Tights, cold weather, Oscars (slightly political...sorry.)

[Sasquatch]

I've been in tights most days during the past two weeks, having had a number of field (outdoor) appointments. Worn under trousers they provide extra warmth when needed without being too hot or too bulky when I go indoor. Anyway, it has made me think often of a scene from a film we saw last summer (or maybe fall) called In the Valley of Elah.

In the film, Tommy Lee Jones plays a retired MP NCO (military police, non-comissioned officer) investigating the murder of his soldier son who had just returned from deployment in Iraq. He interviews one of his son's fellow soldiers who recounted their joint duty in chilly Bosnia saying something to the effect "He used to tell us things that made us laugh, crazy things about keeping warm..." Jones character interjects "He told you to wear pantyhose under your uniform, didn't he? He told you that because that's what I told him. I learned that on guard duty...nothing cuts the cold like pantyhose!" I wouldn't go that far in singing the praises of hose, but it is amazing that something so thin works so well.

I thought In the Valley of Elah was an extraordinary film, despite it's controversial indictment of the nature of operations in the Iraq War and it's supposed and questionable lingering effects on the troops who experienced combat there. I found it powerful and disturbing. Regardless of your feelings about the war, I'd urge you to see the film or rent the DVD, if you haven't already.

Jones gave the performance of his career and is nominated for an Academy Award as best actor. I hope he wins, although controversial films don't often fare well, especially in an election year. Susan Sarandon should be nominated for best supporting actress, but probably won't be because she was on screen for only about three or four minutes total at most. She was superb, though, even in too-short scenes.

Sasq

[AndrewH]

Susan Sarandon should be nominated for best supporting actress, but probably won't be because she was on screen for only about three or four minutes total at most. She was superb, though, even in too-short scenes.

Sasq

Well, a few years ago, Judy Dench won the oscar for best supporting actress, despite being on screen for about 10 minutes, in Shakespeare in Love.

Mind you, most of Judy Dench's performances are worthy of an oscar!