It may have been noticed that I have not done much in the way of reviewing films recently. There are two reasons for this. The first is that there has been a bit of a breakdown in the creative process - I have written reviews, just not published them. Those are to be posted shortly. The second reason is that lately the cinemas have been filled with bad movies. Of course there are a few exceptions, but by and large it’s been a total crapfest. I’m not saying that I only go and see films that I expect to be great - far from it. But there are just some movies that I refuse to subject myself to. Not to worry, though. With spring and summer always come better films. I will be in the cinema every day this week, and sometimes seeing two films in a day. Not all of them will be good, but at least they’ll have enough drawing power for me to justify spending my afternoons in a dark theatre by myself.

What I saw (and my thoughts accordingly) as I glided upward on the cinema escalator this afternoon :

A promotion for a new Indiana Jones movie (why?)

A promotion for a new National Treasure movie (oh, why?!)

A promotion for a new Rambo movie (oh, dear God, WHY?!?)

Harrison Ford, Nick Cage, and Sly Stallone - all revisiting old roles that really, really don’t need to be done again. Ever. Can they really not find other, less pathetic, work elsewhere? Well maybe not Stallone, no…

For some reason people tend to think that going to the movies alone is depressing. I don’t get that. Going to see a film alone is great. There is no one to try and share the mutual arm rest with; no one noisily slurping a drink next to you while you’re decoding the mise-en-scene. An empty movie theatre is a beautiful sight. You get to sit right in the middle, put your coat and/or handbag on the seat next to you, and feel free to put your feet up on the back of the seat in front of you (not that would ever do, or endorse, such a thing). I also like that I can make notes without getting funny looks, but I understand that that doesn’t apply to the average film viewer…

I’ve gotten so used to it that now I’m actually annoyed when other people show up for the same film I’m seeing. If you have the chance, I highly suggest going to see a film by yourself at about noon. You won’t regret it.