I was kinda nervous watching Waitress because I'd read that Nathan's character starts out well and then becomes bland and pointless. But I didn't see it that way. The moment when Kerri Russell holds the baby in her arms for the first time and falls in love and the men in the foreground fade away into a blur? It was so right. Sure, the movie never explains his character fully, but it wasn't his movie. It wasn't his story. And the special features where NF talks about how his character perhaps wasn't finding happiness in his life with his wife kinda filled in that blank. And also, his comment about how the doctor was cinnamon, kinda "eh" on it's own, but mixed with other ingredients enhanced the whole? Loved this.

I was really surprised how dark the situations in the movie were, and yet the quirk and the humor was still there and it was all yummy together. Like black coffee and baklava. I loved all the characters, the cheestastic music for the makeout sessions (and boy were they great!), the narration, and how the thing with Joe wasn't resolved and they didn't exactly go the one dies, one is born/circle of life cliche.

Adrienne Shelley done good. Now I'm gonna go cry.

Right! I mean, it was mostly a comedy but it had all these dark elements and the main character was in a pretty bleak situation and it has such an original feel.

I saw three movies today. It was a totally nonproductive day work-wise, but my soul feels better.

First, I saw Juno. I liked it a lot, for reasons named in many places, including above. A very enjoyable movie, felt good in all the right places, just the right amount of depth, and Ellen Page rocks.

Then, I saw The Golden Compass. It was fine. I'm a pretty big fan of the books, and the movie was not the books, but it was very pretty and exciting. I liked Dakota Blue Richards a good bit. And I don't mind that the movie doesn't end where the book ends because MAN would that be a weird ending for a film. I think they could make the sequel for about a sixth of what they spent on this one (fewer bear battles, for one thing) so even if they lose money on this one they'll probably go ahead and make the sequel.

Finally, I saw Atonement. Wow. I've never read the book, which I hear makes me a literary loser or something, but I'll pick it up soon. I thought the movie was fantastic. It's pretty ponderous, with a few scenes that, narrative-wise, could have been dropped with little effect, but it's extremely well-crafted throughout. All of the performances are stellar. And the ending is extremely powerful. There are some very gory war bits, for the squeamish, but otherwise a full-fledged recommendation from me.

Does James McAvoy get naked?

/shallow

Does James McAvoy get naked?

Not especially. Keira gets a bit more naked.

Well I suppose that's acceptable. After McAvoy disrobed in Hamlet Retold I started to wonder if he had a nudity! clause in his contracts.

After McAvoy disrobed in Hamlet Retold

So his doublets get really undone, huh?

oh yes. Unfortunately all the raw meat kinda detracts from the sexy. Oh but there are leather pants

Joe, Em, and I watched Meet the Robinsons last night.

I think, nay - I *know* it's my new favorite (recent) Disney film. Sorry Lilo & Stitch.

Bowler Hat Guy was the funniest villian EVER.

And, just like I did when I first saw the previews, I howled at the T-Rex.

"I have a big head...and little arms..."