In Bruges

This dark comedy stars Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson as an odd couple of hired assassins who find themselves in Bruges, Brussels under orders from their boss, played by Ralph Fiennes.

Both Gleeson and Fiennes, two very fine actors, do a great job, as expected. It was Farrell's performance that was really surprising and that finally proved he's not just a gorgeous looking guy who can't act. He even won a Golden Globe for his role!

A particular mention must be made of Bruges itself, a quaint, very old, medieval town that charms the spectator with its beauty and tranquility. Viewing so many of its treasures really made me want to go visit it in person.

And if you have the DVD, check out the bonus material. There's a short boat trip along Bruges' canals that look so peaceful and relaxing, I'd just want to live there. It really does look like a fairytale town.

Another featurette about the making of the movie also tells us how first-time director (and writer) Martin McDonagh came up with the story. He looks so good, it's a pity he's behind the camera!

Grade: 8

Little Children

A very interesting and layered movie with the always excellent Kate Winslet and the incredibly handsome Patrick Wilson -- who's also a very good actor, by the way.

Since the story basically revolves around dissatisfaction with one's life, one might think we've seen it all before. And we have, but the script is original enough and the acting so good, that it really feels fresh.

Winslet and Wilson display so much chemistry on screen that I wouldn't have been surprised to see the TV fog up.

The film also has a B-plot and a few unexpected moments that contribute to its originality. The only weak link I found with it was Jennifer Connelly. I still can't decide if I like and believe her acting or not. Which probably means I do not.

Overall, a very good movie.

Grade: 8

Maine legalizes same-sex marriage

Wow, I can't believe this is happening so fast. Yesterday, Maine's governor, John Baldacci, signed into law the bill recently approved by large majorities in both the state House and Senate chambers.

In the short span of a few weeks, Iowa, Vermont, and now Maine join Massachusetts and Connecticut in allowing same-sex marriages.

Maine's governor is also the first one ever to sign such a bill into law without either being forced by a Supreme Court ruling nor by the possibility of seeing his possible veto overridden by the legislature:

Democratic Gov. John Baldacci today signed into law a bill allowing gay marriage, making Maine the fifth state to allow same-sex marriage.
[...]
Baldacci said in a statement that while he has opposed gay marriage in the past, "I have come to believe that this is a question of fairness and of equal protection under the law, and that a civil union is not equal to civil marriage.

"This new law does not force any religion to recognize a marriage that falls outside of its beliefs," the governor said. "It does not require the church to perform any ceremony with which it disagrees. Instead, it reaffirms the separation of church and state.

"It guarantees that Maine citizens will be treated equally under Maine’s civil marriage laws, and that is the responsibility of government," Baldacci said.

Unfortunately, the situation in Maine is not as favorable towards us as it was in Iowa:

The law will take effect 90 days after the end of the legislative session in June.

Gay-marriage opponents have promised to organize a people’s veto campaign that would put the issue to a statewide vote in November. To do this, opponents would have to gather 55,087 signatures within 90 days after the adjournment of the Legislature, expected to occur in mid-June. The law would then be put on hold until after the vote on Election Day.

That our opponents would try to take away our rights is a virtual guarantee. What I don't like is the fact that the law might not even have a chance to be enacted before being suspended until after the referendum.

This could mean that no gay couple would ever be able to take advantage of this historically progressive legislation.

Chances are pretty good that the number of signatures gathered will greatly surpass the minimum needed, and after that, all we can do is hope that Mainers will choose equality over bigotry.

At any rate, today we can say, Hurray for Maine!!

Monsters vs Aliens

A passable animated adventure for the little ones that will barely keep the interest of their accompanying adults. It's not inherently a bad movie and there's nothing really wrong with it. I guess it's just not a memorable feature.

The technical aspect, as it's expected nowadays from any animated production, is very good. I didn't see the 3D version, which might have wow'ed me more, but if that's the case then it's a feeble justification for making the movie in the first place. The movie needs to be good whether in 3D or not, especially if you offer it in both formats. Otherwise it's like one of those movies that suck but look great (Godzilla comes to mind ... what a bore ...)

3D viewing is supposed to have greatly improved and a slew of offerings are going to pop up on the screens in the upcoming months and years, but being in 3D cannot be the only magnet for a movie, or it will inevitably fail to deliver a good experience.

