This week's local forecast

Reports from the rain gauge:

• One Optimistic blogger who got to see Before the Rains declares:

  [...] This is a tragic and sad movie, but that's what it's supposed to be. With all of the movies coming out with big stars it's the lil Indie movies that stand out above the crowd, most of us just haven't realized it yet. A definite 4 on my "Go See" scale.

• Another Serendipitous blogger adds:

  This was a beautifully photographed and well-done movie that was a bit hard to find. [...] All of the main actors did an excellent job. I was hoping for more to Jennifer Ehle's role, since her involvement was how I found the movie, but she did well with what she had to work with. I hope one of these days someone persuades her to do a main character on film again [...] Overall, if you like occasionally watching odd little movies that don't fit the Hollywood mold, this is a good one. [...]

• Read about how "Rahul Bose almost turned down Before the Rains" at Headlines India.
• Meanwhile, Bollywood Insight discusses the movie's wow-factor in the film festival circuit:

  [...] The film was very well received at the Tribeca Film Festival and Rahul Bose's portrayal of a servant caught between two worlds was singled out. His work in the film was also singled out in the review by the New York Times.

  . . .

  At the Houston World-Fest International Film Festival the art house film took home three of the top prizes. Rahul said, "It's a triumph for Santosh on so many levels. A film in English from India winning the awards for best film, best cinematography and best music ... it's incredible!"

  Sivan said, "To me, personally winning awards isn't such a huge issue. I've won five National Awards for cinematography and 12 in all. I'm happy Before The Rains is being recognised internationally as a non-formula and non-Bollywood product. But I'm the happiest about Mark Kilian's award for best music in Before The Rains."

  In June, the film is also scheduled for the prestigious Edinburgh Film Festival.

• As the above article reminds us, Before the Rains will be making its way to Scotland next month, where it will be shown at the Edinburgh International Film Festival on June 19 and 20. Visit the EIFF website to purchase tickets. (Remember that the film is set to open in the UK on July 25, according to IMDb.)

In honor of the release of Holocaust on DVD yesterday, the Orlando Sentinel proclaims that the mini-series "still excels 30 years" after its initial debut:

Long before Schindler's List, Holocaust provided a staggering depiction of the Holocaust.

This miniseries might look tame next to today's more graphic films, but Holocaust was a national event when it premiered on NBC in April 1978. The production marks its 30th anniversary, debuting Tuesday on DVD.

Holocaust contrasts the stories of two fictional families from 1935 to 1945. A Jewish family, the Weiss clan struggles for survival while Erik Dorf (Michael Moriarty) gains power as a Nazi. The miniseries gave America its first good look at Meryl Streep. She excelled in the crucial role of Inga Helms Weiss, a Catholic who marries Karl Weiss (James Woods).

Holocaust collected 16 Emmy nominations and won eight statuettes, including those for limited series, actress (Streep) and actor (Moriarty).

The outstanding supporting cast includes David Warner, Rosemary Harris, Fritz Weaver, Sam Wanamaker and Tovah Feldshuh. All were Emmy nominees.

When it aired on NBC, Holocaust unfolded over four nights. On DVD, the miniseries lasts 7 1/2 hours.

The DVD is a thrilling reminder of an era when a miniseries could galvanize the public. Like Roots, which premiered in 1977, Holocaust offered an indelible experience and first-rate cast.

There's further discussion and praise (not to mention spoilers!) at Cynical Cinema.