The Pirates! Band of Misfits Opens April 27th

June in Port Washington means one thing. A Pirate invasion! This year the pirates have decided to show up a wee bit early and host the opening night of the movie:  "The Pirates! Band of Misfits" at both the Marcus North Shore Cinema, and Saukville Cinema locations Friday April 27th. "The Pirates! Band of Misfits" is a fun family film about a band of eccentric pirates who are desperately trying to win the coveted Pirate of the Year Award. The Pirate Captain voiced by Hugh Grant must find a way to outsmart this year’s tough competition: Cutlass Liz played by Salma Hayek, and the dreaded Black Bellamy played by Jeremy Piven. "The Pirates! Band of Misfits" Directed by Pete Lord known for the "Wallace and Gromit", series along with the popular movie "Chicken Run". "The Pirates! Band of Misfits" is rated PG.

The fun begins Friday April 27th at 6:45pm at the North Shore Cinema in Mequon, and 7:05pm at the Saukville Cinema. The pirates will be bringing along loot, and goodie bags for all who attend. The North Shore location will also offer $3.00 off any large pizza at the Zaffiro’s Pizza restaurant within the theatre for anyone who dresses up as a pirate (Please leave any weapons back on the ship). There will also be door prizes and lots of pirate fun!

Those visiting North Shore Cinema can also visit the Zaffiro's restaurant after the show for their Sassy Hour specials. Every Friday after 9PM, Zaffiro's offers $5.00 personal pizzas, $5.00 Margaritas, and $3.00 beer specials, along with live music until 11PM.

Pirate Fest has become a June tradition in Port Washington. This year the festival is held June 1-3 in downtown Port Washington by the lakefront.  Some of the activities featured will be an invasion, Buccaneer Bash, Fireworks, Pirate Parade, and  Children’s activities. Check out their Facebook page for more details and this year's schedule.

 https://www.facebook.com/pages/Port-Washington-Pirate-Festival

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WIP’s -What I am currently writing.

WIP’s -What I am currently writing.

I thought it might be fun to share some of the current WIP’s (Work In Progress) that I am currently writing.  I’m not sure if I will finish them, but these are some fun ideas I have rattling around in my head.  My number one priority is the sequel to My Life With The Movie Star.  I enjoy writing about Abby and Grayson and what they might be doing. This also gives me a chance to bring Dave more into the story.   It surprised me how many people enjoyed his role in the first book, and gives me a chance to give him a much bigger role in the sequel.

My Life Without The Movie Star-

 Life has been perfect for Abby and Grayson the past few months, when Grayson gets a gigantic starring role in two movies filmed on location in Europe. Abby currently working for System Plus Software, is unable to be on set with Gray and returns to her home town of Port Washington Wisconsin.  The town, which she once loved, now feels cold and lonely.  Her Best Friend Lisa, recently married, is unable to hang out as often.  Abby fills her days with work but misses Gray. The one bright spot in Abby's life is Lisa and Dan’s close friend Dave just got a promotion and moves to Milwaukee.  Abby and Dave get a chance to rekindle their old friendship, and grow closer. While Grayson is on location, Abby is unaware of a looming threat.  The studio producing the movies feels Abby is un fit to be Grayson’s girlfriend and go to considerable length to make sure they split up.

Come Sail Away

Spring is in the air, the weather is starting to warm up, and I’m ready to shrug off the last bit of cabin fever and do something new.  I was excited to see an ad for Lake Michigan cruises being offered right here in Port Washington by the Foxy Lady II starting Saturday,  April 14th. The sunset cruises are something fun, unique and only offered once a year before the yacht is moved to Green Bay where it will begin its summer season. 

Captain Mitch and wife Carolyn have owned the Foxy Lady II for 15 years.  During May through October the Foxy Lady II is docked in downtown Green Bay at the Clarion Inn (formerly Holiday Inn) on 200 Main St.   The owners chose Port Washington’s harbor for winter docking due to the harbors deep water which allows them to avoid having to dry dock .  The Foxy Lady II is equipped with 2 full bars, 3 large screen TV’s, 2 climate controlled salons and 2 open air decks.   During the summer season the Foxy Lady II offers daily cruises, private charters, and host’s weddings and other private events.

