broken hearted hoover fixer sucker guy

Saturday night in my household generally tends to be a rather boring affair. The common practice is to curl up on the couch after the baby is in bed and catch up on some television shows that have been recorded on the PVR over the course of the week. However, given the writer's strike, most of the programs I watch are off the air or in repeats. We also cancelled the movie channel a few weeks back to save a few bucks, so I ended up doing something I haven't done very often in the past year or so. I went to the video store to rent a movie.

Although somewhat hesitant to admit it, when I left the house last night, my intention was to pick up Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer. While that my seem normal to many who may read this, there are other's who are likely saying to themselves, "Duuuuuude. Noooo."

But I have my reasons. I saw the first Fantastic Four, so right there it almost requires me to see the sequel. Also, as many know, I'm a big comic book geek from back in the day, so to not see a big budget superhero film, regardless of anticipated lameness, is almost sacrilege.

Anyway....I got to the video store, and sure enough, they had a copy available. I snatched it up in my right hand and before heading to the checkout desk, had a quick look at what else was on the shelves. And that's when I saw it. Once. Being the type of guy who turns to the entertainment section of the newspaper and throws out the sports section, and watches shows like Ebert and Roeper, I was familiar with the low-budget musical that had received a fair amount of critical acclaim this year. I reached out with my left hand and plucked it off the shelf.

So there I stood, pretty much alone in front of a library of new releases at the local video store/laundromat/dry cleaner. In one hand, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer. In the other, Once. I knew my wife was waiting at home, expecting me to return with the former, and that she very well might enjoy it more than the latter. But I also knew that I had really enjoyed the previews I had seen for Once, and although it was being dubbed a "musical", a term which will normally send me running from a movie screaming like a frightened schoolgirl, I couldn't put it back on the shelf. So I had a dilemma, because I knew I couldn't get both. (You see, once you have a baby, if you can stay up past 11pm, you've taken performance enhancing drugs. Seriously.) If I rent the big budget superhero flick over the low budget personal musical, will I be able to look at myself in the mirror. Will I be able to show my face to others? Will I irreparably damage my cinesoul and unbalance my box office karma? Can I afford that?

I could not, and so I put Fantastic Four back on the shelf and didn't look back. And while my wife may tell you now that she regrets that decision, I certainly do not.

Once is a brilliant little film that is certainly deserving of the accolades it has received. If you love (good) music, you will love this movie. The songs are simply mesmerizing and beautifully performed. The lead, Glen Hansard of The Frames is someone who I was completely unfamiliar with before now, but he gives a simple and wonderful performance. The other lead, Marketa Irglova is similarly enchanting with a lovely voice, and watching the chemistry between the two, it is hard to avoid a smile creeping onto your face. The dialogue is minimal and real and honest, and the real story is told through the music. This morning, my first task was to download the soundtrack off of iTunes.

I can't speak to Fantastic Four, because I haven't seen it. But I certainly recommend that the next time you're in the video store, to take a chance on this little movie. If you don't enjoy it, and the music doesn't move you, then go out and buy the latest Kevin Federline album. You deserve each other.