edited by Moisés Chiullan

The Third Man (Criterion Blu-ray)
This title in particular has been the subject of a good deal of controversy on Elsewhere (among other sites), message boards, and email lists across the web. No one seems to talk about much aside from the "Grain Issue." Since the grain (or overabundance thereof) is the obvious elephant in the room, I'm going to address it before getting on to the additional content on display here, of which there is much to see and thoroughly enjoy. (continued)

Upcoming

December 31

Defiance

Good

January 2

Cargo 200

January 7

Silent Light

January 9

After Dark Horrorfest 2009

Bride Wars

How About You

Not Easily Broken

The Unborn

Yonkers Joe

January 16

Chandni Chwok to China

Cherry Blossoms

Hotel for Dogs

My Bloody Valentine 3-D

Notorious

Paul Blart: Mall Cop

January 21

Of Time and the City

Greatest New Yar's Eve ever

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Nothing fills me with such spiritual satisfaction as my annual naysaying of New Year's Eve -- the refusal to (a) attend a New Year's Eve party or take part in any mass celebration thereof, or (b) to enjoy myself if I weaken and attend some kind of New Year's Eve soiree regardless. I hate the idea of celebrating renewal by way of a clock, and especially in the company of those who make a big whoop-dee-doo about it.

My all-time best New Year's Eve happened in Paris on the 1999-into-2000 Millenium year -- standing about two city blocks in front of the Eiffel Tower and watching the greatest fireworks display ever orchestrated in human history. And then walking all the way back to Montmartre with thousands on the streets after the civil servants shut the subway down at 1 a.m. That couldn't have happened eight years ago. Must be a mistake.

Ressner's Top Ten Political Flicks<< previous | next >>"Stop Loss" is doomed

Posted by Jeffrey Wells on December 30, 2007 at 6:12 PM

comment #1

Sean says ...

Wells is desperately trying to fill his year-end smug quota; between this and that one about pronouncing Iraq, he's getting there. Now, as long as 'There Will Be Blood' can fail in the red-states, he'll top it off before tomorrow night.

Posted by Sean at December 30, 2007 6:21 PM

comment #2

dangovich says ...

Does your naysaying include not making resolutions?

Posted by dangovich at December 30, 2007 6:27 PM

comment #3

Stephe96 says ...

Yeah, I wasn't invited to any parties, either...

Posted by Stephe96 at December 30, 2007 6:36 PM

comment #4

Walter Sobchak says ...

"I never saw the appeal of 'The Wizard of Oz'. It's one of the most cloying, poorly made films in history and yet it remains inexplicably popular. The scene where Dorothy wishes there was 'no place like home' makes me physically ill. And if I never hear 'Over the Rainbow' ever again I'll be a happier person. The third act falls apart completely and the ending is simply inexcusable. *SPOILER ALERT* It was all a DREAM?! Are you kidding me? I'm sure I'll get flack for this but if you really want to make me happy you'll find a way to burn the negative and destroy every copy ever made."

- J. Wells

(you're welcome, Jeffrey)

Posted by Walter Sobchak at December 30, 2007 7:09 PM

comment #5

incomplet says ...

Uh yeah, I thought everyone already understood it as just an excuse to get communally shitfaced anyway.

Posted by incomplet at December 30, 2007 7:10 PM

comment #6

erniesouchak says ...

Wells, haven't you figured out by now that people will seize any excuse to get drunk? That's easily 3/4 of the appeal of NY Eve to most people.

Posted by erniesouchak at December 30, 2007 7:11 PM

comment #7

Mumbleboy says ...

I look forward to New Years mainly in hopes of getting a midnight kiss from some beautiful woman, who is too drunk to let her better senses take over. It doesn't always happen, but when it does, it makes the coming year feel flush full of promise.

Posted by Mumbleboy at December 30, 2007 7:18 PM

comment #8

scooterzz says ...

uh...getting drunk requires an excuse?!?...oops..

