Ashley Judd is sorta a local girl here in West Virginia, growing up in Ashland, Ky. I have met several people who went to high school and college with her. Her first film role as Ruby in “Ruby in Paradise” is one of my favorite indie films - and one of my favorite Appalachia films.

My friend Victor Nunez, an indie filmmaker in Florida, directed the film that started her career. In “Bug” she returns to the down and dirty, working class world of “Ruby,” after wasting her talent and looks in a lot of thrillers, etc.”Bug” is truly a strange, terrifying film. It was appropriate to see trailers for “Hostel 2″ and other recent semi-snuff films before it. But Judd takes the film to a higher level, playing a believable lost bar maid who comes to believe she is infested with computerized physical bugs. The motel reminded me of one I stayed at in Whitesburg, Ky. while visiting Appalshop one time…..

In any case, Ashley is one of my fav actresses. She has real acting abilities - and looks, like her sister Halie Berry. I recommend “Bug” for anyone who loves her small-pore skin and Appalachian accent….and the ending will stay with you for a long time…..

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