A few recommendations.

Good morning citizens. Today I have a few quick movie recommendations for you and then I'll wander off back into real life for another week.

First up we have August Rush.

This just came out last week on DVD and I've already watched it twice, the first time when I got it, then the second with my husband because he had to see it. I'll probably watch it again this weekend with my friends, because I feel they also have to see it. It is just that good. The overall story is a bit dark and very sad, but the movie still maintains a very hopeful voice and the ending makes me so heart-glad I truly have to fight not to start crying. I don't want to give away too much of the plot, but it the story of a young boy trying to find his parents, and he believes the best way to do that is through the music he hears in everything around him. He follows the music to New York City and gets caught up in a whirlwind of events.

This movie is extremely music-centric, so if you have a professional musician in your household, you might want to watch it without them first unless they are very good at setting aside technical inaccuracies on screen. Apparently it is very off-setting that one of the main characters, a cellist, does not wear black while performing, even though the difference of color was apparently used to highlight her role as soloist. I totally didn't even catch this the first time through, but it was one of the first things my dear hubby commented on. Even with the "errors," my husband (a gigging musician) loved the movie and stated he felt with several more viewings, which he would definitely be giving the film, he could get over those moments.

As with any movie based so heavily on music, you can expect great things out of the soundtrack and score as well. This one definitely delivers. The score is by Mark Mancina (Con Air, Bad Boys, Disney's Tarzan, etc.) and is just beautiful to me. I've already ordered the soundtrack and Amazon the wonderful should be delivering it today, sweet. The film also makes excellent use of the classic Van Morrison tune Moondance.

So there you go--if you're in the mood for a heart-warming tale of music and love and hope, you should definitely check this one out. It stars Freddie Highmore, Keri Russell, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, and features a very interesting performance by Robin Williams.

Alrighty, next up is Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day.

This one is in the theaters and has only been out for a few weeks. It is in limited release, only playing in about 500 something theaters, but it is well worth finding the one closest to you and making the trip.

Set in London shortly before England enters World War Two, it is the story of a woman struggling to find work as a governess. After being fired from yet another job and told she is currently unemployable, she steals the address of a potential new client from her agency and lands herself right in the middle of a mess. Instead of a client needing a governess, she finds herself posing as a "social secretary" managing the many loves of her new client.

From almost the very beginning this one had me laughing. It is just a highly amusing jaunt and it is a wonderful take on "seizing the day."

If you're looking for a night out of fun and laughter, this is a good one. It stars Frances McDormand and Amy Adams.

Well, I should get going, I have some traveling to do for work today, so of course it is pouring rain. Fun times.

You have a great week. See you next time around,
C