so i saw some very good movies last weekend. 21 Grams was gripping and interesting and had great acting by mr. penn, mr. del toro, and ms. watts. it jumped all around in time and that was interesting but for the life of me i can't seem to remember how the movie ends right now thinking back on it.. i know the major event but i don't remember the final feeling it gave me, only it kind of fizzled out and you're left sort of wanting something else i know... i see benicio and naomi standing in the waiting room looking out the window and.. what was after that? maybe nothing. so that was a strange movie-going experience. but we saw mike cortada! didn't talk to him but dammit he looked very good. mike cortada is a supreme masturbation fantasy. that's his purpose. In America was as funny and sweet and touching as the reviews said.. there was an E.T. motif and you can't go wrong with that.. the little girls were amazing actors, and of course samantha morton is incredible in everything. there's the most wonderful song in the credits at the end, completely tops off the whole thing perfectly. and then the kicker.. House of Sand and Fog. i didn't really want to see it from the previews, something about the plot didn't interest me at all, and jennifer connolly really kind of annoys me. but ben kingsley is my favorite living actor. and he proved yet again that he deserves that title. what the hell is up with that guy? is he an alien? how can all of his performances be so flawless? i don't understand. i shake my head at him and sigh. this is one of the most engrossing movies i've seen in a long time. it reels you in and you're transfixed for over 2 hours and it's really mesmorizing.. it's visually stunning, the acting is tremendous at worst, the plot kills you, you are destroyed by the end of it, it's an incredible motion picture. it seems to stay with you like acid stays in you, in your spine and in your hair.. since it technically came out last year, i must add it as nearly a tie for my favorite drama of last year..

so 21 Grams = ****
In America = *****
and House of Sand and Fog = *****

go see these movies, or at least those last two. or at least that last one. man.