The week of August 1st, 2004
Picture of the Week	Laugh of the Week
This picture is of Maria N. Rosa, mother and grandmother of the Rosa family. Click here to enlarge picture.	This comedy bit by Sam Kinison about how to handle starving children in Africa is hilarious. Click here to play sound file.
Movie Review of the Week
Movie: The Village Rating: *** (more strengths than weaknesses, check it out) Director: M. Night Shyamalan Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Bryce Howard, William Hurt, Sigourney Weaver, Adrian Brody This story of a village cut off from the modern world and living in fear of creatures in the woods is written, directed, and produced by M. Night Shyamalan. The main character is Lucius Hunt (Joaquin Phoenix), the fearless son of one of the elders who suspects the elders are keeping secrets from the others. Lucius also falls in love with Ivy (Bryce Howard), the blind daughter of the leader of the village. And it is this relationship that is the driving force of the movie because of the chemistry. Romantic chemistry can make a movie. But Shyamalan decides to terminate this driving force with the stabbing of Lucius by a crazed jealous villager. And as Lucius goes down so does the movie. It is a shame because the fear of the creatures is nicely built up, the cinematograpy is impressive, the characters are interesting, but all of a sudden there are no more scenes with Lucius and Ivy talking to each other, no repartee, no puppy dog eyes, just 'how do we save Lucius'. Boring. Fortunately the stabbing happens about 75% into the movie and is somewhat forgiveable. As far as Shyamalan endings, this one is unsatisfying and anticlimactic. And there is the trademark Shyamalan twist, but it is somewhat obvious.