I just finished watching the short-lived French series Cinq sœurs (Five Sisters), and I’m very disappointed. It was on 5 nights a week and was supposed to last for a year (260 episodes), but was cancelled after just 108. It wasn’t brilliant by any means, but it was interesting and it was also great for French listening practice, as there were a variety of formal and informal situations (though the verbs tutoyer and vouvoyer were used more than I’ve ever heard them in real life). Plus, it ended on a cliffhanger, with numerous characters in mortal danger. Very uncool! 🙁
TV + Movies
Seinfeld Dictionary
Do you ever use any of those great Seinfeld expressions like “regift” and “low talker”? You won’t find them in the American Heritage Dictionary, but there are some websites that aim to fill this gap in our cultural lexicon.
The Jerry Seinfeld Dictionary of Terms and Phrases
The Seinfeld Dictionary (searchable)
Seinfeld Dictionary (short listing but allows additions)
Lost
So it took me a while, but I finally watched all four seasons of the show Lost. I loved it, I really did, but I have to say that I’m a little disappointed that it’s going to run for another two seasons. I felt like the fourth season was wrapping things up, and even with the unanswered questions remaining at the end, I just don’t think there can be that much more story left to tell. Maybe I’ll be pleasantly surprised.
Bienvenue chez les Ch’tis
This movie has broken all French box office records, and with good reason – it’s hilarious, fun, and heart-warming. If you get a chance to see it, don’t miss. I can’t imagine having to watch it with subtitles though, as an important part of the story and dialogue has to do with the French dialect spoken in the north of France.
I read that Will Smith (among others) wants to do a remake. The French article said it would be Bienvenue chez les Blacks, so I’m guessing the English title would be something like Welcome to Harlem. Of course, these are very early days, but it sounds great – I can’t wait to see it!
Happy Feet
Just watched Happy Feet – adorable. I was glad that I happened to watch March of the Penguins a few weeks earlier, as I understood the mating/feeding rituals. I was also surprised but pleased by the strong ecological and humanitarian messages of the movie. Best line: Robert Williams’ Spanish-accented “Let me tell something to you!”
Station Agent
This is a real gem of a movie. I’d never heard of it, though it won three prizes at Sundance, but it was in my Netflix recommendations so I thought I’d give it a try. We both loved it – it’s feel-good, it’s funny, it’s clever, it’s sweet. Don’t miss it!