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Platinum Power?
If I have made any valuable discoveries, it has been owing more to patient attention than to any other talent.
-- Sir Isaac Newton
Monday, May 22, 2000
Two years ago: Not Godzilla
Three years ago: Let Joy Be Unconfined
At work, I had to adjust my editing practices for one of our contributors. He felt that I'd been eliminating too much of his individuality. So I'm changing to a style where I run all the proposed changes by him. This slows down the production process. Besides, I think that everyone should just do what I say! The world would run much more smoothly if they only would.
Today A---- and I had planned to see the five o'clock show at the Harvard Exit theater, then head down to the Egyptian for the seven fifteen show. But what if the first show ran long? Time to try out some of those platinum pass privileges. I called the member services number on the back of my pass, and got a quick return call from Val. I explained our concern and she said she'd contact the head usher at the Egyptian to make sure we'd have seats waiting for us.
- Seventeen Years
(IMDB page for this film) Chinese. A woman has been in prison for seventeen years, and is released at Chinese New Year on a temporary furlough to go visit her family. A young female guard takes her under her wing, and assists her on the journey. I liked this, though it did turn out a bit too sentimental for my tastes. The vast changes that have happened in China over the past twenty years were brought out subtly but effectively. I especially liked the young guard, who was quite sincere in her beliefs about the effectiveness of prison re-education.
When we exited the theater, the shuttle bus wasn't there! We were concerned about waiting around when we actually had time to walk, so A---, Larry, Doug Ing and I all set off down the street. It's a pleasant walk at this time of year, especially so since we take the street to the west of the main drag. There were many jokes about having seen a Chinese "women in prison" movie. There actually was a shower scene, but it didn't take place while the main character was in prison, so I don't think it counted.
We got to the Egyptian in plenty of time. Good thing! The ushers hadn't been notified about saving seats for us, after all. A---- said he'd make another attempt later this week. We want to test this out before we really need it!
- Shorts: Animation Celebration
This was a good compilation of animated short subjects. As always, some were boring, some funny, some gorgeous and moving. I especially liked "The Periwig-Maker," based on Defoe's the Plague Year -- very sad and spooky. "The Indescribably Nth" was also good, about a man who loves snow domes. This one was drawn in sort of a fifties "modern" style of animation.
I don't know if I'm going to get to any nine-thirty movies this year. I just don't have the energy! Not good. I'd prefer to be going to three movies most nights. I could always leave if I'm not enjoying the third one!
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