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Dive into Russia’s Historical Times through War and Peace

A mini television series has been broadcasted on BBC One based on Leo Tolstoy’s novel, War and Peace. This British-American show takes place in a historical period of time of the 1800’s during Napoleon’s invasion of Russia.

An all-star cast is featured including Paul Dano (Little Miss Sunshine, 12 Years a Slave), James Norton (Happy Valley, Rush), Lily James (Cinderella, Downtown Abbey), and Greta Scacchi (Ways To Live Forever, The Falling).

The story of War and Peace revolves around five aristocratic families as their fortune rises and falls through passion, romance, dishonesty, and scandals. The main characters played by Dano and Norton, who are on a quest to find true love during peacetime.

Ben Lawrence of the Daily Telegraph says War and Peace is “the greatest TV costume drama of the past decade”. This historical drama presents beautiful visuals and cultural representations you can feast your eyes on. The amazing scenes from the battleground to the ballroom are shown with such intimacy that it will take you back in time and make you feel a part of the story.

If you’re a lover of plot twist, gut-punching, heart-tugging shows, War and Peace provides the drama and romance you long for.

Since the first publication of War and Peace, the novel has been known as a difficult read and was often times a part of Russia’s school curriculum. In addition, BBC has published a special edition of the novel with over 13,000 copies sold since the edition’s release.

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Willie Nelson surprises SXSW attendees with a full performance

Willie Nelson surprised crowds with a special appearance at the popup Spotify House venue at the South by Southwest Festival (SXSW) on March 6.

Nelson performed a full set of classic country hits with his band just one day after his concert at Rodeo Austin. He played popular songs such as “Always On My Mind,” “On the Road Again,” and “Whiskey River.” Nelson’s albums “Shotgun” (1973) , “Red Headed Stranger” (1975), and “Stardust” (1978) were so successful that it made Nelson one of the most recognized artists in country music.

Spotify House is the official SXSW venue from March 13 through the afternoon of March 18.

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Can the real Greg Ellis please stand up?

The “new year, new me” motto was never really something people take seriously or literally. In this case, actor Greg Ellis, decided to change his name back to Jonny Rees last September. Fans of Greg Ellis went to to the web and post on forums asking which was it. One forum user said Rees decided to take it to Twitter to proclaim his real name and says reclaiming his name “feels strange, but authentic.”

Here’s proof that Rees did change his name from Ellis.

Even with the name change, fans still support Rees decision every step of the way.

Jonny Rees is still verified under @ellisgreg for his Twitter account, since @jonnyrees is already taken as a username. It may take a while for him to get his name back on Twitter, now the question is when. Awk-ward.

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Strike Some Gold this St. Patrick’s Day!

Whether you have Irish roots or just love digging into that corned beef and cabbage while sipping your green beer, St. Patrick’s Day is a holiday celebrated by many.

Aside from the delicious meals and Irish music, spending time with your loved ones and enjoying the day is what makes it special. So bring out those chocolate coin bags and enjoy watching some wonderful films after your feast!

Ways to Live Forever tells a heart-warming story about a young boy named Sam (Robbie Kay) who suffers from leukemia and is eager to find quality to his life before his time is gone. He begins a journey with his best friend Felix, going down the list of things they would like to do someday and challenging the odds by making them happen.

This uplifting tale will touch your soul with Sam’s honesty and sincerity that will surely keep him in your heart forever.

The Irish have always celebrated family by honoring them through the holidays. Though families may celebrate in different ways, the greatest bond you can create with one another is by simply accepting each other’s differences.

In Red Roses and Petrol, we take a look at the secrets, betrayal, and love amongst a dysfunctional middle class Irish family. Following the death of Enda Doyle, played by Malcolm McDowell, his wife Moya (Olivia Tracey) discovers the truth and love left by her husband. It's a family's journey filled with sharp humor and strong emotions.

This comedy-drama is filled with Irish-American traditions and culture that many families can relate to during this month’s celebration.

If you’re feeling extra lucky this St. Patrick’s Day, then you are right!

The Ways to Live Forever original movie soundtrack featuring Sam’s Theme, produced by Cesar Benito is on sale on iTunes for only $5.99 for a limited time!

Also, you can now get the Red Roses and Petrol soundtrack album on iTunes featuring original covers by the Bangle’s very own Susanna Hoffs and popular Irish American band Flogging Molly, for the same low price of $5.99!

