Saturday, August 4, 2007

Decision - Sunday Scribblings 8/5/07

I made the decision last week to not submit a blog to the Phenomenon prompt. Nothing came easily to mind, and I am much too lazy to put forth any real effort. I see I was not alone as “Phenomenon” received the fewest submissions in weeks. This week’s prompt elicited from me two responses. The first one is this paragraph explaining last week’s failure and the second follows.

I love to go to the movies. As with most of my life, I never plan a trip to the cinema, nor do I generally hanker to see a particular film. I make the decision of which movie to see by a very complicated process. I drive to the theater. As I near the ticket counter I check the time and whatever film is do to start is the one for which I purchase a seat. If there is absolutely nothing of interest beginning soon I leave and go do something else. I will make a decision if two films are starting at approximately the same time. I will pick the one that looks most interesting.


Yesterday, I got off work early but there was an accident that causes a huge traffic jam on my way home. Since I work very close to a mall that houses a very nice multiplex, I elected to spend my time in a reclining seat being entertained as opposed to sitting in traffic being enraged. My two choices were “The Simpson Movie” and “Hairspray.” I have never been a Simpson fan, probably have seen portions of a half dozen episodes in the past 100 years it has been on TV. I am not sure why I have no interest in that show when I love “Family Guy”, “King of the Hill”, and other programs of that genre. I selected “Hairspray” and I could not have made a better decision. It is the most fun I have had in a movie since “Borat”. I am not saying it is the best film I have seen, but for entertainment value it ranks very high. I was the only single male in the audience filled with women and couples. I am certain they thought I was the most unattractive gay man they had ever encountered. Not that there is anything wrong with that.


I will not try to explain the storyline here but I will say that the cast is wonderful, the music is lively, and I expect some award nominations. To begin with, any time Christopher Walkin is in front of the camera, it is worth watching for me. “We need more cowbell” is still my favorite skit ever on Saturday Night Live. But to see him sing and dance was priceless. John Travolta in drag was a bit frightening but you knew at one point he would be dancing and he did not disappoint. There were even cameos from John Walters, Ricki Lake, and Jerry Stiller of the original 1988 film. Nikki Blonsky was wonderful in the lead role and though it was her first film she totally nailed it.

My film selection method has certainly failed me in the past, but this time the decision was “Divine” (1988 Hairspray reference).

15 comments:

Lucy said...

"I am certain they thought I was the most unattractive gay man they had ever encountered. Not that there is anything wrong with that."
You kill me each time I check in with you! Çan you please write posts more often. :))

myrtle beached whale said...

Lucy:

Thanks for reading and commenting. I generally try to write something every week but sometimes I just draw a blank. I thought my one act play was my best work but I don't think anyone saw it.

Herb Urban said...

That is funny. I am the same way with The Simpsons. I love King of The Hill and Family Guy, yet never really got into The Simpsons. It has always been funny the few times I've seen it, but I never got hooked. Maybe the movie will fully convert me.

As far Hairspray, I could watch Christopher Walken read a phone book for three hours and walk away highly entertained. He is a remarkable comedic talent.

Welcome back from your one week break.

myrtle beached whale said...

Thanks Herb:

Last week I was going to use the word phenomenon to talk about how a woman with minimal talent and a television show just north of Jerry Springer coerced millions of bon bon eating, sit on your ass at home women, into making her the richest woman in the world, but I didn't.
During my hiatus I got some things done that really needed doing. There are golf courses here begging to be played.

Gill said...

I've been wondering whether I should go and see Hairspray - you just made my decision for me... thanks!!

Sherri B. said...

You have a wonderfully funny sense of humor -- thanks for confirming that I definitely want to go and see Hairspray!

myrtle beached whale said...

They should pay me a commission. I have sent several people to see it that probably would not think it their cup of tea. Everyone leaves that theater with a smile on their face. Isn't that what a movie should do for us?

Pinehurst in my Dreams said...

Wonderful! I plan to see it, and nearly did last weekend. My mother-in-law highly recommended it, but she didn't like Napoleon Dynamite.

Good thing you didn't post on Phenomenon. You may have been lynched by the BBB.

myrtle beached whale said...

How could anyone not like Napoleon Dynamite? It was a totally accurate depiction of life in Idaho.

Anonymous said...

I go for stupid movies which do not make me think and I can laugh all I want.

Or else very serious one.

Two extremes. Nothing in between.

myrtle beached whale said...

well, this one will not make you think. It will make you laugh and feel good. Those are my two favorite things to do.

Lucy said...

Just HAD to tell you that I voted to see hairspray with the family tonight, but was out voted and had to sit through one of the worst films of all time...
Those damn Simpsons! You DID make a good decision! :)

Christy Woolum said...

We were diappointed that Hairspray left the Rena before we could go Saturday night. We would have had to see Underdog. I still love going to the Rena... some of it hasn't changed a bit.

myrtle beached whale said...

IEG:

I am guessing that the Rena no longer features an old man shutting down the movie so that he can berate the kids for half an hour. That happened often.

Pinehurst in my Dreams said...

Where was that guy when Yellow Submarine came out? There were so many grade school kids talking and singing-I thought I'd go nuts. Now I am too old to enjoy the "movie" - I tried to watch it a few years ago with my youngest, and YUCK - Sorry, Sir Paul, I still think you are the most talented and good looking Beatle, but I have outgrown your cartoons. . .