I love to go to the movies. I mean, I love movies in general, but I really love to go to the movies.
My love affair did not start young. The first movie I saw in the theater was Snow White. No, not in 1937, smart-ass, it was a revival. Sheesh. Disney does that, you know. I don't know how old I was, but I must've been quite young, as I have no recollection of it. As the story goes, though, my mom had offered to take me and several of my cousins to a matinee. Because she is clinically insane. I was the youngest of the brood, and at the first sign of the Wicked Witch I was in her lap, sobbing, and begging to go home. She would've probably obliged if it was just us, but my cousins were all into it, so she tried to keep me as subdued as possible. My first movie theater experience was something less enjoyed and more survived. Go figure, my mom didn't take me to the movies much after that. (And Snow White remains my absolutely least favorite of all the Disney movies. After all those dwarves did for her, all she could do was wave 'good-bye! good bye!' as she left them in the woods for her palacial life with the much taller, much more handsome prince. Snow White? You give love - and women - a bad name.)
Fast forward to Jr. High. THIS is where the love affair really begins. I went to the movies with my girlfriends ALL the time, often taking up a full row and more than once being shushed for giggling too loud. We saw revivals then, too - Gone With the Wind and Dr. Zhivago come to mind. Perfect fits for Jr. High girls sense of angst and drama.
As life moved on, I went in and out of phases. Sometimes I'd see several movies a week; sometimes I wouldn't see a movie for a month or two.
When I first met Tom, we went to the movies about twice a week. He'd pay once, I'd pay once. It seemed nicer that way than dutch treat. We saw everything - twice if we liked it. We saw funny movies and dramatic movies and scary movies and action movies. We saw blockbusters and indies. We saw truly wonderful movies and truly awful movies. We were completely indiscriminate.
When the girls were babies, we would go to the movies when my parents came to visit. I would hit that dark theater, as a sleep-deprived mom, and fall asleep before the previews for coming attractions were over. Tom never woke me, either, just gave me a gentle nudge if I snored or drooled. So I loved the movies then, too, but for a very different reason. Two hours of guaranteed uninterrupted sleep. Nice.
Then, of course, the kids came along and all of that changed. Videos ruled. Going to the movies became an event. And when we DID go to the movies, there was usually animation and/or talking animals involved.
Now, though - now our kids like cool movies. Now they like the sort of movies we like to see. Now, of course, they just want dropped off at the theater. Now, of course, we are a wallet on wheels. That's as it should be. It's their turn to take up a whole row with their girlfriends and be shushed for giggling too loud. Still...
(I started this post as a means to tell you about the two movies we saw this weekend (Whip It and Zombieland), but never quite fit that in. Oh well. Perhaps another time.)
27 comments:
NO WAY! That was my first movie too!
When my husband and I were dating and newly married, we would see anything and everything that came out in the theaters. Sometimes we'd go twice in one day. It was ridiculous but we loved it!
I never did like Snow White; her voice was like fingernails on a chalkboard for me.
Remember when VHS tapes became popular and the movie industry was freaking out thinking that no one would want to go the the movies? ha. Theatres have come a long way; so comfortable and no worries about Basketball Jones sitting in front of you. But there have been so few movies I even want to see for quite a while. "500 Days of Summer" was very good.
:-)
I LOVE going to the movies too. I will even go see something that I may not even like just for the chance to "go to the movies" I go to the movies by myself sometimes during the day when the hubby's at work and Megs in school shhh don't tell :o) I want to see Whip it and I saw Zombieland well all but the last 6 or so minutes. Damn digital projector problems. (I got a free ticket to go again) still sucks to miss the freakin end of a movie. I never liked Snow White either. I can't wait til this weekend I am going to see Couples retreat with the hubby :o) Wish we lived near each other we could crash a movie or two together.
Were they good? Those are both on my list!! The last movie I saw was...Harry Potter, I think. So, no, I haven't been lately! I'm anxiously awaiting New Moon...dying to see Invention of Lying and Paranormal Activity...really wanting to take the kids to see Cloudy with a chance of meatballs!!
My first movie was Sound of Music. My grandmother took me and we dressed up. There was a big red velvet curtain and an intermission. You're entire viewing history sounds a lot like mine! Nice blog - over from Mami's :)
I have a similar story centering on "Bambi". My mom had to take out of the theater because I was hysterical!
Recently, my girlfriend and I stole away for a matinee and saw "My One and Only" starring Renee Zellweger and it was a very enjoyable way to spnd an afternoon.
Most films I see are targeted at the under six crowd but I thought that "Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs" was terrific!
I miss our movie days.
I don't know if it was the first movie I saw, but the first I remember seeing as Easy Rider at the drive in with my mom's boyfriend. I think it's safe to say we had different childhoods.
