Art Imitating Art

Before I saw The Last Jedi, I made it a priority to see another film. I dragged my boyfriend with me to see The Disaster Artist. I had been excited about the film since the very first bit of news that it was being made. Having James Franco direct and star in it was genius to me. He can match Tommy Wiseau’s manic energy note for note. I wasn’t sure about Dave Franco playing Greg, Tommy’s best friend and partner in crime. He just seemed like a pity hire for the role. I didn’t need to be worried though. The Franco brothers work well off each other. The film was as awkward to watch as I originally thought, which is a testament to who well-acted the movie was.

I was adamant about seeing it opening weekend so we made a plan to catch a matinee on Sunday. We got there and bought some nachos since I was starving. We had seats right in the middle of the theater, middle row and middle seats. We snuggled in and waited for the magic to happen. I already talked about how well done the film was above but the audience’s response was just as good. We were feeding off of each other’s enthusiasm. We clapped at the end of the film, which I rarely do. It was obvious we had all seen The Room before so we could appreciate the film all the more.

I don’t normally follow the Oscars but I’d be surprised if James Franco doesn’t get nominated for best actor. Mostly so that Tommy Wiseau can finally get an invitation to the ceremony and this whole thing can come full circle. 

Fan Event for Star Wars

STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI

I bought these tickets back in October. Once I received an email about special showings for super fans. I knew I had to get it for the boyfriend. But as we tried to find a theater we liked and that was close by, they quickly sold out of seats right before my eyes. It was infuriating to see them slip away while we tried to finalize our plans. I was forced to settle on a theater that I hadn't been to in years. But they had the seats and I had the money so I bought two.

Months go by and we're finally at the day of the opening. It was on a Thursday at 6 so we both left work for this. We show up at the theater wayyyyy too early; so early that we couldn't even sit in the auditorium. So we slink on back to the car and the boyfriend insists on watching a Star Wars lore video on YouTube about everything that's happened in the past 10,000 years of this space opera. The video was incredible. There was just so much stuff I didn't know that I needed to know. Click HERE to watch it for yourself. Even if you're a casual fan, it's very well done and held my interest the whole time.

We finish that and head back into the theater. With the special viewing came Star Wars trading cards and a free popcorn. We collect the goods but skip on the food. We go in and find our seats, which hadn't been updated since the 90s. I realize that I've been spoiled with the newly renovated movie chains and their recliner seats but come on. These seats were just sad looking but not totally uncomfortable. The very few trailers play and then...

AWESOMENESS ENSUES. I was gasping and screaming and applauding and crying and completely exhausted by the end of the film. I usually stick to just the experience and not review the film itself but I will say that despite all my geeking out, it could have been better. The movie holds up to the last episode and is well acted but the pacing was a bit off in places and there were times I wish I had a fast forward button.

But I have no complaints. I plan on seeing it again very soon. I just hope it holds up to my expectations.

Opening Weekends

I have seen two films in their opening weekends and I forgot how fun it is to see movies with a large audience who are also seeing it for the first time. It's exhilarating when we're all excited and eager to see what will happen. But if lots of people aren't your thing (which they sometimes aren't for me), it can be exhausting instead.

Last weekend, I saw two films with my boyfriend. We were already a week late in seeing Thor so we decided to see that one first. It was AWESOME. I can say it's the best Thor movie out of the trilogy and was funny as hell. It's easily the second funniest Marvel movie. I thought the shift in tone was well needed and well executed. The color schemes caught and held my attention the entire time. The end credit scenes were a little less fun. The first one left me confused and the second one was kinda funny. It was just a good time all around.

But the good times couldn't last. Next, we went to see Murder on the Orient Express. The crowd was mostly older white people. I'm sure they were fans of the book as I was. My hopes were extremely high after the amazing listening experience. It started off well. The changes felt organic and seamless. Then the third act happened. IT WAS A FUCKING MESS. I'm glad I was away from the rest of the crown, sequestered off in the back row, because I was huffing and puffing the whole time. I'm still fuming about it. The director and writer and whoever was responsible needs to send me a personal apology.

Fast forward to this past weekend and I'm hoping my boyfriend will ditch cleaning the house for an early matinee of Justice League. He gives in and go see the 10:00 showing. And that was awesome. Even better than I could have hoped for. This was a great followup to Wonder Woman. I don't understand why the critics are giving it bad reviews but if you wanna see it, see it in Dolby theaters or XD or IMAX. It's worth the extra cost.

I think this is the most active I've been with going to the theaters on the weekend. I usually try and go during the week. But this was a nice change.

Superhero Kink?

That's how someone asked me if that's what this movie was about. Professor Marston and the Wonder Women is so much more than that. At its core, it's a love story. The twist is that it's between 3 people. Poly relationships usually get a bad rap in media by this real life story tugs at the heart strings. These are just people who met and all fell in love with each other. Now don't get me wrong, there are some steamy scenes and had me crossing and uncrossing my legs multiple times. But mostly, I was just rooting for this couple to stay together and raise their family in peace.

This film had been on my radar for a while now. I saw the trailer online and prayed that a local theater would play it once it was released. Luckily, my historic theater came through and had it on opening day. I was finally able to see it this past weekend and i dragged the boyfriend along. I tried to go with Kelly and the gang but they weren't available. He was no eager to go at all. He thought he'd be bored. I'm happy to say he was thoroughly entertained. It opened up a discussion about dominance and submission and what we thought those things meant in our own relationship. This movie is definitely thought provoking and can be a nice way to start an exploration in sexual preferences and kinks.

Anyone looking for a cheap thrill should look elsewhere. I look for those too from time to time but this film is just too pure for that.

Behind the Times

I have been going through a movie slump again. I just haven't been motivated to leave the house for the theater. I'd much rather wait for my local library to get the DVD and I'll just watch it that way. But I've recently made the effort to go out and about.

The first outing was with my little cousin. I hadn't done anything with him in a long time, just the two of us. I was summoned over to babysit at the lat minute and decided that staying in the house with him would have resulted in someone getting choked. So we hopped on the bus and saw a matinee showing of The LEGO Ninjago Movie. It was playing in one of the small auditoriums to the side. It was maybe 6 of us in there. I had no high expectations for this film but it sucked.
I thought the pacing and jokes and overall story fell completely flat. My cousin, on the other hand, loved it. He laughed at all the (un)funny parts, wowed at the action scenes, and tried to start a slow clap during the credits. No one joined him but I appreciated his enthusiasm.

My most recent outing was to see Happy Death Day on opening weekend. Kelly, Maria, and I met up of a Friday matinee showing. The theater had just added those recliner chairs so I was in heaven. I really enjoyed the movie. I thought it was well acted and genuinely funny. The ending lost its momentum though. The reasoning behind the killing was stupid. It kind of brought down the overall quality of the story. We had a great time though. Te movie was followed with lunch and then I crashed at home.

I'm hoping to see a bunch of movies before the year is out but honestly, I might just wait to watch them at home.

Kellibration Obligations

I was NOT planning on see the theatrical release of It. I was a fan of the miniseries, which I barely remember and I had never read the mammoth of the book. I knew about it because everyone knows about It. It's pop culture candy and everyone has had a piece. So only someone I loved could convince me to go see this movie. And who did this to me??? It was Kelly! September is her birthday month and she celebrates all month long. With this being a horror movie, I knew she was planning on seeing it. She loves watching scary movies. I honestly don't know why I allow myself to be dragged along to these scream fests. But I caved and I was there opening weekend.

It was a small group of us, Kelly and three of her friends. I was running late (damn public transportation!) so Kelly held the seats for us. I was sure that the theater would be packed but there were still plenty of empty seats left over. I'm guessing it was because it was a Sunday afternoon. We brought our own snacks and shook with anticipation and fear. I already told Kelly's friend that I would be grabbing onto him for support and he said likewise. But...the movie never delivered the scares I thought were coming. There were definitely moments that had me cringing and spooked me. But I wasn't SCARED scared. Honestly, I found the movie to be more funny than anything. The child actors knocked it out of the park. I especially loved Richie and Eddie, played by Finn Wolfhard and Jack Grazer respectively. They were the comedic reliefs and they did not disappoint. 

With how long the book was, obviously the movie could only show so much. It ends with them defeating It and vowing to come back if there town is attacked again. The credits scroll across the screen and it closes with it declaring this was only chapter one. I can't say I'm too excited for the sequel but I know I'll end up seeing it. If only because I'm curious who will play the adult counterparts to the child actors. 

P.S. - We had dead center seats. Kelly did good with holding them from other movie goers lol

Better late than never

THREE MONTHS!!! It has literally been over 90 days since Spider-man: Homecoming was released and I just saw it for the first time yesterday. I made a promise to my boyfriend that I would only see it with him and we finally had time and opportunity yesterday to go see it.

We had the whole afternoon free so we went out and ventured to a new theater. It was the ArcLight out in Bethesda. A coworker of the BF had recommended we go there and so we did. When you first walk in, there is a wall of movie posters that was very cool to look at. I very quickly declared which ones I wanted to see. After gawking at that, we went to go buy the tickets. They cost $30 FUCKING DOLLARS. It was a Friday afternoon! There were no matinee prices to speak of. You know how much I love a cheap movie ticket. But we forged ahead. I wasn't turning back now that we were actually going to see Spider-man. I had waited long enough.

We had center seats and the theater to ourselves. I would have been completely surprised if someone else showed up to watch it. This theater doesn't play ads so it went straight to the previews and then the movie started. It was amazing. I had never laughed so hard at a Marvel movie. I see now why everyone thinks Tom Holland is the best Peter Parker. He looked the age and acted just like a teenager would. I believed every second of his performance. As a part of the MCU, I felt like it jelled together rather well. I loved Tony Stark as the father figure/mentor to Peter. If Robert Downey Jr ever leaves the franchise, I hope he pops up every now and then. He's the perfect grumpy snark to tell everyone how much they're screwing up and then immediately leave after.

So after the looooooong wait, I'd say it was worth it. I'm glad I saw it in the theaters and with the boyfriend. Watching it on my TV would not have done the experience justice.