DIET COKE WASN’T THE FIRST TO PROVE LIME MAKES THINGS BETTER

I’ve mentioned it once or twice — OK, ad nauseum — but my current job (which I love even though it’s only temporary) has totally cut into my free time and by extension my movie-watching. As the weeks continue, the work days get longer and and by the end (if there is an end) I’m just too tired to do anything. This past week, though, I was determined to get to Film Forum to see the current revival of Carol Reed’s The Third Man with Orson Welles in his iconic role of Harry Lime. I’ve seen it before, but only once, years ago, and on video. When Film Forum (or the Walter Reade, for that matter) shows a new (or even new-ish) print of virtually any member of the cinematic canon, I try to make sure I get to it. And if for some reason you’re saying, “Why should I care about a 55 year old movie I’ve never heard of, well keep in mind that the cinetrix tried to point you in the right direction all the way from Boston. And if you want to actually learn something (although the fact that you’re reading me would most likely be evidence to the contrary), you should check out the essay “Three By Carol Reed” at A Girl and a Gun. It’s long, but it’s well worth your time.

I mention all this because I just could not get to Film Forum this week. I tried to go every night, but I simply had too much work. I was planning on getting there on Thursday for the final day of screenings which would not have been easy, when suddenly I received a reprieve: Film Forum has extended the run another week. I’m definitely going to be on Houston near Varick at some point this weekend, and I encourage you (at least those of you in NYC) to get down there before it closes next Thursday. You won’t be sorry, and if you’re answer to the “favorite movie” question happened to resemble any of the contestants on American Idol, maybe this will give you something else to think about.