Here an obscure movie you need to make a trip to a video store for: Memento.

First off, I should warn potential viewers that Memento is not for the casual viewer that likes to make multiple trips to the restroom.

The reason: Memento is told in reverse. That’s right, the movie is shot in reverse order with black and white shots, told chronologically, mixed in. Confused? Not a surprise, Memento is confusing.

The story follows Leonard Shelby (played by an outstanding Guy Pearce), who by his own admission has a condition known as antereograde amnesia. The condition is a result from a blow to the head sustained when he tried to break up a robbery and attempted sexual assault of his wife (CSI’s Jorja Fox).

Convinced that the last thing he saw before he blacked out was his wife’s death, Leonard is on a mission to find the killer that only he believes was there.

He finds that his mission is not as simple as it would seem. As a result of the amnesia he has he is unable to form new memories. Unless he writes something down he is going to forget it fifteen minutes later. To track the killer Leonard tattoos “facts” on his body; to remember his purpose Leonard has the phrase, “John G. raped and murdered your wife” across his chest.

The movie begins with Leonard shooting Teddy (played by with just the right amount of sleaziness by Joe Pantaliano), a man who may or may not be helping him. Each scene from there is told in reverse. The movie is shot in a series of clips about five-minutes long that take place before the previous scene. A person must see the whole movie to try to make sense of the previous clip.

Throughout his search Leonard comes across Natalie (Carrie Anne-Moss). Convinced that Natalie is helping him find the ever elusive “John G.” Leonard kidnaps Dodd, a drug dealer that has ties to Natalie’s boyfriend, who may have ties to Leonard and Teddy as well. Are you confused by now? It’s just one part of Leonard’s life, he doesn’t know who he can trust and who is just using his condition to exploit him for his/her own gain.

Director Christopher Nolan shot the film in reverse to give the viewer a sense of what Leonard has to go through. About halfway through the film you begin to question what you have already seen. I frequently found myself asking “Did that just happen? Wait a minute …” While the audience has the opportunity to hit rewind, a person with Leonard’s condition doesn’t have that sort of luxury. As Leonard says, you learn to test your own handwriting.

The story progresses and Teddy reveals that Leonard already found his John G. There have been multiple John G.’s all over the country that Leonard has tracked down he just doesn’t remember them due to his condition. Who do you believe? Who do you trust?

Memento is full of surprises and needs to be watched closely. Scenes that Leonard remembers as part of someone else’s life may be his own. If you do watch it you will be rewarded with an interesting twist on typical filmmaking. The movie is highlighted by strong performances by all the actors, especially Pantaliano who steals every scene he is in.

Stars: 4.5 out of 5

Ah, it’s February and the groundhog has already seen it’s shadow so we turn to the other important holiday: Valentine’s Day.

Wait a minute, did I say that it is important? Who am I kidding? Valentine’s Day has to be one of the most overrated holidays created. Girls expect beautiful flowers and yummy candy only to be disappointed by their forgetful boyfriends.

I see Valentine’s Day as a day that means florists have the chance to raise flower prices to ridiculous rates. Valentine’s Day is a day for everyone to waste their money on Hallmark cards and expensive candy. It’s also a day for the single to feel sorry for themselves but that’s a whole different article.

Well, for everyone out there that has spent their refund checks already and no longer has room for flowers as part of their budget I have devised an inexpensive present that may mean more in the long run. Make a romantic CD!

Here’s a few song suggestions:

1. Sinead O’Connor – Nothing Compares to You

2. Christopher Cross – Swept Away

3. Jefferson Starship – Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now

4. Josh Groban – To Where You Are

5. Peter Gabriel – In Your Eyes

6. The Pretenders – I’ll Stand By You

7. Alison Krauss – When You Say Nothing at All

8. John Stamos and the Beach Boys – Forever

9. Secret Garden – You Raise Me Up

10. Tracy Chapman – Save a Place for Me

11. Sally Dworsky – Turning Circles

12. Third Day – When the Rain Comes

13. John Hiatt- Have a Little Faith in Me

14. Lifehouse – When I Look Into Your Eyes

15. Bad English – When I See You Smile

16. Elvis Presley – Can’t Help Falling in Love (With You)

17. Skid Row – I Remember You

18. Scarlet – Independent Love Song

19. Jason Mraz – You and I Both

20. Powerman 5000 – Watch the Sky for Me

21. Rascal Flatts – I Melt

22. Phil Collins – A Groovy Kind of Love

23. Percy Sledge – When a Man Loves a Woman

24. Bryan Adams – I Do It For You

25. Whitney Houston – I Will Always Love You

Guys, your girlfriends will be swooning because they think you are so romantic and you will be happy because really, what does a blank CD cost? Girls, it is long lasting gift and hey, it means he was on the computer for reasons other than looking at porn! It’s a win-win situation. Happy Valentine’s Day!