You know you have seen an excellent movie when it causes you to want to research more information and reflect on how fortunate one's situation is. Such is the case with Before Night Falls, the memoir of exiled Cuban writer Reinaldo Arenas. I have never read any works by Arenas, but I now want to. I thought Julian Schnabel created a moving film that documented Arenas' life in an interesting manner. Great acting by Javier Bardem and small cameos by Johnny Depp and Sean Penn (whom I didn't even recognize). I had rented the DVD and particularly enjoyed the documentary shorts that were included with the special features. I loved this movie much more than I expected I would. Next up is Requiem for a Dream.