The Groundlings still rock.

A little while ago we went to The Groundlings, a comedy club in Los Angeles which I'm embarrassed to say I'd never been to before.

I went because my husband had tickets since he's currently working on a piece about Orange County native, Mikey Day (Probably best known for his You Tube spoof "David Blaine Street Magic".)

UPDATE: Link to the story Peter Larsen (finally) wrote about Mikey Day, here.

(took him long enough...)

Anyhow, I can't believe it took me so long to go, because I totally forgot how funny really great comedy sketch work is.

However, will admit that when I heard the title of this show -- "The Groundlings. In the study. With the candlestick" -- that I almost bailed out on going because I can't bear to sit through any spoof even loosely based the board game "Clue."

But, this show is great -- (not even remotely associated with Clue, thank you, Jesus.) we had a wonderful time, and by the way, our hometown OC boy, Mikey Day, is awesomely funny. Actually, funny and cute, so catch him now at The Groundlings, before you have to pay a whole lot more to see him not-even-live on the big screen later. Besides the folks up there with him are just as talented and experienced comics, if not even more so. That place is chock full 'o talent right now.

So, Newsflash To Myself: Live comedy is so not dead, but very much alive and relevant and I can't believe this kind of live-and-funny really isn't on TV, much, anymore, because I have to tell you, I'm a tough audience, and I laughed my ass off.

Hey, if this Groundlings cast were actually on SNL, maybe I'd actually Tivo it, again, because unlike that cast, these guys were on-fire good.

They came up with original characters, the writing was witty and fast-paced scenes and they actually produced stuff which hasn't been done 1118 times, before.

(Note: They have a cool Groundlings Myspace page where you can view some of their work.)

(Tell me, again, why are these guys are not on SNL, right now?)

Also, not to bang this "you gotta go see The Groundlings, now" thing into the ground(ling) but, there's a recession on, so bargains are good. And, escapism, is good. So, duh, go.

One of the best things about living here is that we can actually go see live entertainment that really is top quality...and lot's of people, can't. (Okay, that's a lame sentence, but, fuck it, I'm not getting paid to say any of this, so just shoot me, okay?)

Wow, I guess it's sad how much I forgot how much better live shows are. We've all been so spoiled with TiVo and cable we forget how hard it is to get things right in "one take" or that to be really funny you actually need an audience, and visa versa.

Truthfully, I can honestly say I haven't seen characters as wacky as those since I saw Curb Your Enthusiasm or Napoleon Dynamite.

So, I don't know about you, but I'm planning to be a Groundling regular, now.

Besides: The Groundlings theater is a cultural icon. How can I not live here and not have seen them till now?

Oh, yeah, and check out the work of comic and OC native, Mikey Day. He's young, adorable and totally hilarious. (My favorite character of his was a nerdy dude trying to get a waiters job at The Cheesecake Factory.)

And a few of my favorite comics of all time (and former Groundlings members.)

-- Kathy Griffin and Pee Wee Herman
And the list goes on and on...That theater gave us major talent over the past, what, 30+ years, and my point is, they still are.

And that's pretty cool.

Dear Ricky Gervais: Please bring us more Extras!

I'm sorry, but nothing EVER makes me laugh harder than watching re-runs of Extras...

Here's Kate Winslet, talking about her husband's Oscar....


And, this one, well, just makes me howl.

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See? I told you it would be close for Melissa Leo

Radiant Best-actress nominee Melissa Leo arrives at the Kodak Theater for Sunday's 81rst Annual Academy Awards.

MSNBC ran a story about last night's neck and neck race for the Best Actress Oscar, which, as I predicted, could very well have gone to Melissa Leo.

I really thought last night would end up being a long-shot, outsider win for both Rourke and Leo...And I kind of think all their fellow nominees, thought so, too.

With votes split between Winslet, Streep, Leo could claim best actress prize

By Courtney Hazlett
The Scoop
msnbc.com
updated 1:29 p.m. PT, Sun., Feb. 22, 2009
"LOS ANGELES - The buzz about an Oscar upset in the Best Actress category is too great to ignore. Perhaps everyone just wants something new to talk about at this point, or maybe it’s true — “Frozen River” star Melissa Leo could walk away with 8-1/2 pounds of golden Academy love in her hand. One voting member of the Academy echoed sentiments I’ve heard several times this weekend. “I couldn’t decide between Kate (Winslet) or Meryl (Streep) so I went with Melissa.”

