We’re in the home stretch leading to the Oscars, so get your votes in now. After work today I went to see The Pianist. I hate to fall into hackneyed movie-review language, but really this movie was spellbinding. It moves at a stately pace but doesn’t drag, and the scope of the movie is personal enough that it makes something as large as war so real and engaging. (Speaking of war, the movie includes much shocking, random violence. Not totally gratuitous, it makes the point.) And there are scenes, especially when Wladyslaw Szpilman (Adrien Brody) goes into hiding, where so much is said with so few words or none at all. Very well-deserved nominations for Roman Polanski and Mr. Brody, who carries the film so well.
Lighting the world. Check out pictures from last week’s candlelight vigils, courtesy of contributors to MoveOn.org’s international photo collection.
One ringy-dingy… Earlier today the phone rings. Caller ID tells me it’s 212.247.7800. Being the freak that I am, I let the phone ring, and go to Google. With a phone number ending in a generically round number, it’s likely to be a business. It is. Carnegie Hall. All of a sudden, I become unjustifiably skittish. Ooh, Carnegie Hall wants me! But then I realize it’s the box office number. I’m on their customer list. Duh. Yeah, it’s marketing, but any kind of arts communication makes me feel a little special, in a leisurely kind of way, as if yes, at a moment’s notice I can zip up to New York for a recital, sure.
Okay, have a great weekend, folks. I’ll be catching up on more nominated movies and performances. Gangs of New York and Frida at the theaters, and on DVD: My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Road to Perdition, and Unfaithful.