet, but I also know I have a ton or work until Thursday afternoon... so be patient if you're a reader and I'll catch you up shortly... if you don't read... then go through the little archive I have and get ready for me to blow your mind on Thursday!

John

Glee Casting Update: Santana's Family

 In breaking Glee casting news, EW has confirmed that there are pending talks with both Gloria Estefan and Pitbull to appear in upcoming episodes as.... wait for it... Santana's mother and brother respectively. As always, Glee has so much potential.  This could prove to be some great character development in an interesting storyline of Santana's struggle with her race and class in the town as well as her sexuality and position in the school, or it could be gratuitous inclusion of big names... It could be awesome, like the first season, or it could be like any second season episode (except the Britney one)-- namely awful.  This season is on an upward trend if you ask me, but the moment they break from the character development and start pandering for viewers with stargazing fetishes, the show will go right back down the tubes.  Well, that's just my opinion.

Kardashian Update: It's a Big One

I'm going to warn you up front: This Kardashian update is a big one. Kourtney is normal, Khloé's life is changing a lot, and Kim is stating the obvious... and what's in the future? More spin offs of course!

Break Up and Shake Up Update

Ready for the break ups and shake ups in Tinseltown? Ashton and Demi, Ashlee and Pete, Terrance and Michelle... It's getting awkward and ugly.

Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore were spotted running into each other in the most awkward moment of the day. Us Weekly has "sources" who say they saw the pair run into each other at a "private member's club."  That reeks of BS, but whatever. Separated people living and traveling in small circles are bound to cross paths... and it shouldn't be normal. Was it ever really normal? There 16 years apart and he is closer to her kids' ages. Not normal. They're celebrities. Not normal. He stars in lots of questionably bad media. Not normal.

Terrance Howard's wife, Michelle Ghent, secured a restraining order as their divorce heats up. He can't go within 100 feet of her until the issues are dealt with at their January 17th hearing.  He filed counter suit against her insinuating extortion when he said she would go public with "private materials." This is getting messier even when it began with accusations of spousal abuse.  What a mess.  It's sad that this has to happen and I only hope that it gets resolved reasonably and safely.

Pete Wentz and Ashlee Simpson finalized their divorce today. After one son and 3.5 years, the marriage ended and it seems to be going okay for them.  Not too much bad press and lots of potentially staged photo ops. As far as we know, it's all working out.

Baldwin Bashing from All Sides: Updates

 So the backlash begins, though his track record for bouncing back is good, so he won't even feel the repercussions. All in one day, American Airlines released a statement about yesterday's incident, Alec Baldwin said goodbye to his twitter, and president of the Association of Professional Flight Attendants made a statement as well.

Gaga Talked to MTV? Shocker

In a complete departure, Lady Gaga is making headlines this week. Hold on while I peel myself off the floor from fainting.  She is already hard at work on her new album and she's got a bit to say on her Grammy noms too! She talks to MTV about it all.