Not much else to say about it. See it if you're really into animated movies, but I'd wait for a cheaper medium, rather than pay for it in a theater.

Grade: 6

Deadwood

Yet another great series by the hits-creating machine that is HBO. I really have come to believe that EVERYTHING they put out deserves to be viewed, even just for the production values and the effort they put into delivering a top notch product over and over again.

Having a western slant, this show wouldn't seem like my cup of tea, but the fact of the matter is that the western setting is nothing more than that, a setting. The stories that involve the characters are as varied and interesting as those you'd find on The Sopranos or Sex and the City.

Ian McShane plays the likeable baddy with so much charisma and panache you root for him on every occasion. He chews the scenery, dominates every scene he's in and is missed from all in which he is not.

And he's not the only one who turns in great performances. On the contrary, the entire (very vast) cast is terrific (the casting director was a genius).

The technical production (cinematography, art direction, makeup, costume design) is phenomenal and the music is great.

I watched the entire three seasons in quick succession and would absolutely recommend it to everyone.

Grade: 9

Battlestar Galactica

Because of my predilection for science fiction, this is quite possibly the best TV show I've ever seen. I still vividly remember watching the miniseries and loving it and feeling elated when they announced it had been picked up as a regular series.

After four seasons, the show has now come to an end, but it probably left its mark on sci-fi television series for years to come.

Its gritty realism, its well developed screenplays, its great acting, and the phenomenal visual effects all raised the bar for this type of show.

I never watched the original Battlestar Galactica, but I've heard that the fans were worried about the remake destroying what they had come to love so much. They needed not fear. The show was awesome from the start, and both audience and critical acclaim proved it.

I never buy TV series on DVD (because the viewing would require too much time and because, if I had that much time, I'd probably opt to watch something new anyway), but if I did, this would be a must have.

The conclusion of the show, a two-hour on-the-edge-of-your-seat tying up of the different storylines, managed to leave me satisfied, satiated, happy for how it ended, sad because it ended, and simply drained of energies. I watched those two hours over and over at least four or five times since, just to make sure I hadn't missed any subtle points they might have thrown in the mix.

I don't recall ever dedicating so much time to a single show as I have to this one, and it sure deserved it.

A spin off, Caprica, is slated to premiere in a few months, but it seems to be a radically different show from Battlestar Galactica. I hope it's good and I will give it a chance, but I doubt it will come anywhere near the latter's greatness.

Battlestar Galactica was a show with both a heart, a brain, and a soul. It will be sorely missed.

Grade: 10

A Quote By:

Tom Lang, a gay, married man and Director of KnowThyNeighbor, based in Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA, says that he uses the strategy of exposing the signers of anti-gay initiatives in order to generate the dialogue between both sides of this issue:

"We believe at KnowThyNeighbor that if you truly feel that it is necessary to change laws and state constitutions to exclude gay people from the American experience then you should be proud to tell us who you are. And in like manner, if you are an LGBT person and you see someone that you know on this list, if you are related to this person or do business with this person that it is your responsibility to stand up and speak up for yourself."

Shooter

This Mark Wahlberg vehicle flows easily enough to be entertaining, but it's not something we haven't seen before. It's kind of like Rambo for the Washington, DC set.

Wahlberg (as always in top physical shape ... ) plays the military trained guy who feels compelled to go back to doing what he's so good at only to discover ... and I won't say more not to spoil anything, but it's not too hard to imagine what comes next.

At any rate, the film does keep you engaged, thanks to the highly adrenalinic action sequences and a few plot twists that don't disappoint.

And Mark Wahlberg's body ...

Grade: 6

Pandemic, by Daniel Kalla

The reading of this book seems eerily prescient given the current outbreak of swine flu that could potentially turn into a pandemic. And the story makes me even more jittery about what could possibly happen if this virus were to get out of control (or in the wrong hands).

The book is quite good, although it doesn't end on a high note. I found the last part a little rushed and weak, almost as if the author had to rush to get the final draft to his publisher for printing.

Too bad because the story is engaging and realistic. I'd still recommend it, particularly because it's a good exposure to something that could happen at any given time.

Grade: 7

Cheney's office

By Bob Englehart: