Movies

1. "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" - More of the same, yada yada yada. (Sorry, I'm just not a True Believer. I watch the movies and enjoy them well enough, but that's the extent of it.)

2. "A Love Song for Bobby Long" - This movie would have been nothing without John Travolta. (And even with him, it was almost nothing.) If someone doesn't know what "screen presence" is, I just point to Travolta. His charisma fills the screen for me, every time. He plays an alcoholic former literature professor, living (sort of) in New Orleans with his alcoholic protégé, played by someone I'd never seen before but hope to see again, Gabriel Macht. He had a certain quality about him that reminded me of Peter Strauss, but he's more handsome. Scarlett Johansson, meanwhile, continues to underwhelm as the newcomer to New Orleans. I haven't liked her since her mainly-silent role in "Girl with a Pearl Earring." Once she starts talking, I lose interest. I know Woody Allen's all giddy about her, but I just don't see much acting ability shining through. So, I can't say that anyone needs to see this movie, but it wasn't a waste of time. It's slow, and it's pretty clear what's going to happen throughout, but there's something tantalizing about watching these people drink themselves to death all while quoting great literature.

3. "Blood Diamond" - I was once again very impressed with Leo DiCaprio's transformation into an adult—both his acting and his appearance continue to improve. Here he plays an African diamond smuggler, amid the terrifyingly violent and gory rebel-fighting in Sierra Leone. It's pretty much a stock role, as is Jennifer Connelly's hot-shot international journalist with a heart, but it works because of the story and the setting. It's really a fascinating story, and eye-opening too: It makes you think about how many lives were lost for every diamond you see in every jewelry store window. But if you don't do bloody violence, you'll want to pass on this. There are some really upsetting scenes of whole villages being machine-gunned down. Oh, and you'll all be happy to know that I was pretty pleased with Leo's faux African accent, although I certainly can't claim to be as much of an expert judge as I am with faux Boston accents.

Comments

[Margaret]

My younger daughter loved Blood Diamond and is looking at the soundtrack for new floor music for her gymnastics routine next year.

[Deborah]

I've wanted to see Blood Diamond since well before its release - but see my previous comment about my husband and anything with Leo.

And Harry Potter...well, I do love the books, and this one was just another one in the series. I think the characters have been getting better w/ each movie, but they kind of stood still on this one.