The Center Seat

This is really weird.

I've loved this movie from the moment I first saw it. I've since seen it many times, bought the DVD, acquired the soundtrack, gone to see Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová in concert, and discussed them numerous times on this blog and others. So how is it that I haven't written a freaking review?

I think I've said this before: the movies that I love the most are the hardest for me to write about. It's true. It's perfectly simple to gush endlessly about them to those around me... but somehow that just doesn't translate to a blog post.

So here's the deal: Once is what all movies, in my oh-so-humble opinion, should aspire to be. It's a very simple story (we don't even ever learn the names of the main characters) with great music and real emotion. It was created for next to nothing in a couple of weeks with a couple of cameras and a couple of non-actors. So instead of commercial polish, we get substance. And instead of formulas, we get originality.

Once is almost a romance, but it's not really about that. It's really about the magic that happens when two compatible musicians sit down and create together. It's not something most people get to see every day, but I'm telling you: when the Guy and the Girl sit down and sing together for the first time, it's almost like there's a chemical reaction in the air. Now there's a special effect you can't create on a computer. ...Click here for the rest of this tasty post.

Hey blogosphere,

I got your note. I miss you, too... sorry I've been out of touch for so long.

It wasn't you, it was me... really. I was swamped at work, and then I was violently ill, and then I had about four wildly busy days piled on top of one another. Anyway, I hope we're still ok.

In the last couple weeks I've:

• Caught Prince Caspian--twice. Yes, yes, I'll tell you how it was. (preview: KICKASS!!!)
• Had the perfect Minnesota day. I'll tell you about that too, if I get a chance. No promises, OK?
• Got caught up at work... finally.
• Ate at Mickey's again.
• Saw all three Indiana Jones movies. Belated, I know, but I got to them before the biggie this weekend.
• Reconnected with a gaggle of high school classmates. (I wonder if I'll like them any better twelve years later? Stranger things have happened.)
• Spent some quality time with Zoe the putty tat. She's a freak, but I'm utterly devoted to her.
• Figured out an amazing new recipe for homemade parmesan chicken tenders.
• Saw Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová in concert. (Mini-review: he's hysterically funny, she's gorgeously ordinary, and together they're sublime.)
• Watched The Office... the entire American series, from the pilot up through Thursday's episode.
• Continued to rock my dreads.
• Fell further in love with Metro Transit. And The Current. And MNSpeak. And my amazing city.
• Missed a blogathon that I was really looking forward to. (I am so sorry, Marilyn.)

So, there you have it. I've been living my real life, at your expense. I've been a very, very bad blogger. You still love me, though, right?

Your (mostly) faithful friend,

Nayana ...Click here for the rest of this tasty post.

10. Marion Cotillard's heartfelt, emotional acceptance speech for Best Actress in La Vie En Rose.

9. Jon Stewart's sly wit. Good to have him back.

8. Javier Bardem's shout-out to his mommy en español. Anyone know what he said? I'm just curious.

7. Ethan Coen's two short-but-sweet acceptance speeches. "Uh, thank you very much." and "I don't have a lot to add to what I said earlier. Thank you." Awesome. He should teach a course.

6. Tilda Swinton giving props to Clooney's Bat-nipples when she won Best Supporting Actress for Michael Clayton.

5. Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová's stirring performance of "Falling Slowly" from Once contrasts sharply with all four of the competing songs which, frankly, look like they're trying too hard in comparison.

4. Diablo Cody's humble, shaken acceptance speech (and dedication of her Oscar to the writers) when she wins Best Original Screenplay for Juno. (Note: she wasn't being grumpy when she walked off, people. She was trying to hold it together so she wouldn't start bawling like a five-year-old in front of all those famous folks.)

3. Frances McDormand is visibly stoked as her husband Joel and brother-in-law Ethan nonchalantly accept their Oscar for Best Director for No Country For Old Men.

2. Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová win Best Original Song for "Falling Slowly" from Once, over three songs from Enchanted.

1. Jon Stewart brings Markéta Irglová back onstage to finish her acceptance speech, after the orchestra cut her off in what would have been one of the harshest moments in Oscar history. ...Click here for the rest of this tasty post.