Favorite Actresses

Cate Blanchett is one of my favorite actresses in Hollywood and in the theater. I first saw her in Elizabeth and loved the film more so because of her. There is a certain grace and class to her acting skills. Or maybe it's just her demeanor? I love her. I wish I was an Aussie like her, and as tall as her, with skin as fair as hers... I loved her in Elizabeth: The Golden Age, Lord of the Rings, The Talented Mr. Ripley, The Aviator, Babel, and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. I really loved her in The Aviator. She brilliantly played Katharine Hepburn (once Howard Hughes lover), who is also one of my favorite actresses. She got it so right, she got it down to Miss Hepburn's walk. Brilliant.

I've probably read almost every biography and autobiography about the late Katharine Hepburn that was ever published. Don't get her confused with the other famous Hepburn, Audrey Hepburn, because the two are not alike in any shape or form. Katharine Hepburn is my hero. As beautiful as she was, she was just as tough and stubborn and ridiculously courageous, but it only seemed appropriate for her 5'10 frame. She had one hell of an ego. And that's why I admire her so much. Living in a man's world, she had 'balls' big enough for a dozen men to fill. I imagine she would agree with the phrase: No guts, no glory. Her life is a testament to that. My favorite bio is an autobiography that she wrote herself, called "ME". And if you know anything about her, you would assume that it was written not in any chronological order, but just as her thoughts would wonder, she would write it. It was a little confusing at first, but don't try to keep track when and where such and such happened. That'll just ruin the experience. Take it as if she's telling you her story, and accept the repetitive tangents as they are indeed.. repetitive. Very entertaining though. I loved it so much, I bought it. I think I've read it at least two times by now... She's just so amusing!

Another favorite actress: Kate Winslet! Gosh, I love her work. But you know, I didn't like her in Titanic. I don't know why, I just didn't. Well, I didn't really like the film anyway. I still remember the night I watched it. I was in the 7th grade, it was right after my basketball game (we lost), and my mom wanted to watch the movie. So, we went. I fell asleep throughout most of the film; I wasn't into love stories at that time of my life.Anyway, you know what other films I loved her in? Revolutionary Road. Oh. My. Goodness. Probably one of my top 5 films of all time! If you haven't seen it, and is a fan of American Beauty, you'll love it. It was directed by the same guy, Sam Mendes, who is Kate's husband and the father to her children. Brilliant director, brilliant actress... it's a match made in heaven :) She got an Oscar for The Reader, but to be quite honest, I don't think the film was quite Oscar-worthy. Even though the award was for Best Lead Actress and has little to do with the film, I thought her performance in Revolutionary Road was much more impressive than in The Reader. But whatev. Not like my opinion counts anyway.

Sometimes, I wish I was an actress. Maybe a not-so-attractive actress, but maybe a not-so-attractive yet talented actress. That would be pretty friggin awesome.