I've been watching

quite a few things that are worthwhile... and some not so much.

Juno - excellent. Witty, heart-warming, hilarious! while not compromising the heavier issues at hand with teenage pregnancy. Unorthodox, surely, and the way the plot unfolds may seem far-fetched to some, but the spirit and tone of the film is right on. Yes, the situation is bizarre and difficult, but lovely things can come out of it. So, maybe it's not too far-fetched anyway.

No Country for Old Men - I don't know how I feel about this film. I'm not sure I enjoyed it thoroughly; but I can't say I didn't. Ack. It's definitely riveting. Violent. The filmmakers know how to sustain your interest. It showcases a great piece of acting by all the actors. Javier Bardem's character may just be the scariest villain in recent cinema.

Once - It tells an unbelievably simple story, but the superb telling elevates it to a wonderful ride. I love the subtle, realistic manner in which it depicts two people falling in love. Set in contemporary Ireland, the male is a talented but struggling busker and the female a musically talented emigre from the Czech Republic. It's been dubbed "a modern day musical" because 50% of the film is the one or two characters playing music. But don't think The Sound of Music or Fiddler on the Roof. The songs are organically embedded in the story. It feels natural because it is about two musicians after all. Glen Hansard (the main character in the movie) wrote and performed all his own bits. He is the lead singer of the Frames, so if that appeals to you: watch it please. Then get the soundtrack.

Firefly/Serenity. This saga was first brought to my attention a while back by Jeffrey Overstreet who sang its praises. The premise intrigued me. A motley crew of people in a spaceship running legal and illegal shipments across the universe. A western in space? Yes! The show had a short life on the air but fans' prompted writer/producer to create a film (Serenity) so that the story can have a more satisfying conclusion. It has witty dialogue, smart and subversive story lines, recognizable and likable characters. It is so much fun. Fantasies (sci-fi or not) like this one offer an alternative look at the world.

Moment of Truth. I came across this show when I was staying with friends who were intrigued by it.

The set is similar to those used on “The Weakest Link” and “Deal or No Deal,” but the object of this game is to prod seemingly nice people to admit bad behavior. As family members and friends look on, the contestant is asked a series of embarrassing personal questions by the host. Truthful answers, as determined by a polygraph, are rewarded by cash, from $10,000 for the first, relatively banal queries to $500,000 for the marriage-busting kind.
(NYTimes.com story)

I found it so brutally wrong and offensive. It's just a TV show? It is. I still could not stomach it. It fascinates me in that "What does this say about our society" kind of way; but I'm not watching it or recommending it.