So This Is Pretty Cool!

Trying to find ways to relax, I decided to sign up for a "Sneak Peek" film course, that basically just entails me getting to see movies before they are released. The first class was this last monday, and we got to see "The Savages". It stars Laura Linney and Phillip Seymour Hoffman. It's dramatic tale of adult children forced to deal with their aging father. There are a few funny scenes in the movie, but for the most part this is a serious film that explores themes of child/parent relationships and how people overcome challenges in their own lives. I think the movie was great, and both of the actors convincingly portrayed their characters. I enjoyed it and think this is one that people should keep their eyes out for in the near future.

In other news, the fires have died down, the smoke has cleared and we can finally see blue skies again. Luckily, the fires were not as damaging as they could have been. It still sad that they happen though, especially when started on purpose.

Love those Santa Ana Winds

Fire, high winds, smoke and ash covering everything! Just another joy of being in Southern California during the fall. Even better, they say this will be a La Nina weather pattern year, so that means no rain all winter. At least our place smells a little less of smoke than it did yesterday. The sky is still all smoky though. The winds are supposed to die down tomorrow, and I sure hope they do. I'm tired of them. At least the summer heat is gone now, and I can only hope that cool weather is on our way, even if we get no rain.

School has been keeping me extremely busy, so we haven't been doing a lot of fun stuff recently. We did make it out to see "The Darjeeling Limited" though, and I have to say that it was hilarious. My favorite Wes Anderson movie is still "The Royal Tenenbaums", but this was is now second. I love the story of the three brothers traveling by train, and the interaction between Owen Wilson, Jason Schwartzman and Adrian Brody is spot on perfect. They seem like real siblings. On the tube, I am so happy that "the office" and "Heroes" are back on. I've only added one new show to my viewing schedule and that's "Chuck". It's funny, spy-themed, and all around awesome!