Wicked

I finally got to see Wicked at the Pantages yesterday. (I know Esther's probably rolling her eyes thinking, "It's 2009 and you hadn't seen Wicked YET?!!!) My book club read Gregory Maguire's book back in 2004 and we were stoked to go see the musical coming soon to the Pantages--but never got around to it.

Tonight is Wicked's final performance at the Pantages--it moves up to San Francisco for a year or two. And my sister Laurie and brother-in-law Dennis are in Los Angeles to supervise the move! That seemed like as good an excuse as any to finally catch the hit musical before it left L.A. once more.

The Pantages Theatre is this old gorgeous art deco theater where, if what's on stage isn't keeping your interest, you can be mesmerized by the ornate ceiling. Thanks to my sister's connections, we were able to score great seats--just ten rows back from the stage. I think the balcony would have given us a better perspective of the spectacle, but (except for the idiot "lovebirds" in front of me who were leaning into each other and blocking my sight line...) we had a great view of the stage.

Eden Espinosa and Megan Hilty, who originated the roles of Elphaba and Glinda in the Los Angeles production of Wicked were on hand to close out the L.A. run of the show. Dennis informed us that we were in for a treat with Espinosa, who--other than Idina Menzel who originated the role--was the best of the actresses who had performed the roloe of Elphaba. He wasn't kidding. Espinosa's voice was wonderful. Clear, crisp and strong--she enunciated so well it made the complex lyrics easily understandable.

Hilty also did an outstanding job although her part in the opening number "No One Mourns the Wicked" was overshadowed by the chorus. I've never seen Kristin Chenoweth's portrayal of Glinda, but from watching her as Olive Snook on Pushing Daisies and then seeing Hilty's performance, it's easy to see how Chenoweth defined the role of the Good Witch of the North. Hilty's portrayal of Glinda seemed to be a lot of Kristin Chenoweth--with a bit of Kristen Wiig thrown in for good measure in my opinion...

The Los Angeles production also featured Carol Kane in the role of Madame Morrible and she was exceptional. For those of you wondering where Latka Gravas' SO ended up, there's your answer!

The musical is not quite as dark as the book and is quite funny at times. It ties in more of the standard mythology from the movie version than did the book and, in typical Broadway musical fashion, has a happy ending that the book did not. I guess that's to be expected--you want people to leave the theater humming the score, not sobbing and depressed. Although, the score and songs aren't quite as "catchy" as something from a Lloyd Webber production...

(I don't quite understand, however, how you can depict a magical land with animals who talk and monkeys that fly and wizards and witches--good and bad--and yet a green girl is considered "weird"...)

The set was stunning. After the show, Laurie and Dennis took us backstage to look around. We got to see the amazing wardrobe up close. The details of each costume were exquisite! Laurie said they cost thousands of dollars apiece. We peered into the orchestra pit and Dennis showed us the trapdoor where Elphaba reappears after "melting" and all the wiring and such that goes into making a magical musical.

It was a wicked good time!

Effortless Grace

Sarah Kaufman wrote a wonderful article for the Washington Post about the absolute perfection of physical expression of actor Cary Grant.

"Grant's dark beauty, cultured diction and gift for comedy are unmistakable. But what I find most fascinating about him -- and I believe it's the reason he is as watchable now as he was all those decades ago -- is his physical grace, an effortlessness that borders on the surreal.

It's always there, in every role, in the way he walks, the way he slips a hand into his pocket, the way he stands, with his shoulders melting just a bit toward the co-star his character is invariably secretly in love with."

It's a really well-written piece. Read it and rent North by Northwest to see what she's talking about. You won't be disappointed!

Ugly Betty - Dress for Success

Last night's episode of Ugly Betty was probably one of my favorites. Tightly written, full of tension and drama. Plus it had Bernadette Peters and Nikki Blonsky. Both of the musical performers played thorns in Betty's side--Peters as Jodie Papadakis, the person running the YETI (Young Editors in Training) program and Blonsky as Teri, an assistant at rival Elle magazine.

Betty's feeling the squeeze between participating in the YETI program and maintaining family ties. When she blows off a YETI mixer to attend to family obligations, she is chastised by Jodi who threatens to kick her out of the program. Tasked with making 40 new contacts, she appeals to Marc for help.

Reminded of how Betty helped him get into the YETI program in the first place, Marc takes Betty out to a hot club to network. After she spends 20 minutes chatting up a caterer, Marc gives her lowdown on how to efficiently network and tells her, "You're a mean, not so lean, networking machine." Marc leaves the "Bettinator" to contact making--the Terminator special effects were a nice touch.

With only one contact left to make, Betty meets Teri--a seemingly kindred spirit who admits that she hates networking. But when Betty excuses herself to use the ladies room, she leaves her Blackberry behind for Teri to access.

