child actors

If you've seen Little Miss Sunshine, you'll understand my obsession with the positively charming Abigail Breslin.

The extraordinarily talented actress has mad acting skills that are sure to take her far in Tinseltown. More importantly, she seems to have a good head on her small shoulders.

A breath of fresh air from other young actresses, Abigail wore what any typical 11–year–old (soon to be 12) girl would on a Wednesday afternoon – a red polka–dot dress over a graphic tee paired with some comfy cute flip flops.

Even as she was inducted into The Girl Scouts of the USA as an honorary member, she couldn't be swayed to lap on make–up or sport an overdone dress.

To see why this sweetheart continues to win my affection, read more

• The Simpsons movie is attracting an all-star team of writers, Zap2It reports.
• Van Morrison, Norah Jones, Harry Connick Jr., and Ludacris lead the eclectic New Orleans Jazz Fest lineup.
• Variety examines what it’s like to be a child actor (wasn’t I just talking about this yesterday?).
• Speaking of child actors, the 10-year-old actor-turned-director of a short film starring Kevin Bacon is suing one of the film’s financiers, says the AP.
• Pitchfork publishes the details of the Smashing Pumpkins reunion.
• The New York Times explores why the music on "The Office" is so unhip.
• There really will be a Jimi Hendrix Liquid Experience energy drink, according to the AP.
• NME talks about the next New Pornographers album, while Billboard reports on J. Lo's Spanish-language CD.
• "The Riches," the new FX show starring Eddie Izzard and Minnie Driver, gets set for a March 12 debut, the Futon Critic reports.

...only small actors. My heart always melts a little when a child actor gets nominated for an Oscar — most recently, Abigail Breslin for Little Miss Sunshine. In some ways, it seems easy to get kids to "act," since they are already impressionable and connected with their emotions. In 1944's Meet Me In St. Louis, the director told young Margaret O'Brien that her dog had died to make her cry so Judy Garland could comfort her by singing "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas."

Surely directors have all sorts of tricks to get child stars to cooperate, but when a kid's got it, she's got it — no trickery necessary. Thus, the inspiration for this week's Movie Night: Oscar nominees in miniature.

Paper Moon
As a tiny scam artist in training, Tatum O'Neal steals this movie right out from under her real-life dad, Ryan O'Neal. For her trouble, she took home the Oscar for Best Actress in a Supporting Role. The expertly crafted Peter Bogdanovich dramedy, set in the 1930s, follows a con-man who enlists O'Neal the younger in a Bible-selling scheme. The scenes between the cigarette-smoking 10-year-old and Madeline Kahn as Ryan O'Neal's lady friend are nothing short of brilliant.

To see the other two, read more