Unfortunately, the ten days in the year when Boston actually manages to have nice weather are over. But lucky for you, your internationally acclaimed A&E editors are here to give you advice on what to do now that you can’t have fun outside. Should you have intellectually stimulating conversations about politics, world events, or which presidential candidate is least likely to mess up our rebounding economy? Uh, no. Focus on your studies so that you can make that perfectly enlightened comment in TOM? Again, no. Look for jobs? Hahaha, don’t make me laugh! It should be fully understood by now that in order to keep up its high job placement and average salary ratings that HBS has no intention of letting you leave here without a job. It might take a little while, but eventually HBS can place you in a position that fully utilizes your vast array of talents (see: Dubya). So then what should you do as the rain and cold and snow and ice freeze you to the bone and leave you soaking wet? Why head to the movies of course!
Garden State (1 – Honor Student)
This movie is flat out funny and proves once and for all that Zach Braff (Scrubs) is a comic genius. The movie is about a young man who returns home to New Jersey to his estranged family after a decade in Los Angeles for his mother’s funeral. Braff plays Andrew Largeman, a young man who wanders through life in a lithium-induced haze that leaves him emotionless and unexcited about life. His mother’s death inspires him to take a vacation from his pills though, and he reconnects with old friends and a new, bubbly, overly emotional love interest played by Natalie Portman. The movie is well-written and gives an accurate portrayal of New Jersey, which is to say it shows NJ in all its drugged-out, pollution filled splendor. This movie should be at the top of your list.
Wimbledon (2 – Perfect for a Section Love Date)
As long as you aren’t expecting a Sixth Sense type plot twist or for that matter anything that is at all unpredictable, this movie is perfect for you. Wimbledon is a cookie-cutter romantic comedy that follows the boy-meets-girl, boy-loses-girl, boy-dramatically-gets-girl-back-in-the-end-and-lives-happily-ever-after formula. Despite its predictability, rather unrealistic looking tennis scenes, and the fact that you have to put up with women clapping or ooo-ing or making other uncouth sounds throughout the show, this movie is quite fun, with many hilarious situations and characters. Women should go for the romance and the many almost-nude shots of Paul Bettany and men should tag along to fulfill their relationship duties and see some nice shots of Kirsten Dunst.
Napoleon Dynamite (1 – Baker Scholar)
Whatever you are doing right now, stop, drop everything, and head to the theatres to watch this hilarious movie. People around you will understand. Classmates won’t whine about how you’re ruining their learning environment, recruiters will still think highly of you if you walk out on their dinner, and your fianc‚ can put together another wedding in a jiff. Just make sure you see this movie. The story is about a young man in middle America who is a loser, but has no concept that he is actually a loser. Of course, this is not an original concept, but Jon Heder (Napoleon) turns in a brilliant performance that can’t be missed. Add in a bunch of hilarious middle-America archetype characters, some amazing writing, and you have the formula for success. This is a can’t miss comedy.
