Well, before I get to the original intent of this post, I must share the comic strip discovery I just made at foxtrot.com’s online store. Sorry if it’s hard to read, it’s the only version I could find. It’s so damn funny, though. I had to share it.

Well, as is usual for my Friday nights, I cooked myself a nice meal, made brownies, and rented a movie. I love going to blockbuster. It’s my new favorite hangout. I think it only took me a half hour to find a movie. hehe, that’s a record. I had planned on getting Goodbye, Lenin or Spiderman, but apparently they’re both considered “new releases.” Thus, I began aisle roaming. I look until something catches my eye. Today it was “My Life as a Dog.” I’d never heard of it, but the title intrigued me so I got it.

Well, it wasn’t exactly what I expected, but it still managed to hold my attention. The style reminded me of Amelie. The story was told through the eyes of a little boy, not only through his words but also through his facial expressions and actions. It was a Swedish movie, so I watched with subtitles I later realized there was an English dubbed version, but I watched about 2 seconds of it like that before ruling it as horrible. They never find good voices for dubs. I hate dubs. I love subs.

As weird (and creepy) as the movie was at points, I’d recommend watching it. It’s quite original and the theme of dogs is used very subtly. Very well done. The ending left me kinda like “uh??” but I may watch it all again. The movie talked a lot about Laika, the dog sent up to space in sputnik that starved to death after about 5 months. The movie was weird. A lot happened that was really sad, but not like “make you cry” sad, just “ponder” sad. It speaks of and shows so many tragedies and really expresses the sort of apathy we have in regards to the death of others and the strange ways people react to one another. The movie was so natural, and that’s what made it creepy. Every character was real, as was all their interactions. I keep realizing more and more what the movie had to say. I just read that the movie was directed by Lasse Halstrom, who also directed “The Cider House Rules” and “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape.” This film was done earlier in his career.

So…My Life as a Dog…check it out.