2002-09-09 | 5:30 p.m.

time was passing corduroy licorice by. he just couldn't pedal his bike fast enough to catch up with the swatch watch delivery truck.

***

i saw two great movies this weekend: elling and xxx. i doubt you'll ever hear those two films mentioned in the same sentence again.

xxx is a truly over-the-top action movie bringing together the world of spy movies and action sports...quite clever marketing, i must say. the james bond genre did need an update. seeing pierce brosnan's chicken neck flapping over a bow tie ain't gonna cut it for much longer. and lord help us when ben affleck becomes the new bond (it could happen, people).

xxx was wall-to-wall, big, dumb fun with some amazing-looking locations in the czech republic, amazing-looking actors (both attractive and freaky), a decent script and cool costuming. asia argento was a smoldering, bold female sidekick.

something a bit troubling. i don't know quite how to explain it, but i am irresistably drawn to vin diesel. i know, i know. he sounds like such a dumb lug when he talks, but there is just something about the dude. i get a visceral reaction to him on the big screen--make that a vinsceral reaction--especially when he wears that thermal underwear. hubba to the hubba, ya don't stop.

elling, oscar nominated last year for best foreign language film, is a norwegian "odd couple" comedy about a pair of slightly mentally ill misfits (one a nervous, bird-like fellow, the other a big lumberjack of a bloke) who are reintroduced into society after being temporarily institutionalized. as roommates, they have to overcome their anxieties to deal with the most basic aspects of day-to-day life--to great comic effect. even a ringing phone becomes a crisis moment.

during their struggles, the two discover creative expression for themselves, leading to some happy times. at one point, elling starts writing down a thought that occurs to him. reading his scribbling back to himself, he gurgles out: "my god, i've commited poetry!"

it's a totally touching film done with a light, but neatly detailed touch. charming, subtle and sweet beyond belief.

***

i was reading this terrific editorial in the guardian by noam chomsky about the united states' policies towards the middle east, when something occured to me.

since we're basically going to war over fossil fuels, in a way, the dinosaurs may ultimately bring the destruction of mankind.

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