Friday, February 15, 2008

Films, Novels, and Hot Coffee

Still waiting on a movie I ordered on Amazon.com: The Body, about the finding of what could possibly be the skeletal remains of Jesus Christ. Back when this film was first released on video, I kept passing it on the shelf at the video store, curious but cynical that my faith would be favorably--and honestly--represented. Was it just a mockery of Christianity? And how would Judaism and Islam be represented?

Well, I finally rented it, and was so impressed with the story and the acting (some big names in this, and even the supporting actors are great--I especially like the cheeky Irish brother) that I eventually bought a used VHS tape of it and have watched it several times since. Being a fan of widescreen, however, I've finally broken down and purchased the DVD. Can't wait for it it arrive.

Note (added later, same day): Yes, faith is affirmed, but I will not reveal the ending, which is absolutely perfect. 

Meantime, I've also purchased Strangers on a Train and Witness for the Prosecution, classic noir, the first directed by Alfred Hitchcock and the second by Billy Wilder. Highly recommended.

One of my writing rituals involves a cup of fresh coffee beside the computer, and though I'm inhaling the imagination-inspiring aroma, now I'm debating whether or not to watch one of the movies. Work or play. Work or play. Hmmmm....

4 comments:

Pappy said...

Ahhh. Coffee, the dark elixer of life. I've tried quitting for a while, I've tried decaf, but I always returned to the real McCoy. I'll be up before daylight tomorrow preparing the pot to brew a fresh 10 cups. My wife will rise when she catches the aroma.

Keanan Brand said...

I'm quite pleased that coffee's bad rep is being reversed by some recent studies i.e. helps prevent women from getting Alzheimer's, aids the delivery of pain medication for headaches, that sort of thing.

When I was young, my grandmother used to let us grandchildren drink sweetened, almost white coffee with her at the kitchen table (yep, the table was in the kitchen; no dining room).

Eaglewing said...

I'm a big fan of noir, although I've barely scratched the surface of movies available to watch. I'll have to add those two to the list.

Keanan Brand said...

"Witness for the Prosecution" has a lot of humor in it, and might be categorized more as straight mystery than as noir, but the characters' morals (or lack thereof), and the big twist at the end, push it past just your average mystery and into darker territory.