Since I am an actor, I thought I would put my new headshots on here.  They were taken by Dan Plehal.

If you would like to work with me, please contact my agent: http://talentpoole.com/contact_us.wphp

I have been told I look like Thora Birch.

I remember seeing the 1986 film The Boy Who Could Fly in theaters when it came out and on television after that.  After just viewing it again for the first time in awhile, I have some thoughts.

1. It is much cheesier than I remember, and kind of tedious in parts.

2. Milly wears a LOT of layers.  In the sun.  And not always in matching colors.  I think Benetton designed her costumes.

3. This movie has a terrific collection of actors: Colleen Dewhurst, Fred Gwynne, Bonnie Bedelia, Louise Fletcher, Mindy Cohn, Fred Savage, Lucy Deakins, and Jay Underwood.  (Jason Priestley also had a tiny part in it but was hard to see.)

4. While the special effects look a bit silly now, at 8 years old I was pretty impressed by them.

5. The line Fred Savage says toward the end of the film is still darn funny.

6. Jay Underwood seemed to do most of the talking during the commentary.

7.  The writer and director Nick Castle has a very interesting resume.  He also co-wrote Escape from New York, Escape from L.A., and August Rush.  He also directed The Last Starfighter, of which I believe a sequel is in development.  And he played The Shape in Halloween.

8. There is a part where teenagers Milly and Geneva (Lucy Deakins and Mindy Cohn) are getting drunk and watching a music video by the The Coupe De Villes.  This is a made up band including members played by Nick Castle and John Carpenter.

9. I need to have flying dreams again.  Those were fun.

          I think it would be fantastic to see Rachel’s biological mother in future episodes, and to see her be played by Kristin Davis.

Sincerely,

Catmonsters

This is a common fear for parents of any child wanting to go into a career in the arts, but it seems stronger in the midwest for some reason.  I understand this fear that one may not make a living in this profession, but more often than not this fear outweighs the drive to go after your dreams and at least try it. 

I myself am not able to live without knowing where my next paycheck is coming from, but I mostly blame my upbringing.  I have many friends who do not have regular jobs and spend their time auditioning and booking gigs here and there and I really admire that.  It can be done.  And if it doesn’t work out, you can try something else.

Acting is a risky business, it’s true.  But if your child expresses a serious desire to pursue it, I think that you should encourage it in any way you can and not just say “Sure, as long as you have another career to fall back on.”   Children learn from their parents and will never forget this instilled, pounding terror that they damn well better have money coming in.  I think they forget the idea that if they work hard, it IS possible to make their dreams happen.

TRIVIA from last blog: Name 2 unrelated actors who appeared in 2 different films as father and son.

My answer: David Strathairn and Joseph Mazzello in The River Wild and Simon Birch.   Walkingtobars also gave an answer of: Sam Shepard and Ethan Hawke in Snow Falling on Cedars and Hamlet.

Last Christmas I was invited to a Lord of the Rings marathon by a good friend.  (I had seen them before at least once.)  What could have been a very long day at the movies (with the first 2 being extended editions), made for a really nice winter Sunday that my friend and I shared.  I thought I would fall asleep, or get a bladder infection from sitting so long - but none of that happened at all.  I was completely engrossed in the story which was made better having the audience there with me, to cry and cheer at all the same parts.  It was also fun making 3 meals out of movie theater food like nachos, popcorn, candy, pop, hot dogs, and pizza.  My insides were screaming at me at the end of the night, but it was worth it. 

I still remember going home afterwards.  I was thinking about the end of Return of the King and remembering Frodo’s words, and the image of the ship sailing away.  I sang Annie Lennox’s song to myself as I walked up to my apartment in the calm, snowy night.  I looked up and felt peace.

To pay tribute to this wonderful trilogy of films (which is marathon-ing again this same time of year), I am posting the scenes from it which have moved me the most.

THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE TWO TOWERS

Screenplay by Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens

Based on “The Lord of The Rings” trilogy by J.R.R Tolkien.

1

                                 GANDALF
      Théoden, son of Thengel, too long have you sat in the shadows.

[Gríma tries to crawl away unnoticed, but Gimli catches him and pins him to the floor.]

                                     GIMLI
      [Growls] I would stay still, if I were you.

                                     GANDALF
      Hearken to me! I release you from the spell. [Gestures with his hand]

                                     THÉODEN
      [Menacingly] Hahahhhahahahah! [Gandalf opens his eyes in surprise.] You have no power here, Gandalf the Grey!

[Gandalf throws back his grey cloak, exuding blinding white light. Théoden is thrown back against his seat.]

                                     THÉODEN
       Argh!

