Film: Pan's Labyrinth is a prime example of why one must not be limited to English language films. This fable of sorts involves a girl of about twelve finding herself in the midst of a fairy tale (it is somewhat unclear if it is not all in her imagination) while horrible things occur around her in a rural outpost of Franco anti-rebel forces in WWII Spain. This is not a film for young children -- some particularly unpleasant things occur, but it is viewed through the eyes of one -- one review rightly compares the young girl to a type of Anne Frank, though perhaps early on in her confinement.
It is a Spanish language film, but its fairly wide release in NYC (a few theaters) suggests its wider charm -- as a dramatic exercise alone is it special. The special effects laden fairy tale world only adds to the mix. Sure to be, with reason, on many top 10 lists. On that subject, though I have yet to see Clint Eastwood's latest, some favs: Sophie Scholl: The Final Days, Beautiful City, Hard Candy, Word Play, Half Nelson, Keeping Mum, Sweet Land, Volver, and Hermanas. Note how several are foreign film with a documentary tossed in. Animation-wise, I have not yet seen Flushed Away. Clicking the first film link takes you to a site where you can find out about the others.
Sports: Week 17 turned out to be rather interesting. One should not be too shocked or impressed that the Giants eked in to the playoffs (their season: 6-2, 2-6) by being a bad team by about a touchdown. Still, there is no reason why they cannot beat the Eagles, who are due for a letdown after weeks of great play from their back-up QB on down. The Jets made people a bit nervous early by keeping it close, but made it a laugher late -- playoffs bound. Their old coach, Herm Edwards, is as well -- a few things went his way, including Denver (who only needed a tie) losing late in OT -- and KC got the second wild card. Thus, the late Fox game mattered. The final SNF game did not mean much standings-wise and such, but it had the "is it Brett's final game" juice as well. Heck, even Detroit won, affecting first round picks.
Courts: On CJ Roberts crying the financial blues, see here. On the "is the Constitution a contract" issue, I'm basically with Mark Field ... after all, many considered it a "compact," a sort of contract. Or, perhaps, a sort of treaty. Ditto. Articles of incorporation? Sure enough. Maybe, part of the "social contract" ... well, it's right there is the words. And, the "parties" (the people and government today) accept the original understanding that "this is an constitution we are expounding," one that develops over time, much like the people in 1776 appealed to the Magna Charta as they understood it, not as limited to the concepts understood in the 13th Century.
Finally: May '07 be a useful "year of the boar." Charlotte's Web is fittingly timed, no?