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Welcome to my film critic's blog! A lifetime of loving movies has enabled me to do this. Enjoy!

Monday, June 21, 2010

Say it ain't so, Amanda

I never intended for this blog to be perezhiltonesque but some happenings in the world of celluloid do affect me and I want to comment on today's news.

Apparently actress Amanda Bynes at the age of 24 has announced her retirement from acting on Twitter. Right now, the news appears to be legitimate but it's entirely possible that a prank or something is at play.

If true, it is my duty as a film buff and defender of the cinematic medium to say it's a loss that I will feel along with many others I'm sure.

I agree that she isn't old enough to have made a significant impact on us. But I have also always believed that this woman possesses a certain something that will take her far.

I don't usually pay attention to Nickelodeon actresses but Bynes drew me in the first time I saw her on The Amanda Show. I thought then, 'this girl should do movies'. Many Nick actresses do some super softie flicks and fade away but Bynes was different.

She stole the show teaming with Frankie Muniz in Big Fat Liar and I knew she was on her way. It was when I saw What A Girl Wants that I saw glimpses of a young Anne Hathaway in the making. I filed it away under my favorite family movies and hoped Bynes would move on to bigger and better things.

Then for a while it seemed she had lost her way courtesy lackluster films like She's the Man and Sydney White. On the other hand, she did play against type in Hairspray and that was refreshing.

I was also looking forward to more from her in Easy A, possibly her last film. Bynes is one of those naturally charismatic and talented actors that connects instinctively with an audience.

It is my wish that she realizes she has much more to offer the silver screen. If not, I hope she finds a niche on the small screen at least.

In the end, it is her decision and I hope she does what makes her happy. If this is goodbye, I wish her well - Amanda, it has been a treat watching you on screen and I'm sure I'm not the only one that feels that way. Adieu!

This photograph is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license.

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