Thanks once more to Jorn Barger for pointing to a thoughtful film critic with sensibility. The New York Press‘ Armond White reflects on the state of the cinema, and cinema audiences, so far in 2000, including the ten best films you’ve never seen. “So where does this leave movie culture right now? Suffering a post-Titanic diminution of intelligence with the likes

of Gladiator, The Patriot and The Perfect Storm–a Hollywood triptych of inanity. These movies are unimportant–no

matter how many itchy teens rush to see them. (Besides, how can Russell Crowe, Mel Gibson and George

Clooney compete with such real-life excitement and satisfaction as the April 22 liberation of Elian Gonzalez from

his Miami kidnappers?) The excellent movies listed above do more than thrill–they supply wonder and clarity. It’s

tragic to realize that most of them have disappeared from theaters, unlikely to be seen again except in the

diminished formats of home viewing. Though other good movies may yet come, so much beauty has already gone.

Hype culture leaves us bereft; knowing so will, hopefully, inspire your own moviegoing perseverance.”