September/October releases are the bowels of cinema, a time for leftovers ditched by the studios. Often denied marketing dollars, distribution or any semblance of decency; each year they march to screens like lemmings.

As a service, I offer these movie viewlets. Shorter than their full length counterpart, they deliver the essence of a film review in a fraction of the time. Because if the studios don’t give it their undivided attention – why should ticket buyers?

1) Friday Night Lights � MTV vs. football. Viewers lose.
2) Woman Thou Art Loosed � powerful, well written and timely. How the hell did this ever get released? It’s a keeper in limited release.
3) Garden State � Brilliant, topical and stars lesser known and up and comers. A stunning debut by director Zach Braff. The Jersey film of the decade. Touches on the big themes – life, death, love and Xanax.
4) Cellular � Poke your eyes out instead.
5) Without a Paddle � Lots of fun, decent story, good cast, stupid title. It’s a comic adventure about three boys brought together by a death, trying to recapture their childhood. Rent to own, own to rent or see it now!

All in all, not a bad September/October for movies. Sorta.