Giant Squirrel Predicts 6 More Weeks of Winter

According to the groundhog in Punxsutawney, the world (or at least its northern hemisphere) can expect six more weeks of winter this year. (So the south can be expecting more summer?) Phil has apparently seen his shadow today up in that tiny hamlet in western Pennsylvania.

Today is Groundhog Day, which is one of those pseudo-holidays that I always forget and am always caught off guard by. I may not have the same distaste for it that Phil Connors does in the film bearing the holiday's name, as I understand the significance of even the simplest and quaint traditions, but, for me, it's just a great excuse to watch what may be the greatest romantic comedy of all time! (And, yes, I did write this article because I wanted to cover the same holiday that Phil had to in the movie...)

Groundhog Day, directed by Harold Ramis and starring Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell, was selected by the United States Film Registry in 2006 for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant" and was added to their archives along with the likes of Ben-Hur, Annie Hall, To Kill a Mockingbird, and fellow 1993 release Schindler's List. A modest performer at the box office and receiver of decent reviews at the time of its release, the film has taken on a new life in the years since its release and has even been revisited by Roger Ebert for his "Great Films" series. Interestingly, the film was released on February 12, ten days after the actual holiday, but early enough to catch the Valentine's Day crowd.

While the groundhog may not be the most reliable meteorologist in existence, the traditions that were set up because of him sure gave us a great excuse to watch a great film. And if we do get six more weeks of winter, it gives us even more of an excuse to bundle up and watch other great films. Happy Groundhog Day, everyone!