FOR MORE ON THIS STORY, CLICK HERE


Does Pricewaterhouse ever give up details on the vote count later on? It'd be so interesting to see the percentages of where the votes actually went.

The pre-awards scoop phoned in from the red carpet:

Pete says he passed on good wishes from me (to Melissa Leo) on her way in and she was genuinely touched to hear about all these efforts to cheer her on, and all that, good stuff, so, yay!

What can I say, I'm just really, really happy for her right now.

He said she looked great and that her son was there with her although she was walking down the press line with her producer and director and fellow actress Misty Upham.

He said the most gorgeous, the most glamorous ones, other than Melissa, of course, were, in order of gushing:

#1: Kate Winslet. (He says she's so stunning and genuine and real and bla, bla, bla...Every year he gushes about her. And she does look amazing. He's always adored her, with good reason.)
#2: Penelope Cruz
#3: Taraji Henson
#4: And he seemed a bit speechless after talking with french actress, Marion Cotillard, who won the Best Actress Academy Award for her role as Édith Piaf.

He said Langella looked nice, but kind of reserved (aka: shy) and that Rourke is kind of a trainwreck who didn't speak with people (consistently.). Penn flew down the line in a hurry.
He said Jenkins was really nice and friendly and that's the most info I got so far, but Pete wanted me to know about his exchange with Melissa tonight.

Hey, the awards just started and Hugh is singing and I gotta see this.

Go, Melissa Leo, go!

Okay, so maybe it's because it's overcast today, or maybe it's because I just can't stand waiting to see Melissa Leo tonight at the Oscars but today just seems like an eternity till those awards start!

Anyhow, I had to see what she's been saying in her most recent interviews managed to find some photos of her looking fabulous.

(Can't wait to see what she wears tonight!)

First of all, can I just say that I had no idea she was "dragged kicking and screaming to Vermont."    Or that her dad lives in Long Island or that she hasn't seen Thelma & Louise.

Wow.   And, secondly, I love that she goes on record stating she's a "method" actor, which is kind of bold statement to make given the hype surrounding that term.

She's a brave one.  She just has to win!

Hell, she'll give the most interesting speech, for God's sake!  Doesn't that count for anything!  

For God's sake, just hurry up and pick Melissa!  

Here's that great interview with her from Vanity Fair.

Meet my one degree of separation with Red Carpet greatness for the 2009 Academy Awards, this year....

My handsome, tuxedo'd up reporter husband, Pete Larsen!



Note: Dashing handsome Orange County Register reporter with handy-dandy notebook interviews "difficult" celebrities on the cement carpet. (Oh, wait, that's not "Steve" in Blue's Clues, is it?)

Peter Larsen, The Orange County Register: Hello, Miss, can you answer one or two questions, for me?
Miss Larsen #1 : I need to check with my press agent, first.



Reporter: So, who do you predict will win the Academy Award for Best Actress this year?

Miss Larsen #2: Why, Mom's old school chum, Melissa Leo, of course!
We all saw Frozen River can't tell why on earth it got an "R" rating, because Mommy talks like that all the time.

Note: Dashing press vehicle including official OSCARS press pass.



Okay, so, once again I waved so long to my husband, tuxedo'd up and ready to meet and greet the stars who strut down the infamous red carpet on their way into the 2009 Academy Awards.

And, once again, I get to watch from home.

Que, sera, sera...

Dear Neighbour, you are not invited to my party

Here's another David Thorne classic...




"A few weeks ago, a guy moved into the apartment across from me. I know little about him apart from the fact that he owns cane furniture as I saw the delivery guys carry it up. I bumped into him on the stairs once and he said hello but I cannot be friends with someone that owns cane furniture so I pretended I had a turtle to feed or something.

"Last week when I checked my mailbox, I found that my new neighbour had left me a note stating that he was having a party and to let him know if the noise was too loud.

"The problem I have with the note is not that he was having a party and didn't invite me, it was that he selected a vibrant background of balloons, effectively stating that his party was going to be vibrant and possibly have balloons and that I couldn't come...."
(For more click here.)

