Muses: Jessica Chastain

There is a lot out there to inspire us. The smell of snow, a fantastically crafted work of art, a look, a beautiful scene. All these small things can jump start one's creativity. I am often inspired by strong women and today, it's Jessica Chastain.

I first came across Ms. Chastain in her role as Mrs. O'Brien in "The Tree of Life." There were a few in the theater who were expecting this to be the Brad Pitt they saw in "Thelma and Louise," but it was not he who captured my attention. Jessica is captivating on the screen; she is boy enormously talented and ravishingly beautiful. Behind that hair (holy waterfall of gorgeous orange hair, batman) are hypnotizing, confident eyes that give one the feeling that you're lucky just to gaze upon her.
But again, this is not just another sparkly star the boulevard barfed up. She has already been acclaimed as one of the most important actors of our time. If you haven't seen "Zero Dark Thirty" yet, clear your schedule. I give it a 10. She brings the audience to the depths of predatory desperation as Maya's (protagonist) life's work approaches its climax. She made me want to go out and do all of the things there were to do. I not only believed her as Maya; I wanted to be a crazed workaholic who accomplishes all of her goals by 35.

"Mama" is out now and with her talent and the unique vision of director, Andrés Muschietti, it's sure to be the first stylish and well-thought out horror flick since Hitchcock.

Now go fall in love with a great actress with great taste starring in wonderful films.