MOVIE: Bella

I rented Bella from the library because it looked like simple and independent. And it turns out that it was quite good. The narrative had a good focus and was well-put together. The characters were fleshed out but not forced, and it had a good message about family. And despite what someone tried to push on me after-the-fact, this wasn't an abortion-as-an-issue movie (*sigh-and-groan*).

Anyways, the lead looked like Matthew Fox on Lost except without a razor -- soft-spoken but with strength. The female lead looked like a NY-Italian version of Hilary Swank meet Katherine Heigl, a mix of toughness and vulnerability without the boyishness or annoying preachiness.

Anywho, I'd recommend the movie. It picked up the Audience Award at the 2006 Toronto Film Festival and also received the Smithsonian Institute's "Legacy Award" for the film's positive contribution to Latino art and culture. It's a good film.