EriqX / TNM

TNM-025, American History X on September 9th, 2003. (12 out of 19 people pictured)

"As Americans acclimatize themselves to rapid-fire advertising and media blurbs, their attention spans suffer, as does the quality of films produced. Gone are the days when subtlety and nuance were the mainstays of American cinema. Moviegoers today demand a cacaphonous array of big explosions, which digital technology can greatly abet, sex, and comforting, good-triumphs-over-evil conclusions. Hollywood studios, concerned more with profits than artistry due to their amalgamation with multi-national corporations, have no problem providing Americans with such pulpy fare. Things have to be spelled out so overtly that little is left to the average filmgoer's imagination. The temptation to fill movies with a host of digital characters also contributes to the empty, profiteering feeling many movies evice."

- Erez Reuveni

The Thinking Behind TNM

As I am and always have been a movie fan, I grow less and less interested as I go through life. Movies, to me, are the most powerful way to tell a story. A competent director will control every last aspect of the work. From the sound, the music, the cinematography, to the board game on the table in a certain scene. And if done well will have an entire world at his or her disposal with which to convey the message, or simply to take us where they want to take us.

I grow disinterested because I don't see this enough anymore. I want to go see movies like Barton Fink, Fight Club, In the Company of Men, or Requiem for a Dream. Instead Hollywood wants me to pay them so I can experience the 3rd sequel to a worthless slasher flick, or the 3rd sequel to a worthless teen movie, or perhaps the 3rd sequel to a slasher-parody of a worthless slasher-teen movie. My attention has turned to independent films, foreign films, and the seldom mainstream flick that doesn't disappoint.

I understand that some movies are simply meant to be entertaining. And I will be the first to admit that some of them even entertain me. But overall, I would prefer to experience something more at a film than explosions and gratuitous sex. I want something to blow up that makes me wonder if a character I care about is dead. I don't need it to explode because it looks cool. I want characters that I believe are in love to make love. Not to fuck just so I can get my $8 worth.

I think a movie's potential should be explored. The power of film needs to be tapped, and audiences deserve more than they get. Which is fair, because the average audience doesn't know any better anyway. But for the rest of us, there are always new ideas to be opened up to. There are moments or realizations that could change the way we think or feel. And there are stories that can be told without insulting our intellect by spoon-feeding us explosions and happy endings.

I want films to be real. I want people to die, lives to be boring, and hope to be hopeless. I don't see anything wrong with that. I want Whale Rider and Heavenly Creatures to get the attention they deserve so that Freddy and Jason can duke it out straight to video. I want the audience to hear that when Paramount executives first screened the rough cut of The Core, they decided to give the producers another one million dollars to add more special effects. Then maybe they will take the opportunity to realize that the movie most likely doesn't have anything going for it. As the critic Jay Sherman once said, "If the movie stinks, don't go."

So simply put, I feel strongly about films. I have seen alot of movies, and I want to share them. Well, some of them.

The thought behind TNM is exactly that. We are here to watch good films. Interesting films, odd films, strange, bizarre, daring, or genius. At least those that qualify in my mind. Movies like Eraserhead, Amelie, and Time Code. Movies that you may have heard of but most likely haven't seen.

My Tuesday Night Movie's only have one rule: I pick the film. That's it. Everything else goes. It's open invite, anyone is welcome. Anyone who wants to take in a film that they may take something away from is more than welcome. There is always food and drink, and anyone is welcome to donate to that lot. But more importantly, thoughts are welcome. Hopefully you will see something that sparks your interest, or ideas. Everyone is obviously encouraged to praise or criticize the art in question. I will assure you, I can't wait to hear it.

The redheads of TNM: from left to right are Michelle P., Alli, Jill

A Brief History

When I lived with my roommate Jill, we had a huge house. It was practically a castle for two people. We had to play host and hostess to the masses, and since we ended up watching alot of movies together (mostly because I wanted to share something fucked up with her that she hadn't seen, and she was willing to subject herself to it), it seemed to make sense that we should just show some flicks and invite everyone over.

