& "Crash" Makes Two

I'm still shaking, and my chin is still quivering. I have yet to see the other 3 nominees for Best Picture, but I can't imagine that anything will affect me in the way that Crash did. I haven't been this emotional in a viewing since I broke down at the end of The Ice Storm. It was FLAWLESS! I won't recount the times I cried, cuz I lost track. It's no small wonder that this won the SAG award for best ensemble; everyone was truly amazing. The standouts were Thandie Newton; Ludacris (simply incredible), ...shit, I may as well name everyone, cuz they all blew my mind. I can't get over how moved I was; at every possible turn. The subject matter was inflammatory, and I found myself shaking my head at the things that were said, and then the next moment, nodding my agreement. Other than the incredible story and connections, and awe-inspiring performances, it has to be the spark lit in the brains of the viewers that is the real star here. It impressed me that one of the many themes throughout, was how people of certain "types" of races (for lack of a better word) are all lumped into one category; for example, all Asians are "China-men" and all Latinos are "Mexican". I think the debate raised here, is that so many of the nasty things and stereotypes thrown out there, I could find agreeable, while many others were truly just ridiculous. My mind is a-swirl. On top of all of this greatness, is one of the best, moody soundtracks to come along since sex, lies and videotape. A must have. I was rooting for Brokeback Mountain (and still am, for it's greatness and a possible jump for us gays), but Crash has crashed through to the top of my list. I was literally shaking and weeping in the scene involving the testing of the "cape". This and the Thandie Newton car accident were the attention grabbing moments; in a film where each scene engrossed. A film triumph; in every possible way.