The List: Vol. 6

This is my least favorite week of the year. It's not because Christmas is looming and I'm in a rush to finish my shopping (I'm done, actually) and it's not because everyone seems to be all cozy and coupley and I am eternally single and it's not because the weather is cold and gloomy (it was 80 here this weekend...suckas!). Nope, it's because Liz is back home visiting her family and she's not here to chat with me all day. This makes me very sad. So, I need to make a list of things I've liked recently to remind myself things could be way worse (though really, I'm not sure how). Here goes:

Movie: Up in the Air - This weekend, while everyone was watching Avatar, I caught the new movie from Jason Reitman (Juno) starring George Clooney. It's really good and, like, perfect for 2009, as Clooney plays a hired gun who sweeps into downsizing companies and fires people. There's sexting and the technology vs. human interaction argument and great performances by Clooney and Anna Kendrick. Check it out immediately.

DVD: Paper Heart - I was eager to see this pseudo-documentary about love from Charlene Yi (the weird Asian girl in Knocked Up) and it did not disappoint. It is adorable and funny and charming and really well done. Queue it up!

TV: Dollhouse - It's already been cancelled so, of course, it's getting even better. With sleeper agents and evil scientists, I can't wait to see how the remaining episodes play out. PLUS, fellas, Eliza Dushku may be a terrible actress, but she's semi-naked in every single episode...so there's that.

And something that sucks almost as much as Liz being away:

Travesties: The Survivor Finale - SPOILER ALERT! Last night's Survivor finale was retarded. The jury picked the "nice" girl who didn't ruffle feathers over one of the best Survivor players ever. People are dumb.

What you got?

Two Quick Things...

1. Inglourious Basterds is brilliant. Everyone I know who saw it this weekend agrees. Go see it now!

2. Why did no one tell me there's a movie out in which Rory Gilmore and Matt Saracen fall in love?! Let's keep on top of these things, people!

At the Movies: JCVD

Not to be out movie snobbed by East Coast elitists, yesterday I walked the 2 blocks to The Ken, the coolest/most obscure art house theater in San Diego (did I mention it's only 2 blocks from my house? Man, I'm cool!), to watch JCVD, the new movie about and starring Jean-Claude Van Damme. In the film, the Muscles from Brussels is having a rough time. He's broke, losing custody of his daughter, and unable to find a decent movie in which to kick ass and take names because Steven Segal keeps stealing all the roles. When he gets mixed up in a post office robbery, life really begins to suck.

JCVD is like a distant cousin to Being John Malkovich, in that a famous actor plays himself for real and for parody. It's funny and sad, looks cool, and puts a new spin on the old heist plotline. Really though, the word to best describe the film is weird. Not like Spike Jonze weird, but weird because it's Belgian (and Belgian is basically like French and any decent film snob knows French = Weird) and weird because Van Damme is so damn (ha!) good. I've never seen Van Damme in anything other than the episode of Friends where Monica and Rachel flirt with him, but I never imagined he could actually act. I just thought he kicked people in the face a lot, but Jean-Claude is good in this film, heartbreaking even. I gained a new respect for him as an actor and as a person.

JCVD is not as funny as I expected or as original, but it is interesting to see someone with such a specific public persona turn that perception on it's head. Check out JCVD (if you can. It will probably be difficult to catch in theaters) and see a softer side of The Muscles.

Oh yeah. The movie is mostly in French. Deal.

See This: Slumdog Millionaire

Danny Boyle has had one of the more eclectic directing careers I can think of. He’s taken us from the heroin dens of Edinburgh, to the zombie-infested streets of apocalyptic London to the surface of the sun, and no two have looked remotely alike.

In Slumdog Millionaire, he takes us to the sprawling slums of Mumbai, India for a third world fairy tale. It’s the story of a kid named Jamal who grew up in some of the direst poverty this earth has to offer. He ends up on the Indian version of "Who Wants to be a Millionaire?", and shocks everyone by knowing a lot of answers. Over the course of the film, we learn how.

Because it’s a fairy tale – and it is - there’s a pretty girl, and plenty of big bad wolves along the way. Jamal’s rise out of the ghetto mirrors the rise of India itself (I came out of this movie not sure that it’s going to be the Chinese who take over the world from us in 15 years. India is a definite sleeper in this category) and there are more than a few growing pains. One of the better aspects of Slumdog Millionaire is that while it is uplifting, it doesn’t shy away from the harsher aspects of life. It isn’t City of God, but it’s not Annie either.

