This week’s rant must come with a disclaimer: This article will not inform you on any new places to visit or any new happening events. Rather, this rant will tell you to sit back, relax and enjoy a good movie.

With all the stress in today’s society (especially for a student around midterms), one needs to fall into a good movie and become spellbound by the dialogue and visual effects as well as the entire presentation of the film. A good movie can make you ponder the past, the present and, on a fictional level, the future. Putting real-life chaos aside for about one hour and 45 minutes could do us all a little good.

Many people already enjoy movies on a daily basis, therefore, I just want to reiterate some of the great movies of our past, as well as unveil a few you may have missed.

But if your sole purpose in reading my column every week is so you have an option of somewhere to go, I don’t want to leave you in the dark, so go to any Columbus movie theater. You can check out the atypical French film “Amelie” at the Arena Grand Theater downtown or critically acclaimed “Monster’s Ball” at the Drexel Theatre. For those who choose not to think, but would still like to enjoy the movie, check out “Super Troopers” at the AMC Lennox.

The alternative to going to a movie is curling up on a nice quiet couch, with as much popcorn, candy and soda you could want, and renting a movie from any of the five local video stores.

Movies at these stores that are often overlooked are all the films not marked “New Release.” This is a complete travesty because at one time all films were new releases. Therefore, the older films should be given an equal consideration compared to the newer films.

Older films that have been passed over more than their fair share of times include “Amadeus,” “Sweet and Low Down,” “2001: A Space Odyssey” and all Samuel Fuller films.

“Amadeus,” the masterpiece created by Milos Foreman, won many Academy Awards including an Oscar for Best Picture in 1984. The vivid scenery can transform you back to pre-romanticism and the music will propel you deeper into the fictionalized world. Even though the movie garnered much success and critical acclaim, recently the film has been forgotten and under appreciated. It even has appeared on top 10 lists for the worst films with great critical acclamations.

“Sweet and Low Down” is arguably the best Woody Allen film as well as Sean Penn’s best performance. As a typical Woody Allen film, the film flopped with the patrons, but was a success with the critics. With moderate media attention and minimal publicity, the film never captured the mainstream audience. Since older films aren’t publicized, “Sweet and Low Down” is continually overlooked.

“2001: A Space Odyssey” is one of the most well-known films of all time, yet how many of you can actually say you have sat through all two hours plus? Regardless, the movie is flat out the best use of film ever. “2001” captures every little detail presented throughout the film. The movie is so long because without the slow, drawn-out scenes, you will not be able to see everything Stanley Kubrick wants you to see. From the beginning of time to reaches beyond, “2001” is, was and should always be revolutionary.

Samuel Fuller films are also revolutionary. His films deal with controversial subjects, and therefore, stimulate numerous emotions. This often leaves the viewers left with an uneasy feeling after watching Fuller’s movies. Most of his films were done on very small budgets, and therefore, are very minimalist.

Fuller also often said “If you weren’t there, and you didn’t experience it, then you don’t know.”

To make sure his films remained as real as possible, he drew upon his own experiences as a reporter during the Great Depression and at the front lines in World War II. Must see Fuller films include “The Steel Helmet,” “Shock Corridor” and “White Dog.” Be cautious, because Fuller’s films are not for those with weak stomachs.

I’m sure there are other numerous films I am over-looking as well as films I have never even heard. With every day, more movies are made and so it becomes harder to sort out the good films from the bad.

Adam Reiss is The Lantern arts editor and a senior in journalism. He understands the Olympics could serve to be another possible outlet at this time, but this is the arts page. Also if you have a short attention span (say 30 minutes) and don’t enjoy movies, check out Dragonball Z – it’s a winner. He can be reached for comment at [email protected].