Love Notes,

National Spotlight,

More Agape

    With the month of February upon us, we are reminded of the official holiday of ‘love’ (or ‘agape’ in some circles!) – Valentine’s Day. In this case, Greek-American actress Nia Vardalos actually has another take on the date and the HJ’s Athan Karras shares his thoughts on Vardalos’ two major projects that took place last summer, one of them being a film titled “I Hate Valentine’s Day.” While the romantic comedy was released in the U.S. last July, it continues to be released throughout the world. This month it releases in South Korea and last month in Germany, joining Brazil, Bolivia, Greece, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Portugal, Mexico, Egypt and the Netherlands, to date. Now available on DVD, Karras speaks to Vardalos’ role in the industry as well as her Greek American position. You will find his view on page 4.

    Last month His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew was featured on the CBS News program 60 Minutes, the pre-eminent investigative television news show in the United States. “Our Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew offered during his 60 Minutes interview a superb and compelling witness of our Ecumenical Patriarchate,” said His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church in America. To learn more about this important interview, please turn to page 7. A link to view the interview online is also available.

    In keeping with love with a twist, the HJ offers a glimpse into Jim Zervanos’ book LOVE Park. “In his novel he candidly challenges provocative issues confronting the new generation of Greek Americans,” writes Karras. “He breaks the barriers and tackles dilemmas seeking to validate life in American culture.” For the complete review, please see page 8.

    Once again, I remind you to explore our website hellenicjournal.org and send us your comments and events throughout the year.

    Happy Valentine’s Day!

My Life In Ruins and I Hate Valentine’s Day

Nia Vardalos tackled two major projects last summer

By Athan Karras

    It isn’t often that an outsider comes to Hollywood and hits the jackpot with a super mega-hit like MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING, which received acclaim on all fronts with an incredible and phenomenal success with audiences and the box-office. The continuing buzz lingers as to how a low budget flick brings in insurmountable returns is an enigma to movie moguls. None the less what is truly exciting is that such numbers have not numbed Nia’s toes, nor has her pen halted from exploring ideas on a mission to mold her career in the film industry?  Trying to outdo her past with a repeat performance of a mega hit, or consider a sequel of the FAT WEDDING would be nice as a follow-up, but it just doesn’t happen that way.