DEDICATION

I dedicate this page to my favorite actress of all time

--- the lovely NAOMI WATTS:
_ _ _ _ _

In tribute, here are what I consider the TEN GREATEST PERFORMANCES of her illustrious career . . . thus far
[Remember, "The Painted Veil," opens December 2006!]


10. "Flirting" (AUS 1991) -- why not start with her first important role as a boarding school 'chum' of Nicole Kidman (and the start of their long, real-life friendship). "There are no small parts ... "
9. "Ellie Parker" (2001/05) -- yes, this dreadfully amateurish digital video effort should have remained a 16 minute short; maybe then we would've been spared both a pointless vanity-role for the 'director' AND a slumming Chevy Chase! Message to the aforementioned director: "Just because you use digital video doesn't give you a pass to ignore lighting and blocking in every scene. Go back to film school!"
8. "Ned Kelly" (AUS) & "Le Divorce" (2003) -- two performances from 2003 where NW transcends the limits of these supporting roles to make you wish each movie was about HER character instead!

7. "Stay" (2005) -- a regrettably overlooked surrealist gem from director Marc Forster ("Monster's Ball"; "Finding Neverland"; "Stranger Than Fiction"). Rent it!

6. "The Ring" (2002) *as Rachel Keller -- As NW told Jay Leno (almost apologetically): "It's a genre film, but it's a good genre film." AMEN!! NW has nothing to apologize for here: it's a well-made thriller. (I will remain silent on "The Ring Two.")

5. "I (heart) Huckabees" (2004) *as Dawn Campbell -- this role proves she is fearless!

4. "We Don't Live Here Anymore" (2004) -- I love her character name: "Edith Evans"

3. "King Kong" (2005) -- another great character name: "Ann Darrow." Talk about transcending the genre! NW gives nothing short of an Oscar-worthy performance (at least a nomination) in an unforgiving, impossible role: acting in at least 80% of her scenes essentially alone (90% if you include her scenes opposite Jack Black!) ;-)

2. "21 Grams" (2003)

1. "Mulholland Dr." (2001) -- as the notorious "Betty Elms"