Pacific Symphony upstaged by extra helping of Oreos.

I was going through some of daughter #2's first grade school work from last year.

The kids were required to write about their field trip to the Pacific Symphony the day before.

Next time, the cookies get put on a higher shelf, I think.

A more personal take on why I'd like to see Melissa Leo to win Best Actress this year.

I originally wrote this in the comments section regarding a former post regarding having seen Frozen River.

However, I thought this comment was interesting enough, and certainly long enough, to merit it's own post and not just languish, buried in some random comments section somewhere.

So, here it is, again with a little re-working in it's own private post.

From Me to Prince Gomolvilas re: Melissa Leo in Frozen River:

...Yeah, it's (Frozen River) is a film which I think is incredibly respectful to all the characters in the film.

Let's face it, (unfortunately) I think Winslet may win this year, because she's so well known, but I'm obviously loyal to those who've touched my life personally, and this time, I actually think Leo deserves to win.

And, yes, I'm a fan of all the women nominated this year. How do you call any one actors work "the best?" You can't. But, you can choose who to honor that year.

Leo was as good as any of the others, she was terrific and lesser known actors deserve a break from places like The Academy Awards.

However, here's the real scoop: Between you and me and whoever reads my blog down this far about why it matters to me personally that Leo gets that little gold guy:

The truth was, Melissa's life wasn't always so easy back when she was growing up*, but that's not my story to tell.

I can only talk about how I knew her.

(I'm the lanky, hippie-geek pointing to the soccer ball, Melissa Leo is in front with the biking cap on.)

Melissa was a year older than me and we both attended a tiny, private elementary school in Putney, Vermont. Occasionally we both participated in theater, "in town" which happened to be Brattleboro, Vermont, about 10 miles south of Putney.

Now, this was in Vermont, mind you, and the winters there were quite similar to the one in Frozen River. It really wasn't so far away from the town the film was shot in, maybe about 3 or 4 hours south of there, but, trust me, that place requires some "hide" to survive it.

I lived closer to town than Melissa did, so occasionally we hung out together when she had rehearsals after school. She'd maybe come over to my house and we'd hang out for a while till we headed back into Brattleboro for something. I'd hardly categorize our friendship as particularly profound, I mean, it wasn't. But, I adored her and we did share an intense love of acting as well as that we both were trying to survive our own wacky history in this particular, tiny school, which, in those days, this was something an unusual thing to pull off, trust me.

A few memories I have of her from way back then:

First, there was all that flaming red hair. And then there was her stature; the maternal warmth she had for so many of us, and then there was her undeniable beauty. And, of course, there was that mysterious person behind it all.

My first memory that stands out was this one time she got in trouble for something(?) at school, I can't remember what it was, but clearly she felt it wasn't justified and blew up at the principal.

On that occasion I remember the front door to our school slamming shut and we all rushed to the windows to see what was going on, and there was Melissa striding down the front steps in the middle of a school day with the principal (who none of us really liked, anyway.) insisting she come back.

She kept on striding down the long, long steps in front of our school with all of us glued to windows to see what would happen next.

There was a long silence as she flounced down the steps. When she got to the very bottom of the long stairs, she suddenly whipped around and totally busted all of us gawking at her. When she turned to see if we were watching, we jumped back from the windows, but she was so pissed off.

I still don't know why, and it doesn't matter, but at that moment she busted all of us for intruding on her personal crises at that moment.

She screamed "FUCK! YOU!" (Not, "Fuck you!" But, "Fuck! You!") Managing to give us all, including the principal, the double finger and then shoved her arms down the sleeves of her Levi denim jacket to stride off, pissed, and proud and glorious.

God, I loved that about her, her courage to stand up for herself, like she did when she confronted our (lame) principal that year. She was terrific. She was a rock star, on my planet.

But, the best part was her consistent humility and that she was always kind and sweet. It was one of those astonishing dual things about this beautiful fiery girl: She was tough, but sweet. She was strong, but humble. She could be very articulate, but ironically she didn't often share what was going on inside her. She lived to act. She ate, breathed, slept acting. It was her salvation, I think.

I know you might have a hard time believing this, but I was kind of, well, mighty dorky in my day. But she was always there for me even when the other kids picked on me for "being weird." She couldn't stand to see the underdog get hurt.

