A CT.com/Intrepid Media Article:
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08 Jun 2009 | By Kat
[quick note: A lot of links in this post, but all are what they appear. Either the sentence clearly indicates what is being linked to, or if the link is on a name, it is to that individual's Twitter account]
I originally avoided Twitter, quite diligently. Not as greatly as Facebook, but still, I tried to stay away. I probably knew something then, subconsciously, that’s only coming to the front of mind now; once I got in it, I wouldn’t be likely to leave.
Twitter was designed for someone like me. Now, don’t mistake me. I’m not suggesting I’m all that entertaining. At the risk of sounding like Augusta Elton, I have been known to make a few people laugh, on occasion. What I mean by, someone like me, is a person who feels this insane desire to share random wacky crap in their head. For a person like that, Twitter can definitely be perceived as addictive. I don’t think I’m quite that far gone, but I look at it like other vices; as long as the major things in life are getting done, how I choose to spend the bulk of my free time is nobody’s fricking business. So some weeks I just watch movie after movie. And some weeks, I’m writing constantly. And others it’s getting wrapped up in some thing that’s pissing me off in the world.
But the amazing thing about Twitter is, I can incorporate that into most of my other activities. And for me, that’s actually a good thing. In many cases, it’s hard for me to focus on just one thing at a time. It is, literally, trying. For instance, when I watch just about anything on the TV or computer, I am also playing something like Sudoku or an Escape The Room game (thanks to @feliciaday turning me on to these). In fact, it’s probably also another reason I love commentaries, and I turn on the subtitles to read while listening. With Twitter I can just engage in a conversation, find insanely cool stuff online, hear about projects by some of my favorite artists, or just riff and play. And I don’t have to focus on doing just that, as I would in a chat room. And then there’s the other side of Twitter, the side that makes me feel a sense of connectivity to a world I covet.
For anyone unaware, Kevin Pollak has created an online weekly chat show. The show is, in a word, sublime. But I’ll get back to that in a moment. On tonight’s installment, Illeana Douglas said, “I am a student of film.” I am so far beyond rapture, just hearing those words come out of her lips. The reason being, I now feel like 70% less pretentious for the fact I’ve said it 100’s of times myself. Granted, Illeana being one of the indy-movie queens, a certain level of pretension is expected from her. But I’ve never found her to be remotely full of her own virtue. She’s just far too cool. I’ve always had that opinion, but in her description of how she feels about the business, and how she is interacting with co-stars, plus using that phrase; I have a girl crush now (in a bromance way, not a Katie Perry way).
I don’t just love film, I love the art of film making (and TV of course), and the environment that creates it. I’ve talked about that before, in regards to why I watch commentaries, behind-the-scenes, outtakes, etc. I absorb everything I can about the making of films and TV, and the people involved. Does it mean I troll for gossip rag stuff? Hardly. But I check the IMDB news board occasionally, to see what’s going on. I skip the Britney Spears/Lindsey Lohan/Paris Hilton drama of the week. I also love watching interviews, and things like Inside the Actors Studio and (now) Kevin Pollak’s Chat Show. Through this form of conversational media, I get to learn a little bit about who they really are, and what their working lives are like. Sure, there’s a little personal life in there, but even that is nice, because it’s only as much as they’d likely tell in a long conversation at a dinner party. It’s only as much as they want to put forward, and I respect that. But it still affords me a glimpse at their lives, which I greatly appreciate, and admire.
