capsule reviews

i just finished watching the darjeeling limited for the second time this weekend and i must say that i am enchanted. on the first view, i was touched by the multiple perspectives it offered on mourning and challenged to let go of my own baggage, which is of similar origin but different design. on the second view, i was caught up in the brothers' quest and found myself wishing that they could have found resources and guides for their journey within the judeo-christian tradition. i suspect that the context for the single scene of christian devotion in the film is meant to suggest that our spiritual journeys always require a break from our past. if that is what anderson is suggesting i cannot help but agree with him and yet hope that our journeys eventually lead us back where we belong.

the pix and i also watched affleck's adaptation of gone baby gone last night. i thought the film was beautifully shot,* well acted and one of the most haunting reflections on christian ethics that i have experienced in some time. instead of making students suffer through evangelical ethics** at s.h.i.t., i would like to propose that they simply show this film, the lives of others, the mission and talledega nights and have a no holds barred discussion afterwards.

i don't know why i haven't mentioned it, but i think that the brief life of oscar wao by junot diaz was one of the finest works of fiction published in 2007. although i enjoyed the book on the first read, i wasn't enamored with it. it was not until i had the time to reflect on the displaced, tragic life of oscar while immersed in the latino culture of chelsea that i realized that diaz's book has encouraged a love for latino culture and the spanish language that i somehow failed to learn from both beisbol or an old, good friend.****

* for the record, boston isn't quite that beautiful, but we wish it was.
** where every essay on every test is measured by only one metric: the number of bible verses cited.
*** mitt romney's statement that he did not know that the lawn service that he hired from chelsea was staffed by undocumented immigrants was one of the most egregious lies of the primary season. anyone who has ever been to chelsea, which brushes right up against downtown boston, knows that every business in the area is staffed by a united nations crew.
**** i hope that she accepts my apologies. i understand that my obtuseness is no less offensive for being unintentional. thank you for trying to introduce me to these mysteries long ago.