LITTLE CHILDREN (2006) ***1/2

This is a spectacular movie that deserves special mention. Pathos is combined with humor into an incredibly rich wine that drips and oozes from every frame. Spot-on peformances highlight the unending labyrinth -- frailty and resilience -- of human emotion. The voiceover, a normally shunned technique, works to great effect by objectifying the absurdity and intensity of the character's microcosms in a droll, almost unintentionally sardonic fashion. A minimalist, touching score by Thomas Newman creates the perfect backdrop of ironic subtlety and sad misadventure.

HISTORY CHANNEL, LOST WORLDS: THE REAL DRACULA ***

Fascinating documentary about the historical figure which probably inspired Stoker's creation. Vlad the Impaler did not drink human blood, but his atrocities far surpass the occasional sanguine extinguishment of life. A good recap, perhaps more factually informative but not nearly as much fun to watch as the documentary, can be found at:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vlad_III_Dracula

BBC, HOW TO SLEEP BETTER ***

A lot of interesting data, the fruit of years of research in the UK, first comes to light in this delightful documentary. And, considering the fact I currently work a graveyard shift, I also came away from it with some helpful suggestions as to how to improve my own sleeping patterns and, most importantly, the quality of my sleep.

Forthcoming entries here will probably contain fewer references to movies, and more to books and stories (though documentaries will still feature). A changing of gears is called for, and during at least the next month I'll be placing a heavier emphasis on purely verbal objects.

Come March, you can bet I'll be all over 300 though!