"Lars and the Real Girl" is Not a Foreign Film, and That's Not Why You Should See It

Dear God,

If you haven't already heard about Ryan Gosling's new movie "Lars and the Real Girl" you're probably wondering (just like everyone else) Is that a foreign film? The answer is no. It's not a foreign film. For some, that's probably a relief – maybe even a reason to consider seeing it. This disturbs me, and that's why I'm writing you today.

I love foreign films, but not everyone does. Fine. What bothers me is that there are a bunch of reasons why everyone should see "Lars and the Real Girl" and not one of them is because it's not foreign. What are those reasons, you ask? Good question; I'll give you ten:

1) The Story. It's refreshing and unique. I know, I know, you probably think you've seen it all.
2) The Element of Surprise. Even if you think you know what it's about (yes, even if you've seen the trailer) you'll likely be
surprised.
3) The Cast. Ryan Gosling, Emily Mortimer, Paul Schneider, Kelli Garner and Patricia Clarkson. OK, technically that's five
reasons, but they're all notable and likable and I'm not leaving one of them out! Think of it as a bonus.
4) The Doll. You should meet Bianca. And, the fact that she's a Real Doll (and not an actual person) should not stop you.
5) The "Little Miss Sunshine" Factor. This movie, too, will remind you that you can't escape your family and that maybe,
somehow, that's not such a bad thing.
6) The Writer. "Lars" was written by a woman, and in an age when the head of a major motion picture studio (Jeff Robinov,
President of Production at Warner Bros – yes, I'm naming names) says they no longer plan to make films starring women
we should do what we can to prove that women are capable of producing commercially successful material (material
that's worthy of success, to boot) and, above all else, that this dude's a chump (Sorry for being mean, God, but this stuff
really pisses me off! And, sorry for writing "pisses" just now).
7) The Heart. At the risk of sounding softer than a wheel of room-temperature brie, this movie warmed my heart. In other
words, it's heartwarming. And if that seems like a reason not to see it, your heart's been frozen by the gratuitous
edginess (read: lack of substance) that permeates the so-called-indie film scene today. (Not you, God. I'm sure your
heart is warm and all that. But there may be some cold-hearts reading).
8) The Love. "Lars" is a love story. Not exactly in the conventional sense (see Reason #2), and completely in the
conventional sense.
9) The World We Live In. This movie promotes kindness and understanding. Can we really ever overdo those two? (I
thought you'd like this one, God).
10) The Flaws. Like Lars himself, this movie is not perfect, and I don't want to fool anyone into thinking that's what I'm
trying to say. All I'm saying is it's lovable, and don't we all love something or someone (not naming names this time)
imperfect?

The movie opened last weekend in New York and Los Angeles. But if it's easier for you to wait until it opens a little wider, I understand. You're busy. Just don't forget to tell me what you think once you've seen it.

Yours Really,

Crumpets

The Crumpets Are Ready!!!

God....Here it is...A post by none other than A Crumpet.

The Crumpets Are Almost Out Of The Oven.

Dear God,

A few days ago i woke up and had the most exciting message waiting for me...an email message that is. A crumpet (my sister) had sent me a little flyer requesting that it be given the opportunity to guest blog on my page.
Well, you can imagine my excitement as i was lying there reading the email with my eyes only being able to open half way because i am still half asleep, but that doesn't seem to stop me from checking my crackberry to see how many people have missed me and needed to fill that void by sending me messages (text/email/picture/AIM...it all comes through on my baby bberry)...(god i love that device) while i was asleep.
I told the crumpet that i would be delighted to have it post a blog on my site.
So....Today i am making a new batch of crumpets, i put them in the oven a short while ago...and from the smell of them i think that we will all be enjoying the taste of crumpets very soon.

Ode to Telly

Dear God,

It is the beginning of October...It is my brothers birthday in 7 days. He is moving home to LA in Two Months. I am supposed to be moving home as well around the same time (but we will see if that actually happens). Basically this blog is me asking my brother to come to Chicago to visit before i move away. So if you have an opinion on this idea please comment. But please be on my side and try to help me convince my brother to come see me.

A blog about the fog.

Dear God,

Two nights ago chicago was hit with its first fog. It started off as a simple haze but as the night progressed it got thicker and thicker. My friend Matt was over...We watched Heartbreakers with Sigourney Weaver and Jennifer Love Hewitt (if you haven't seen this movie, you must). He left my house around 2:30 in the morning and when he opened the door to leave we were shocked to see how foggy it had become outside. It was as if we were in some sort of snowglobe; all we could see was half a block down the road.
Matt got onto his bike and road off into the darkness. As I watched him ride off my mind went to all kinds of dark places thinking about the interesting creatures that come out in this kind of darkness. Would Matt be okay? Would he steer clear of the many monsters that lurk as he rode those few bolcks home????

.....He did.

I think my cherry popped!!! Or my water broke.....?????

Dear God,

Well...this is it! My first blog entry. I am feeling a lot of pressure, I mean to tell you the honest truth I just spent about a good hour sitting in front of my computer screen trying to figure out the perfect URL name for this blog. I have always been very apprehensive to start a livejournal or any other form of blog because I just don't think I have anything interesting to write...oh wait...actually I do have a live journal....
.....i just remembered....I think that it was set to private though and it's main function was supposed to be a workout training journal.
Ya...that lasted maybe one week.
I just hate working out, it's as easy as that. I stresses me out and i'll tell you why, it's because if I wake up and say that I am going to go for a run (and then I do)...(go for a run), the entire time I am out there all I am thinking about is what my friends are doing and wonder if they are going to go off and make plans with someone else while I am out on a run and then when I back from my run and start searching for some friend to give me the kind of attention that i need to get through a day I am slapped with the news that my friend is off with someone else having a good time....without me! At this point I usually get the invite to come meet up with them wherever they are, but I never take them up on this offer because at this point I was not an original contributer to the days plans and so now I am just a tag-along (and really...who wants to be a tag-along????). So...that is why I get stressed and why I can never stick to a training program.

I've gained 20lbs. in the past year. I wish I was one of those people who lost weight when they are stressed, I would look great.