Paris, Je t'aime (2006)

The city is lovely on film. My favorite vignettes are the one Elijah Wood is in, Gus Van Sant's piece, and the last one.

Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist (2008)

Seems to have been written by someone who is good friends with gay people. A mainstream flick with nothing gay in the main storyline, but lots of gay side material. There are even attractive gay guys in this movie who are not basket cases and actually they're the good guys of the film. Kind of amazing how Hollywood has evolved.

Is the story believable though? Ah well. Not really, but it's entertaining all the same. The music is good, if inoffensive.

One funny line is where Cera's character, Sal, says most believeably on suffering from his breakup: "It's tough being a straight guy."

Slumdog Millionaire (2008)

A nice watchable film. But I think a little overrated considering the 8 Oscar wins.

What drove the kid? Love of a girl, who is now lost. How to connect with her? Become famous! Not a little idealistic and crazy, but perhaps just an exaggerated version of an occasional truth of the human condition: boy wins girl through dogged determination and courageous acts.

With other occasional truths (requiring less effort) being boy wins girl through having a job, being a prince, having good looks or having fashion sense (similar to being a prince).