On a technical note, yes it takes place in India, but most of it’s in English. When there are subtitles, they’re written in a cool, un-subtitley way. So there, you’re out of excuses. Go see Slumdog Millionaire. (And, make sure you stay for the credits!!!)

At the Movies: Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist

Dear Liz,

So, I have to tell you something. You know how you said you'd go see Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist with me? Well, I went to see it without you yesterday (even after Garney said he'd cry for me and my pathetic little life for seeing a romcom all alone). I know. I'm a jerk, but I really wanted to see it and you had this pesky little think called "work" on the lamest of all holidays (god bless you, government work).

You'll be happy to know I really liked it. Michael Cera is adorable as, well, Michael Cera, but he is maturing. You can see he's a little more than the goofy meta-male he's been in everything else, ever. And Kat Dennings is my hero. Where was she when I was searching for a female role model while in Jr. High/High School? I had to settle for possible lesbian Jodie Foster (not that there's anything wrong with that). Anyway, the movie is basically what you'd expect: Boy is heartbroken over break-up with his skeezy (but hot) girlfriend and he makes her awesome indie rock mixes which fall into the hands of gorgeous, but doesn't know it, girl. Eventually, boy and girl meet and have an awkward time for awhile (just like real life!) and encounter many obstacles while searching for a secret rock show all over New York City. It's really charming and fun and the soundtrack is awesome.

I hope you'll forgive me for going without you, Liz. I'll even see it again with you, if you want...I liked it that much. To quote my favorite line from the movies, "I love you so much, it's retarded."

xoxo,

Red

Add This to Your Queue: Speed Racer

I wanted to see Speed Racer, a live action version of the old Japanese cartoon by the Wachowski brothers, while it was in the theater because the trailer looked so totally rad. Then, it came out and the reviews were terrible, and I decided to see Iron Man instead. Now Speed Racer is out on DVD and available to view on my own personal "big screen." I watched it last night while everyone else in San Diego cheered on the Chargers...and totally enjoyed it.

During it's theatrical release, most of the poor reviews criticized the less than stellar plot and the claimed no one under 10 would like the film. Well, I'm nearly 30 and I loved every minute...mainly because it looks unlike any movie I've ever seen. Sure, some of the acting is over-the-top and some of the gags are aimed purely at children while the main plot confilct is rather heady, but the anime/video game world the Wachowski's created is truly amazing. Much like their The Matrix movies, Speed Racer is worth checking out for the visuals, if nothing else.

Also, could someone please get Christina Ricci a sandwich? Anyone?

At the Movies: The Dark Knight

Last night, Liz, her gentleman sidekick, and I went to see The Dark Knight. I'm sure you've heard all the rave reviews and your friends have mentioned the awesomeness of Heath Ledger, and they are all totally right. I am a big fan of the Tim Burton Batman movies and an even bigger fan of Batman Begins, but The Dark Knight takes Batman to a whole new level. It's like a realistic comic book movie. You understand why the Joker is so crazy and wears the make-up. You get the science behind all the cool Batman gizmos. You see the relationships which later bring about serious turmoil. Take indie movie realism and mix with huge action sequences and the result is just brilliant. It's even already become the greatest movie ever (according to IMDB users).

I realize you don't need me to tell you to go see this, but I'm telling you anyway. Christian Bale is the best Batman ever (sorry Michael Keaton. I still love you), Michael Kane and Morgan Freeman provide ample comic relief and advice as Alfred and Lucius Fox, respectively, Maggie Gyllenhaal is a welcome replacement for Katie Cruise as the love interest, Aaron Eckhart is gloriously handsome as Harvey Dent, and Heath Ledger is phenomenal as the Joker. There's already Oscar buzz around his performance and it's totally warranted. The man had a gift. Such a terrible waste.

If I had to take a critical eye, I'd say it was a bit long (I know the exact sequence I would cut. Chris Nolan, give me a call when you make the next Batman movie and I'll help you out, okay?) and there was a tad too much monologuing (which, I realize, is par for the course in a big action, comic book movie, but it always reminds me of Syndrome in The Incredibles saying, "You sly fox, you. You got me monologuing!" and it makes me giggle), but overall, while The Dark Knight may not be the greatest movie ever, I think it's safe to say it's the greatest comic book movie ever. It definitely raises the bar.

