Well one thing good came out of the Trojan Virus 2008...I finally got my sound back. Seems last time I had to wipe and start over, I didn't get everything off (but now, I know for sure how to do it) So the sound driver I kept trying to install wouldn't because of how messed up my computer still was from the last boo-boo.

So I've been watching movies (and I have about five more in my queue that I'll be watching over the next several days)

First Up:

Deja Vu, with Mr. Denzel Washington. It was even close to what I thought it would be, but I really liked the concept. Boy, tho, Val Kilmer has gotten fat. I really don't want to give away too much, but Mr. Washington is an ATF agent in New Orleans. As navy men and their families are heading out to the ship for deployment (the families are seeing them "off") a bomb goes off, killing hundreds and injuring more. Denzel is married to his job and begins, along with the FBI, investigating the case.

A female corpse washes up with similar injuries than the ferry victims, but the time of death was slightly before the explosion. Denzel figures her death has something to do with the bomb so he goes to her house, and as he's poking around, he listens to the answering machine and hears his voice. Later, as the CSI's are going through the apartment, they tell him his fingerprints are all over the place.

I thought this might be an "Angel Heart" or "Memento" kind of movie but it wasn't. But I don't want to say anything else for fear I'll give it away.

It was good, and so I give it 3 paws up.


Memoirs of a Geisha

Ok, I love asian movies. The costumes are always lovely, the cinematography is always top notch. This was produced by Spielburg.

I read the book several years ago when the book first came out, and I have to say, they did an excellent job of capturing everything perfectly. It was just about how I remembered the book, although a little more dark and dreary looking.

Two young girls are sold so the father will have money to try and save the mother's life. One girl is taking into a Geisha house, while the other is taken straight into prostitution.

Contrary to popular beliefs, geishas are not prostitutes. They are more for entertaining and performing (singing, dancing)If lucky enough, they may end up with a patron, and then become their "concubine."

Anyway, so the little girl in the geisha house doesn't want to be there and causes problems. Plus, the main geisha is jealous and so tries to sabotage her every step of the way.
She enrages the mother so much, that it is decided they will not make her a geisha and she will always be a servant girl.

One day when she was still young, she meets a man on the streets who is kind to her and buys her a cherry ice (snow cone)and gives her some money. She takes the money and sacrifices it at the temple, wishing to one day become a geisha.

Eventually, her wish is fullfilled and when older, she continually runs into this same man. But fate and circumstances always keeps her from confessing she is the little girl and she is in love with him.

Interesting and beautiful film filled with longing, jealousy, dealing with the hand you're given and revenge.

Four paws up and a tail wag.


Last but not least:

Juno

This was practically all given away with the oscar buzz and previews and such. Most everyone knows the story...teen aged girl gets pregnant by her best friend. She refuses to admit how much she likes him. She decides to give the baby up for adoption to a nice couple. She really gets along with the husband.

There is a little surprise or two at the end, so I'll just stop now. But it was a kooky, enjoyable movie and I love Ellen Page's smart mouthed character.

I give this three and a half paws up.

Well, that's another edition of movie madness...I'm about to watch Hancock right now. I have Don't Mess with the Zohan in the queue, along with Running with Scizzors and Casanova.

Oh shoot, I forgot Sex and the City...but I'll cover that next time as well.