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Cinematical Pet Peeves
Personal Commentary: Cinematic(al) Pet Peeves/ Box Office Bonanza--Xmas Day Surprises
By Rachel Galvin
Did you see any of the movies that opened on Xmas day? If so, please let us know! Somehow the box office numbers say that "Marley & Me" was No.1, followed by "Curious Case of Benjamin Button" and then "Bedtime Stories." Who knew?
"Marley & Me" is a bit of a surprise, but perhaps it should not be. After all, a cute dog goes a long way. "Curious..." is no surprise. I think this film is a potential award-winner based on it grandiosity and star quality as well as literary legend author. "Bedtime Stories" (Oy vey) I guess people just want a good laugh.
As much as I always think people should gravitate toward top notch hard-hitting intellectual independent cinema, it seems most humans would rather sink to a lower denominator of pure simplicity, laughter, common plots and slapsticks antics. Now, that doesn't necessarily apply to the two more comic films I mentioned, but it could. I can't say much because I have not seen them. It just seems that overall, people do tend toward, as I said, less high brow pictures.
Is it a sociological phenomenon? Maybe people go to movies to be entertained??? I, for one, prefer to think.
Looking at these box office figures just got me thinking about trends and my own personal preferences. I may be a film critic, but I am not really a snob about it (despite all appearances in this piece). It varies according to my mood, but overall, I just appreciate a deeper piece of cinematical pie. That's all.
Eventually, I will probably see "Marley & Me," which despite my rant, I am told is a great movie, with a bit of a heart-tugging twist (which I won't ruin for you unlike someone did to me!). I have heard good things about it.
"Bedtimes Stories" I have heard absolutely nothing about. I am not a huge Adam Sandler fan but for those who are, I am sure they will appreciate it.
Please, if you see any movies that are out now, please chime in your opinion. Now back to the rant:
Yes, I have had my share of silly movies that I have liked, but I always appreciate a well-written script that tickles the funny bone not just with slapstick, but also deeper humor that you have to think about. I love to watch a good movie and spend hours talking about it afterward.
(PET PEEVE NO. 1)Nothing irks me more than watching a feature with someone who sluffs it off and then wants to go home.
Another Pet Peeve (No. 2) is someone who talks during the film.
If I am in a home theater environment, fine, but if I pay the big bucks (which is rare, very rare actually)...okay, if I am in a theater and enjoying the cinematical experience, whether or not I paid the big bucks, I expect to be able to suspend disbelief and be carried away into the fantasy world. (Of course taking notes for a film critique also takes away from that but...hey, if that makes you the big bucks, so be it!) If someone is loudly talking or quoting during the whole thing, it can be off-putting. That being said, even I have been known to whisper into a compadre's ear on occasion to note something important that can be discussed a length after the film -- something like "Hey, that's me!" or "Hey, I know that actor!" or "Hey, I have that bicycle!" Important stuff.
(No. 3) Popcorn. If someone near you has popcorn, you are probably at some time, probably right away, going to want to have some. This happens to me. I have absolutely no intention of ordering it and then someone else does, then I have to have it. Has this happened to you?
I am almost always disappointed. The dried up pieces of what used to be fresh corn always catch in my throat and choke me all the way down and they taste no better than popcorn that you use to protect your packages during shipping. Yet, I end up eating most of the bag like a hog at the trough. Then I end up feeling disgusted.
That being said, if you order popcorn, please offer it up to the person next to you. Being disgusted by eating popcorn you never intended to eat is part of the cinematical experience. It is always meant to be shared.
Well, those are just three pet peeves that I have. I am sure I have more. My favorite part of the pre-show, by the way, is when they do that old cartoon "Let's all go to the movies." That's a feel-good classic that makes me want to get up and shrug my shoulders a bit in unison with the music...almost. Instead, I sit and smile.
