I hated it on first viewing (went to it on opening night). All I could focus on was the wooden acting on the part of both Keanu Reeves and Winona Rider. Then I saw it more recently on blu-ray, and I thought it was stunning. I loved the blatent nods to films like Suspiria, as well as the stylized sets and beautiful colours. And Gary Oldman's hammy but sexy performance.

Heather, you have made my day. First, thank you for this superbly written, completely entertaining review! You're back. Sigh. Further, based on this review, Lafayette lives! By far my fave character (with the possible exception of Bill, who is such a mess of contradictions, and superhumanly hot to boot). This is very good news indeed.

I must defend Ryan Reynolds' track record. Loved him in Just Friends (a surprisingly funny and sweet romcom, or rather more of a comrom). He was also great in The Nines and Smokin' Aces, but was overshadowed by the sheer craptitude of the films as a whole. I find Reynolds immensely likeable, and think he's got great comic timing and some acting talent. Plus he's cute.

- "We men are damned. We work to death while women's only duty is to remain pretty. They dance. We slog to and from work to earn money for them. This is not cheap sexism. This is reality. Wince as you drink it in, if you must, but don't deny the truth."

- Really? In what universe? And how can I get there?

Just kidding, but, man, that's really, really not how it is. Like, in reality. Where we live.

A woman

I think that Havrilesky was using the term mouth-breather euphemistically. See definition of mouth breather found in the urban dictionary:

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=mouthbreather

In other news, Havrilesky has not lost her touch. Thoroughly entertaining.

And I love sci-fi fantasy. Almost any sci-fi fantasy. I've watched Doctor Who, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, The Outer Limits, Dollhouse, V, you name it. I rented the first season of Torchwood because I'd heard good things and was absolutely apalled by the wooden acting, corny story lines, and embarassing production values. And I love cheese. All kinds of cheese. But Torchwood went right over my cheesiness limit.

Of all the characters I've watched on television, there are very few who have actually made me squirm with discomfort, and I think that, like many people, I perhaps identify too closely with Pete. Not that I think that I am like Pete - rather, every gaff, every transparently sly manoever exposes those flaws of character which I most fear in myself. Anyone who has ever felt self loathing will be disturbed by Pete's behaviour. And its true, when it comes to advertising, he is very, very good. But personality means so much, and Pete's flaws are not the kind that can be blown up into an acceptably macho architype (ie hard-drinking womanizing bastard), or whittled down into quirkiness by common lore. No his flaws are the kind that we all have to some extent, and that we all find revolting because they make us vulnerable - envy, insecurity, excessive pride, transparent dishonesty, self-pity, petulance.

Kudos to Kartheiser on his amazing acting job, and to Heather on a great interview. And good on him for taking the bus!

...but I loved Idiocracy. Rented it on a whim, never having heard much about it, and was thinking about it days later (in dull moments at work). It was good enough that I'll definitely take a chance on Extract.

Plus, Jason Bateman is sexy as f#ck.

I really liked Just Friends with with Ryan Reynolds and Amy Smart. It features a prolonged slapstick sequence where Reynolds and his onscreen brother enact various Three Stooges gags that cracked me up. Also really liked Two Weeks Notice, About a Boy, 10 Things I Hate About You, Waitress, Vicky Christina Barcelona, High Fidelity, Wristcutters: a Love Story, Zack and Miri Make a Porno, and the all time best, As Good as it Gets.

He's no better nor worse than Michael Bay or any other crap director who enjoys confounding success and the gobs of money that come with it. I personally don't relate to the sanctimonious God stuff and cliche humour, but clearly this resonates with his core audience.

I've been watching the (very brief) ads on HBO, and was intrigued. Now that I know a little more, I will definitely be tuning in. I trust Heather's judgment absolutely (except for the weird reality televison obsession), and she has never lead me astray.

I enjoyed her in Cold Comfort Farm, but she has since mutated into an over toned, botoxed, lip-plumped, bland as blanc-mange Hollywood actress. She's been coasting on her bangin' bod for about 8 years now, and I've never seen a standout performance from her, even back in the day. She's like Tom Hanks, a walking talking snoozefest whose phoned in performances are, at best, inoffensive.

Has Salon scrapped coverage of even those festivals located in North America?

Andrew, I live in Toronto, in a big, if somewhat run-down house which I own and which is walking distance to Bloor and Avenue (festival ground zero). I am offering my spare bedroom if you will come up here and cover TIFF. Seriously. I love festival coverage, and Salon is my preferred source. I have spare towels and really nice roomies.

...then continue to dream and plan. Not everything will turn out just the way you'd like, but that's life. You must compromise but the compromise does not have to be crippling. Make money sometimes and attend school other times. Do without vacations for a few years then go somewhere awesome. Either way you are already a success! You just need some more confidence, which will come with time. Best of luck.

Oh, and I must compliment Cary on one of his randomly gorgeous responses. Absolutely great advice, and more importantly, beautiful to read.