THE INCREDIBLE SHRINKING MAN - If Richard Matheson's adaptation of his novel The Shrinking Man plays out much like an elongated Twilight Zone episode, it's most likely due to his having written a portion of that series strongest episodes. This 1957 B-film has its share of visceral terrors, but you'll find yourself even more unsettled by its metaphysical implications. Set in suburban everywhere, a man finds himself shrinking, a few inches at a time, with each passing day. As his mortal horror grows in stark contrast to his diminution, he becomes a tyrant to his loving wife and brother. The story of a middle-class white dude finding himself feeling tiny in the mid-fifties has its obvious psychoanalytical implications, but the author is fully aware of them, probing deeper into the concept of devolution as evolution. Jack Arnold, the director of Creature From The Black Lagoon, utilizes still-impressive special effects to give the main character's plight a sense of both scope (a canyon-like living room) and claustrophobia (sleeping in a matchbox). Speaking of phobias; if you happen to have a strong one regarding certain eight-legged household animals, this might be one film it would be best to steer clear of.
ROME - A couple years removed now, the HBO TV series, which ran from 2005-2007, can be placed in its proper historical context; as a precursor to Game Of Thrones. This was the acclaimed network's first stab at "epic", and while it indulges HBO's base instincts to perhaps too large of a degree (i.e. boobies, blood, and bleeps), it has a life and energy that's intoxicating. Rome is like the drunk friend you love to go to the bar with, but might be a little embarrassed to know. I, for one, would love to see a third season for this. Hey, if Arrested Development can do it. . .
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