Where I come from we call it the "The-Ater"

I was able to get out of the house this afternoon to go see a movie. I had to do extra babysitting and husband duties to honor this privilege. Let me tell you, it was worth it. I went from being a person who went to see movies all the time to being one who never does on account of the kids. I invited several friends, but none accepted the offer, but that's okay. I used to go see movies all alone all the time and I loved it and as of today, still do. I actually got to go see one a while back, sometime before Andrew was born. I went to see Michael Mann's big screen version of "Miami Vice". It was really interesting seeing how Mann, who created the TV version, adapted it to the big screen version which was so different, no pastels and no white sports coats. Please feel free to contact my Mom about my white sports coat when I was 10. Let's just say I was a huge Miami Vice fan. Many, many Friday nights we would go to the 7:00 movie at the new twin cinema in Mansfield (that's two screens) and get home in time to see Miami Vice.

"No Country for Old Men" was outstanding. The Coen brothers fantastically captured the West Texas small town vernacular just as they did with the Upper Midwest in "Fargo." What the hell do I know about West Texas or the Upper Midwest? So maybe they didn't, maybe it was just as bad as the countless renditions of southern accents that we've seen on the big screen over there years. Well, I think they got it down. There were so many subtleties that I loved, that I will have to watch it again for to enjoy. Tommy Lee Jones was on his game as always, but perhaps showing a little more vulnerability and a little less bad ass. Barbara Streisand's stepson Josh Brolin was fantastic. This guy JavierBardem, he creeped me out so much the entire film. I was so freaked out by him that I was nervous. I don't know if he needs an Oscar, but his skill was so honed that I'm still a little freaked out. Even his hair was terrifying. There will be hype about his performance and Brolin's, but as much as I enjoyed them I really liked the deputy sheriff ("Looks like we got some managerials here"), the border crossing agent and the mother in law ("It's not often you see a Mexican wearing a suit"). Oh, and the exchange between Bardem and the country store owner was just incredible--the tension, the fear and the confusion were so palpable( I can refer to something in a movie being "palpable" because I'm not a professional movie reviewer). Men go see it, but you should probably leave the ladies at home. It's graphic and violent, although there was little foul language and no nudity, just good old fashioned killing.

The first time I ever went to see a movie that I really remember was "Song of the South" when I was five. I remember talking about it all day at school the day that we were to see it. I had no idea what it was. My Mom took me after school to the old theatre in Mansfield and I think I loved it. Unbeknownst to me, there is a huge controversy over this film due to the fact that it has racists over/undertones from the Jim Crow South. I wouldn't have noticed that as a five year old anymore than a five year old today would notice any potential atheistic undertones in "The Golden Compass". That's the adults for you, always screwing stuff up for the kids. I think the problem is probably that Uncle Remus is portrayed as enjoying his servitude to the white plantation owner. The Br'rer rabbit stories factor in and I do believe that they originated with slaves at Laura Plantation in St. James Parish. Anyone from St. James Parish want to confirm that? Furthermore Laura burned a couple of years ago and has undergone major renovations and rebuilding. The owners have allowed tourists to visit the ongoing construction site as a means of illustrating period construction practices. Can you imagine if Disney would release this 1946 classic on home video or at the theaters ? Can you imagine what it would do for the rebuilding effort at Laura? Can I get a shout out for more unintended historic preservation plugs on my blog? How about a big ol' politically incorrect, "Zipp-A-Dee-Doo-Dah"?

Sometime ago I found a picture on the Internet of the old Mansfield Theatre. It was posted by Joby Bass a high school buddy of my brother's who now teaches at the University of Texas. It's a picture of his parents in front of the theatre. I don't know why he put it where he put it so that I found, nor do I how I found it, but I do now know why I've kept it so long...to be able to insert it in this particular blog detailing my love of movies and where it all began. Footnote: I also remember seeing "Raiders of the Lost Ark" at this joint. Footnote to footnote: This theatre was replaced by the new twin cinema referenced above.

Here's a little shout out to Peter Travers at Rolling Stone magazine. I don't read Rotten Tomatoes or any of those other sites because I am so on the same page as him with respect to movies. If he likes it I do too. If he says it sucks I don't go see it. Here's his review of "No Country for Old Men" and "The Golden Compass". I couldn't find a review of "Song of the South" but here's a wikipedia entry. I'm sort of like the local news when they let you know that if you have any interest on the days news stories to go to their website to learn more.

http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/movie/14706943/review/17163450/no_country_for_old_men

http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/movie/6222233/review/17575261/the_golden_compass

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Song_of_the_South

Oh and another footnote cocnerning the Bucky Dome:

http://www.225batonrouge.com/blogs/red-stuck/2007/nov/28/redstuck112807/