Posted by scooterzz at December 30, 2007 7:18 PM

comment #9

p.Vice says ...

New Year's Eve is the most bogus, artificial holiday after Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentine's Day, Easter, and St. Patrick's Day. Damn any fool who sinks to the level of mass celebration!!!!

Posted by p.Vice at December 30, 2007 7:39 PM

comment #10

Arran says ...

I don't give a fuck about New Year's, but it doesn't give me "satisfaction" to ignore it. I don't even care enough for that.

Posted by Arran at December 30, 2007 7:46 PM

comment #11

Meegosh says ...

You drive a hybrid car and smell your own farts, don't you Jeff?

Posted by Meegosh at December 30, 2007 8:07 PM

comment #12

WinslowLeachtheComposer says ...

Ah, yes, as the Buddha says, there is no greater spiritual entity than that of the naysayer.

Posted by WinslowLeachtheComposer at December 30, 2007 8:42 PM

comment #13

T. Holly says ...

I'm very superstitious. All this bad talk about NYE's gonna give us an earthquake.

Posted by T. Holly at December 30, 2007 8:47 PM

comment #14

caslab says ...

i didn't know the grump truck delivered on sundays.

Posted by caslab at December 30, 2007 8:50 PM

comment #15

actionman says ...

"You drive a hybrid car and smell your own farts, don't you Jeff?"

Hysterical...one of my favorite episodes of all time.

Posted by actionman at December 30, 2007 10:04 PM

comment #16

corey3rd says ...

For those avoiding the parties and such - HBO has Cathouse: The Musical!

finally a musical for heterosexual males!

Posted by corey3rd at December 30, 2007 10:21 PM

comment #17

The Winchester says ...

Hells to the yeah, Wells.

Posted by The Winchester at December 30, 2007 10:21 PM

comment #18

Aguirre says ...

the way i see it, everyone is simply celebrating the fact that they survived to see another year. if you look at it in such a fatalistic manner and you're still grumpy, well, kill yourself.

Posted by Aguirre at December 31, 2007 12:22 AM

comment #19

UnChien says ...

I always try not to get blindly drunk before midnight in the hope that one renegade rocket will find its way into some loud motherfucker's urethra, and then explode...alas, such a thing has not happened yet.

Posted by UnChien at December 31, 2007 2:14 AM

comment #20

UnChien says ...

Posted by UnChien at December 31, 2007 2:14 AM

comment #21

Movie Watcher says ...

New Year's Eve equals drunk people. Nuff said.

Posted by Movie Watcher at December 31, 2007 3:08 AM

comment #22

Mcflyboy says ...

Jeff, how can you be so badass and make it seem so effortless?

Posted by Mcflyboy at December 31, 2007 3:27 AM

comment #23

Mgmax says ...

I'm going to watch Lord of the Rings and think of Jeff.

Posted by Mgmax at December 31, 2007 8:10 AM

comment #24

Mr. Blood Vessel says ...

I'm going to watch Lord of the Rings and think of Jeff.

you're better off looking at naked pictures of vinessa shaw.

win win situation.

Posted by Mr. Blood Vessel at December 31, 2007 8:15 AM

comment #25

bmcintire says ...

That sounds like the product of a smug, humorless, bitter - and I would guess - deeply unpleasant person to know. Happy New Year, Jeff!

Posted by bmcintire at December 31, 2007 1:31 PM

comment #26

christian says ...

I'll be thinking of Jeff as I do my decade annual viewing of THE POSEIDON ADVENTURE. If you time the ship getting hit to the New Year's Eve countdown, your wishes will come true...

Happy Arrrgghhhh...

Posted by christian at December 31, 2007 2:03 PM

comment #27

jeffmcm says ...

Which holidays (if any) does Wells approve of? I think he's already spoken of his antipathy towards Thanksgiving and Christmas and I can't imagine any sentiment towards Valentine's, 4th of July, or Halloween...?

Posted by jeffmcm at December 31, 2007 4:04 PM