I have no feelings one way or the other about Tilda Swinton.

I watched The Village yesterday, and it took me a little while to get into it, but I ended up quite liking it. I think it helped that I knew the "twist" going in, so I didn't feel cheated by it. But I thought it was nicely atmospheric and creepy, and Bryce Dallas Howard was luminous--she reminded me more than a little of Rebecca Lizard, actually.

I went and saw The Wedding Date this afternoon. While it did have the feared Hooker Falls in Love with a Client over one Weekend and Gives up the Biz resolution, it was at least refreshing in that it didn't have the expected comedy of errors where the big secret is constantly almost discovered, instead opting for largely grownup shenanigans. And I thought it was a nice touch that the protagonist was more broken up over betrayal by her sister than by her ex .

Also, they placated my American Gigolo unlikelihood fears by having Mulroney's character make that "in my experience men who are in love don't want a prostitute" comment .

I'm glad it wasn't as bad as you feared, Matt. I liked it. I didn't think it was so amazing it was going to change the face of romantic comedies or anything, but I thought it was rather well done, all in all. And better than I expected it to be.

I saw Bride and Prejudice yesterday. It was cute. Lots of singing and dancing. There were a few little things that bugged me, but not enough for me to remember now what they were, apparently. But I liked it.

I also saw The Notebook yesterday, which made me cry hysterically, and also filled me with a burning lust for all of Rachel McAdams' shoes. So pretty and cute. I want them. They'd be so much less trouble than trying to have cute forties hair.

I saw Million Dollar Baby last night. I liked it, even though I don't like boxing, and covered my eyes for half the fights. Once the boxing scenes were over, I could relax.

Interesting NYT editorial on why some conservatives really hate Million Dollar Baby. [link] The article is spoilery as to the controversial thingie that happens in the movie. This quote from the article is also spoilery:

While there is much to admire in the year's other Oscar-nominated movies - the full-bodied writing in "Sideways," the cinematic bravura of "The Aviator," the awesome Jamie Foxx in "Ray" - Mr. Eastwood's film, while also boasting great acting, is the only one that challenges America's current triumphalist daydream. It does so not because it has any politics or takes a stand on assisted suicide but because it has the temerity to suggest that fights can have consequences, that some crises do not have black-and-white solutions and that even the pure of heart are not guaranteed a Hollywood ending. What makes some feel betrayed and angry after seeing "Million Dollar Baby" is exactly what makes many more stop and think: one of Hollywood's most durable cowboys is saying that it's not always morning in America, and that it may take more than faith to get us through the night.

If Clint is a Republican (and while I know he's conservative, I don't know if he has an official party affiliation), he's old school.

Christ, I suspect Barry Goldwater would cap Bush's ass given half a chance (given what I read about Barry's comments on gays in the miliatry among other things).

Clint is definitely a Republican, and of the old school variety.

I miss the old school Republicans. And I feel sorry for the CIA.

Weird how things turned out, huh?

Weird how things turned out, huh?

I know. I mean, one of the odd things that came out of Abu Ghraib were the odd flashes of respect you'd get for the Military, realizing how many ethical people were still working there.