Birthday
Today is a special someone’s birthday. Sweets turns 29 for the sixth time this year. Happy birthday, Sweets!
We started the celebrations over the weekend with Sweets’ parents. A couple weeks ago, they asked him what he wanted to do for his birthday. He didn’t respond, mostly because he didn’t know.
A couple days later, I reminded him he really needed to tell them what he wanted to do to celebrate. He took two seconds to think about it and said, “I want to go see Avatar. In 3D. At an IMAX theater.” And then he quickly looked at me, expecting me to say no.
You see, James Cameron’s new movie, Avatar, really isn’t my kind of movie. I’m not into sci-fi. I’m not into actions. I’m not really into animation. Three strikes and you’re out. Let’s not mention that every time I’ve been to an IMAX theater, my head hurts. I’m not great with the motion thing, either.
But, it was Sweets birthday. It was all about what he wanted to do. So, I told him going to see Avatar. In 3D. At an IMAX theater. I told him his idea was just fine. We bought tickets and went with his parents. Have you seen it yet? I promise I won’t ruin it if you haven’t.
I give the movie a solid B. The story line was decent. Typical. No real surprises. In fact, if I were basing my rating on story line alone, it might come away with a C. But, the animation and knowing how the animation was made to look so real (interview part 1, interview part 2)? That was interesting. It was wicked watching the real actors jump back and forth, in and out of their animated skins.
And the added effect of 3D was also interesting. There were a few scenes where the 3D made a huge difference and really enhanced my experience watching the movie. Mostly, it was a different way to watch something on the screen. It didn’t make me sick the way I thought it would (though I didn’t feel totally right in the head – that could also be attributed to still being sick).
After the movie, Sweets, his parents and I made a few observations.
- It was one of the only movies I’ve been to where almost no one got up in the middle of the movie. I counted two people over the course of the almost 3-hour movie.
- Sweets’ father noted the close comparisons of this movie to the white person’s invasion of lands occupied by Native Americans. (Without ruining the movie, let’s just say everyone in the car agreed.)
- On a similar note, Sweets noted the overlap with another movie, Dances with Wolves.
- And finally, my observation? My deep and long-thought observation? I said I kept expecting the music to change to that from another James Cameron movie. I kept expecting Celine Dion to start singing, “Near, far, wherever you are, I believe that the heart does go on.” (Titanic, for those of you still in the dark.)
Since I’ve wasted much of this post about the movie itself, I’ll skip over dinner at Lou Malnati’s afterward, the announcement that it was Sweets’ birthday over the PA system and Sweets’ ensuing rant that involved more than one four-letter word heard by more than just our table. No really, he’s not yet a grumpy old man. Just grumpy. And getting old. (Thank goodness he’s still hot, otherwise I’m not sure what I’d do with him!)
At some point, I will take Sweets out for his promised birthday dinner. Just the two of us. Who knows, maybe I’ll surprise him tonight. In any case, even though he doesn’t read this blog, I’m still sending him big birthday wishes today. Here’s hoping 34 29^6 (or would that be 29 x 6?) is a fabulous year!
Update: I wrote this post last night, however I heard this piece on NPR this morning about Avatar. Long story short, we agree that there’s not much to the story line.
January 6th, 2010 at 6:33 am
You’ve read my thoughts on Avatar, which I did like, but thought the story was nothing that original. Seeing it in 3D would be cool, as the movie was a remarkable work of visual brilliance. I never saw Dances With Wolves, so I couldn’t make that comparison, which might have offered an advantage to Avatar.
29 is young. Tell Sweets happy birthday and to enjoy his youth for 30 comes too quickly. And so does 40.
January 6th, 2010 at 7:04 am
Happy Birthday Sweets!
I have not seen the movie, but your impression of it sounds very similar to everything else I have heard. I would love to go see it on IMAX. We saw The Dark Knight on an IMAX screen and I was really impressed.
January 6th, 2010 at 7:41 am
So that puts Sweets squarely at my age, minus those, um, six years we’re conveniently forgetting about, right? Happy birthday!
January 6th, 2010 at 7:57 am
Happy birthday, Sweets! He is a lucky, lucky man to have you. And to share my birthday. :)
January 6th, 2010 at 8:25 am
I’m really torn between seeing Avatar – it looks good, but I’m worried it won’t live up to expectations!
Happy birthday to Sweets though, I hope he enjoys the last year of his 20s… again ;)
January 6th, 2010 at 8:46 am
A Big Happy Birthday to Sweets! He has the right idea–29 and holding. I join him in this philosophy.
I really have no desire to see Avatar but I have heard many good things about it. I’m glad that it didn’t make you sick. That would be miserable.
Enjoy Sweets brithday dinner, whenever you may have it!
January 6th, 2010 at 9:19 am
Confession: I’ve not seen James Cameron first big film, Titanic. I kind of don’t want to see this one just so I can be some weirdo who hasn’t seen either one.
Also? I HATE it when people announce my birthday or sing to me in public on my birthday. Nothing worse if you ask me.
Happy Birthday Sweets!
January 6th, 2010 at 9:26 am
Happy Birthday Sweets!
I really have no interest in seeing Avatar. Maybe we’ll get it on Netflix so that we can pause to go to the bathroom. For some reason anytime I sit in a movie theater my bladder wakes up!
