This post has been inspired by two comments left on earlier posts by two friends. One on the blog itself by Shackman on my post Mystic River. I quote him – “It is an excellent film. Luckily I am not handicapped by my dislike for performers personal lives/politics so I wil see movies regardless of my dislike of them personally. I am no fan of Penn’s but the guy can act. As for Eastwood’s directorial abilities, the man tells a great story while respecting the material and the audience. I’ve been a fan since his debut Play Misty for Me.”
The other was by another friend Mahesh on my facebook wall where a link to my post on Jazbaa was given. I quote him – “You see a lot of movies I can’t keep pace with you.” And I responded – ” Mahesh, unlike you, I have no other unmanageable distractions!” Mahesh has grand children!
During my post education days, I would catch movies regularly on my so called upcountry tours as there was no other entertainment those days. This meant that I went to theaters in small towns and mostly saw Hindi films and occasionally some English reruns. While back in town, on Sunday mornings, theaters would show some English movies apart from just a handful of theaters that regularly showed a limited number of English films. Back home movie going stopped after our son was born and never really re-started as the advent of TV saw to it that once home, I would be too lazy to get dressed again and go out. Further with smuggled VCRPs being available in plenty and video tapes being loaned from libraries at ridiculously low rentals simply got me out of the habit of going to theaters. Except for some really important films, like Star Wars we did not go to watch movies.
After retirement, I should have been seeing movies regularly, but my late wife’s health and after her demise my caregiving duties for my late father prevented any further forays into movie going. During this period I also lost interest as I was more involved in reading and had even stopped watching TV. The old VCRP was junked and I never got a DVD player till providence came my way and I was given one in exchange for a favour I did for a friend about two years ago. I still did not connect the player up till about a year ago and since then I have been seeing films regularly at home via the DVD route as online buying and renting DVDs is so easy. Meanwhile, multiplexes closer to home and a footloose friend in Ramesh ensured that I started going out to theaters to watch movies as well.
I am actually catching up with a lot of movies that I had missed during the period that I was away from them and whenever I get a lead from a friend I immediately see it one way or the other. For instance, many of my recent DVD viewings have been old movies referred to by someone or the other in some context to something else. For instance, I learned from Shackman quoted in the first paragraph that Clint Eastwood has been directing films since 1971! And his reference to Play Misty For Me had me scooting to buy a DVD online. I saw it last night and was quite impressed!
There are others waiting to be seen, mostly old Hindi films that I had not seen when they were released and I do not generally review them as my readers are unlikely to be interested.
Now that I am retired and have the wherewithal to indulge, why not? And, Mahesh, I repeat, unlike you, I have no other unmanageable distractions!
Thursday night we went to see the open showing (live performance at the Barbican linked worldwide to cinemas) of Cumberbatch as Hamlet. This was definitely the best film I have ever seen in my life. In fact, I’d conservatively start at ten stars. The language has been modernized a tiny bit, and simplified with the use of subtitles in English, since some of the accents are not standard Rada, and the time elements are definitely warped for a purpose- a modern colt 45 instead of a dagger, but still swordplay, antiquated language, but 1930’s records and record player. His interpretation of to be or not to put chills down my spine. (and I’ve seen both the Olivier and Branagh versions) And he definitely solves the old chestnut about whether Hamlet is mad, torn, or knows exactly what he is doing. (And you see the exact moment, based on text, when he decides.) And the biggest surprise, to me, was seeing Moffit, who writes sherlock, and members of the National who I didn’t realize, also play in Dr Who in their spare time suddenly appear on stage and in the audience. The promoters have promised the DVD should be out soon. But leave time to enjoy. It is over three and a half hours long.
Dun-Na-Sead recently posted..Be Kind To Your Web-footed Friends
Our multiplex is at the end of our driveway, not exactly a long walk. But I haven’t gone in years because I don’t like too sit. I’d rather watch Netflix at home while I exercise. But it’s all good. We’re lucky to have so many options.
Cheerful Monk recently posted..Busy Morning
i don’t sit either. When I’m too tired to move, I lie down. 😀
I am a big fan of movies too since I was 6 years old and had the good fortune to have an uncle who owned a cinema.
the love affair doesn’t cease. I LOVED Play Misty for Me. Saw it a few times must watch it again.
Also Mystic River – I enjoyed the book on which it was based too.
XO
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wisewebwoman recently posted..Diversion & Distraction
Before her illness prevented it, my late wife Lynn and I went to a movie nearly every Sunday. We loved going – over the years she became a fan of the thriller/action movies I prefer and I became a fan of “chick flicks” – love stories and such. Now I see most of my movies on my 43″ TV via Netflix, pay-per-view and the like. Now that I have made a major life change by moving to North Carolina maybe I’ll start going to theaters again but the popcorn is much cheaper at home. I’m glad to hear you enjoyed Play Misty for Me.
shackman recently posted..Family size LBC post
And do you watch the long-running TV series like Breaking Bad? Jenny and I are watching it at the moment, since it was given to us as a present. It’s pretty grim in places, but the script and acting are superb and it’s extremely thought-provoking.
nick recently posted..Suitably soothing
I don’t watch TV at all. Not even Cricket, which is sacrilige here.
I think you are doing what is the best for you – having a companion who wants to get out to theaters and see movies is also great. I know sometimes you add a meal or similar to your outings. You get out of the house when you can, and at other times as you say catch up “in house viewing” of whatever you need.
sometimes I get DVDs and I love to be able to watch them on my laptop – okay nothing like wide screen at theater – from the comfort of my bed.
Years ago I bought what is called a tri-pillow which allows you to sit comfortably with the wooden headboard at your back…I’m typing there now 🙂
I’m supposed to have my legs horizontal so that is also happening…. and I’m up high enough to watch any antics that may take place at my errant neighbours along with sky and trees in my viewer.
I can just here the traffic but I’m not looking directly at it….
oops sorry ranting on 🙂
Rant away. I like your rants!
LOL