Now, with Twitter, I get another glimpse, and it’s interactive! Sure, you could send a dozen tweets to any of the NKOTB guys, and odds are they’ll never reply directly to you. That’s fine, I have no big issue with that. Imagine the thousands of @’s they get? I still enjoy watching Donnie actually rouse a group of people in front of their computers, like they were looking up at a revolving stage. John’s real attempt to talk actively with people, is very endearing. Joe also makes me smile regularly. But I have had a few actual replies from some interesting people; even people I would never have imagined having a chance to share such a brief interaction with. I mean, Nellie from Little House on the Prairie followed me! (Sorry Alison aka @Arngrim, just couldn’t help myself). But beyond that, I get to learn about important things going on, things I might not have seen, because through her I’m expose to www.protect.org. And through Felicia Day, I’ve been exposed to things I would never have dreamed, inside and outside the Whedonverse (and yes I have caught Guild fever). Plus I wouldn’t have known about John Cleese podcasts if not for his new Nigerian Scam Mailing List (The Scientist at Work is my favorite so far).
And then there’s the kinds of interactions that just blow your mind out the back of your head. Tonight, anyone who was watching Kevin Pollack’s Chat Show got to hear Kevin almost correctly pronounce my handle. Hell, my brand name, one could argue. I certainly have turned CleverTitania into it’s own little multi-tiered entity. I guess the time my former nome de binary (Yliandra) was actually turned into an ARG game character, kind of went to my head. Oh, and then there’s the whole MotherMagi/Browncoat/Wikipedia thing. Wow, ok, let me let some air out of my head. Mustn’t let it get too full. Ahh, remembering the time I auditioned for a school play and forgot to breath, nearly passing out. That’s better.
Where was I? Oh right, tonight on the #kpcs (<–if you’re on Twitter, you’ll recognize the hash), Kevin asked Illeana Douglas a Tweet 5 of my creation. The Tweet 5 is just 5 quick questions (usually of the either/or variety) submitted to the show via Twitter. It’s just one of the great ways that Kevin has chosen to get really interactive with the show’s audience, and it really does enhance the experience. I’ve enjoyed hearing how other Tweet 5’s will surprise a guest (and occasionally Pollak), I enjoy the Larry King Game entries (Nia Vardalos is now the champ) from Twitter, which Kevin sometimes reads aloud. I like that he truly views the show as not about him, or about stroking egos of his guests and taking a 10 minute sit-down to promote their newest project. He is actually having a real conversation with people. He encourages them to say anything and everything. He’s their peer, but one who manages to stay a big dopey fan too. And like me, he yearns to know more about their lives and careers, and he chooses to share those stories with us, and give us a chance to interact with them a bit too. How could I not love this show?
It’s another of the wonderful things I have found with joining Twitter, and another reason why I will not bother with the haters. I never got into MySpace. For me it was just like a blog, on steroids, that existed in the Saved By The Bell universe. It just never felt very interactive, and went way past self-aggrandizing and Jr. High-esque. Twitter actually feels more basic. It’s like a giant chat room where we don’t all feel that we have to talk constantly, just when a thought pops in our head, or if someone else says something interesting, we might throw our thoughts onto the pile. It’s remarkably low maintenance, actually, when compared to the original chat room craze (this from a veteran of Yahoo user created rooms w/CheetahChat and IRC). And beyond that, we share things with each other, and create a real location to learn about the amazing evolutionary jumps taking places on the new WWW.
Is Twitter going to be for everyone? Of course not. I also don’t fault those celebs (and ‘normal’ people) who avoid it altogether, or setup accounts they barely ever use. You have to want to share these things, and if you don’t, it’s a chore. Honestly, we don’t want you there out of obligation. But if you’re game to play with us, in the giant adult bounce-around; Melissa and Sara are the ones jumping like mad with their kids, Kevin Smith is watching the hockey game by the entrance, Ashton and Demi are hanging out in the doll museum (creeping us out with the pics), Amber is producing a movie, writing a book and promoting 65 things at once (slow down girl!) and Russell is peacocking by the pool slide (ok, yes, your one sexy bitch darling). Much like my little corner of the intervision (as Kevin Pollak likes to call it), it’s never a dull moment.
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27 May 2009 | By Kat
I have created a new branch off of the My Reviews page. It’s called; CT Tweets About…
The first entry is my thoughts, as they occurred, while listening to John Cleese’s audio commentary on the special edition DVD of A Fish Called Wanda.
