Transformational Cinema

Over the holiday weekend, I went to two movies. One very expensive. One not quite as expensive. Both still contrast to my sharp memory of a Saturday in 1975 when I told myself that $10 was just too much to spend on my movie outing. And so it was years, perhaps a decade, before I allowed myself that indulgence.

This weekend? Oh, my. Beyond indulgence.

On Saturday, I went to a 3D movie at an iPic cinema. I knew it was a different kind of place. No ticket booth. Rather, a maitre d behind a big, shiny black desk. Did I want to select my seat and have service? Sure. $27.

After being seated, I ordered from a menu. Now, I've done Movie Tavern in Texas. I know how to behave. I was still surprised at my bill of $23.

Did I make clear that this outing was for one person attending one movie?

I do not regret seeing the film. (Never do!) But I will admit that I spent some minutes playing with words: interminable, terminate this, and so forth. Much later I realized I was confusing my movie root word and was, in fact, in a different film altogether. But you get the idea and know what I was watching.

Sunday's movie was a tad cheaper. (Total bill $18: no 3D, no service, the usual dietCoke, and a new treat. Read on.) And a better film. Super 8 is simply super. I will have to see it again, of course. You should, too.

And this different theatre had a different treat. I said, "Do you have a smaller box of Junior Mints?" And the lad said, "No, but I have them frozen. Do you want them frozen?" I said I didn't know. "They're really good. You should try them. Do you want to try them?"

Well, OK. And his prompting was actually a great way to begin the movie. Youthful enthusiasm. We should all try that, too.

© 2011 Mary Bold, PhD, CFLE. The content of this blog or related web sites created by Mary Bold (http://www.marybold.com/, http://www.boldproductions.com/, College Intern Blog) is not under any circumstances to be regarded as professional, legal, financial, or medical advice. Or education advice. Or marital advice. Or even a tip.

Return of the Blog

I wondered what would make me post again. I've been photographing things for months. Writing blog entries in my mind when I've run across really neat boomer-related factoids. But didn't feel that urge to log on and write. What got me back online? A movie, of course.

The Hangover Part II was recommended to me yesterday by a colleague from another generation. (The sell was not necessary. I laughed out loud when I saw the first Hangover. Cringed a lot. But laughed out loud). What I found charming about her recommendation was the warning of male frontal nudity.

Not to worry. Not offended.

But during today's viewing I had to reflect that the 2011 male frontal nudity is decidedly different from the 1968 mere flash in Planet of the Apes. Context matters, of course.

And today's viewing had another comparison to a past movie that I'm betting some boomer peers will recall. Hangover's loss of a finger is much more raucus (intentionally spelled differently from raucous as I'm seeing a distinction among urban uses, which is not necessarily anything anyone cares about, I know) than the one in True Grit in 1969.

So, in one 2011 film I have updated some memorable images from more than 40 years ago. Well, not really, of course, because I kept my eyes closed a lot today. At least for the finger images.

© 2011 Mary Bold, PhD, CFLE. The content of this blog or related web sites created by Mary Bold (http://www.marybold.com/, http://www.boldproductions.com/, College Intern Blog) is not under any circumstances to be regarded as professional, legal, financial, or medical advice. Or education advice. Or marital advice. Or even a tip.