Showbits

Now that I've reviewed my first two films of the year, let me tell you where I saw them: the drive-in.

I'd been to such a theater only twice before: with my best friend and his parents in 1990 to see Die Hard 2 and Days of Thunder; and six years later, on a date, to see Dragonheart and The Nutty Professor. (Sadly, the crass humor of the latter film precluded any fogged-up windows.) Now, eleven years later, I've had what was my best drive-in experience yet: two friends, huddled under our respective blankets on what was likely the coldest Holy Saturday on record, watching two first-run comic book adaptations (TMNT and 300, in that order), doing our own MST3K when appropriate, glancing at the other screens (showing Blades of Glory and Grindhouse) when bored, and being appalled by the intermission snipes showing a hot dog suggestively leaping into a bun.

What a shame that such fun isn't more widespread! But alas, the drive-in is a dying breed: as of 2003, there are 432 theaters left — down from 815 in 1997, and 3,775 in 1950. But some drive-ins are being reopened or built anew; in 2002, the number of drive-ins actually increased.  As well it should!

The drive-in movie theater, first established in 1933, is not just a quaint artifact for moviegoers nostalgic for a simpler time. It's an effective, enjoyable, and unique venue for watching movies — one with many advantages over more generic multiplexes:

• Affordable — in my case, two movies for the price of one (charging by the head, not the carload)
• Bring your own snacks
• Control of the film's volume
• Control of the "theater"'s heat
• Talk with your friends as much as you want without disturbing others
• Conversely, other people talking won't disturb you, either!

The only disadvantage I encountered is that my car would turn off its electrical system after an hour of idling. If I didn't anticipate this by turning on the engine, the radio would suddenly cut out and we'd lose some dialogue.

That trivial inconvenience is easily overlooked for the wonderful opportunity presented by the drive-in.  MST3K alumnus Kevin Murphy wrote a wonderful book, A Year at the Movies, that describes how contributive the personality of the theater is to the experience of moviegoing. I can't think of anywhere that's truer than at the drive-in. Support your local one today.

I'm an audio/video snob; among my minimum standards are that movies be widescreen and in at least 5.1 surround sound. I insist on having the theatrical experience the directors intended for me.

But I'm also a tightwad who doesn't believe effective presentation should be the exclusive domain of monstrous cables. I'm satisfied with my six-year-old CRT television's one set of component inputs and no HDMI, 480i, or other fancy features that are supposedly making or breaking the next generation of home game consoles.

So I recently tried to squeeze more out of my aging-yet-satisfactory system. I'd historically reserved the component inputs for my DVD player: movies are my television's #1 application, and I hesitated to experience signal degradation via a switchbox. But with the Nintendo Wii packaged with mere A/V cables, making an additional purchase necessary, I decided to make a quantum leap.
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Perhaps it's old news, but I just recently learned from Game Informer's review of 2006 that Spy Hunter: Nowhere to Run has been cancelled.

This film, once to be directed by John Woo, would star Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. Supposedly the film was cancelled due to its video game counterpart, to which Mr. The Rock also lent his talent, being a steaming heap of unplayability.

This film being cancelled is disappointing in two regards. First, the original Spy Hunter, and its original, modern remake, were both classic examples of genuinely fun and challenging games. The license starting losing its lustre with the remake's sequel; this latest (lack of effort) flushes the franchise down that drain.

Second, The Rock is capable of genuinely entertaining films. The Scorpion King was a silly but fun romp in the tradition of the Hercules television series; The Rundown, with Seann William Scott, was a similar combination of action and humor. Heck, he was even on Star Trek: Voyager. Wrestlers are often stereotyped as having as much potential as actors as actors do politicians; but far from being a snarling animal, this wrestler is capable of greater films than Hulk Hogan's No Holds Barred. At least, I'm hoping The Rock as my castmate makes me look good when our first collaborative effort, The Game Plan, hits theaters later this year. (I'm the only extra to not be one of the film's other thousand extras.)

What's your take on this actor, or others who have attempted a similar transition? (The game-to-movie transition is a whole 'nuther can of worms, to be dissected in another post.)

With the exception of pop-ups, the Internet affords you more control over your exposure to advertising than standard television does.

Has there ever existed a better example of why you would choose to watch a commercial than this series: Will It Blend?

If you've ever wanted to see an iPod, whole oysters, a golf club, or an entire turkey dinner blended into a delicious smoothie, this site is for you. I imagine the final product may not be wholly safe for consumption (gotta watch those bone shards), but regardless, the product's efficiency cannot be overstated.

However, I encourage you to not let your daily need to blend light bulbs, hockey pucks, and Big Macs persuade you into making this doubtless worthwhile investment. The reasonable $400 price tag, does not, unfortunately, include any potential blending materials. I suggest waiting until a more popular "all-in-one" bundle is available.

I was at Borders the other day, but not doing Christmas shopping — that I finished in July. No, I was instead indulging in some sort of credit I'd earned from their Borders Rewards spyware card that I prefer using at my former workplace, Waldenbooks. I'd also earned a coupon for 40% off any DVD "box set", which are, brilliantly, any DVD on the shelves labeled "Box Sets" — the content of which may overlap with the separate "TV Shows on DVD" shelves, which were advertised as 30% off.

Limited to one coupon per customer per day, I was torn between Season 2 of Quantum Leap and one of the many MST3K box sets. I ultimately choose the latter, as retail stores mark up the prices of DVD so much (or rather, discount them so little) that the coupon would just barely make it cheaper than buying it online, and MST3K would be more of a savings. (A friend stopped by later and got the other box set for me.)

At the register, I ask the clerk if I get 40% off the price after the 30% savings is deducted. "I'm not familiar with that promotion," she says, referring to the in-store signage visible from her counter, "but you can't 'stack' the discounts, 'cuz then you'd get 70% off."

If I'd known I'd get a clerk who couldn't do math, I would've waited until I had a 50% off coupon to "stack" atop a 50% off promotion so I could argue it'd be free.

This morning, I accepted the role of Tom, Dick, or Harry (I don't know which) in a production of Kiss Me, Kate, being performed this March by the Weston Friendly Society. Since Weston is about 48 minutes east-northeast of my current whereabouts, and rehearsals are three times a week for almost three months, I'm going to be on the road quite a bit.

Having been connived into purchasing an iPod last year, I've not taken full advantage of its podcasting capabilities. I've tried several subscriptions on a variety of subjects, but have limited myself to a few about the Apple II or video games. Are there any good ones out there that cover the film industry with news and reviews (but not so much gossip)? I realize there's a whole category for them in the iTunes Music Store — but where to begin? With your recommendations, of course. Please share!