Think of this section as a previously recorded live feed. Come take a look.
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24 May 2009 | By Kat
I’ve adored Paul Ruud for years. So when he started mixing it up with not only the Will Ferrell crowd, but also the Apatow bunch, it just made me smile all the more. Ruud is one of those actors who I can honestly say has never let me down. Not saying every movie he makes is absolutely gold, but in the movie, he always shines. And for that matter, a lot of them are gold.
Jason Segel is a recent member of my illicit fantasy of the ultimate dinner party turned Scene It game. Ruud’s been on the guest list for many years. The guest list, by the way, is getting awfully big. I’m pretty sure we’re talking about a week long Scene It championship at this point. But the crowd invited might not even object. The list includes, but is hardly limited to; the two previously mentioned comedy troupes, the entire View Askew universe, everyone from the Whedonverse, and the Stargate universe. It also includes anyone who’s ever starred (including guest/recurred) on Big Bang Theory, How I Met Your Mother, NCIS, Medium, Friends or Will & Grace.
Just imagine the catering required. Whew.
But Jason, while a new edition, has already vaulted straight into my heart. I will tell you, that I never watched Freaks and Geeks. So I didn’t first start seeing Jason until How I Met Your Mother. But Marshall was a fast favorite. Then I saw Forgetting Sarah Marshall, and I was smitten. And then after listening to the commentary for that movie; let’s just say it’s a good thing I have no stalking tendencies. (In point of fact, I might geek out to some individuals, but I can’t imagine ever screeching and scaring anyone I should encounter).
So my love of Ruud and Segel, particularly how they work together, made I Love You Man an obvious sell. I had to wait for the second run theater, but that didn’t make it less enjoyable.
One of the cool qualities of some actors, particularly ones with a repertoire as insanely broad as Ruud, is that sometimes it’s just fun seeing them have fun. This can make an otherwise mildly amusing scene, into something that’ll actually make you chuckle. This included many of the scenes featuring Ruud trying to be cool and failing miserably (think Leprechaun). Those weren’t the best scenes, but watching Ruud play with them, and seeing Segel and others react; priceless. But those were just the points in between the serious laughs.
Without giving anything away, I’ll say this. When Ruud’s own tuxedo-clad image first appeared, through the back of his car window, I’m the only one who saw it. In a small group of 20 viewers, I’m sure at least a few people wondered why I was already laughing. But it almost seemed to make them all the louder, when everybody started to see more of Paul’s face on the street.
This was just one of several moments of hilarity. Then there’s Segel’s ill-conceived attempt to get his friend more BJ’s from his fiance. Once again I think I was the first to get the joke, but we were all pretty vocal by the end. And to the writers I say; thank you for letting him realize the folly of it later, instead of him just being an oblivious douche like best friend characters before him.
The supporting cast really tied this movie together too. In my book, if you get Jane Curtain to play a mom, you are hitting a home run. Andy Samberg was also a nice new face (haven’t watched SNL regularly in many years), and made an odd character much funnier. And keep an eye out for a few bust-your-gut moments with Thomas Lennon. Plus, it’s Lou-fricking-Farigno playing himself; along with Hulk jokes. Come on, what more could you want?
Ruud has played both sides of the character fence for a while. In ILYM he’s once again the average dude, ala the underrated Over Her Dead Body. I honestly can’t tell you which side I like more, the straight man, or Paul as Kunu or Brian Fantana. But this is the first time I feel like I’ve really seen Segel change it up, and I’m digging it severely. My exposure to Segel has been primarily as the incredibly nice guy, who’s just so easily pushed around. But in ILYM, he plays someone who is so remarkably at peace with himself and his environment. Sure, he has a few hangups (called out by Ruud’s character eventually), but overall he’s a very centered man. Seeing that confidence coming from Segel was a a wonderful surprise (the character reminded me a bit of Larry Miller in Frozen Assets) I’m hoping it further proves his leading man qualifications, and promises us more exposure to Jason.
