Yes, it’s true, “Twi-hards” – I spent my Friday and Saturday surrounded by all things “New Moon.” This included conversations with Robert, Taylor and Kristen – in the flesh. But first things first: if my event a few weeks ago with the Kardashians was as chaotic as the President coming into town, then no doubt about it, the process of screening “New Moon” Friday night was like trying to get a tour of the White House.

For press screenings, it’s usually protocol to check our cell phones and any recording devices with security. However, not once have I encountered a metal detector before entering the theater. Yup, you read correctly, metal detectors. The steps I went through before entering the theater began with checking in, driver's license in hand, and receiving a yellow wristband, then waiting in a very long line as security checked our wrists. Then we had to hand over our cell phones, BlackBerries, cameras, etc. Next, a line to check any bags we carried. Last but not least, two lines in front of theater number seven’s door, as two men with hand-held metal detectors scanned to check what we might still be carrying. Then began my two hours and 10 minutes of “New Moon.” By the way, Team Jacob fans: Taylor Lautner has a very nice six-pack, and it is seen plenty throughout the movie! (More on that in a later blog.)

Saturday, I spent about five hours talking (and waiting to talk) with 17 cast members from the movie: Rob, Kristen, Taylor, Chris the director, five members of the Cullens, four from the Wolfpack, and four Volturi members. I’m sure plenty of you would have loved to trade places with me, but this process is not what I would call an ideal day. Yes, Taylor and Robert shook my hand – and despite what many of you might have done, I did wash my hands later. Saturday certainly did not disappoint in the chaos department for me either. The number of press outlets present was amazing – from multiple online outlets all the way to the Hungarian channel, and of course CNN. I could really see the star status of the “Twilight Saga.” I shouldn’t be complaining – Kristen Stewart was my first interview of the day, but for her, I was number 31. About four hours in, Rob Pattinson was my second to last interview; he still had an hour of press after me. Coffee in hand and looking drained, he smiled and said, “I’m starting to speak a little rubbish.”

While I wouldn’t trade my job for anything, Friday and Saturday was still work for me. How big a fan of the “Twilight Saga” are you? And what would you have traded to be in my shoes?

Warning: mild 'Astro Boy' spoilers ahead.

Monday night, I covered the premiere of "Astro Boy" in Hollywood. 

So, what do "Astro Boy" and "Balloon Boy" have in common? Neither of the boys lived up to their parents’ desires.  

"Astro Boy" is a robot created by a scientist in the likes of a son he lost, in hopes of filling a void. "Balloon Boy" is about a son named Falcon Heene, used by selfish, fame-chasing parents as a tool in a fictional scenario.

Astro Boy is not able to meet his father's needs and goes on a journey in search of acceptance. Falcon goes on numerous public interviews and gets sick on national TV, and now his parents are being accused of carrying out a hoax.

Eventually, Astro Boy becomes a hero who saves a city –- Balloon Boy’s future is questionable.

While most stars on the red carpet chose not to voice their opinions on the Heene family, Eugene Levy summed it up like this: “This is a guy who takes his kids to chase hurricanes and thinks it’s cool. That’s where you have to start. The story right now has come almost full circle… it’s pretty bizarre, this is not your typical family situation.”

Where do you think the future lies with Falcon Heene and his brothers, his whole family?

Apparently to “Keep up with the Kardashians” I need to learn to squeeze myself into an extremely tight space and wait for two hours.

Wednesday night, the Kardashian ladies hosted an opening for “Famous Cupcakes,” an organic and kosher cupcake shop in Beverly Hills. The ladies made a grand entrance on a carriage drawn by white horses about two hours after the event was scheduled to start. All the while, about every imaginable media outlet waited patiently with more than enough space on the sidewalk of Beverly Drive – NOT. On most nights I can’t believe what an awesome job I have – tonight was not one of those nights.

The media coverage for the Kardashians' red carpet arrival felt like the President was coming into town. All that attention also meant very little space for every one of us there. I have been in the middle of a mosh pit twice in my life, once at college concert, the second time was tonight. I actually think sardines in a can have more room than I did. Cameras from various crews were resting on my head and shoulder.  Heels were dug into my toes and someone actually used my back as a desk to write on. All this so I could ask Kim, Kourtney, and Khloe Kardashian and Kris Jenner why they liked “Famous Cupcakes” for two whole minutes.

However, according to Kim Kardashian, “Hate is the new love” so apparently I must be head over heels in love with tonight’s event.

A few weeks ago, I was out shopping and came across an awesome graphic shirt with the words “Woodstock 69.”  I headed toward the register when it dawned on me … do I even know what Woodstock is? Would I become a poser?  I’m 23. The only thing Woodstock and I have in common is that we were both born in August –my birth taking place almost two decades later. So, the shirt went back to its rack and I went home empty handed.

The summer of 1969 held many historical events, like the moon landing, the Manson murders, and of course… Woodstock. The moon landing was taught in history class and the Manson murders have often been in the headlines, but Woodstock was left out.  I had a vague idea of what it was – some type of music festival, like Coachella – but it was never intriguing enough for me to Google.

With the festival’s 40^th anniversary at hand, I thought what better time than now to really find out about Woodstock and if it is still relevant to us. I went out to ask fellow members of the “millennial” generation, how much they knew about Woodstock. Most of the responses I got were not surprising to me at all. “Um, I’ve never heard of that actually. Oh, I remember! It was like, wasn’t it really old and like there was a bunch of hippies.” One person actually started talking about accounting and stocks when I asked them if they knew about Woodstock.

