The movie centers around Alex Fletcher (played with ultimate charm by Hugh Grant), a has been member of a former pop group literally named “Pop.” The opening sequence of the film is, in fact, supposed to be a good music video of the group led by Colin (Scott Porter) and Alex (Grant). Who knew that Grant could make the kind of moves he does in this film? I actually found it kind of in a weird sort of way.
It seems that Alex’s former band, Pop, disbanded years ago when partner Colin went on to become a big star. Alex, on the other hand, never got a break and has ended up playing theme parks, business openings, and class reunions. Just as he is about to give up and admit his has-been status, Alex is approached by his manager to write a song for a current pop star named Cora (played by Haley Bennett). It seems that Cora, who is a weird combination of, Britney, Christina, and Shakira, likes his old songs and wants him to write one for her.
There is a catch, unfortunately, in that although Alex used to write the music for his songs, he never wrote the lyrics. Thorat was the job of his fmer partner. Not wanting lose the gig, which would allow him to sing on stage with Cora, he tasks his manager Chris (played with wit by Brad Garrett) with helping him find a lyricist. But the lyricist that Chris finds for Alex is more suited to heavy metal music than he is to love songs.
As luck would have it, just as the two new partners begin their music collaboration, a girl comes to the door to water Alex’s plants. Sophie Fisher (played adorably by Drew Barrymore), it seems is a natural born lyricist who inadvertently suggests a few lines for the collaboration. Alex finds Sophie’s suggestions much more suited to his style and Voila, a new partnership is born.
Many people decry watching TV as a family activity. ‘There are so many other worthwhile activities to do with a family!’ they wail. Sure there are more active pursuits for families; those activities are often costly and time-consuming. Sometimes, the family just needs to relax and unwind.
FIVE STAR (http://www.fivestarspeakers.com/) Speaker Spotlight Newsletter – Issue 05, November 2007
We are excited to bring you Issue 5 of our e-newsletter, SPOTLIGHT, full of exciting new ideas for your upcoming events. You’ll see hot speakers, meeting planning tips, book reviews and quotes. FIVE STAR has worked on over 15,000 events with corporations, associations, governmental agencies, non-profits and educational institutions. We speak to your success bringing world-class resources to propel your people and the growth of your organization. We look forward to continuing our relationship with you! Next year we will celebrate our 20th year in business! Stay tuned for all of the exciting upcoming events.
We’re sure you are getting ready for the holidays – let us know if we can help you find the perfect entertainer for your holiday parties or celebratory events! We can help you find the perfect speaker within your price range. (See also http://www.fivestarspeakers.com/international-speakers-trainers-bureau/speakers-trainers-news.aspx)
Enthusiastically,
Steve Gardner, Partner
Paul Schmidt, Partner
Five Star Speakers About Us: http://www.fivestarspeakers.com/international-speakers-trainers-bureau/about-us/about-us.aspx
Hot Speaker
John Schuster, Leading Green: Saving the Planet with Everyday Action
The tipping point has been passed.
From global warming to gas mileage, from carbon footprints to Wal-Mart’s green campaign, the drive to live sustainably is upon us from every angle. As in every opportunity, there are both dangers and possibilities that we face and create that did not exist even a few years ago.
In Leading Green, John Schuster explores the real opportunities we have to live in harmony with green principles as companies, citizens, communities, and family members… more on Green Speaker John Schuster
Fee range – 7,500 +
Travels from Missouri
Featured Business and Leadership Speaker’s Book Review
Nate Booth, Tiger Traits
Tiger Traits: 9 Success Secrets You Can Discover from Tiger Woods to Be a Business Champion
Read the book review and contact FIVE STAR for your free autographed copy of Tiger Traits. Act now! This is a limited time offer to the first 30 people who respond!….more on Author Nate Booth
Fee range – $8,500-$9,500+
Travels from Nevada
Musical Entertainment
Tonic Sol-fa
Although they are simply four voices and a tambourine, Tonic Sol-fa has spent the past decade on the road carving their niche as the nation’s top vocal group. In that time, this quartet has been named one of the top five must see groups in America, has been awarded numerous original song and album awards in pop, gospel and holiday genres, appeared on NBC’s Today Show and in the pages of Newsweek magazine. Outings with Jay Leno, Shawn Colvin, Lonestar and Garrison Keillor have propelled album sales to more than 1,000,000 copies (mostly sold from the back of their trailer!) and have earned the group thousands of intensely loyal fans… more on Acoustic Geniuses Tonic Sol-Fa
Fee range – $7,500+
Travels from Minneapolis
FIVE STAR Sports Celebrity
Emmitt Smith
Known for his tremendous abilities as the NFL’s all-time leading rusher and three-time Super Bowl Champion with the Dallas Cowboys, Emmitt Smith has also found success in both business and entertainment endeavors. Recently dubbed the “King of effortless cool” by Dancing with the Stars judges, Emmitt made a name for himself winning the title of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars Champion…. more on Motivational Speaker Emmitt Smith
Fee range – $20,000 +
Travels from San Francisco, California
BELIEVE:
John Wood- Founder of Room to Read
Few individuals choose to walk away at the height of their corporate career to dedicate their life to a social cause.
