Sunday, January 22, 2017

HOLY COW I ACTUALLY SAW A MOVIE TODAY I LIKED

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HAD US ANOTHER FIERY SUNRISE THIS MORNING

I think this is or has turned out to be the poorest weather here in the Southwest that we can remember since 2011 and I was reminded of that this morning when we woke up yet again to overcast skies!!  Disappointing to say the least.  But on a brighter note we ended the day in warm temperatures and sunshine:))

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SEEN ON A ‘BUFFALO WINGS’ EATERY CLOSE TO THE THEATER

We decided to head into the Yuma Palms Mall again this time for the sole purpose of seeing a movie.  For me none of them sounded interesting so Kelly read out what each one was about and I decided on one of them because it said it had music in it.  Kelly chose the movie ‘Fences’ while I chose a movie I wasn’t expecting much from.  I chose LaLa Land.

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STANDING IN FRONT OF THE ‘HARKINS’ THEATER AT 9:30 THIS MORNING

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TURNED AROUND AND FACED DOWN THE MALL

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TWO ‘SENIORS’ TICKETS PLEASE……$5.50 EACH:))

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THESE YUMA MALL AND THEATER SHOTS WERE ALL TAKEN WITH MY CANON SX210 POINT AND SHOOT

Like most everything else we like to get things done in the morning and going to the movies is no exception.  Kelly’s movie started at 9:40 and mine started at 10.  I so much love movie theater lobbies with all their creative colored lighting, fancy carpeting, big tall ceilings and darker painted walls.  Kelly headed off to her movie and I headed off to mine.  I was the only one in the theater up until the movie started and a woman came in with a barrel of popcorn and a pail full of what I guessed was soda pop.  She sat somewhere behind me and every once and a while it sounded like someone turned on a garburator back there somewhere.

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KELLY’S MOVIE WAS DOWN THAT HALL TO THE RIGHT

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MY MOVIE WAS DOWN THIS HALL ON THE RIGHT IN THEATER 12

After wading through seemingly endless commercials and movie previews it was time for the main attraction.  One of the personal problems I have with movies is I view them with a very critical eye maybe like the late Roger Ebert or somebody but not as smart as those guys of course.  Right from the big opening musical dance number on a Los Angeles freeway I felt this movie just might have something special going for it.  The production and creative thinking behind the choreography of that opening scene was great and I wondered how many times they had to rehearse that scene just to get it right.  The acting in this movie was flawless.  The story line was easy for me to follow and that was a plus for me.  Too many movies lose me too quick with all their twists and turns and tangled plots and characters.  I’m not one much for romantic movies but this one was an exception.  When I leave a movie theater I like to feel uplifted and walk away with something inspiring to think about.  La La Land did this for me.  I liked the special effects of the 2 principle characters dancing through the Universe and especially liked a short musical number where the fella walks out onto a pier singing and whistling.  I liked all the music in this movie as well and always have a place in my heart for most any kind of piano music.  I grew up with a piano in the house which my Mother played.  This movie has shades of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers and the way big musicals were done years ago.  I looked for and liked the lighting, the direction, the cameral angles and the creative thought that went into each scene.  And I especially liked the way this movie ended.  An unspoken understanding between two star crossed lovers.  A smile, a nod of the head and it was done.  And how nice to finally be entertained in a feeling good way by a movie without the standard Hollywood violence for a change.  Imagine in this day and age a movie with no blood and gore, fiery explosions, foul language, mass destructions, violent and ridiculous nonsensical fight scenes or ridiculous super hero mutants saving or destroying the planet.  Two thumbs up for Lala Land.  Oh dear, am I finally showing some very late signs of actual maturity in these final aging stages of life.  Well I sure hope so……………..La La Land

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LOVE THE LIGHTING AND COLORS INSIDE THE THEATER ITSELF

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After the movies we both felt the need for feed so cruised around the Yuma Palms Mall checking out the options.  We knew most places were too expensive for us but when we spotted an IN-N-Out Burger we knew we were in luck.  Had been to one once before in Tucson a few years back just after I spent an overnighter in a Tucson hospital with a kidney stone attack.  Today’s In-N-Out burger was jam packed without a table in the place so we had to sit at a counter.  We both had double-double burgers and they were great.  So was the price.  When we left folks were lined up to the door.  Two thumbs up for In-N-Out Burger:))

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THAT’S KELLY UP THERE AT THE COUNTER

A few sunny breaks this afternoon as winds once again picked up.  We got up into the high 60’s if not low 70’s I think and that sure beats anything back home in Bayfield.  No matter how poor our weather may be here in the southwest sometimes it is always better than our northern winters back home this time of year. 

