Crime and Punishment I just saw El Crimen del Padre Amaro, a Mexican (melo-) drama about an ambitious young priest who is posted to a small village where he soon falls in lust with a beautiful young girl. There's more to it than that - the various failings of the Catholic Church are explored - but the relationship between Padre Amaro and his paramour, Amelia, is the most interesting part of the movie...even though there are aspects to it that are more soapy than dramatic. Still, it's classy soap, well acted, written, and directed, and starring the stunningly beautiful Ana Claudia Talancón (and also, admittedly, the talented Gael Garciá Bernal, last seen (by me) in Y Tu Mamá También). Mexican cinema has become one of the most interesting arenas for fresh and challenging films in recent years, and though Padre Amaro has its share of shortcomings, I won't hesitate to recommend it to anyone.

Tough day today; a week's worth of work crammed into eight short hours. We all came through, however, and the sense of satisfaction is reward in itself. (Besides, hey, Friday!) I don't want to spoil anything, but I can promise you that the opening fifteen-to-twenty minutes of TLJ.s will be very surprising - and very cool. And I get to play it waaay before anyone else. Wheee! I love my job.  ¶ 01:22