I’ve just started reading Jpod by Douglas Coupland. The jury is still out on whether I like it or not. To be honest I haven’t really rated any of his books aside from Microserfs (which was bloody fantastic). His head is generally too firmly placed up his own arse for my tastes.
Still there is no denying that the first sentence in Jpod is possibly the best one ever written:
“Oh god, I feel like a refugee from a Douglas Coupland novel”
Pure genius.
My consumption of popular culture has increased quite dramatically recently. Not only have I started to read again, but I’ve also begun going to the cinema. In fact I’m doing it weekly.
Inspired by Lee and Rol’s rave reviews of the new Hulk movie I decided on impulse to catch a late night showing at the local multiplex. I enjoyed the experience so much that a new tradition was born. I am now the founding (and currently only) member of Dan’s Midnight Movie Club. The rules are quite simple; every Wednesday night at around 10pm I head off into the night and catch a movie on my own. There is no stipulation as to what genre the film has to be, but it must finish after the hour of midnight.
So far I’ve seen the Hulk and Wanted, and this Wednesday is either going to be Prince Caspian or Hancock depending on my whim.
There is something about watching a late night showing of a film. It’s almost like you’re cheating time. You’ve had your day. You’ve done your morning thing, your afternoon thing, and your evening thing, and now it’s time for bed. But wait! What’s this? Ka-blammy! You’ve fitted in an extra thing too! Take that conventional social norms! In your face mortality!
It is probably a very sad indictment of my current existence that such things excite me.
But is it though? Come on, doesn’t the idea appeal to you too? Why don’t you join me? Wednesday night down at the local multiplex, it doesn’t feel so expensive when you’re only buying one ticket. The rest of the cinema patrons may think you’re seeing the movie alone, but they couldn’t be more wrong. You’ll be seeing the movie alongside bloggers from all over the world.
So go see your film and then we can come back here and talk about it. Or why don’t we start our own blog reviewing them? You have to admit that The Midnight Movie Club is a damn fine catchy title for a website. Maybe this could be the next big thing. We could be bigger than Aint it Cool. Bigger than IMDB. Bigger than Google! We could all retire early! Buy houses in Bermuda!
I think I better go for a lie down
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on Jul 9th, 2008 at 12:06 am
I like an early morning showing of a film because the cinema tends to be quieter and then I have the rest of my day to overthink the movie.
But I will discuss this with the wife and consider some later, midweek viewings.
on Jul 9th, 2008 at 12:30 am
Jamess last blog post..Making the Cut!
on Jul 9th, 2008 at 12:32 am
on Jul 9th, 2008 at 12:48 am
Avitables last blog post..A face for radio
on Jul 9th, 2008 at 12:50 am
Now they stare at me just because I’m so funny-looking.
Phils last blog post..Ten Commandments of Fatherhood
on Jul 9th, 2008 at 12:52 am
However, can I join in the conversation and make stuff up about the movie you saw?
Phils last blog post..Ten Commandments of Fatherhood
on Jul 9th, 2008 at 1:17 am
Whits last blog post..Parts is Parts- Now with Chagware!
on Jul 9th, 2008 at 7:01 am
It was rubbish and I fell asleep during film two to be woken up at 6am when everyone was leaving.
I’m just saying thats all, so that you’re not tempted.
Garys last blog post..Goodbye, goodbye, we’re leaving you goodbye…
on Jul 9th, 2008 at 7:47 am
Whits last blog post..Parts is Parts- Now with Chagware!
on Jul 9th, 2008 at 8:42 am
Penelopes last blog post..A favour…or two…
on Jul 9th, 2008 at 10:03 am
I hardly go to the cinema anymore as I loathe modern multiplex cinemas and really LOATHE people who behave badly whilst they are there – you know chatting loudly to their mates, making and taking phone calls, texting, eating really noisy sweets……a plague on them all I say.
on Jul 9th, 2008 at 11:50 am
As for Douglas Coupland, I’m a huge fan of his, but I’ve been put off Jpod by all the negative reviews. I will get round to it eventually, I’m sure.
Rols last blog post..A-Z Meme
on Jul 9th, 2008 at 1:17 pm
James – That’s the beauty of the midnight movie club, it allows time starved paents the opportunity to grab some “me time’ back.
Ed – It’s generally plays in the theatre. To see a movie you have to go to the cinema (You wacky americans and your so-called English)
Avitable – I bet you were rather popular
Phil – When I see someone on their own in the cinema I always think ‘good for them”
Whit – It’s not the same man.
Gary – I’ve been to one of those too, but we left at 5am. Saw Frankinhooker, Deathrace 2000 and a few others. I’ve alos been to a seven movie long stsar trek marathon. Never again.
Penelope – I often don’t get back from work until midnight, so late nights are not unknown to me.
Morticia – I was the only one in the cinema for the hulk right up until the opening credits.
On the subject of other people, I tend to find thm annoying only during the previews.
Rol – I haven’t read any reviews of Jpod. I’m not sure I’ll like it though, all seems a little too unbelievable so far.
on Jul 9th, 2008 at 1:26 pm
Avitables last blog post..Myocardial Infraction
on Jul 9th, 2008 at 4:50 pm
Jeffs last blog post..You have no idea…
on Jul 9th, 2008 at 6:10 pm
Jeff – Drowsy Desk Club, another fantastic name! If only I had more time to blog.
on Jul 9th, 2008 at 10:10 pm
My little ‘un now goes round saying “Ouch, my tenders” all the time while clutching his billies.
How about a Korner for a Kids Klub too?
Gails last blog post..What Do I Look Like?
on Jul 10th, 2008 at 12:46 pm
Maybe you should invite someone off the street to take the other ticket (so long as they buy popcorn).
Sams last blog post..Time Out
on Jul 10th, 2008 at 9:47 pm
Dan, you’re reading too much into Wanted with it;s lack of regard for human life. Was that not the point? It was a film about people shooting each other after all! Hancock’s worth seeing and we’re off to see Prince Caspian tomo, so I’ll let you know about that. Oh by the way, I really enjoyed J-Pod. It’s a bit odd, but very good…
on Jul 10th, 2008 at 9:57 pm
Sam – It is, if you have an orange phone. Anyway, I like the experience of going on my own.
Paul – Nope, not convinced me. I don’t mind the people shooting at each other dying, its the fact that civilians get killed left right and center that irritated me. That train crash was horrific, and the “hero” just gets on a train and starts shooting. That is sociopathic, as was the whole film. And it’s message of “you can only be someone who counts if you kill people” I thought was very dangerous. I’m sure it will be some seriously disturbed people’s favorite film for quite a long time.
The action was enjoyable, but the underlying mean spirit of the film was just unpleasant.
Who’s “we”?
Dans last blog post..The Midnight Movie Club
on Jul 11th, 2008 at 12:39 am
(un)relaxeddads last blog post..Yesterday was a long day
on Jul 11th, 2008 at 3:51 pm
Before the kids, we used to go to the cinema at least twice a month, maybe more. Now? Not so much. We haven’t even been since Pirates 2 came out. I think I’d feel too guilty about leaving LA Mommy home, though…
But, now that we’re in Ohio, we can hit up some babysitters and do our date nights again. It’s time.
L.A. Daddys last blog post..How Green Is Your Valley?
on Jul 12th, 2008 at 12:27 am
Becs last blog post..Waiting and Waiting and Not Getting Anywhere
on Jul 16th, 2008 at 2:28 am
Speaking of Douglas Coupland, his “Hey Nostradamus!” is one of my faves ever. Highly recommend it if you haven’t checked it out yet.
Holmess last blog post..365 # 14: Tentmate John