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GROANER’S CORNER:(( There was a little boy in kindergarten. At the end of one cold winter day, when all the other children were leaving, the teacher found him crying, so she asked him what was wrong.  He sobbed, "I can't find my boots." The teacher looked around the classroom and saw a pair of boots. "Are these yours?"  "No, they're not mine," said the little boy, shaking his head.  The teacher and the boy searched all over the classroom for his boots.  Finally, the teacher gave up, "Are you SURE those boots are not yours?"  "I'm sure," the boy sobbed, "mine had snow on them."

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Doctor: You're in good health. You'll live to be 80.  Patient: But, doctor, I am 80 right now.
Doctor: See, what did I tell you.

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In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth, and then He rested.  Then God created man, and then they both rested.  Then God created woman, and since then neither God nor man has ever rested.  

16 comments:

  1. In n Out burger gets our votes as well, we have been there couple of times years ago, glad you enjoyed. The movies sound wonderful, a nice complex there they have, Weather about the same here in Q.

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  2. Your sunrise shots are amazing. So beautiful. Did Kelly like her movie?

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  3. Yes she really liked it. We plan to go once more to the movies because she wants to see La La Land now and I'm not sure which one I will pick.

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  4. Glad you both liked the movies you saw... So8mss like another trip to La La Land for Kelly and you. Love your sunrise pic realizing a camera can give only a glimpse of the true beauty.
    www.freedom2roll.blogspot.com

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  5. Sounds like a really good day!

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  6. Glad you enjoyed the movie! I keep forgetting to tell you how much I love your header!! Just gorgeous:)

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  7. We saw La La Land in Palm Springs and felt exactly as you did. The hardening back to great musicals of the old days was so perfect, with the artistic and creative photography and,as you said, flawless acting without an R scene anywhere and not one explosion. A real movie for real people.

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  8. Two interesting things about LaLaLand -- Ryan Gosling is a Canadian and the choreography was all done by Mandy Moore who does a lot for Dancing With the Stars TV show. We'll have to wait until it is shown on TV as our hearing isn't good enough for movie theatres.

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  9. I always have to remind myself every year--it is winter in Arizona--just like everywhere else and it will warm up. Mike checked the weather history the other day and it is usually the coldest in December and January and starts to warm up again February. Sure beats Montana weather this year!

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  10. I agree that movie theater interiors are wonderful - always feels like I'm somewhere extra special. Sounds like you both chose great movies although I haven't seen either one yet. All of Bill's boys work(ed) at In-n-Out with one of them becoming a very well paid manager. They are not only a good eatery, but they are an excellent employer. More beautiful Arizona skies!!

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  11. Al, I drove to Rancho Mirage to see the wash that runs down the valley. It was FULL and FLOWING! I haven't seen that since the summer of 2011....It was SCARY!

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  12. Such a great day ! We don't go to the movies often so when we do, its always a special date!
    Sunrise is beautiful...a great way to start the day !

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  13. Those Arizona skies are the best I have ever seen..morning or evening, the never fail to perform ...Having a granddaughter and grandson who perform in musicals, I LOVE musicals..always have. I especially love the live theater ..I heard the LaLaLand was going to be nominated for Picture of the Year...

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  14. Hidden Figures was a great feel good movie based on areal story! Recommend highly!

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  15. While I'm sorry for the folks in the southwest about your weather this winter, it does make me feel a teenie teenie bit better about having to be in Florida AGAIN for the winter. I have the western longing but this year the weather has been a lot better here. Great job of explaining what is so terrific about La La Land. We also seldom do movies but with those senior prices the same out here as there, on a rainy day we went to see it and my comments were about the same as yours. Nice to come out of a movie with a smile on my face. The theater itself looked a lot like the one we were in as well. But we didn't have an In N Out Burger to head to.

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  16. We both agree with you and Kelly - In N Out Burger is very good and fits the budget quite well. I've thought about going to see LaLa Land, might have to think some more on it.

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