The List: Vol. 1

In my never ending quest to create post series' I will promptly forget about and abandon, I'm introducing The List...5 things you should watch/read/listen to because I said so.

TV: Rescue Me minisodes - FX presents 10 5-minute minisodes of the Denis Leary firehouse dramedy this summer. The first one airs tonight at 10pm. Should keep us satisfied until the madcappery resumes in full next year.

Film: Resolved - A truly engaging documentary about high school debate, this is one of the best documentaries I've seen in a long time (and it's the perfect follow up to Rocket Science which I know you watched on my recommendation, right?) The movie follows 4 kids (2 white from a privileged back ground and 2 black from urban LA) as they debate their way to glory. It also explains a bit about the history of debate and how it became the super fast, information spewing system it is today. Just fascinating.

Books: The Bitch in the House - For the ladies. A collection of 26 essays on the choices women make (or don't make) and how to make a life you want when the storybook fails. Seriously, every woman should read this. It's not as cheezy/self-helpish as I'm making it seem.

Music: Take a Bow by Rihanna - Between this, Umberella and SOS, I think I have to admit to myself I am a fan. God help me.

Blogs: This Recording - A uber smart blog by a bunch of NYC hipsters, This Recording discusses just about everything from the death of Chris Farley to scary jellyfish with lots of cool downloadable mp3s. (They do claim Celebrity is one of Woody Allen's top 10 films. We can't all be perfect, I guess.)

If you've found anything worth checking out lately, tell us about it.

At the Movies: Iron Man

You probably don't need me to tell you to see Iron Man. In fact, you've probably already seen it if you have any interest at all, as it's already made more money than I'll ever see in my lifetime. However, if you are on the fence about the first big blockbuster of the summer movie season, we here at GitW strongly recommend you check it out. We've all seen it and we all really liked it (I think Liz really liked it. We never actually talked about it, even though we saw it together. We went to the bar afterward (I rocked the karaoke mic with some Journey while Liz tended to her very drunk gentleman sidekick) instead of getting some pie and discussing the depths of Tony Stark).

Iron Man is a straight up, good time, comic book movie. I am not a comic book reader, but I love a good comic book movie...especially when it's smart and funny and has someone like Robert Downey Jr. as the superhero. I've always been a huge Robert Downey Jr. fan. He's a terrific actor and Iron Man is really his movie. He brings so much humor and intelligence and even delivers the cheesy superhero one liners with aplomb (50 cents for that word, please). Also along for the ride is Gwyneth Paltrow as Stark's lovely (ginger) personal assistant (after her first scene, I leaned over to Liz and said "Ah, Gwyneth. So nice to see you again." Sure, Gwyneth could be added to Liz's Actresses Most People Hate, but She Loves list, but it's nice to see her back in something worth watching (I'm looking at you, Running with Scissors)). Further credit is due to Jon Faverau for crafting a wonderful film. As Garney said, "Jon Favreau is turning into quite the talented commercial filmmaker." Indeed.

So, yeah, go see Iron Man if you haven't already and be sure to stick around through the end of the credits to see what Dave calls "The Nerdgasam" (and then email him and ask him to explain what the hell it's all about). Or if you've already seen it, let us know what you thought below.

See This: Young@Heart

When Joe Strummer sang, “Darling, you’ve got to let me know / should I stay or should I go?” with the Clash, it was just another young punk confused in love. When 92-year-old Eileen Hall sings it, it becomes an elderly woman asking God a serious question, albeit in a light-hearted way.

This is what Young @ Heart is all about. It’s a documentary about a chorus of old people (the youngest member is about 73) from North Hampton, Mass. who’ve traveled the world singing rock ‘n roll songs. For the most part, the songs are chosen because they’re not only crowd pleasers, but because they take on a whole new meaning when sung by older people. “I Wanna be Sedated,” “I Feel Good,” “Fix You” – grousing about boredom or celebrating the love of life never sounded so poignant. And that’s why you should try to see it.

I had some time to kill Saturday afternoon so I saw this movie by myself. On average, I was the youngest person by 40 years. (I could tell the old couple sitting in front of me hadn’t been the movies in a while because after a commercial came on for some Dan Rather HD news show, the old man whispered/yelled to his wife, “Oh, so that’s not a movie?”)

