What is the "Richard Gere in China" thing you're talking about? Either you're not talking about The Kite Runner or you're talking metaphorically. Gere is not in The Kite Runner.

I also liked this movie & the stories you mention. It's a classic of its kind. In addition, I liked the story involving the EMT treating the seriously wounded immigrant.

I thought the Pakistan border town was really Kashgar China, but could be wrong. You might be interested to know that not only was this filmed in Pakistan and China, but the two main older actors (Amir's father and the father's friend/adviser) are of Iranian descent. There's a message board thread on IMDb about their Iranian accents being wrong for Dari speaking Afghans. I, of course noticed nothing suspicious.

Re the ending, you're memory surpasses mine. Just shows how you stayed in the film, while I kind of got sucked out of it by the out-of-Afghanistan Richard Gere in China moment. I also seem to remember a number of false endings, which lulled me. Maybe I'll go back and check out the ending.

then you drive to a small town where the Pamir Hotel is located (infamous in Lonely Planet as the worst hotel in the world). I stayed there...we left very early the next a.m.

That does seem pretty funny...

It made me think that what the Blanches need is a virtual red carpet with actresses we can dress (a la paper dolls) with virtual gowns. Now wouldn't that be cool!

I'd like to see Blanche herself in a series of costumes from the various films. I can almost see her in one of those awful wigs from Elizabeth: the Golden Age. Not to mention dressing her as the pregnant teenager from Juno.

And have the tattoos from Eastern Promises.

What a great idea! She could also wear a Chigurgh (sp) hairdo from NCFOM!

No Country for Old Men and Michael Clayton both turned up on Dvd today, but i was told not good copies yet. Couldn't get their hands on screeners or pre-release copies yet.