Three movies, one man

Writing with a headache is nearly impossible. So, here are the latest movies I've checked out.

Ratatouille. The juxtaposition of a rat wanting to work in a kitchen—a place where the sight of a single furry, four-pawed body scurrying around means eminent restaurant-death—is more than enough to base a Pixar film on. So we have a rat that can cook, a boy that can't, and a restaurant to be saved from the likes of a vulture (also known as Anton Ego). It's a lot of fun, with colorful characters, food that looks realistic, and several laugh-out-loud moments. I was surprised at how fast the plot moved, and overall enjoyed it very much. Definitely a winner and a huge step up from 2006's Cars.

Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Haven't watched this since I was in high school, and I am happy to report that, much like a fine wine, this comedic gem has only gotten better and better. Really, if for some strange reason you haven't seen it, please do so. Soonish. And bring me a shrubbery!

Blood Diamond. A dramatic thriller that has two men on the search for a blood diamond during the Sierra Leone Civil War. These are the sort mined in war zones and then sold to finance the conflicts. It's a very powerful film, often even hard to watch at times. We're shown a country that survives on brutality, child soldiers, and the power of control. Even Danny Archer (played by Leonardo DiCaprio) begins to actually see the devastation happening all around. Unfortunately for him—and many others—it's too late to change anything. Much like Hotel Rwanda and those infomercials that come on at three in the morning, this is a film that tries to shed light on subjects often ignored. Will it, ultimately, change anything? I have my doubts. But there's always hope because I can't think of a scarier thing than a country and its people co-existing with Civil War. Well, maybe a little boy with a M-4 assault rifle...