I just finished watching Apocalypto, which I highly recommend. I went to my Netflix list to set up my next string of movies and to browse for some new selections.

You can rate movies, and based on what you’ve liked they’ll give you some suggestions. The best part is that they’ll tell you why they recommend a certain title. And that’s where the fun of computers made my day.

Suggestion: Cocaine Cowboys- a documentary about cocaine smuggling in Miami in the ’80s.
Because you liked: The Office (Season 2)…and my favorite- Blow.

Ok, I can sort of understand Blow. I liked a movie that was all about cocaine trafficking. That doesn’t necessarily mean I like cocaine or want to see more movies about its distribution, but at least there’s a connection there.

But The Office? Maybe this is the season where someone finds a blunt in the parking lot and everyone in the office has to go through drug testing to find out the identity of the company pothead. But how on Earth does that mean I’ll like a documentary about cocaine trafficking?

The other picks make a bit of sense. I liked The Simpsons Season 6, so I might like The Simpsons season 3. It gives me Toy Story because I liked Monsters, Inc.

And then there’s this gem: All Deliberate Speed. It’s a documentary about the Brown v. Board of Education case, and frankly one I actually am interested in seeing. But the three movies I rated that led to this recommendation are Glory, All The President’s Men and Bowling For Columbine. Not too sure what those have to do with Brown v. Board…