Seconds

Luckily for me, coming in second place has never lessened the value of something I truly value and enjoy. (A particularly useful sentiment for a second-born child, eh?)

I've spent some time recently volunteering for the Barack Obama campaign, calling into Nevada to check on likely caucus participation. You probably saw how that turned out. But did you know that in the end, Clinton could come away with 1 fewer national delegate from Nevada than Obama? Yet another lesson in not declaring victory before the work (of war, an election, etc.) is truly over.

As someone who rarely gets in on the first round of anything, I appreciate that some things get better with time (yes, this is undoubtedly self serving). As a child of the 70's and 80's, I grew up on music of the 60's and 70's, possibly the best era for proving that good music stands the test of time. My habit of finding beloved tunes after the initial frenzy died down continues well into adulthood. I developed a little obsession with the band The Killers at least a year after their song "Somebody Told Me" saturated the alt rock/pop airwaves. Apparently no one told me. I've "discovered" a number of fantastic albums recently, all of which were released two or more years ago. Where have I been? Off happily catching up on music a few years older, no doubt.

Second hand does save money. I am one of the multitude who rarely goes to the movie theater anymore, saving myself mucho dinero. With rare exceptions, I find most of my film satisfaction in the comfort of my own home for 17 bucks a month (I love you, Netflix). Apart from the occasional impatience this brings when I miss in theaters a highly touted movie months away from DVD release (though the theater-to-disc release span is decreasing), this is an excellent deal. So why treat these second-release flicks like secondhand citizens when it comes to my movie reviews? A terrible oversight on my part. Here you go...

Recommended Rentals
Foreign
* My Best Friend is a cute-but-awkward French buddy movie starring veteran actor Daniel Auteuil.
* Once is a sweet Dublin-based film featuring good folksy tunes throughout, written and performed by the two leads.
* Tipping the Velvet, based on a novel about lesbianism in Victorian England, is a fantastic quirky modern costume drama which aired on the (obviously not US-ratings board controlled) BBC.

Documentaries
Note--each of these domestic docs caught my eye but has its flaws and frustrations
* Jesus Camp is about young Evangelical Christians in the Heartland. Left me depressed, which was surprising, because usually religious freedom is a big thing for me. But people are presented without much outside commentary, which I liked.
* Boys of Baraka relates the experiences of inner city Baltimore boys sent to Kenya for 2 years of boarding school. Left me wanting to learn more about the school, though not necessarily in support of it. Made by the same women who made Jesus Camp (a fact I only just now realized).
* No End in Sight focuses rather pointedly on Bush's 2003 invasion of Iraq. Newsy, provocative telling of a frustrating, tragic series of events.

Thrillers
Note--these two are fine, but not great.
* The Lookout is the story of a brain-injured rich kid who attempts to put his life back together by falling in with some shady new friends. (Side note: star Joseph Gordon-Levitt looked to me so much like Heath Ledger it was creepy.)
* Breach was interesting, more for its insight into Robert Hanssen spy case than anything else. One great thing about DVD format is possibility of including extras; this one offers 60 Minutes piece about Hanssen.

And lastly, there are several television shows which I catch the second time around simply because it's impossible for me, living in the US, not to (well, legally). PBS or SciFi channel might have introduced you to the following, which are available on DVD:
* Doctor Who is an oft-cheesy British sci fi show with a long history. At home you can read up online for backstories to fill in what you don't understand.
* The Vicar of Dibley is a 1990's British sitcom about a single, chocoholic female vicar serving in a small town populated by oddball characters. After regular series ended, several special episodes got made, such as the Dec 2006 show where vicar gets married.