Categories: cinema
Date: 08 October 2007 01:46:02
I saw three movies over the weekend: one at the cinema and two at home.
Friday night I saw Centochiodi [One Hundred Nails] as part of the Italian Film Festival, and had a wonderful dinner afterwards of scallops and asparagus risotta, washed down with a nice riesling, and then a walnut crème brûlée with a mocha. Mmmm.
On to the movie, and it was an enjoyable, if not curious, film. It opens in a university library where a vandal has nailed one hundred rare manuscripts to the floor -- recalling a crucifixion. A professor of theology leaves for a remote area of Italy by the river Po, leaving behind his identity, possesions [including a nice BMW :)], for a ruined old house by the river. Friendships form between the professor and the local people, whose illegally-built homes are threatened by development. The professor helps the villagers in their struggles, and he finds a new lease on life in the country. There is a halt to this idyllic life, but I will say no more in case any readers are wanting to see it.
I read, in the programme, that the director stated he wanted to depict a figure exhibiting the humanity of Christ -- "not the Son of God but the Son of Man." I think he succeeds. I recall one, of many, lines in the film by the professsor -- "Having a coffee with a friend is more valuable than all the books in the world.": I love my books, but I do love friendship more: and time spent with friends, as I particularly discovered this weekend, is worth more than all the proverbial tea in China.
The other films I saw were Meet Joe Black and The Notebook. Two very good movies that I can recommend: and that were recommended to me by a work colleague -- in fact she gave me Meet Joe Black to watch at home.
Gosh Brad Pitt [who was in Meet Joe Black] is a good actor; even if his looks make me feel terrible insecure [though as I pointed out to my colleague: "I saw a pimple on his back...he's not perfect!" :D ]. He truly played the role of Death, who took on a human form, so perfectly -- small nuances and manners of speech that had me alternating between laughter and jaw-dropping amazement. Ryan Gosling [The Notebook] is also a fine actor, as is Rachel McAdams who played Allie. I haven't seen either of them in other films, though apparently Ryan Gosling is great in Half Nelson.
Two very different stories, but both concerned with love, and the difficulties with love for two people from very dufferent backgrounds. The Notebook was an especially emotional ride. But two movies I truly enjoyed watching.