At age 35, John Wood did just that – quitting his position as Microsoft’s Director of Business Development for the Greater China Region in order to found Room to Read. He has never looked back.
John’s career at Microsoft spanned 1991 to 1999, where he ran significant parts of Microsoft’s international business, as the Director of Marketing for the Asia-Pacific Division, Director of the Internet Customer Unit for Microsoft Australia, and Director of Marketing for Microsoft Australia …more on Author John Wood
Fee range – $20,000 +
Travels from San Francisco, California
CONNECT:
Lon Safko
Lon S. Safko is an American Innovator, entrepreneur, computer systems guru and motivator. Lon Safko may well be the most interesting person you will ever meet and is writing the first book on Social Media by using resources from Social Media… more on Motivational and Technology Speaker Lan Safko
Fee range – $7,500 +
Travels from Phoenix, Arizona
INSPIRE:
Willie Jolley
Willie Jolley is “America’s Premier Celebrity Speaker – Singer – Author… Inspiring Millions with Music & Motivation!” He is an award winning speaker, a world-class singer, and a best selling author and media personality all in one person! He specializes in Accelerating Success and Growing Businesses by Growing People, Performance and Profits.
Willie Jolley was recently inducted into the Speakers Hall of Fame, a lifetime award for speaking excellence and professionalism. Willie was recently asked to be the speaker of record for Ford Motor Company’s first phase… more Motivational Humorist Willie Jolley
Fee range – $18,000 +
Travels from Washington D.C.
GROW:
Justin Menkes
In an overwhelming world of self-help leadership advice, what are the unchanging fundamentals that really make a difference?
It’s a crucial question- one that inspired Dr. Menkes to embark upon ten years of research into the topic. Working with the late Peter Drucker, Justin Menkes endeavored to unravel the mystery behind star executive performance. He soon discovered that relying upon our preconceived notions of great leadership had confounded, confused, and led us astray. His most startling finding was that there are specific fundamentals universal to success, but we consistently overlook them. What’s more, these lessons can be understood and incorporated into anyone’s behavior… more Motivational and Organizational Development Speaker Justin Menkes
Fee range – $25,000 +
Travels from Los Angeles, California
CELEBRATE:
Judson Laipply
The number # 1 viewed video on YouTube as well as the most downloaded video in the history of the Internet, Judson’s Evolution of Dance has become world-famous. Judson has a message that works for all audiences, Life is Change, that ties in humor, motivation… more Motivational Humorist Judson Laipply
Fee range – $11,000 +
Travels from Cleveland, Ohio
Nancy Lauterbach
Meet Nancy Lauterbach, an essential member of our vibrant sales team, as well as the founder of FIVE STAR. Nancy has been in the business nearly 20 years and is one of our leading account executives… more on FIVE STAR Founder, Nancy Lauterbach
Helio Castroneves has indeed made a name for himself, aside from being a successful race car driver, he has shown the world he is also a dance floor master. He recently captured the championship title in the fifth season of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars, and has recommended his co-racer, Danica Patrick to take a shot at dancing. However, she has responded to this with a big fat NO.
“No way,” were Patrick’s exact words when she told The Indianapolis Star about the chance of being part of the next season of Dancing with the Stars. “I’m telling you, no way.”
Patrick also said that the expectations Castroneves created on the dance floor would be too much to overcome. She has yet to focus on her racing career, hoping to make her first win behind the wheel since joining the IndyCar Series three years ago.
“His personality is so infectious,” Patrick said of Castroneves. “He smiles all the time, he plays to the camera, and he loves [the attention]. I’m a little too serious. People at home would be going, ‘What’s wrong [with her]?”
“It won’t be enough to do [Dancing with the Stars] now; you’ll have to win it,” she added.
Patrick has some accomplishments of her own, having been named Rookie of the Year for both the 2005 Indianapolis 500 and the 2005 IndyCar Series season. She has also graced the cover of June 6, 2005 issue of Sports Illustrated, making her the first Indianapolis 500 driver on the cover of the magazine. As for her television appearances, she has worked as host on TV shows on Spike TV, including the Powerblock. She was also featured in the 2005 documentary Girl Racers. As for other media, she has published her autobiography, Danica: Crossing the Line.
As for other rumored celebrities to battle it out on Dancing with the Stars, there’s former child star Kristy McNichol (Family, Empty Nest), who is reportedly heading back to showbiz after cutting her acting career short, following a diagnosis on bipolar disorder in 1994. She is currently being considered as a rival to former Brady Bunch actress Florence Henderson in the upcoming season of Dancing with the Stars.
For more resources about Dancing with the Stars or for the full story of Female Indycar Racer Says No to Dancing with the Stars please review http://www.buddytv.com