Writing Prompt #224: Romantic Movies (Day 23)

Romantic Movies

Image by Nietjuh on Pixabay

The Princess Diaries (2001)

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I fell in love with this movie before it was released in theaters. I can’t remember if I read the book first, written by Meg Cabot, since it was released the year prior.

While not a true romantic comedy, it demonstrates love in other ways. Anne Hathaway as Mia Thermopolis is perfect. And I love Julie Andrews as her grandmother, Clarisse Renaldi, Queen of Genovia. Seeing the differences between Mia’s crush, Josh, and Michael, her best friend’s brother, is fun and entertaining. Mia truly comes of age in this film.

I highly recommend the book series, as well!


Come back tomorrow for a new movie!


Until the next headline, Laura Beth πŸ™‚

Writing Prompt #223: Romantic Movies (Day 22)

Romantic Movies

Image by Nietjuh on Pixabay

Love and Basketball (2000)

The first time I watched this movie, I had to analyze it for a class assignment in college. After completing the assignment, I watched it again over that summer. It’s a fun movie, showing how relationships develop over time with growth and change. I love their chemistry!


Come back tomorrow for a new movie!


Until the next headline, Laura Beth πŸ™‚

Tag #83: 30 Interesting Questions

30 Interesting Questions

Image Credit: The Bibliophagist

Sara at The Bibliophagist did another wonderful tag, so I thought I would participate as well!

Here’s the link to Sara’s post:


1. What are your nicknames? What do you prefer to be called?

My mom calls me LB. My dad calls me Hot Shot. My gym teachers typically called me by my maiden name, Stricker.

The one thing I really don’t like is when people call me “Laura.” I’ve never gone by Laura – Always Laura Beth, or LB. Thankfully, many people are gracious when I lightly correct them, and ask them to call me either of those.

2. How often do you doodle? What do your doodles look like?

I don’t normally doodle. However, when I do, it’s normally hearts, stars, flowers, or smiley faces.

3. What do you do if you can’t sleep at night? Do you count sheep? Toss and turn? Try to get up and do something productive?

I toss and turn. Sometimes, I do write in my journal or on scrap paper next to my bed. However, most of the time, my writing is illegible or doesn’t make any sense the next day!

4. Do people consider you to be talkative or quiet?

Talkative, hands down.

5. What makes you cry?

I don’t cry as much anymore. When my anxiety gets really overwhelming, however, crying is one of the easiest stress relievers for me. I’m also a sap for romantic movies. I’ve shed many tears in theaters with different movies – Most recently, Captain Marvel (No spoilers, though).

6. What is your biggest pet peeve?

General rudeness. I totally understand if someone is having a bad day, or they may be overwhelmed, but being nice and apologizing goes a LONG way.

7. How many times a day do you look at yourself in the mirror?

Only when I’m in the bathroom.

8. What is the strangest thing you believed as a child?

Great question!

I’m sure I’m not alone, but I totally thought Sesame Street and Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood were real places I could go and visit someday. I knew Sesame Street was in New York, and I was pretty sure Mister Rogers was in Pittsburgh, back then.

Image result for sesame street set

Image result for mister rogers neighborhood set

9. What is the guilty pleasure you enjoy too much to give up?

Certain TV shows and movies. That’s about it.

10. Who performs the most random acts of kindness out of everyone you know?

Probably my parents. My mom is already known as “The Card Lady,” where she always remembers everyone’s special days – Birthdays, anniversaries, other milestones – and always send cards in advance. Even random “Thinking of You” cards and emails, too.

11. How often do you read the newspaper? Which sections?

I used to read The Virginian-Pilot cover to cover, starting in middle school. Now, Al and I don’t subscribe to it. If anything, we skim a few articles per week from Pilot Online on Facebook.

12. Which animal scares you the most?

I love animals, so I’m not truly scared of any type. I’m not crazy about snakes and poisonous spiders, though.

13. Are you more likely to avoid conflict or engage with it?

Definitely avoid. I really don’t like it. For years, I would tend to run away and hide if there was conflict going on, even at friends’ houses. I’m much less afraid now, but I still dodge it if I can.

14. What is the most recent compliment you’ve received?

One of my company “customers” recently told my supervisor: “She is my go-to person for questions, is always helpful, and makes my job easier.”

15. What question are you tired of hearing?

“When are you and Al going to have kids?”

16. What is the strangest thing you have eaten?

I tried a chicken heart once, at this cool Brazilian steakhouse called Tucano’s.

17. Do you have a whole lot of acquaintances or just a few very close friends?

Thanks to Facebook and WordPress, I have many acquaintances now. And it’s wonderful! In terms of true friends, I can count about 10 total.

