Serenity

Sports: Vinny Testaverde is back and gave the team enough life to beat undefeated Tampa (14-12, one touchdown basically on defense). Though a bad call apparently helped, the Braves blew a 6-1 eighth inning lead, and lost in 18 to the Astros ... Clemens coming to uh pinch hit (it was either him or Oswalt, unless Pettite was available) and relieve for three innings. Clemens last relieved about the time the player who hit the winning run was born. Given the questionable hitting on both sides (though the Braves put up a threat in the 14th and made the closer work earlier), it is surprising they still aren't playing. Still, all is right when the Braves lose in the playoffs.

The creator of Buffy the Vampire Slayer (television series) also created a short-lived, if cult favorite, sci fi series entitled Firefly. He used the idea to make a small budget big screen film -- Serenity. It has also been a favorite, now for more people, including some on the blogosphere (Political Animal/Talking Points Memo) ... and one might add me to the list as well. As Kevin Drum (PA) notes, it is a good B-movie, not a masterpiece, but simply put, enjoyable entertainment.

I might add that the sci fi story of a rebel ship with a mysterious young passenger on board (a target for an assassin, played by someone I caught on a BBC lawyer series) also must be taken with a couple provisos. One, a couple plot points are of the "necessary for advancement of plot" variety, though since the movie does not take itself too series, this is not really a problem. And, second, for light entertainment, a part of the plot is pretty damn tragic. I am of the mind-set that certain tragic things need to be earned in films -- if the film is too lame, it does not warrant such downer plot developments. This film is well made (and acted -- with a light touch) enough to earn such things.

And, as with Buffy, there is an underlining seriousness to this film -- as with a vampire show, we are not to take it too seriously, sure, but it must be of some note. This adds to the enjoyment in the long run. [Buffy was a rather serious show, which is why it was a favorite a lot of smart nerd sorts along with others.]