                                     GANDALF
       [Points his staff towards Théoden.]  I will draw you, Saruman, as poison is drawn from a wound.

[Éowyn rushes in. Seeing her uncle threatened, she tries to go to him but is held back by Aragorn.]

                                     ARAGORN
       Wait.

                                     THÉODEN
       [In Saruman’s voice.] If I go. . . Théoden dies.

[Gandalf moves his staff sharply and Théoden flies back against the chair again.]

                                     GANDALF
       You did not kill me, you will not kill him!

                                     THÉODEN
       [in Saruman's voice] Rohan is mine!

                                     GANDALF
       Be gone!!

[Gandalf smites Théoden as he lunges at him. Théoden is thrown back into the chair and the shot changes to Saruman flying backwards from the Palantír which he used to manipulate Théoden. He lands landing hard on the floor of Orthanc, bleeding from a gash in his forehead.  In the hall, Théoden lets out a moan and slumps forward in the chair. Éowyn runs to her uncle’s side as he falls.  Théoden’s head rises again and his face begins to change gradually into that of a much younger-looking man. Clarity and recognition returns to his eyes.]

                                     THÉODEN
      [Looks closely at Éowyn] I know your face.  Éowyn… Éowyn.

2

                                    GRÍMA
       [Following Saruman] Even if it is breached, it would take a number beyond reckoning, thousands to storm the keep.

                                     SARUMAN
       Tens of thousands.

                                     GRÍMA
       But, my lord, there is no such force.
                         
[Both of them came onto the balcony of the tower. Gríma suddenly sees and hears the  enormous armies laid out below in neat rows and is astounded and awed.  He continues to hold the extinguished candle aloft as he gapes at the vast army below. A horn is sounded, announcing the appearance of Saruman. A loud cheer is heard from the army. Saruman raises a hand.]

                                     SARUMAN
       A new power is rising. Its victory is at hand!

[The army cheers and roars.]

                                     SARUMAN
      This night, the land will be stained with the blood of Rohan! March to Helms Deep! Leave none alive!

[The camera keeps zooming out from the balcony over the incredible size of Saruman’s army, past Uruk-hai, spears, and banners and yet more Uruk-hai. The camera focuses back on Saruman who then raises his hands in the air]

                                     SARUMAN
      To war!!

[The army cheers and roars even louder.]
                   
                                     SARUMAN
       [Sneers] There will be no dawn for Men.
                         
[A tear flows down Gríma’s cheek.  The Uruk-hai army begins their march to Helm’s Deep.]

3

[Arwen is lying on her bed, deep in thought.]

                                     ELROND
       [Coming into her room] Arwen.

[Arwen hears him and sits up.]

                                     ELROND
       Tollen i lû. I chair gwannar na Valannor. Si bado, no círar. (Arwen, it is time.  The ships are leaving for Valinor. Go now… before it is too late.)

                                     ARWEN
       I have made my choice.

                                     ELROND
      He is not coming back. Why do you linger here when there is no hope?

                                     ARWEN
      There is still hope.

                                     ELROND
      [Walks towards window and looks out] If Aragorn survives this war, you will still be parted.  If Sauron is defeated, and Aragorn made king and all that you hope for comes true, you will still have to taste the bitterness of mortality.  Whether by the sword or the slow decay of time, Aragorn will die.

[Arwen sees a vision of her future as Elrond speaks. She is dressed as a queen in mourning garb and looking down upon Aragorn, a crown on his brow, Andúril in his hand, and dead. Mourners are walking around the altar, paying  their final respects. Arwen is weeping.]
                         
                                     ELROND
       And there will be no comfort for you. No comfort to ease the pain of his passing.  He will come to death, an image of the splendor of the kings of men in glory undimmed before the breaking of the world.

[The body of Aragorn is now cast as a monument in stone. Arwen stands before the monument, veiled and in black.]
                         
                                     ELROND
      But you, my daughter, you will linger on in darkness and in doubt. As nightfall in winter that comes without a star. Here you will dwell, bound to your grief, under the fading trees, until all the world is changed and the long years of your life are utterly spent.

[Still veiled in black, Arwen is walking alone through the deserted woods of Lothlórien.]

                                     ELROND
      [Tuning to Arwen] Arwen… there is nothing for you here, only death.
                         
[The vision ends and Arwen weeps with sadness and fear. Elrond comes to sit beside his daughter and raises a hand to her cheek.]

                                     ELROND
      A im, ú-’erin veleth lîn? (Do I not also have your love?)

                                     ARWEN
      [Crying and moving into her father’s embrace] Gerich meleth nîn, ada. (You have my love, father)

 4

[Nighttime, Frodo and Sam are asleep. Gollum is crouching in a corner by himself.]
                         
