One of the things about living in a country not your own is how aware you become of your own cultural identity and homeland, and how the distance works to allow you to see your country from a different perspective. For instance, one of the first things I had to stop doing when I moved to Poland is stop using “How are you?” as a greeting. In America, the question is often used as a substitution for “Hello” with no particular emphasis on being answered. In Poland, I discovered that when I was walking down the street and used “How are you?” as a greeting, often the people would stop and then proceed to explicitly answer the question: “Not so good, not so good, Christian,” one would begin. This, of course, would never happen in the States, because we are always in the perpetual state of “fine” and “okay”.

This week I’d like to look at some of the movies that have affected me in ways which would’ve been impossible if I hadn’t the experience of living abroad for the last six years.

Take Lost in Translation, for instance. I have yet to meet an expat who doesn’t appreciate this movie. While the love story is perfectly entertaining in its own right, it’s the little details of watching Bill Murray’s character acclimate himself into a clearly-overwhelming culture that makes the movie so effective. The way he holds out his open hand with change for the bartender to pick the correct amount, or the Russian roulette way of ordering from a foreign menu, are good honest examples that make you grin with recognition. Julie Delpy’s 2 Days in Paris does a spot-on job of exploring the strengths and precariousness of a multi-cultured relationship, its opportunities for miscommunication and the joy of defying two overpowering forces of cultural conditioning, that had me and my wife simultaneously laughing and cringing throughout the film’s run time. (more…)

Being an American in Poland has a lot of advantages. For instance, as an American, I’m allowed to murder up to three people with my bare hands without being charged. I have unlimited access to free coffee and donuts. I can cry in public without fear of being humiliated. I can freely stalk all my favorite pop singers. And I get the opportunity to see movies I’d probably never see living in the States, like Pora umierac (Time to Die); one of those movies where the synchronicity of acting and writing comes together so effortlessly that the experience of watching the movie borders on euphoria. Writer-Director Dorota Kedzierzawska has crafted one of the quietest movies I have seen in years, but thanks to the film’s star, Danuta Szaflarska, its impact is one of the loudest. (more…)

After writing about some of the scariest short stories last time, I thought it would be fun to take a look at a few great American short stories. In these burst cultural times, people are starting to notice (again!) how wonderful a short story can be, and what it can accomplish when done right.

Not only will I discuss the stories – all of which I consider to be classics – but I’ve provided links for you to read the stories yourself. When does Matt give you such a plethora of free entertainment? Never, I say!

Let’s get started, shall we?

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Since it’s Halloween, I figured it would be fun to take a look at some of the moments that have scared, frightened and unnerved me, either in a book or a movie. We’ll be looking at two short stories, two novels, and some movies. Let’s get started.

“BEST NEW HORROR”

I’ll start with this one since I’ve mentioned this short story by Joe Hill once or twice already, and I’ll try not to repeat myself too much here. ”Best New Horror” is the story of a jaded horror editor who receives a terrifying short story submission that renews his faith in horror stories. The editor’s interest in the story leads him to seek out the author, a meeting that fans of horror will see coming a mile away, followed by a twist they won’t. (more…)

This is going to be a quick post as my router has been incredibly passive aggressive with me all day, cutting in and out whenever it is most inconvenient, causing me to lose the hundreds, nay, thousands of hours of work I did this morning. And now as we speak the network has completely vanished, leaving me to run off the overloaded connection being dispersed by the local library.

So yes, even though it is evidently Liv Tyler week (The Incredible Hulk, The Strangers) when it comes to new DVD releases, I am going with something completely different. Primarily because The Strangers was stupid and The Incredible Hulk looks stupid. So, in honor of on screen stupidity I am picking a Paul Walker flick, The Lazarus Project. Surely it can’t be any dumber then the previous films mentioned.

As for theatrical releases, even though W is being released and Rachel Getting Married is garnering some rather surprising critical acclaim, my selection this week is The Pool. From director Chris Smith, best know for the amazing documentary American Movie, comes his first fiction film about a poor boy living in India who becomes obsessed with a swimming pool in one of the richest neighborhoods in his city.

As always trailers are after the break!

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