Monday, February 25, 2008

Oscar overdose: Arlington film lover views all five “best picture”-nominated movies in one day

... and writes about it for Pegasus News.

David T. Harwood and John P. Meyer

Saturday was the big day for the winners of our corporate-provided passes to the AMC Theatres movie marathon event - or so they'd been led to believe.

Turns out the passes they were provided by the AMC corporate promotions people (and which we handed out in good faith to three contest winners) were not accepted by the managers of the theaters when they were presented for the big all-day screening (of the five Oscar best film nominees).

Imagine my surprise and disgruntlement when I started receiving phone messages from our winners saying they were being turned away at the ticket office (one at Northpark; one at Arlington Parks Mall). I assured both of the contestants I heard from that we (PegNews) would cover their admission and encouraged them to proceed with the show; meanwhile, I messaged the AMC PR contact with the disturbing news and she soon got back to us, apologetic and conciliatory.

David T. Harwood, the correspondent whose thoughtful account appears below, missed the first twenty minutes of Michael Clayton due to this maddening ticketing snafu. The corporate promotions person finally came through for him, however - thereby saving me $30 out-of-pocket - and he settled in for the longest day of film watching of his life. (I'm guessing.)

You can tell David's a Brit because he uses terms such as "jobsworth" and employs the "-re" ending when spelling "theatre." (If he'd written anything about an elevator, I'm dead certain it would have been described as a "lift.")

- JM

**********

It’s Saturday Feb. 23, the day before the Oscars. AMC at Arlington Parks Mall is hosting a movie marathon showcasing the five films nominated for Best Picture. Pegasus News’ resident film guy, John, had better things to do with his Saturday, so he sent me to check it out instead.

11.00am – Michael Clayton

Of the five films screening, this is the only one I haven’t seen yet, so my anticipations are high (especially given the film’s seven nominations). Unfortunately, I miss the first twenty minutes of the film due to an obstructive jobsworth at the theatre who doesn’t want to honor my press-pass. After our own mini-epic we get the situation sorted out, and I get into the theatre. It’s a big theatre, and whilst there are lots of empty seats, it’s still a much bigger turn out than I’d expected. I find a seat at the back which allows me to keep one eye on the big screen, and the other on my fellow film-fans. Everyone is silent, thoroughly enjoying the film which, as it turns out, is pretty excellent. Maybe everyone was a bit too quiet though, as a sudden shock half-way through one scene causes us all to jump in shock at the noise. I just think of it as a bit of group bonding for us all. We’ve got a long ways to go yet. The film ends (possibly the best ending of the five nominees) and the crowd erupts in applause. Finally, some atmosphere!

1.20pm – There Will Be Blood

A quick break (most of which was spent in line for popcorn) and we’re back in the theatre. This was the film I’d been looking forward to all year, but I was left distinctly underwhelmed the first time around. I’m excited to give it another shot. The first few scenes are very quiet. So quiet, in fact, that the dominant soundtrack is people munching on popcorn. Since I’m one of the prime culprits, however, I decide not to complain. The film is looooong. (Why did I get a large drink?) But everyone seems to enjoy it. We all watch in quiet reverence, and laugh in all the right places. Thankfully, no-one speaks along with the "I drink your milk shake" line. Clearly, there’s quite a few people in here who haven’t seen the film before, and they’re quite shocked at the film’s graphic conclusion. Having witnessed far too many YouTube spoofs, the moment’s poignancy is lost on me – even the end credits’ music is almost as comedic as one clip which swaps it for the Curb Your Enthusiasm theme. No applause this time round, but half the crowd sit there in stunned contemplation. The other half are with me, making a mad dash for the restrooms.

4.20pm – Atonement

I decide to skip the popcorn this time around since my lips are already raw from too much salt. Everyone in the audience is very, very quiet. There’s no atmosphere at all. I really thought it would have been more like a big slumber party, and I’m very disappointed. Whilst I’m waiting for the film to begin, I notice an employee scuttle around with what looks like a goodie bag, but I lose track of him in the semi-darkness. Was there a prize-draw I missed? Then the film begins and I’m treated to loving images of the British countryside, and sudden patriotism comes over me as I see my home country on the big screen. Then I see Keira Knightley step out of the fountain, and something else comes over me. The people in front of me have made a Starbuck’s run, why didn’t I think of that? Of the three films so far, this one really sucks me into the world, and I can tell the elderly couple next to me are enjoying it a lot more than There Will Be Blood. As the film ends, everyone seems to try and shake off the daze. Either they were all as captivated as me, or the fact we’ve been sitting in a darkened room for seven hours is beginning to take its toll. Almost an hour’s break till the next movie, so I decide to go and stretch my legs outside and grab what little fresh air and sunshine I can.

7.00pm – Juno

Okay, I’ll be honest, I didn’t like this film the first time, and a second viewing doesn’t help its cause. Neither, incidentally, do the two teens who know every line off by heart. Seriously, every single line. You’ve got a full and eventful life, obviously. I binge on popcorn if only to stop myself from screaming in protest at the movie’s too-clever-for-its-own-good. Don’t they realize that if you work too hard at being cool it just doesn’t work? The old couple don’t seem particularly impressed either. The man actually leaves half-way through to get a blanket from his car. At least someone’s running with the slumber party idea. My lower back is starting to get numb, and I momentarily suspect someone has switched my seat for a pile of rocks. I’m suddenly overcome with the urge to just jump up and run. My body wants to move so badly, each part of it attempts torture as a means of getting its way. I squirm in my seat, but force myself to stay put. I consider taking my shoes off to flex my toes, but remember I’m in public. I spend the rest of the film amazed that no one has passed gas in all the time we’ve been stuck here together. Well done everyone!

9.00pm – No Country For Old Men

The last film of the night. Everyone is yawning, but the room gradually fills with an excited buzz. Either everyone’s looking forward to going home, or else it’s the film itself (currently the favorite to win, although I predict Michael Clayton). Everyone seems to really enjoy the movie, although my elderly neighbor expresses my own view - “needs more Tommy Lee Jones.” Everyone seems to enjoy the cat-and-mouse chases, but I don’t think I’m the only person to get a bit drowsy during the quieter bits. In my defense, they really were quiet this time around – everyone seems to have quit the cinema snacks by now, each of us having eaten the equivalent of our own body’s weight in popcorn. By the time the film ends the twitch in my left leg has become uncontrollable, and I’d like to take this opportunity to apologize to the woman in front of me – I didn’t mean to keep kicking your chair. It was completely involuntary. As the credits roll everyone starts to cheer. Well, those who aren’t still peeved by the ending do. Just as quickly as the applause started, however, it finishes. People scramble for their coats, blankets, survival kits and other belongings and head for the exit. Some movie geeks gently wake their selfless partners. Despite the overall lack of camaraderie, it seems everyone had an enjoyable time. I take a big stretch and decide it’s a good idea to grab a coffee on the way to the car. It was a fun day, and I count myself lucky I’ve got a whole year before I do it again. But for now I’m happy, as - after twelve hours in the cinema - I finally step out into the… moonlight.

- David T. Harwood

Related stories

• Movie review part deux: The Dark Knight (July 20, 2008)
• Week in View: Leap Day Edition (Feb. 28, 2008)
• Oscar overdose, take two: Dallas film lover watches all five “best picture” nominees in one day (Feb. 27, 2008)

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