Film | Monica's Tangled Web

Happy New Year!

Call me crazy, but I just signed up for a challenge to end all challenges:

To read 50 books (yikes!) and see 50 films (easy peasy, I think) in 2012. In only one year! That’s 12 months, for those counting.

Why, that’s only 365 days!

Can I do it? Time will tell (though, given how busy I am, the odds are against me). Will it be exciting to try? You betcha!

The fifty/fifty challenge is the brainchild of Lilly and Jon, a couple of friends with a passion for the written word. I can give you all the particulars myself, but why bother, when you can read all about it in an email message I received last week from Lilly:

As the year comes to an end, I’m thinking of my New Year’s resolutions, and you are probably thinking about yours.

Well, forget working out more, trying to be a nicer person, dropping your bad habits. BLAH BLAH BLAH.
In fact, forget all the boring resolutions we’ve halfheartedly committed to in the past… because I have a fun one to propose for 2012: fifty/fifty.me

Here’s the challenge: 50 books, 50 movies, 1 year, 1 you.

Why would you possibly do this? Because, you’re up for a challenge. Maybe you haven’t read 50 books in your life.
Maybe you can’t fathom sitting through 50 movies. Maybe you just need a reason to justify sitting on your couch for the duration of 2012.
My friend, Jon and I got this crazy idea that it would be fun to do, and we’re inviting you to join us—please visit our website (www.fiftyfifty.me) to determine if you think we’re absolutely insane…or if you want in. Flip through the FAQs, read about why we are inspired to take this on, and if you’re equally inspired, we hope you will put your name down. The more the merrier—this is a great family activity (sign up your kids!), tell your friends, tell your co-workers. Heck, tell the dude in the bathroom stall next to you about it. There really are no limits (Just don’t peer over. Really. Don’t do that.)
You’re not competing against anyone except yourself and your concept of what you can do in a year. Because we think you can do it.
And before you know it, the year will be over (the world may too, so let’s go for the gold, shall we?) and you will be smarter, better looking, and will have watched slightly less Man vs. Food. Win. Win. Win.
To an adventurous 2012!

Lilly — www.fiftyfifty.me

So, I hope you’ll join me in this exciting, and insane challenge, and by signing today. In the words of Bette Davis, who said, in All About Eve, (which is a classic film, that could count toward your goal of 50 flicks):

“Fasten your seatbelts, it’s going to be a bumpy night!” – And a whole lot of fun, too!

Want to know the latest development in the movie industry? I’m talking bigger than all eight of the Harry Potter films. Bigger than the latest boy wonder, Ryan Reynolds. Yep. Have you been to the movies lately? Well, I went this week and all I can say is, wow! The whole world of movie-going is changing, and if you ask me, it’s about time.

But before I go any further, let me just say,

You’re welcome.

Because I’m pretty sure I had something to do with this gee-whiz-awesomely-new advancement in movie watching. Friends, a theater like this does not happen by accident. Clearly, someone was spying at my window and saw how, these days, I prefer to watch movies at home instead of going out. I mean, who wants to tackle the lines, the annoying crowds, and the need to arrive early just so you can get a good seat and not get stuck in the first row where you can develop a crick in your neck from having to crane it for the entire film? Who needs that?

The concession stand. We ate Coconut Shrimp and homemade potato chips, freshly baked.

On the other hand, what can be cozier than staying home and watching a film all cozy in your recliner, while wrapped in a blanket and eating your favorite snack—or sipping a glass off wine? After all, it’s so much relaxing at home. You can get in your jammies, pop in a DVD and voila! Instant movie theater! No crowds, no fuss, no muss!

Of course, the downside is, at home you don’t get to see the first-runs–the blockbuster hits, as well as the smaller independents, when they’re newly released. You’re seeing films that have been out for a while.

The lobby area is designed to be a gathering place--to see and be seen.

So whoever was snooping, clearly took the best of watching at home and the best of theater going, and the result is the ultimate in movie-going luxury. So, now you can have your cake and eat it, too!

Welcome to the future. Welcome to Cinépolis.

My kids joined me for a showing of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2. Check out those seats!

Cinépolis gives you the best of home viewing while putting you smack in the lap of luxury. If you ask me, it has brought the comfort of home viewing to a whole new level!

Consider these accoutrements: Reserved seating in your very own leather recliner. Private screening feel, with theaters averaging a mere 70 seats. Push a button and a waiter comes–discreetly and unobtrusively–to your seat to take your order. Fine dining (sushi, sandwich wraps, specialty desserts and more), as well as more traditional movie fare (popcorn, served in cones, and malt balls). The only thing missing is a blanket for your lap!

So look for a Cinépolis coming soon to a theater near you. And when it does, be sure to check it out. Oh, and expect to drop a small bundle, too. It’ll cost a pretty penny, but it’s so worth it!

Until then, I hope my photos do the experience a modicum of justice.