Big In Europe

In the short time this site’s been active, I’ve started to realize just how small the world (or the “wide web” part of it, at any rate) really is. First the cool kids over at Screenhead decided to give us a link, then Shortsville decided to give THE SILVER BULLET a new home and now – thanks to a hot tip from Avi – I’ve just learned that an Italian blog has linked to THE MIDNIGHT EXPRESS.

I have to admit that I’m a little curious as to how Italians are receiving the film. We are, after all, talking about a people who suffered the full force of Mussolini’s bloody wrath until they got their trains to run on time. Bearing that in mind, a short film about a locomotive blasting through a child’s bedroom might be seen as a terrifying political allegory, with little Charlie Foster symbolizing the communist insurrection in its infancy as he terrorizes the fascist police state by derailing its symbols of efficiency.

Or maybe they think it’s a fairy tale about a kid who wants to get some sleep.

Either way, it’s nice to know the site’s working and that these movies are being seen literally around the world. You can check out some of the other cool sites that have linked to us – including Ticklebooth and Milk and Cookies – over in the Festivals section.

?In other news, this is the end of my third week with an 80% reduction in caffeine. That means that for roughly the past 90,000 minutes, I’ve been coasting off a single cup of coffee in the morning as opposed to my regular 2 cups…and a soda at lunch…and a coffee in the afternoon. Why? Well, I figured I was in a little bit of trouble when my mornings consisted of sleep-driving to work, not talking to anyone until I had a cup of black coffee in hand and, when I did, staring into it and quietly reflecting that it was probably the color of my soul.

Caffeine – and coffee in particular – had gained such a stranglehold on the pleasure center of my brain that it was reaching crisis levels. If anyone else has ever tried french kissing a steaming hot venti latte, they probably know what I’m talking about. And that’s why it’s over, caffeine – it was a wild ride, but I’m officially breaking up with you. Even though I’ll probably still call you all the time. And beg for you to take me back. Or, at the very least, try and work things out. Maybe over a cup of coffee?

One last thing – some very cool, exciting news is coming down the pipeline. Check back over the next week or two for the update!