With the admission of the final batch of CC 2013 students, the time has come upon us. The times which shall see a swell of apple-cheeked youths swarming over the campus, staring all doe-eyed and innocent at Low. In honor of the swarms already here and the swarms yet to come, Resident DVD-Repackaging Expert Mark Hay offers up a list of three films depicting the epic coming-of-age these unsuspecting juveniles will surely endure over the coming months.

Via Houston Chronicle

The Squid and the Whale (2005)

A rough sketch of director Noah Baumbach’s childhood, “The Squid and the Whale” elegantly depicts the conflicted angst and traumas of children growing up in an intelligent, well-off, but completely dysfunctional family. Typically, films about familial implosion depict strictly internal affairs.  Baumbach eschews this for the expected melodrama of the genre.  Despite living in a state of continual self-destruction and conflict, Baumbach’s characters prove reluctant to admit their own problems. They feel that their wealth and intellect forbids such levels of tension and pain. This introspection drives their demons under the skin where they can run rampant. As the film chugs along – slowly and always with the stretched and tired air of denial – these bottled terrors manifest themselves in moments that are painful, humorous, and harrowing; always masochistically ignorant and self-aware. It may be a sad magic to work, but in expressing the family’s hidden and shameful angst, Baumbach’s film strikes a chord with all who ever felt tortured growing up but always felt rather childish for feeling as such. Read more…

With all the dreary rain tumbling down outside, you might be hesitant to believe how beautiful the campus is going to be in full spring bloom. Polish up your Columbia campus mental imagery, then, with the following selection of films available on Netflix’s Watch Instantly! service — they all incorporate Columbia and its campus, even if not always by name. 

  GHOSTBUSTERS

After being expelled from Columbia, three parapsychology “experts” open up a ghost investigation and eradication service in New York City. The trio soon discover a centuries-old Sumerian demon living in an apartment refrigerator near Central Park, which they learn has imminent plans to trigger the apocalypse. Fighting off both stern government agents and evil beings that come their way, the Ghostbusters must rush to save their reputations and New York itself. Read more…

-Image via ChangeForge.com

This week in cinema: Bwog’s expert Film Filterer Mark Hay takes umbrage at the end of leisure and the return to toil.

It never ceases to amaze, the way that one week’s absence can erase the memory of and tolerance for the massive gobs of work that are collectively Columbia. With the end of spring break and your return to the salt mines, your life may feel somewhat deflated and repetitive.

At times like this, nothing helps your sense of righteous indignation at your current state like a little cinematic sympathy. As such, we present to you three movies culled from Netflix’s Instant Watch and specially designed to validate your burning hatred of work and bourgeoning antipathy.  Since we’re such affable types, we’ve thrown in a few chuckles, and a semi-valid reason to procrastinate, to boot. Now, children, go forth and sulk in front of your television screens. Read more…

Image courtesy of Florida State University

Bwog’s Official Cinephile Mark Hay uses the silver screen for some Spring Break pointers.

This week’s movie list could be about anything–intrigue, crisis, existential inertia, curb stomping. But, just like you, the only thing Bwog can concentrate on right now is the imminent salvation of spring break, and these films reflect our monomania. O Valhalla of rest, O promise of change, save us! O save us from the ruts into which we have fallen and from these God-damned midterms from which escape seems inconceivable!

Proudly (and slightly prematurely) we present the answer to your prayers (if what you prayed for was a list of three movies relating to your spring break):  there’s one about what you wish you could do, one about what you should do, and one what you inevitably will do if (when!) you return home. Read more…

Hugh Jackman hosting the Academy Awards

The 81st Academy Awards last weekend sent home Slumdog Millionaire and Milk big winners, but they’re only the latest in a long line of movies deemed Oscar-worthy by the Academy.

Many of these classics are available on Netflix through its “Watch Instantly!” feature, although they’re often hidden amid entire seasons of Hercules and Coach. Bwog knows you have midterms looming and papers piling up, so after the jump is a list of three Oscar-winning movies to help take your mind of classes.

You probably won’t find a better way to spend your time. (Other than, you know, actually doing those papers…) Read more…

Picking out a date movie can be tough, and with Valentine’s Day weekend here already, you don’t have too much time left to select something the two of you will both enjoy.

Bwog knows as well as you do that the right movie can make all the difference, and since she has no date this year, there’s been plenty of time for Bwog to comb through the Netflix “Watch Instantly” catalog hunting for titles to help you out.

The following three films are tested and approved for couples’ movie-watching, and perhaps best of all, they’re free to watch if you’re a Netflix subscriber. (Save your money for that expensive candlelight dinner — speaking of which, did we mention it’s still Restaurant Week?) 

Read more…