Yeah, it's kinda like a Hallmark movie with some good lines and a terrific cast. I think my mom will enjoy it. It was just so false and formulaic and I was really hoping it would be good so I am a little Grinchy about it.

Hey, folks who've seen Kong? I need a giant spider report. Will I be shutting my eyes tightly, or will I be able to watch through my fingers? We're going to go see it on Wednesday, once Pete is unchained from the easel.

That scene didn't bother me nearly as much as I thought it would, Jilli. You should be able to watch through your fingers.

I saw Brokeback Mountain today, and thought it was really really good. It struck me pretty early on that, had this not been a story about two men, I'd have never in a million years gone to see it. Slow epic tragic love stories set in the American West? Sooooooooo not my thing. This was a very very good movie, but other than it being Teh Gay, total standard tragic love epic fare.

Family Stone sucked. Sucked, sucked, sucked.

Oh, that's a shame. I'd heard good things about the writing.

There are good lines and some good moments, but most of the characterization sucks. Characters seem to be attracted to each other for no reason. It is possible to predict where almost everyone ends up after the first 10 minutes of the movie. The healthiest couple is the deaf, gay brother and his black boyfriend, who are adopting a baby. That stuff all feels forced.

I went to see "Good Night and Good Luck" tonight, and I have to say that it's the best movie I've seen yet this year (I have yet to see Kong, Syriana, or Brokeback Mountain, though, but those are all on the list).

I keep thinking it would make an excellent double-feature with "The Manchurian Candidate."

I really want to see Brokeback Mountain, and it isn't playing here (yet. Figure with my luck it will run while I'm not here!)

One thing I loved about GNaGL was the quiet gravity of it. I did have to adjust my ears a bit when it started (I'm used to missing words on film as I've become too addicted to cc and this was a film you really shouldn't miss words on.)

One thing I loved about GNaGL was the quiet gravity of it.

Yes. This. It conveyed far more than any Oscar-bait histrionics ever could just how seriously the characters were taking everything.

Yup. It was so simple. The acting was ...well, I didn't notice any acting. I forgot who the actors were. And given the names (and that I have always adored Straithern,) that's something.

I even forgot it was in b&w.

The funny thing was (Anne, you'd get this) I was in a theater in NW Baltimore, full of people at least twice my age. And throughout the film, I'd hear murmurs oh, I remember this. I can't believe... my cousin... hearings and flat out sobbing at times. Though I usually hate audience commentary within my hearing, this time it just made it more.

It was a dramatic portrayal. It still seemed to wake up memories.

Wow. That's amazing.

I just hope this film does something to prod some more people into calling Bush and Co. on their bullshit the way Murrow called McCarthy on his. (Dear Santa, all I want for Christmas is to see Bush have an on-camera meltdown akin to McCarthy's in the Army hearings.)

I heart the talking to the screen when it's from the heart.