I refuse to read anything about The Matrix: Reloaded prior to seeing the film tomorrow night. I won’t read reviews, analysis or even watch the trailers online (although i have seen them in theatres). I know it’s going to blow my mind, but i don’t want to pre-think the movie so as to maximize my joy tomorrow.
That said, i’m told that i must read “The Gospel According to Neo” and thus, i’ll blog it to save it for tomorrow.
I have to admit that i haven’t been so excited for a movie opening since 8 Mile. OK, so i have a bit of an odd slant on movie attendance. First, i try to see all movies that i desperately want to see on opening night; i never read about them ahead of time if i can avoid it. I feel the hype, but i refuse to educate myself about it. I try to see movies in a location that will maximize the audience along any appropriate dimensions for the movie.
I think that going to the movies is not simply to see a film on the big screen, but to see it in the context of the audience most obsessed with the film. Thus, i spend just as much time watching the movie as paying attention to reactions. I come early enough to watch the crowd. I sit quietly in the theatre so as to overhear what audience members are talking about. I always go to the bathroom and take as long as socially acceptable so as to hear folks’ reactions. I love going to see any movie that appeals to specific subset of the population, preferably a subculture, preferably one with obsessive followings that coincide with the movie. Thus, i was ecstatic to see 8 Mile when it came out… in Revere, Mass. The audience was filled with white hiphop teens who are obsessed with Eminem, who are middle class but see Eminem’s struggle as similar to their own.
Of course, nothing will ever top the opening of Quills. Wednesday before Thanksgiving, special opening in Manhattan… uptown. I was the youngest audience member by about half and the poorest by a lot more than half. When i went to the bathroom afterwards, i lingered for so long, drooling in my stall as upperclass socialites of Manhattan talked about the validity of the representation of the Marquis and sadomasochism in comparison to books, other movies and stories; this was all voiced in that fabulously snooty New York accent with a clear knowledge of SM. I couldn’t get the
Anyhow, the next two days of Matrix showings should be quite fun!
…I gave you my older e-mail address, I like it better, for some reason, that account holds more stuff… eh. I listen to Ani, I found your little blog section through your website, and I found your website through searching the web for Ani lyrics, and I’ve been using your Ani lyric website now for seems like a year, so I thought I’d say hey, HEY! I think I’ve said hey before, but it was vague, so I don’t remember, and if I don’t remember, well then… you wouldn’t either. I’ve been listening to Ani probably two years now. My ex-girlfriend got me into her, at first I just listened to her just to cling onto my ex, but then I started listening to the words and I really related, now I’m practically obsessed. Well, not obsessed. Just.. I just love her. Well, ya know what I mean. Ick, I hate my hair… it’s too long. Damn hair. 6 inches is too long compared to 1 don’t ya think? Well I should go, I write too ya know. In a weird way though… kind of like my rants are… poemy.. or something, I don’t know. Well, you should write me some time. Talk to you later. N.F.B.