The movie I saw tonight (Love, Actually) featured my favorite Kelly Clarkson song. The first time I heard this song, it made me cry. Because man. So true.

Every time I turn around
I think I've got it all figured out
My heart keeps callin'
And I keep on fallin'
Over and over again

This set story always ends the same
Me standin' in the pouring rain
It seems no matter what I do
It tears my heart in two

The saddest thing is that I even have a favorite Kelly Clarkson song. But if it makes you feel better, the rest of the album is rubbish. "The Trouble With Love" and "Miss Independent" are the only two truly kick ass songs on there.

I had super high expectations for this movie, and I must say it was not flawless, like Four Weddings. There were a few too many intertwining storylines. Probably everyone will agree with that, and then everyone will differ as to which storylines they loved and which could be cut.

Trying not to give anything away: I really loved the Hugh Grant, Alan Rickman and Colin Firth storylines-- shocking, I'm sure. (Brilliant: the dancing, Emma Thompson, the giftwrapping, the Christmas caroling, Billy Bob Thornton.) The only thing better would have been some more of that Bridget Jones Firth/Grant homoeroticism, but this time throw Alan Rickman into the mix too. Mmm.

Ahem. I also loved both the Liam Neeson and the Keira Knightly storylines; well done, well done. (My god, that kid was cute. And not Jonathan Lipnicki cute. Actual cute.) It was cool to see the guy from The Office in this movie, and his storyline was great although it was sort of fluffy (no pun intended) and seemed like filler in a film that really did not need filler.

My vote for most completely disposable storyline would be the one about Colin; totally over-the-top and didn't belong in the movie at all. Bleh. (And speaking of bleh, what's with the depressing 9/11 reference right at the beginning? Seemed truly random and totally put me in the wrong kind of reflective mood.)

The thing with the singer-- although funny at points-- just confused me. I have no idea about the resolution. I missed something crucial I think. (Of course when I saw Four Weddings the first time, I didn't figure out that Gareth and Matthew were gay. How I missed that? No idea.) And finally (yes, there were more storylines than Gosford Park in this thing) there was the Laura Linney storyline. Not one of my favorites, but well done I suppose.

What I like about the movie's approach is that it deals with a lot of different types of love, and love-related situations. Not as formulaic, predictable, or cheesy as you might expect. It's no Lost in Translation (have I mentioned you need to GO SEE THAT MOVIE THIS INSTANT) but it's definitely a keeper.

Of course seeing a movie about love gets me to thinking about love.

It'll make you hear a symphony
And you just want the world to see
But like a drug that makes you blind
It'll fool you every time

The trouble with love is
It can tear you up inside
Make your heart believe a lie
It's stronger than your pride...

Just a word, a brief word, about Lost in Translation which, as I've already said, you should go out and see immediately.

Actually, that's all I have to say! Go see it. It might be one of the best films I've ever, ever seen. It is so real, so wonderful. God, the karaoke scene. The phone call she makes to her friend. The scene in the street. The commercial he makes. The dialogue. Roger Ebert gives everything away in his review, so don't read it until you see the movie, but I agree with every word.

God bless Sofia Coppola for having actual talent. Give that girl an Oscar. And Bill Murray also needs an Oscar, immediately. Start shining its pretty bald gold little head. Yes, the movie is that good. It's so good. It's indescribably good, and you need to go out and see it. Let me know what you think.

Actually, now that I think about it, if you don't like it, don't tell me what you think. It would break my heart. And then where would we be?