Here I go again on my own...

When I was 22, I enrolled in Netflix, per my friend Monica's suggestion. In 2004, after a devastating break-up, I embarked upon "200 Movies in 2004" - a personal goal meant to distract me from my fledgling personal life.

For the last 6 years, movies have been my refuge. Like my grandmother who religiously reads obituaries to feel happy to be alive, I watch independent films for both distraction and as a comparison for my own life. By watching movies, I am often able to think, "hey, at least my life isn't that bad."

Like a friend through miles and years that never lets you down, Netflix is, once again, my savior.

While most twenty-somethings spend their Saturday nights out at bars, my life is a little more lame. Luckily, Clive Owen is equally as satisfying as a Maker's and Coke.

Croupier is a film about a writer who takes a job as a croupier (dealer) at a small London casino. While he clings tightly to the desire to earn an honest living, he gets caught up with various individuals - both croupiers and punters (gamblers) - and has to make a moral decision about a lucrative offer presented to him.

While Clive Owen is #2 on my Top 5 List, this movie definitely is not. The build of the film is a little unclear, and the "lucrative offer" is presented in a very casual and de-emphasized way. I found myself confused about the climax, and quite disappointed by the denouement.

Maybe the painkiller I took before laying down to watch this film negatively affected my ability to process its storyline, but I don't think understanding movies with simplistic plot lines should be work. And this one was. I give it a 3 out of 5. Even with the eye-candy.

* * *

The routine of the school year is nearly upon me. I have been in meetings for the last week and have 5 more days of meetings until Opening Day. I awake around 6 and leave my house around 7. I get home around 4:30 and immediately head out to the gym. I arrive home for the evening at about 6:30, and then I pass my time on my couch, with my cats and Netflix, until I fall asleep at 10:30.

My life is disgustingly boring and mundane. But hey, I've done this so many times it's old hat. I'm pretty good at being alone, even if it's not preferable.

Bring on the movie and the Cheez-Its...