Shine

Shine is an amazing movie. I'm beginning to think that the best movies are all Australian.

Netflix describes the movie Shine as:
"A riveting profile of Australian keyboard virtuoso David Helfgott (Geoffrey Rush) and his ultimate triumph over a domineering, abusive father (Armin Mueller-Stahl); schizophrenia; and an obsession with the all but unplayable Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 3. Sir John Gielgud, superb as ever, plays Helfgott's tutor. Richly deserved Oscars went to Rush (Best Actor) and to Mueller-Stahl for his supporting turn. "

Roger Ebert describes it:

"Wandering in the rain, the man looks like one of the walking wounded. His talk is obsessive chatter, looping back on itself, seizing on words and finding nonsense associations for them. He laughs a lot and seems desperately affable.

When he sits down at a piano in a crowded restaurant, he looks like trouble, until he starts to play. His music floods out like a cry of anguish and hope.

This is the central image in Scott Hicks' ``Shine,'' based on the true story of an Australian pianist who was an international prodigy, suffered a breakdown and has gradually been able to piece himself back together. The musician's name is David Helfgott. His life story is not exactly as it is shown here, but close enough, I gather, for us to marvel at the way the human spirit can try to heal itself."

Cold but good cable weather

I didn't get the photo of the dogwood blooming -- the temperature dropped drastically that night and for several nights was down in the 20s, destroying the iris buds, the dogwood blooms, and the early efforts of the crepe myrtle.

The days have been cold too. In the 50's. Cold and rainy too. Perfect days for staying in and reading or watching movies.

My cable company has given us a free week of HBO and MAX channels, and it came at a perfect time, even though it does contribute to insomnia.

Last week I watched four movies. The Skeleton key, Match Point, Woman Wanted, and last night The Keys to the House.

The Skeleton Key (with Kate Hudson) is a ghosty movie, set in Louisiana bayou country.
Woman Wanted is a triangle story with Holly Hunter (magnificent red hair), and Kiefer Sutherland. Father and son both fall in love with their housekeeper (Holly) while still unable to talk to each other about the death of their wife and mother.
Match Point is another triangle story - a man, his wife and his mistress. It is an intriguing drama, an unlikely murder, chance happenings, hidden feelings. This story was written by Woody Allen.
The Keys to the House:
Amazon's Plot Synopsis: "Prepare yourself for suffering if you intend to be close to him." So speaks the mother of a young woman with severe disabilities, speaking to Gianni, the father of 16-year-old Paolo, himself developmentally disabled. Gianni abandoned the boy at birth, when the child's mother died, and Paulo's aunt and uncle have raised him. They have contacted Gianni and asked him to take Paulo to Berlin for a battery of medical tests. Images of people walking, running, skating, and dancing dot the screen as Gianni and Paulo get to know each other. Over a few days, Gianni tries to sort out his obligations and his desires. Will he accept his role as father to this engaging, mercurial, disabled youth?