I can't lie, 2011 was good to me. I started at a job I love finished my short film, and best of all became a more refined version of myself. It's amazing what a good network of supportive friends and family will do for you. To each of you who somehow played a part in my growth and accomplishments - thank you.
And as another year emerges, so does Movie award season, for which I will largely be anticipating. Screeners will pile in and I will likely be inhaling them in voraciously.
So tell me, what were your movie faces of 2011?

Now that Amanda Knox is home and acquitted of all charges in the Meredith Kercher case, it's time to re-release the movie made about her. 

According to my research (I've been following this case obsessively), the movie  "Amanda Knox: Murder on Trial in Italy" is being updated and will be playing tomorrow in honor of her being home. You'll have to catch it on Lifetime's channel. 

I can't imagine that anyone who is actually close to the Knox or Kercher family even likes this, but for the rest of the world, it's a neatly-packed summary of what happened (sort of). I haven't yet seen the movie, but perhaps I will. I understand that it raised some controversy and made the Kercher family quite mad, because they think it was slanted in favor of Knox - who they were sure was an accomplice to their daughter's murder at the time. 

I'm not so sure. I mean, yeah, she had some inconsistent stories in the beginning, but would you be perfectly poised if your buddy roommate just got murdered in your home and YOU were being accused of it. My heart truly goes out to the Kercher family, I can't imagine the pain and sadness they must feel that there daughter is not only gone, but there are still questions left unanswered. 

However, being happy about Knox being home is not a cardinal sin either. I mean, she's got to be sad about it too - she lived with the woman for months and even hung out. Wasn't Kercher in Knox's company at a concert when Knox met her boyfriend? 

I think for the moment, it's okay to feel glad that the un-guilty are free and at home where they deserve to be. I can only imagine that the next few days she will be re-familiarizing herself with her freedom, her hometown and the world in general again. Same with her ex-boyfriend, I hear when he returned home he just spent time walking around the house reconnecting with everything in his home. It's like you entered your old life, one you thought was gone for good.

Makes you really appreciate your life, eh?

Whenever I hit a writing block, such as I am tonight, I always go to a movie that makes me feel. I write what I feel and sometimes when I put words down, I think to much and stop writing from emotion, and that's what usually puts a wall in front of me. Tonight I searched for Up and that unforgettable four minutes where there is no dialog, only pictures and music. And within that four minutes and 21 seconds, I giggle, dote on and get welled up with tears. 

Why?

Because in a series of four minutes, I met a couple in love, excited for their life together. In four minutes I saw this husband and wife make a home for themselves, plan to have a family, and cope with the devastation that they may never come. And still they move forward and plan to take the vacation of their lives, and they save, and then get a set back, and save and get a set back. Until the two are old and gray and by the time Carl plans their trip, Ellie is gone. (I am tearing up just typing it.)


Did I mention that in this four minutes none of the characters are talking, only showing? It's okay, I'm sure you cried watching this too. And if not this movie, maybe Toy Story 3, or if you're a real hard ass  maybe Armageddon? Which movies made you both laugh and cry, I'm curious to know.

It would appear that for the past month, this newly minted 30 year old has just been sitting on her ass, ignoring her responsibilities like this blog.  
And actually that is partly true. With my not-so-new-anymore job and my long drive to get there, it 's tough to find time to sit and write when I just came back from writing for 8 hours. It's a pity party, and I know, it's pathetic. I am just one big fat horrible, lying blogger who has let you down. And I know that all three of you reading this will someday forgive me because, well, you like me, and you know that I rarely leave my good ole blog. 
I just wanted to peek out and say hello, stretch my limbs and get back to business. 
Much love.

Okay, it's a little cheesy, I'll admit, but the urge to play host to a film festival was just too strong. So humor me if you will as I try to channel my inner Ryan Seacrest.This day, I went with my boyfriend and a few others friends to see a movie called "The Future" by Miranda July. You may know this film maker from her last movie "Me and You and Everyone We Know". If you haven't already seen either of these films , you should. July, is both an actor and writer/director for these films for which have a subtle humorous look at human idiosyncrasies.

In "The Future" Sophie and Jason give themselves 30 days to venture into what they really want to do instead of what pays the bills. The window of "opportunity" opens when their cat is hospitalized and they realize once she's back, they'll need to return back to normalcy (a real when the cat's away the humans come out to play). But as life usually has it, nothing goes to plan, and before long Sophie and Jason change their paths completely and lose sight of the passion they began with.

This movie really puts in focus the "what if" hypothetical we always seem to ponder: what if I changed my course in my youth, if I could go back in time. And what may just be the easiest pill to swallow is that no many how many times you try to play it or how differently, at the end you'll always be you and whether through fate or God or Universe, the "you" in the equation may have put you right where you are presently. Or so movie subtly begs the question. 

"The Future" will be in select theaters on July 29th.

Skincare is admittedly something I gave little attention to until recently. Not only am I harangued by my blogger friend GetUnUgly to wear sunblock and do things like put honey on my face for moisture, but I'm also a real advocate for health and holistic wellness. SO when I got invited to Evolue's Skin Deep Cosmetics event, I was interested in finding out what options were available to me and what I should NOT buy.

I learned that chemicals and other such toxins can exist in your face wash, moisturizers and other beauty products. So to raise awareness on how to "go green" on your personal care products, Evolue - skincare store - hosted the authors of the book "No More Dirty Looks" Siobhan O'Connor and Alexandra Spunt. There was lots of cool samples and people who were like me: concerned about how to take care of their health and the environment all in one. 

Katy Clark - a finalist from the Food Network's Star program - was in attendance. She was mixing up some very tasty (and healthy!) fresh juice and posing for pictures with people like me.

The event was free but suggested a $20 donation. In return you got a reusable bag, tons of samples of green products and the awareness we should all have: protect your skin. It's terrible the damage that the sun or the toxins in our products can have on our lovely faces (read about chef Giada's brother who died from melanoma).

If you're looking for more info on how to keep your skin protected and clean, check out my friend's blog at www.getunugly.com. 

I am now less than a month away from 30. THIRTY. 3-oh! And as I hit this milestone in life, I can't help but think about all that's under my belt now that I'll be a woman in her thirties.

By 30 I wanted to be: confident, less concerned about how others perceived me, aware of my strengths and weakness, and surrounded by genuinely good people. I believe that I already possess these, at 29 and 11/12. I am pleased to be working at a job I really like, making my mark as a writer and film maker, and dating the coolest guy ever. I am not where I thought I'd be, when I was say 18, but I definitely feel like I'm actually doing what I want. Sure, I don't have the house in Fiji yet, but I don't necessarily think that'd make me happy by itself. 

As I head into the age I've always wanted to be, I feel aware of who I am, what I want, and what I am not. It's so much less stressful than being a frantic self-conscious 21-year old.

But the 20s were fun, and I'll miss filling out the forms and claiming to be 25-29, or "in my 20s" as I once had before (does anyone remember my Myspace name "Twentysomething"?). I'm ready to enter a new era of my life, though I don't expect I will change very much. I'll still be the same goofy-grinned, enthusiastic writer you've known for years. I can't wait to see what the next decade brings!

A pure example of why I like to be BEHIND the camera! You'll be happy to know that it only took me 5 takes for a non-speaking 10 second spot!

Think this acting reel should be sent to an agent?