On it, was the info about the super special Halston fireworks dress that was to be worn by Keira Knightley on Mode's next cover. When Betty goes to pick up the dress, she's told it's already been picked up. By Betty Suarez. The representative at Halston even produces Betty's business card as proof. The "Betty" who picked up the dress, however, had a pink stripe in her hair just like Teri.

Betty has to slink back to Mode and explain what happened to a murderous Wilhelmina and a disappointed Daniel. "I thought she was my friend!" Betty says. "Friendship is the oldest trick in the book!" Willie counters.

Meanwhile the love quadrangle between Willie, Connor, Molly and Daniel has been heating up. Willie shows Daniel the security recording of the encounter between him and Molly. But instead of blackmailing him, she gives him the disc--and some advice. She tells him he owes it to himself to see if there is a future for him and Molly. (Of course a future for Daniel and Molly leaves Connor free for Willie...)

Willie invites Daniel to her super elite cocktail where she will pull Connor aside so Daniel can get some alone time with Molly. Daniel poses the question to Molly, but her response is to ask Connor if they can leave the party because she isn't feeling well. Molly ends up interrupting what almost was a moment between Connor and Willie.

At Hilda's big launch party for the reopening of the new and improved Beautilities, Betty realizes that her catering contact could help her recover the missing dress. Much to Hilda and Ignacio's chagrin, she leaves Hilda's party in order to retrieve the dress and her reputation. The caterer lets Marc and Betty into Elle where they infiltrate "the closet" and locate the dress hanging on a mannequin.

With Teri hot on their heels, they escape with the dress--mannequin and all--and show up with it at Willie's door. The coveted dress allows them access to Willie's exclusive party, where Betty chooses to ignore Hilda's calls in favor of sucking up to Jodie Papadakis.

Willie and Daniel commisserate over losing out on Connor and Molly respectively, but when Daniel goes home he finds Molly waiting for him. She admits that she has feelings for him and that she broke up with Connor. Connor shows up at Willie's for a bit of consoling.

And while Daniel and Molly and Connor and Willie were sucking face, Betty arrives home to find the house empty. Checking her cell phone, she sees a whole slew of messages from Hilda. It seems while Betty was hobnobbing with celebs at Willie's soiree, Ignacio was rushed to the hospital due to a heart attack.

The Fall Guy

Although this script could use some work, I think the opening works brilliantly. It opens with action, sets up the story to follow and pretty much clues the audience in to what the movie is about in just a little over two pages:

EXT. HAIGHT STREET - EVENING

A YOUNG COUPLE, late 20s, exits a club. ALLEN, unassuming
CPA type, and KATEY, attractive in a smart way. Music and
laughter seep out into the night.

There is an awkwardness between them. He attempts an upbeat
air, wondering if he should reach for her hand. Her arms
pull her wrap tightly around her shoulders indicating this
is not a good idea.

ALLEN
So, what did you think? Pretty hip
and happening place, huh?

She nods her head without enthusiasm.

ALLEN (CONT'D)
How 'bout next time we hit the
Paradise Lounge?

She stops, standing in front of an alley. He stops and walks
back to her. She takes a deep breath.

KATEY
Look, Allen--you're a really nice
guy, but--

A DARK FIGURE leaps out from the alley. Dressed in black,
from ski mask pulled over the face to the canvas high top
sneakers, he strikes a menacing pose.

Katey gives a little scream. Allen moves protectively towards her.

MUGGER
Give me your money and no-one gets
hurt.

Katey cowers next to Allen. She holds out her purse.

Allen steps in front of her and stands tall.

ALLEN
Listen asshole--if you want my money,
you're gonna have to take it from me!

The mugger moves forward and throws a punch.

Allen neatly deflects it. He throws a series of quick
jabs--solar plexus, face and then a solid jab to the chest
that lays the mugger flat out on the ground.

Allen turns to check on a stunned Katey.

ALLEN (CONT'D)
Are you okay?

Katey nods in a daze. Allen puts his arm around her and
leads her past the incapacitated mugger. They turn the corner
and walk into a parking lot.

Allen presses the autolock button on his key ring and unlocks
his waiting red Audi. He opens the door for Katey and helps
her into the car. As he goes to shut the door, he notices
his bare wrist.

ALLEN (CONT'D)
Damn, my watch must have slipped off
while I was beating up that mugger.
(to Katey)
You wait here--keep the doors locked.
I'll be right back.

KATEY
You can't go back there--forget about
the watch! I'll buy you a new one.

ALLEN
No, I have to get it. It was a
graduation gift from my grandfather.
It's...sentimental value.

KATEY
Please--be careful!
Allen nods his head grimly and shuts her door. He presses
the autolock and strides back to the alley.

EXT. ALLEY - MOMENTS LATER
BOBBY has removed the ski mask removed revealing an unruly
mop of dark brown hair and dark brown eyes. He is sitting
up, stretching his neck with a hand on his chin.