It was a great audience to see it with, because I could tell the old folks were really relating to the people on screen. Its very, very rare that we see the elderly on film as anything but clowns or cautionary tails, so it was cool to see a group of older people depicted as they really are: they all had great senses of humor, a lot of them had some serious health problems that they dealt with stoically, and most of them didn’t know Sonic Youth from Bruce Springsteen, but they sang the songs anyway, with great gusto. Most of them joined the chorus to stay social and active, and as the film gets into the personal lives of a few members, you can see how its helped them through the aging process.

The only real complaint I had about Young @ Heart was, oddly, the filmmakers themselves. It was made by some British guy who sounds like he’s narrating a National Geographic special, and there are way too many extreme close-ups. Young @ Heart is at its best when it’s just showing the choir practicing and the camaraderie between its members. The movie really kicks into gear when you start to see some of their actual concerts (including one at a local prison).

Maybe it’s not worth running out to the theatre for, but if you get a chance, definitely check out Young @ Heart. It’s especially great for music lovers. You’ll never think of some of your favorite songs the same way.

See This...

There Will Be Blood finally opened across the country last week and it was everything I'd hoped. The story of a turn of the century Oil Tycoon, TWBB follows Daniel Plainview (played brilliantly by Daniel Day Lewis...so deserving of his (pretty much) guaranteed Oscar this year) as he buys up land in Little Boston, California and drills for oil (becoming ridiculously wealthy in the process). The film is really a character study of a man driven by greed, ambition and paranoia and the lengths he will go to maintain dominance in his world.

Perhaps most interesting is the maturation of director Paul Thomas Anderson. I am a huge PTA fan (Magnolia was maybe my favorite film of the 90's), but TWBB is completely different from all his other films...it's almost like an old school epic western. The shots are long and gorgeous, the music (by Radiohead's Jonny Greenwood) is haunting and perfectly placed, and the performances are spot on. PTA has grown as an artist and it's wonderful to see...almost like an old friend who's growing up and taking on new and interesting challenges. Absolutely one of the best films of the year.

See This...

This time of year, it seems there is never enough time to see all the movies I want to see. This past weekend I caught two worth seeing at some point...even if you wait for the DVD.


First, Charlie Wilson's War, a true story about a U.S. Senator who covertly helps expel the Soviet government from Afghanistan (sounds like a ton of laughs, right?). It's actually really entertaining and pretty funny, thanks to a smart script from Aaron Sorkin and great performances by Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Tom Hanks. It's nice and short (Mike Nichols' Editing Tips should be a required class for all Hollywood directors) and an interesting history lesson. I don't think it's award worthy (maybe Sorkin's script, but the competition is steep this year), but it's a good time at the movies (and seriously, PSH is hilarious).


Next, I saw The Great Debaters. I was kinda on the fence going into Denzel Washington's film about a highly successful debate team from a small black college in the 1930's (I mean, from the preview it looked like all the other "underdogs make good with a racial twist" movies we've seen over the past few years), but I really enjoyed it. Denzel is, as always, great (seriously, does anyone do what he does as well as he does it?) and the three young actors on the debate team are really terrific and fun to watch. It made me laugh and cry and I enjoyed it more then I expected (maybe it was what Liz and I like to call Mr. and Mrs. Smith Syndrome - when your expectations are low and you inevitably end up pleasantly surprised).

Needless to say, there are a ton of great movies out and I'd recommend catching about 5 others before I'd recommend catching these two, but if you are a movie freak (like I am) and have seen everything else, I could think of worse ways to spend 12 bucks.

See This...

I had a very emotional experience this weekend...I saw Into the Wild. I was gonna write a review, but I can't seem to find the words. Just go see it. It's gorgeous and heartbreaking and maybe the best movie I've seen this year.

See This...

It was one of those weekends...not much to do...no real plans...so I caught up on my Nexflix, cleared out the DVR and went to the movies. Pretty much the perfect weekend. I saw 2 of the 5 movies I've most been looking forward to - Atonement and Juno.

I feel I can't tell you much about the plot of Atonement without giving away serious plot points...I didn't know much about the story going in and I think it helped my enjoyment of the film. Just know, it's a drama set before and during WWII about love and loss and all those great and important themes that make films worth watching. What is really amazing and wonderful about Atonement, however, is not so much the story or the performances (which are all great), but the look of the film. It is absolutely gorgeous. Much like director Joe Wright's Pride and Prejudice, England appears other worldly...like what I imagine heaven would look like. Kiera Knightly is gorgeous (the now (semi) famous green dress she wears in the film should be, like, put in the Museum of Really Beautiful Things (it's in DC, I swear)). James McAvoy is gorgeous. Even the war is gorgeous. I just wanted to sit in the theater and live in that world forever. Also amazing was the music. Never before have a seen a film where the music was so perfect at setting mood and ambiance. It should totally win the GG for best score.

