Don’t forget your shovel.

Why is it English films on the colonial era, or in this case the early 1900s, make everywhere seem like the English aristrocracy? The Last Station is set in Russia — Tolstoy’s Russia. And sure, there’s black bread on the table, samovars, and silver tea glass holders, and the peasants were threshing the fields by hand using traditional Russian tools, but otherwise, the whole thing seemed a bit like Upstairs Downstairs.

OK, being half Lithuanian, I just get sentimental about samovars and silver tea glass holders. There’s a samovar on my book case and my grandfather’s silver tea glass holder is on a shelf in my old room at my parents’. My vision of an Eastern European family/home is of the warmth, the food, the drink, etc. Not quite as stodgy as what they portrayed in The Last Station.

Having said that, however, I really did like the story told in the movie. It’s romantic, tragic, hopeful, and sweet all at once. And of course with the likes of Helen Mirren and Christopher Plummer… it really can’t go wrong!

I spent this very cold (-20ºC or more) afternoon at the Bytowne watching Prom Night in Mississippi. I was amazed that the Bytowne was running it only for two showings — an award winning Canadian film and they would only give the topic two showings, as if a racially integrated prom would be controversial here in Ottawa. Well, perhaps it would be? Remember the blogs I wrote during my early days here on: Is this my country?! In Toronto, where the film was editted, which happens to be on the most racially integrated cities I know, I rather imagine audiences would be shocked. but smaller places in Canada would be perhaps surprised, a bit shocked, but there would still be elements who would quietly wonder why the fuss?

Who knows?

Perhaps it is just that popular that Bruce could only get it for 2 days. But, actually, it’s not the popularity. I mean, the day was freeeeeezing and the theatre was not even half full. We didn’t even have to fight anyone for the best seats in the house (first row balcony).

The documentary is about the high school in Charleston, Mississippi — hometown of actor Morgan Freeman. When Mr. Freeman finds out that the local high school prom is *still* segregated, he suggests that he will pay for the prom if there is one integrated prom held. The film is structured around the second time he asks — in 2008 (!) — when they finally relent.

It was great. Really. A fascinating way to tackle racism in our midst. To show generational divides and the power of our upbringings.

So when it comes to your town for 2 showings, be sure to check it out!

is looking forward to seeing this. anyone know when it’s coming to Ottawa!!!

When I was wee, I was enamoured with Julia Child because we shared the same first name and in those days in North America, it was rare indeed. Julie was quite a bit more common, but I was a Julia and the only other one I knew of was Julia Child, who was still doing a TV show right into the 1970s.

So, when I first heard of this movie in a trailer in June, I said, “We have to go!”

Then I dropped it right up until the hype started to heat up… and then everyday last week… “Are we going to J & J?” “When?” “Which night?”

Well, he held out right until this afternoon… and I was sooo glad… and not disappointed at all. It was a great movie. The parallels to my life/personality and between Julie’s and Julia’s lives/personalities was, to my mind, precious, subtle, and infinitely interesting. Then again, maybe one always feels an affinity with someone who shares your name?

I dunno. But I loved the movie.