Panthergirl's Picks of the Week

Business first: Thanks to all who voted for Kelso at Zazzafooky's Pet Photo Contest. He came in third! We'll get a lovely parting gift for that, so again...we thank you.

Many of you continue to shop at Amazon.com through our links -------->
(You won't notice anything different in your transaction. Amazon can just tell that you got there from here, and we'll get about 6% credit for what you buy.) We've raised about $60 so far, which is lovely. Someone suggested I post a "Donate" PayPal button but I cannot do that in good conscience. There are many needy people and causes who need your donations. We're just happy if you do your Amazon shopping here.

NOW.... to my picks.

In the past two weeks, I saw two films that couldn't be more different...but I loved both of them.




In theaters now is the Coen Brothers latest triumph, No Country for Old Men. Mesmerizing, unflinchingly violent and downright terrifying, this film had me crunched up in a ball in my seat (ok, it was freezing in the theater) watching most of it through my fingers. Javier Bardem makes Hannibal Lechter look like Misterogers. His hairdo alone will send shivers down your spine. (On IMDB, they quote him as saying "I won't get laid for two months" after he was given this bizarre 'do.)

You may (or may not) have heard that the ending is bad or unsatisfying but I disagree. It's a great "discussion" film because a lot of important things occur off-camera, leaving much to interpretation.

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At the other end of the spectrum, although still containing a scary guy, is Waitress, the tiny but brilliant gem from the mind of Adrienne Shelly, the actress/director who was killed in NYC in 2006 by a handyman in her apartment. This film (on DVD now) is gorgeous and slightly surreal (the look of "Ugly Betty" and "Pushing Daisies" comes close), funny, sad, gut-wrenchingly romantic and frightening at times (Jeremy Sisto plays crazy as well as he did on "Six Feet Under"). Cheryl Hines and Adrienne herself are hilarious but it is Keri Russell who shines here. And what a delight to see Andy Griffith in a small but pivotal role. So sad that Adrienne didn't get to see her baby come to fruition. This film is a keeper.