I suppose my only problem with Atonement is it didn't stay with me like I thought it would. I didn't find myself really thinking about it afterward. It ended and I moved on...unlike some of the other great films I've seen this year which made me think on them for hours after they ended. I think my hopes were a little too high and it was impossible for the movie to live up to them...except for that dress...it is still the loveliest thing ever.


And then there was Juno, which spent about 30 minutes being a bit too quirky (seriously. Who still uses novelty hamburger phones?) and finally grooved into a very sweet and funny comedy about a 16 year-old girl who gets pregnant because she is bored and decides to have sex with her best friend. Ellen Page, who plays the title character, is bloody fantastic (it really has been a good year for young actresses). She is so funny and smart...her relationship with George Michael Bluth...I mean, err, Paulie Bleeker (Michael Cera) is really adorable. They are smitten with each other, but her sass gets in the way of any real relationship (what young girl hasn't treated a boy like crap as a defense mechanism? Hell, I still do it and I'm 29!). As much as I liked Juno, I couldn't help but think about Waitress, a superior unwanted pregnancy movie released earlier this year and now on DVD. I think my preference for the latter has everything to do with my age. Juno is about a high school girl where Waitress is about an unhappy 20 something. Obviously, I have more in common with Keri Russell's waitress then some Iggy and the Stooges loving 16-year-old. Both are definitely worth seeing, but I think Waitress should receive the same love as Juno this award season. Guess Keri Russell shoulda had a hamburger phone.

See This...

The much buzzed about I'm Not There opened this week in San Diego. You know the one...where 6 different actors, including Cate Blanchett, Heath Ledger and Christian Bale, play Bob Dylan at different stages in his life. Or at least that's what I thought it was about. And it kinda is, but not really, does that make sense? I'm Not There is like Dylan's music: beautiful, poetic and all over the place.

The film begins with Dylan as a young, black child called Woody Guthrie (an homage to Dylan's biggest musical hero) who travels in box cars and tells fantastic tales of life during the Great Depression. From there, we see Dylan as the shy young troubadour who becomes the talk of NYC's Greenwich Village. Next is Robbie, an actor who plays the Dylan character as his marriage falls apart (that makes sense, right?). There's also Dylan as Billy the Kid and Dylan being interviewed (and being difficult for the press) as he was in D.A. Pennebaker's Don't Look Back and the Dylan who broke the heart of folk music lovers everywhere when he plugged in an amplifier and "went electric" (one of the most fascinating moments in music history).

The performances are fantastic, but Cate Blanchett, Marcus Carl Franklin and Bruce Greenwood are the standouts. Blanchett is uncanny in her Dylan-ness (Amazing that it takes a woman to really capture the man). Her early Oscar buzz is truly deserved. Marcus Carl Franklin is charming as the young, traveling Dylan. His singing voice (one of the few actors who actually sing) is really fantastic. And Bruce Greenwood (redeeming himself from John from Cincinnati) plays the villain...and plays it very well.

I imagine the movie would be difficult if you don't know anything about Dylan, so I suggest renting No Direction Home and Don't Look Back first...and you should have some time, because until the film racks up some Oscar nominations (and it will) it may not be coming to a theater near you (unless you live in a major American city), but when it does, be sure to check it out. It's unlike anything you've seen...and that's always a good thing.

See This...

The Cohen brothers are back. After 2 less then stellar films, Joel and Ethan are back to form with No Country for Old Men, a modern western based on the novel by Cormac McCarthy. NCFOM follows 3 men (Josh Brolin as Llewellyn Moss, Tommy Lee Jones as Sherriff Ed Tom Bell and Javier Bardem as Anton Chigurh) as they traverse the modern American west.

