Movie Review: Delicatessen

I won't kid you...this movie is fuh-reeky...really very strange, and not for the faint of heart. About a third of the way into it, I was regretting the choice and thinking it was just too weird and disturbing for me. But then, having made that decision that I didn't like it, something funny happened...I stopped overanalyzing it and just started enjoying it. Very quirky, for sure, and pretty dark (I mean, is cannabilism ever a light topic?), but also really funny and entertaining. By the time the credits rolled, I was sorry it was over.

So, if you're in the mood for something different, check it out. There are subtitles, but the plot is so engrossing that after a bit, you don't even notice that you're reading them.

I am insanely excited for this to be released on Friday

ISO Reviews and Recommendations

First - has anyone read this, or anything by Cormac McCarthy? I think he wrote 'All the Pretty Horses.'

I saw this book at the supermarket the other night, and thought Evan would like it. It seems right up his alley. However, I was too cheap to pay the $14.95 hardcover price. Our local library doesn't have it yet, so now I'm rethinking my reluctance to buy it.

If you've read it, give me a review.

Next, we finally got around to watching Babel. Definitely enjoyed it (though, not as much as Crash, which is the movie it is constantly compared to). My Netflix queue is getting shorter as we make our way through it, so ISO suggestions for movies to add to it. I'll watch almost anything, except for action-adventures. So, give me suggestions?

Crash

Finally got around to seeing this movie. If you haven't seen it...do! It was really compelling, with a pretty powerful message. There were several scenes where I was just so uncomfortable for the characters, and it was one of those 'god, I want this to end well, but I have a feeling it won't' kind of movies.

The acting was superb, too. I had no idea Sandra Bullock, Matt Dillon, and Ryan Phillipe had such chops. Thandie Newton and Don Cheadle were superb, too.

Anyway, definitely worth putting on your Netflix queue.

Hooray for Bollywood

Been meaning to post about two great movies I have seen in the last few weeks.

Growing up, my closest friend was a self-professed 'ABCD' (American born, confused desi - though Priya actually was born in India and came to the U.S. at the age of 2) -- in other words, the first generation child of immigrant parents, struggling to reconcile her life in suburban Jersey with her cultural ties to India. So, I've always been fascinated with all things Indian -- the food (god, I miss Cambridge! There is no decent Indian food here), the literature, the music.

So, you can imagine how thrilled I was to learn that The Two River Film Festival, which is housed at the University I work at was hosting the NJ premiere of The Namesake. This movie is based on the amazing book by Jhumpa Lahiri. My mom and I both read, and loved, this book, so we jumped at the chance to see the movie (and, for free, natch!).

What a beautiful movie! I highly recommend it. The story is wonderful and pulls you right in, and the movie was just so visually appealing, too. I'm not sure that it will hit mainstream theatres, but if it comes to an Art House near you ... go see it!

I also put Deepa Mehta's trilogy (Fire, Water, Earth) in my Netflix queue. Watched Water first, then subsequently pushed the others further down my queue, and interspersed them with lighter fare. The move was very powerful, very moving, and very well done. But, it was heavy and really stays with you. I do recommend it, but just be prepared.