Quote of the Day

"You're gonna listen to me? To something I said? Jesus, man... haven't I made it abundantly clear during the tenure of our friendship that I don't know sh**? I mean, half the time I'm just talking out of my ass... or sticking my hand in it."

Jason Lee as 'Brodie', "Mallrats", 1995

Ginger of the Week

I started off this category with one of my favorite gingers, Bryce Dallas Howard. The offspring of another famous red-head (former actor and current director/producer Ron Howard), she has been a breathe of fresh air in an industry full of bottle-blonds. With her star-making debut in M. Night Shyamalan's spooky "The Village", she made her mark (and managed to out-shine big names Joaquin Phoenix, Adrien Brody, and Sigourney Weaver). With a string of other hits (including "Lady in the Water", "Spiderman 3", "Terminator: Salvation", and now as the new 'Victoria' in the Twilight saga) beautiful Howard has shown that nepotism isn't the only reason she has become a success.

Family Ties

Actor Martha Plimpton, who starred in "The Goonies", "200 Cigarettes", and "Parenthood"", is actually part of the Carradine family. She is the daughter of actor Keith Carradine (of "Nashville", "Pretty Baby", and television show "Dexter" fame) and the niece of "Revenge of the Nerds" star Robert Carradine and "Kill Bill" star David Carradine.

Flick of the Day

Film: LITTLE BIG MAN

Director: Arthur Penn

Actors: Dustin Hoffman, Faye Dunaway, Chief Dan George, Robert Little Star, Amy Eccles, Kelly Jean Peters, Richard Mulligan

Year: 1970

Synopsis: A 100-year-old man tells many amazing stories of his life, including being raised by Native Americans, becoming a traveling salesman, and fighting General Custer.

Everyone knows Oscar winner Dustin Hoffman, but few know this jewel. Hoffman stars as Jack Crab, who lives an unbelievable life filled with humor and heartbreak. The cast is wonderful, which includes Faye Dunaway as a preacher's sinful wife and Robert Little Star as an arrogant, competitive member of the Cheyenne tribe.

Performance of the Day

Actor: BUD CORT

Film: "Harold and Maude"

Character: Harold

Year: 1971

This quirky, dark comedy centers around a death-obsessed, rich kid who falls in love with a lively, elderly woman. Bud Cort is perfectly cast as young Harold, with his mix of subtly and sarcasm. This is a great performance in a great, classic film.

Did You Know...

... future star and Oscar winner, Tommy Lee Jones roomed with future United States Vice President, Al Gore, while the two were students at Harvard University in the 60s. They remain close friends to this day, with Jones even hosting the Nobel Peace Prize concert for Gore.

Reincarnations

Three-time Oscar-nominee Laura Linney is the modern-day Rosemary Clooney. Sure, Linney is not known at all for singing, the way Clooney was, but they both radiate bright, bubbly, girl-next-door personalities.

***Clooney is known for "White Christmas", being the aunt of a slightly... less famous George, but more importantly for being a very successful singer ('Mambo Italiano' has got to be her biggest hit). Linney has starred in "The Truman Show", "Mystic River", "Love Actually", and now stars as a cancer-stricken woman who decides to live life to the fullest in the hit show "The Big C".

Quote of the Day

"I said, I...uh I, uh, uh, uh, I, uh I, I want the knife..."

Eddie Murphy as 'Chandler', "The Golden Child", 1987

Did You Know...

... in the 1995 film "Circle of Friends", 5'10 Minnie Driver had to walk in a ditch when next to 5'10 Chris O'Donnell because producers wanted Chris to appear taller.

Performance of the Day

Actor: RON MOODY

Film: "Oliver!"

Character: Fagin

Year: 1968

British actor Ron Moody (in an Oscar nominated performance) is a marvel in this Best Picture Oscar winner. Playing the king of the pickpockets, moody as Fagin takes in orphaned street children and teaches them the 'ways of the world'. With his perfect renditions of "You've Got to Pick a Pocket or Two" and "Reviewing the Situation", Moody essentially created this role and no one has been able to compare (not even Oscar winner Ben Kingsley, who played Fagin in 2005's "Oliver Twist").

Flick of the Day

Film: THE WEIGHT OF WATER

Director: Kathryn Bigelow

Actors: Catherine McCormack, Sarah Polley, Sean Penn, Vinessa Shaw, Elizabeth Hurley, Josh Lucas, Ulrich Thomsen, Ciaran Hinds

Year: 2000

Synopsis: A woman investigates a 130-year-old murder mystery, while trying to save her crumbling marriage.

Ten years before Kathryn Bigelow became the first female to win a Best Director Oscar for "The Hurt Locker", she directed this little-known independent film. The story revolves around two women. The first is Jean (McCormack), a journalist, who is simultaneously investigating a century-old murder case while trying to make her marriage to Thomas (Penn) work. The second is Maren (Polley), a young woman stuck in a loveless marriage of convenience. The stories constantly intersect and you begin to see similarities in these two women's lives, despite the fact that they live 130 years apart. The film draws you in with its unique plot, propensity for the unexpected, and wonderful (perfectly subtle and subdued) performances. I highly recommend it.

Candid of the Week

Katharine Hepburn is standing tall... on the shoulders of

Cary Grant (during the filming of "Holiday").

Los Angeles, 1937

Quote of the Day

"There's a name for you ladies, but it isn't used in high society... outside of a kennel."

Joan Crawford as 'Crystal Allen', "The Women", 1939

Performance of the Day

Actor: DON CHEADLE

Film: "Brooklyn's Finest"

Character: Clarence 'Tango' Butler

Year: 2009

Oscar nominee Don Cheadle stars in this gritty, dark drama. The Antoine Fuqua-directed film revolves around three cops; a soon to be retiree (Richard Gere), a financially-troubled father of five (Ethan Hawke), and an undercover officer (Cheadle) who can't seem to remember what side he's on. Cheadle shines, as he usually does, in a very complex role.

Did You Know...

... in 1958, screen goddess Lana Turner's 14-year-old daughter was prosecuted for murder. Turner testified that her boyfriend at the time, Johnny Stompanato, was beating her and when her daughter (Cheryl Crane) tried to intervene, Stompanato was stabbed. In the end, the incident was ruled a justifiable homicide, but not before witnesses claimed that Turner's testimony was the acting performance of her life.

Flick of the Day

Film: AUNTIE MAME

Director: Morton DaCosta

Actors: Rosalind Russell, Coral Browne, Forrest Tucker, Jan Handzlik

Year: 1958

Synopsis: An eccentric divorcee takes in her orphaned nephew.

Rosalind Russell is magnificent in the role of Mame, in this fun, witty comedy. Russell carried this movie and at times, it seemed she was the only one on screen. Her mix of charm and wit is captivating in this 1950s movie gem.

Performance of the Day

Actor: ARI GRAYNOR

Film: "Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist"

Character: Caroline

Year: 2008

This little lady came out of nowhere with her hilarious performance as Norah's best friend, Caroline. When she gets too drunk and wakes up in a van with a bunch of strange guys, Caroline books it and makes her way around Manhattan looking for her lost friends. The best scene (hands-down): Inebriated Caroline drops her gum in a disgusting, clogged Penn Station toilet, fishes it out, and... well you can imagine what she does next. Ughhh!!!

Reincarnations

Scottish actor Kelly Macdonald is the modern day Joan Fontaine. Both possess a quiet beauty and grace on screen... and they look so much alike too. I know someone who'd be perfect to star in a Joan Fontaine biopic.

***Macdonald is best known for her roles in "Trainspotting", "Nanny McPhee", and "No Country For Old Men". Oscar winner Fontaine, a megastar in the 1940s, was best known for "Rebecca", "The Women", and "Suspicion".

