Catching flicks in the big city

Went to Seattle for ALA Midwinter. Since it didn't involve plane fare, Shawn came with. We caught two movies that probably won't come to Pullman-Moscow unless the K gets a grubby print right before DVD release ... Curse of the Golden Flower and Volver.

Golden Flower was OK, very beautiful to look at, stunning visually, but the plot was a bit weak, and it just is not as good as Hero or House of Flying Daggers.

Volver. This is Almodovar's best film since Todo sobre mi madre. (I liked Hable con ella but it wasn't as good as madre or Live Flesh or Flor de mi secreto, all masterpieces. And after Hable came Bad Education. Eesh, that was terrible. I remember being so mad about not getting to see it in the cinema, and having to wait for the DVD, and then being so disappointed.) Penelope Cruz is just luminous in this picture. Carmen Maura is playful. The characters are wonderful, the plot is funny and poignant, and he adds a touch of suspense for good measure. Even though she is apparently only lip-synching (the credits name Estrella Morente), the scene where Cruz sings the LePera/Gardel tango called "Volver" is just heart-wrenching. I can't wait for the DVD release so I can see this again!