(M) Control (Anton Corbijn, 2007) Grade: B+
When my friend saw this film, I asked him if he was sad watching the scene when Ian Curtis killed himself, and he replied, Not really. He’s not a sympathetic character. And after watching Control, I have to agree. Curtis was a brilliant musician and very talented, but he wasn’t ready for all the obstacles that came before him so quickly and too early (fatherhood, fame, falling in love, etc.). This is a well-made film but will only interest Joy Division fans and those interested in the Manchester music scene.

(M) Lars & the Real Girl (Craig Gillespie, 2007) Grade: A-
This is a great, quirky comedy and probably everything that I was hoping Darjeeling Limited would be. It’s funny, has lots of heart and really great characters. Ryan Gosling’s character is mentally troubled yet at the same time endearing and somewhat relatable. And even though the concept of a human-like sex doll is kind of disturbing, the doll clearly isn’t about sex for Lars, but rather, establishing human connection. Highly recommended.

(B) A Man Without a Country (Kurt Vonnegut, 2007) Grade: B
This is Vonnegut’s last book, and it’s a short, enjoyable effort. The only negative is that a lot of the material will be familiar to those who have read his other books. About 50% or so of the chapters have been published before, but it is refashioned here to fit the overall theme of the current disaster of the U.S., the Iraq war and how, well, Vonnegut feels he is without a country. A good read when, say, everyone else is watching the World Series and you have nothing else to entertain yourself.