A SHADOW falls across his face. He looks up and sees Allen
looming in the alley opening.

Allen reaches into his coat, pulls out his wallet and takes
out a hundred dollar bill. He hands it to Bobby.

ALLEN
Thanks, man!

Bobby takes the bill and gives him a salute.

Allen puts his wallet back into his coat and pulls out his
watch. He fastens it onto his wrist and, giddy, almost skips
back to his car.

My Top Ten Favorite Movies of 2008

These may not all be Oscar-worthy, but they rank as the ten movies I enjoyed watching most in 2008.

In no particular order:

1. Slumdog Millionaire - Gorgeous, gripping and ultimately feel-good. Devl Patel is an extremely engaging underdog and Danny Boyle manages to capture the cacaphonous exotic beauty of India and its people.

2. The Fall - This movie had Tarsem Singh's gorgeous visuals and the delectable Lee Pace, but it also had an engrossing story (and story within a story) and a completely natural child actor Catinca Untaru.

3. Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day - Sadly this little gem of a movie will miss out on much deserved Oscar love due to the gnat-sized attention spans of the Academy. Great performances by Frances McDormand, Amy Adams, Lee Pace and Ciaran Hinds along with exquisite costumes and production design made this charming little movie an absolute delight to watch.

4. Tropic Thunder - There were a lot of good comedies released in 2008, but Ben Stiller's send-up of the action movie genre--and Hollywood in general--was by far the funniest. Whether it was Robert Downey Jr's delusional divo or Danny McBride's trigger-happy special effects guy or Tom Cruise as a grotesquely profane studio exec, Stiller and company pulled no punches. The action sequences were top-notch as well.

5. Iron Man - I was dubious about Robert Downey Jr. being cast as an comic book action hero, but the dissolute and sardonic Tony Stark fit Downey Jr. like a glove. Or more accurately like the armored suit the superhero wears...

6. BIGGER, STRONGER, FASTER* - Chris Bell's documentary on the use of anabolic steroids manages to be both topical and personal, educational and entertaining.

7. The Visitor - Richard Jenkins gives a subtly nuanced performance as a reclusive professor whose life is shaken up by two immigrants living in his apartment and Haaz Sleiman is a delight as the catalyst that inspires Jenkins' character to find the music in his heart and life.

8. WALL*E - Given the hyperbole and high expectations for this latest Pixar release, it would be easy to have been disappointed. But the charming movie about a sweet-natured robot who falls in love manages not only to meet all expectations, but to exceed them--and offer a little ecology lesson as well.

9. Ghost Town - It's hard to imagine Ricky Gervais as a romantic leading man who sweeps you off your feet--but as the awkwardly misanthropic dentist who can see dead people, Gervais manages to be quite beguiling in this quirky romantic comedy. Tea Leoni is no slouch either.

10. RocknRolla - Guy Ritchie's back with another Cockney gangster flick. Gerard Butler is great as a lovable thieving bloke and Tom Wilkinson is dependably fabulous, but Toby Kebbell steals the movie with his turn as the title character.

The Top Ten Keywords

In the eighteen months since I began this blog, I've been amused and amazed at some of the searches that have landed here. The most consistent keywords over this time period have been:

1. GAP Rewards

2. August Rush soundtrack

3. King of California soundtrack

4. Best of Craigslist

5. Stella Louise (Nice to know I'm in the top ten!!!)

6. Stella Louise Facebook

7. Biotherm Rides Repair

8. GAP Rewards points (They really should hire me to blog for them...)

9. Well Above Average

10. Hollie Nell blog (Whoohoo Hollie--you made the top ten!)

"Mark Cuban shirtless" inexplicably is number twelve on the list. Poor "Tom Bergeron shirtless" isn't even close at number 36. But both guys beat out "Mika Brzezinski nude"--which lands at 39.

Desperate Housewives - Home is the Place

It's back: the drama, the deceit, the desperate housewives.

Yay!

Nice casting addition in last night's episode with Joanna Cassidy playing Andrew's future monster-in-law. Bree definitely had her hackles raised by the boozy barmaid whose idea of family relations is to call dibs on major holidays. As the two one up each other for control over their sons' lives, Bree "outbids" Melina by buying Andrew and Alex the house down the street.

The writers skirted the Gale Harold motorcycle accident by having Jackson "appear" via phone calls to Susan. Susan, bored without Jackson around, spies on Lee and Bob fighting. When Lee confronts her, she counters by telling him "If you're interested, I have dirt on Bree!" She manages to finagle her way into going clubbing with Lee that evening. "You might want to pule on the makeup," Lee tells her. "Drag queens get their first drink free."

As they party at the club, Susan gets another phone call from Jackson--this time he tells her about a new job he was offered in a new town and asks her to move in with him. Susan confides this to Lee as well as the fact that she often sabotages her relationships. After a night of carousing, Lee and Susan end up in bed together.

