Penelope Cruz is so beautiful and wonderful that I'll probably try to rent the movie when it comes out on video. Sounds very interesting. You're right - she's a visual pleasure to watch.

What can one say about Edward Norton? Wow...what a talent. There's a very powerful black and white portrait of him that oozes with his intensity. The photographer was overwhelmed by the force and energy of his personality, asked Norton to close his eyes. His intensity is evident even with his eyes closed.

I've heard good and bad about The Good Shepherd. Some said it was a total snooze, beginning to end, but perhaps they were looking for an gun blazing action flick.

Apocalypto was a disappointment. Lots of running through the jungle. There were stunning costumes in the human sacrifice sequence, but the rest bordered on silly. There's one scene which is supposed to depict the gory result of some violence, and the audience laughed out loud. We all immediately thought of a Monty Python sketch...."Oh, it's only a flesh wound."

Mayans are very proud of their heritage, as well they should be. The Mayans were brilliant astronomers. There will be no outcry of the depiction because most Mayans are illiterate and considered the lower caste in Latin America. They would probably be proud that they are depicted in ANY fashion, because it will serve to acknowledge their existence and send people to learn more about the culture.

Sheila, I didn't see Apocalypto nor do I expect to--Mel Gibson is permanently off my list despite his brilliance as a filmmaker. I did see the trailers, however, and they were a real turnoff. I wonder why this thing got such good reviews. Was Hollywodd merely circling the wagons?

The previews of the Painted Vieil sucked me right in. I really want to see this one,especially after having read your review.

I have always liked the Painted Veil in literary form - Somerset Maugham is a favorite writer of mine and his work lends itself well to dramatization I think. I once did an eight week tv series of adaptations of his short stories (live tv no less!).

I haven't seen any of these movies, Pidge - but I think tomorrow is going to be The Good Shepherd since it's playing here.

By the way, it was Suzanne who posted above not I:) And like you I will not be seeing Apolcalypto.

Count me in on the Apocalypto boycott. Painted Veil is definitely on my list

I'd love to hear what others think of The Painted Veil when you get a chance to see it. I don't want to spoil the film for those who have not yet seen it but I'd like to discuss its subtleties when more folks have checked it out. The relationship between Norton and Watts starts so abruptly and, ironically, then unfolds so gradually--whew, it's a film that sticks with you long after you've left the theatre.
I've never read the Maugham work but I do remember a TV series of his works, and Sheila, that must have been YOU behind it. I once taught a terrific short story of his, "The Colonel's Wife," that knocked me out with its ironic wit and social acumen. I think I'll look that up again and fit it in somewhere. I think I'm only beginning to understand Maugham's skillful dissection of human interactions.

I want to fix this bad, bad sentence: I wrote that "Damon remarks that people of color or non-white non-Protestant European ancestry notes that people like him are the only true "Americans" and everyone else is merely a 'visitor.'" I meant that the people of color, etc., need to understand that they are merely "visitors" in white, non-Jewish and rarely Catholic America. Geez, I'm supposed to get these things right.

The Painted Veil is definitely on my list to see &, miracle of miracles, it's actually showing at a couple of theaters here, so I won't have to wait for the DVD.

Shelia, I like Somerset Maugham too & just re-read The Painted Veil about a month ago. It's really a novella, so you can zip right through it. I understand that they've changed the ending a bit to give the story more of a redemptive feeling, but not as badly as with some of Hollywood's treatment of literary classics.

The Good Shepherd is also on my list to see, as well as Volver. unfortunately, the latter will have to wait for its DVD release as foreign films just never make it to our theaters. Penelope Cruz can shoe her acting skills to much better effect in her native language than she can in Hollywood vehicles, where she seems to be relegated to a pretty face on the arm of an action hero.

As to Mel Gibson's latest effort - No thanks.

And Pidge, our very own movie maven, how about your assessment of the year's best & worst?

I just saw Volver yesterday afternoon with a friend and really enjoyed it. I don't buy many things on DVD, but I will put this one on my list. I have always liked Pedro Almovodar's movies. I like to critique some of the translations. : )