we did something awesome tonight

We went to the movies at the imax theater inside one of the local museums....

 

and we saw......

BACK TO THE FUTURE!

It was part of the imax's "Theater Throwbacks" where they rerun old movies from past decades.  This year they have mainly been showing 80s movies.  I have been wanting to go to the Theater Throwbacks for a year now, so it was a wish come true.  Previously, I had really wanted to see The Sting and a few others, but I was good with going to any of them.  Seriously, so excited.  It just came down to timing that this Thursday's movie was Back to the Future.  Both Spenser and I had seen it when we were much younger, but neither one of us remembered much about it.

 

While we were standing in line, I saw this girl who definitely stood out to me.  She was wearing jeans, white tennis shoes, light floral blouse and pink jacket.  I thought, "hmm, interesting style."  But hey, you go girl, you know?  Then, this guy came up to her and I thought, "What a couple!  They both have kind of a different style."  He was wearing jeans, white tennis shoes, a plaid shirt, a denim shirt, aviators and a red vest.  Still, I was completely oblivious.  It was only after the movie got out and I saw them again that I realized, "Duh, they're Marty McFly and Jennifer!"  What a fun idea though-to dress up in character for a night out!

 



As for the movie, I loved it!  I was smiling wide the whole time.  Spenser would look over and laugh at my constant beaming.   The movie has such a charm about it.  I loved all the references back and forth between decades such as Star Wars, Ronald Reagan, Chuck Berry, etc.  Plus, afterwards Spenser and I talked about what it'd be like to meet our parents in high school.  Isn't that a neat thing to think about?

Watching it on the imax just made it oh-so-much-better.  So. Big. Ohmygosh.  I'm blaming the largeness of the screen on my life-like reactions.  (Spenser was again laughing, but I imagine for good reason.  I was into it, what can I say?)  Also, the opening scene with the clocks on the big screen was magic.  But the best scene to see on the big screen was definitely:

Marty McFly rocking out at his parents' high school dance.  Felt like I was front row at that dance. Awesome.

McFly plays guitar, skateboards, and stands up for his dad...

his mom was right, what a "dreamboat"!  

Out to the Movies!

I can't believe it! I have run across quite a few movies coming out that I want to see.  Seriously, this never happens to me. I tend to go back in time with movies rather than anticipating new ones.

But alas, I've found some that I'm excited for!!
In no particular order:

The Company You Keep, Robert Redford, anti-war protesters in 1969, a blurring of the lines as to what's right and just,....this is completely a chelsea-type of movie Also, how awesome are Shia's glasses?!

Hitchcock, Anthony Hopkins as Alfred Hitchcock.  Enough said.  Actually, wait, that's a lie: Anthony Hopkins as Alfred Hitchcock AND Helen Mirren as his wife.  Enough said.

Killing Them Softly, Mob movie with a bunch of all stars.  This one is probably lower on my list to see than some of the others, but I think I'd still enjoy it.

Flight, Even if every Denzel Washington movie is the same, I still want to see it.  Also, his tortured pilot/media hero character seems like it could have some intriguing emotions.

The Master, This past summer, I took a class on world religions and one of the units was on Scientology.  The creator of Scientology, L. Ron Hubbard, was quite the interesting man.  Even though Phillip Seymour Hoffman's character is not named Hubbard, I imagine it is still a take on the Scientology story and I can't wait to see how it plays out.

Les Miserables, I LOVED the book, so obviously I can't wait to see the film adaptation.  I saw the musical performed once, but it was ages ago.  It will be interesting to see it as a musical again and with such a famous cast.

Not Fade Away, A group of kids that want to be a runaway 60's band?  Sign me up!

Anything I should add? Suggestions?

The Drive-In

On Saturday night Adele, Becca, and I went to the double feature at the drive-in.  We saw the much-anticipated Hunger Games and One for the Money.  Both Becca and Adele have read The Hunger Games, but I can't claim to...so I know what I'll be doing this summer.  At the drive-in we did sort of a tailgate set up where we popped the trunk and sat in the back.  It worked quite nicely and we have Becca to thank for making it all comfy, cozy with a gazillion pillows and blankets.  I love how the drive-in has an old time feel to it.  Plus, I can't help but smile at the dancing refreshment commercials.

Eggnog with the Griswolds

A glass of eggnog and "Christmas Vacation"

are just as good the day after Christmas

as they are leading up to Christmas.

(Is anyone else not quite ready to stop celebrating Christmas

or is it just me?)

Here's to ridiculous humor and a great night!

