Confessions of a Liberal Puritan

And I actually saw THREE (count 'em, three!) movies last week, after more than two months of non-theater attendance.

Better late than never, I guess . . . though the fact that the theater chain which owns all my local multiplexes has started charging $9 for all shows at 3 PM or later (meaning, I can only go to the movies on the weekends, when I've mostly been too sick or tired to leave the house over the past months) has a great deal to do with my non-attendance. *whine* If it wasn't for catching several movies while visiting my sister at Thanksgiving and Christmas last year, I'd be even more severely behind the times than I am. Oh, well.

I finally used the free ticket pass that had been burning a hole in my pocket since January (and which allowed me to see an evening show as freely as a matinee) to catch "In Bruges" last Wednesday night, just a day before the film left town, and I admit I was impressed. I'd forgotten what it was supposed to be about or who was in it, remembering only that it was supposed to be good, so the darkness in the characters came as a bit of a shock, but then I got into the spirit of the thing.

I've spent a few hours in Brussels a couple of times over the years (doing the touristy thing while waiting for trains or buses to somewhere else in Europe), but I'd never seen anything as lovely as what appeared on the screen in those scenic views that Colin Farrell's character so frankly despised.

And then there was Colin Farrell himself, whom I've NEVER been able to find even remotely attractive, but whose childish facial features fit perfectly with his role as a somewhat immature and emotionally damaged hitman. I actually started to find him mildly sympathetic, towards the end, which is saying a lot.

Anyway, by this time I'm probably the last person (of those who wanted to see "In Bruges") to have actually seen it, so I doubt that my recommendation is needed. However, if the movie's still playing near you and you're on the fence about seeing it (and you're old enough to see movies with lots of violence, swearing, and "other stuff" in them), then I say "Go for it!"

Then, last Friday, I finished my hours for the week by early afternoon (no overtime pay allowed for me), so I caught a 2:30 PM showing of "Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day", which was more than worth my $6.50, in my opinion.

Yes, it starts off a little roughly (the first ten minutes feels a little too much like a caricature of those old, Depression-era dark comedies, perhaps), but once Miss Guinevere Pettigrew arrives at her new 'job' with American actress/singer DeLysia LaFosse (not the name she was born with, it's safe to say), the movie starts to really gel.

I'd advise anyone who enjoys an "over-forty" romantic pairing to see this film for the sheer, mindless fun (and the 'kids' in the film aren't too shabby, either).

Finally, I dragged myself out of bed in time for early church services this past Palm Sunday, and so was able to get enough done by noon that I could with a cheerfully clear conscience take in yet another movie: "The Bank Job" with my new favorite tough-guy heart-throb Jason Statham (what can I say? I finally saw "The Transporter" on cable a little while ago, and I've been a goner for the guy ever since). I never expected to enjoy a movie so much in which Jason Statham only gets one, tiny, brief fight-scene, but this was a great example of the heist film. Enthusiastic 'thumbs up!' from me.

I understand that no one will be posting on LJ tomorrow, so I'm glad to get all of this off my chest while I can.

Finally, I wish those of you who observe the Western Christian liturgical calendar a suitably somber Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, and a joyous, hope-filled Easter (we can all use a little resurrection in our lives now and then, even if we're not Cylons, right?).