Sin City

A friend and I went to see Sin City, and I was looking forward to an interesting and unique cinematic experience. Unfortunately, I cannot recommend this film. I did enjoy the film noir visual quality of the movie, black and white with a sparse use of color, but the stories depicted in the film were grotesque. It had to do with serial killers and the unsavory sides of life. There was a lot of violence, and I know many friends who would not like this film for that reason.

Someday I hope another movie can be made using the stunning black and white filming. I only hope the subject matter is more uplifting.

Movies to lift your spirits!

I believe there are a couple of ways to lift your spirits with film. One is to go watch a classic, funny movie. Ferris Bueller's Day Off comes to mind, and I get to call it a classic because it is from the early 80's. I may no longer be a teenager, but I can get into the spirit of a day spent in beautiful Chicago, skipping school, or in my case, I'd be skipping work. Disney's The Kid with Bruce Willis is a good one too.

Or watch a movie that is so engrossing and packed with action and adventure that you forget your disappointments. I like the Bourne Supremacy / The Bourne Identity for a good plot, and white-knuckling, holding-your-breath action.

Another route is to see a foreign film. Reading those subtitles requires more attention. Two of my favorites are Amelie, an inventive mysterious film, and Everybody's Famous! which I haven't seen for a couple of years, but liked it when it came out.

Good luck with finding just the right movie prescription, and let me know how it works out.

Groundhog Day

Thanks, Marianne, for asking about Groundhog Day. It is one of my favorite films. Bill Murray's talents as a comedic actor shine in this film about a television weatherman mysteriously fated to relive the same day over and over again (not unlike many of us trapped in boring, mundane jobs).

After first wallowing in depression and self-pity, Bill's character comes to a realization: every day is an opportunity to learn something new, to be of service to others, and for happiness. Small efforts taken each day to learn ice sculpting for example, or how to play the piano, result in a tomorrow when practice pays off in expertise.

Also starring Andie McDowell, Groundhog Day is a very funny film with a message, one I watch again and again.