“The Lives of Others.” (Das Leben der Anderen)

There really aren’t any words for how much I loved this film. It is probably the best movie I have seen in a very, very long time. I love foreign films anyway, but this one is just special. It takes place about 5 years before the fall of the Berlin Wall. It is an era I have a fascination about. The iron curtain used to scare the crap out of me as a kid and so starting in jr. high, I began to research everything I could find about it. I think it began when I saw the movie “Night Crossing” about a family who escaped East Germany by hot air balloon.

I also went through a phase where I researched the reunification process and its ramifications on both East and West Germany extensively.This movie perfectly captured my feelings about what it must have been like to live in a situation like that. It can be so difficult to comprehend the lack of freedoms that many of us take for granted every single day.

Ulrich Mühe deserves an Oscar. He was this film. Without him it wouldn’t have even worked.He was amazing, amazing, AMAZING in his subtlety (Something I need to learn, huh?). He plays a quite, staunchly patriotic officer in the Stasi. (The secret police). He is sent to put a famous playwright under surveillance because a government bigwig wants him out of the way so he can bang the playwrights girlfriend. Muhe’s character becomes involved in their lives, yet completely separate in a way that will have you jumping out of your seat with suspense, sadness and triumph.

Best of all? I LOVE the way they handle the ending. It was something that completely shocked me for a film of this kind.

I HEART IT. You will, too.

I want to see it again.

I will just cover my eyes during the scene with the unfortunate-looking socialist prostitute and grody politician pawing at a poor, trapped woman while in his tidy whites. Cause that is just YUCK.

I went to see “Lyrics and Music” with Bridgy, Karen and Brian Joy. SUCH a cute flick. The opening scene is probably the best “80′s recreation video” I have EVER seen. I peed myself.

For being a movie about music, this flick did have some of the WORST original scores and music ever created for film. That aside, I still liked it. It is good fluff. Hugh Grant is the perfect aging Pop icon and Drew Barrymore is so fun. I loved her character: A wounded, KLUTZY, babbler that has “No filter”.

We clicked.

Over all, if you don’t expect too much out of this film and don’t mind some really horrible tunes, you have a great night of fluff and laughter. And really, who can ask for more?