Hey, please share your cinematical experiences and expectations with the rest of us. See how many times you can use the new word "cinematical" in your dialogue. It is sure to make you feel warm and fuzzy all over
By Rachel Galvin
Did you see any of the movies that opened on Xmas day? If so, please let us know! Somehow the box office numbers say that "Marley & Me" was No.1, followed by "Curious Case of Benjamin Button" and then "Bedtime Stories." Who knew?
"Marley & Me" is a bit of a surprise, but perhaps it should not be. After all, a cute dog goes a long way. "Curious..." is no surprise. I think this film is a potential award-winner based on it grandiosity and star quality as well as literary legend author. "Bedtime Stories" (Oy vey) I guess people just want a good laugh.
As much as I always think people should gravitate toward top notch hard-hitting intellectual independent cinema, it seems most humans would rather sink to a lower denominator of pure simplicity, laughter, common plots and slapsticks antics. Now, that doesn't necessarily apply to the two more comic films I mentioned, but it could. I can't say much because I have not seen them. It just seems that overall, people do tend toward, as I said, less high brow pictures.
Is it a sociological phenomenon? Maybe people go to movies to be entertained??? I, for one, prefer to think.
Looking at these box office figures just got me thinking about trends and my own personal preferences. I may be a film critic, but I am not really a snob about it (despite all appearances in this piece). It varies according to my mood, but overall, I just appreciate a deeper piece of cinematical pie. That's all.
Eventually, I will probably see "Marley & Me," which despite my rant, I am told is a great movie, with a bit of a heart-tugging twist (which I won't ruin for you unlike someone did to me!). I have heard good things about it.
"Bedtimes Stories" I have heard absolutely nothing about. I am not a huge Adam Sandler fan but for those who are, I am sure they will appreciate it.
Please, if you see any movies that are out now, please chime in your opinion. Now back to the rant:
Yes, I have had my share of silly movies that I have liked, but I always appreciate a well-written script that tickles the funny bone not just with slapstick, but also deeper humor that you have to think about. I love to watch a good movie and spend hours talking about it afterward.
(PET PEEVE NO. 1)Nothing irks me more than watching a feature with someone who sluffs it off and then wants to go home.
Another Pet Peeve (No. 2) is someone who talks during the film.
If I am in a home theater environment, fine, but if I pay the big bucks (which is rare, very rare actually)...okay, if I am in a theater and enjoying the cinematical experience, whether or not I paid the big bucks, I expect to be able to suspend disbelief and be carried away into the fantasy world. (Of course taking notes for a film critique also takes away from that but...hey, if that makes you the big bucks, so be it!) If someone is loudly talking or quoting during the whole thing, it can be off-putting. That being said, even I have been known to whisper into a compadre's ear on occasion to note something important that can be discussed a length after the film -- something like "Hey, that's me!" or "Hey, I know that actor!" or "Hey, I have that bicycle!" Important stuff.
(No. 3) Popcorn. If someone near you has popcorn, you are probably at some time, probably right away, going to want to have some. This happens to me. I have absolutely no intention of ordering it and then someone else does, then I have to have it. Has this happened to you?
I am almost always disappointed. The dried up pieces of what used to be fresh corn always catch in my throat and choke me all the way down and they taste no better than popcorn that you use to protect your packages during shipping. Yet, I end up eating most of the bag like a hog at the trough. Then I end up feeling disgusted.
That being said, if you order popcorn, please offer it up to the person next to you. Being disgusted by eating popcorn you never intended to eat is part of the cinematical experience. It is always meant to be shared.
Well, those are just three pet peeves that I have. I am sure I have more. My favorite part of the pre-show, by the way, is when they do that old cartoon "Let's all go to the movies." That's a feel-good classic that makes me want to get up and shrug my shoulders a bit in unison with the music...almost. Instead, I sit and smile.
Hey, please share your cinematical experiences and expectations with the rest of us. See how many times you can use the new word "cinematical" in your dialogue. It is sure to make you feel warm and fuzzy all over
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