Cliché of the Day (7/21/06)

'Brains in vats' movie

Named for Wilder Penfields brain experiments in the mid-20th century, these are movies in which the reality of events is caused by some sort of device that makes the brain "think" it is experiencing those events. See "The Matrix" movies, "Existenz," "Total Recall," "Open Your Eyes," "Vanilla Sky" and others. Currently in vogue as a replacement for the dreaded "It Was All a Dream" movie.

MIKE SPEARNS, ST. JOHNS, NEWFOUNDLAND

Thanks to Ebert’s Glossary.