New Year's Day Couch Viewing

Looking for a break from the hectic holidays? Why not try out a couple of these DVDs?

I am very happy to know that Charles Officer's first feature film, NURSE.FIGHTER.BOY. is sometimes not available at my local mainstream video rental store. The fact that is is renting means that more people than the usual art house or Canadian film film lover (like me) are taking a chance on this wonderful love story. See my review.

I'VE LOVED YOU FOR SO LONG(Il y a longtemps que je t'aime) with Kristen Scott Thomas. One of my faves from 2008 about two sisters reuniting after many years. Don't read "chick flick" just because it's about sisters. The movie is paced like a mystery. In French with English subtitles. See my review.

IT'S NOT ME, I SWEAR! Didn't you or a kid you know utter these words when you were a kid? Yes, another French one, but this time from Québec about a young boy dealing with his parents divorce. Heartbreaking and funny at the same time. French with English subtitles. By the way, if your kid likes to get into mischief, I would suggest you don't let them in the room when you watch this--they may get ideas.See my review.

She was overlooked at the Oscars this year, but I think Michelle Williams was simply exquisite in WENDY AND LUCY. This is more than just the story of a woman and her dog--Lassie, it ain't. See my review.

I'm reaching way into the past (1987) for this little gem, but it was time to pull this one out of the cobwebs and dust it off. The film is BAGDAD CAFE. Set in the California desert, the dusty, dry landscape makes you want to cough as you watch the fascinating story about Jasmin (Marianne Sagebrecht), a German tourist who leaves her husband and walks with her suitcase to the cafe. There Jasmin encounters, CCH Pounder's character, Brenda, whose own marital situation is none too bright and whose world is in chaos. Magical, with a haunting refrain, this film will draw you in without you knowing you're being pulled. (I don't know when the film's title was changed to Out of Rosenheim, but the name change makes no sense to me or to the story.)