                                     GOLLUM
      We wants it. We needs it. Must have the precioussss. They stole it from us. Sneaky little hobbitsesss. Wicked, trickssssy, falssse!

                                     SMÉAGOL
      No! Not Master.

                                     GOLLUM
      Yes, precious. False. They will cheat you, hurt you, lie.

                                     SMÉAGOL
      Master’s my friend.

                                     GOLLUM
      [Tauntingly] You don’t have any friends. Nobody likes YOU…

                                     SMÉAGOL
      [Covers his ears] Not listening. I’m not listening.

                                     GOLLUM
      You’re a liar and a thief.

                                     SMÉAGOL
      [Shaking his head] Nope.

                                     GOLLUM
      Mur…derer…!

                                     SMÉAGOL
      [Starts to weep and whimper] Go away.
                         
                                     GOLLUM
      Go away! [Cackles] HAHAHAHA!!

                                     SMÉAGOL
      [Weeping and in a small voice] I hate you. I hate you!

                                     GOLLUM
      [Fiercely] Where would you be without me? *Gollum, gollum*. I saved us. It was me. We survived because of me!
                         
                                     SMÉAGOL
      [Resolute] Not anymore.

                                     GOLLUM
      [Startled] What did you say?

                                     SMÉAGOL
      Master looks after us now. We don’t need you.

                                     GOLLUM
      What?

                                     SMÉAGOL
      Leave now and never come back.

                                      GOLLUM
      No!!

                                     SMÉAGOL
      [Louder] Leave now and never come back!
                         
                                     GOLLUM
      [Growls and bares his teeth] Arrrgh!!!
                         
                                     SMÉAGOL
      LEAVE. NOW. AND. NEVER. COME. BACK!

THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING

Screenplay by Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, Peter Jackson

Based on the Book by J.R.R. Tolkien

1

FRODO walks through BAG END to his STUDY …

                      FRODO V/0
      How do you pick up the threads of an old life? How do you go on, when in your heart you begin to understand. There is no going back. There are some things that time cannot mend. Some hurts that go too deep.  That have taken hold.

ANGLE ON: FRODO . . . from behind. He is HUNCHED over a DESK…

PUSH IN . . . to reveal BILBO’S RED BOOK open on FRODO’S DESK.
He is WRITING in the LAST CHAPTERS …

 2

INT. TOWER HALL, MINAS TIRITH – DAY

FAST PUSH IN . . . to PIPPIN looking on as DENETHOR eats.

                      DENETHOR
      Can you sing, Master Hobbit?

                      PIPPIN
      (uneasy) Well . . . yes, at least, well enough for my own people … but we have no songs for great halls and evil times . . . we seldom sing of anything more terrible than wind or rain.

                      DENETHOR
      And why should your songs be unfit for my halls, or for hours such as these.  Come sing me a song!

PIPPIN’S simple, clear voice echoes through the VAST HALL.

                      PIPPIN V/0
     Home is behind, the world ahead,
     And there are many paths to tread.
     Through shadow to the edge of night
     Until the stars are all alight.
     Mist and shadow, cloud and shade:
     All shall fade, all shall fade.

                                                    INTERCUT WITH:

EXT. PELENNOR FIELDS/OSGILIATH RUINS – DAY

ANGLE ON: SLOW MOTION . . . TRACKING WITH THE 200 MOUNTED KNIGHTS.

ANGLE ON: SLOW MOTION . . . GOTHMOG rises amidst the RUINS of OSGILIATH.

ANGLE ON: SLOW MOTION . . . FARAMIR’S KNIGHTS – 75 yards away -thundering towards camera.

PULL BACK . . . to GOTHMOG . . . he turns to CAMERA and RAISES HIS BOW.

ANGLE ON: SLOW MOTION . . . Behind GOTHMOG – all over the RUINED CITY – 5000 ORC ARCHERS rise to their feet . . . BLACK ARROWS already strung on their BOWS!

CLOSE ON: SLOW MOTION . . . FARAMIR YELLING defiantly.

WIDE PROFILE: SLOW MOTION . . . FARAMIR’S 200 KNIGHTS ride straight into a BLACK WALL of FLYING ARROWS . . .

AS ONE, the HORSES and HORSEMEN collapse into a CARTWHEELING, TUMBLING HEAP . . . within seconds all are MOTIONLESS.

CLOSE ON: NORMAL SPEED . . . FAST CUTS of SCREAMING ORCS . . .

INT. TOWER HALL, MINAS TIRITH – DAY

THROUGHOUT the above sequence DENETHOR has continued to EAT.

ANGLE ON: PIPPIN finishes his bittersweet song . . . he looks up at DENETHOR who continues as if he has not sent his son to his death.