18. Do you have a catchphrase?

“Awesome!” or “Excellent!”

19. What’s your all-time favorite town or city? Why?

New York City – Specifically Manhattan. It’s where I was born. My parents took me back to Mount Sinai Hospital to visit the doctors and nurses who took care of me in the NICU every single year until I was 16. My high school orchestra played at Carnegie Hall when I was 18. The last time I visited was in December 2010. I’m so excited to take Al for the very first time this fall! I’m long overdue for a visit.

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Image result for mount sinai hospital

20. If you had to change your first name, what would you change it to?

I wouldn’t change it. Laura Beth comes from Laura Bethany Powers, my great-grandmother.

21. When was the last time you lied?

It’s been a long time. Lying is not okay in my book.

22. What’s something that amazes you?

The beauty of this Earth.

23. Would you rather be the first person to explore a planet or be the inventor of a drug that cures a deadly disease?

Explore a planet!

24. What is your favorite amateur activity?

Pastel painting!

25. What was your first thought when you got up this morning?

“Our dogs are ridiculous, but they’re ours!”

26. What is your favorite song (at least at the moment)?

“Shake It Off” by Taylor Swift.

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27. List someone you know and describe them in five words.

Al is a tall, handsome, funny, dedicated husband.

28. You can select one person from history and have them truthfully answer one question. Who would you select and what would the question be?

I have no clue.

29. Which celebrity or artist do you resemble the most?

During my college internship, one of the guys thought I looked like Jennifer Carpenter, who played Dexter’s sister, Debra. I’m pretty sure he said it as a form of flattery, because I think he had a crush on me.

Image result for jennifer carpenter

30. What do you want me to know?

We’re not going anywhere for July 4th this year. Why? We’ll be binge-watching every single second of Stranger Things Season 3. Check out the kick-ass, brand-new trailer!

Image result for stranger things season 3


Tag – You’re It!


Until the next headline, Laura Beth πŸ™‚

Writing Prompt #222: Romantic Movies (Day 21)

Romantic Movies

Image by Nietjuh on Pixabay

She’s All That (1999)

Shes All That.jpg

This is another movie where Al was incredulous I hadn’t seen it. It’s not my favorite movie in the world, but I enjoyed it.

An adaptation of Pygmalion and My Fair Lady, this was one of the most popular teen films of the late 1990s.

I love how Freddie Prinze, Jr., as Zack, slowly develops a relationship with Rachael Leigh Cook, as Laney. Despite the drama of multiple popularity contests, it all seems to work out.

Seeing the cast on screen made me think of several “unsavory” characters in high school. It’s not entirely realistic, as most movies are, but I think this one basically hit the nail on the head in terms of behavior, gossip, and drama.

I won’t spoil it for those who haven’t seen it, but I love the graduation scene in particular. Well played, Robert Iscove, well played.


Come back tomorrow for a new movie!


Until the next headline, Laura Beth πŸ™‚

Tag #82: The Television Tag

The Television Tag

I wasn’t tagged for this, but I love Sara’s blog so much, I wanted to support her by doing this one. Plus, I love talking about television in general!

Here’s the link to Sara’s post:


Favorite Shows?

  • Forensic Files
  • Law and Order: SVU
  • Glee
  • Castle
  • Full House
  • Stranger Things
  • The Toys That Made Us
  • Wheel of Fortune
  • Jeopardy!
  • Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?
  • Where in Time is Carmen Sandiego?
  • Wishbone
  • Sesame Street
  • Unsolved Mysteries
  • Frontline
  • CSI: NY
  • Parks and Recreation
  • 30 Rock
  • Growing Pains
  • The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina
  • Black Mirror
  • Community
  • The Good Place
  • Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Favorite Genre?

  • Sitcoms!

Least Favorite Show?

  • Like the others, I really don’t like reality TV anymore.

Most Re-Watched Show / Favorite Show to Binge-Watch?

  • Forensic Files. I’ve seen every single episode.

Do You Prefer Watching Things Week-By-Week or Binge-Watching?

  • Currently, binge-watching. However, some of the series are current, so we have to wait a week for new episodes of The Orville and The Passage.

Favorite Television Characters?

  • April and Andy from Parks and Rec
  • Troy and Abed from Community
  • Olivia Benson from Law and Order: SVU
  • D.J. and Stephanie from Full House
  • Liz Lemon from 30 Rock
  • The entire cast of Stranger Things

Favorite Television Ships?

  • Benson and Stabler from Law and Order: SVU

Show You Could Never Get Into?

