For about the third time ever, we went out on a limb this week and shared a first-time viewing experience with our MovieNight audience. Something just felt right about Force Majeure and, for about the third time ever, this reckless gamble paid off. Big time. Good time. Great MovieNight time. Watch it if you weren’t here.

Ironically, I had first thought to show Boyhood, but was put off by the incredible deluge of Boyhood propaganda and its widespread, sudden availability (availability is a problem for me… I really want to keep surprising you). My initial viewing of Boyhood was enhanced by glowing reviews from people I love and respect, so I loved and respected it myself… perhaps a tear trickled down my cheek, even. That’s an interesting phenomenon. I watched it again a couple nights ago, and saw how incredibly bad it is. OK… you have to give props to Richard L for the vision, but every scene looks over-staged and over-acted. Nice idea. Probably impossible to pull off in a non-doc way. I recommend that you don’t see it, if you haven’t already, but if you have seen it, I recommend that you see it again. Then we’ll be on the same page, I bet.

*Not to leave an un-partnered asterisk… Force Majeure got overlooked for best foreign language film in the Oscar nominations (one of the contenders is from a place I’ve never heard of: “Argentinia”. You know what? The stupid fucks can’t even pronounce the name of the countries from which the nominees come… perhaps Sweedome was too much of a challenge?). Of course, we will this be watching this celebration of idiocy (just as we would slow down to look at a car crash on the side of the Thruway) on 2/22. Do I sound bitter? Bit ‘er? Never even met ‘er, your honor.

More about this film on IMDb