Sunthing Special

As you may remember, I’ve been very affected by the two Richard Linklater movies “Before Sunrise” and “Before Sunset”. So I was thrilled to hear a third one had been made last summer. It debuted recently at Sundance and got absolutely rave reviews. The problem? I was so curious to know what happened that I read some of the critics’ reviews and now I don’t want to see it. One male critic wrote that the movie “destroyed” him. The dialogoue is pretty intense and the movie ends (SPOILER ALERT) with the audience wondering if this couple that we’ve cared about for the past 18 years will even stay together. Part of the conflict is that he wants to move back to America, where his son with his first wife lives, and she wants to stay in France, where her career and twins girls (with him) are. I haven’t even seen the movie and I’m already upset so you can see whay I won’t be able to see it. Yes, I’m just as silly as my son, who is heartbroken that an “Open Season 4″ probably won’t ever be made, which has him moping around.

(written next day) … or maybe I will see it. I mean, the reviewers just gushed about how great this movie is, even saying it was worth being nominated for an Oscar. I guess I need to know how the last scene ends — will I be happy or miserable. One reviewer said the movie left him “breathless”. What could that mean??

I see them advertised before they show movies at the theatres — see the Metropolitan Opera “one night only” and whatnot. I just wondered if anyone went to these things. I definitely wouldn’t go see the opera at the movies. I don’t like it live, I can’t even imagine how grueling it would be to sit through as a movie. They also show classic movies sometimes — for example a nearly 4-1/2  hour showing of “Lawrence of Arabia” (with extras) will be next Thursday night. I’ve never seen the movie, but 4-1/2 hours (+ intermission) is a heck of a long time to sit for a movie.

Several months ago we rented “Ponyo”, then a few weeks ago we rented “Spirited Away”. They were both made by Studio Ghibli, a Japanese animation and film studio whose films are almost always highly-rated and/or award-winning. Both films were so different from the usual animated fare, and kids and I really liked them. I was excited to learn that the studio has a lot more films that we can see (if we can find them). We rented two from the Main Library today but won’t be home to watch them until next week. I can’t wait to see them! (Interestingly enough Disney is in on these films but I’m not sure how — maybe they handle the English-speaking versions?)
August 14 Update: We watched “Kiki’s Delivery Service” yesterday. The kids all liked it, but I was a bit disappointed. I think my expectations were too high (a common problem I have). We also got “Castle in the Sky” but I don’t think I’m going to let the kids watch it. I read about it and I think it would be too intense for them (and me!).