The Big Green House

Tuesday, August 26, 2003

 

Average is dumb

The other big event this weekend: we went to see American Splendor. Before we get into that, though, I want someone to tell me when they started charging NINE DOLLARS to see a movie. WTF? That is just stupidly insane. I realize that I don�t go to the movies as often as I once did (mostly because they�ve stopped making movies I want to see, by and large), and that when I was going on a regular basis I usually attended matinees, but still� It�s like they want you to wait until it comes out on video/DVD.

Now that that�s out of my system, let�s get on with the program. American Splendor is a fine movie. You should go see it.

What? That�s not enough? *sigh* You kids today.

Alright, I knew I should have written down my response to the film that night, rather than waiting three days to try and dredge some sort of halfway cogent analysis/discourse/rant out of the moldy slab of Emmenthaler that I use for a memory these days. Look, just take my word for it � it�s funny, there�s a couple of really good performances by Paul Giamatti and Hope Davis, Harvey Pekar and Joyce Brabner both appear as themselves, and I can�t think of anything negative to say about it, which means I really liked it. Part of that may be due to the eerie similarities between Harvey and myself at times. We both have non-existent housekeeping skills, we both buy more music than is strictly a good idea (which reminds me: the soundtrack is good, too), we both are depressive and cranky, and we both have the �I like animals so I feel funny about eating them� thing going on. But even if none of that matches up with any of your quirks, go see it anyway. Harvey just retired and could probably use the money. Provided he�s getting a percentage.

Which brings up something from Saturday night that I do remember. The Neptune Theater had a little raffle/trivia contest for some American Splendor swag before the film started. The folks right in front of Science Girl and I won the
Harvey Pekar bobblehead doll. As soon as the guy returned to his seat with the doll, what I can only describe as a rabid fanboy came swooping down from the back of the theater, asking if he could touch it since �I�ve got everything he�s ever put out�. The guy obliged fanboy, allowing him to bask in the glory of the sacred relic. I probably would have just given it to him.

bmarkey 8/26/2003 09:20:00 PM