Flick of the Day

Film: I HEART HUCKABEES

Director: David O. Russell

Stars: Jason Schwartzman, Dustin Hoffman, Mark Wahlberg, Talia Shire, Naomi Watts, Jude Law, Lily Tomlin, Isabelle Huppert, Isla Fisher

Year: 2004

Synopsis: This independent film stars Jason Swartzman as a man in search of answers to some of the universe's puzzling questions. He seeks the help of a wacky couple (Hoffman and Tomlin) who are self-proclaimed 'existentialists'. The film follows a variety of strange characters, who all find themselves linked to each other in some odd way.

Talk about a great film. I highly recommend that you catch this if you can. Despite the rumors of a difficult director, this project came together beautifully. If anything, check it out to see the hilarious turn of Mark Wahlberg in a surprising role (this had a Best Supporting Actor Golden Globe nomination written all over it).

Skip It

Film: LEGALLY BLONDE 2: RED, WHITE, AND BLONDE

Director: Charles Herman-Wurmfeld

Actors: Reese Witherspoon, Sally Field, Regina King, Luke Wilson, Jennifer Coolidge, Bruce McGill, Alanna Ubach, Dana Ivey, Jessica Cauffiel, Mary Lynn Rajskub

Year: 2003

Synopsis: Elle Woods takes on the US government in her fight for animal rights.

Yea, I know what you're thinking. Sequels usually suck anyway, but I had high hopes for this one. First off, who doesn't love adorable Ms. Witherspoon and secondly, how can you go wrong with Elle Woods. Well, you can go very wrong. To sum it up, this bomb was boring, corny, and Reese wasn't glowing the way she usually is. I'm very disappointed that she would sign up for this, but I am beginning to suspect it had something to do with her reported 15 million dollar payday.

Double Take

Actors Helen Hunt and Leelee Sobieski look so much alike, that many people confuse them, even though they are twenty years apart in age.

***Helen Hunt has starred in a the hit television show "Mad About You" and several films, including "What Women Want", "Pay It Forward", and her Oscar-winning role in Best Picture winner "As Good As It Gets". Lelee Sobieski is best known for her work in "Never Been Kissed", "Joyride", and "The Glass House".

Quote of the Day

"Every time I come in the kitchen, you in the kitchen. In the goddamn refrigerator. Eatin' up all the food. All the chitlins... All the pig's feet... All the collard greens... All the hog maws. I wanna eat them chitlins... I like pig's feet."

John Witherspoon as 'Mr. Jones',

"Friday", 1995

Did You Know...

... before Michael J. Fox took on the role of Marty McFly in the "Back to the Future" trilogy, 80s actor Eric Stoltz was cast. He even filmed a bunch of scenes, all before ultimately being fired by producer Steven Spielberg and director Robert Zemeckis. Apparently, they felt he wasn't 'right' for the part and we completely agree. It's hard to imagine the time-travel blockbuster without the pint-sized Fox.

Performance of the Day

Actor: RICKY GERVAIS

Show: "The Office" (UK edition)

Character: David Brent

Year(s): 2001-2003

Ricky Gervais is not a name known well in the US, but back home in England, he's a comedy God. The man that created the original "The Office" (and it's awesome American counterpart), was pitch-perfect in the role of paper company manager, David Brent (the inspiration for Steve Carell's Michael Scott). On the surface, Brent comes across as an egotistical, obnoxious little man, who constantly has to remove his foot from his mouth. But when you look closer, you realize he's a sweet, sensitive guy, who desperately wants everyone to like him. Gervais reinvented the sitcom with this brilliant comedy.

Flick of the Day

Film: THE NEGOTIATOR

Director: F. Gary Gray

Actors: Samuel L. Jackson, Kevin Spacey, David Morse, Ron Rifkin, Paul Giamatti, John Spencer, Siobhan Fallon, J.T. Walsh

Year: 1998

Synopsis: A wrongfully-accused police negotiator takes an office hostage, to find out who really killed his partner.

This fantastic nail-bitter stars Samuel L. Jackson (in a perfect role) as a police negotiator, who is framed for the murder of his partner. Jackson takes an office full of people hostage, in order to solve the mystery. When the police try to talk him down, he asks for a negotiator (Kevin Spacey in a pre-"American Beauty" role) from another department to help him. This film is wonderfully done by a young F. Gary Gray (only his third project).

