Justin Timberlake & Anna Kendrick Star in Dreamworks Trolls!

Posted on July 1, 2016 by Erin

Justin Timberlake & Anna Kendrick in Dreamworks Trolls!

By Erin

*I was invited as a guest to this press event hosted by 20^th Century Fox & DreamWorks Animation*

Do you remember Trolls from back in the day? I remember having quite a few of them myself. I loved their crazy colorful hair and sparkly jeweled bellies. Many people all over the world (including myself) have been waiting for the big news that Trolls is coming this November, just in time to make the holidays a little brighter and to help you find your happy place to get in the spirit. Both kids and adults are going to love this colorful, music-filled comedy.

Find Your Happy Place November 4th!

From the creators of Shrek comes the most smart, funny, irreverent animated comedy of the year, DreamWorks’ Trolls. This holiday season, enter a colorful, wondrous world populated by hilariously unforgettable characters and discover the story of the overly optimistic Trolls, with a constant song on their lips, and the comically pessimistic Bergens, who are only happy when they have trolls in their stomach. Featuring original music from Justin Timberlake, and soon-to-be classic mash-ups of songs from other popular artists, the film stars the voice talents of Anna Kendrick, Justin Timberlake, Russell Brand, James Corden, Kunal Nayyar, Ron Funches, Icona Pop, Gwen Stefani, and many more.

Director: Mike Mitchell

Co-Director: Walt Dohrn

Producer: Gina Shay

I had the honor to sit in on an interview with the Director of Trolls, Mike Mitchell, Co-Director Walt Dohrn, Producer Gina Shay and the stars of Trolls, Justin Timberlake and Anna Kendrick. Director Mike Mitchell, who also directed DreamWorks’ SHREK, explained to us that this film has the kind of magic that both parents and kids will find themselves laughing at the same parts and sharing a love for both new and classic songs. What else did we learn?

Here are some of the fun facts we learned about Trolls!

The story development for Trolls is very different from Shrek. Trolls is not based on any previous story. They had a completely clean slate to work with for Trolls.
There is a theme of happiness that applies to everyone. There’s a big idea here that we’re all born with happiness. We just–sometimes we need someone to help us find it, but we’re all born with this ability to be happy.

A new kind of animation is used with the creation of this film. You will be able to see “texture” on the animation when you go to see the movie in 3D.

Trolls is the first film that Justin Timberlake is an Executive Music Producer for.

The movie has been created with original songs like, ‘Can’t Stop the Feeling’ but also includes many music adaptations from classics that we grew up listening to like: ‘True Colors’ and ‘The Sound of Silence.’

The music really helps to tell the story and is an integral part of the storytelling.

+1,000 songs were picked out for Trolls. To make the final cut, besides being cleared to use the song, the song had to fit the story, fit the tone of the movie, and it had to have kind of this everlasting feel.
Big challenges? Glitter! The computer couldn’t understand the glitter. It’s a glitter taskforce, typing code. They thought the big challenge would be the hair because the hair does everything in this film. It changes color. It changes shape. It stretches like a monkey tail and it holds onto stuff. But, it was the glitter that gave them the biggest challenge. Watch for Guy Diamond. That’s where the glitter is.

Star-Studded Cast

This movie has such an amazing and talented cast:

Justin Timberlake as Branch

Anna Kendrick as Poppy
Gwen Stefani as DJ Suki
James Corden as Biggie
Russell Brand as Creek
Junal Nayyar as Guy Diamond

DreamWorks’ TROLLS is a fresh, broad comedy filled with music, heart and hair-raising adventures. On November 4th of 2016, nothing can prepare you for the new Troll world! 20th Century Fox and DreamWorks Animation are proud to unveil their first trailer for this highly anticipated feature film, arriving in theaters November 4th. Just in time to put you in a happy mood for the holidays!

Official Website #DreamWorksTrolls
Dreamworks Trolls Facebook
Dreamworks Trolls Twitter
Trolls Instagram

Group Photo at the Trolls Press Event by: Jason Bush

Burgers and Craft Cocktails at Black Box!

Posted on June 26, 2016 by Erin

Burgers and Craft Cocktails at Black Box!

By Erin

If you are looking for the perfect place to enjoy a craft cocktail and tasty burger in Orange County, I have found the place for you! The other week I was checking out the new Black Box in downtown Santa Ana (DTSA) at a media tasting and was anxious to see what the former Little Sparrow Restaurant has blossomed into. The Black Box has a very eclectic feel to it. There is a family dining area and a separate speakeasy area down a hallway that one can walk down to that is located on the right of the kitchen. I absolutely loved the atmosphere of this place!!

The bar area is very cozy, a few tables and seats maybe 30 people max. The mixologist are amazing and they put so much love into each drink. The drink menu is also very eclectic but there are some classics that are lovely. Just look at that bar! It’s a very large well-stocked bar.

We chose to sit on the cozy speakeasy side that boasts a Deborah Harryesque mural on the far wall.

The atmosphere is very casual, chill and friendly. You could easily spend hours just hanging out and catching up with friends or enjoy a very chill date night here. Upon arriving, our server offered our group their ‘Welcome Punch’. It was the perfect start to a very relaxing evening. After we all looked at the cocktail menu though, we found many others that looked tempting to try as well. Below is the delicious and refreshing Welcome Punch displayed on the bar.

The Welcome Punch. I could have easily just had this all night, but decided to be a little adventurous and tried a couple others too. They do make the drinks very strong here, so you should be good after a couple of drinks. I couldn’t finish all of mine.

Each of the drinks were just as delicious as they were pretty. These are the two drinks I had and sipped throughout the evening. The Changeling, $11 on the left: House made strawberry shrub, muddled basil, lemon, Jamaican bitters wth choice of vodka or bourbon. I chose vodka for mine. The one of the right is the Barkeeps Inspiration, $15 Let them know your mood, favorite liquor, or drink preference and they’ll mix something up to suit. I asked for something fruity and a little on sweet side with vodka.

A couple other options that friends ordered included the Penecillin #2, $12 which consisted of Mezcal, ginger, honey, lemon, and Fernet Vallet mist.

Helping to Choose the New Johnny Rockets Vegetarian Menu & Giveaway!

Posted on June 20, 2016 by Erin

Helping to Choose the New Johnny Rockets Vegetarian Menu & Giveaway!

By Erin

The other week I had the opportunity to participate in a unique focus group with other local foodies and bloggers for Johnny Rockets to taste test the entries in contention to become the next vegetarian burger for Johnny Rockets. Johnny Rockets is famous for their delicious original hamburgers and fountain drinks and now they are working hard to create additional vegetarian burger options to add to their menu to redefine the burger experience. Johnny Rockets operates more than 350 franchise and corporate locations in 28 countries around the world. In one year, Johnny Rockets serves up 17 million burgers, 11.3 million soda pops, 8.3 million Shakes and Malts, 8 million pounds of Fries and 815,000 gallons of ice cream. That’s a lot of food and drinks!

Johnny Rockets prides itself on bringing people together around hand-crafted burgers. Offering guests a classic, yet modern dining experience with a chef-inspired menu that showcases a passion for food with their burgers and sandwiches, fries, and hand-spun shakes made with premium ice cream. Cooking up made-to-order burgers with 4 protein options available: fresh, never frozen 100% domestic farm-raised beef, farm-fresh chicken, ground turkey, and Boca Burger. So, which one of these new vegetarian options is going to make the cut?

Each participant was given a score sheet to mark down the ratings and crackers to cleanse the palate. Each patty was so different, it wasn’t as easy at it may look!