I can't remember why I was in the BCPA Theater when she was rehearsing Paul Zindel's The Effect Of The Gamma Rays on Man In The Moon Marigolds, but I was. I remember her monologues.

During one particular rehearsal, she stood alone in a spot on the bare stage, just this girl with all this red hair and that same powerful, low voice. She barely moved when she spoke. The dust mites fell slowly in and out of her spot, twinkling down around her like, a halo in a free-fall.

And she was electrifying. I think that's the only word for what she was; "electrifying." I had goosebumps on my arms.

I don't think there was anyone else in the theater that day, just the actors and the director. Yet, she was giving as a fine a performance as I've ever seen.

And the truth was, things were not always so easy for some of us back then. And I have edited this posting down out of respect for her privacy.

But, the true story of Melissa Leo, is one as rich and complex as any character she's ever played. But, that's a story for her to tell, should she ever choose to.

But, for now -- she's nominated for Best Actress this year!!! How COOL is that?

Very.

Yeah, I want her to win.

Hurry! The Amish have imposed a limit!

Saw this late one night last week and had to share great news.
No, it's not about Jesus, it's about heat with no flame! (Same thing.)

Every year my personal "six degrees" with Oscar nominees continues to shrink.

And I can't tell if that's a good thing, or just a really bad karmic joke at my expense.

Probably both. I mean, isn't that always the case?

Let me just state, that I've had the ongoing misfortune of spending countless Oscar ceremonies at home in front of the television, while my husband gets to don a tuxedo to be part of the "Red Carpet" scene each year. I have lost track of how many times my kids and I have waved goodbye as he drove up to LA in his old Volvo, leaving the three of us at home to scan the "pre-show" sea of reporters all feeding at the red carpet.

My husband is the pop-culture reporter for The Orange County Register, and has actually been quite fortunate to land covering this gig for several years in a row.

He's usually easy to spot in a crowd. He's 6'6" and wears Buddy Holly-esque glasses. And he's nice to people and asks great questions of those wise enough to answer them.

He's not going to dish about gowns and Spanx, he'll ask about your work or your family and/or career. So, his ability to come home that night and tell us what really went on that day on the red carpet continues to be something of a family tradition.

After all, I have long since resigned myself to the fact that not only have I never set foot anywhere near the "red carpet," I probably never will.

Instead of weeping into my beer about this, I choose to bombard him with important questions, like:

"Okay, so who was really as pretty in real life as they looked on screen?" or "Who was an asshole?" "Who was sincerely nice and who was a dork?"

For the record, he's always says Cate Blanchett is one of the most consistently beautiful woman there, year after year. He's also been rather partial to Winslet, too, but, this year, he'd better be rooting for my old school chum, Melissa Leo, because, well, those are the rules.

I've vaguely known a few winners at various times, over the years, in fact, a couple of years ago my first cousin, Brad Lewis, picked up an Oscar for producing Ratatouille: Which turned out to be a very unexpected moment of family pride.

"Unexpected" mostly because I'd recently spoken at his father's funeral prior to this occasion, and had no idea he'd even be nominated. One minute I'm up in Fresno (always a scary thought) sharing an impromtu speech at his beloved father's funeral and then suddenly there's the same cousin giving an interview to my husband just prior to picking up a little gold man for Best Animated Feature. Surprise! Who knew? This is what makes life cool, nobody ever realy knows what's going to happen next. And it's unexpected quirks like this which make it all that much more exciting.

This year, however, just feels different. Maybe it's because I don't just know one nominee for one of those "BIG" awards, but actually, two of them this year: Frank Langella, nominated for Best Actor this year, as well as Melissa Leo, who is nominated for Best Actress.

Pretty interesting coincidence. Especially since I happen to think they both actually deserve being recognized for producing 100% quality work.

Not that the other nominees, don't deserve recognition (bla, bla, bla...) but, actors like Leo and Langella aren't your usual picks.

They aren't always on the radar, so when they are, and deserve to be: I cross my fingers that we'll actually get some new blood on the "A" list, for a change. I'm one of those fools who has zero to gain, but still hold my breath for them, anyway.

