HBO... More Like WTF

Well my free trial run of HBO will draw to a close rather shortly, and I must say I don't think I will miss it all that much when it's gone. Just for fun I thought I would share some thoughts on a few films I took advantage of, and note some odd broadcasting decisions that this famous pay cable channel had to offer.

• HD looks great, but no widescreen format still!
• Had HBO for a year when I was about twelve years old. They used to show Don't Tell Mom the Babysitters Dead, and Mom and Dad Save the World every single day. In nearly fifteen years nothing has changed. If you thought they were bad then you should see em now. Ouch!
• Why does HBO Latino exist? Does the SAP (second audio program) function not work?
• Hung and Eastbound and Down are great, but I really miss Tales from the Crypt.

Still, it wasn't all bad. Here are a few films I managed to get in thanks to the free sample:

• The Eiger Sanction: A forgotten Clint Eastwood mountain climbing spy thriller. The first half is all training to climb, and then the second half is the climb itself. Notice how many people die by the hands of nature as opposed to each other. Not bad.
• Three Days of the Condor: Aside from the whole amnesia thing, The Bourne Identity owes everything it was to this CIA classic. Robert Redford plays a man who knew too much. He must flee and find out why his own agency wants him dead. The final scene packs an especially large punch considering it foreshadows pretty much everything that is wrong with the world today. Excellent.
• The Good Shepherd: An epic, birth of the CIA story that is slow in patches, but is not nearly as boring as I was lead to believe. Matt Damon is a emotionless man totally devoted to the country. The supporting cast is quite impressive as well as they make trust a hard thing to come by. Better than expected.
• Body of Lies: DiCaprio, Crowe, and Scott have all done better, but this one at the very least plays like an action packed Syriana. The relationship between the two is pretty rocky and makes for intriguing and even humorous arguments. More alert, violent, and interest holding then I would have given it credit for. Better than expected.
• Smokey and the Bandit: This is one of those movies that makes me ask: What the hell is wrong with people? People indefensibly love it. Why? It's not funny, it's not smart, the car chases are boring, the characters are annoying and cliche. I don't get it. Vanishing Point and Two Lane Blacktop have far less plot, but are so much more satisfying. Overrated and Terrible.

Like I said, HBO is fine if you don't have to pay for it. I will miss IFC (Independent Film Channel) more. They have much more unique and enjoyable films. Now if you will excuse me RocknRolla is on and I am going to watch it regardless that it will be for the fifth time this week.