http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/SugarMagnolia/7634 I have, thanks largely in part to NOT going to the movies in a long time. I had the pleasure of a repeat (or repeat repeat repeat, I lose count) viewing of a most eloquent movie, "Grand Illusion" (most definitely not to be confused with that mess of an album by Styx), made in 1937 by Jean Renoir (yes, of those Renoirs; his father, Auguste Renoir, was the famous painter - it seems talent runs in the family). It is a  French film, but don't let that scare you off; it's subtitled for those lacking in the French language (like me). I saw this fine movie the other night on Ovation TV (just think of the type of station A & E used to be before it let itself go down the crapper), and bless their souls for playing it. I have caught it on Turner Classic Movies before, and it is available on DVD, from what I understand, although I don't own a copy. Gotta fix that, because it is one of the all time greats. If you like "The Great Escape", you will surely love this film, as it bears a resemblance to "Escape" but is so much more than that. I highly recommend this film because of its gorgeous photography and incredible acting (particularly by Erich von Stroheim as a complex German commandant). But mostly, I love this movie because of the beauty and truth of it story. It was filmed after World War I (the war to end all wars, an illusion in itself), and examines the quality of mercy between enemies, perceptively probing the emotions and motivations of prisoners of war and their captors. There is one scene in this movie that is the most beautiful, saddest, and most touching material I have ever seen. But you must see it for yourself; I dare not give too much away. Roger Ebert writes a very concise review of this classic here but read at your own risk, since he gives away this important part of the plot. If you get a chance, do check out this film. You will be glad you did. I am, except for one thing - I have had "It's a Long Way to Tipperary" stuck in my head for a few days now. But, the scene in the movie that the song goes along with - well, trust me, you just have to see it to believe it. Do yourself a favor, and save a few $20 bills - skip the theater, rent this movie if you can find it, or just turn on Turner Classic Movies for a night, and curl up on the couch. You'll find the old adage is true - they just don't make 'em like they used to. I have, thanks largely in part to NOT going to the movies in a long time. I had the pleasure of a repeat (or repeat repeat repeat, I lose count) viewing of a most eloquent movie, "Grand Illusion" (most definitely not to be confused with that mess of an album by Styx), made in 1937 by Jean Renoir (yes, of those Renoirs; his father, Auguste Renoir, was the famous painter - it seems talent runs in the family). It is a  French film, but don't let that scare you off; it's subtitled for those lacking in the French language (like me). I saw this fine movie the other night on Ovation TV (just think of the type of station A & E used to be before it let itself go down the crapper), and bless their souls for playing it. I have caught it on Turner Classic Movies before, and it is available on DVD, from what I understand, although I don't own a copy. Gotta fix that, because it is one of the all time greats. If you like "The Great Escape", you will surely love this film, as it bears a resemblance to "Escape" but is so much more than that. I highly recommend this film because of its gorgeous photography and incredible acting (particularly by Erich von Stroheim as a complex German commandant). But mostly, I love this movie because of the beauty and truth of it story. It was filmed after World War I (the war to end all wars, an illusion in itself), and examines the quality of mercy between enemies, perceptively probing the emotions and motivations of prisoners of war and their captors. There is one scene in this movie that is the most beautiful, saddest, and most touching material I have ever seen. But you must see it for yourself; I dare not give too much away. Roger Ebert writes a very concise review of this classic here but read at your own risk, since he gives away this important part of the plot. If you get a chance, do check out this film. You will be glad you did. I am, except for one thing - I have had "It's a Long Way to Tipperary" stuck in my head for a few days now. But, the scene in the movie that the song goes along with - well, trust me, you just have to see it to believe it. Do yourself a favor, and save a few $20 bills - skip the theater, rent this movie if you can find it, or just turn on Turner Classic Movies for a night, and curl up on the couch. You'll find the old adage is true - they just don't make 'em like they used to. en-us