However, if you're more of the stay-at-home, cinematically obsessed type, here's the cause for you: AFI Silver's 2009 Silverdocs Festival is seeking volunteers to watch and rate its submissions to help programmers choose the standouts for the big event, scheduled June 9 – 15.

To reiterate: You'll be reviewing movies. For an outlet way bigger and more influential than your crappy blog.

It's a pretty sweet deal, with the chosen screeners receiving not only a bunch of free movies but also an all-access pass to the area's consistently excellent fest and—and—free year-round tickets to AFI Silver (with some exceptions).

Here's the fine print:

Screeners must have a DVD player, reliable Internet access, and a qualified point-of-view. (Author's note: ?) Regular access to a multiregion DVD player is a plus. Screeners are required to pick up films for review at the AFI Silver Theatre in Silver Spring, Md. during regular business hours.

To apply, e-mail programming@silverdocs.com with the following:

1) Resume, highlighting any film experience/expertise/interest you may have;
2) Cover letter, detailing your interest in the position, your knowledge of documentary film in general, and of Silverdocs in particular;
3) Two film reviews of 250 words each, of any two films you've seen in the past six months;
4) Top 10 list of your favorite films of all time, with a particular emphasis on documentaries.

Applications must be in by Dec. 19, so don't put this off like your holiday shopping.

If you have any questions about the application process, contact Silverdocs Programming Coordinator Sarah Bilodeau at sbilodeau@afi.com.

Starting Thursday, however, you'll have some alternatives — and best of all, they're free. The Brazilian Embassy is hosting its second annual Première Brazil Washington, a selection of features, shorts, and a kids' program stopping at American University's Greenburg Theatre after runs in Rio and New York City.

The festival ends Sunday, Nov. 16; for schedule details and descriptions of the films themselves visit the Embassy's site.

And don't forget AFI's annual European Showcase, continuing through Nov. 25. For ticket details and descriptions of the remaining films (often future Academy Award contenders) go to AFI Silver.