I’ve been a huge fan of movies my whole life — from the first Disney musicals that got me hooked as a little girl to the Marvel movies that dominated the big screens of my 20s and 30s. Don’t judge, I know who I am, and I am a nerd.
And I do love all sorts of cinema, from blockbusters to indie short films. I love going to the movies. One of my earliest movie-going memories is seeing “Jurassic Park” at the theater with my family, and though I did hide my face in my seat when some of the scarier dinosaurs came on screen, I found every second thrilling.
Chatter about Christopher Nolan’s new screen epic “The Odyssey” is inescapable this weekend. I’m traveling with family and won’t be able to see it for another week, so I’ll save my review for then. I’ve also been compiling a fun list of all my favorite cast interviews and behind the scenes tidbits so far, so stay tuned for that.
Last weekend, I saw A24’s “The Invite” at the 103-year-old Laurelhurst Theater in Portland. It was a great date night with my husband made all the more fun when we ran into friends there who unknowingly had the same idea. I was encouraged by early screenings of the film and people reporting back that it was meant to be watched in a theater/in a crowd that you could gasp and laugh with (shout out Francois Arnaud’s Instagram, which was the first effusive post I saw). I wholeheartedly second these recommendations — the film is based on a Spanish adaptation of a stage play and is directed by Olivia Wilde, who also stars in it alongside Seth Rogen, Penelope Cruz, and Edward Norton. It feels very much like a play excellently rendered to film, and does not drag despite not leaving this one couple’s apartment. It’s one of Norton’s finest performances in years — the highlight of which was apparently improvised as well — and the subject material is delicious, all about marriage, sexuality, relationships, and fluidity. Cruz is confident, enchanting, and appropriately cutting, and Rogen is both hilarious and miserable. It’s also the sort of film you should go into knowing as little plot as possible and just let the twists and turns take you along for the ride.
When’s the last time you went to the movies?
I’d love to hear about any cool theaters where you live or any recent or fond movie-going memories.
Now I’m off to spend more time with my family in the gorgeous Pacific Northwest. I wrote less than I expected to this week but I did it in favor of collecting shells on the beach with my daughter, so I hope you understand.
For everyone on the East Coast and in the Midwest dealing with horrible air quality — stay safe out there.
Here are ways to help some of the Canadian communities devastated by these wildfires.
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We live in absurd times. Live absurdly.
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