Ok, perhaps exposure is the wrong word. 
Overall this is a great bromance flick, a funny ride, and further proof that romantic comedy can be made with appeal to everyone. If you haven’t seen this movie yet, get ready for DVD. Or head to a second run like I did.
On a personal note, I came home just hopping with inspiration. A new script is in progress, and it’s killing me how much I already like it. I honestly think it’s a really new spin on the entire romcom genre, and those ideas always get me going. I think that’s why writing went so fast on Rent To Own and As Fate Would Have It. I dug the idea so much, I wanted desperately to see it on screen. The only problem is a gender bending issue that is causing me serious pronoun headaches. But I just keep telling myself it’ll be a funny thing to point out in the commentary.
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23 May 2009 | By Kat
Been in a writing funk, so not a lot of new stories. I’ve got a handful of things that are stalled though, and I’m hoping one hits a restart soon.
Been doing a little odd pieces though. Take a peak.
Yes, I Flinched. So, What?
How I learned that I may not be girlie enough to write for Robot Chicken.
Dollhouse ep 01.12 – Omega
My thoughts on likely the best episode of Dollhouse to date, my overall feeling about the series, and an open comment to Fox about renewing this amazing show.
My Letter to Fox
And on Twitter tonight:
Katherine L: Q: Describe yourself in one word. The best A ever: http://twurl.nl/48kybf
Katherine L: Alcohol Poisoning Game: Invite friend only knows Bob Saget from FH & AFV. Watch That Ain’t Right. He drinks for dirty joke, you for clean.
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06 May 2009 | By Kat
New article, regarding spoof movies like Epic/Date movie, is now on CleverTitania.com. Come have a peek.
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28 Mar 2009 | By Kat
Everyone needs someone bad to look up to, a filth elder. – John Waters
I watched John Water’s This Filthy World the other night. First of all, if you’re a fan of any John Water’s stuff, I highly recommend this one man show, reminiscent of An Evening With Kevin Smith. It’s incredibly entertaining, and informative. I’ve studied film (and in particular film history) for so many years, but there’s always more to learn. I think that this show gave so much more insight into the early days of vaudeville film making than even the Starz documentary, In The Gutter.
But the the line that heads up this blog is what really caught my attention, when I was watching this show. I think John is 100% on the mark there. We all need a filth elder, a person who introduces us to comedy that your parents wouldn’t necessarily approve of (unless you have parents like me), comedy that pushes boundaries and teaches you to look beyond the surface of the world. For me, it was George Carlin.
Carlin wasn’t my first exposure to ‘blue’ comedy, mind you. I grew up watching all kinds of it. Eddie Murphy, Richard Pryor, Sam Kinison, and many others. But George is the first one who made me stop just laughing at the brilliant things coming out of these people, and really listen to what they were saying. He showed me that there was a whole world beneath the surface, a world where people knew that filters and all the bullshit in our lives, didn’t have to be there all the time.
Carlin understood something that a lot of comedians (Bill Hicks in particular) didn’t get. Most of us have to live in that bullshit world. We have to wade through it, and try not to let too much of it stick. But most of us can’t just turn our filters off, and revel in honest true dialogue, 24/7. George taught me that it was OK to live in that world, and I shouldn’t think badly of myself for it, as long as I switched the filter off whenever possible, and spent some time in the world as it should be.
Lenny Bruce said, “The liberals can understand everything but people who don’t understand them.” That makes so much sense to me. I listen to conservative types talking about things like stem cell research, abortion issues and gay marriage, and I just don’t get it! They can’t all be stupid, but why can’t they see something as simple and true as what Carlin, Bruce, and many others see. The world shouldn’t have to live by their definitions of good and bad, by their notions of what is and isn’t acceptable, by the rules of their exalted book. I know right and wrong, because I have a conscience, not because they tell me what’s right. I try not to hurt others, and to help when I can. I do my part to raise a child and be a productive (in a non-consumer fashion) member of society. I don’t need them to tell me how to live, to accomplish that. I prefer to use my own brain.