If you’re looking for a complete dinner and cruising experience, sunset dinner cruises are being offered Saturday April 14^thand Friday April 20^th, departing at 6pm and returning to the dock at 8pm.  Included with the cruise is a buffet dinner which will include 2 entree offerings, fresh tossed Caesar Salad, and steamed vegetables.  The cost is $32.95 with a cash bar available.

If you aspire for a simple, relaxing night out on the lake, then the Saturday April 21^st cocktail cruise, departing at 6PM may be just the thing.  Tickets to the cocktail cruise are priced very reasonably at $5.00, which also includes a drink coupon for each passenger!

All cruises will leave the harbor weather permitting.  Reservations are suggested call 920-432-3699 or go to www.foxyladycruises.com to book online.

The Girl Was on Fire! The Hunger Games Review

 

 

 

After months of anticipations, teaser trailers, and online posts, The Hunger Games finally opened last night at midnight! The Hunger games has been one of the most anticipated movies of 2012 and early reviews indicate director (Gary Ross)is giving audiences exactly what they were hoping for!

 

Lines for the movie started early on Thursday night. The crowds were all on the edge of their picnic blankets waiting for the doors to finally open and be allowed into the theater. I was surprised to see how many teenage boys were dressed up like their favorite male tribute. Excitement was in the air as people discussed what to expect. What would the capital city look like? Would it be as outrageous as portrayed in the novel by Suzanne Collins? What will the arena be like? Will Katniss still have similar traps, and struggles as in the novel? The teaser trailers did seem to show a few differences from the novel and most people I spoke in line hoped that the screenplay would follow the story line closely.

After seeing the film, I can say I was truly amazed. I only regret that I have to wait until November 2013 to see the next film in the series, Catching Fire, to be released. With (Suzanne Collins) as one of the primary screenplay writers along with director (Gary Ross), the integrity of The Hunger Games was kept intact and was one of the best book to screen adaptations I have seen.

If you’re unfamiliar with the story, The Hunger Games is set in a post-apocalyptic North American continent now named Panem. The continent has been divided into 12 districts and is ruled by an unforgiving government. Most of the districts are extremely poor and are forced to depend on the Capital for enough food and supplies needed for basic survival. Each year two tributes from each district one boy and one girl ages 12-18 are forced compete in yearly a fight -to –the-death competition/ reality show called The Hunger Games. This reality show has been going on for 74 years as a form of punishment for a district rebellion which almost over through the capital government. The heroine of the series is Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence), volunteers to be tribute after her 12 year old sister’s name was drawn in the tribute lottery. Katniss must use her hunting abilities (taught to her by her father before his death in a district mining accident) as her edge to fight on in the games.


As previously stated, the movie went far beyond my expectations and was followed the novel with close accuracy. The District 12 set was as depressing and left you with a true sense of despair, the capital was both fantastic and deadly as portrayed in the book, and was where most of the movies’ best special affects occurred, taking the audience to the edge of their seats. A good portion of the cinematography was hand held and left you with a feeling of uneasiness and while a few of the shots towards the end looked more like green screens, the strong story line did not allow for much distraction.
Each cast member was perfectly selected to play their role. The three primary actors Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen, Liam Hemsworth as Gale Hawthorne, Josh Hutcherson as Peeta Mellark are sure to catapult to superstar status after the success of The Hunger Games.

It was especially enjoyable to watch seasoned actors lend their talents to the film including Elizabeth Banks as Effie Trinket Katniss and Peeta’s chaperone and etiquette coach, Stanly Tucci as Caesar Flickerman the charismatic host of The Hunger Games, and Woody Harrelson as Katniss and Peeta’s mentor, Haymitch Abernathy. Lenny Kravitz also plays a short but memorable role of Cinna the Stylist assigned to Katniss and Peeta, preparing them for appearances prior to the games.

Whether you are fan of the novels or enjoying the story for the first time, The Hunger Games is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat in anticipation, hoping that Katniss and Peeta can get out of the arena alive with each other.

Welcom to Meaghan Hoffmann's Author Blog!

Welcome to my new blog! This will be a place where I post blogs I write for patch.com, CNN iReports, and other sites I am now blogging for.  I will also post upcoming book signings, new WIP sneak peeks, and other random thoughts I might have.

Meaghan