Family Ties

"Law and Order: SVU" Emmy-winner Mariska Hargitay is the daughter of 1950s starlet Jayne Mansfield. Mansfield was killed in a car accident when Hargitay was only three-years-old (and in the back seat of the car sleeping).

Did You Know...

... "Beverly Hillbillies" star Buddy Ebsen was originally cast as the 'Tinman' in 1939's "The Wizard of Oz". The makeup was made with aluminum dust, which coated Ebsen's lungs and caused him to be hospitalized with respiratory issues. The role was recast with Jack Haley. Ebsen was furious with being ousted from production and MGM never offered a public reason for the change.

Quote of the Day

"People would be all like, Jane, why do you have a photo of President Garfield on your mantel? And I'd be like, because I like lasagna, of course."

Anna Faris as 'Jane', "Smiley Face", 2007

Performance of the Day

Actor: CYNTHIA NIXON

Character: Janis Donovan/ Burt/Tammi/Dorie

Show: "Law and Order: SVU"

Episode: 'Alternate'

Season: 9 (2007)

Known best for her role as cynical attorney Miranda Hobbes on the hit "Sex and the City", Nixon showed off her acting range in the role of a disturbed woman with multiple personalities. Her ability to switch effortlessly into different characters is amazing and well deserving of the 2008 Emmy (Best Guest Star) she took home.

Flick of the Day

Film: LOVE AND OTHER DISASTERS

Director: Alek Keshishian

Actors: Brittany Murphy, Elliot Cowan, Stephanie Beacham, Santiago Cabrera, Catherine Tate, Orlando Bloom, Gwyneth Paltrow

Year: 2006

Synopsis: An American girl, who's been living in England since she was a teen, tries to play matchmaker to all her friends. The problem is, she's so busy meddling with the love lives of others, that she is oblivious to her own great match.

Sadly, this was one of Brittany Murphy's last films. She was really in her element here. So cute (the costume designer and makeup artist got it SO right) and fun and not at all over-the-top, which got the better of her from time to time ("Just Married" and "Uptown Girls"). Watch for cameos by Orlando Bloom and Gwyneth Paltrow.

Fun Shoots

Muhammad Ali and Michael J. Fox team

up for a poster promoting Parkinson's research

Flick of the Day

Film: DANCES WITH WOLVES

Director: Kevin Costner

Actors: Kevin Costner, Mary McDonnell, Graham Greene, Rodney A. Grant, Wes Studi

Year: 1990

Synopsis: A US solider, left alone to guard an abandoned fort, meets a group of Native Americans and becomes immersed in their ways and culture.

This epic Best Picture Oscar winner is a rare marvel amongst films. Kevin Costner, pulling triple duty (actor, director, producer), scores big with this profound story of a lonely military man who befriends a tribe of Native Americans in Civil War-era America. The scenery and cinematography are spectacular, the script is perfect, the beautiful soundtrack is one of the best EVER, and the acting is tremendous (especially via Graham Greene and Mary McDonnell). If you have the time (it's clocking in at nearly four hours), do yourself a huge favor and see this film. You'll never look at movie-making the same again.

Flick of the Day

Film: WILLOW

Director: Ron Howard

Actors: Val Kilmer, Warwick Davis, Joanne Whalley, Jean Marsh, Billy Barty, Kevin Pollack, Patricia Hayes

Year: 1988

Synopsis: A man must protect a special baby from an evil sorceress Queen.

This fantasy flick, with surprisingly good special effects for the 80s, was a huge hit in it's day. It made a star out of a young Val Kilmer, who plays Mad Martigan, helped usher in Ron Howard as one of the leading directors, and kept producer George Lucas making lots of money.

My Name is...

Jack Palance was actually born...

Candid of the Week

"Back to the Future" Reunion

Lea Thompson, Michael J. Fox, and Christopher Lloyd

share a hug nearly 18 years after the first one was released, 2002

Did You Know...

... James Franco, Busy Philipps, Linda Cardellini, Seth Rogen, Martin Starr, and Jason Segel all got their start on the short-lived 1999 NBC series, "Freaks and Geeks".