Carlin’s tied to Lenny are long spelled out. They both knew what it was to speak their mind, and go to jail for it (even together once). I remember, when I first found out about the history they shared, thinking how much sense it made. I also remember wishing I was with them that night, at the Gate of Horn. I wanted to be one of those people, screaming that the first amendment exists, whether politicians want it to or not. And to this day, I still try to teach my son the most important thing that George Carlin ever taught me, there is no such thing as bad language.
Which brings me to another topic, and that’s music. Some people would complain about the kind of language your finding in regular top 40 music today. Hell, Sara Bareilles, Maroon 5, Katy Perry, Pink; these aren’t rappers going on about banging ho’s, but they still put words in their songs that have to get blanked or dubbed out on many major radio stations. But, unlike those people whining that they are screwing with their kids, by introducing them to ‘blue’ language, I say… give us more! I drive my car down the street, singing La Vie Boheme (from Rent), Pink’s U + UR Hand or Cuz I Can, and The Real Slim Shady, at the top of my lungs. And I don’t download the edited versions, and I don’t quiet down when a ‘bad word’ comes up.
You might be one of the handful of people in this world who doesn’t use that language, but I have news for you ‘Joe the plumber’ types, the rest of us fucking do! And if people use a word, it has as much place in any form of media, as any other word in Webster’s big book. I love the English language. I have had a love affair with it since I was a child (even before I won the school spelling bee in 4th grade). I love all of it, the ‘good’ words and the ‘bad’ words. They all have a place in this world, and trying to hide and demonize them, only serves to further the ignorance seeping through our society. And you know what that leads to, ladies and gentlemen. Yep, that’s right, Idiocracy! You know it gave you chills too. 
I’d like to think I would’ve learned all of this on my own, but I wonder sometimes if I would’ve. Thankfully, I had a filth elder who taught me the true meaning of a love of language. I only wish I could’ve met him, and thanked him, for being my ambassador of critical thinking.
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23 Nov 2008 | By Kat
(originallly posted on my AFF SexyAds blogs)
Yeah, and I’ll bet you believed I kissed Katy Perry too, didn’t you? Come on, fool you once, shame on me, fool you twice, shame on you. 
I went to see Zack and Miri last night. OMFG! Kevin baby, you knocked that one out of the park. That movie is a mix of the weirdest little genres all rolled into this strange stew. And it frigging works!
You know, I may seem easy to impress in the theater, but that’s not really true. I walk into every Sandler, Stiller, Rogan, Carrell, Ferrell, etc movie, not sure what I’m going to see, but ready to be blown away. Some are amazing, and some are just mildly entertaining. A few I can’t really take at all. It’s like they have two different zones of comedy, and if they push too far into one zone, I don’t enjoy it as much. For instance, I hated Something About Mary, and I can’t really watch 40 Year Old Virgin. Oddly, I can’t deal with movies where the leads are constantly in completely embarrassing situations, unless they can deflect me from the pity enough to laugh. I’m not a masochistic movie goer.
Now I am most definitely a fan of Kevin Smith, I mean, he is one of the three writers I want to get to have a conversation with. But even Kevin Smith movies, I have to admit, there are some that don’t just get me jonesing for a DVD of them. In fact, I sadly admit, I’m not that big a fan of Clerks.
My thinking is, Clerks doesn’t represent the dialogue style that I most enjoy of Kevin’s. It’s the conversational way he talks in all the Evening with Kevin Smith DVD’s (the third rocks btw), that’s the Kevin Smith I really adore. And that is better represented by Dogma, even Jay and Silent Bob.
