Fix You

Y’know, I often consider myself somewhat tech savvy. The kinda guy who can troubleshoot or problem solve all sorts of electronic gizmos and gadgets. Sorta like someone who should be in Chuck’s Nerd Heard. However, anytime I find myself getting too cocky in my non-existent tech wizardry, something comes along to school my ass. Yesterday it was trying to figure out how to add jump cuts to this blog so I could hide plot details from those who fear spoilers. Two or three hours later, I still have no clue.

In other news, I often turn to my younger brother for movie conversation. The guy is amazingly film literate, and though we often disagree on what films are good and bad, he’s always good for a solid recommendation. During his second year at University, I had him make me up a list of 100 or so movies I should see. Mostly classics, docs, and foreign films…titles that just about every serious film lover should have seen. I got through about half the list in the four years since (I don’t rent as often as I used to…got tired of the Blockbuster staff knowing me by name), and recently asked him to redo it. I’m almost ashamed to admit that there are still a few Film Lit 101 films on there that I haven’t seen, including:

• FRANKENSTEIN
• TREASURE OF THE SIERRA MADRE
• RASHOMON
• LA DOLCE VITA
• NETWORK

I’m sure I just lost a bit of cred with at least a few of you, but I’m working on seeing as many of these as I can. In the meantime I put it to you fine folks…take your turn in the confessional…What so-called “essential” film have you never actually seen?

Opening in Theatres Today…

• DEATH AT A FUNERAL (Might be what I see this week so check back for a review)
• ELIZABETH THE GOLDEN AGE (Gotta love sequels made nine years after the original)
• KING OF CALIFORNIA (Mr. Zeta Jones hangs with an even younger woman)
• WE OWN THE NIGHT (Didn’t I see this Marky Mark movie last year?)
• WEIRDSVILLE (Saw a test screening of this two years back…one word: yikes!)

Along with these, other recent titles are getting wider releases this week. Look for ACROSS THE UNIVERSE, INTO THE WILD, MICHAEL CLAYTON, LUST CAUTION, and THE DARJEELING LIMITED.