One To Watch: Dan Fogler

You may have only noticed him for brief moments or smaller roles in various films, but I'm telling you, this guy could be the next Zach Galifianakis. And believe me, that is a compliment. I'm talking about Dan Fogler.



I just watched "Love Happens" with Aaron Eckhart and Jennifer Aniston.



It was great to see him in a more serious role as opposed to the sleazy, douchebag plastic surgeon sidekick in the Dane Cook film, "Good Luck Chuck".



I was even surprised to see him in Ang Lee's "Taking Woodstock" starring Demetri Martin. Dan's character in this film, "Devon" is a hippie, experimental actor residing in Demitri's character's farm house during the big historical Woodstock event.



This guy is diverse and even lends his voice in two animated films as Councilman/Yummo Wickersham in "Horton Hears A Who!"...



...and as Zeng in "Kung Fu Panda".



And if that still isn't enough, you should know that Mr. Fogler is a veteran broadway actor. He starred in the role of William Barfee in the Broadway musical hit "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee." His performance brought this talented actor a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor (Musical), a Theatre World Award, Outer Circle Award and a Drama Desk Award as part of the Outstanding Ensemble Performance. Talk about impressive! I would definitely keep my eyes and ears open for this guy in the upcoming year or two. He's lending his voice again in the upcoming animated film, "Mars Needs Mom's" and the comedy "Kids in America".

Feel-Good Movie: "My Life in Ruins"

Don't you love those rocos (romantic comedies)or comedies that you can see over-and-over? I fell prey to one tonight - "My Life in Ruins". It follows the standard equation = quirky + cultural + romance + happy ending. And Nia Vardalos just eminates happiness. I'm always curious as to who are playing the greeks - are they american actors? or really greek actors? As my research hit imdb.com, here's what I discovered...

...allow me to introduce you to a real Greek actor - Alexis Georgoulis. He plays the character and of course, love interest, Poupi Kakis. He's even from Larisa, Greece. It seems he was a regular on the greek tv show, "Eisai to tairi mou" ("You Are My Mate"), playing the character, Sotiris Bezentakos.

Busted! Playing Poupi's nephew, Doudi (Kakis) is Nacho Perez who is from Madrid. It was too good to be true! I see he was in Pedro Almodovar's "Bad Education".

Double busted and but of course, expected is Ian Gomez, who is Nia Vardalos's husband in real life. He did a great job playing a dirty, pervy hotel clerk. But come on, you know who HE is. He was a series regular on "Felicity" playing Javier, the gay Dean + Deluca manager with Keri Russell, "The Drew Carey Show" and now "Cougar Town". He's an old pro! And of course, he played John Corbett's best friend on "My Big Fat Greek Wedding".

Triple busted! Alistair McGowan, who plays Nia Vardalos's nemesis Nico is bloody british! Apparently his popularity was realized on the show, "Big Impression" in which Mr. McGowan can apparently do over one hundred impersonations, including such celebrities as Tony Blair and Prince Charles. Guess he had a greek tour guide down on his list, too!

Let's not forget the heavy hitter, Richard Dreyfus, who plays the "class" clown of the tour group. Or most notably known for Mr. Holland from "Mr. Holland's Opus" or come on - the dad on "What About Bob?". Even Rita Wilson makes a brief cameo as his deceased wife. (It helps when you're an executive producer on the film.)

Enjoy this film but also be on the lookout for the comedian Harland Williams, who I loved as the weirdo hitchhiker on "There's Something About Mary", Rachel Dratch (former SNL cast member), newcomer Jareb Dauplaise who's been on the MTV show, "The Hard Times of RJ Berger", Groundlings Alum Brian Palermo, and the lovely brit - Caroline Goodall.

Rent It! - "Letters to Juliet"

I just returned from the south and on my return flight, I decided to really veg out and watch the scheduled movie - "Letters to Juliet". I had remembered the trailer and thought it was probably one of those feel-good, romantic dramas and well, it was. It was directed by Gary Winick, who is also known for "Bride Wars" and "13 Going on 30", so I knew he was a credible director for the mood that I was in. It starred Amanda Seyfried - now I KNOW you remember her from "Mean Girls" and "Mama Mia", the amazing Vanessa Redgrave, newcomer Aussie actor Christopher Egan - he was on the show "Kings" and in the film "Resident Evil: Extinction" and OMG-I-had-no-idea-he-was-in-this-film, Gael Garcia Bernal. Be still my beating heart! That was the best part of the film, aside from the various beautiful countrysides of Italy that they ventured around to looking for one's true love. (I'm starting to sound like Giselle in "Enchanted". But Italy is now confirmed to be at the top my list of places to visit. Or to just bloody move to and get it over with! Come on ladies, how many of you read and saw "Under The Tuscan Sun".