The fall of 2011 turned out to be a Big Year in the land of movies, where the Wanderlust among us were Footloose and fall ready. On an autumnal Drive, they felt Reborn, as a Diary was filled with seaworthy Tales strangely (but entertainingly) involving a Dolphin and a few rare birds (of the non-seagull variety).

In these strange modern times, hope your autumn is providing you with a variety of scenery and scene-stealing stories…

Originally Published in the Sun by the Sea…September/October 2011 edition

Meg the Movie Buff Goes to Hollywood

While on a drive enjoying a beautiful fall day, our Wanderlust cast of characters is feeling Footloose, trouble free and shore ready. Johnny English (feels) Reborn on our seaside grounds, with nothing but the sand and surf occupying his secret service thoughts. Clearly there’s nothing hush hush about the Dolphin Tale being told beneath a cooler, orange-tinted sky, captivating travelers far and wide. With everyone from beach side to the big screen ready to jump into multi-colored leaves, as opposed to chilly waves, is there a more colorful, cozier time to snuggle up for the season of  plenty by the sea?

Before snuggling up at the nearest, coziest movie theater, please check your local listings for release date changes…

On a Drive (opens September 16^th) through Hollywood, a stuntman (Ryan Gosling) moonlighting as the getaway driver for an underground criminal botches a job and goes on the run with his neighbor (Carey Mulligan) and her child, traveling the sandy trail to the Annual Boardwalk Classic Car Auction.

I Don’t Know How She Does It (opens September 16^th) is often said about finance executive, wife and mom Kate (Sarah Jessica Parker) who must forgo family-friendly Trunk or Treat for Halloween as the family breadwinner. Also stars Greg Kinnear.

The British Secret Service agent Johnny English (Rowan Atkinson) is Reborn (opens September 16^th) on a Roar to the Shore Motorcycle Rally preceding a mission to save the Chinese ruler from a group of international assassins.

Borrowing The Moneyball (opens September 23^rd) from the nearest miniature golf course, Oakland A’s general manager Billy Beane (Brad Pitt) struggles to put together a low-budget baseball team using a computer-generated study to determine his players.

Following an Adventurer Deep Sea Fishing day, a young boy gets the ultimate adventure when he befriends a dolphin that’s lost a tail in a crab trap, inspiring the Dolphin Tale (opens September 23^rd). Everyone is soon working together to construct a prosthetic attachment for the dolphins, ultimately encouraging those with special needs. Starring Morgan Freeman and Ashley Judd.

Choosing to ignore The Ides of March (opens October 7^th), an idealistic staff member (Ryan Gosling) of a governor/presidential hopeful (George Clooney, who also directed) wishes he’d chosen to spend his quality time at the Irish Fall Festival after being exposed to the dirty side of politics.

Wanderlust (opens October 7^th) strikes a Manhattan couple (Jennifer Aniston, Paul Rudd) who move to a commune following a peaceful Concert Under the Stars and embrace their newfound hippie nature.

Feeling shaken but Footloose (opens October 14^th) following a trip to Morey’s Fears “Terror on the Boardwalk” Halloween Event, a rebellious city kid (Kenny Wormald) moves to a small town where music and dancing (and terror) are forbidden. Also stars Dennis Quaid and Julianne Hough).

It’s The Big Year (opens October 14^th) for three big-time bird watchers (Steve Martin, Owen Wilson and Jack Black) who find time for the Mummer’s Stringband performance before competing in a prominent yearly event to spot the rarest bird in North America.

The Rum Diary (opens October 28^th) is filled with an American journalist’s (Johnny Depp) escapades as a freelance newspaper reporter in 1950’s Puerto Rico as he adjusts to island culture alongside the ex-patriots residing there while feeling right at home at the Fabulous 50’s Celebration.

Following a relaxing day of sand, surf and storytelling, our big screen cast is ready for The Big Year, a bountiful time of longer nights and larger-than-life movies. The Rum Diary overflows with tips on the best way to spend this harvest season. The Ides of March are nowhere to be found on our blissful island, where soft sea breezes reign and scattering seagulls cast the only shadow. With The Moneyball bouncing toward the next starlet, who dramatically declares time spent at the shore is priceless, our cast marvels, I Don’t Know How She Does It, fitting in beach, boardwalk and a bounty of “Something for Everyone” Wildwood events during another fun and fabulous seaside season…🍁🍂🎃