Random Factoid #265

19 04 2010

I really hate these “chain letter” blog things.  So I’m not going to do it.*  So thanks a lot, Scott at “He Shot Cyrus” for tagging me in one.

* = I’m not going to do it like he says.  Basically, the instructions are to list 10 things about myself and movies.  Here’s the thing: I’ve already done 264 of those.  I call them “random factoids.”  So, in the interest of not being pretentious, I’ll “participate” in this.  Consider this the “greatest hits” album of my first 9 months.

Random Factoid #6

Random Factoid #15

Random Factoid #29

Random Factoid #32

Random Factoid #53

Random Factoid #61

Random Factoid #159

Random Factoid #248

Random Factoid #251

Random Factoid #258

For any readers who may not “know” me, I think these factoids give a pretty good overview of who I am and what I stand for.

And sorry, Scott, but I’m not down with the whole “tagging other blogger” thing.  Sorry for being a bit of a diva. Fine, I won’t be such a Carl Fredericksen.  I’ll list a few of my favorite bloggers and see if they do anything: M. Carter at the Movies, Where the Buffalo Roam, The McNeil Matinee, and The King Bulletin. (I think these are people who haven’t done this thing.)


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Random Factoid #264

18 04 2010

Remember back in December when I announced that “You’ve Got Me Wrapped Around Your Little Finger” by Beth Rowley from the soundtrack for “An Education” became the most played song on my iTunes?

Well, it has now broken another record on my iTunes.  It became the first song on any of my computers to cross the century mark – that is, 100 listens.

That’s me; what’s your most played song?  How many times have you listened to it?


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Random Factoid #263

17 04 2010

Scott over at “He Shot Cyrus” posted a probing question in one of his many comments yesterday (follow his lead, other readers):

How do you get your movies now? Hollywood or Blockbuster?
Netflix just takes a little planning ahead and while the physical rental stores are still good for quick picks, I save so much money on late fees. Also, their selection is untouchable.

I’ll break it down for you all in order of frequency.

  1. Houston Public Library.  Seriously.  They have pretty much any movie I could want from the past decade, and it just takes a little planning (like Scott said).  Another big plus is that I can have up to 15 movies out at a time.  And did I mention it’s free?
  2. iTunes.  It’s where I go to get my quick fixes for movie cravings (and for some things that the library might not have).  I have an Apple TV, so I can watch iTunes rentals on practically any electronic device I own (because I have an iPhone, albeit a cracked one).
  3. Blockbuster.  Ever since they did their bizarre rental schism, I’ve been reluctant to go there.  But when I need a movie that hasn’t been released electronically, this is where I go.
  4. On Demand.  AT&T has some nifty on-demand movies on U-Verse, but I usually choose iTunes just because of the more diverse viewing options it offers.
  5. Redbox.  I chronicled my first visit to Redbox back in December, and since then I have only gone back once (I got “Moon,” for those who are particularly curious).  I have a couple of coupons for free rentals, so I can imagine using them whenever summer rolls around.

Hope this proves enlightening for those of you thinking, “Gosh, how does that Marshall watch his movies.”  Rest easy tonight, you formerly weary souls.


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Random Factoid #262

16 04 2010

Y’all, I’m so excited right now!  (That’s acceptable grammar in Texas, you prudes out there reading this.)

For eight months, I’ve been writing post after post and receiving very few comments.  Therefore, the posts to comments has been wildly out of whack ever since.

But today, I announce to you the beginning of a new era.  The post-comment ratio is 1:1; in other words, there are as many comments as there are posts on “Marshall and the Movies!”

Here’s to tipping the ratio in favor of comments!


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Random Factoid #261

15 04 2010

Back in 2004, Blockbuster told me in a commercial that I would remember where I was when I heard about the end of late fees.

It’s 2009 and I don’t remember.  If I had to guess, I was in front of some TV.  Where that TV is, I have no idea.

So take that, Blockbuster!  Your advertising didn’t work!

(P.S. Does anyone remember this commercial?  Without watching the YouTube link I put below?)


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Random Factoid #260

14 04 2010

So many friends and fellow bloggers always talk about Netflix.  “I’ll add this to my Netflix queue,” someone will say.  “Forget theaters, I’m waiting for it to come out on Netflix,” others have said.

For some, Netflix has become synonymous with home video and renting.

I don’t have Netflix, and I really don’t know why.  I get e-mails all the time offering me free monthly subscriptions, but I have only taken one of them.  I didn’t end up using it during the free month.  I’m usually just so sporadic with renting movies that Netflix doesn’t provide wiggle-room for my spontaneity.


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Random Factoid #259

13 04 2010

Before I started movie blogging, I watched four TV shows religiously: “Lost,” “The Office,” “30 Rock,” and “SNL.”  But I now feel an obligation to spend whatever free time I have watching movies – after all, I don’t write a TV blog.

This year, I have watched two episode of the final season of “Lost” and only caught clips of “SNL” on Hulu.  Much to my chagrin, I haven’t watched a single episode of “30 Rock” or “The Office.”  The sacrifices I make for you all.

Although it is worth noting that I have started watching occasional episodes of “Modern Family” on Hulu in recent weeks.  Mainly because of this promo shown during the Oscars:

“Cloudy with a Chance of the Meatballs!”
“This means one word!”
“MEATBALLS!”


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Random Factoid #258

12 04 2010

Recently, I’ve been reading quite a bit on how to better reach people with my blog.  A constant suggestion is the use of social networking.

But here’s my thing: I hate Twitter and I will NEVER get one.  Ever.

Anyone who knows me or reads me is surely aware that I am a massive Facebook-er.  So why am I so opposed to Twitter?  Here’s my reason.