ANGLE ON: PIPPIN turns away, his SORROW etched on his YOUNG FACE …

 3

ANGLE ON: GANDALF and PIPPIN sit on stone steps . . . Both covered in sweat and grime, bone-weary from fighting, spirits and hearts bruised . . .

PIPPIN looks towards the WOODEN GATES at which a NUMBER of SOLDIERS continue to build a BARRICADE . . .

                         PIPPIN
      (quiet) I didn’t think it would end this way . . .

GANDALF looks at the SMALL HOBBIT a beat.

                         GANDALF
      (gently) End? No, the journey doesn’t end here.

PIPPIN looks up at GANDALF, questioningly . . . .

                        GANDALF (cont’d)
     Death is just another path, one that we all must take.

ANGLE ON: GANDALF looks down to see PIPPIN looking up at him with fear in his eyes . . .

                         GANDALF (cont’d)
      (remembering) The grey rain curtain of this world rolls back and all turns to silver glass… (to himself) and then you see it . . .

ANGLE ON: GANDALF breaks off, lost in reverie . . .

                        PIPPIN
      What, Gandalf? See what?

                        GANDALF
      White shores … And beyond . . . A far green country under a swift sunrise.

PIPPIN stares up at the OLD WIZARD’S FACE, softened, quiet and full of peace . . .

                         PIPPIN
      (quiet) Well, that isn’t so bad.

                        GANDALF
      (gently) No . . . No, it isn’t.

“Just Friends” is an awesome movie about kids at a roller rink in Australia.  It is part of a series called Winners meant to illustrate different themes to kids and how they might react to them.  I first saw this film when I was about 7 years old and again when I was 13.  In college I desperately tried to find any information about it (including emailing the folks at Showtime and posting on numerous 80s movie message boards), but to no avail.  All I remembered about it was one character name, 2 lines, and the entire plot.  A few years ago I was fueled by something unknown (BMX Bandits?) and started googling Nicole Kidman.  I came across a film she did called “Room to Move” which was part of Winners.  I scrolled farther down the page and found…the plot of Just Friends.  Soon I received my own copy for Christmas thanks to my good friend Tabitha.

The Plot: Susan, 13 years old, is new in town and hanging out at the local roller rink.  She is noticed by a few people, including Buzz (a punk who wears a light up bow tie) and Julio (whom looks like a Greg to me, and often wears a white shirt and camouflaged pants).  Susan usually wears tank tops over t-shirts in pastel yellow and lavender stripes.  Buzz admires her superior skating skills and flirts with her, even in front of his girlfriend Francine (whom looks like a punk girl scout).  Susan becomes part of the gang with Buzz, Julio, Francine, and Francine’s best friend Mags.  Eventually Buzz and Susan get serious even though he is still kind of with Francine, who hates Susan now.  Susan’s parents dislike her being monogamous at such a young age because Susan’s older teenage sister is pregnant.  Their father also lost his job.  Every now and then, the roller rink holds a big contest to see who the fastest skater is.  In the first race, it is down to Buzz and Susan and he wins (possibly by cheating).  Susan still really wants Francine to like her.  At Mag’s (or Francine’s) birthday party, Francine purposely invites a local skank named Marjorie (who looks like a red-head rebelling from the Lullaby League).  Buzz immediately drops Susan (who is wearing a pink shirt with hearts all over it) and starts drinking and smoking with Marjorie.  Susan whines about this to Francine and Mags, but Mags is drunk and not helpful.  Susan goes over and dumps beer on Buzz which amuses his new girlfriend and impresses his old one.  Susan reconciles with her parents and her sister has the baby.  Julio, who has liked Susan all along, comes over and they bond on a merry-go-round.  Back at the roller rink, Susan is hesitant to go.  Buzz treats her like crap, while still treating Francine like crap, and trying to teach Marjorie to skate.  There is a big race again with Susan vs. Buzz and…Susan wins!  By a long shot.  Francine and Susan become friends and Buzz is seen for the idiot that he is.

Celebrity link: this screenplay was written by Jan Sardi who also wrote Shine (starring Geoffrey Rush). 

Memorable costume: Mags alternates t-shirts that display different members of Duran Duran.

Lines I remembered: “See?  Even Francine hates me.” said by Mags and “I’m not the one who got pregnant!” said by Susan.        

Character I remembered: Francine

Why I like this movie: I’m a sucker for vengeful romance and I like roller-skating.  I like that Susan and Francine realize what a jerk Buzz is and become friends, and I like when Susan kicks his butt in the race – to a really cool song!

TRIVIA:

Name 2 unrelated actors who appeared in 2 different films as father and son. 

(My answer on the next blog.)