Also Lizzy Caplan, Ben Foster, Rashida Jones, Mike White, Alan Covert, Kevin Corrigan, Jason Schwartzman, Joanna Garcia, Shia LeBeouf, Leslie Mann, David Krumholtz, Samaire Armstrong, and Ben Stiller all had bit parts on various episodes.

Flick of the Day

Film: PLANES, TRAINS, AND AUTOMOBILES

Director: John Hughes

Actors: Steve Martin, John Candy, Laila Robins, Michael McKeon, Kevin Bacon, Dylan Baker

Year: 1987

Synopsis: Two men, one an executive, the other a salesman, decide to travel together to get home for Thanksgiving.

Fun Shoots

Heather Locklear gets physical, 1980s

Quote of the Day

Lydia: Revenge? Don't do it... that's in the bible. Although we're only human. I know I am, right? One time I got revenge on someone by putting tuna fish in the a/c vents of her car, but then we ended up carpooling, WHATTTTT!!! So you better be careful because sometimes revenge backfires and you end up with a fish smell. My mouth is dry. Oh, I think my contacts just popped out. Where did you go Mr. Contacts.

Kyle: Lydia, you... you okay?

Lydia: OKAY? I'M GREAT!. I've always wanted to be in a big Hollywood party and now I am. WOOOOOO. Good luck with your revenge.

Megan Mullally and Ryan Hansen as 'Lydia' and 'Kyle', "Party Down", 2010

Where Do I Know You From?

who is this cute little boy?

Fun Shoots

The gang from "The Sopranos" gets serious.

Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Robert Iler, Edie Falco,

Michael Imperioli, James Gandolfini,

and Lorraine Bracco.

Ginger of the Week

Molly Ringwald was born in Roseville, California, the daughter of a homemaker and chef. She started her career as a young child, appearing in several local commercials. When she was 11, she was cast in the first season of "The Facts of Life". Unfortunately, producers decided to take the show in a different direction and Molly was cut from the cast by season two. It wasn't a problem because in 1984, Molly was selected to play 'Samantha' in a new John Hughes-directed teen-comedy called "Sixteen Candles". Before it was even released, Molly was working on "The Breakfast Club" and she skyrocketed to fame as the new 'it' girl of the mid 80s. Her next venture was "Pretty in Pink" and this solidified her place as queen of the teen film, even landing her on the cover of Time Magazine. She later starred in "Fresh Horses", "The Pick-up Artist", and "Betsy's Wedding", but she never again found the kind of success she had once enjoyed. Currently, Ringwald costars in the television show "The Secret Life of the American Teenager" as mother to the main character.

Quote of the Day

"There is no death. There is only a transition to a different sphere of consciousness. Carol Anne is not like those she's with. She is a living presence in their spiritual earthbound plain. They are attracted to the one thing about her that is different from themselves - her lifeforce. It is very strong. It gives off its own illumination. It is a light that implies life and memory of love and home and earthly pleasures, something they desperately desire but can't have anymore. Right now, she's the closest thing to that, and that is a terrible distraction from the real LIGHT that has finally come for them. You understand me? These souls, who for whatever reason are not at rest, are also not aware that they have passed on. They're not part of consciousness as we know it. They linger in a perpetual dreamstate, a nightmare from which they can not awake. Inside the spectral light is salvation, a window to the next plain. They must pass through this membrane where friends are waiting to guide them to new destinies. Carol Anne must help them cross over, and she will only hear her mother's voice. Now hold on to yourselves... There's one more thing. A terrible presence is in there with her. So much rage, so much betrayal, I've never sensed anything like it. I don't know what hovers over this house, but it was strong enough to punch a hole into this world and take your daughter away from you. It keeps Carol Anne very close to it and away from the spectral light. It LIES to her, it tells her things only a child could understand. It has been using her to restrain the others. To her, it simply IS another child. To us, it is the BEAST. Now, let's go get your daughter."

Zelda Rubinstein as 'Tangina', "Poltergeist", 1982