TMT: Two of Us on the Eve
This is the next entry in a Theatre… a Movie… and a Time, a series that was begun here. Since I am continuing my Versus AFI: 10 Top 10 arc, this time looking at the Fantasy genre, it was only fitting I’d chronicle another of them in this series. Sometimes, triangulating, or even estimating, a date when such a movie experience occurred is the hardest aspect to achieve in these posts. This, however, was one of the easiest.
“That there’s some good in this world, Mr. Frodo… and it’s worth fighting for.”
Theatre
Images c/o Cinema Treasures site
Movie
Time
December 31, 2002: honestly, my wife did not know what a single movie started the year before. The only one between the two of us to have read J.R.R. Tolkien‘s three volumes of his Lord of the Rings saga (along with The Hobbit), she alone had an idea what would be translated on to the big screen. I did not. Even she got caught up with the epic fantasy tale all over again in December of 2001 when we saw The Fellowship of the Ring on one of our now infrequent movie dates. She hadn’t realized a pattern had been set in motion. Silly rabbit.
Back then, with a seven and three year-old at home, making arrangements for a parents movie-night out was an exercise in coordination, even under normal circumstances. Tying it to a weeknight (it was a Tuesday) and the New Year’s Eve holiday (did I mention we saw the first LOTR on the last day of the year? No?) made it that much more of a challenge. But, I was not to be deterred, even if my lovely spouse told me we did not have to see the second installment exactly on the identical day, or at the very same theater complex, once more.
Men and women sure think differently. I am nothing if not a stickler for tradition (indeed, not if I’m making it up as I go along). Returning to The Bridge Cinema de Lux (today now owned and run by the RAVE theater chain) was a given in my estimation. With the sitter arranged and booked (by me), off we went for the early evening screening of The Two Towers. Still, there was no way she-who-must-be-obeyed would not have us back to the house later than 10 PM, especially with ‘Eve’ revelers all about. You see, there is a limit she will tolerate from the film fanatic she married. Naturally, I made sure we’d be back to this same spot one year later.
The entire series can be found here. If you’re interested how it’s put together, click here.
It Rains... You Get Wet 
14 Responses to “TMT: Two of Us on the Eve”
I really enjoy reading these posts Michael, a great idea for a series, gives a nice little insight into the life of one of my fellow bloggers. The Fellowship of the Ring was on TV as the Saturday night movie at the weekend. I think I’ve finally reached the point with those films I thought I’d never reach. Saturation point. I think if I watch anymore LOTR films it may just compromise my enjoyment of The Hobbit in December and possibly tarnish the series in my estimation. With this in mind we watched The Apartment with Jack Lemmon instead. My Mrs was reluctant at first but was glad by the end.
Btw Michael, I used your gift to buy Arrietty on DVD 🙂 Thank you again!
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The family just last month re-did this trilogy in prep for Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit later this year. I’m about at the saturation point myself now. Luckily, by the time we reach the new film’s release date, I again will be ready for little guys with the big feet. Many thanks, Ronan (and glad to hear about Arrietty purchase). :-).
p.s., excellent pick with The Apartment! A Billy Wilder film that never gets old.
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I Think The Apartment is one of those films that has the right combination of elments which make it as near perfect as a film can be.
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Agreed.
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It’s deluxe all right. What a GORGEOUS cinema to see a beautiful film that is The Two Towers! Nice post as always Michael.
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For a modern stadium cinema plex, with an full-on (no lite version) IMAX theater, this is one of the better looking around. And I’m heading there tonight to catch their ‘Dark Shadows’ screening on ‘$7 Tuesdays’ ;-). Many thanks, Ruth.
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Oh hope you enjoy Dark Shadows Michael. Seems like it’s not as good as what the trailer promised it to be, but my friend who reviewed it yesterday said the music is fun so it’s not a complete waste 🙂
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It’s not among the cream of Burton’s filmography (see the next TMT for one of those), but it’s far from the worst. The musical soundtrack is so darn good, and not just for the age of the songs. Most of the tunes turned out to be the pitch perfect for the moments in the film. Thanks, Ruth.
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Check out John Kenneth Muir’s review and my comment for more feedback on what I and others thought about the latest Tim Burton film. Thanks, Ruth.
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Great review by Mr Muir, sounds like the film is not a complete waste and I think I’d enjoy the 70s music tremendously. I love fish-out-of-water style comedy and for a movie to be entertaining for at least the first half, it might still be worth checking on the big screen. Maybe I’ll wait until it arrives in the discount theater though 😀
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I think it’s worth it. Thanks.
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I like this series 🙂
That is a nice Bridge theater. The only one that I have gone to was the Bridge in Philadelphia. Much smaller but it was nice enough.
Did a quick internet search and I am not even sure it is open anymore.
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Thank you very kindly, my friend. Perhaps, the one in Philly was taken over by the RAVE chain like this one?
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Yes it was.
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