My Life at the Movies

I spent some really enjoyable time recently at the movies.  Because all the movie treats are so expensive we used all the usual throw away coupons for free popcorn or sodas and ended up having a great time.  This was not so unusual for us since it has been a habit since the beginning of our marriage.  Ron and I spent every weekend in the giant movie theaters of Southern CA for most of 1959.  

Orpheum Theater at 8th &
Broadway in Los Angeles

We would visit the big glamorous theaters that lined the streets of Broadway in downtown Los Angeles, The Orpheum, the Los Angeles, United Artists, The Egyptian, the Million Dollar, the State  and the Palace.  These opulent theaters had started out in the 1920s and 30s and were originally vaudeville house where many famous stars performed.  For an inner city girl they were beyond any luxury with marble and gold accoutrement's as well as voluminous red velvet drapes as well as red velvet upholstered seats.  On a big weekend we would go to Grauman’s Chinese theater and see top hit movies plus all the hand and foot prints of 100s of stars.  Until I married Ron, I was pretty much restricted to the neighborhood movies venues like the Bill Robinson on Central Avenue.

This year (January 2012) we went to the Consumer Electronics Show at the convention center in Las Vegas.  It has become our habit periodically when we are in Las Vegas because of all the multiplex theaters and somewhat moderate prices for senior citizens to seek out films we have wanted to see.  Some top-notch films never make it to our little town’s theaters.  What I really like is the spaciousness and anonymity that comes in the big auditoriums.  I sometimes feel I don’t want anyone to know I willing paid to see such tripe.  Sometimes the THX sound systems are overwhelming but never to the point that I want to say turn it down.  I also love the experience of seeing the upcoming attractions!  As I age, I find this even more thrilling and although some movies I dismiss immediately, a lot of them I find myself hoping I live to see.  I am amazed at the talent and intellectual processes that drive Hollywood.  I am also amazed at the visionary producers and directors who decide to bring ideas and concepts to the screen.

During our recent visit, on one day I got to see Mission Impossible –Ghost Protocol, War Horse, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, and Sherlock Holmes.  Ron also saw Contraband with Mark Wahlberg who he really loves as an actor.   On the Ron-Joyce Rating Scale they all received high scores but for me War Horse scored a 10, Girl With the  Dragoon Tattoo scored a 9, and Sherlock Holmes scored an 8.  The others all scored a 7.

This morning I found that some of the really good movies I had seen in previous months were recognized with nominations for Academy awards.  The Help, War Horse, and Girl with the Dragon Tattoo were all nominated.  I won’t get too excited pulling for these movies or their talented actors because as I found with this NFL Season, every team I pulled for, lost.

I don’t necessarily find myself lost in the movie itself but I do analyze the talents of the writer, editors, cinematographers, directors and producers.  What a phenomenal industry.