Dinner and a Movie—Out!

Normally when Andy and I go out, we just do dinner, but we really miss going to the movies. It wouldn't work to eat first because we don't like to eat very early, and we also don't want to have to worry about timing the meal perfectly to get to a movie on time. So last night we decided to try to go to an early movie and then have a late dinner, and it worked out great! We saw "Syriana," which was extremely well done and thought-provoking. I don't think there are ten people on the planet who fully understand all the ins and outs of Mideast politics and/or the oil industry, but once I let go of the idea that I was supposed to really "get" what was going on, I enjoyed the movie tremendously. I continue to be impressed by George Clooney—everything he does seems to have an added depth to it. There were two scenes in the movie that were very upsetting and hard to take; otherwise it was an absorbing—albeit discouraging—movie about greed, big business, corruption, politics, and oil oil oil. Always oil. The root of all evil in this world, as I've said before. And as in other movies about CIA operatives and big business, I always suspect that the truth is even worse than what we're being shown. Other thoughts:

• Anyone know why it's called "Syriana"?
• We watch so many DVDs that I kept finding myself looking for the "pause" button so I could ask Andy a question!
• We saw trailers for "Thank You for Smoking, "Sophie Schott," and "The Promise," all of which made me want to see them.

Afterward we headed over to Solea for tapas. We sat at the bar with an absolutely delicious bottle of Condada de Haza and a bunch of little plates filled with goodies. Our favorites were the Pato Braseado (Roasted Duckling with Berry Sauce) and the Chorizo a la Plancha (Grilled Spanish Sausage).

Comments

[Janeen]

Sounds like my kind of evening!

[sheila]

I enjoyed the movie as well. But I have to disagree. I think it is the love of money that is the root of all evil. When you really get right down to it, the oil is about the money.

[Karen]

But there is something about the oil industry that seems to be just plain WORSE than other big-business-corporate greed scenarios. And oil is really the cause of all these wars, and the "Texas oil mentality" is, I think, behind most of Dubya's actions (and his dad's before him).