So, a friend and I have instituted "double feature nights" where a small group of us meet once a month or so and the host chooses a double feature where the movies make an interesting combo for thematic reasons--and should also make for a good evening of viewing. We're doing the first one and the double feature we chose is The Hot Rock and The Commitments.

Both are films where a central figure gathers a group to pull off something which seems impossible and where the experience changes people for the better. They both reflect the national character of their times and use their settings as characters.

WE also strongly considered Zelig and Little Big Man, which both have a fictional character involved in real historical events.

Any dream double features you would put together?

I've always paired up Fresh and Searching for Bobby Fischer in my head, since they both deal with young boys who play chess, and the African-American men who mentor them. But both films couldn't be more different from each other--one a fairly lighthearted look at child geniuses in a wealthy environment, and the other a heartbreaking look at what poverty, crime, and loss of hope can do to a child.

Any dream double features you would put together?

Showgirls and Starship Troopers.

Giving the double feature question some thought...

In the meanwhile. My beloved Bartleby got seriously poked in the eye with a big, fat stick by his best buddy, Bob, in the park this morning. He was immediately bewildered and all squinty-eyed, then came to cower at my feet, begging me to wrap him up in my protective arms while he shook off the pain and confusion.

Exactly how I feel, having just finished watching Earthsea.

owowowow. Make it stop.

Any dream double features you would put together?

Spinal Tap and Decline of the Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years.

Is Decline of the Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years funny?

Any dream double features you would put together?

A friend of mine and I have had movie nights with double features on several occasions. Let me think of some.

We had Blade Runner and Brazil. as two classic sci-fi flicks we hadn't seen.

We had The Usual Suspects and 28 Days Later, as...I don't know why we paired them together.

We did American Splendor and School of Rock one night.

I think we did Being John Malkovich and Fight Club together.

I'm blanking on any others.

Any dream double features you would put together?

I like the thought of watching Underworld and Van Helsing one after the other. Or maybe I just want some of the costumes.

Is Decline of the Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years funny?

To me, yes. The entire movie seems like an extended version of Spinal Tap.

I hosted a double-feature night with those two movies, and friends of mine who had never heard of Decline Part II couldn't believe it was an real documentary.

Any dream double features you would put together?

I actually did this once during the mid-'80s (dorm government, entertainment for those of us on campus during Thanksgiving break). I chose Captain Blood and My Favorite Year -- the real Errol Flynn and the fictionalized version.

I'm not sure if I'd choose the same movies today, but I'd keep the same general idea. Maybe Bombshell and The Seven-Year Itch, for a blonde bombshell theme.