Everyone knows that Summer means blockbuster movies. Whether it's the latest Bourne, Diehard, or Harry Potter the local multiplex has plenty to keep you entertained. But what if you don't feel like spending $11 bucks a ticket, not including popcorn?
No matter how many channels you may subscribe to on your cable or satellite, sometimes it seems that there's nothing to watch. For those with DVRs (digital video recorders) built into their cable boxes, or TiVo subscribers, you can simply browse your hard drives and choose from the programs you've recorded. (see also Meryl's blog entry on DVRs from May).
Or you can go to the video on demand (VOD) feature (on your digital cable box) and select either a free offering or the latest cable movie release for a fee. But if you're like me, the Summer also means classics. While I like a good beach read as well as the next person, I also enjoy the leisure of catching up with Jane Austen, Edith Wharton and Henry James in the summer sun.
For me, classics also mean movies. So when you're inside cooling off with a glass of iced-tea and your own (much cheaper) air- popped popcorn you can settle back with a quality film. I'm not much for buying movies, but my favorite holiday gift was The Criterion Collection from my husband. It's a collection of 50 art house favorites from Janus Films (www.criterionco.com) Other sources for building up a home library of DVDs include great selections from Amazon, BarnesandNoble.com, Overstock.com and MoviesUnlimited.com. I'm also partial to TCM (Turner Classic Movies) www.tcm.turner.com for interesting (and sometimes kitchy) collections.
If you're looking for rentals Netflix or Blockbuster.com is the way to go. For guidance on what to buy or rent The New York Times has their own guide to the best 1000 movies ever made (www.stmartins.com). And if you're a trivia person looking for answers I suggest the Internet Movie Database.
Two of the finest directors of our time Ingmar Bergman and Michelangelo Antonioni passed away this week.You might want to find out why decades of film students (not to mention Woody Allen, Jack Nicholson and this author) are lamenting their passing.
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