And if you thought you already dug up some gold with those deals, World Wide Motion Pictures Corporation is giving 20% off Red Roses and Petrol with coupon code: STPATTY20 in honor of the New Year and St. Patrick’s Day!

Put on some green and don’t forget to take advantage of these deals before the leprechaun comes around to pinch you!

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It’s National Picnic Day: Have a Picnic!

Summer is almost here and today is National Picnic Day, so let’s celebrate by gathering our closest friends and family for a fun-filled day at a local park, pool, or patio. Here are some  precautions everyone should keep in mind when planning a picnic. First of all, remember to keep hands clean. Everyone says it, but washing your hand means washing with hot water and soap and at least for 15 seconds. This cuts down on bacteria being transferred from one food item to another. When dealing with different types food, remember to keep the raw and pre-made foods separate from each other - this includes separate cutting boards and knives. These precautions will cut down on the cross contamination that may occur.

Another health concern while on a picnic is the temperature of the food: keep cold food cold and hot food hot. When picnicking with hot food, remember to stir it often to prevent burning or clumping and to keep it at a temperature of 135 degrees Fahrenheit for maximum protection. Cold foods need to be stored in a cooler and shouldn’t get above 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Lastly, remember to cook food thoroughly (well done meat) and that foods like Mayonnaise, salad dressing, and desserts can only be out for two hours before the bacteria multiply to dangerous levels.

Having a picnic may not be a “picnic” because of the time to prep your food and food safety maintenance, but it also has a few benefits. The average American has little time to enjoy the greenery of nature. On a picnic you have nothing but time to yourself to enjoy said greenery, which leads to lower stress levels. Lowered stress leads to a lower blood pressure, pulse rate, and cortisol levels. Another benefit is all the vitamin D one would get by sitting out in the sunshine. 93% of all Americans have a vitamin D deficiency and that means weaker bones and teeth. So get out in the sunshine and get stronger bones and teeth on your picnic.

Having a picnic and being with others also brings out the inner child and makes us more active. Working out doesn’t only happen in a gym, running and/or playing outside burns calories in an enjoyable way. Tossing a frisbee can burn more calories than you may think and doing it with a friend makes the time fly by. The last benefit of having a picnic is all the fresh air. Fresh oxygen from the air helps with many bodily functions including cleansing your blood and leaving your skin acne free and glowing.

So enjoy your picnic and remember that “A picnic is more than eating a meal, it is a pleasurable state of mind,” said DeeDee Stovel, author of Picnic: 125 Recipes with 29 Seasonal Menus.

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A little about Malcolm McDowell’s busy acting career

On February second in 1972, young Malcolm McDowell followed his cinematic debut with a role that he would be remembered by for the rest of his career. McDowell played the psychotic Alex in Stanley Kubrick’s adaptation of A Clockwork Orange. The film, as well as Malcolm’s character, became cult classics. Since then, McDowell has followed up with an great variety of roles and performances. He's done it all, from video games (like Elder Scrolls online and Fallout 3), to television commercials (like his recent Lunchables campaign), to even voicing a number of characters for animations in television and film, not to mention all of his live action film and television roles.

As an actor, McDowell has played an array of differing personas. In his cinematic debut, If, McDowell plays a student that rebels against England’s oppressive school system. In Red Roses and Petrol (distributed by World Wide Motion Picture Corporation) McDowell plays the deceased Enda Doyle, an enigmatic father who left many problems for his dysfunctional family to deal with.

Malcolm McDowell has done so much in his career and, by looking at the list of film projects that are set to shoot, or have been completed, it seems that he's not going to slow down any time soon. Yamasong, an animated film in post-production, uses the voice of Malcolm McDowell, as well as other known actors like Whoopi Goldberg, George Takei, and Abigail Breslin. McDowell is also set to appear in The Mystery of Casa Matusita, a horror film currently in pre-production, in which he plays a writer who takes his wife to the famous haunted house in Lima, Peru. In Wizardream, a film completed and awaiting distribution, McDowell plays the protagonist (the wizard Mangodor) in a film that is reminiscent of 80’s fantasy films, which were devoid of computerized special effects. For television, McDowell continues to make appearances on shows like Trip Tank (in which he plays a priest) and the popular Amazon series Mozart in the Jungle. Evidently, McDowell is a busy actor whose talents have continued to grace various media formats since his cinematic debut.