Shock (1946)

After witnessing the murder of a neighbor, Janet Stewart (Anabel Shaw) falls into catatonic state. Her husband Paul (Frank Latimore) turns to Dr. Richard Cross (Vincent Price) for guidance. When she come to, Janet is faced with the very man responsible for the murder. With her cries of murder go unanswered, Janet must fight to survive Dr. Cross and his demented nurse/lover.

With its melodramatic score and B&W rendering, Shock is a highly predictable, mediocre thriller that only really entertains if you're a fan of the genre. As B-movies go, Shock is a solid B-. The film doesn't have much bite despite Vincent Price and my macabre fascination of him. At only 70+ minutes, it won't waste your time, but it won't shock you either.

Last Chance Harvey (2009)

Harvey Shine (Dustin Hoffman) is a loser in life and love. The aging, struggling jingle writer is losing his job to someone younger, brighter, and technologically savvy. Oh, and he's being replaced in his daughter's London wedding ceremony by his ex-wife's new and obnoxiously successful husband (smug James Brolin). Kate Walker (Emma Thompson) is a lonely airport statistician who wishes for company other than her mother. Fate thrusts these two lonely hearts together and romance blossoms.

Stranger Than Fiction (2006) showcased remarkable chemistry between Hoffman and Thompson. In Last Chance Harvey, we get to see it all again. The film is on par (predictable) with most in the romantic comedy genre, but thanks to the aforementioned couple, we have a fresh and elegant take on 'the same old story'.

As older, quirky professionals, Hoffman and Thompson are genuine in character, look, and feel. Both obviously enjoy one another's company, but the reality of their friendship just might make it worse. Despite the cliched events that conspire to separate the two, Harvey and Kate are fated.

As I see it, Last Chance Harvey is for the romantic of any age. It's an gentle, ordinary story of humanity that's also a real treat.

Coldplay (2009)

For once, I am speechless. Thankfully, there are enough flickr contributors for your viewing pleasure. Check amsd2dth and asfrederick. They might not have been sitting with me--but they have better phones. Never has being with 15,000 people been so intimately beautiful.

The Best Years of Our Lives (1946)

Steven Spielberg mentioned this film as a favorite. The man's got good taste.

Homer (Harold Russell), Al (Fredric March), and Fred (Dana Andrews) are coming home. The three WWII veterans are returning to their small-town America ready to return to a life of normalcy. A sailor, Homer is returning to his fiance, Wilma and wonders if she will still love him after losing his hands to the war. Al went to war a banker, but came back as a soldier who's unsure of his now grown children and self-sufficient wife. Fred went from soda jerk civilian to hero Army Captain. They can't help but wonder are the best years of their lives over as the three men never could have imagined the hardships they must overcome to capture what they once had.

The Best Years of Our Lives is a beautiful drama that evokes a different time and place. The film doesn't focus on the war, but rather, the re-entry of three very different men.

The ensemble cast is remarkable. Unfortunately, I can't do them right as most are unknown to me. Each of the gentlemen explore complex, yet universal themes within their characters. Director Wyler captures these themes of wrapped in the haunted faces and experiences of our menfolk. Myrna Loy, as Al's wife, Milly, is the one known face to me. She is beautiful alongside March in a perfectly understated role.

As I see it, The Best Years of Our Lives is exceptional storytelling. The film contains an authenticity that is timeless. The score is perhaps a bit melodramatic, but the film is a success on every level.

The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien (2009)

It's the dawning of a new era and Conan O'Brien is in the front seat of his Ford Taurus leading the way. Long the staple of my insomniac diet, O'Brien is well known, not only for his hair, but his sketch comedy and superior monologues.

Debuting on The Tonight Show this evening, O'Brien looked a wee bit uncomfortable, but with encouragement from a rowdy crowd which made him blush--as well as a pale white boy can--O'Brien delivered a solid monologue. New announcer and long time pal, Andy Ritcher was nearby for support. Max Weinberg and the newly renamed 'Tonight Show Band'--complete with LaBamba, also helped O'Brien settle in among some very swanky digs.

His sole interview, Will Ferrell, was an understated exchange, but totally my kind of funny. Musical guest, Pearl Jam was top-notch (FYI: NOT a fan). Perhaps the funniest moment for me, was the taped segment with Conan leading the Universal Studios tram tour. Circle! Circle! Circle!

While Conan and Co didn't push the limits on the first night out, take comfort. This is just the beginning.