Films #3, 4, 5
For the sake of my blog journey, I will share that I watched a couple of Troma Films this weekend: "The Toxic Avenger" and "The Toxic Avenger 2." If you are unfamiliar with the excellent (and I say this with as much sarcasm as possible, because let's face it, these films are excellent in how campy they are, which I strongly believe is the intent, anyway, so no one's feelings are getting hurt) films from the Troma Entertainment company here is the quick rundown: these films are low-low budget movies that play on the 50s horror genre (perhaps a slight step in a different direction from the Grindhouse genre which Quentin T. has paid homage to) with elements of farce (lots of farce). The acting is less than stellar (certainly no actors with hopes of Academy Award intentions). It is very campy, but at the same time, you can often find a bit of social commentary sprinkled in the films message. It is a brand of film often referred to as "shock exploitation" with overt sexuality, nudity, as well as intentionally sadistic, gory, and blatant graphic violence. The editing and filming is very cheesy, but I think you watch them expecting all of this.
I was introduced to this sub-category of films when I worked at Bull Moose some 13 years ago. One of my friends/co-workers suggested watching a couple and I thought they were hilariously over-the-top. I also have a friend, now, who absolutely loves these films and I find it fantastic that he tries very hard to get his wife to watch them with him, knowing full-well she will not make it past more than 10 minutes.
With Netflix, I've loaded up on these movies, just to give myself a break from other movies I've been watching. So, that was my weekend viewing. I'm not even going to bother discussing them because they deserve to just be viewed. But don't say I didn't warn you.
I also watched another favorites of mine: "Rat Race" an hilarious, ensemble comedy with John Cleese, Jon Lovitz, Rowan Atkinson (Mr. Bean), Seth Green (my celebrity doppelganger, so I've been told), Whoopi Goldberg, among others. I watched it sort of out of the corner of my eye, since I've seen it several dozen times, and it was still funny. But, have you ever watched a movie with a friend and laughed out loud with them because certain scenes just asked for it? I remember vividly watching this movie with my great friend one summer he'd come back from college and we laughed the entire time. That is a memory I will always keep with me. But, now, if I watch it by myself, it does not carrying the same hilarity. I mean, I will laugh out loud at certain scenes, but it's not roll-on-the-floor laughing. Does that happen to you?
Another movie like that is "Anchorman." Alone, it certainly is hilarious, but again, I remember seeing it in the theatre with a couple of college friends one night and I fell on the floor laughing. I think you know what I'm talking about! Anyway, it's always great to reminisce, and thankfully my life is filled with a lot of those kinds of moments. I have some great friends and we've had some great times together.
On a separate note, since I promised this blog journey would not contain my thoughts about films, only, but also sprinkles of my personal life...I went on a date Saturday night with a girl I'd met on NYE. We met at Empire, danced and hit it off rather well. I kissed her and got her number (two things that were way out of character for me, upon initially meeting someone; hell, most of my life is filled with moments of "I should've done something different, like actually introduced myself" not so much regret, just a wish that I'd been more confident). I play a certain role around a lot of people as being very confident, perhaps overly confident, lacking a certain sense of modesty, but that is a farce. I'm actually a rather sensitive, quiet type who has a bit of courage-problem when it comes to approaching strangers, girls especially, and I usually wait to be approached, figuring that I'm sending out enough vibes that it will happen. And it happened on NYE, in a sense, but I actually acted quite a bit out of character, and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. It was a great feeling, being wanted and reciprocating.
So, we went out Saturday night. Met at Shay's, talked and got to know each other over nachos and a couple of drinks. Then we headed to Gelato Fiasco for something else and played Bananagrams. I walked her home around 12:30 and again, acting slightly out of character, I decided I would seal it with a kiss.
I like the person I am. It's like something has been awakened in me over the past 4 months, thanks in no small part to the misadventure I went through last year for approximately 9 months.
So, there it is. Let me end with a song that's been on repeat these days.
Check out the video: TOOL- Forty-Six and 2
I was introduced to this sub-category of films when I worked at Bull Moose some 13 years ago. One of my friends/co-workers suggested watching a couple and I thought they were hilariously over-the-top. I also have a friend, now, who absolutely loves these films and I find it fantastic that he tries very hard to get his wife to watch them with him, knowing full-well she will not make it past more than 10 minutes.
With Netflix, I've loaded up on these movies, just to give myself a break from other movies I've been watching. So, that was my weekend viewing. I'm not even going to bother discussing them because they deserve to just be viewed. But don't say I didn't warn you.
I also watched another favorites of mine: "Rat Race" an hilarious, ensemble comedy with John Cleese, Jon Lovitz, Rowan Atkinson (Mr. Bean), Seth Green (my celebrity doppelganger, so I've been told), Whoopi Goldberg, among others. I watched it sort of out of the corner of my eye, since I've seen it several dozen times, and it was still funny. But, have you ever watched a movie with a friend and laughed out loud with them because certain scenes just asked for it? I remember vividly watching this movie with my great friend one summer he'd come back from college and we laughed the entire time. That is a memory I will always keep with me. But, now, if I watch it by myself, it does not carrying the same hilarity. I mean, I will laugh out loud at certain scenes, but it's not roll-on-the-floor laughing. Does that happen to you?
Another movie like that is "Anchorman." Alone, it certainly is hilarious, but again, I remember seeing it in the theatre with a couple of college friends one night and I fell on the floor laughing. I think you know what I'm talking about! Anyway, it's always great to reminisce, and thankfully my life is filled with a lot of those kinds of moments. I have some great friends and we've had some great times together.
On a separate note, since I promised this blog journey would not contain my thoughts about films, only, but also sprinkles of my personal life...I went on a date Saturday night with a girl I'd met on NYE. We met at Empire, danced and hit it off rather well. I kissed her and got her number (two things that were way out of character for me, upon initially meeting someone; hell, most of my life is filled with moments of "I should've done something different, like actually introduced myself" not so much regret, just a wish that I'd been more confident). I play a certain role around a lot of people as being very confident, perhaps overly confident, lacking a certain sense of modesty, but that is a farce. I'm actually a rather sensitive, quiet type who has a bit of courage-problem when it comes to approaching strangers, girls especially, and I usually wait to be approached, figuring that I'm sending out enough vibes that it will happen. And it happened on NYE, in a sense, but I actually acted quite a bit out of character, and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. It was a great feeling, being wanted and reciprocating.
So, we went out Saturday night. Met at Shay's, talked and got to know each other over nachos and a couple of drinks. Then we headed to Gelato Fiasco for something else and played Bananagrams. I walked her home around 12:30 and again, acting slightly out of character, I decided I would seal it with a kiss.
I like the person I am. It's like something has been awakened in me over the past 4 months, thanks in no small part to the misadventure I went through last year for approximately 9 months.
So, there it is. Let me end with a song that's been on repeat these days.
Check out the video: TOOL- Forty-Six and 2
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