Movies and Books: With This Ring and The Vow
I met Denene last year as we were both participants of Blogust '13. The minute I saw her, I fell in love. It wasn't just the bomb ass outfit she had on, but the spirit that emanated from her being. Because that's what matters, folks. Thing is: I had NO idea who she was, outside of her being the brain behind MyBrownBaby.com. Sometimes, I'm an idiot, what can I say?
Denene has penned 32 gazillion books (plus or minus 3) and she also pens amazing Facebook posts that keep me hollerin' while at home.
When I heard that one of the books she had co-written was being made into a movie, I damn near kilt myself attempting to make it to my big screens so I could see what the hype was about.
Enter The Vow...
Did you read that line? Three women, two carats, one year. I AM HERE FOR THAT! Here for it, I say! I need 2 of y'all to be here with me so we can do a real life edition of this business!
Here's the premise of the story:
After attending their friend Elise's (Brooklyn Sudano) wedding to Nate (Stephen Bishop) on New Year's Eve, Trista (Regina Hall), a career-driven talent agent, Viviane (Jill Scott), a successful gossip columnist, and Amaya (Eve Jeffers Cooper), a struggling actress, make a pact to get married within the year to either a new love or a man waiting in the wings. But the close friends face their own set of challenges: Trista has not gotten over her commitment-phobic ex-boyfriend Damon (Brian White), Viviane is secretly in love with Sean (Jason George), the father of her son, and Amaya is desperate to break up her boyfriend Keith's (Deion Sanders) unhappy marriage so they can live happily ever after. Each woman starts the year with high hopes and dreams of what will happen over the next 12 months but will they all make it to the altar?
The Sisters Behind With This Ring
This movie is, from top to bottom, a celebration of Black Girl Power. New York Times best-selling author Denene Millner, editor of MyBrownBaby.com, Angela Burt-Murray, former editor of ESSENCE magazine and founder of CocoaFab.com, and EBONY magazine editor-in-chief Mitzi Miller penned The Vow, the book on which With This Ring is based. Written and directed by Nzingha Stewart (Pretty Little Liars, The Fosters), With This Ring is produced by Sony Pictures Television. Executive producers are Tracey E. Edmonds (Jumping the Broom) through her Edmonds Entertainment Group, Gabrielle Union (Top Five, Being Mary Jane) in her first executive producing role and Sheila Ducksworth (Why We Laugh: Funny Women, Soul Food). Casting is by Tracy "Twinkie" Byrd (Fruitvale Station).
On Saturday, I will be sitting at home watching With This Ring on Lifetime. Because I love my girl. And because neither the book nor the movie will disappoint! Also, because there will be drinks!
"THE VOW" SIGNATURE COCKTAIL
1 OZ. CIROC VODKA 1 OZ. WHITE GRAPE JUICE CHAMPAGNE
Pour the vodka and white grape juice over ice, then strain the mixture into a champagne flute. Top with champagne.
GODIVA CHOCOLATINI
1 1/2 shots GODIVA® CHOCOLATE LIQUEUR 1 1/2 shots CREME DE COCOA 1/2 shot VODKA 2 1/2 shots HALF-AND-HALF
Mix all ingredients in a shaker with ice, shake and pour into a chilled cocktail glass.
Who is watching with me? I created a Facebook event so you know it's official! Have you read the book? Let's talk!