In the upcoming movie "Penelope," (opening February 29) Christina Ricci stars as a young woman cursed with a porcine snout. Locked away by her parents in a mansion, the curse can only be lifted if a man takes her hand in marriage. At only 28 years old, Christina has had a fascinating career. She starred in "The Addams Family" and "The Addams Family Values" as a child actress and has grown into an accomplished actress, starring in last year's "Black Snake Moan" and the Wachowski Brothers' upcoming "Speed Racer."

We recently had the opportunity to talk to Christina where she talked about "Penelope," her relationship with the paparazzi, and what it was like to wear a pig snout.

Q: Can you tell us how long it took to put on the pig nose every day?

A: It took about an hour and a half to put the prosthetic on, and then I'd go over into regular hair and makeup and get normal beauty makeup put on over that. The only thing that got old was that I had to not talk at all while the nose was being put on my face.

Q: Did you ever wear the pig nose out in public to see what kind of reaction it got?

A: I didn't. They were trying to keep the pig nose a secret in the beginning, and ultimately decided that wasn't the best approach. Every once in awhile, we'd be on location, and I'd say, 'Why don't we walk over to Starbuck's? Oh...because I have a prosthetic pig nose on.'"

Q: Has the movie changed the way you view people at all?

A: I think in a way it has. You always fear when you're making a movie with a moral to the story that people are going to reject the idea of being taught a lesson, or you worry that people are going to feel they are being talked down to or that its cheesy to make a movie about self acceptance. But everyone seems to be really grateful, in a way, for a movie that has this theme in it...a movie that celebrates being an individual, being different.

Q: What aspects of Penelope's experience and journey will most resonate with [young women]?

A: The idea of being sort of crippled by insecurity. Women especially allow their insecurities to overwhelm them and to trap them in a way, and keep them from really enjoying life. When Penelope finally says, "I'm not going to be trapped in this house for the rest of my life and miss the world because of something wrong with my face," that's a huge moment and something we can learn from. She goes out there and experiences the world in spite of that. She accepts that her face is not going to change. A lot of women will agree that they have been in situations that should have been fun but all they could think about was the way they looked, what they were wearing, their weight...

Q: There is a period of time between the actors wrapping up their work on a film and the final film showing up in theatres.  Has this time given you any different perspective on your experience with "Penelope"?

A: To play a part, you have to sort of get lost a little bit in their emotions. I was existing in a place of a lot of self-loathing because she has to have that. At the time we were shooting, I was experiencing a lot of self-loathing as part of the character. I can now just watch it and feel good about myself and have fun watching the movie.

Q: Have you seen it with a group yet and is there feedback you've been hearing that let you know you're on the right track?

A: I've heard that we're getting tremendously positive responses. Not only does it have this message, but there is this huge romantic pay-off. I saw it in Toronto sitting next to Sam Jackson and Sam was moved. I think if the baddest man in town is moved by something, it's probably a good endorsement.

Check out part two of our interview tomorrow where Christina talks about the paparazzi, working with Reese Witherspoon, and her favorite fairy tales.

This week's Best Avatar is from Indianlady2154  (pictured at left) from Shelbyville, IL.

Indianlady2154 says, "Hello and thank you for many years of fun at Gamesville!  I think my avatar depicts a lot of us regulars that have played here. I am a 54 yr old female paramedic/firefighter. I have been inthe department for 21 years and this site has helped me unwind."

Thanks, Indianlady2154 - your avatar looks like it depicts a lot of who work here at Gamesville HQ, as well!

Think you have the Best Gamesville Avatar?

Shine up your Gamesville Avatar, then send your Gamesville member name to: members@gamesville.com We'll check out your avatar and see if it has was it takes to be Best Gamesville Avatar.

Be sure to include a little bit about yourself and your Gamesville Avatar with your entry, so we can understand that special connection between you and your Gamesville Avatar.

If we publish you as "Best Gamesville Avatar", we'll give you 500 GV Rewards.

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This week's Best Pet is a Jack Russell terrier named Haley belonging to Gamesviller jrtlvr.haley from Liverpool, NY.  Check out Haley in her adorable Halloween costume (though we have to point out, the shoes don't exactly look like they fit):

Pet Names: Haley

Pet Owner: Gamesviller jrtlvr.haley

View jvtlvr.haley's Profile
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Distinguishing Personality Traits:

jrtlvr.haley says, "Haley loves to sit next to me while I am playing on Gamesville.  She waits with anticipation for the end of the round and the sound effects when your GV Rewards are shown."

As Haley herself might say: 

"2...4...6...8...

What do we appreciate?

Gamesville! Gamesville!

Yaaaaay, Gamesville!" 

Want to share photos of your own favorite pet with the Gamesville community?

Send photos to: members@gamesville.com

In addition to your pet's picture, please include:

• your Gamesville member name
• your pet's most distinguishing personality trait

Please note: All submissions become the sole property of Gamesville, which reserves the right to hold, reject and/or edit submissions without notice and without limitation in perpetuity.