  • Gossip Girl – Not my thing!

Show You Fell Out of Love With?

  • The Flash
  • Fuller House
  • The Runaways

Cancelled Too Soon?

  • Freaks and Geeks
  • Firefly!!
  • Pushing Daisies
  • Better Off Ted

Guilty Pleasure Show?

  • Currently, a tie between Forensic Files and Law and Order: SVU.

What Are You Currently Watching?

  • The Orville
  • The Passage
  • Law and Order: SVU
  • Unsolved Mysteries (re-watching through YouTube!)
  • Carmen Sandiego (Netflix)

I’m not tagging anyone in particular, but please feel free to do this tag if you like! I had fun with this one.


Until the next headline, Laura Beth πŸ™‚

Writing Prompt #221: Romantic Movies (Day 20)

Romantic Movies

Image by Nietjuh on Pixabay

10 Things I Hate About You (1999)

10 Things I Hate About You film.jpg

I love this movie, so much. Loosely based on Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew, I love the modern adaptation!

Joseph Gordon-Levitt is positively adorable, and Larisa Oleynik is more “grown-up” after her stint as the main character on Nickelodeon’s The Secret World of Alex Mack.

Then, there’s the polar opposites of Julia Stiles and Heath Ledger. Swoon! Julia Stiles, as Kat, takes no prisoners and I love it. I love how the four of them are intertwined almost from the start. And Larry Miller as Kat and Bianca’s overprotective father is funny, yet also relatable!

I’ll probably watch this movie again this weekend. It’s somewhat of a guilty pleasure movie for me now.


Come back tomorrow for a new movie!


Until the next headline, Laura Beth πŸ™‚

Tag #81: The “Behind the Blogger” Book Tag

Behind the Blogger Tag

Thanks, Destiny, for tagging me! Destiny is the fabulous author of Howling Libraries, and she writes some of the best book reviews!

Here’s the link to Destiny’s post, where I was tagged!


THE RULES:

  • Thank the person who nominated you
  • Answer all the questions down below
  • Pingback to the creator: Ellyn @ Allonsythornraxx
  • Nominate 5+ bloggers you’d like to know more about, to do this tag

1. Why did you start blogging & why have you kept blogging?

I started blogging as part of an assignment in my Computer-Mediated Communication class in 2009 at Longwood University. We had to create our own blog and keep it up throughout the semester. I decided to watch and review movies from the university library that my classmates probably had never heard of. Thus, The Best Entertainment You Haven’t Seen! was born.

I’ve stayed because I wanted to keep blogging, but for me, not for a class or an assignment. I joined WordPress in 2010. I played around with some different blogs, ideas, and themes. I created Hot Shot Headlines in March 2014, and here we are, five years later!

My original vision was to keep up my journalism side – Finding articles that looked interesting to me, and offering my two cents and opinions on them. I worked on Longwood’s student newspaper, The Rotunda, for all eight semesters of college, and I miss it tremendously. Part of me wishes I had been brave enough to pursue a career in mass media, but I had my reasons.

Writing is also very much a form of therapy for me. Pursuing NaNoWriMo and Camp NaNoWriMo for several years now has been HUGE for me! And to talk about it on the blog has been incredible. Thank you for being a part of this journey with me!

One of the best things about blogging is the community. I’ve met so many amazing and wonderful people, and incredibly talented to boot, through WordPress! I have friends all over the U.S. now. And there are many people around the world who follow this little blog of mine, and engage with me regularly, from Canada, the U.K., Australia, and more!

2. What is your favorite type of blog post to write?

I love Writing Prompts. Especially the WIP challenges from Didi!

3. What are your top 3 favorite blog posts?

This is such a tough question!

Here are my favorites:

  1. Getting Personal #6: My Love Story
  2. Getting Personal #111: Camp NaNoWriMo
  3. Writing Prompt #161: “Tell The Story Challenge”

4. What are some of your favorite things to do to relax?

Reading, free writing, listening to music, listening to podcasts during my daily commute, enjoying my American Girl dolls, pastel painting, and walking around our neighborhood with Al and our dogs.

I’m getting my seventh American Girl doll in about two weeks, once I make the last payment, and I’m really excited. I’ve been much better about not overspending on doll stuff in the last few months, so getting a “new-to-me” doll is like a huge reward / treat.

I’m really motivated to finally get my office, or “Lady Lounge,” in shape this year. I’ve really missed pastel painting – I started as part of my two-year Visual Arts class in my junior and senior years of high school – and I want to get back into it. But, I need a proper space to make it happen. The kitchen table doesn’t cut it.

