Perpetual Motion

"Perpetuum Mobile" by the Penguin Cafe Orchestra. I know I've heard this one elsewhere, but last night I watched "Mary & Max" and fell in love with the song all over again.

I recommend the movie, too.

I love you, Mark Strong

...even though you don't get to be handsome in movies very often. Or likeable. But I know the truth, Mark Strong, and I appreciate you for it.

But seriously, I know I've posted before extolling the virtues of Mark Strong but I saw Robin Hood today and I thought one more round was warranted. If you aren't familiar with him, you're wrong. Because he's been in pretty much every movie ever made. Okay, not so. But he's in Robin Hood (villain with scary face scar), Sherlock Holmes (villain with snaggle-tooth), Body of Lies (complicated character, though he does get to be handsome in that one at least; see the photo), Stardust (villain), Sunshine (scariest villain ever) and the list goes on. Rocknrolla is an exception to the supporting-actor rule; he's a lead in that one. He's versatile, great with accents, and his voice gives me chills.

Look for him next year in the Green Lantern (as, yes, a villain). And hopefully some more stuff where we can actually root for him.

Lesson time.

Have you seen Obsessive Consumption? Brilliant blog (& now a book) detailing one woman's "battle" with consumerism. Kate Bingaman-Burt draws what she buys and posts it on her blog. It's visually interesting, but it also makes you think twice before you grab a bunch of crap off the check-out aisle at Target. Consumerism is a pretty complex and interesting topic, and I really like her approach.

I also really like Annie Leonard's "The Story of Stuff," a blunt but fun look at the problems related to consumerism. Here, now, the latest in the series: a look at the front-running "solution" to the climate change problem. I just wanted to share!

I, for one, can't wait.

...but I'll have to, at least until Christmas day, for the new Sherlock Holmes movie. I am a hardcore Sherlock Holmes enthusiast already (the lit, of course, and also the old BBC show starring Jeremy Brett = perfection), and I love it when my very favorite things are thrown into the spotlight for everyone to enjoy. However, I have a bit of a complaint already. That gravely voice you hear at the beginning of this trailer? That's Mark Strong, a British character actor you might not know by name, and who absolutely should have been cast in the lead of this movie. tHe would have made the best Sherlock Holmes ever--maybe even giving the Jeremy Brett incarnation a run for his money.

(You've probably seen Mark Strong before, and often: Stardust, RocknRolla, Body of Lies, to name a few. And, yes, I'm a little bit in love with him. What?)

watching.

Diving Bell & the Butterfly home for the weekend. Among others. Will report back.