DVD sale + The Lives of Others

There's an event called "The Big DVD Sale" on amazon right now, with tons of classic films half off, and other, less classic films going for as low as $5. I just caved and bought a LOT of DVDs of old movies (to the tune of $115)... probably not the best idea. But now I will own such classic films as All About Eve, Singin' in the Rain, My Fair Lady, and Casablanca, among others... and all on the cheap. So yay!

Also, I saw The Lives of Others yesterday. Very good film. I must unfortunately admit to having fallen asleep in the middle for a bit, simply because I was tired (this had nothing to do with the quality of the film - I also fell asleep the first time I saw Volver, and I LOVE Volver - though Lives was rather slow and dry, which didn't help). Anyway, I have no real preference between this and Pan's Labyrinth for foreign film. Both are very good; neither is my favorite (I still prefer Volver to both). But I suppose I'm glad Lives won, since Pan's got plenty of attention elsewhere. And though Lives seems to have won based on its being "important," it also seems like the kind of film that will improve in the memory, whereas Pan's is the kind that wows on first viewing, but doesn't really improve with time. So good on AMPAS for their vote.

I really should try and see it again without falling asleep, but I don't know when that'll happen. You know when you suddenly have this overwhelming need to sleep, out of nowhere, right in the middle of a film? And you just CANNOT keep your eyes open, no matter what? I hate that. So frustrating. At first, sleep is such a beautiful relief, but then you wake up and you're like, "shit, I just missed a lot of the movie" and you feel all guilty. Argh. Oh well.