HAYYYYY!!  OK …….. I'm a few months behind the rest of the food and movie critics, but I finally saw JULIE & JULIA.  I have to be honest and say that while I thought the first half was funny and worth all the "acclaim," the second hour seemed a little predictable and stale.

Yes, Meryl was able to "inhabit" her role and make me believe she WAS Julia Child.  However, her mannerisms, speech pattern and voice almost bordered on charictature.  I say "almost" only because of those emotional scenes where Julia contemplates not having children [which I wanted the movie to explain why - could she not have children?  Was Paul Child unable?].

Amy Adams, bless her heart, just got on my last nerve.  I love that the real "Julie Powell" was able to create a blog that changed her life, as well as others.  But if "Julie" is anything like Amy's whiny "I hate my life while I have to walk past Ground Zero everyday to work" portrayal …….. no wonder her friends walked all over her!

I felt that the screen writers had written themselves into a wall, and decided to rush the ending – Julia works for years on the book as she and Paul are transferred throughout Europe; At the same time, Julie has a fight with her husband, realizes she is a better person due to Julia, whips up the monumental duck recipe and WHAMMO, she's a food network star!  All within the space of 10 minutes!

However, there is one catch that the movie does not address .. Julia Child told a reporter that she thought Julie was making fun of her.  What happened after that?  Did they meet and make up?

At The Same Time, I can not get "The Voice" out of my head!  I have been listening to Mariah's music constantly since last Tuesday's concert.  Huge thanks to The Pink Diva for sharing the above picture!

Therefore, I have decided to create The Diva's Special Voice Playlist: 

**Disc One: Mariah – The Pop Star** 

1.  Fly Away [Butterfly Reprise]; 2.  Someday; 3.  You're So Cold; 4.  Emotions; 5.  Make It Happen; 6.  I Don't Wanna Cry; 7.  Love Takes Time; 8.  To Be Around You; 9.  Can't Let Go; 10.  Honey [So So Def Remix]; 11. Now That I Know; 12.  Without You; 13.  Open Arms; 14.  One Sweet Day; 15.  Anytime You Need A Friend; 16.  Sweetheart [Duet W/ JD]; 17.  Butterfly; 18. Fantasy Remix [Duet W/ O.D.B.]. 

**Disc Two: Mariah – The Emancipated Voice**

1.  Last Night A DJ Saved My Life; 2.  Heartbreaker [Duet W/ Jay-Z]; 3.  X-Girlfriend [With Kandi Burrus on Background Vocals]; 4.  How Much [Duet W/ Usher]; 5.  Against All Odds; 6.  Boy (I Need You) [Duet W/ Cam'ron]; 7.  Clown [Song supposedly about Eminem?]; 8.  Migrate [Duet W/ T-Pain]; 9.  Touch My Body; 10.  It's Like That; 11.  Get Your Number [Duet W/ JD]; 12.  Shake It Off; 13.  We Belong Together; 14.  Fly Like A Bird; 15.  I'm That Chick; 16.  Betcha Gon' Know; 17.  Standing O; 18.  Obsessed [Jump Smokers Radio Remix]; 19.  Up Out My Face

It's Showtime Synergy!