We figured the best way to do it was to simply watch a movie on Tuesday, and tell everyone to come over. If no one showed, we would just watch it together without them. So it was a simple plan. And of course, we decided that only strange, sad, and beautiful films would do. You would have to be me or her to understand.

The first TNM was Tuesday, August 13th, 2002. Heavenly Creatures played to a full room, and launch night was a success. The group lingered after and a good time was had by all. I reminded everyone that this was moving forward as a weekly thing, and that they should return the following Tuesday and bring friends. It would never happen.

On Wednesday, August 14th, 2002, the castle was raided. We had a burglary, the results of which were no TV, no DVD player, no computer and no DVDs. This would limit my ability to show movies to anyone, including myself.

Fast forward to March 2003. Jill and I don't share a home anymore, I live alone, and I have only recently purchased a new TV. A bigger one, too. I'm at Node talking to my new friend Morgan, and I realize that there are people out there like me who like good movies, and have actually seen good movies. I am convinced that at this moment the plan to re-initiate TNM was subconsciously activated deep within my brain.

On Tuesday, March 18th, 2003, TNM was on. Heavenly Creatures played to another full room, the likes of which included Morgan, the first time I saw her outside of a coffee shop. To this day she is one of the "groupies", those who habitually or ritualistically attend each week.

There was no burglary the following day, so I have been doing it ever since. Jill even comes once and again. I have repeatedly toyed with the idea of killing it, since it's had a good run and pizza rolls aren't getting any cheaper. But each time I'm serious, 19 people show up for the next showing. It seems as though it can't die.

Monday TNM Mailer

Each week, I send out a TNM email blast to pretty much everyone in my address book. This email basically says what movie is playing the following Tuesday, and explains my absurd reasoning for showing it. Usually a general description of the movie is included. Beyond that, it's pretty much everything you can find here. Links to this site, to the playlist, etc. The show time, and the fact that I provide food and beverage are all highlighted.

If you want on this list, simply tell me. If you are on it and want off, that's cool too. I read emails everyday: [Email]

Oven Lighting

TNM-045 The traditional and powerful TNM Oven Lighting. The final ignition was literally twice as big as this one, but this is the only one ever caught on video. Enjoy. Click here to see the video.

The Big 5-0

Jenny made a cake for TNM-050

Goodbye TNM

This is the "So Long and Thanks for all the Pizza Rolls" email that went out when I ended TNM:

Many of you have been to Tuesday Night Movie either at my previous home on Frederick, or my current dwelling, the MICE Haus on Linnwood. Some of you have only come once or twice. Some have only missed one or two. Some of you showed up when I wasn't even there myself! But in any case, whoever you are, this letter is my sincere thanks to each and every one of you.

As of last week's TNM-080, Jacob's Ladder, Movie Night is no more.

I am very happy to say that TNM was a huge success. For slightly less than two full years, TNM brought a lot of different people together for some very different movies. It wasn't long after it started that it simply snowballed on its own, and was driven week after week by its own momentum. Between Pizza Rolls, dangerous oven ignitions, Scott's cheesecakes and his deep-fryer, Matt's exotic beer selections, Jenny's cookies and cake, bats in the house, bizarre pre-show entertainment, successful special events such as the "Beer TNM", the 50th party and the 75th double-feature, TNM was an awesome experience for me and will remain the source of many great memories. I hope that other people will feel the same way.

TNM and its complete history will always have a home in the Events section of EriqX[.com], as will upcoming special movie events, parties and other events as well. The hopefully soon-to-be-completed Media section will be home to many of my ongoing movie tastes and opinions, in case anyone wants to know what would have been in store. Stay tuned for what's happening and be sure to make suggestions if you ever have ideas.

Take care everyone, may your future Tuesdays be eventful... and involve deep-frying!

Eriq X. Tews
Tuesday Night Movie Host,
March 18th, 2003 - October 19th, 2004

Hello Again

TNM's second coming launched on November 28th, 2006, just over two years after it ended. It's new home is at my new house in Riverwest, where I hope it will stay for some time. TNM-081 began round 2 with V for Vendetta, and the new playlist will continue on in the tradition of the previous movie nights.