This past Tuesday, July 26, I got to spend time with my dad, Bud, at the movies like we do every year for his birthday. As I’ve said in another blog post, this is a tradition that started back in 1985 with the movies Silverado, Pale Rider and Cocoon. Since 1985 I think we have only missed one or maybe two years of our movie marathon. My dad and I love movies. We could probably sit and watch movies all day, every day, for a week. So, that we only take one day out of the year for our marathon is pretty extraordinary.
This year was a great year because the schedule of movies worked out wonderfully. Sometimes in the past we have had to deal with schedules that didn’t work out so well. On those years we could only see three movies. This year everything went so smoothly we could probably have fit in a fifth movie except for the fact that I had to work the next day. Believe me, I’m already considering taking the following day off next year.
We didn’t actually go to the movies on his birthday. First of all I was out of town on his birthday. Secondly, we have started attending movies on Tuesdays. The reason for this is that Tuesdays are discounted days, at least at the Regal Cinema in Medina, Ohio. Since I’m footing the bill (it is his birthday after all) I like that we can get discounted tickets and popcorn. Plus this theater has 16 different screens and comfortable stadium seating. That means we can stay in one place throughout our day. (This hasn’t always been the case.)
Everything worked out well going to the movies on July 26. It happened that Star Trek: Beyond opened on July 22. That was a must see for both of us. Our day began at 10:30 with the Star Trek movie. If you like Star Trek, I think you’ll really like this movie. If you don’t like Star Trek, you probably will still like this movie if you like science fiction. You might miss the meaning behind some things, but that’s O.K. (Just ask a Trekker and they’ll explain it to you.) If you don’t like science fiction, then you should probably not waste your money on Star Trek.
Star Trek got done around 12:45. The next movie, Ghostbusters, started at 1:15. This gave us an opportunity to use the facilities (if you know what I mean) as well as purchase popcorn and drinks. We settled ourselves into our seats and were able to see all of the previews before Ghostbusters. Sometimes that doesn’t happen because we are rushing from one theater to another. Ghostbusters is a good movie for the type of movie it is. It’s nothing deep or hysterically funny, but it is a fun movie. I especially liked (spoiler alert) that there were cameos of some of the actors from the original Ghostbuster movies.
Ghostbusters wrapped up around 3:20. That left us 10 minutes to use the facilities again (we did drink Cherry Coke during the previous movie) and buy tickets for The Legend of Tarzan. That movie started at 3:30. Actually the previews started at 3:30 so we had a little bit of wiggle room. We might have missed one or two previews, but we were fine with that. I’m not a huge fan of Tarzan, but I know the story a little. I liked this movie. It has more substance to it than what I remember from previous Tarzan movies. Also the special effects with the animals was pretty cool. One other thing I appreciated was that they didn’t make Jane out to be some sort of damsel in distress. I’m glad we went to see it. I had heard that the reviews weren’t great, but I was entertained by the film. And really isn’t that why we go to the movies anyhow?
After Tarzan, we had a bit of time before our final film of the day, Finding Dory. We took the opportunity to grab a bite to eat at Longhorn Steakhouse. Thankfully our waitress understood we were under the gun as far as time went and got us in and out as quickly as she could. (Tarzan got done around 5:20 and Finding Dory started at 6:30.) The one thing I would have changed about our day would have been purchasing tickets for Finding Dory before we left for dinner.
When we returned to the theater, there was a line for tickets that seemed to move like molasses. Or maybe it was just me because my movie was starting at 6:30! Turned out we got there in time for the movie, but missed all the previews. I enjoyed Finding Dory. The writers did a good job explaining her origin and I liked that.
One thing I was truly amazed by was the Pixar Short before Finding Dory. (If you have seen any Pixar films, you know they have a short film at the beginning of each of them.) What was amazing is that it almost didn’t even look like an animated film. The picture or animation or whatever looked so realistic. It is unbelievable how far animation has come over the years.
When we finished watching Dory, it was around 8:30. Again, because it was a work night I had to get home, otherwise I would have suggested a fifth movie. For some of you reading this, you probably can’t comprehend spending a day like this and that’s O.K. For people like my dad and me (and you know who you are), this is the perfect way to spend a day. This is my kind of marathon!
P.S. I apologize for the pictures–this is what happens when I have to take pictures myself. I really missed Bobby’s artistic eye and his ability to capture moments without them looking forced!
