First Word

In one of the quietest, little movies of the year that stirs up big emotions, we find ourselves in the world of a Adam, a young man diagnosed with a rare back cancer. I knew I wanted to see this movie, and it came as no surprise it was a great movie since it had been nominated for numerous awards. I was surprised that it wasn't exactly your typical movie about life, death and the big C. It moved with a slow, visceral build with a very intimate look at Adam's reaction and slow meltdown and eruption as he realizes, yeah, hey he could die. The scene where this realization finally hits him is superb. Adam, who doesn't drive for fear he could die (yes, the irony is not lost), decides to grab the wheel when his best friend played by the low-key Seth Rogen gets too drunk to drive. Adam, who at this point has been pretty controlled about the whole thing, finally lets loose on the car and not only drives recklessly but pounds the steering wheel, letting go of loads of pent-up anger ...

Here is a riddle for you: What looks uncomfortable, acts stilted, and isn't funny? If your answer was last night's Independent Spirit Awards you would be correct. I adore independent film, and many of those last night's films were on my list of favorites this year. So I decided to wile away a Saturday night plopped in front of the TV. Seth Rogen came on as host, and between the uncomfortable laughs and weak jokes, he looked miserable. Now follow this nervous assault with an array of equally uncomfortable-looking actors and actresses, and you have a terrible awards show. It was so unorganized and messy that some award recipients disappeared during it. The award announcers looked as if they were mostly in the dental chair getting their teeth cleaned, and the level of enthusiasm sparked only mere smiles on the winner's faces. Then for some reason, Michael Shannon was seated so that about every 10 minutes he got a close-up. Add to this, the so-called gift from Nokia that wa...