Seriously, I'm sick of the same four or five "stars" getting the all the leads year after year. All I can say is, at least we're not having to sit through one more evening of Zellweger and Kidman, again. All that collagen freezes my face just thinking about it.

As I've mentioned in any earlier posting, Melissa, I knew from the tiny school we attended in Vermont, but how I met Mr. Langella is an entirely different story.

I was an apprentice at the Williamstown Theater Festival one year and Langella was staring in a production of Cyrano De Bergerac which I happened to land a bit part in. Also, in an odd twist of fate, I landed the job of being his "personal assistant." Who would have known what a kiss of death that would be to my social life that summer.

Instead, I got a crash course in "theater" as well as the meaning of "ambition." For better or worse. And, no, it's not quite the story you think it is, either. Really.

I've always kept copious journals, which isn't something I brag about considering they are mostly horrific accounts of disastrous attempts at real life.

However,in this case, the journal I kept the summer of 1980, is not just deliciously cringe-worthy, but jaw-dropping in gossipy detail regarding some very familiar names. However, to tell all would break a certain unspoken creedo of theater.

After all, what happens during a show; lives and dies with that show. It's not real life. And trust me: This kind of loyalty was hardly earned, I just feel like it would be dishonorable to share everything I witnessed that summer.

Anyhow, I digress.

What I just want to state, again, is that my fingers really are crossed for people like Melissa Leo, and even the nefarious Mr. Langella, this year.

Hollywood needs some new blood in order keep some real talent flowing in Hollywood.

Besides, a little healthy competition is good for the mega-stars, too, right?

Kittens. Inspired by, kittens.

Okay.

I've had three days of non-stop play-dates, sleep-overs and general people, people, people...And now, I have enough time to catch my breath and offer up something more adult-like, serious and generally, quite profound.



I rest my case.

Salma Hayek really does have the best breasts in Hollywood

Okay, I'll admit that when my eye scanned this headline off of Huffington Post, I did a double take. I thought it would lead to a crazy-lady story.

Then I clicked on the video and fell in love with Ms. Hayek for doing what I think is the most natural and loving thing in the world. She breastfed an infant who was hungry.

Salma Hayek Breastfeeding An African Baby boy



As a mom who nursed both her kids and got over all the taboos about this the minute I lay eyes on my babies, I learned how profoundly nourishing this is for an infant.

But, there still remains so much stigma about all this, today, even though it's been proven to be the best thing one can offer a baby.

Well, I just want to say "You go, Selma!" and remind the world that Angelina and Madonna never once shared their titties with a stranger's hungry babies!

Writer Elizabeth Gilbert: A different way to think about creative genius

I know I'm late to the table in discovering this wonderful site, TED (Ideas worth spreading) but, I'm so glad I found it now.

It's a great medium to essentially find "master classes" on, well, that which makes us tick. Pretty cool site.

In any event, since I'd just read Elizabeth Gilbert's book, Eat, Pray, Love over "December Break" (Which is such an ironic phrase for any parent, don't you think?) and was really in in awe of how refreshing Gilbert's fearless approach to story-telling was. I found her book very inspirational in just how open she was to finding the creative process in her life.

So, naturally, since I found her book so interesting, I also found her own "master class" on the subject of fear and production of creativity equally intriguing, as well.

Thought you might too.

T.V. show intro that still won't get out of my head...

...And now, thanks to Retro Junk, my kids taunt me by singing this at me till I run screaming from the room...




Did anyone else get this this was suppose to be about Mozart's Magic Flute?

Who knew?

I just thought it was cool to hear Jack Wild's accent every Saturday morning.

Why can't CBS bring the good stuff back to Saturday mornings?

The old CBS Children's Film Festival was a such a great way to teach children about diversity and tolerance.

If there was ever a time to revisit past children's entertainment successes, I don't know if I'd choose to dredge up The Electric Company before bringing back some of the really great stuff, like this.

Don't tell me there's a shortage of great international short films about kids, right now.



Remember "J.T.?" I wrote about that, a month ago and so many people said they were moved by this film growing up.

That was from these folks, too.

Time to bring back the good stuff from the 70's.

Unusual morning at middle school this week.

I had an odd conversation this week, with a kid in middle school.  Not my own.

And I'm still trying to sort out if I've done the right thing.

