2015: The Summer Film Season.

The long days of summer are beginning to yield.  This will soon usher in long nights, cold weather, and the flicks of fall.  Though there are many releases I am looking forward to seeing but right now let’s look back at the summer of features that was 2015.

The summer movie season started out with a bang.  I welcomed the season with a midnight movie party for Avengers: Age of Ultron.  This was a movie I was excited to see but it didn’t top my list of must sees for this year or even this summer.  It was a magical night with friends and family.  It was a night I’m glad I put together.

Mad Max:Fury Road and Jurassic World were my favorite blockbusters of the season.  Mad Max: Fury Road was above and beyond what I was expecting it to be.  I went in with low expectations, basically a run of the mill low thrill action flick.  I was more then surprised to get an incredible movie.  For two hours I held my breath in anticipation of what will be next.  Jurassic World was FUN.  Dinosaurs chasing people, people hunting dinosaurs, and some new creations that made the thrills exciting.

The summer had some pretty good blockbusters anchoring its resume.  Terminator: Genisys, Mission Impossible Rogue Nation, and San Andreas top that list.

There are two films this summer that should be creating some pretty tight competition at the academy awards.  Those two films Love & Mercy and Inside Out.  Love & Mercy was anchored by two great performances by John Cusack and Paul Dano.  Both played Brian Wilson in duel story lines at different parts in the musicians life.  The filmmakers intertwined both stories with ease and in the process crafted an incredible movie.  Yes Inside Out is a cartoon but that doesn’t stop it from being incredible.  It’s a film that I found easily relatable after going through puberty.  The combination of a strong story and fantastic animation raised the already high bar for Pixar movies.

There were some great non blockbuster films this summer as well.  Dope, Mr Holmes, Straight Outta Compton, and Me & Earl & the Dying Girl all gems to see.  

I can’t leave out a pair of documentaries: The Wolfpack and Amy.  Both were fascinating films capturing fascinating subjects.  Both are also must sees if given the opportunity.

Of course not all films can be winners.  Pixels once again asks the question why Adam Sandler still makes movies.  In the past decade I’ve enjoyed only one of his films and lost interest in a lot of his work that made me a fan when I was a younger version of myself.  A horror flick titled The Gallows wasn’t a winner either but it did advertise the upcoming The Visit, which looks great.  The new Fantastic Four wasn’t much to speak of as well.

With all that said I’m going to miss the summer blockbuster season but I look forward to the Oscar bait to be released this fall.  Of course the closing of the summer means I’m that much closer to seeing the new 007 flick Spectre.  Good times were had and lay ahead.

Happy Birthday Mr Rocky Horror

There’s a tradition I like to participate.  I get dressed up, make my way to the affair, and participate by singing the songs and the wisdom of the elders.  Sound a little like going to church?  This is something a little less formal but with the same concept.  Of course I’m talking about The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

The film is now forty years old, making it eleven years older then yours truly.

I first became acquainted with the film some years back while watching TV.  If memory serves correctly it was some sort of behind the scenes on the film.  From that moment forward I was hooked and I hadn’t even seen the film.  

The spring of my high school sophomore year that changed.  Over a decade later I still don’t know what possessed my mother to take me to a midnight showing of Rocky Horror.  (Regardless I still remain appreciative of this jester and thankful to have such an awesome mom).  I don’t recall ever telling her but that night remains one of my personal favorites.

I was so excited to go that I just couldn’t hide it.  The friday, filled with the normal routing of classes, seemed to go by slowly, like a child eagerly waiting for the spoils of Christmas morning.  Eventually dinner was devoured and we were on the road.  That was one long car ride to the movie theater all those miles away.  With ticket in hand I sat down.  

Then, oh boy, the festivities began.  When I was brought up to the front to take part in the right of passage my thoughts were something to the extent of what the hell have I gotten myself into?  After all I had a V put on my forehead in lipstick, a badge of pride by the end of the night, and I was doing a socially accepted pelvic thrust.  At this point I would like to remind you that my mother was in the auditorium.  I then rejoined her side and the house lights dimmed.  I would say it started but really it continued with the starting of the film.  

I WAS AND REMAIN TO THIS DAY HOOKED!

Through the course of the following 100 minutes I sang, danced, and yes took a few steps to the right after jumping to the left.

Of course I learned a few things watching this movie.  I learned more about homosexuality and this was my first time I became aware of transexuals.  What a way to broaden my horizons.

Since my awakening that Friday night many years ago I have purchased the DVD of Rocky Horror and it’s sequel Shock Treatment.  I watch Rocky Horror with some frequency and on occasion still attend the midnight movie madness.  Each time is a unique experience but pales in comparison to the night I lost my Rocky Horror virginity.

Thank you mom for taking me to the movies that night.