The debate about movie ticket sales, the high cost of going in this crappy economy and the fact that Hollywood seems to have lost there sense of originality (cringing at the thought of Footloose and Dirty Dancing being remade) has made me wait until something comes out on DVD. I make exceptions though for movies that I know are worth my weekly pay. And then there is the cheap theater (Regal Hamilton Place, $3) that I always think about but never go to; until last night.
Let me throw out my issues first with the “discount” theaters. In general, these theaters have not be revamped, so no stadium seating and up to date digital goodness. The popcorn and soda are still expensive but like I really need a snack. I have a thing about good seating. With stadium seating, I go to the very back, middle; those are the best seats in the house. Also, being that I am short, even in stadium seating I don’t have to crane my neck around some really tall person in front of me. So the one, maybe two times I go see a movie in the theater, it is all worth it.
On to the good! I saw Bridesmaids last night. Oh dear Lord in Heaven! That would have been worth seeing at full matinee price. I sat with Bird, laughing during the bridesmaid dress looking, to the point of crying. I can only imagine having those issues in an expensive store WITH white carpeting. The street scene was great only because with my stomach on a normal day after having a very healthy egg white omelet I know that sense of urgency.
There were many times when I grabbed Bird, thinking I was going to fall onto the floor from laughing, cringing or a laugh/cry combo. It was all too much to handle and not anything like I had imagined. I thought that this all would happen on their trip to Vegas. But I was happy none the less at the crap that Kristen Wiig got herself and the girls into while trying to plan a wedding.
Of course, I also felt for her character. I am the last single girl standing. While my friends are now having babies, I do remember dealing with lack of money, bad dates, bad relationships, failed career choices all while my friends were planning their weddings. It is bittersweet, I think that is the best way to describe it, seeing your friends so happy because you are so happy for them but then you go home to your apartment, greeted by your cat and realize that none of that stuff is happening to you.
Sure, it could happen, but I have gotten to that point where I just don’t care. It is, I guess, a milestone for me, accepting that being single for the duration of my life and trying to find the bright spots within it. I can do what I want when I want, if I wanted to explore options of moving somewhere completely different, I don’t have to discuss it with a spouse or take into consideration children. Thinking of taking a vacation for my birthday to NYC is completely okay because I don’t have to think about anyone else. But I also have the internal fight of the other wants in my life. To settle down, have a kid and work as a team.
Of course, at the end of the movie, our heroine gets the boy and all is right in the world. For me? When it is fall or winter, football is on the tv and I am snuggled up on the couch with my cat, all is right in the world.
Now I need to finish The Help so I can go see that movie. But the good news is I have (through Sprint, my cell phone carrier) been able to purchase two tickets at $4 apiece. I have to say, that whole texting TAKEDOWN while waiting for Harry Potter to start was a good thing.
Now I am off to stalk to the cheap theater to see when they will get HP on their screen!
Stumbling Through Life 