The Spawn, pointing at a picture: I want to watch this movie.
Me: Episode I
The Spawn: Yes.
Me: Okay, let me find the disc.
Me, searching: Oooh Ghostbusters
The Spawn: I haven’t watched that movie.
Me: But it’s a good movie. You’d like Ghostbusters.
The Spawn: Is it a Star Wars movie?
Me: … No.
The Spawn: I want to watch …
Me: Episode 1. I got it.
So there’s the news and it made me happy. Why? I’m not sure.
I used to be a big Blockbuster customer. I spent many a fun date night with whoever the significant other was at the time, browsing the new arrivals section. Rewinding sucked and getting things returned sucked and trying to get popular new movies sucked, but otherwise it was fun.
But then Netflix came along and gave me everything I didn’t know I wanted. No leaving the house. Hours of browsing fun and queue management. Super easy and impossibly quick return and receive mail service. And later … streaming … delicious, delicious streaming.
Blockbuster tried to use their muscle to out-Netflix Netflix. But it seems that they failed. And again, that makes me happy. Why?
Yes, I think we’re there. Innovation = yay! It’s like the nerds won. Again. And I like it.
I do feel bad for the inevitable fallout of all the video store employees that will lose their jobs. But in this economy, it’s a common story. Hopefully, most of them were attending school and on their way to better careers anyway. And if not, then this should be a wake up call.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I think I’ll watch the end of How to Marry a Millionaire
… and I’m not entirely sure why.
Note: If you haven’t figured out by the whole “ending” part in the title, this post is going to contain lots of spoilers. You have been warned. But really … duh.
Andy gets the job she wanted with Miranda’s help, so it’s not like a huge sacrifice is made. And having integrity is definitely better than success. Yes, good theme. So why am I so angry?
I think part of it is that Miranda’s stabbing Nigel in the back was considered to be the very same thing as Andy choosing to not get fired and go to Paris instead of Emily, who had been nothing but heinous previous to this. It is hardly the same thing. Choosing to keep the investment in the position (Miranda is the one who chose Andy over Emily) just isn’t the same thing as actively spending weeks backstabbing a colleague and supposed friend. OK, so that’s one thing. But it’s not the big thing, I don’t think.
I think what really ticks me off, is that the movie is saying that as a woman, you can either have a career or a happy life. I know Nigel said that, meaning both genders, but really the point is driven home later that strong women are considered evil and strong men are considered normal. I know this is the case in real life. I guess I want my movie women to have it all, as unrealistic as it is. Still, this movie kind of condones it. It kind of says that Andy should have stayed home with the boyfriend who didn’t understand rather than go to Paris and take advantage of opportunities. And it says that Miranda deserved to lose another husband, if she is just going to try to enjoy her life anyway.
Yeah, I’m perturbed because some impressionable young woman is going to watch the movie and give up a dream job to stay with the boyfriend who ends up cheating on her 2 weeks/months/years/decades later. And then she is going to realize she’s blown an opportunity all because she went with the romantic choice rather than the smart choice. The fact is that Mr. Right is going to be understanding during a rough beginning of a career or else he just isn’t Mr. Right. And you should never throw away your dreams for anyone, particularly someone who isn’t Mr. Right … who wouldn’t want you to throw your dreams anyway … so make that never period.
Alright, I guess I’ve worked it all out so I can go to bed.
Next day edit: I liked the movie up until the end and Meryl Streep is a goddess.
The Spawn ran around and exhausted the grandparents yesterday while The Spousal Unit and I went to see Star Trek at the Muvico theater in Thousand Oaks. Now, I’m a huge Star Trek fan (particularly original and TNG) and a bit of a crabby purist in general. I had very high expectations for the movie, though I expected to be disappointed as I have so many times for adaptations, remakes and sequels of my favorite books/shows/movies. So, without further ado, I give you my spoiler-free Star Trek review:
Squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! OMG OMG OMG OMG. The thing… and the guy… and what they did!! And and and and squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
Can I go see it again now?
Hey Kate!
Wanna get your inner nerd all riled up? Look at this link from EW. I only got to the third choice before my head started spinning. It was getting limber on choice 2. I fear what comes next.
I’m too tired to right write anymore. /whine
Later!
Robin
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