We’re all about movies here at Brandywine BOOKS . . . Ahem . . .

I’m having trouble with my mic here . . . are we live already? Can you hear me now?

All right. We’re all about movies here. As Orson Scott Card said, when modern Americans read a great book, they often say it would make a great movie because when a story succeeds as a movie, it has been perfected. Don’t deny it. You know it’s true.

So I watched the 1931 film Arrowsmith last night. It was great. I think the end could have had more to it. Maybe I needed Ronald Coleman to monologue a bit at the end. “Here’s why I’m going to leave my success and wealth behind. This is the reason I will cut ties with this place. I did make the right decision back in the West Indies. I’m not turning back! I’m am American. We never turn back!” Or something like that.

It’s a sad story overall. It’s based on a Sinclair Lewis novel about a young scientist who marries a nurse in his hospital, begins his career as a doctor in South Dakota, and distinguishes himself enough to be invited to join a research institute in New York. He’s a good man, but he may not make the best decisions throughout the story. Feel free to rent it and judge for yourself. Dr. Arrowsmith’s poor little wife puts up with a lot and I’m not sure he understands her sacrifice in the end. The viewers do understand his devotion to her, which is a strong point for the film.

More importantly as far as movie news goes, Disney has released a trailer for its new princess movie, The Princess and the Frog. I wish them all the best for this one. I hope they do it up right.

Also from Disney (What? I have four girls at home who love this stuff. Is that the reason you’re looking at me that way? Stop it. Here’s a Tootsie Roll, so chill.) comes a good-looking cartoon called Bolt. Could be a strong film, even though my sweet wife couldn’t get over the fact the dog looked like a bear to her at first.