This is a bit of a departure from our usual subjects, but I just watched a really wonderful movie (for the second time) and thought I’d share it with you! It’s become one of my favorite films and it’s a perfect movie to cozy up with your friends, family and/or pets and watch. Produced in 2007,
Lars and the Real Girl is a funny, tender, comedy with entertaining moments and intelligent characters. The movie ultimately explores a feeling that all of us can relate to—loneliness--and the healing power of family. Ryan Gosling stars as Lars, a sweet but unusual guy, who thinks he’s found the girl of his dreams in a life-sized doll named Bianca. The most touching part of this film is the way Lars’ family, friends and co-workers treat Bianca as if she is truly a member of their community. The gentleness with which the citizens of this town take care of Lars truly makes you believe in the magic of people. Watching this movie, especially during the holiday season, always makes me appreciate the members of my community just a little bit more. Some of the scenes are hilarious, especially when Lars and Bianca are invited to dinner parties together. This movie is truly a great “gift” to share with others.
If you love stories about resilient people succeeding in tough situations, make sure you check out 127 Hours, a new movie that has just been released to DVD. It is based on the story, Between a Rock and a Hard Place by Aron Ralston, and tells the story of a harrowing hiking adventure. Aron is an adventure junkie, who enjoys hiking in Blue John Canyon in Utah. An avid mountain climber, 127 Hours is the true story of his remarkable mountain climbing adventure to save himself after a fallen boulder crashes on his arm and traps him in an isolated canyon. He spends five days trying to free himself while examining his life, friends and family and surviving the elements and a lack of water. I admired Ralston's courage and tenacity and his amazingly upbeat 
attitude that remained throughout the five days. The movie is visually beautiful and I enjoyed the juxtaposition of this wonderful natural world contrasted with the gritty struggle of Ralston to break free from the boulder. The movie stays true to the book that it is based on, Between a Rock and a Hard Place, and I think it's worth it to read the book as well as watch the movie in order to get the story in Ralston's own words. A truly great performance by James Franco (it will keep you riveted to your seat) and an incredible courageous story of survival about a man who deserves to be a hero.