Later Lee assures Susan that nothing happened. "Yo, gay here! Listening to opera in a kimono?" Susan is relieved that she hasn't sabotaged yet another relationship, but Lee--in a rare tender moment--advises her to hold off on moving in with Jackson.

And so that probably ends Gale Harold's run on Desperate Housewives.

Now that Carlos' sight is restored, Gaby wants him to get a real job making real money. Especially after she finds out he quit his massage gig at the country club. "Now that I can see, " Carlos explains, "naked people are gross." When Gaby runs into Bradley, a former colleague of Carlos', she thinks she has the perfect solution in the form of a six-figure income with perks. Carlos has other ideas and announces that he's gotten a job working with the blind.

Gaby arranges a dinner party so that Bradley can convince Carlos to take the job. But Bradley's bitter wife Maria does a better job of convincing him not to. Later Carlos and Gaby argue over the money situation with Gaby winning and a whipped Carlos making the call to accept the job offer.

How long 'til this blows up in Gaby's face? And isn't workaholic Carlos the reason she had the affair with John the underage gardener in season one?

Preston is still posing as Porter until Penny outs him in front of Lee the lawyer. Lee gives Lynette and Tom two days to locate Porter before he is forced to report what he knows to the authorities. Lynette notices Preston talking to someone on his cell phone and grabs it from him and redials the number. On the other end, Porter hangs up on Lynette and Preston claims he has no knowledge of his twin's whereabouts and refuses to help Lynette track him down. He tells Lynette that Warren Schilling threatened to kill Porter.

Later Lynette explains to Preston that as a mother, she has a primal instinct to protect her children--even if it means running Warren Schilling down with her car. Preston relents and pleads with Porter to talk with Lynette. As she begs Porter to come back home--promising to protect him from Warren Schilling--the phone is removed from Porter's hand.

Turns out the runaway is with Lynette's mom, Stella (Polly Bergen), who is dubious about Lynette's support given how she was treated.

And the Dave drama has finally reached a boiling point with our favorite vengeful schizo in full melt-down mode. While Roberta and Karen stake out Dr. Heller's office to get the skinny on the psycho, Dave calls in for a prescription refill. Too bad they end up leaving the office after finding the doctor has disappeared and before hearing the receptionist talking to a "David Dash" who resides on Wisteria Lane.

Edie is mystified by Dave's odd behavior and when she finds him talking to himself in the middle of the night, she confronts him. He admits being married before and tells her that his wife died. Rocked by this news, Edie kicks Dave out. As he walks down Wisteria Lane, suitcases in hand Karen McCluskey witnesses his leaving.

Um, why wouldn't he be driving away? Or call a cab? Who walks down the street carrying suitcases?

Maybe he's going to move in with his pal Mike Delfino?

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

I had planned on seeing Will Smith's Seven Pounds today. But time constraints ruled that out and I ended up seeing The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. I wasn't really up for it, but I figured if Hollie liked it, it must be okay.

And frankly, it was everything I expected it to be. Not bad. Not great. Basically a rehash of Forrest Gump.

Take one simple naif, southern setting, voiceover narrative, strong mother figure, improbably romantic interest, odd characters met along the way, impressive use of CGI--well, if you've seen Forrest Gump, you've seen Benjamin Button.

The only twist on the story is that Benjamin Button ages backwards. It's an interesting wrinkle (no pun intended) -- but it amounts to nothing in the story. At first I thought it might be the illumination of the adage that "youth is wasted on the young." But whether Benjamin is a seven year-old in a seventy year-old body, or sixty year-old in the body of a twenty year-old, he remains the same throughout. Despite his travels and the many different people he encounters along the way, he is still a cipher.

Blank slate. Tabla rasa. Devoid of presence and personality.

With the opening anecdote about clockmaker Mr. Gateau and his clock that ran backwards--along with the numerous images of clocks throughout the film--perhaps Benjamin Button is a demonstration of the artifice of time. While of course we experience the cycles and rhythms of day and night and the changing of the seasons, the seconds, minutes and hours that our lives are broken into are a man-made constraint.

No matter what the thematic purpose of the film may have been, I was left scratching my head as to what it all meant. All 2 hours and 40 minutes of it! While beautiful to watch, the pace did drag at times and I'm sure at least 30-40 minutes could have been cut without any great loss to the story. There wasn't much of a story per se: Benjamin is born old, abandoned to be raised by the nurturing Queenie (a terrific Taraji P. Henson), grows younger, goes to sea, goes to war, comes back home, reunites with Daisy, leaves Daisy, regresses to childhood and infancy and dies.

Blah, blah, blah. The end.

Blanchett and Pitt are gorgeous to watch and there are some great supporting performances. In addition to Henson--who was a marvel in Hustle and Flow and a force of nature in Talk to Me--Tilda Swinton makes an appearance as one of Benjamin's lovers, Elle Fanning plays the young version of Daisy and Mahershalalhashbaz Ali plays Queenie's husband, Tizzy. (I spent hours trying to figure out where I knew him from. Finally it hit me--Richard Tyler from The 4400!)

