About a month ago our church decided to pull up its roots and move to another venue, with the notion of expanding. The idea on the whole is both scary and exciting, and all-around rather positive... except for the current venue. A movie theater. While at first glance that may sound really cool, and while it IS kinda cool for special, once-in-a-while occasions, it's really not all that it's cracked up to be for regular, weekly use. The one we rent every Sunday morning is really poorly suited for something like a Sunday service. It's too dark, it's too difficult to move in and out of your seats (because there is no center aisle), the floors are sticky and nasty, and it just feels plain awkward to be looking down on the stage at the pastor. And the more I go, the more strongly I feel that a theater, especially this one, is not a really ideal venue for church, especially not longer-term.
The upside is that it's close to our home, and the kids really love having Sunday school in a theater, so Todd enjoys it more than usual. That keeps me going (otherwise, I'd just stay home and listen to the sermon mp3s once they're posted on the website).
... and then I came across this post in LiveJournal's customers_suck community, and am even more convinced than ever that I *really, really* don't want to attend church in a theater... or even see a movie in it!
http://community.livejournal.com/customers_suck/28167874.html
Egad!
And if you're not too grossed out, here's a long-missed Friday Five to cap off the week of daily (weekday, anyway) posting-- woo hoo! Let's see if the trend holds ;-)
1. What’s your favorite sports movie?
2. What’s your favorite romantic comedy film?
3. What’s your favorite animated Disney movie?
4. What’s your favorite non-Disney movie musical?
5. What’s your favorite stranger-in-a-strange-land / fish-out-of-water movie?
1. Considering I don't have much interest in sports, period, I can't really think of any sports movies I've actually *watched*! I did see "Remember the Titans" on TV a couple times, and that was pretty good. Or, if cheerleading counts, then "Bring it On" is definitely one of my faves :-)
2. So hard to choose a favorite, but among my most-loved are the Meg Ryan romance comedies-- "When Harry met Sally", "Sleepless in Seattle" and "You've Got Mail". I'd have to pick "You've Got Mail" as my number one. I adore the characters, it really romanticizes New York City, and has an awesome soundtrack!
3. Oh this one is easy-- "Wall-E"! :-) I think I've watched it well over a dozen times just in this past one-month span :-D I'm thoroughly enchanted by M-O, the little cleaner bot.
4. Ugh. I can't stand sports, but I abhor musicals even more. I absolutely hate having the movie interrupted by a bunch of silly singing and dancing. Like that ever happens in real life. Just get on with the damn plot, already! I want to know what happens! Funny that the question asks for "non-Disney" musicals, because just about the only musical-type movie I can remotely stand ARE the Disney movies, and even then I don't find the interruptions any less annoying.
5. I'm not really sure what type of movie that is supposed to describe. But one of my number one all-time favorite movies is "The Negotiator", and I suppose it kind of fits the bill, with the negotiator assuming the role of the hostage taker in a daring effort to clear his name. Does that count? :-)
How about you?
Oh my. But then again, this is just further proof that people have been and always will be disgusting creatures. I learned that a long time ago, and sometimes I find it's best to just not think about the kind of filth you may be subjecting yourself to whenever you use any kind of public service!
ReplyDelete1. What’s your favorite sports movie?
Haha, I can't say that I have a favorite sports movie, I have a favorite tv show that just happens to be centered around the sport of football, Friday Night Lights. Never saw the movie though--don't care for sports themed films all that much!
2. What’s your favorite romantic comedy film?
There are only a couple of them that I can tolerate. You mentioned the Meg Ryan films of the 90's, and I have to agree on those, though my favorite of the bunch is Sleepless in Seattle. That was just a darned clever movie that understood the way both men AND women feel. A truly rare achievement in moviemaking! One of my other favorites is a little gem called While You Were Sleeping, with Sandra Bullock. This was really her first STARRING role, and her most endearing. Funny, tugged at the heartstrings in all the right places, and the scenes with the wacky family were just plain hilarious. Definitely a keeper. My 3rd and final for this list is the Julia Roberts film My Best Friends Wedding. It was TRULY nice to not see the typical hollywood happy ending in one of these films for a change. The girl DIDN'T end up with the guy at the end! Plus it's funny and I can relate to the whole storyline with Julia's gay best friend very well, lol.
3. What’s your favorite animated Disney movie?
Gotta go with a Pixar film here myself, except mine is A Bug's Life. Truly exceptional storytelling, and damn funny from start to finish. The "blooper" reel over the end credits is perhaps one of the most ingenious moments in movie history.
4. What’s your favorite non-Disney movie musical?
Haha, I feel the same way you do about musicals--only seen a few of them my entire life, but I must admit, I was absolutely floored by how much I loved Hairspray a few years ago. It was funny, upbeat, great performances all around, and totally worth the price of admission if for no other reason than to see John Travolta in drag! :)
5. What’s your favorite stranger-in-a-strange-land / fish-out-of-water movie?
I will really have to give this one some thought, because I can't really think of a single example of a movie like this that I've seen and truly enjoyed at the moment.
You knew my comment for this one would be lengthy, didn't you? :~D
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ReplyDeletewhew! Now it's my turn to finally get done playing catch-up with all of your comments ;-)
"While You Were Sleeping" is definitely one of my favorites, too. And it's soooo hard to choose a favorite Pixar movie-- they're all fantastic! I only recently discovered Wall-E, but if I hadn't, I would've had a hard time choosing between such favorites as "Finding Nemo", "A Bug's Life", "Monsters Inc", and "Cars".
I don't know if I'd be amused or terrified at the sight of John Travolta in drag ;-)
And after posting this, Allan explained what a "fish out of water" movie is supposed to be like, and gave me an example-- "White Girls", with the black FBI agents dressed as white blonde chicks. I guess that would have to be my favorite, then :-)
And yes, I wrote this fully expecting to see a novel from Scot. Would've been disappointed if you hadn't! :-D