Assassination of a High School President

Wow, a completely overlooked and enjoyable adaptation of "Chinatown"-as-high school noir. It shares a lot in common with "Brick," but the formal touch is lighter, so you won't be left talking like James Cagney for the next couple of days, "yeah see!" Which is actually pretty fun, now that I think about it. But the soundtrack's better, so I suppose you'll win either way.

The casting from beginning to end is just right, Reece Thompson of "Rocket Science," Mischa Barton, Bruce Willis and on down the line. Every one. And the script is tight and funny and resolves with a guffaw of recognition. Good stuff.

"Forget it Funke, it's high school."

(Apologies for the layoff this week, but I'm afraid I had to heed the Call of Duty. Also I discovered PlayOn software for the XBox. This app is amazing. Pipe web content like Hulu and YouTube, or your own video files all of which you've grown accustomed to hunching in front of the laptop screen to watch to the big boy tv through the magic of the Microsoft box. Free two week trial, install is 100% idiot-proof. Like it, and you will, and it's yours for $40 or so.)

Paranormal Activity

This first one is a softball. If you like-a the scary movies, you're going to want to see Paranormal Activity, in a theatre, with other people. And, if possible, you're going to want to have someone to go home with, although it won't matter. It can still get you if it wants.

I happened to see PA while on a trip with friends. We shared an adjoining suite and stayed up a-waaay past our bedtimes, so there wasn't much time between head hitting pillow and falling asleep. But my dreams were troubled. And when, like all good things do, the trip concluded and I returned to my apartment alone there was a reckoning. But, like the Blair Witch Project, the torment eventually subsided. And luckily I don't a) have hollow, thunky wooden floors, b) live in a two-story home, or c) have a long hallway leading to the closet with the crawlspace hatch. Shiver.

Sleep tight.

90 Movies in 90 Days, Beginning Monday, November 16th

To quote the funniest, well really one of only two funny things Rob Schnieder's ever said: "You can do it!" (In this case "you" is me. I hope that's clear.)

Bonus points if you can tell me the other funny thing. Go!