SCOTT hamilton

The Dimming Light of Drive-ins

This past week I found out that one of the few drive-in theaters here in the Denver metro area will likely be closing after this season. It had been over twenty years since I’ve been to a drive-in. So, I seized the opportunity to take the girls to experience a passing icon.
 

The experience was great. I had forgotten the sense of community at a drive-in. As we pulled up we saw families setting up lawn chairs, card tables, and coolers. Blankets were thrown on top of mini vans, hatches were opened, and groups of people huddled cars next to each other.
 

As footballs were being tossed the announcer came over the FM radio transmission with a friendly reminder. “Please help keep the place clean and put trash in the bags that were handed out at the entrance. On your way out you will see a green blinking light where you can toss your bags on the ground.”
 

$9 per adult and $2 for each kid for 3 movies – not bad. We brought our own popcorn and pop, but ended up going to the concession just for the experience.

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Lost watching Lost

My family and I have started watching “Lost”. We borrowed the DVD set of the first season from a friend. It’s very addictive and we did all six discs and the bonus disc In 4 days. Even the neighbor girl got hooked with us. 

The storyline is a jigsaw puzzle. So, one of the challenging aspects of “Lost” is trying not to miss any of the story/dialogue. Sitting in the living room with 4 females, this is next to impossible. It seems that excited, vocal commentary on every other line of dialogue is necessary – followed by, “What did he/she just say?” This is followed by, “Honey/daddy what’s going on. I’m confused.” 

This then is followed by more vocal conversation in an attempt to figure out the missed plot twists. 

I am developing a ‘Bobby Fischer’ level of concentration and the ability to tune out extremely distracting background noise. My survival instinct has kicked in – I will not be LOST!!
 

On to season 2 . . .

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Button Up

AMC Theaters is introducing a new program in response to two social injustices that seem to be on the rise – excessive cell phone use and talking during a movie. Here is an excerpt from an email I received: 

The MovieWatcher Silent Partner program allows AMC MovieWatcher members over the age of 21 to voluntarily request a Mute ButtonSM from Guest Services prior to showtime. By simply pressing the Mute Button, MovieWatcher Silent Partner volunteers anonymously alert theatre management to significant disruptions in the auditorium without ever leaving their seats.

This, of course, sparked my grey matter to start firing creative neurons and come up with ideas for some other “Buttons” I’d like to see:
 

• A bouncer button that summons a 300lb bouncer to force people who cut in line to the back
• A remote control device that would allow me temporary control of the steering wheel of someone who is driving slow in the fast lane. That way I can gently guide them into the slow lane where they belong
• A 10-second delay button for people with poor listening skills that interrupt. It would allow me to finish my sentence (My wife might use it on me though)
• A smart bomb button that would launch mini weed-killing missiles into my yard
• A “Button” button that would deactivate any “Button” that someone was trying use on me

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more . . .

 

I’m not much of a TV watcher and much less a mini-series devotee. In fact, I don’t even have cable anymore. I used to be am a History Channel addict. I get a fix about once a month when we are at the in-laws. The History Channel is where my addiction used to end.

 

Recently I have experienced a mini-series dependence that lasted several weeks. Three Friday nights in a row we invited friends over (because they had the DVDs) to watch Band of Brothers. It is about the Easy Company of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment that fought in WWII. It was incredible! It is by far the best TV/mini-series movie I’ve ever seen.

 

One aspect of the movie I respect is its endeavor to accurately show the terrors of war. It isn’t a candy coated John Wayne movie that could pass for a recruitment short. Some clips induced a panicked impulse to run for cover.

 

I could go on and on, but I’ll just encourage you to seize any opportunity you might have to experience it.

 

(It inspired this doodle)