Early in the morning, I dropped my kid off at middle school and this day, actually walked my child into to school.

I'm a chatty mom who actually loves kids.  I love watching them interact and I love seeing what they wear to school and all that stuff.  I think it's really fascinating watching kids grow up at this stage, you either love middle schoolers, or dread them.  And I'm definitely someone who loves that age.

In any case, as I was walking back to my car, I passed a boy I knew since elementary school, so I asked  what I thought was a simple question:

I said, "How are you today, 'James Watson'?" (clearly, that's so not his real name.)

To which he answered 100% sincerely (which is why I love this kid. He really is like that.) in front of the other boys hanging around.

"Hello, Mrs. Larsen.
Well, actually I'm not so good today, because now all the kids say I'm gay."

(Actually, this thought crossed my mind a few years ago, which is probably one reason why I liked him so much.)

Unfortunately, or not, I happen to think about things like this way too much anyway.  So of all people for him to share this with, I was, needless to say, an ironic choice.    

My immediate response to this unexpected comment was,

"Oh, well!  Project Runway is one of my favorite shows!"  

And then I whispered, "Besides, there's nothing wrong with being gay." 

He blushed and smiled, but it was slightly awkward.  Especially with the other kids looking on, speechless, during this bizarre moment of TMI on an otherwise ordinary morning.

And, because I'm "a worrier," I worried about my answer to him as I walked away.

I couldn't go back and take back what I said.

But, no doubt, what I should have said was "Nobody has the right to call you names, period. It's called 'harassment' and you should report it."

But, that wasn't what came out my mouth. Unfortunately. And then the bell rang.

So, instead of just going home, I thought about how much I sincerely do love this kid.  He's always been painfully honest with the world since I knew him starting in first grade. (In 6th now.) And I became worried he actually might be getting picked on. Which I can't handle at all.

So I thought I should maybe tell someone about this in case he was getting bullied. 

His mom? Nope.

School guidance counselor, right? Right.

So, I go in and try to explain what happened, which was another awkward moment, but I felt I owed it to the kid to let the school know they're calling him names. 

Having done this I specifically requested they not make him feel embarrassed about the situation.  Just, you know, let him know he shouldn't let other kids call him names.

Fine? Fine. I thought.

Later that day, after school let out, the guidance counselor passed me and I asked if she had a chance to tell the boy that he should speak up for himself.

At first she seemed to have entirely forgotten my telling her anything earlier that day.

Then she said, "Oh, yeah. I asked him about that and he never 'confessed' anything to me."

Pause.

And I'm thinking, "Why would he? You're a dork."

And then I realized why kids don't tell people things like that. 

Because people just don't get it.

(Maybe, including me. )

Somebody please tell me what the right thing to do was, because I'm still worried I might have gotten it wrong.

*sigh*

Why Melissa Leo should win Best Actress this year.

Because she deserves to.   That's why.

I mean, have you even seen Frozen River, yet?  (Well, do.)

She's amazing in this film.  Her performance is so brave,  honest and most of all, so moving.

Okay. It's true, I'm biased. Because I knew her way, way back in grade school, and remember what a dazzling talent she was even back then. I watched her rehearse from the wings thinking "One day everyone will know how powerful and talented Melissa Leo is. And one day she will be honored for those gifts."

Well, guess what? This is that day.

  (Check out this recent story about her nomination from CNN.)

This is the day when everyone needs to get off their asses and go see Frozen River. People need to know what some of us already do, that Melissa Leo is both the Bruce Springsteen and Lucinda Williams of American actresses. Simply put, she's simply one of best actresses we have working today. And Frozen River is her movie. You gotta see it. Period.

And, let me add that if you have any influence on casting a ballot for who wins Best Actress and you have not yet seen Courtney Hunt's film, Frozen River, then you simply have to see it.  Leo sets the screen on fire. (Again.)

No question, she deserves to be recognized this year. She's spent her entire life doing fine work and yet never quite gaining the recognition she's so richly deserved. She never "sold out" to the industry by prettifying herself for hollywood and therefore seamlessly inhabited roles in TV’s Homicide: Life on the Streets, and well as Benicio Del Toro's wife in 21 Grams. She has only wanted her work to speak for her, and has not done anything that would compromise the integrity of the kind of parts she roles she's cast in. Real women. Women who have lived life and dug deep down and overcome huge odds.

