Erin's Answers

Real name: Erin

Where I live: Saddle Brook, NJ (Soon to be Seymour, CT)

Occupation: CEO of the Crazy L. tribe

Favorite movie: I have a meandering top ten list for this one. The Princess Bride or the Holy Grail. So many quotes, so little time.

Favorite book: Zen and the art of Motorcycle Maintenance and The Monster at the End of The Book (By Grover)

Favorite album: I haven't listened to a whole album since The Singles. I like soundtracks, Garden State was a good one.

Three famous people I'd like to meet: Tom Cruise, to publicly ridicule him. Shirley Manson, she's just hot. I can't think of any more. None seem nice or intelligent enough to waste my time on. My kids are MUCH more interesting.

One famous person I actually met: Gene Wilder. We were both at a liquor store in Stamford. He's scary in person. Big drinker.

Best concert experience: Bob Dylan when I was 12 and had front row seats, and Ape Fight, after I had my third baby and finally left the house.

Coolest pop-culture item I own: I have none. If I did, it would have been broken between many moves and wild children.

And what movie prop would like to own: The stereo Lloyd is holding in Say Anything. Dorky, but I am still a woman, and it was the first time I wanted romance. (I was 12 when I first saw it)

Thanks Erin

Grace is Gone

So last night we got to see the latest John Cusack movie "Grace is Gone". Mister Cusack himself was there and spoke briefly before the film and was going to be at a restaurant after the film. So, of course, in the back of my head I was thinking "maybe just maybe I could shake his hand and say hi and not make an ass out myself in front of an actor I admire." See I grew up with John Cusack and his movie roles walked in step with my movie needs. "The Sure Thing" and "Better off Dead" were the perfect intro's for me and paved the way for Lloyd Dobler. Ever since then he has "grown" in the roles he has chosen -- just as I have wanted more in the films I was watching. It was and has continued to be a good match.


Grace is Gone is sly film. It sneaks up on you. It has quiet power. It has a beautiful small feel and by small I mean it's not a "popcorn" or "Great Date Film". An Indie Film. It is a slow moving film but never boring. The movie hangs its hopes on John Cusack and he takes what could have been a "one note" performance and adds a few wonderful touches.

I think maybe deep down this movie does take a side but it does a great job of showing that the nightly news is just more than background noise for so many families. It shows the human side of a war. The loss. Now John Cusack doesn't play a charter he normally does but at moments you can "hear" Lloyd Dobler. This is a story of a man that has lost and lost a lot. His wife, his government but not his hope or a future thanks to his two daugthers. I read that John Cusack was looking for a vehicle to show what is happening ever since the Bush White House decided to hide the caskets coming home. Those families deserve more and I guess this movie is his gift to them.

So if you are expecting typical Cusack keep looking but if you want a smart and well acted fim that is quite sad go see this. I would say B+ to A- and Cusack could get a nod for the lttle golden naked dude holding the sword.

Oh and I did meet him and shook his hand and chatted a minute or so. Of course, just we were saying goodbye I had to slip in one more quick question about music...I asked him if there was someone he was really into at the moment and he said Regina Spektor. I would have loved to have had the chance to sit and drink a beer with him...maybe another day. I also can't forget to tell you that we sat next to Bob Balaban who was wonderful. He was with his wife. They were both great and entertaining. We talked about a wide range of topics from Serving on a Jury to Good Morning America to HBO. Bob is one of those guys that when you see him you say "he's that guy that is in everything" but you can't think of anything until you google or imdb him. Very nice dinner with him. Great movie. Great night.