If you loved Forrest Gump (I didn't) and you love Brad Pitt, then this is definitely the movie for you. But if you want to see something more unique, with more emotional resonance, skip this pretty but empty time waster and go see Slumdog Millionaire instead.

Slumdog Millionaire

I knew I couldn't possibly list my favorite movies of 2008 without seeing this film. Not only has it garnered raves from the critics (including appearing at number one on Peter Travers of Rolling Stone's best of list), but Linz McC gave it her seal of approval as well.

Having recently seen several movies (Doubt, Frost/Nixon) where the goodness of humankind is highly questionable, I was touched and heartened by Danny Boyle's sappy little love story.

Okay, maybe "sappy" isn't quite the right word for a film that can be quite brutal and violent (this IS a Danny Boyle movie we're talking about!), but you definitely root for underdog (aka "Slumdog") Jamal to triumph against all odds--to win the million dollars (or more accurately $410,000), to win the girl, to live happily ever after.

Apparently Danny Boyle secretly wants happy endings as well. Despite the bleak Sunshine (which arguably had a happy ending for earth--if not the crew of the Icarus II) and his other grim fare, Boyle pulls out all stops for Slumdog Millionaire--including a Bollywood style dance number at the end.

His affinity for conveying the color and squalor of India was amazing. In that aspect, the film reminded me a lot of the brilliant City of God. Jamal's (a completely sympathetic Dev Patel) interactions with the police inspector (the always wonderful Irrfan Khan) was reminiscent of another favorite film of mine, The Usual Suspects. Indeed, the interrogation is merely a plot device to flashback to vignettes of Jamal's life as his memories provide the proof of how he knew the answers to the game show questions.

From witnessing his mother's brutal murder to landing in a so-called orphanage run by a character who makes Dickens' Fagin look like Mother Theresa, to losing and then finding and then losing and finding again the love of his life, Jamal weaves a colorful and complex tapestry as he relates his tale. Unlike the tapestry woven by Verbal Kint in The Usual Suspects, Jamal tells the truth.

Boyle's unique sense of style is evident throughout. The juxtaposition of tense game show drama as Jamal sweats it out under the lights against to his torture at the police station, draws us into the story of the 18 year-old orphan from Mumbai poised to win the top prize on India's version of the ubiquitous game show. It doesn't hurt that all the actors and acting is top notch, the visuals and editing are sublime and the soundtrack completely enhances the viewing experience.

I'm happy to see it's up for four Golden Globe awards. Perhaps that will raise the film's profile so that it justifiably gets the audience it deserves. As of now, this little gem hasn't earned what the pitiful dreck of Marley and Me made during its opening weekend.

Talk about a slum dog!

Real Life "Heroes"

While Hiro and company have been on hiatus, I happened to read a great article in a recent issue of Rolling Stone magazine by "normal" (and I use that term loosely) folk who have been inspired by comic book superheroes. Unlike Tim Kring, who channeled his comic book fetish into a hit NBC show, these people actually pull on a pair of tights and go out and fight crime.

Sounds like the plot of a Ben Stiller movie, right?

It is pretty comical, but just when you're about to write the assorted characters off as crazy or weirdos playing dress-up, the article manages to showcase the generosity, philanthropy and just plain good-heartedness of the "superheroes."

Best Line EVER

In an online discussion at washingtonpost.com, Neil Patrick Harris gave the perfect answer to a chatter who asked:

"So what do you think happened to Doogie? Did he grow up, buy a Porsche and start a family practice in the suburbs?"

Harris' response:

"He probably developed an addiction to painkillers and wanders around with a cane at some hospital somewhere..."

Hysterical.

I thought my brother David who is a fan of both shows would get a kick out of that...

Turning Over a Fresh Page...and a New Leaf?

It's January 1st. Time to clear out the old and make way for the new: fresh starts, new beginnings, changed plans and different paths.

For the week until we relapse back into same-old, same-old.

Before I set my intentions for 2009, let's look back and see how I did in 2008:

1. Make more money - I succeeded here, but I'm also working way more hours. Sigh.

2. Find a new place to live - Almost crossed this one off the list, but unfortunately I'm back to square one. Hopefully I'll be able to cross it off my 2009 list soon, but I break another 2009 resolution: "Don't kill obnoxious neighbor."

3. Get out and meet more people - Well, if the people from my new job count, then I've aced this resolution. Unfortunately I spend so much time working I don't have time to hang with any people other than my co-workers.

4. Read more - I managed an average of a book a month (even more!) for a while there. I need to find a way to squeeze this back into my schedule. I've only managed a handful of pages of Anathem so far...

