Wildlife, Mythical Figures and Death

Summer's here and it's time for...movies! Since our options in theaters currently include summer blockbusters where Ed Norton and Tim Roth embarrass themselves turning green and grunting, I recommend updating your Netflix queue and sitting out the theater all together. Besides, who wants to deal with fat teens texting and awkward first dates all around you?

My must-see list of the summer includes some older and some newer bad all different genres.

First, "Eagle vs. Shark". This film is brilliant. It features the funny Australian guy from those short-lived Outback commercials where he sat by his lonesome in Outback, wore funny glasses and mastered self-deprecation. It's an 80's period piece and art directed as such to perfection. It's a quirky love story and you will be laughing hysterically, cringing for the characters and then wanting to reach through the screen to hug them all - not in that order.

Next up is "Pan's Labyrinth". It's dark. Very dark. But you won't find a richer aesthetic and a better produced fantasy movie blended with reality. This one's subtitled people so break out your smarty pants before watching. 

Finally, there's "Death at a Funeral." "Four Weddings and a Funeral"'s funnier, cleverer cousin. British and brilliant. Lighthearted yet smartly written and an absolute stitch. The leads in this are from a favorite BBC series of Greg and I - "MI5" (aka "Spooks" in England. Another thing to add to your must see list if your a TV-series-followin' kind of chap!)

Hollywood is hurtin'. And if you count on major theater releases to keep you entertained - and cool - then you know why. Indie films all the way people. Don't be afraid. They don't always make you think harder or make your read or make you cry. But they will make you much, much cooler:)