formerly Diane's Addled Ramblings... the ramblings are still addled, just like before, and the URL is still the same...
it's just the title at the top of the page that's new

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Once Upon a Visitor...

Sunday salutations, bloggy people! Hope your weekend's been good! Mine was nice... full of sunshine (up 'til now, that is), lawn mowing, and car washing. Last night I headed over the mountain to hang out with the Republican, as he's shipping out to Iraq soon. We went out for Italian (his with no veg at all, mine with nothing but) and later watched a fantastic movie, which is the reason for this post, really...

If you like Indie films, which I do, and you like music, which I do, and you like Irish accents, which I do, you have to check out Once. I loved it (obviously, or I wouldn't be telling you about it, would I?). It's about a guy and a girl (and since their names are never mentioned in the film, that's actually how they're credited at the end)... he's a songwriter (played by Glen Hansard, lead singer for the Irish band, The Frames) who's nursing a broken heart ... she's a feisty young Czech pianist and single mom (played by Marketa Irglova) who's starting over in Ireland after leaving her husband. They meet on the street, where he sings for money, and begin a week-long relationship that centers around music. Their connection is immediate and strong, apparent in the songs they write, perform, and produce, and although the movie is about their relationship, it's also the story of how sometimes it takes a random meeting, and one special person, to kick your butt into gear and do what you need to do to follow your dreams. The music in the film is the sort of stuff I love (and it reminded me of one of my favorite singers - Martyn Joseph, a Welsh guy with a gravelly, soulful voice). Here's a link for the song which won an Oscar, called Falling Slowly. Check it out... and check out the movie if you can find it... it's well worth a look!

It reminded me a lot of another Indie film I saw last year... I didn't expect it at all, but The Visitor quickly became one of my favorite movies. It was about a college professor whose life, after the death of his wife, had become about just going through the motions. When he went to NYC to attend a conference, he found a young couple (she from Senegal, he from Syria) living in the apartment he kept in the city. They'd been duped by a rental scam but because the professor was a generous man, he allowed them to stay. The movie was about the wonderful relationship that developed between the professor and the young Syrian man and, as in Once, about how a chance meeting can change your life and wake you up to what you want and need, even if you had no clue what that was prior. I won't tell you too much about it, as I don't want to spoil it if you decide to check it out. It was an amazing film, though, and again, well worth a look!

OK, that's it for me for now. Off to the grocery store... whoo hoo!! Have a great rest-of-the-day! xo

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm going to look for that movie!

blognut said...

I haven't seen Once yet, but it's been on my list since I fell in love with Glenn Hansard's voice.

I really do need to spend a whole day watching movies so I can get caught up. I'm just not sure I can sit still that long.

Oh, can I email my grocery list to you. I really need a few things and I HATE going to the grocery store. Be a dear, and pick up some things for me, ok?

Coachdad said...

Glad you had enjoyable evening with the Republican... need to check at the movie and watch it at least once.

Connie said...

Hi Dear! Sounds like a great weekend and a good movie ... always on the lookout for a good movie.
Here's to hoping your week is just as great!

Anonymous said...

Oooo, great choice Diane. I've seen both of them and they are that good! Check out 'The Diving Bell and The Butterfly' if you haven't already seen it. Bit sad though!

Jean said...

I love movies that inspire! Thanks for the recommendations.

(visiting from Boneman's blog.)

HLiza said...

Oh the guy's off to Iraq? I hope it won't be for long.

I doubt these two movies will make their way here as the cinema owners here tend to choose only mainstream movies..and only the ones that guarantee money returns. But will try to check it out..who knows what you can find in DVD stores one day.

hebba said...

I LOVED that movie! (especially how it ended) I will definitely check out The Visitor. Right now, I have my netflix pick: Harold and Maude. Only because in There's SOmething About Mary, the Cameron Diaz character calls it "the greatest love story of our time". (Nobody ever wants to watch my netflix picks with me) HMMMM

Sherri Murphy said...

I've not seen either, but wil look for both of them-sounds like stuff I enjoy watching.

Not to brag here, but I'm REALLY excited!!!
My son's band had a portion of their song played on a new MTV show "COLLEGE LIFE" (a new reality series)last night!!!!

It was only the intro to the song, but it was MY BOY'S intro playing on that show!!! WooHOO!

Okay, just had to let that out.

Michelle said...

I love the movie Once!!

I am emailing you right now!!!

M

dianne said...

Thanks Diane dear, it sounds like a lovely movie, I will have to look out for it...really enjoyed the song Falling Slowly...my kind of music, the guy isnt half bad either. :-)

Yes sometimes chance meetings can be wonderful.

Oh and those Irish guys and their accents, I am really into them, they have a special charm all of their own...maybe I should take myself off to Ireland and find myself a big, gorgeous Celt. ♥

dec0r8or said...

Oh, I loved "Once" SO much! Glen's voice reminds me of Cat Stevens... anybody remember him?

I've just run over and added "The Visitor" to my Netflix queue too....i may just watch it this morning...I'll grasp on to any excuse to procrastinate!

I'll second the recommendation for "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly" too. It's an amazing story, and a very well done film.

I'm so glad someone else discovered "Once"....I thought I had told everyone to watch it already--where were you? ;)

Heather said...

Oh, thanks for the recommendation. I'll definitely add it to my Netflix list!! :)

Melanie Gillispie said...

Entertainment Weekly totally dug this film and kissed its heiney almost every chance they got last year. You know I trust their reviewers, so even though I never saw it, when they performed at the Oscars and then won and the little hullabaloo with letting her give a speech, I was just loving it.

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