So for 2009:

1. Find a new quiet place to live in Santa Monica SOON!

2. Accumulate less STUFF - I'm going to try to recycle more and buy used (especially furniture and appliances) wherever possible. It will be hard to scale back my clothing habit (I think I've given or thrown away more clothes than most people wear over a lifetime...), but I'm definitely going to work towards buying less.

3. Be a better friend - I have some good people in my life, but haven't been all that great at keeping in touch. I'm going to try to do better in 2009.

What are your goals for this brand new year?

Not Quite So Flexible

As we speed headlong into 2009, I find myself in a tizzy over unfinished business from 2008.

Namely, my flexible spending account.

I've never had one of these before, but I figured with my monthly prescription co-pays and regular lab tests and check-ups it would be a great way to put aside some tax-free funds for medical expenses.

The FSA can also cover OTC meds like pain reliever or cough drops as well as my contact lens cleaner and solution. What's not to like?

I did a pretty conservative estimate of my monthly expenses, but come end of December I found I was over $150 short of spending my funding.

Not good.

One problem was that I estimated my monthly prescriptions (which could cost about $100/month), but I didn't realize I had a $150 brand name prescription deductible. When I found that out in mid-November, I figured I could wait out the calendar year and just meet the deductible in 2009. No sense in paying the $150 in November then again in January, right?

Unfortunately, I also didn't figure on the lab work I got done in November STILL not being billed or my dental appointment that I squeaked in days before the end of the year being covered 100% with no co-pay.

Drats!

So, with a week or so left in the year I had two options: get my prescriptions refilled or lose my money.

To do that, I had to overcome two obstacles. One, getting one of my prescriptions credited toward my deductible and two, getting two other prescriptions pre-authorized by my insurance.

I called the pharmacy division of my insurance about both issues. They said my doctor had never submitted a pre-authorization request and they offered to fax the form to her office. This was over a week ago. Then they checked my prescription that hadn't been credited to my deductible and said that I needed to get the pharmacy to re-process it.

I went to the pharmacy to pick up another prescription and asked them to re-submit the claim for the uncredited prescription.

They had no idea how to do that.

Meanwhile, my doctor's office STILL hadn't put through the pre-authorization. I called yesterday and asked them to call the 800 number where they would complete the process while the doctor was on the phone.

Meanwhile, I had given the number of the pharmacy division to my pharmacist and he managed to get my other prescription credited to my deductible. So that makes over $40 applied with less than $110 to go.

No problem.

Unfortunately, there was still no pre-authorization from my doctor's office. I called AGAIN and BEGGED them to call the 800 number. The confused front desk person said they'd already faxed the prescriptions to my pharmacy.

Yes, I said. But they can't FILL the prescriptions without the pre-authorization and for that you need to call the pharmacy division of my insurance!

Now I have the someone from my doctor's office calling me to ask me why I need the Humalog pens and pen needles, how often I use it, etc. I explain it's more portable and easier to use and when you have to inject yourself with insulin 3-5 times a day, anything that makes the process EASIER is a good thing. The doctor's office called back to say they should get a fax as to whether or not the pre-authorization was approved within a half an hour and they'd call to let me know.

They didn't so I called the pharmacy division at 2 pm to see if the pre-authorization had gone through. It had.

Whew!

Then I went to my pharmacy to pick up my prescriptions. I had the pharmacy assistant run each through in order that the deductible be met with the minimum amount possible. The syringes were $26. The Lantus $86.

That totals $112 and I only need $110. Bingo! This means the pen needles, Humalog pens and One Touch test strips each get filled at the $25 co-pay.

The only problem: the Lantus isn't in stock. Which means my grand total comes to $101. I'm $88 short and there are only 7 hours left in 2008.

I file my claims online to make sure my math is right. I find another $22 spent at drugstore.com that's eligible. And I have a little over $20 in receipts yet to come. (I have until March to complete the claims submission--but the costs need to be incurred by 12/31!)

With the $20, I'm still $46 short. That's $46 of my money that I lose out on. No way that's happening!

I get an idea. I could use a new glucose meter (mine's looking a little battered). They run about $60-80--but they usually come with rebates that make them FREE. Buy a new meter, submit the receipt for reimbursement, meet my FSA requirements and then get the rebate check!

I know--GENIUS!

Although if I could bill the FSA for the time it took to deal with my doctor's office, the pharmacy and my insurance, I'd have had no problem at all reaching that goal!

2008 Favorite Beauty Products

This past year I've read over a dozen books, seen about FOUR dozen movies in a theater and tested out dozens of beauty products. Once I finish seeing all of 2008's movies, I'll compile a list of my top ten favorites--but in the meantime here are my favorite skincare and beauty products for the year:

1. Favorite Skincare Line - nude skincare

From the green philosophy that informs everything from the packaging to the fair trade and organic ingredients to the exquisitely exotic and effective formulations, this line of luxurious products is the cream of the crop.