Sorry, but Frozen River's her film. She owns it.

Performances, like the one Leo gives reminds us that acting may very well be just story telling, but there is art in how you tell that story. Leo isn't just an actress, she's an artist. She keeps the details as honest, simple and undiluted as possible. Leo is a director's dream come true: She pares everything down to what is only essential to the moment without ever once stooping to editorialize on one's own performance.
As an actress she is both powerful and economical (with what chooses to share about her characters) which is just one of her many rare gifts she possesses.

In the film, she doesn't just tell us who "Ray" is, she shows us. And she sticks to the story as told by the writer. Sounds easy? Well, trust me it isn't.

Her work in this film elevates her talent for passionate character-study to a level not often seen in American cinema. It's usually found in arty foreign films, but rarely ever in our own country, under our own noses. Which is one more reason to love this film. And to support the talent that brought it to life.

Frozen River is a unique, reality-based, American tale infused with acting that is stripped bare of all theatrical pretense. It's as cold and gritty as Deer Hunter, yet a uniquely American (Native American, too) tale as rich as a Louise Erdrich novel, teeming with just the right details to bring this story to life.

It has great twists within an already interesting plot, and contains wonderfully constructed two-character scenes which I think are destined to be published over and over in "two person scenes from modern films" books.

Best of all, the script isn't over-written (unlike this blog entry.) and at the heart of the tale is a story of how strong women can be.  And how the need to protect our kids is a shared trait among women transcending all walks of life. I love how this film captures this truth.

The cinematography entirely captures the stark beauty as well as the dangers of living in such a precarious place. The score is a haunting presence reminding me on more than one occasion of Ry Cooder's soundtrack to Paris, Texas.

And then there's the acting.

Which leads me to the question I pose at the top of this.

Why should Melissa Leo win Best Actress this year instead of anyone else?

Because we need to nurture and reward talent above and beyond predictable choices. Because Melissa Leo deserves to win Best Actress at the Academy Awards this year, that's why.

Let's not let this year be, yet, one more popularity contest for actresses who've been nominated over and over again, and maybe should have won on other occasions. But this year, for this occasion, let's do the right thing and vote for the underdog, the newcomer. I happen to think this is a very good year for this sort of thing.

Granted Melissa Leo is up against a tidal wave of talent this year.  And her name isn't nearly as familiar to the world as, say, Streep or Winslet, but this is precisely why I think she deserves to win this year.  Because she not only held her own with these seasoned nominees, she transcended their work with her naked realism and searingly transparent portrayal of "Ray" in Frozen River.

She's new to be invited to the ball. She's worked her entire life to for this kind of film and just because we are not quite as familiar with Leo as we are, say Streep or Winslet, that should not be counted against her. She's an amazing American grown, hardworking talent and I would like to think that I live in the kind of place where the best performance is rewarded over popularity.

I'd love to think Leo does actually does stand a chance against these other "Titanic" icons of the industry.

But, first of all -- We need people to go SEE Frozen River. So, get out there and see it, for goodness sake.

Oh, and there's no violence or sex. I mean, it was riveting and I could have brought my middle schooler to the film with me. How rare is that?

Look, I don't want to sound like a dork, here, pontificating like a bad FM station: I'm just trying to get you to see a great actress in the role of her lifetime.

Google Frozen River and find out where the show times are today, near you.

In Orange County, CA:
Edwards University Town Center 6
4245 Campus Drive, Irvine CA 92612 | (949)854-8818
Frozen River (R)
1:45 PM, 4:30 PM, 7:10 PM, 9:45 PM

In Los Angeles:
Laemmle Music Hall
9036 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA 90211
5:00 7:30


Anywhere else: You're on your own, but go see it.

Here's a trailer to the film.


I hesitate to add that it's coming out on DVD on Feb 10, 2009, don't wait that long to see this -- It's terrific. See it now.

Oh, lest I leave this out: Great theme song in the film (at the end credits.)
But, listen to it here.
It's really great.

I added this next clip because it captures some of the unexpected humor found in several scenes.

Break dancing bug

I have no idea why I think this is funny.