That's right, we went.

                  Confession:

                                                                 Adele and I went to see this.

                                                                 The funny part is that neither one of us cares about Twilight.

                                                                 But we went anyway and had a great time.

                                                                 We really enjoyed the amusing comments

                                                                 from the guy seated behind us.

                                                                 In fact, we'd invite him to part two

                                                                 if we knew him.

Brunch

top right: breakfast burrito, bottom left: mushroom crepes

Sunday morning we went to brunch at the Red Avocado.  We've been meaning to visit this organic/vegetarian restaraunt for some time and brunch was the perfect way to start the day.

Later, before we embarked on the drive we stopped at a gas station.  While I filled the car up, Spens ran inside and reemerged with a can and bag.  "I got us Peace Tea and donuts, I couldn't help myself."  My kind of guy! how I love him so and that smile when he said 'I couldn't help myself'...  Priceless. 

In the afternoon, we were lazy and watched this.

We both liked it!  I will warn you it is somewhat violent in parts, but the film has a great story to tell.  I think what got my interest the most was how the setting of a post-apocalyptic world came to be.  In the movie, Denzel explains that the war "tore" a hole in the sky and sun burned the earth-the vegetation, the people, everything.  This hit home with me. Not long from now we may "tear a hole in the sky"

not by war, but through our very daily habits.

   

"People had more than they needed.  We had no idea what was precious, and what wasn't.  We threw away things people kill each other for now."

Mexican Food, Candyland, and The Shining

      
        On Friday night, I got together with my very good friend, Adele.  We had enchiladas and chimichangas for dinner.  Plus, we were waited on by the funniest, most energetic waiter.  After that we got coffee at a cozy, little local coffeehouse. (Can you see the heart shape in the coffee foam or is it just me?)  While we were there we were approached by a young girl, Abby, who wanted to play Candyland with us.  We obliged.  Later the owner of the coffeehouse told us her mom works all the time and her dad has four other kids to watch along with her. :-(  Eventually, our new young friend had to leave and we decided to rent a scary movie.  We went home with....

The Shining

A classic!  Directed by Stanley Kubrick and based off the novel by Stephen King, this is one of pop culture's favorite horror films and rightly so.  Adele and I had both seen it before, but afterwards we were still left with some questions (don't read any further if you haven't seen it!)

...true meaning behind the picture at the end?  how did being a part of this movie psychologically affect the child actor playing the son?  was the butler the Grady who killed his family?  if the cook knew Danny (son) had "the shining" why didn't he say anything?  how much of the happenings were Jack's psychological troubles and how much can be attributed to ghosts?

We did some hardcore research and found that basically everyone has their own opinion on The Shining.  Since the movie isn't clear-cut in some parts, it becomes subjective to the viewer.  However, here are some fun finds for you:

Danny Lloyd who played Danny Torrence went on to become a science teacher in the midwest.  He's 38 now!  As for any psychological trauma, apparently Kubrick, the director, went out of his way to ensure the Danny did NOT know the nature of the film.  (This raises a few more questions, but we won't get into that.)  It was only until much later in life that he became aware it was a horror film.

"You've always been the caretaker."

That confusing bathroom scene with Delbert/Charles Grady?  After sifting through numerous philosophies on the film, Adele and I liked the reincarnation theory the best.  That is, Delbert Grady was the butler in the 1920s and Charles was the caretaker in the 1970s.  Mr. Torrence (as Delbert refers to Jack) was the original owner of the hotel and Jack Torrence is now the caretaker.  The reincarnation theory gives insight into Jack's strong loyalty to the hotel and also explains the picture at the very end. 

In supporting the reincarnation theory, pay attention to where Jack is standing.  If he were the caretaker, he probably wouldn't have been in front.  Standing in the front indicates some former position of power significance.  Aside from the reincarnation theory, some believe this photo symbolizes Jack's assimilation into the hotel's group of ghosts.

 

*"The Shining" pictures taken from Google images

**movie information gathered from imdb, youtube, and other various sites

Movie Night

Anyone recognize this terrified iconic face?  On Saturday the 8th Dan, Spenser and I had a movie night.  Dan recommended we watch a classic Hitchcock film and I couldn't agree more.  (Good thinking, Dan!)  After all, it is the perfect season for Hitchcock.  So we settled in for a night of Psycho. 

    

*If you haven't seen Psycho, we recommend it.

Also, on our way to get the movie, Dan and I saw this billboard.  We hope it makes you smile too!

*pictures taken from google images*