Most definitely, by Zack and Miri! That movie shocked the hell out of me, and I have to say, well done sir! It’s particularly amazing, because he basically flipped every Jersey Girl hater the bird! He said, ok all here’s your Kevin Smith grade of humor, and some naked Mewes just to further enslave you. But then, haha suckers! I roped you into a romantic comedy. Kiss my ass! Ok, ok, I threw some more inappropriate Mewes into the romantic climax, but it’s still ending with an aww moment damnit!
And he made Seth Rogan kinda sexy all of a sudden. I mean, let’s face it, you could barely like Rogan in Pineapple Express. His character really is a dick, but he manages to keep him just above water enough to laugh at his misery. Knocked Up, not saying the chick didn’t have her own issues, but once again Rogan is kind of a thoughtless dick, even if he gets his shit together near the end. But in Zack and Miri, yeah he’s not perfect, but he’s a pretty decent dude. He actually feels a sense of responsibility. And I don’t know if all of his “what we did meant something” speech was Kevin’s doing or their collaboration, but the dialogue is the only way I can believe a guy like Seth would say those things.
Surprised the hell out of me, this movie, but it was such a great surprise overall. It also made me realize some interesting things about these characters, and this new type of relationship dynamic we’re exploring. The ultimate loser and the woman who could probably do better. And that’s not me talking, that’s Seth’s characters. Smith sort of danced with this topic doing Clerks 1 & 2, and one could argue Mallrats (though mostly with Lee’s character). Rogan does it masterfully, pretty much every time. I think what helps is, the character’s are just so up front and frank. They’ll call bullshit whether it’s appropriately placed or not, so that when the guy does decide to commit to the girl, you believe he’d be as frank about that.
As I said, the “it’s all fallen apart” scene in Zack and Miri absolutely impressed me. You get where Miri is coming from finally. Sure, she handled the situation in a crappy way, as many women in these stories do (see The Break-up for a prime example), but ultimately her resentment started when he gave himself more than one sex scene. Her frustration just got worse from there. You realize that she has secretly harbored feelings for him all this time, perhaps even more than he has done. Part of her did hope he was using this as an in to get her into bed (or a pile of coffee beans as the case may be). And it hurt when she realized that wasn’t his motivation at all. But when she plays it stupid, he calls her on it, and slaps her in the face with how things have changed since they “made love”. It’s a real love scene, not some dumb watered down one, where neither party is coming off real.
Their porno scene was also impressive. I love how Kevin just throws in the goofy off camera stuff, to keep it light, while still letting things get intimate for a few minutes. Even Anderson’s character is affected by the scene (which is particularly funny for the Randal fans). And for all the people who still think Kevin isn’t much for visual style, fuck you! The boy has learned the art of the real camera movement, not that artsy crap some use in movies where it has no place.
The rest of the cast is just a mixture of brillant comedic actors, doing what they do best. Traci Lord’s, passing along the torch to Elizabeth Banks was pretty fabulous. That’s really how it felt. Those of us who love Traci in things like Cry Baby, know it’s never been about her playing the slut. It’s about her playing the cool chick who also has no sexual hangups. Elizabeth is moving into that category quickly, and it’s very cool to have acknowledged that. And Mewes, damn boy do I love you to death, and I know why you really are one of Kevin’s heterosexual life mates. NO ONE could’ve done Lester like you did. Also big kudos to Mrs. Smith (seriously why would you keep Schwalbach if you didn’t have to). She proves she must have a sense of humor, in the parts she ask Kevin to give her. She acknowledges that she looks like a stuckup chick, and lets him play with that, and that is impressive to me.
Great to see Kevin finally getting to work with Justin Long, and what a fricking character he handed him too. That’s one of the funniest damn scenes in the movie, him bristling that his adorable boyfriend (OMFG it’s Superman!!) wants him to be more reserved and ‘closeted’. Always good to see Craig Robinson going for the quiet funny, he does it so well. And I’ve missed Tisha Campbell alot, especially as the hard ass chick, always a good time.
