It’s May of 2011 already and can you believe that three days ago I had still yet to step inside a movie theater this year. Well that all changed with the release of two films that are continued sagas from my younger days. (Yes, younger days…I am 25 now ya know).
Now, the mere fact of me paying money to see these films may lower my street cred a bit but I don’t mind for the sake of some fun movies.
Saturday brought me to see the next installment of the Scream series. For some reason as a youngster I was infatuated with horror flicks watching them non stop and what’s weirder is that my parents allowed it. Anyway, Scream is a series that holds dear to my heart not only because I was essentially raised on it but because I remember pretty vividly going to the theater with my mom and brother to see the flicks. The original Scream also birthed my (still) great attraction to Matthew Lillard. I went into the theater knowing it wasn’t going to be a good movie but also knowing it would satisfy every expectation I had of it. The great thing about the Scream series, especially with this latest one, is that it knows what kind of movie it is and pokes fun of itself. Andy and I both had a great time with it. We had so much fun we went and rented the original Scream to compare between the 15 year spread these films had with each other. The original Scream is simply put a great slasher flick. At the time it came out nothing else like it was around and it was really groundbreaking. Re watching it just made me really appreciate how great of a movie that is. Also how funny it is knowing that if you had a cell phone it automatically meant your were the killer because cell phones weren’t a necessity then. Needless to say I just have a real sentimental attachment to the series. If you’re a fan of the franchise and haven’t seen it yet I’d suggest it and if you’ve been reading this and scoffing at me for gushing so highly about the series maybe you should go see it too. Just accept the silliness and tag along for the ride.
The second flick Andy and I went to see this weekend was Fast Five. Yes. I went to a theater to see Fast Five. I have no shame. I have a very small and random DVD collection but for some time I owned the Fast and the Furious (I lost it somewhere along all my moves and then across the country). I absolutely loved this movie for some reason. It sparked a weird crush on both Paul Walker and Vin Diesel for me. I watched this movie so many times and pretty sure I could quote it at the time. I can’t say I’ve kept up religiously with this series like I did with Scream. I’ll admit I haven’t seen 3 or 4 BUT I was dedicated to seeing 5. The funny thing about Fast Five is it’s not only a great action movie but the story isn’t half bad either. Yes the dialouge is awful and the acting isn’t Oscar worthy by any means but it’s not meant to be that kind of movie. I had such a good time sitting in the theater losing myself for two hours between car chases and the still dreamy Paul Walker. I couldn’t talk about Fast Five without mentioning the Rock’s greatness…now that my friends is Oscar worthy! 
Of course you need to suspend your belief with both of these kinds of movies but really isn’t that what going to the movies is all about?
– J