My least favorite part of Facebook is the status update.  I’m sorry, but I don’t want to know what you are doing at all times of the day.  If I do, I will go look at your profile.  So why on earth would I want to commit to Twitter, which is basically ONLY status updates.  Unless you are Jason Reitman, who fascinates me, I don’t want to know every little thought that pops into your head.

So, I will never get a personal (or blogging) Twitter.  You will NEVER catch me Tweeting.


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Random Factoid #257

11 04 2010

I have a nasty habit of letting my iTunes rentals sit for almost all of their 30 day rental periods.  Then, I scramble to watch them before they expire – which is not a fun way to watch a movie.

Procrastination is just pervading through my life.  Love it.


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Random Factoid #256

10 04 2010

This makes me really happy.  I think the picture explains it all.

Glad to know Google knows me.


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Random Factoid #255

9 04 2010

A week ago, I almost blew a fuse at the ticket kiosk.  I had just looked on my iPhone Fandango app and seen that it was going to cost me $10.50 (too much) to see “Clash of the Titans.”  With parking garage traffic looking congested and not much time to spare before the movie started, I decided to grab my friend’s cash and bolt for the theater to buy the tickets.  The following conversation took place with the woman at the counter.

MARSHALL: I’ll have two tickets for “Clash of the Titans” in 3D at 1:40.

TICKET LADY: That will be $23.00.  Do you have your Regal Card?

MARSHALL: My gosh, have you all raised your prices?

TICKET LADY: It costs more for 3D.  (Side commentary: Well, DUH!)

MARSHALL: No, it didn’t always cost this much to see a 3D movie.

TICKET LADY: I don’t know.  (Side commentary: Yes, you do.  You just don’t want to get outsmarted by me.)

Then there was just awkward silence.  But I almost said, “You can’t keep raising the prices like this or you are going to start losing business.”

I could have used the price discrepancy to get my refund, and I could have used the quality of “Clash of the Titans” as further reason.  But I didn’t.


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Random Factoid #254

8 04 2010

Where have all the sneak previews gone?

They were such a staple of my childhood – I remember seeing “Hercules,” “The Princess Diaries,” and “Freaky Friday” weeks before the general public.  Sure, I still manage to see movies early thanks to free screenings.  But there’s just not the same vibrant atmosphere, something I believe to be due largely in part to the fact that free screenings are filled with people who might have trouble affording movies.  Thus the crying babies and often lacking etiquette.

Anyone else care to lament with me?


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Random Factoid #253

7 04 2010

The inspiration for this factoid came from The M0vie Blog reporting that there have been so many people demanding refunds for “Greenberg” that L.A. theaters have had to post signs about it (such as the one on my left).

I have never been so upset by a movie that I have gone to the ticket counter and demanded a refund.  I was actually quite tempted to do so on Friday for “Clash of the Titans,” but there was more to it than that.  Look for more on my experience in a future factoid.

But based on the quality of a movie alone, I have never gone to demand a refund.  Usually I’m mad at myself for seeing the movie; I have a hard time blaming the theater owners.

Hopefully I’ll never have to declare this factoid false.  But what about you?  Anyone seen the movie that really is that bad?

(Oh, and another random little tidbit: I wouldn’t have found this amusing post had it not been for Anomalous Material’s review of “Greenberg.”)


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Random Factoid #252

6 04 2010

Yesterday I talked about how annoyed I can get with bad behavior at a movie, but I should probably fess up.  I’m no angel.

I’ll share one moment with you that might have angered you had you been sitting in that same theater.  It was opening night of “Inglourious Basterds,” and my friends and I had already been to “Avatar Day.”  Needless to say, we were pretty jacked up.

Quentin Tarantino built up to a phenomenal conclusion.  I’m not going to ruin it for anyone who hasn’t seen the movie, but my friends and I got up during the climax and screamed, clapped, and just went crazy.  I think my theater forgave us because I heard other claps too.

But be honest – would you be angry at me?  Keep in mind the circumstances and the movie; it’s not like I’m screaming at “Precious.”


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Random Factoid #251

5 04 2010

Today’s factoid inspiration comes from NPR blogger Linda Holmes’ article “The Shusher and the Shushed.”  I read the article a few weeks ago, and it was one of those perfect reads where a very intelligent writer strings together all the thoughts you have floating around in your head.  Here, she connects all my angers and frustrations about people talking at movies.

Unfortunately, out of the past three times I have shelled out the big bucks at the theater, I have had to use my voice to “shh” some very rude patrons in the theater.

Yesterday, at “How to Train Your Dragon,” there were a few whiny crying babies.  I have written many times about this being a pet peeve (Random Factoid #32, for instance), but I’m more inclined to forgive it during a kids movie than in a movie like “Funny People.”  But these kids were screaming at the screen!  I gave one forceful “shh,” but I knew it wouldn’t do much.  Eventually, I managed to drown out the kids.

But two weeks ago, when I went to see “Avatar” again, I was appalled at the talking going on in the theater.  A grown man was having a phone conversation on the row in front of me.  Correction, MULTIPLE phone conversations.  Everyone in my family gave him a “shh,” but I must have given over a dozen.  By the time you are that age, moviegoing etiquette is common sense.  You just don’t take a phone call in the middle of a movie.  Step out into the lobby at the very least.

I’m not afraid to “shh.”  If I pay $10 to see a movie, I’m going to enjoy the experience being presented to me in the theater.  Your phone call isn’t going to ruin that for me.  Phone calls don’t just interrupt a movie, like the ads say.  They interrupt me, and the movie isn’t going to stop and snap at you.  I am.

Any fellow bold souls out there willing to stand up and say that you have fought for your right to enjoy a movie?


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