Movies....

Hey peeps,

I haven't updated this blog in a while, partly due to lack of poker, partly due to lack of anything extremely exciting. Most of you know may know that I am a movie fanatic. I guess I have been since I was a little kid. Surprisingly, I remember only a few of my movie-going experiences as a kid. But I remember everything about them. I remember who I saw the movie with, which movie theatre, which actors were starring in it, which scenes I liked, whether I had any snacks or not. This is the "Rain Man" quality that I possess; it is perhaps my gift and my curse. I remember seeing "The Living Daylights" in the theatre, starring Timothy Dalton as James Bond. I remember my big crush on the leading lady, Maryam D'Abo. I remember them escaping the bad guys on her cello case, through the snow. I remember the romanticism of Afghanistan and Morocco, and the great theme song by A-ha. I was literally 8 years old when I saw this, and I still really like the movie even though critics didn't think it stood up to the best Bonds - i.e. Goldfinger, From Russia With Love.

I remember seeing Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, at the giant cinemas at the beachfront, (Durban, South Africa). You could buy cotton candy right outside the theatre. Candy apples too. I remember leaving the darkness, smelling the crisp salt-tinged air, thinking that this had to be the best movie I'd ever seen. In particular, I remember one key scene at the end, when Indiana, in order to save his dying father, is advised by one remaining knight from the Crusades, to choose the Holy Grail from among thousands of cups. The bad guy goes for the shining, jewel encrusted cup. He chose poorly. Indy of course chose wisely, and all ends well.

I remember seeing Return to the Blue Lagoon with my sister, at the Wheel Cinemas (Durbs....). Good popcorn, even better slushies. I remember seeing "Dead Poet's Society" with the whole family, and "A Few Good Men" too. I liked both those movies, though at the time I could hardly confess to knowing their plots. I remember seeing "Master's of the Universe" and being confused about the dwarf-ish character with the " musical key" - I mean he wasn't in the series, who the hell is he?

There is something about that feeling you get after watching a powerful movie. It's sort of like you're on a high. It's like a drug, it's something you want to experience again soon.

It's funny the things that linger in your memory, waiting to be cued by some sound, sight, or smell.

What are some of your earliest most memorable movie-going experiences?

Peace.
M.L.