Just Say "No" to Drug Money

We watched No Country For Old Men last night and I really liked it despite the ho-hum previews I had seen of it.  In retrospect, I felt the same way about Fargo.  The trailers were pretty low-key and provided very little details about the movie, but once I saw Fargo I couldn't stop watching it. To date, I have probably seen Fargo a dozen times. My obsession with No Country is already just as consuming; I may even skip Olie's soccer game for another viewing. 

Javier Bardem, with his funky haircut and soft Spanish accent, is a superb, if not eccentric, villain. He is quiet yet lethal, just like Peter Stormare was in Fargo.  He sends shivers up your spine, but you don't want him to die because it will put an end to the delicious suspense. You also don't want him to kill the protagonist because he's a good guy, too.  It is a conundrum of noir proportions.

Good villains, interesting commentary on life and death, and the refreshing ability to provoke thought and discussion make No Country an instant cult classic in my book.  That's all I will tell you about this movie because - really - you should see it for yourself.  A warning, though: Don't see this film because it won the Academy Award for Best Picture or because Tommy Lee Jones is in it (did you know that?  I didn't).  See this film because it's good and the Coen brothers are very adept at creating film noir that will keep you interested, which in this era of teen movies, slasher flicks, and stupid comedies, is a welcome change, indeed.  

Panserbjørne

Oh, how I wish I had read His Dark Materials instead of Harry Potter because Robert Pullman is a more adept weaver of fantasy than J.K. Rowling ever will be and, if I had already read the series, I could go see the movie (we have a quirky read-it-before-you-see-it household rule). I did finish The Golden Compass (the first book of the series) this weekend, but now I must wait for Lizzie and Madhubby to read it.

I just loved the book, though, because Pullman's writing isn't adolescent and replete with stupid, annoying characters who have silly names. Pullman's prose is rich and textured; it engages the senses. He isn't afraid to explore the range of human emotion and he isn't afraid to expose children to it either. Deception, death, redemption, loyalty, fear and sorrow are all part and parcel of The Golden Compass. And then, there are the Panserbjørne. They are the best fantasy character I've ever encountered and they alone are reason enough to run to your nearest theater and see this movie. Oh, but, first, read the book!

Bee Line

If you love Jerry Seinfeld (like me), then you should definitely check out The Bee Movie this weekend. I admit it: when I first saw Jerry Seinfeld outfitted in a bee suit, I thought what the hell? Because I have children who are totally tuned in, I wasn't ignorant for very long. Between Lizzie and Olie I got the full story, intermixed with begging, about The Bee Movie. Last night, we succumbed to the pleading.

It seems Barry Bee is a busy little litigator out to sting the honey industry, so there are some lawyer jokes; I hate lawyer jokes. People who deride lawyers forget the good things lawyers do, like fight for equal rights, and instead focus on the negative aspects of the profession. The traits that lawyer-haters ridicule - tenacity and abstract thinking (though some call it deception) - are the very skills that have helped shape our society. But, I digress.

The Bee Movie. There is love, law, and honey. Though not necessarily in that order. There are cameos by Patrick Warburton (Puddy!), Matthew Broderick (he is so darn adorable even in animation) Chris Rock, Larry King, Sting, and Ray Liotta. I know, it seems random but when you see the movie, you'll get it. The Bee Movie tackles corporate greed and the Vanishing Bee epidemic all in one fell swoop. If only the answer to the latter were as simple as Spielberg and crew make it. Overall, though, the Bee Movie is very cute without being overly syrupy and it's totally suitable for ages 3-36.

Daring Escapades With a Side of Corn

In exchange for Madhubby making no inappropriate comments whatsoever while watching BrokeBack Mountain with me (yes, I watched it again!), I was subjected to one of his movie picks: Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark. Bad plot. Worse acting. It's taken us three days to get the point where Indy finds the Ark. Thank gawd for a fully stocked wine refrigerator.

Simply Wonderful

I watched Brokeback Mountain in one sitting, ignoring phone calls and plaintive pleas of what can we do, now? from my children. The cinematography is amazing. The story is touching and beautiful. I loved, loved, loved this movie. Heath Ledger's performance was tender and troubled and just. amazing.