The notorious rebel, lover and outlaw, 'Puss In Boots' from the 'Shrek' movies is back in theaters... but this time, he's all on his own. Is this spin-off just a money-grab from the studio trying to milk the 'Shrek' cow? "Not in this case," says Russ Leatherman, aka Mr. Moviefone. He says the animated flick is, "actually, pretty good" and should be a big with families this weekend. Antonio Banderas is back as the voice of the title kitty who continues to be very charming... and a hit with at least one lady cat. ONE SMALL issue... Mr. Moviefone says, "Skip the 3D." It seemed "dark" to him and there are no 'in-your-face' effects that you'll miss if you opt for the less expensive 2D version.

On a much more adult level... 'The Rum Diary' starring Johnny Depp is also out this weekend. Mr. Moviefone says, "You don't have to be drunk to enjoy 'The Rum Diary,' but it isn't going to hurt either." Read the rest of this entry »

Posted by: HLN TV/Web producer Grayson
Filed under: New Movie Friday

OK... yes, the McRib is back. The tangy pork sandwich is coming back to McDonalds for a few weeks across the country. Now when my producer first broght this story up I was like, "Come on... do I really have to be a commerical?" But then I saw that "McRib" is one of the most searched things on the Google today! It is blowing up on Twitter. People are clearly into this, so I changed my tune, and here we are.

People are really passionate about this sandwich! Even my personal TV news heroine, Diane Sawyer tweeted that she's looking forward to having another one:

Here are a few more notable names tweeting their McRib musings: Read the rest of this entry »

Posted by: Business Correspondent Jennifer Westhoven, HLN TV/Web producer Grayson
Filed under: Extras

Have you ever been so overwhelmed by emotion that your body rebelled on you!? Like the time you got the uncontrollable giggles at a funeral. Well, little Lily is meeting this phenomenon head on in the Morning Express with Robin Meade "Viral Video of the Day."

This is clearly a little girl who likes Disney. Look at her Little Mermaid backpack full of Mouse House goodies! Pajamas, movies, even a t-shirt that proudly proclaims her Disney love! But wait, why are there snacks in here? And an activity book? These are things one might pack for a trip... a special birthday trip... to... oh no... it's dawning on her... she's realizing that... yes... no... yes... they're going to... It's too much... her little emotions short-circuit and BOOSH, waterworks.

Keep watching... it gets happy again at the end.

Let Lilly know you saw her video on Morning Express with Robin Meade, by leaving a comment on her YouTube page.

Want more? Take a look at our past Viral Video of the Days.

Posted by: HLN TV/Web producer Grayson
Filed under: Viral Video of the Day • YouTube

Taking a cue from the stars of this weeks two reviewed films, Natasha Curry says this "New Movie Friday" should really be called "Hot Man Friday." In honor of the men starring in our two flicks:

In "The Ides of March" Ryan Gosling plays a campaign manager for a promising presidential candidate played by George Clooney... but just days before the primary, Gosling finds out some information that could completely derail the campaign. Mr. Moviefone says this is less of a thriller and more of a solid political drama with an A+ cast. Including Gosling, Clooney, Paul Giamatti, Phillip Seymoure Hoffman, Marisa Tomei... But the ending left him cold. He says, "You kinda go... wait, is it over?"

"Real Steel" is set in the future where (when?) robots have replaced humans in the boxing ring. It stars Hugh Jackman who plays a dad tying to reconnect with his son through robot fisticuffs. Mr. Moviefone says, "It is kinda corny, it is a little bit dumb, but... it's a knockout compared to, let's say, "Transformers." As far as kids are concerned, he says, "This is a movie you'll take them to and you'll probably have a good time at too."

So will you be catching either of these flicks this weekend? Or maybe you're going to see "The Way" which also opens today. If you do go, come back and let us know what you thought! Mr. Moviefone isn't the only guy with an opinion right?

Speaking of Mr. Moviefone and his opinions, you can get more of him (and them) FAST at his speedy site sixsecondreviews.com.

Posted by: HLN TV/Web producer Grayson
Filed under: Mr. Moviefone • New Movie Friday

It's been a long, fun, eye-opening process... over 1600 of you uploaded songs to our special iReport assignment. Not a single genre of music was left out... everything from Reggae to Rock, Pop to Rap, a capella to instrumental. Your level of effort and commitment to this promotion was remarkable!

Ultimately it came down to the Top 10 that were selected by the entire Morning Express team. Then you and your fellow viewers voted that list down to two... and ultimately Robin made the final decision:

Congratulations Amanda and Ashley!