I am glad that you all had fun. Where did (or are) you take Sweets for dinner?
January 6th, 2010 at 9:50 am
Happy birthday to Sweets!
A few weeks ago we were watching a show that had Leona Lewis as a guest, singing the theme song to Avatar. She was standing on stage with this giant screen flashing scenes from the movie, and I swear it sounded just like Celine Dion and “the Titanic song.” I was having flashbacks!
We haven’t been to see Avatar yet, and I don’t know if we will. It’s one I’ve heard you have to experience on the big screen, DVD just won’t be the same, but I’d really rather go see Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus. It’s limited release though, so of course it’s not playing in my little town (we’re still using up theaters showing the new Twilight Saga movie. Seriously.)
January 6th, 2010 at 9:53 am
Happy Birthday to Sweets! And I’m glad the movie wasn’t what you expected. I haven’t seen it and probably won’t because it isn’t really my type of movie but I know tons of people who have seen it and loved it.
January 6th, 2010 at 10:20 am
I didn’t care for it. Much like you I don’t like animation or sci-fi. It was visually beautiful, but the story was “blah” and I didn’t care for the moral of the story. Plus I had a headache for like 2 hours after taking off those 3D glasses.
January 6th, 2010 at 10:35 am
happy birthday to sweets!
a couple of my friends have seen avatar… eh, no interest here either.
January 6th, 2010 at 10:42 am
Happy Birthday, Sweets! Great idea to see that movie for your birthday, that’s what we did for New Years! :D LOVED IT.
January 6th, 2010 at 10:50 am
I never would have gone to see Avatar if it weren’t for Torsten, but I ended up actually really liking it. I agree that the storyline wasn’t exactly complex, but that was fine with me.
Happy birthday to Sweets!
January 6th, 2010 at 11:56 am
Happy birthday Sweets!
I’ve heard such mixed reviews about it that I’m really not sure what to think. I figure if I don’t go see it now in 3D, I’m definitely not renting it on dvd. Still thinking…
January 6th, 2010 at 12:06 pm
Happy Birthday Sweets!!
Also–I hate 3D movies, I don’t like the glasses, and I don’t like being that “involved” with a movie, I like my space, thank you very much. ;o)
xox
January 6th, 2010 at 12:24 pm
Aw happy bday to Sweets! And I’ve been torn on whether I want to see it. i’ve heard the effects are awesome and then I think, do I really care about going to see a movie for just the effects? The rest of it doesn’t interest me but I keep hearing amazing things!
January 6th, 2010 at 12:54 pm
Happy birthday to Sweets! I hope you have a good dinner tonight!
His reaction to the PA thing cracks me up! Sean would react in a similar way if his birthday was announced in a restaurant… His 30th is in a month and he’s made me cross my heart and pinky swear that I won’t do anything for it. He is already a cranky old man, but he’s still hot, too. :-)
January 6th, 2010 at 2:14 pm
happy bday to sweets!
ive seen avatar twice. once 3d no imax and once 3d imax. i will say, after seeing it the second time on the imax, it truly is a movie MADE for viewing on the imax. you’re right, the story is BOR-ING. cliche and done over a million times. but the movie itself is so visually appealing. talk about eye candy.
as much as james cameron comes off as an arrogant know-it-all, he’s on to something. he just needs new music (you’re right on that one too)
January 6th, 2010 at 3:29 pm
today is a GREAT day to have a birthday!! Happy birthday, Sweets!
January 6th, 2010 at 3:31 pm
You might be interested in this commentary.
http://contexts.org/socimages/2009/12/28/on-avatar-the-movie-spoiler-alert/
January 6th, 2010 at 3:46 pm
Happy birthday, Sweets!
January 6th, 2010 at 5:58 pm
oh goodness, definitely don’t go see avatar for the story. you should never go see ANY action-adventure-blockbuster for the story. you go see it because the action scenes are absolutely mind-blowing, and the technology is stuff we’ve never seen before, and because like you said – it’s a 3 hr movie and yet you’re so engaged the entire time that you don’t get up to pee. we didn’t even keep eating popcorn once the previews were over.
January 6th, 2010 at 6:55 pm
My parents went on New Year’s Eve and my dad said it was great, but “because it was in 3D and because it was on New Year’s Eve, it was $13.50! In [small town where I grew up]! I mean, I’ve seen the Stones for less than that!”
It made me laugh.
January 7th, 2010 at 9:29 am
Lou Malnati’s….yum!
Alex made a random theater worker pinky-promise that Avatar will still be playing IMAX until we can get a babysitter.
Please pass along a happy belated birthday wish to Sweets.
January 7th, 2010 at 12:47 pm
I was surprised by how much I liked Avatar. There were definitely some silly, cliche parts to the story, but I’m a sap and caught myself getting teary in a couple parts. Being a greenie, I also got sucked into the environmental subtext.
Poor Sweets – I think I would’ve cursed if my bday was announced over the PA system too! Hope he was able to enjoy the rest of the evening. And hope you guys enjoy bday celebration #2.
January 7th, 2010 at 2:07 pm
What a wife you are!
I have a Lou Malnati’s pizza in my freezer, I think I will prepare it for Mr. P tonight!
January 7th, 2010 at 2:19 pm
Ferngully!! In 3-D!! It sucked!!