2004-11-09 - 5:17 p.m.

La Vita e Bella

Since my mental tools are apparently out getting sharpened, I thought I would delve into my second entry of the day while eating a healthy dinner: a banana-nut granola bar washed down with a Starbucks cafe mocha. I was unable to locate a large vat of dark chocolate laced with rum, in which to immerse my head. A banana-nut granola and something from Starbucks isn't exactly the second best option in this situation(which would have been a *small* vat of dark chocolate with rum in which to soak my head). Nevertheless, it is the option available.

This weekend, in an effort to indulge in pure escapist fantasy, I rented five movies from Blockbusters. They included "Searching for Debra Winger" (interesting but not spectacular), "The Muse" (rather boring), "Harold and Maude" (a classic that I've finally seen at a strangely appropriate time), "A Room with a View" (eye-candy)and "La Vita e Bella" (splendid.)

Having never seen "La Vita," I had placed it in a class with other Italian films of the genre of Il Postino and Cinema Paradiso - more sweet than bitter films full of the beauty of life - a description more than warranted, given the title of the film I was about to see.

I had no idea that "Life is Beautiful" was going to touch on the issues of "life is precious and we must do everything for the ones we love to survive" by taking these beloved characters into horrific realities (and unrealities) of World War II. I frequently will shed a tear in a touching film. This film had me actively weeping for Guido, and the love and determination he shows for his wife and son.

I must now revise my list of favorite movies - this one certainly ranks in the top ten, if not the top five.