From under the Rock

Thank God for jetlag.

My sleep is still in the crapper. Can't really figure the rhyme or reason for any of it. I didn't sleep at all Thursday night - then slept an hour in the afternoon yesterday - to stay up till 3 last night. Would have stayed up more - but Ivy forced me to turn off the TV.

But an added benefit of all that missed sleep is I saw a really great film.

About Midnight last night - I started digging through forgotten classics on Starz. Came across this film Tsotsi. This is one I've held in my hands many times at Blockbuster - and even held the pirated version in my hands in China as recently as a week ago. It's one I've been meaning to watch for a long time - but just haven't ever pulled the trigger.

Last night I did.

Tried to get the wife involved - but she opted out to make necklaces.

And what a powerful film this is. It shot to my top 5 of the year in one viewing.

There is a reason why this won BEST FOREIGN FILM last year.

Gavin Hood - the director - was a lawyer and an actor in South Africa before coming to LA to study screenwriting. He made a short and a Polish film before getting the job of adapting this story written about a young gang kid in the African Ghetto in the 60's - and updating it for today.

It is simply amazing. A powerful story of redemption that took turns I didn't see coming - and plenty I did - but in the most satisfying and honest way possible. All with a cast of complete unknowns.

Sure there are subtitles. But there isn't a whole heck of a lot of talking. Just very simple and clean storytelling unlike most of what I'm capable of.

My wife left her work and got sucked in. She ended the film in tears.

Not me. It takes a lot to melt this heart of ice.

But what a damn fine film. If you haven't seen this - do yourself a favor and go out and get it.

And aspire to more.