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.

Indiscriminate at the Movies

A colleague asked me over vegan fare what movies I have seen. Of course, I knew full well her intent: expose my indiscriminate taste to humor herself. She would protest this motivation, I know, and so perhaps I will ascribe this to my own defensiveness about my movie-going habit. For most years of my life (starting at about age 10), I have made weekly movies dates—with myself. There were a few years in young adulthood when I could not afford the outing, followed by several years during which children demanded my time, daily.

But I would guess that for about 35 years I have enjoyed a movie a week. Between 1995 and 2005 (roughly), I frequently sat in the theatre alone. (All alone.) In recent years, I have rarely sat alone. Regardless of day and hour, there seem to be enough people available to come to the theatre. A man alone is the rarest patron. But next to that is a woman alone, and that's me.

So, what did I tell my colleague over vegan fare? The two weakest films of late have European capitals in their titles (Rome, Paris). Valentine's Day is amusing. Crazy Heart is more than satisfying.

If I were talking to her today I would add that Green Zone has a plus and a minus. Cop Out is not for children but Percy Jackson is. And I'll probably avoid Shutter Island, even on cable. For 3-D, I enjoyed Avatar but mainly enjoyed Tim Allen's comment on a late-night talk show about his own movie... "Well, it's funnier than that Avatar." But I don't have Alice in Wonderland on my short list. Ah, well, as this post would indicate, I don't actually have a short list, do I?

© 2010 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.

Animals in Movie Titles

On my way to the movies last week, I uttered to myself, "If I could sit through Wild Hogs, I can sit through Old Dogs." And that's the moment I made the connection between the titles. You can fairly ask why I would go to a movie if that were my sentiment. Well, I had read the abysmal reviews of Old Dogs but also the cast list. I really did want to see what script would put Ann-Margret, Justin Long, Bernie Mac, Matt Dillon, Rita Wilson, and Amy Sedaris together. (As it turned out, these actors appeared very briefly in scenes that were more skit than story).

That's my cinematic defense. There's also the matter of language: I don't relate to the words wild and hogs. But I'm pretty comfortable with old and dogs.

(Next movie? I'm determined to move to the fox.)

© 2009 Mary Bold, PhD, CFLE. The content of this blog or related web sites created by Mary Bold (www.marybold.com, 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.

Journey to the Center of the Earth in 3D

Don't ask Lida. Everyone knows not to rely on me for a movie review. I am not discriminating; I like them all. (Now, my daughter-in-law? She's actually done it for a living. She actually knows how to review. I like listening to her talk about movies.)

What I can review: 3D glasses. Aside from an entertaining story, Journey to the Center of the Earth provided me with the best 3D plastic glasses I have ever worn. Lightweight, but large enough to fit over my other glasses. An IMAX theatre offered similarly large glasses for Beowulf, but the weight was bothersome. Plus, the theatre wanted their big glasses back after the movie. (Theatre went out of business since then, too.)

Length of viewing: Only with examples of Beowulf and Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix in recent memory, I was skeptical that Journey could be 3D for the entire length of the feature and somehow not take a toll on my eyes or concentration or something. Perhaps it was an unspoken "Don't stare at a 3D movie for too long" warning that I should have received in childhood? Well, no harm came of it. I was also able to keep track of the glasses better.

On a personal note: I go to the movies for solitude. Nearly every Sunday morning, when crowds are light. When I stumble upon a popular release with lots of people sitting around me, I remind myself that "it will be good to experience the film as a member of a group." I don't actually believe that but I don't want to throw away my ticket. Oh. Incredible Hulk starts in 18 minutes and it takes me 12 to get there. Goodbye. ~ Lida

© 2008 Mary Bold, PhD, CFLE. The content of this blog or related web sites created by Mary Bold 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.