2. Favorite Mask - derma e Cleansing Enzyme Mask

Nothing works better at sucking the grit, grime and grease out of skin than this mask. And it smells DELICIOUS!

3. Favorite Sunscreen - Verabella

Vera Kantor has created a brilliant product: SPF 45, non-chemical sunblock that goes on sheer and contains loads of great ingredients to nourish your skin. Genius!

4. Favorite Eye Treatment - Therapy Systems Line Tox for Eyes

So many great products to choose from in this category, but this paraben, mineral oil and phthalate-free treatment reduces puffiness and wrinkles. I have definitely noticed the delicate skin around my eyes looking smoother and more refreshed.

5. Favorite Lip Treatment - Sircuit Skin's Suggah

The thing I love most about this rich and emollient lip treatment is its delectable scent. Sircuit formulations NEVER contain chemical parabens or preservatives, fillers, artificial colors, artificial fragrances and are cruelty free.

6. Favorite Body Scrub - Thom Fleming Skin Care

Three reasons I love this scrub: it comes in a squeeze tube which makes it easy to dispense and prevents the dreaded oil/scrub separation, it foams up a bit so you can cleanse as well as exfoliate skin at the same time and it rinses completely clean leaving skin soft and smooth and without leaving an oily film.

7. Favorite Hair Product - Pristine Recovery Scary Hairy

This 100% natural serum remedies dry fragile hair and revitalizes the scalp. It makes my coarse, dry hair soft and manageable. And it smells soooo good!

8. Favorite Body Spray - Biotherm Eau Pure

This light fragrance with green and fruity notes is the perfect everyday scent. Love it!

That's the round-up for 2008. Bring on 2009!

You Light Up My Life

One of my favorite things about Christmas is people who put lights up.


















If there's a clash of colors and Santa and Frosty side-by-side with the Nativity scene, I'm tickled pink.

























Even the local police station gets into the spirit.























Sadly, most people have already taken their lights down. But for those who put them up and those who have kept them up, I'm extremely grateful.

Eli Stone - Season One

My friend Stevie RAVED about this new series and was kind enough to lend me her DVD set for Season One. I must say, I wasn't all that enthralled about the concept of a visionary lawyer cum prophet. I mean, don't we have enough quirky law dramedies on TV?

Turns out Ms. Stevie was right--as usual. Although it took me awhile to get hooked into series, I found it quite enjoyable with just the right amount of quirk and kitsch to balance out the serious drama.

Jonny Lee Miller plays the formerly ruthless attorney inspired to walk another path when a brain aneurysm causes him to see visions. Or is it hallucinations? Whether it's a tidal wave or kamikaze airplane or George Michael playing the guitar and singing on his coffee table, Eli's visions drive the drama. As does the music of George Michael, whose songs are not only featured prominently in many episodes but are also the function as title and theme of every episode.

In a meta turn, Michael also appears as himself--not just a hallucination--in one of the episodes. I must say, I prefer him as a singer than actor--and his teeth were kind of scary. But he acquitted himself fairly well and was a good sport throughout.

The musical numbers that make up Eli's visions are relevatory in that not only must the cast be competent actors, but they have to carry a tune as well. Well, Natasha Henstridge who plays Eli's ex-fiancee Taylor Wethersby and Julie Gonzalo who plays newbie lawyer Maggie Dekker not so much. But Loretta Devine who plays Eli's saucy assistant Patti definitely has a set of pipes on her.

The biggest surprise, however, was Victor Garber. Garber, who played Jennifer Garner's icy, stick-up-the-butt father on Alias plays another cold character with an even bigger stick up his @$$ on Eli Stone. But man, can he sing! I guess it's not so surprising since he's been a fixture on Broadway for two decades--but I had no idea. His voice is simply amazing. Almost as good as George Michael's...

The other surprise was Jonny Lee Miller. The only thing I knew about him before Eli Stone was that once upon a time he was married to Angelina Jolie. This is almost as amazing (but not quite) as the fact that Fisher Stevens was once married to Michelle Pfeiffer. What I didn't realize is that he's a Brit. (What is it about the Brits like Hugh Laurie and Jonny Lee Miller that they can do such impeccable American accents that you don't even know they're British--but Gwyneth and Renee sound so fake?)

And, as Eli Stone, he's far less annoying than that other quirky hallucinatory lawyer played by Calista Flockhart.

Unfortunately after being hooked by season one, ABC in its infinite wisdom has canceled the show after 13 episodes of season two.

Bummer.

Hopefully Victor Garber will get a recording deal or something so we'll still get to hear his beautiful voice...

Doubt

I'm trying to get to see as many Oscar-bait flicks as possible. I'll probably pass on Benjamin Button (too Forrest Gumpish for my tastes) and Revolutionary Road (if the trailer is any indication, it looks like a snoozer), but I managed to catch the acting tour de force of Meryl Streep, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams and Viola Davis today.

