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A very full day

I woke up this morning, much like every other Saturday morning, not knowing what the day would bring. Little did I know what it held in store for me.

I ate some breakfast, watched some T.V., and tried to shake off sleep (I hate taking naps). Took a shower and went shopping for a new desk chair for work. Purchased said chair and drove to the office. My co-workers were there decorating for Halloween so I ended up helping them. We're doing a "sports" theme this year -- I'm dressing as a basketball player.

After they all left, I put together my new desk chair. I also had to replace a monitor on one of the other computers in the office. Next, I had to find a 'warm up' suit ... the kind that you see basketball players wear just before the game starts. Couldn't find one in the "Laker's" colors so I bought a generic blue one. It fits me just fine.

When I got home, I had some mail and a small package. I knew what it was immediately. I don't know if I've mentioned it before, but I have an old friend who is in a band. For many years we lived right next door to one another and, even thought I was closer in age to his older brother, this guy and I had a closer bond (we were a bit more normal).

I opened the small package and found exactly what I had expected -- the band's new CD. "Great", I thought, "I'll give it a listen". So I'm reading the liner notes and am surprised to see my name listed in the "special thanks" section. Not just the "thanks to" part but the "special thanks". I'm a bit taken aback. I had previously sent him $100 and told him that I'd like a copy of the CD when it came out (they've been dragging their feet for months). I clearly did not expect this. I was humbled.

So I'm sitting there wallowing in all this 'coolness', watching T.V. I see a commercial for Elizabethtown. I want to see this movie. Long story short: I go see this movie.

Years ago I heard someone say that the older you get who is IN the movie is less important than who MAKES it. I don't know why but that seems to be coming true. This particular film is written and directed by Cameron Crowe. I shouldn't have to recite his resume.

The film is so completely unique is almost throws you off. While there are so many situations that are funny and familiar that the honesty of the lines tend to drag you in directions you didn't expect to be going. I can't claim to understand every reference. I can't sympathize with the lead characters in any way (not yet). There are so many things I will never know, but I really liked this movie.

Let me get the negative part out of the way quickly: whoever was in charge of 'continuity' should never work in that business again. I'm usually not good at catching continuity errors unless they're blatant -- let's just say, they were ALL over this film. That just seemed to make it a more emotional work by Cameron Crowe, in my eyes. 'Nuff said.

Orlando Bloom has a great command of his facial expressions. I wished they explained why Kirsten Dunst's character was so self-assured. In the grand scheme of the movie, it just didn't matter. Some critics may talk about their 'chemistry', but I thought it worked well enough... it seemed more real than some contrived collection of lines that actors say to one another. I don't want to over-hype it. It was a good movie, I liked it, go see it -- if you want. I'll continue looking for my Claire.

Even though she pointed out 60B, I still couldn't find it...

(you'll understand once you see the film)

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