Slumdog Millionaire - Big Winner

Anyone who knows me knows that I'm a big movie fan. I go to movies every other week, and am a consistent Netflix user, watching several films a week.

The reason I go to movies is really about hope. Most movies I see are mediocre at best. I keep going/renting, however, because I HOPE that, every once in a while, I'll see one that truly impacts me in some way. I want it to transport me to another time and place. I want to see heroes that deserve my admiration and support as they make their way through the plot. Speaking of plots, I want one that keeps me intrigued but that is not ridiculous, one that keeps me guessing but doesn't bewilder me until I'm convinced I'm the densest person in the theater. I want a sound track that supports the movie, but doesn't either send me into a coma or make me wish "music" had never been invented. Finally, I want to come away MOVED in some way. I don't always have to be giddy or thirilled. I'm equally moved by films that frighten me (like the really good "Descent"), sadden me ("Sophie's Choice"), stir my imagination (the incomparable "Lord of the Rings" trilogy), inspire me (check out the great "Dirty Pretty Things"), startle me ("Aliens"), or just make me feel SOMETHING, even if I can't explain it ("The Green Mile").

Given that introduction, I'd have to say that Slumdog Millionaire is a great movie. In fact, I'd say it's one of the top ten movies I've ever seen. I was transported, terrified, devastated, thrilled, inspired - in short, I was truly entertained. If you don't see another movie this year, you've got to see this one.

The movie is really well written. The acting is great, especially from the kids. The setting is amazing. Even the soundtrack is fantastic.

The movie follows the lives of three orphans in India into young adulthood. The things experienced by the "three musketeers", as they call themselves, are at times humorous, and at times sobering. Ultimately this story is about evil, goodness, and the power of love. Stop reading this blog and go see this movie.

The Kite Runner

This week, I watched a great movie through my Netflix subscription. The Kite Runner is one of the best DVD's I've rented in a while. Set in Afghanistan, the movie follows the lives of 2 young boys who are childhood friends. One is a rich boy named Hassan, and the other is Hassan's family's servant boy, Ali.

Circumstances (including some really disturbing stuff, where the rise of the Taliban isn't even the worst) separate the boys for many years. Because of their wealth, Hassan and his family are able to get to America, where he becomes a writer.

On the day that his first published book arrives at his home, Hassan receives word that Ali has died, and that Ali's son needs someone to take care of him. This leads Hassan on a harrowing trip to Afghanistan. We see firsthand some of the atrocities of the Taliban. We also see Hassan's journey to redemption from the failures of his past.

This is a terriffic film. You really feel like you've been to Afghanistan. You see both the ugliness of evil, and the heroic power of selflessness. Definitely a must see.

By the way, you may have noticed that I'm maintaining a list of recently read books in the right side of this blog. I'll add a list of the top 5 movies and top 5 dvd's (in my humble opinion) of 2009. Hope you find it interesting!

Branching Out

With Sylvester's permission, I've decided to branch out to talk about some other things here in my blog. By the way, Syl's sleeping out on the deck right now during a "heat wave" here in Minnesota. It is over 40 degrees for the first time since Truman was president (roughly).

Today's our son Matt's 12th birthday. He's really excited that I am going to take him and 2 of his friends to Buck Hill to go tubing this afternoon. If you never see another post in this blog, you'll know I didn't make it.

In the mean time, I hope to share some other things with you that you might find interesting. I really enjoy movies, and watch them a lot (at the theater and through my Netflix subscription). So, I'll throw in a review now and then. I'm also a bit of an "accidental techie" (that's a person who's into technology though he doesn't have formal training as a computer scientist), so I may comment on Web sites or gadgets of interest. Finally, you may just hear some musings about my family from time to time - I'm blessed with one of the best!

OK, so here goes....

HoliCat

Well, let's just say that Sylvester likes to "throw himself" into holiday festivities with enthusiasm. As you can see from the HoliCat slide show that accompanies this post, he found himself at the center of most everything. By the way, none of these are "staged" photos. Syl got himself into each of these spots all by himself. I think he may have read the previous post (The Omnipresent Feline) and wanted to prove me right by being in all places at all times while we were celebrating Christmas and New Years'.

Fortunately, Matt (my son) caught him before he had finished climbing all the way up the ladder into the attic where we keep our Christmas decorations. He had reached the 6th rung when Matt rescued him from his own curiosity, and very likely a cold night or two in the unheated attic. Let's just say that an unheated attic in Minnesota in January is not exactly a place of "comfort and joy!" Rest assured, if he had reached the attic, he would have quickly found a place to hide and would have become the Non-present Feline when I tried to retrieve him.

Well, we've all had a great holiday together. Jess (our 20 year old daughter) has been home from college, and Matt had a good week and a half to enjoy his new Wii. Hope you and yours had a great holiday season!