This week the two friends will spend long days in the studio recording with a full band and making a shiny new version of their song that you'll be hearing on HLN's "Morning Express with Robin Meade" soon!

The entire team wants everyone who entered to know that we are SO GRATEFUL to have an audience of creative, driven and just plain TALENTED people watching! We hear from you on facebook and twitter but this allowed us to see and hear you in your homes (and sometimes in your moving cars) and that adds a whole new dimension that we're incredibly lucky to have seen.

Thank you!

If you'd like to send Ashley and Amanda a word of congratulations you can visit their video on iReport and leave a comment! I know they'd appreciate it.

Posted by: HLN TV/Web producer Grayson
Filed under: Extras • Music • Sweepstakes

Right out of adorable "elderly couple" central casting! Could they be any cuter? That's Bruce and Esther (Esther... even her NAME is even grandma-like) Huffman of McMinnville, Oregon. They say this video is the result of an attempt to use the webcam on Esther's new laptop. Their granddaughter posted the clip on YouTube and now the two are our Morning Express with Robin Meade "Viral Video of the Day."

But in this day and age of 'stealth marketing' should you be suspicious? Are these adorable, frisky, monkey-face-making, perfectly white-haired, sweethearts (they've only been married 7 and a half years) really just shills for a computer company trying to show your Nana and Poppa that, 'These gee-whiz computer doo-dads are a little tough to fiddle with... but that's fun! Not scary.'?

Esther and Bruce tell HLN affiliate KATU that they are not selling anything... but I'll bet you they will be soon. The Skynet marketing department (a wholly owned subsidiary of Omni Consumer Products) isn't going to let that much cuteness go to waste!

Posted by: HLN TV/Web producer Grayson
Filed under: Viral Video of the Day • YouTube

Tomorrow (9/9/2011) is like apple fan-boy Halloween. It's iPhone Life Magazine's 'Dress Up Like Steve Jobs Day'?

It's a pretty easy uniform to mimic:
-Black, long-sleeved, mock-neck, shirt
-Blue jeans
-White tennis shoes

For the SPECIFICS check out stevesoutfit.com (via Doug Amoth at Time Techland). New, Steve's look should cost you about $400 (iPhone, iPad, iPod not included). But we're sure you can get that look for less.

HLN's Jennifer Westhoven wants to see it if you do. Tweet her a pic of your Jobs togs to @JenWestHLN.

Posted by: HLN TV/Web producer Grayson
Filed under: Extras • Jennifer Westhoven

For the third straight year, the 1994 Honda Accord was the most stolen car according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau. "Morning Express with Robin Meade" personal finance anchor Jennifer Westhoven says the newer cars have better security systems which makes them harder to steal. The older cars are stolen for the parts which are shipped around the world.

Top 10 Most Stolen:
1. 1994 Honda Accord
2. 1995 Honda Civic
3. 1991 Toyota Camry
4. 1999 Chevrolet Pickup (Full Size)
5. 1997 Ford F150 Series/Pickup
6. 2004 Dodge Ram
7. 2000 Dodge Caravan
8. 1994 Acura Integra
9. 2002 Ford Explorer
10. 1999 Ford Taurus

To see if YOUR car makes the list click HERE for the NICB's full report.

Posted by: HLN TV/Web producer Grayson
Filed under: Extras • Jennifer Westhoven

Summer vacation may be ending... but the party doesn't have to end for students going to these universities. The Princeton Review ranks the "Best 376 Colleges" and breaks them down into several "types" including the perennial (but probably not parental) favorite, PARTY SCHOOLS!

The Review bases these rankings on several factors including how much time students spend studying, the popularity of the Greek system and how much drinking gets done. In case you missed them today on "Morning Express with Robin Meade" on HLN, Here are the Top 5:

1. Ohio University–Athens
2. University of Georgia–(also in a town called Athens)
3. University of Mississippi (Ole Miss)
4. University of Iowa
5. University of California–Santa Barbara

You can get the full list from "The Princeton Review" (registration required).

Posted by: HLN TV/Web producer Grayson
Filed under: Extras

The NASCAR prayer everyone's been talking about has now been turned into a song! Check it, pastor Joe Nelms may be a future pop-star thanks to the talented folks at songify. They're the people who used auto-tune to make Antoine Dodson 'internet famous' with the "Bed Intruder Song!!!" Personally I think this one is a little catchier!

Posted by: HLN TV/Web producer Grayson
Filed under: NASCAR • Sports • Viral Video of the Day • YouTube