Set in the Bronx in 1964, the film explores faith and power and betrayal and doubt. Although the child sexual abuse scandal of the Catholic Church took another 40 years to come to a head, Doubt explores what has long been the Church's ugly little secret.

Given our 20/20 hindsight, it's as difficult for the audience to maintain any sense of doubt over of the guilt Hoffman's character of Father Flynn as it is for Streep's magnificent Sister Aloysius. But the fine acting skills of all involve manage to take a black and white issue and add the depth and complexity of many shades of gray.

Although all involved turn in fabulous performances, the knockouts for me were:

1. Meryl Streep, who consistently proves why she's an icon. Even not having grown up Catholic, the domineering and strict nun is still a familiar character. Streep manages to convey all the icy determination, but softened ever so subtly with her no-nonsense caring and protection of the sisters under her charge--as well as the children whose education and well-being she has been tasked with. To be sure, it's all about tradition, respect and the rules--but Streep also displays a protective fierceness of those in her charge that adds dimension to what could have been merely Nurse Ratchet in a habit.

2. Viola Davis as the mother of the allegedly abused boy shows a different kind of ferocity. Also willing to protect with any means necessary, Davis plays Mrs. Miller with dignity and grace--and is the main reason for most of the many shades of gray in the film.

3. Roger Deakins whose cinematography captures the stark and austere beauty of St. Nicholas and the Bronx in the 60s. As he did in The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, No Country for Old Men and numerous other productions (Deakins also was DP for upcoming Oscar-bait flicks The Reader and Revolutionary Road. He's a busy and talented guy!), Deakins' exquisitely transcendent camerawork raises the film to a whole other level.

Written and directed by John Patrick Shanley adapted from his 2004 play, Doubt is a solid Oscar contender. I have to say though--while it's most certainly a good film, maybe even a great film--it's a definite downer. I'm glad I got to see the terrific acting and beautiful production design and camerawork, but it's most certainly not what one would term "uplifting." At a mere 90 minutes, it still felt a bit interminable and inevitable.

Still, if Oscar-caliber actors showing off their chops is your cup of tea, then Doubt is definitely a must-see.

Stuff

Having just finished celebrating the universal festival of "stuff," I thought this link to "The Story of Stuff" I received via e-mail today was exceptionally timely.

I posted about this issue previously. It was also the plot of WALL*E.

Maybe it's time for all of us to say, "Enough with the stuff!"

When Hotties turn into Fatties

I got pinged by someone regarding my comment about Val Kilmer's weight gain. Apparently a reader took issue with the snarky remark which wasn't meant to belittle his acting talents. I loved him in Willow and more recently he was intriguing in the underrated Spartan (no, he's not wearing a loincloth...). But Val seems to have taken the Nora Desmond line, "I am big. It's the pictures that got small!" a little too literally.













But Val isn't the only hottie turned fatty: there are a number of former Hollywood Sex Symbols that instead of being Speedo models look more like Cheetos models. In the interest of critical equity, I thought I'd spread the snark around.

Sometimes the addition of a few pounds adds gravitas to an actor's performance (think Marlon Brando). Sometimes the addition of weight does nothing to mar the star quality (think Elvis), but more often those few (or forty) extra pounds make one long wistfully for the slimmer, hotter version of the celebrity in question.

For what it's worth, I'm a size four and weigh within ten pounds or less of what I weighed in high school. And I'm not the only one who's avoided the addition of pounds with the addition of years: Tom Cruise, Harrison Ford, Clint Eastwood, the late great Paul Newman, Kiefer Sutherland and many others have remained fit.

So this is not a situation of the pot calling the kettle black--just the blogger calling the actor fat:













Travolta was all the rage in a three-piece white suit for Saturday Night Fever, but judging by the picture on the right it doesn't look like he needed a fat suit to play Edna Turnblad in Hairspray.













William Shatner has spent his whole career trying to escape from the shadow of Captain Kirk. Now that his bloated body no longer resembles the lithe, lean James T. Kirk, he's definitely succeeded.













Once upon a time--and not so long ago--James Spader WAS Sex, Lies and Videotape. Now, while he's not taking acting lessons from his Boston Legal co-star, it certainly looks like he's taken EATING lessons from him.













Alec Baldwin's never been better--or funnier--as Jack Donaghy on 30 Rock. He's also never been bigger. And I don't mean that in the good way...













Russell Crowe may not be ready to play an overweight drag queen--yet! But if he doesn't lay off the donuts, he'll be taking up residence in Brando-ville soon.













John Cusack couldn't stay Lloyd Dobler forever, but Lloyd Double-chin is not an improvement.

We've watched Kirstie Alley and Valerie Bertinelli take off the pounds. Maybe it's time for a Jenny Craig-style intervention for our former male hotties...

December the 26th

For some the day after Christmas means shopping the sales, others celebrate "Boxing Day." For me, December 26th means there's 26 days until LOST returns!

Whoohoo!