Cinema Lounge, a film discussion group, takes place at 7:00 PM at Barnes and Noble, 555 12th St., NW in Washington, DC (near the Metro Center Metro stop). The group meets informally on the second floor in the open dining area, seated at round dining tables. You do not need to be a member of the Washington DC Film Society to attend.

Cinema Lounge is moderated by Daniel R. Vovak.

Best Movie Openings

On May 11, 2009, we discussed "The best movie openings." Within a few moments of discussion, we determined that "movie openings" fall into several categories. By the way, this topic required more thinking for my group of movie-discussion experts than any other discussion. Apparently, people remember endings more than beginnings.

No-talker Beginnings: WALL-E (2008), 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), There will be Blood (2007).

Dynamite Action Beginnings: The Spy who Loved Me (1977), Moonraker (1979), Casino Royale (2006), Tomorrow Never Dies (1997), The World is Not Enough (1999), The Dark Knight (2008), Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), Lethal Weapon 2 (1989), Saving Private Ryan (1998), Amistad (1997), Cliffhanger (1993).

Tracking-shot Beginnings: The Player (1992), Snake Eyes (1998), Touch of Evil (1958), Infamous (2006), The Godfather (1972).

Spectacle Beginnings: Star Wars (1977), Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984), The Birds (1963), The latest Friday the 13th (2009).

Music Beginnings: Jaws (1975), Patton (1970), Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008), Wizard of Oz (1939), Apocalypse Now (1979).

Comedy Beginnings: The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! (1988), Back to School (1986), Bananas (1971), City Lights (1931), American Pie (1999).

Suspenseful Beginnings: Momento (2002), Rope (1948), The Usual Suspects (1995), Citizen Kane (1941), Rebecca (1940), Pulp Fiction (1994), The Untouchables (1987), Gone with the Wind (1939), Sunset Blvd. (1950), Goodfellas (1990).

Noteworthy Credit Beginnings: Walking Tall (2004), One of the Naked Gun movies, Either Chasing Liberty (2004) or First Daughter (2004) had credits that ran forever, Psycho (1960).

Fake-out Beginnings: What's Up Tiger Lily? (1966), Before the Devil Knows You're Dead (2007), About Schmidt (2002), Happiness (1998), Good Morning Vietnam (1987), The Return of the Pink Panther (1975), Tropic Thunder (2008).

Tone-setting Beginnings: The Princess Bride (1987).

We ironically ended on an off-beat topic, which was "where do forgotten stars go?" Many forgotten stars headed to "The Love Boat." Others still appear on various reality television shows. "Murder She Wrote" had many forgotten stars on it. Another landing spot was "Hollywood Squares." And Kato Kaelin did token celebrity appearances, but maybe he wasn't ever a "star" in the first place, at least probably not according to O.J. Simpson.