5. What are 3 of your favorite things?

Not counting my husband and our fur babies, I’ll say books, Glee soundtracks, and flowers.

6. What are your proudest blogging moments?

Getting to write what I love or what I’m passionate about. Every time a post publishes, my heart squeezes with pride!

Also, getting comments and feedback. However, I’m thrilled to know people are reading things on my blog in general!

Seeing the occasional spike in stats makes me happy, too. That happened just yesterday – More than 30 views in one hour. It was awesome!

7. What are your hobbies outside of blogging?

Spending time with my husband, enjoying our dogs, reading, traveling, playing match-3 games on my phone and iPad, Roller Coaster Tycoon, playing board games, trivia nights, watching movies, and true crime anything!

8. Describe your personality in 3 words:

Enthusiastic loud mouth.

9. What are your top 3 pet peeves?

General rudeness / disrespect, poorly written communication (mainly work emails, not directed at blogging or anything!), and people beating around the bush when something is uncomfortable or awkward. Spit it out!

10. What’s somethingΒ your followers don’t know about you?

I’m very blessed to be alive, and, most importantly, healthy. I was born at 25 weeks, and I’m technically not supposed to be on this Earth. My parents are saints – They took me to every kind of therapy and early intervention to make sure I was developing properly. I was in physical and occupational therapy until roughly third grade, and in speech therapy until I was 10. My mom still talks about how everyone was concerned that I wouldn’t start talking, and then once I did, I wouldn’t stop. All the doctors chuckled and said, “And we were worried?”

I was also “held back” a year by way of this really awesome program called Developmental First at my elementary school. That class was huge for me and the other kids that were in it. We all needed some extra help, and having that “extra year” was crucial for many. I’m sad they discontinued the program years ago, but it was the best decision my parents made. My mom still keeps up with my teacher, Mrs. Mansell, and it’s wonderful.


Tag – You’re It!


Until the next headline, Laura Beth πŸ™‚

Writing Prompt #220: Romantic Movies (Day 19)

Romantic Movies

Image by Nietjuh on Pixabay

Ever After: A Cinderella Story (1998)

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We had this on VHS! I remember being scared by a few of the scenes the first couple of times I watched it. Now, I want to watch it again. It’s been years!

I love the historical fiction take on this Cinderella-inspired story. I remember being fascinated by France and French history after watching this. Drew Barrymore is beautiful!


Come back tomorrow for a new movie!


Until the next headline, Laura Beth πŸ™‚

Writing Prompt #219: Romantic Movies (Day 18)

Romantic Movies

Image by Nietjuh on Pixabay

The Wedding Singer (1998)

The Wedding Singer film poster.jpg

I LOVE this movie!!

In my opinion, this is one of the best 1980s-period movies. Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore are adorable. And I heard the name “Julia Gulia” for YEARS before I saw this movie in full.

In a way, this movie is still relevant today. There are people who fall in love with others who have certain images or ideals of them, like Linda did with Robbie. However, Robbie finally comes to his senses and recognizes what a good thing, and a good person, Julia is. And that’s part of what makes this movie so endearing.

Glenn’s character reminded me of my ex, John, in a really creepy way. I’m glad Julia finally saw the light, but her character reminded me of me when I was in school. It was weird!

This movie is easily in my top 10 films now. I’ve only seen it twice, but I plan to watch it more frequently. Like other films, a big selling point for me is the soundtrack. I also love how Billy Idol is involved!


Come back tomorrow for a new movie!


Until the next headline, Laura Beth πŸ™‚

Writing Prompt #218: Romantic Movies (Day 17)

Romantic Movies

Image by Nietjuh on Pixabay

Fools Rush In (1997)

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About a year ago, Al and I were looking for something to watch on streaming during a weekend. He asked if I’d ever seen Fools Rush In. The blank look I gave him said it all, and he couldn’t believe it.

This movie is now in my top 20 favorite movies. It’s very much of the time period – Matthew Perry was in the limelight because of Friends, and Salma Hayek’s star was rising, having been a telenovela star and then in a few feature films at this point.

Although insta-love doesn’t always work, this movie is an exception. Their characters are instantly attracted to each other. And, in a city like Las Vegas, nothing is surprising.

One of the best things about this movie is the soundtrack. So many good songs! I mean, Elvis! Also, Dean Martin, Wayne Newton, Enrique Iglesias, and Gloria Estefan!

The story itself is very sweet, and I enjoyed their chemistry. I want to watch it again!


Come back tomorrow for a new movie!


Until the next headline, Laura Beth πŸ™‚