Valentine Hearts was sent to us by Gamesviller heartlessbaby from Chicago, IL. She says: "Tasty, but be careful: It can be quite hot."

You'll need:

• Heart-shaped candy mold
• Red and white candy melts
• Sandwich bags (the zippered kind)
• Spoon
• Wax paper
• Plate
• Wooden skewer

1. Put a handful of candy melts into an open zipper sandwich bag.
2. Microwave candy in bag until melted.
3. Cut one corner of the bag with scissors to carefully squeeze hot, melted candy through.
4. Squeeze chocolate out of bag and into the molds.
5. Air bubbles? Tap the side of the mold tray to flatten chocolate.
6. Place in refrigerator until set.
7. Pop out of molds and enjoy!

Do you have a favorite recipe to share with the Gamesville community?

Send it to: members@gamesville.com

Please include:

•    your Gamesville member name
•    the complete recipe with ingredients and directions

If we use your recipe as a feature article, you'll receive 500 GV Rewards! So send it on in today!

Gamesviller "navymom-in" of Heltonville, IN, won $200 in the weekly sweepstakes.  What are her favorite Gamesville games?

GV: How did you react when you found out that you had won?
navymom-in: I read my name twice before it hit me that it WAS me.  I screamed and yelled!

What will you spend your winnings on?
The first $100 will go for my passport.  The other $100 will be used on my fishing trip this spring.

Tell us more about your username - do you have a child in the Navy?     
Yes, I have a son in the Navy.  He is a SeaBee and has been for 3 years.  I'm very proud of him!

What is your favorite game on Gamesville? Why?
Tough one ... Magic 21 and Frantic Fish.  I enjoy the challenge of Magic 21 and just love the fish on Frantic Fish.

Gamesviller "lucky345" of Gibbon Glade, PA, won $4,049  playing Three-Eyed Bingo. What will she spend her winnings on?

GV: How did you react when you found out that you had won?
lucky345: I was so excited that I jumped up knocking just about everything from my desk to go and wake up my husband. I just could not believe that I won. I called all of my grandchildren that night.

What will you spend your winnings on? Anything special just for you?
I have a bird and her name is Polly. She is the world to me so I'm going to buy her a new floor cage.

Who is your hero, and why?
My husband because he bought this computer for me 5-6 years ago for me to sit in the evenings and play my games. Thanks to him I am a winner.

What's your personal motto, and why do you believe in it?
That honesty is the best policy.

This week's Best Avatar is from Halfpint090  (pictured at left)who seems to have an extremely crowded household in Lebanon, TN. 

Halfpint090 says, "My 4 year old helped create this avatar and it looks a lot like him most days.  I like to play on Gamesville; it is my down time. And I like to meet people from all over. I've been playing on Gamesville about 6 years now. Haven't won anything, but I still enjoy it. I drive a school bus with a total of 71 children. I have 3 kids; many nieces and nephews; my oldest 2 kids' friends at my home a lot; and a husband.
So I really, really enjoy my Gamesville time. My favorite games are Three Eyed Bingo, Magic 21, Bubble Poppers, and Word Wrangler. I also enjoy all the free trial games ... most are interesting."

Think you have the Best Gamesville Avatar?

Shine up your Gamesville Avatar, then send your Gamesville member name to: members@gamesville.com We'll check out your avatar and see if it has was it takes to be Best Gamesville Avatar.

Be sure to include a little bit about yourself and your Gamesville Avatar with your entry, so we can understand that special connection between you and your Gamesville Avatar.

If we publish you as "Best Gamesville Avatar", we'll give you 500 GV Rewards.

Don't have a Gamesville Avatar yet? Create your FREE Gamesville Avatar now!

Gamesviller "calabrese-1" of Italy, won $1,874 playing Three-Eyed Bingo on December 19. Does she have any plans for her winnings? And what kind of animal would she be?

GV:  Describe what it was like when you won: what were you feeling? Was there anyone there to share the moment with you? 
calabrese-1:  I was thrilled and I was unfortunately alone!  I did wish I had  someone to share the moment.

Any plans for your winnings?
I thank you again for the winnings. I just wish the jackpot was higher ... I would have invested  the money in a trip to USA which was always a dream of mine.

If you were an animal, what would you be and why? 
If I could choose to be an animal, I would be a dog for the wonderful quality to love unconditionally and for their faithful attachment!

What is your most treasured personal possession, and why?
The most important thing I possess is a watch my father gave me when I was 10 years old.  It makes a wonderful souvenir of my father.

Thank you for taking the time to talk with us. Enjoy your winnings, and thanks for playing at Gamesville.com!

Thank you again for your congratulations and I hope one day to win more to be able to came to visit the USA.  I also thank the other players for their congratulations!  I have a sister in California and she just finished writing a book of our family history ... she is the one that turned me on to Gamesville.