As you'll notice, I've changed the look of my blog because I love BLACK!  Once I saw a template with black, I said "That's me!"  Ok, on to more interesting subjects.  I've seen some wonderful films on DVD lately, but at the theatre it's been a different story.  Actually, I shouldn't generalize, as I've only seen "King Arthur" since the "Spiderman" incident.  The film was OK.  After reading a few versions of the legend and viewing several adaptations, there was some frustration involving the new version.  Most of this stems from the fact that Jerry Bruckheimer produced the film.  I try to avoid his productions, but as this film starred the lovely Keira Knightley, I could not resist.  Yes.  I admit.  There are just some women for whom I question my heterosexuality and she is one.  So, it didn't bother me that Guinevere is portrayed as a warrior traipsing around in a Xena inspired leather outfit with an abundance of exposed skin covered with Braveheart inspired woad paint.  No, that part was just fine, as were the battle scenes.  In fact, the cinematography was quite impressive.  What bothered me most was the trite dialogue to be expected from the narrowminded, unimaginative writers of Bruck's films.  What a joke!  In fact, this film tried so hard to be "Braveheart" that I had to laugh in parts.  There is hardly any character development, nuance among relationships, or coherent storylines.  The battle scenes would have been much more impressive if they were more violent and graphic like "Braveheart," but instead everything is only indicated.  Anyway, finished with the ranting and raving about the mindless aspects of Hollywood "entertainment," I will shift my attention to more worthy films I have encountered.  "The House of Sand and Fog"-- what a film.  I know that it is based on a book (which I haven't read) but I have to believe this film does the story justice (as did "The Hours" to Michael Cunningham's novel).  This film moved me to tears without such an expectation.  It's not one of those sappy chick flicks that says, "Oh, here's where everyone's going to cry" and they cater to that notion.  This is just pure human emotion being played out on film in a way that ceases hold of the audience and says, "You can't ignore this."  Wonderful performances all around and especially by my new favorite actress Shoreh Aghdashloo who joins my other favorite, French veteran Fanny Ardant.  Next is "In America."  It's fun, moving, bittersweet, honest... The little girls in it blow me away.  They are not your typical child actors who are cute and precocious.  They are acting machines and know how to capture an audience.  Again, I wept, but in a truly joyous moment of the film.  I was just so overcome with emotion.  Now, know this:  I am not someone who cries at any film.  I actually cannot remember the last film for which I shed tears.  Perhaps "Life is Beautiful" from 1997! As for my reading, I have not been able to keep up as I am completely consumed by my accelerated French class.  I have decided to set aside the Dumas book as it became much to painful to spend my summer trying to overlook its misgivings.  I have taken up a new book (new to me) called Surprised By Joy by C.S. Lewis.  My dad loaned it to me last fall when I began to speak of my religious struggle.  I'm hoping this will serve as a support and guide for my personal story.  I still pray to God about it (as my faith in Him has not wavered).  Maybe reading books like I, Lucifer, Angels and Demons, and The Da Vinci Code wasn't such a good idea for a confused, tormented, and fallen away young individual like myself.