Kevin has kicked ass once again, as he never fails to do. It’s no wonder I adore this man.
And if anyone doesn’t know where my title comes from, search for it on youtube.
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18 Jun 2008 | By Kat
(originallly posted on my AFF blog)
No, friends, I am not talking about running off to Vegas with some cutie. I’m talking about my passion, what inspires me, what makes my heart soar.
My love of film has lasted as far back as I remember. Lately I’ve become slightly disillusioned, to be honest, but I’m rebounding from my malaise. My discontent has been perpetuated by a string of disappointing films, a realization that some people have forgotten how to use movies to dazzle and charm us. Far too often do I leave a movie theater in frustration, or barely find contentment with one of a few movies picked up at Blockbuster.
Then I went out to the movies Saturday night. I did see Forgetting Sarah Marshall, and I tell you friends, it kicked serious ass! Jason Segel is fantastic. I knew he was great in HIMYM, but now I really see just how great a comedian this guy is. He’s also sweet and funny, and cute as hell. Everyone else was also terrific, and Kristen Bell is one hell of a sport, in the not so subtle digs this movie directs at Pulse (which I liked incidentally). Also, am I crazy, or is Jonah Hill actually getting cute?
Then, a very cute guy at the video store made some suggestions, when I decided to stop in later Saturday night. He didn’t pick my whole selection, but he definitely pointed out some winner. So far not a single video I rented has disappointed me. I saw two very sweet indy flicks, both intensely odd romantic comedies; Numb with Matt Perry and Kevin Pollack, and Crazy for Love with Natasha Lyonne and David Krumholtz. Both were definitely bizarre, and not your typical romantic comedy fare, but they were charming none the less.
I’ve also loaded up on low brow and higher brow humor, with The Onion Movie and Meet the Spartans. I’ll admit, neither were quite as good as I hoped, but they were definitely better than my recent viewings.
Why do I love movies so much? Because if I open myself up to them, they can make me feel any emotion, any experience. They can touch your heart, your soul, your mind, or even just tickle your sides at the right moment. The search to tell a story on the screen is, for some, the search to touch others, even if only briefly. It doesn’t have to be a profound touch. Just a smile can make a difference.
Another reason I love film, is how it can bring back memories of times in my life. Case in point, Double Dragon. I vaguely recall this movie from my childhood, and that I was fond of it. But my real introduction, the one that lasted, was when my son became obsessed with this movie. I think he was about 5 or 6. At that time, the two VHS tapes that were never ever lost were Double Dragon and the special edition of Ghostbusters that I bought him. He loved those movies, and I remember loving that he loved them.
Deep down, I acknowledge that I want my son to find his way to film, in some small part, to know that he understands where a little bit of my heart lives. But I’d never want him to have it, if he didn’t want it, so I figure I can be forgiven my ‘dad wants son to be a football hero’ mentality.
I just finished watching Double Dragon, and that is what sparked these thoughts. Now, please don’t mistake me. While I love this movie, I hardly regard it as high quality film making. This movie is roughly equivalent to the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in effort, budget and demographic. But that doesn’t make it bad, by any means. You always have to consider who the primary audience is. If you can love a movie, with the eyes of your adolescent self, I think that’s an important thing to do. It’s good for the soul. And I’ll keep loving the Animaniacs, no matter what anyone has to say about it.
But more than anything, I think this movie incites memories of my son first realizing there are movies that aren’t cartoons. This is when I realized he might just love them as much as I do, and that was a great moment in my life. I think watching movies is where I first bonded with my son. Not the mommy and son stuff, that comes from years of hugs and arguments alike. Bonding is important, and it’s hardly a gender based thing. Bonding is when you find a common ground, a new or better understanding of someone important to you.
Ok, gone on longer than planned, but once I get going… well you know by now.
Night friends.
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