Dark

oing to the movies is pretty much always a treat for me. Tonight's was especially so, since it's a workday. I was looking forward to watching Inception, especially after the fiasco when I tried to watch it on opening night.  My friend and I had a quick meal before heading off to the theater.  It seems I'd misread the online information, thinking there was a 6:30 show.  Turns out the next screening would be at 7:25.  So we had about an hour to kill.

I should have taken it as an indication that things weren't going to end up well for me tonight.  After grabbing coffee, we got to the theater early and chatted it up.  Then the lights dimmed and the trailers -- one of my favorite parts! -- came on.

The first one featured Dwayne Johnson and Billy Bob Thornton.  The film's called Faster (I had to look that up just now).  I didn't get it.

The next one was with Hilary Swank; she plays the sister of a man convicted to life in prison with no parole, who gets her GED and goes to law school to fight for his vindication and release.  It's based on a true story.  I almost started to cry.  (Maybe it's because I have brothers.)

Then came the one with Robert Downey, Jr. and that guy who plays Alan in The Hangover.  He kinda reminds me of Jack Black (they probably get that a lot).  The opening of the trailer was a scene at a public transport depot, in the rain.  Robert Downey, Jr. is telling the other guy about the last time he saw his father, how he was at that same depot, had two suitcases, boarded a bus (or train), and just left.  The other guy-- Zak Galifianakis, I just looked it up -- sitting on a bench with his dog, starts laughing heartily at Robert Downey, Jr.'s story, and says something like, "That's funny.  My dad would never do that to me!  He loved me!"

At which point the screen flickered, and went black.  Deja vu.

"This is what happened when I went to see Inception the first time!" I said, "Only this happened halfway through the movie! Now you know what it's like!"

The darkness continued, and it was a few moments later that a staff member announced that there were technical difficulties they were working on, and that we would all be given free popcorn.

I collected our treat, and we decided to wait another 10 minutes.  By 8:10, nothing was happening.  So we decided to call it a night and get a refund.

[in-ter-ception, 2]

It seems I am starting a collection of these.  *sigh*  Maybe I should wait until this movie comes out on DVD.

Summer Picnic Club 3

ntertainment under the stars! I read a blurb in Sunset magazine and decided to coincide the third installation of Summer Picnic Club with the Outdoor Cinema Food Fest's screening of The Hangover at Exposition Park.

As you can see, a lot of people came out!  And they came totally prepared with blankets, picnic baskets, coolers, lawn chairs -- even books, board games, and booze, for the ide hours of daylight before the movie started.

[movie-watching picnickers]

For those who were less prepared more spontaneous, there was a long line of catering trucks, serving everything from your typical hot dog + chili fries, to more exotic things like Indian wraps and curries and sushi.  The lines were long!

[catering trucks]

DC and I had forgotten to bring a picnic blanket, so we sat on our eco bags, which worked out fine.  The Hangover is a terrific film to watch on a huge screen with a bunch of strangers.  It's just as hilarious the second time!

The Outdoor Cinema Food Fest has a couple more events this summer, if you're interested.  Check out their website here for movie names, dates, and venues.

In[ter]ception

An old college friend send out an email a few weeks ago, offering to buy tickets to see Inception at the Arclight Hollywood on its opening night.  What, all I have to do is show up?!  I hit Reply and typed, "I'm in!"

I arrived and got into the Cinedome as trailers were on (hooray for assigned seats!).  Then the lights dimmed and the movie started.  It was very complicated, nearly too much so.  And it got increasingly warm in the theater. 

We got to a seemingly telling part in the film: the part with Mal and the dollhouse... and... the screen flickered... and then went dark.  A moment of stunned silence, then shuffling, then talking, then getting up.  A couple of minutes pass, then someone comes to the front of the theater with a microphone.  "I'm sorry, ladies and gentlemen, but the show has been cancelled due to an A/C problem."

If he gave any more instruction it was lost in the sound of voices, full volume now, expressing their disbelief, disappointment, and desire to get out of the infernal theater.  We, too, left in the wave of people -- only to wait in line at Guest Services to get our refunds.  I opted out of going to a bar with my friends, but still didn't manage to get home until past 11:30.  I still don't know how the movie ends, so please don't tell me! 

Two good things:  (1) Maybe I can understand it better by watching the first half again; (2) Thank goodness there is an Arclight theater closer to me now, no more truckin' to Hollywood!  Anyone up to see Inception in the near future?!

New Year, new habits

I'm not much of a movie goer. (I can remember the time I went to see Pirates III and realized that the last time I was in a theater before then was to watch Pirates II.)  Never have been.  Not much of a DVD watcher, either.  If I feel like watching one, it'll come from the small collection of films I don't mind watching over and over (Amelie, Cinderella, Pride and Prejudice, Pirates I, Tombstone, anime by Miyazaki).

So seven or eight new movies over a fortnight is quite uncharacteristic!  But since DC and I discovered DVDPlay at the local supermarket, it's been really easy to watch on a whim.  We did go out to see Sherlock Holmes the day after Christmas (my girlfriends in disbelief).  That was sandwiched by the following, at home:

• Julie & Julia


• Die Another Day


• Secret Window


• Star Trek


• Office Space


• Riding Giants


• Friday Night Lights

Pretty eclectic.  First time for me to see all but Riding Giants (my brothers are surfers); DC graciously re-watched a lot of movies (thanks!). 

I won't be binging on movies like this again in the foreseeable future, but it's nice to know that, thanks to DVD rental kiosks, siblings' collections, and a goal to go to the theater at least once a quarter, I will be well entertained in 2010.

Hope your New Year celebrations were equally enjoyable.