Oooooo, drive-ins. That adds a whole new dimension to my love of movie-going. One that our deprived children will never get to experience. Very sad for them. :(
I don't see nearly as many movies as I used to. I also used to go by myself, with friends, on a date, whatever. Didn't matter. Sadly, they are few and far between these days. Lack of time and $$ seem to get in the way too often.
Also, I concur. I've always thought Snow White was a mindless simp and a jerk.
We were so movie people. Capt Caveman and I haven't seen a BIG PEOPLES movie (and i don't mean that in the fat sense and if I said 'adult' I don't want you to think we go see PORN.... ha ha) in ages.
snow white and her princess fingers. if you ever been to Disney and actually get the chance to meet this high maintenance chicks, take a looky at what their fingers are doing. They are so in character that they even have it down pat with their "princess fingers" (just like the animated movies.)
I miss my movie dates with him. I guess that is why we go a big screen plasma to compensate for our loss.
As far as movies now that are out there, i hear that if you want to have poop stains in your panties, you should see that paranormal activity.
sounds like a good time to me. ;)
Some of those old Disney flicks were Seriously Scary. I still hate The Sorceror's Apprentice.
I'm more of a Herbie the Love Bug/Benjie kinda gal.
I agree with mama-face; Snow White had an unbearable voice.
I hope you liked Zombieland.
I hope you're feeling like your [not-so] old self again.
Good post.
I also love going to the movies, the last movie I went to see was Julie and Julia.
Smooches,
Sassy Chica
lol, i LOVE snow white...i sing just like her! haaa! and to be honest, i hate going to the theatres...i can't handle being that close to people i don't know...creeps me out! i'm weird like that...plus i'm way too adhd and can't sit still for that long!
i love movies too - but the closes theater is 45 minutes away, and we just can't justify it. So rentals rule at our house!
Go to two movies a week now and you will need to mortgage your house! I loved it before home video players, when going to the movies was an event!
We need a new James Bond or Batman!! I love a blockbuster.
The crosswoods over in Worthington has the best popcorn in town. And, a very large screen with excellent seats.
"No, not in 1937, smart-ass, it was a revival. Sheesh."
Ahhhh, I'm still laughing at that line!
Unfortunately I am still in the animated/talking animals movie phase. Sigh. One good thing does come of it...two hours of no bickering or whining, with a large butter popcorn and a diet Coke. For me.
But here's a problem I have with those animated movies...they're all in 3D now! Which means our theater only shows them on the IMAX, which means they can charge us TWICE the amount. For three of us it was $45 to see some movie that was so dumb I can't even remember what it was. Pure robbery, I tell ya. And those glasses are so stinkin' uncomfortable. OK, done whining now.
I remember seeing Bambi and it scarred me for life. I was sobbing in the theatre. I still feel embarrassed thinking about it and I still get sad at the mere mention of Bambi :-(
We love movies and use to go all the time.....I am going to pass on Zombieland but am def. going to see Whip It.
The last movie(s) I saw was the double feature of Toy Story 1 and 2 in 3D. And I took a little nap during the 2nd one.
What a great tangent though, Tammy! I honestly can't remember last movie I saw at the theatre....oh yeah! I saw Benjamin Button with my daughter. Here they do movie days where you can bring your baby and they don't turn the lights all the way off and they keep the sound a bit lower. Not the same kind of movie experience, but still a movie!
I think the first one I saw at the movies was ET. Or Star Wars. One of those, anyway.
We go in cycles...sometimes we'll see movies regularly, sometimes not even on DVD. I did just acquire a 4-movie set of Bogie & Bacall. I'm clearing some space on my calendar for a little cold-weather indoor fun this weekend!
I don't remember the last time I went to the movies. Sigh...
I'm pretty sure (original) "The Jungle Book" was my first movie, and I have memories of "Planet of the Apes as a pre-teen. (Ugh!)
I love going to the movies too!
xo
My husband and I used to go to 2 movies in a day sometimes! We LOVE movies! :)
The worst one we ever saw was called "Eight heads in a duffel bag." Damn David Spade. Damn him!
met mike in a video store we worked in for years, wed work then go to midnight movies or bring them home, 80s and 90s flicks, we know them all. now we hit all the kiddie flicks and an occasional must see. im looking forward to new moon premire, and sitting with my girlfriends and hootin and hollering at edward.. just like back in the day..
When Geoff and I were first married we went to at least one movie on the weekends and sometimes during the week as well. We would eat popcorn for dinner and we weren't very discriminating in which movie we would see. Like you, once the kids came along going to the movies became a "big deal" requiring a babysitter and big price tag. And now that the girls are bigger, we are starting to go to more movies - both with the girls (if they let us) and on our own. It's kind of nice. Though now we are much more choosy about what we'll see. BTW, I'm dying to see Whip It. Was it any good?
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