I might have a date tonight. I might eat something other than frozen pizza for dinner. Both scenarios are about even-money at 3:30 pm.
If the date comes together, it will likely involve a movie. The St. Patty’s Day weekend took a toll and the virtually extinct, "sober date," is likely to see action as a result. My dilemma then becomes which film to recommend.
I’ve already seen Volver, Pan’s Labyrinth, and The Queen. In other words, most of the good movies (note to readers: remember their country of origin). Breach with Ryan Phillippe and Chris Cooper would be a solid option, but it’s not playing within a moon shot of my apartment. Anecdotally, if Chris Cooper were a golfer he’d be the “best player never to have won a major.” The man can act, and yet he often goes unnoticed.
Back to the subject matter at hand: where are the good, home-grown movies? The only native production I can remember seeing is Little Miss Sunshine, and I'm still having trouble believing it got nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards. Yes, it was an enjoyable film; more so because we’ve all had neurotically memorable family road trips. But worthy of an Oscar? Perhaps 2006 was merely a featherweight year for domestic movies, and there weren't any alternatives. That scenario seems believable to me.
The “coming soon to theatres” listing also looks bleak -- topped by the Taster’s Choice film, Reign Over Me, featuring Adam Sandler and Don Cheadle. I mean, is this for real? Happy Gilmore Does Sentimental Part III (following Spanglish & Punch-Drunk Love)? In earnest, Adam Sandler seems like a genuine and likeable guy on and off the screen. But the words “type cast” will forever apply. Let me know if Bob Barker shows up for another bout in Gilmore II, but until then, hit me with another preview.
Admittedly, I'm a sucker for a good, romantic comedy. Unfortunately, there’s something about the current headliner featuring Hugh Grant & Drew Barrymore in a sing-along (Music & Lyrics) that makes my blood start to curdle. Oh wait, I know what it is, Drew Barrymore makes my blood curdle. Next.
300 would be a possibility, but in the pantheon of relaxing, Monday night options I’m not sure an “epically graphic” fight to the death between 300 Spartans and the massive Persian army is going to win top date billing. Another time.
So where does that leave me? Looking outside the mainstream yet again. Mira Nair’s lasted film, The Namesake, looks promising. Any film that garners a 75% “Fresh Rating” on Rotten Tomatoes (www.rottentomatoes.com) is worth a look. Moreover, the film is based on the novel by the immense talent, Jhumpa Lahiri, who also wrote Interpreter of Maladies. This could be the one.
Alternatively, we have The Lives of Others which took home the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film. Almost a shoe-in to be worth the price of admission. Still, subtitles are risky with a new dating prospect. Nonetheless, if The Namesake isn't playing at a convenient time, Others might be worth a roll of the dice.
The overarching theme here, a lack of domestic movie options, isn't new. Over the last few years I've been going to more international films without west coast representation. Maybe my tastes have changed, but I'm placing most of the blame on the formulaic output of the major production studios (Spiderman I - V, anything involving Will Farrell and a sidekick, movies that reinvent CSI episodes, etc.). I’d still go see Denzel in a role that didn’t involve a sociopath, cop, or time traveler. I’d also pay $10 to see Tom Hanks in a non-animated part -- assuming it wasn't a Dan Brown character. I'm just not counting on having those opportunities in the eminent future.
In the interim, my local art-house theater will get a few extra bucks. Let’s just hope that any would-be dates like subtitles.
Other random stuff……
My cell phone has been making sporadic, chirping noises ever since I dropped it in the snow in January. I would get a new one, but I’m a little too fiscally conservative to throw away a functioning piece of equipment just because it sounds like a sparrow.
My girl Sabrina Sloan got seriously hosed on American Idol. $50 says that Sanjaya has a call-center in
Bill Simmons’ (aka the Sports Guy) running journal on the NCAA tournament has to be the funniest thing currently in print. Anyone with this much affinity for a broadcaster named Gus earns a special place in my blog. My favorite passage from these NCAA entries is Simmons’ prediction that
Classic.
Finally, I’m bound for the Winter Music Conference (WMC) in
Friend#1: "I sprained my freakin' knee this weekend. Just my luck!! Got x-rays yesterday and thankfully my leg is still functional. I just can't bend it much but at least I can walk!! I certainly don't want to be anyone's physically challenged sidekick. It's not my intention to slow anyone down!! But i'm going to Miami and still going to try and do most of what I planned on. If I can't walk, I can certainly float. So just throw me in the pool with some floaties, a helmet, and a mojito: I'll be on cloud 9!!"
Friend #2: "I say we start a fund raiser to get (her) a pimped out wheelchair. We can chrome it out, get lots of lights and glow sticks, and a special cup holder that fits a bottle of Patron perfectly. Then we get special tires that low-ride at the flip of a switch. Miami....something for every man, woman, animal......and cripple."
You have been advised to stay-tuned.
