I am far from a movie buff.  In fact, I'm down to about 5 yearly trips to the theater and video store combined.  I used to watch a lot of movies, but a few years ago realized how difficult it was to find one that didn't leave me feeling like I just wasted 2 hours of my life.  Or worse, that I just clouded my vision and made life's journey more difficult than it has to be.  (Of course, I'm not condemning all movies here.  Just not my thing I guess.)

I still enjoy an occasional sports movie, but once in a blue moon, a bright shining ray of hope finds the light of day in the darkness that is Hollywood.  The movie Bella shows us the true potential and power of cinema.  Trust me, you don't want to miss it.

Bella is about the beauty of life, love, family, sacrifice, diversity, truth, forgiveness, and the human experience.  It does all this without being preachy, which is probably how this team of first-time filmmakers made the most of $3 million budget and won the coveted People's Choice Award at the Toronto Film Festival (often a precursor to Oscar success).   Click here for an article on the amazing story of how Bella came to be.

Bella is picking up steam, but still lacks the funds to give it the pub it deserves.  Check out www.bellathemovie.com to find the nearest theater.  It is worth a drive.  Go see it and encourage others to do the same. 

"The film is an incredible, incredible piece of art, a masterpiece that every American must see."
~Tony Bennett, in an impromptu speech after the premier.

The official trailer: