Jul 18 2008
Matinee
As a reward for their excellent report cards, each of the kids chose a movie to attend. I used to love going to the movies. I can still recall the line down the sidewalk for the one cinema in town, the sound of my brother Rob cheering in the back of the theater for Luke or Indiana Jones or Rocky, the excitement when a new theater was built that gave us four choices. Over the years, going to the movies lost its appeal as a result of the cost and the sheer number of movies that are pure rubbish. I used to rent DVDs, but now I just wait until Josiah can DVR it on the TV. I’d much rather read a book. Dale loves movies, so he decided the kids could see a show. Josiah chose first. I reluctantly went with him to see Ironman, a movie based on a character from a comic book. My expectations were quite low. I must admit, I was pleasantly surprised. Yes, there were all the mandatory fight scenes and things blowing up. However, it did have a plot and the majority of the movie was Ironman building his suit. They made it clever and interesting. It was also anti war, which just so happens to be my current mood. Gabe chose next. I went with him to see Wall-E. In the past, I had admired the Pixar writers for their cleverness. I thought Monsters Inc was brilliant. Over the years, however, I worried they had become Disneyfied and forgot that the story is really more important than the animation. Disney’s focus of churning out the same story with different characters over and over and over again, is really quite dull. Wall-E was so clever, I once again give a cheer for Pixar. I would, however, caution those sensitive about their weight to be prepared. Pixar so cleverly lampoons the excess and wastefulness of Americans, myself included, that I couldn’t help but laugh at their nerve. To make fun of the people paying to see your movie takes some guts. However, truth, when revealed even at my own expense is well worth contemplating. Abby chose last. I went with her to see Kit Kittredge. It was a nice “pull yourself up by your bootstraps”, “make the best of what you have” old fashioned movie mystery. I found it a welcome relief from the vapid teen girl shows on tv whose plots consist entirely of trying to get a boyfriend and treating others meanly. I have been trying to talk to my kids about humor being clever or slapstick and why a lot of the popular shows fail miserably in that regard. Anyway, my summer at the movies turned out to be a success. I will soon return to reading a book when I can find a way to sift through all the rubbish that’s published now and find a clever book actually worth reading.
Yes nothing like an Organizational...
I don’t really have comment about this subject but I just wanted to say to Dale, Muggs and the rest of y’alls crew that it is good see that Dale has a little over three weeks left. I know you are all excited about the homecoming and counting the days. It will go by fast. Dale, take care my friend, stay low, and I hope to see you if come down and visit us common folk in the South. Joey
Joey,
Thanks. I’m sure it will go by as quickly as the past 11 months have gone by!