A lot happens in NCFOM, but really, like The Darjeeling Limited, the film is about character and mood, and both are portrayed brilliantly. I've always been a Josh Brolin fan (I had the biggest crush on him when he played Brand in Goonies. I so wanted to be Andy...and not just because she was a cute redhead), but Brolin probably does his best work in this film. He is subtle and smart and wholly believable as a man who finds a huge case of cash and does just about anything to protect it so he can make a better life for his wife (played by Scot Kelly MacDonald, with a perfect southern accent). Tommy Lee Jones plays the quintessential lawman, as he always does, perfectly. He is funny and thoughtful; a lawman of the past, who actually cares about his job and the people he is meant to serve. And then there is Javier Bardem. It's been a long time since I've seen a character as powerful as Bardem's Chigurh. Every moment he's on screen (with his near flawless English which shocked me almost as much as anything) is incredible (He will be nominated for all the big awards. You can take it to the bank). As a complete psychopath who tracks Moss and the money, Bardem is mesmerizing and really scary. The fourth major character in the film is the American west itself. The film opens with shots of the beautiful, desolate country...a rough place where young and old alike struggle to survive. NCFOM is probably the quietest movie I've ever seen. There is little, if any, incidental music and scenes (especially with Moss and Chigurh) have almost no dialog. The sounds of the west make up the soundtrack and it's perfect. As they did with their early work, the Cohen brothers create an atmosphere wholly unique and completely engrossing.

As we left the theater, my friend said he didn't think he "got it" and I said, "I don't think there's anything to 'get'" and it's true. In NCFOM, stuff happens and doesn't really get resolved (which I've read many people are a bit upset about), but trying to figure out what it all means really isn't the point. The point is, you take the bloody, beautiful journey with these characters and maybe come out a little different at the end (not that the subject matter is life changing, but, for me anyway, when I see a work of art on film, it changes me. Maybe that's weird, but it's true) and NCFOM is definitely a work of art and the best film I've seen so far this year.

See This...

Plot is dead. Lately, I'm really into movies because of how they "feel" more then what happens in them. The Queen of this "feel" is Sophia Coppola. Nothing much happens in her movies (lonely people interact...that's about it...and there's nothing I relate to more then loneliness), but her movies have a very distinct mood and feel to them. Some people say they are boring; I say they are amazing.

Wes Anderson is another auteur whose films have a very distinct look and feel to them. This weekend I saw his latest, The Darjeeling Limited, and like Sophia's movies (yes, we're on a first name basis) the movie is not so much about what happens, but about mood and people and relationships and loneliness and three estranged (and lonely) brothers who take a spiritual journey across India. First, it looks incredible (as all Anderson's films do). My favorite thing about his movies is how they look. You can ALWAYS tell a Wes Anderson film within the first five minutes from the colors and the sets and the shots and the music. And second, his cast of actors (the Wilson brothers, Jason Schwartzman, Bill Murray who always give their best performances) never cease to make me laugh and break my heart.

The Darjeeling Limited, perhaps more then any of Anderson's other films, feels emotionally real (well, real in a crazy, colorful parallel universe). My friend Garney said, "I loved how this film felt more organic than Anderson's other films. The film was more of a shared experience with the characters, and not just an obvious trajectory of plot development. I think a lot of that is because of Roman Coppola's contribution." I totally agree. Roman Coppola, who co-wrote the film, is, like his sister, terrific with look and feel (rent his film CQ for evidence). Anderson benefits from his collaboration with Coppola, and The Darjeeling Limited is probably his best film after Rushmore (I also noticed Marc Jacobs, who sites Sophia Coppola as his muse, designed the luggage in the film (which is as much a character as the three brothers to some extent). What I wouldn't give to be a part of that friend group). The audience and the three brothers share the journey across India, their realization of the importance of family and their release of years of heavy emotional baggage. We've all been there (well, maybe not journeying across India, but the rest for sure) and when you leave, you feel just like the characters...better for the experience.

(I apologize for this cheezy/pretentious movie review. It's what came out)

See This...

I know I'm a little late on the bandwagon, but I just saw Once this weekend and love, love, loved it. Set in Dublin, it's a modern day musical about a Guy and a Girl who meet and make beautiful music together...in a completely non-cliche way. The Guy is a busker/Hoover vacuum repairman. The Girl meets him on the streets and they become fast friends when he repairs her vacuum. Turns out, she can play the piano and they sound really lovely when they sing together, so they bond and hang out and complications keep them from anything more. Shot mostly with a handheld, digital camera, Once feels like a documentary with a killer, Damien Rice-esque soundtrack. Go see it immediately, if not sooner.