Can't believe it's been more than a week since i've blogged. Anyway, have been seeing a lot lately. Shall just list the screenings: "The Secret Life of Words"; "Venus"; "Perfume: The Story of a Murderer"; "My Mexican Shiva"; "Sonia"; "The Lives of Others"; "The Wind That Shakes the Barley"; "Our Children"; "White Terror"... plus social events such as Barry's investiture as New Jesey Professor of the Year, and Ludwig's wedding to Gabriele. Plus the Independent Spirit Award free Netflix offer kicked in, and so i've already started to look at the various nominated films. One disc didn't work, was sent back and another copy was sent. That was "Thank You for Smoking" which haven't looked at yet. However, seen: "A Prairie Home Companion", "Friends With Money", "Little Miss Sunshine", "American Gun".

Actually, i've already sent in my Top Ten ballot for 2006, but there are still many well-directed films (no matter what i felt about the subject matter). I felt that way about "Perfume: The Story of a Murderer". "The Wind That Shakes the Barley" was such a well-done film, and it was quite powerful and moving. If Peter O'Toole's performance in "Venus" wasn't a star-turn, i don't know what is, but it was extraordinary.