While some might cringe and wonder if this is our future, I can relate to my “young” generation.  It’s not because we're too involved with “who’s wearing what and who’s dating who.” It’s because some historical events are just that to most of us - history. We know it definitely changed a part of culture, but it’s also something of the past.

Knowing the facts would not be enough. One would need to know about the emotions which filled that year, and led up to that great music festival. Those that lived through the music extravaganza understood the significance of everyone getting together; the peace, love and value of unity that came at the end of turmoil and excitement of that year.

In 1969, many of the issues that generation fought for are no longer issues to us. In 1920, a woman voted for the first time in history, but today when we decide to or not decide to cast that ballot we don’t think about what our fellow women had to go through in order to fight for their rights.  While we celebrate our first African American president in 2009, forty years from now, young people might not know the significance it had on us.

Michael Jackson is an icon of our time and was considered the King of Pop. His sudden passing shocked the world. Though millions of fans watched his memorial service, it will be a moment remembered in history, but not taught in history class. Perhaps forty years from now, our children’s children will wonder what the big deal was about – maybe we’ll even hear “Michael Jackson… was he, like, a singer?”

After “getting to know Woodstock,” I’ve come to the conclusion that you just had to be there … be there in that moment of time. I might read the books and watch the movies, but I will never truly know what Woodstock is. I’ve realized, though, that it’s okay, because my generation too can say we’ve lived through historical events that some might not understand in the near future.

As for that shirt, I don’t think I’ll go back to get it, but next time I see a shirt with “Woodstock ‘69” on it, I definitely won’t feel like a poser.

Lately, I’ve felt like starting my own column based on all the odd experiences I’ve encountered at movie premieres.  A week ago, the big “Orphan” secret was revealed at the premiere and my latest red carpet experience did not disappoint.

Monday night, I covered the “Ponyo” premiere - an animated Japanese film adapted by Disney. It's about the relationship between a five-year-old boy and a young goldfish named “Ponyo,” and her quest to become human. The little boy is voiced by the one and only Frankie Jonas also known as “Bonus Jonas” – he is the younger brother of Kevin, Joe and Nick Jonas. But wait there’s more, the voice behind “Ponyo” the goldfish, is Noah Cyrus, yep, she is Miley Cyrus’ little sister.

Despite the brief arrival of the Jonas Brothers, Monday night’s event wasn’t buzzing with big name stars, so I was more than happy to give my time to whomever the publicists brought my way. About an hour into the red carpet arrivals a persistent publicist stood in front of me holding the hand of a very young girl. She explained why I should talk to her client which went something like this, “Hi this is so and so and Noah Cyrus’ best friend, I think you should talk to her.”

Rewind, did I miss the part where she tells me what her client is working on, if she even has a role in “Ponyo.” Nope, I heard correctly and none of that was included. Why does Noah Cyrus' best friend need a publicist?  While I felt horrible for the smiling young girl, I did not talk to her. Would you have talked to her?

Does being someone’s “best friend” give you a golden ticket?

In general, people decide whether a movie is worth the ticket price by learning what they can through trailers and basic descriptions - thus, my dilemma.

Tuesday night, I covered the premiere of the horror film "Orphan," and while I do enjoy a good scare, this particular film wasn't really grabbing my attention.  However, while waiting for the celebrity arrivals to star, something sparked my interest - the movie poster had five short words: "Can you keep a secret?"  This got several of us on the red carpet wondering what the secret might be, until I was so intrigued, I considered catching the movie on opening night this Friday.

Soon, the arrivals started, and knowing how they might respond, I teasingly asked the cast and director if they could reveal the big secret of the movie - just to me.  Of course, their answers were a unanimous "No!"  That is, until one cast member surprised me: "I didn't know the secret was supposed to be kept a secret, because I just told a few networks something I wasn't supposed to, until someone kicked me in the shins and told me to stop!"  While this person didn't let me in on what the others had learned, my follow-up question yielded another slip-up, of which the actor seemed unaware.

In the end, word spread - this was a media event, after all - and I learned the secret.  Sadly, I think it's quite a good twist - good enough that I wished I didn't know what it was, so I could watch the movie and be surprised.  Now that I know, I'm not as interested.

What are your thoughts?  Does knowing "Orphan" has a secret make you want to see it more?  And can a movie twist be so good that it's worth watching even if you already know it?

My words are fresh off Thursday’s red carpet event; Michael Douglas being honored by friends and colleagues with an AFI Life Achievement Award. Douglas is the 37^th recipient to receive this “highest honor” given for a career in film.  I wish I had more to write about tonight’s event, than list his movies and name the roles he's won Oscars for – “Wall Street,” and “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.”

Oh wait, I can list the number of “colleagues” who showed up as well, sadly I can’t tell you what they said – they were only on the arrival lines, long enough for a photo-op.

Contrary to how I might sound, I am not bitter and I would be lying if I said no one talked to press. But I do wonder why all these celebrities show up to these red carpet events and don't talk to any of the media outlets. At one point in their careers, these “A-List” talents  were all fresh faces, eager to get a few questions thrown their way and  be a “Chatty Cathy,” but now that they’ve been in a few block bluster films and have a couple of  golden statues on their mantle - does that make them too cool for us?

 Back to the honoree and his celebratory moment, what’s your most memorable Michael Douglas role?