MOVIE ACTRESSES

I'm so pleased to see that Sandra Bullock's new movie "The Proposal" is doing so well! The movie is a fun, light summer comedy. It's first act is much better than the rest of the movie, but still, it's good for laughs.

I'm also happy as a clam that this summer will bring us movies by Michelle Pfeiffer "Cheri" and Meryl Streep "Julie/Julia". There are not enough well-written movies for any actors, male or female, but at least great actresses like Meryl Streep get to keep working in a time of comic book movies, special effects over kill (Have you seen "The Taking of Pelham 1,2,3? It's dizzying.), and lame story lines.

Speaking of interesting movie roles for women, I rented "Frozen River" the other night and it was very well-written and acted. Melissa Leo was nominated for Best Actress for the Oscars. I believe the script was nominated too. It has some real, heart wrenching, dramatic characters and moments.

When I was growing up, I remember watching strong women actresses like Bette Davis, Joan Crawford, Susan Hayworth, Barbra Streisand, Faye Dunaway, Jane Fonda, Sally Field, Goldie Hawn and others . They made wonderful movies about strong, defiant and remarkable women. Screenwriters wrote powerful roles for them. (Jane Fonda in "Julia", "Klute" and "Coming Home", Meryl Streep in "Silkwood", Sally Field in "Norma Rae", Goldie Hawn in "Private Benjamin". )Where are those type of writers today? Why are some of the most amazing actresses simply out of work or showing up in droves on cable cop shows?

Nia Vardolas of "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" fame said a studio guy told her recently that women don't go to the movies so studios don't make women's movies. She claims this studio suit said the success of "Sex and the City" was a fluke.

Well, no, women do go to the movies, Mr. Studio Bone Head... when they're worth seeing. We may not go every single weekend, but we will pluck down our money for a movie with some intelligence, wit, and originality. "My Life in Ruins" wasn't one of those (Sorry, Nia), so don't go by the success of that movie alone, Mr. Studio Lug Head.

But I digress, I'm thrilled that Sandra Bullock's new movie "The Proposal" is her biggest opening weekend movie ever! Really? Hurrah for over-forty Sandra! All you writers out there -- keep writing your best scripts and keep all those actresses in mind when you do. They need your help! We the moviegoers need your talent! And that studio suit should be fired.

Until next time.