Senior Writer Heather

I’m a hometown girl … born and raised in Atlanta. I live close to my former high school, drive through my old college campus on the way to work ... heck, I work just a few blocks away from the hospital where I was born! Obviously I like it here. It’s interesting to see how much has changed, mostly for the better, some for the worse.

I like to travel and meet people from other places. I LOVE to hear people talk about their hometowns. What’s good about it, what’s bad about it, what they miss, why they left, or why they want to go back. You learn a lot about people when you talk to them about where they grew up. Do their eyes sparkle or is there a hint of sadness? Can you hear a southern drawl or the honk of a Great Laker? Hometowns make us who we are.

Check out this map of the Morning Express team members' hometowns!

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“Morning Express” team members are from all over the country and the world. We have hometowns in at least 15 different states and two countries. That can come in handy put the show together every morning. Is Hahira, Georgia pronounced Huh-HEER-uh or Hay-HI-ruh? Ask the team and at least three people will know from experience. How do you pronounce Semiha Borovac’s name? She’s the mayor of Sarajevo and thanks to one of our writers, Robin would be able to pronounce her name like a native. When hurricanes hit the islands, we have a team member who can call family to get a first hand account of the damage. When Jenna Bush got married, there was debate over what to call some of her attendants. One of our copy editors – a Texas native - was able to sort out the details and school us in proper Texas wedding etiquette. (Did you know that the women in the wedding party sit with the guest book and cut the cake? They’re the “house party,” y’all.)

We all take some ribbing about our hometowns, too. Whenever a mayor or city council misbehaves or does something that makes you scratch your head and go, “Huh?” someone on the team is going to hear, “Those are your people, dude! What’s wrong with you?” Poor producer Rob gets this a lot, because he’s from Detroit.

We know “Morning Express” viewers are from all over the world, too. Tell us the best thing about your hometown!

Senior Writer Heather

The popular “Mummy” franchise is back in theaters. This time Boris Karloff’s famed character terrorizes… wait a minute. What do you mean Karloff died in 1969? Oh, this is another from the Brendan Fraser “Mummy” franchise? OK—this time Fraser takes on Jet Li in “The Mummy: Tomb Of The Dragon Emperor.” It’s full of action, adventure, and CGI effects. These movies usually make a ton of money, so this one probably should too, regardless of the terrible reviews. We are told, however, that the movie is in focus.

You’ve heard of swing states? In "Swing Vote," Kevin Costner plays a man whose vote will decide the presidential election. I know, pure fantasy. Still, kind of a fun, get-out-the-vote concept less than 100 days from the real deal. Costner’s character is courted by the candidates, their strong-armed political machines, the media and his neighbors. Kelsey Grammer plays the president and Dennis Hopper is his rival. Great roles for both of them. Stanley Tucci and Nathan Lane are their respective advisers. Dear Nathan Lane, Keep your funny on Broadway. It needs you. Kthx.

Senior Writer Heather
Writer Keith

Looking for a laugh this weekend? You may wanna check out Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly in “Step Brothers.” They star as middle-aged men, still living at home. They’re forced to share a room when a wedding makes them step brothers. Director Adam McKay also directed the two stars in “Talladega Nights.”

Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly star in “Step Brothers.”

Remember Mulder and Scully, from the “X-Files” TV show? Now they’re back in their second feature film, “The X-Files: I Want to Believe.” It’s creepy and a little kooky, just like the original television series. But reviewers don’t love it. They say…it kinda misses the mark and that chemistry between Scully and Mulder has mysteriously disappeared. Hmmmm....maybe that’s the case they should be working on!

Also, there’s an independent movie out today. “American Teen” is a documentary that follows five teenagers through their senior year of high school in Warsaw, Indiana. There have been a lot of comparisons to the John Hughes movies like “Breakfast Club.” Reviewers complain that some of the scenes appear to be staged… a no-no for a documentary. But the movie was a big hit at the Sundance Film Festival and audiences who have become so comfortable with the reality TV genre might really enjoy this one.

Remember to tune into our show every Friday for the latest movies to hit theaters.

What movie are you looking forward to seeing?

New Movie Friday! Yay! My favorite day of the week. I love movies and animation makes my heart go pitter-pat. That’s why today is so good: one of the new movies out is “Wall-E” - the latest animated feature from Pixar.

James McAvoy and Angelina Jolie are shown in a scene from the Universal Pictures film "Wanted."

Wall-E is a trash-collecting robot working to clean up a long-abandoned planet Earth. He’s an old-fashioned guy who’s sorting trash from treasure and looking for little robot love (bow-chicka-beep-beep!). Rated G. Good for the kiddos and lots of Sci-Fi references and eye-popping animation to keep the big kids happy, too.
- Senior Writer Heather Murphy

Also out today is “Wanted.” Lots of violence. Lots of special effects. Lots of Angelina Jolie. That’s like Hollywood’s holy trinity for getting millions of boys and men around the country to line up and fork over $10!

You’ll probably hear a lot of critics compare it to "The Matrix." (Some are even suggesting it’s just a rip-off.) It’s rated R because of all of the killing and language.
- Senior Writer Jeff Fischel

Remember, check back every Tuesday and Friday, and watch the show. We’ve got the scoop on the new movie and music releases you’ll wanna check out.