Creating Around-the-Clock Cinemas #atozchallenge

“Confusion never stops, closing walls and ticking clocks...am I a part of the cure or am I a part of the disease?”

"Clocks" by Coldplay is a groovy song that I listen to during moments of relaxation or times when I need a pick-me-up. Since I don't know what this song is about, however, let's talk about the seconds, minutes and hours in a day, instead -- particulary as these elements pertain to shorts.

Wouldn’t it be cool if movie theaters that only show short films existed? As it stands, film festivals and special one-off screenings are the only places where you can usually find short films to watch. If there was an independent theater or cineplex that opened to screen short films exclusively, this could probably be a nice little market that catered to audiences who sought convenient forms of entertainment in the middle of their busy day. Consider this, there are times when you may not have enough time to sit through a two-hour long movie -- especially when you factor in movie previews, pre-shows, corporate advertisements and all of the other onscreen junk that many cineplexes screen before the scheduled showtime.

Case in point, last month I went to a popular sports bar for dinner with a friend and we had to wait more than 45 minutes just to get a table. Although we managed to pass the time by checking out the games at Parx Casino in Bensalem, PA, an estimated hour and 30 minutes (yeah!..and the food wasn’t even that great) is a hell of a long time to wait around for dinner. We could have watched several short films within that time frame. However, if we went to a movie theater to check out a feature length film such as Tyler Perry’s “Good Deeds,” we would have wasted an extra hour and possibly missed our table call. Imagine if there was a movie theater where you could go and check out a film instantly, knowing that it will be over in like 10 or 15 minutes -- wouldn’t that be a more enjoyable way to spend your time in certain circumstances?

 While you ponder that idea for a moment, consider turning your home into a private movie theater the next time you host a birthday party or other social event. Tell guests to RSVP for tickets to see different films that are scheduled to play at your house at different times of the day.

You can rent films that neither you nor your guests have yet watched from places like Blockbuster, pull out some home movies to reminisce about or host a screening of independent films. The latter can be done by contacting the filmmakers directly or participating in international DIY film festivals such as Future Shorts, Secret Cinema or Couch Fest Films.

No matter how you select films to play at your makeshift movie theater, make it an all day marathon event, complete with a midnight awards ceremony where "The Academy" (made up of guests at your party) nominate and select winning films based on what they saw at your house. The guests who voted for those winning films get to "Win" their party favors and give an acceptance speech, therefore let them know at the beginning of the party that they have to vote in order to get party favors. Give the guests who voted for losing films different party favors than those of winning films.

What occasion would prompt YOU to turn your house into a movie theater?

Which movies would be on YOUR DIY cinema marquee?

Who would you invite to come visit YOUR spontaneous DIY home theater?

Would YOU buy tickets to see short films as a way to pass the time before doing other tasks such as waiting for a table at a restaurant, picking someone up at the airport, etc.?

Babies at the Movies #atozchallenge

“Cause we fit together like a hand and glove, just to be with you is all I’m thinking of...”

“Baby” by Brandy has always been one of many songs I enjoy listening to. While this upbeat tune, about a love interest or teenage crush is cute in and of itself, the music video is even better. It makes viewers want to dance and was also age appropriate for Brandy fans and the singer herself, upon the release of her self-titled album. Now, how can we get rude parents who bring their babies to the movie theater to not only understand what age appropriate means, but also adhere to this standard of behavior or social etiquette?

If your child is under 2 years of age, why, oh why are you bringing him or her with you to see the comedy “Horrible Bosses” or the action flick, “2012?” The last time I checked, the former film is Rated-R and the latter is rated PG-13. Baby’s don’t care how funny Jennifer Aniston is nor do they care if John Cusak can save the world -- that is why Hollywood makes movies like “Shrek” and “Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked” -- to accommodate moviegoers of all ages.

Since parents are going to do what they want to do anyway, there are ways to make the thought of movies and babies in one room seem a little less annoying -- beyond the movie theater, of course.

The next time you host or attend a baby shower, play a photo guessing game that features scenes from movies about babies, parenting or kids. Here are game sheets that I made, along with an answer key that you can print out on blue paper if the baby shower is for a boy and pink, yellow or any other color you prefer if the newborn baby is set to be a girl.

Object of the game: Name the movie that corresponds with the trivia fact and photo for each number.

Grab it here...

Baby Movie Guessing Game 

and enjoy!

Do YOU think that babies should be admitted in movie theaters?

Also, the Monday Movie Meme may be taking a backseat to the A to Z Challenge this week while Dale at Smurfin' the Web covers one of the most famous film franchises today. So, be sure to check his "B" post out!

Angels in Film and Beyond #atozchallenge

“A love like ours is heaven sent – you fill me up with the joy of living; when things get tough, I can always turn to you. You’re my angel…”

“Angel” by Anita Baker has to be one of the most romantic songs ever made, which comes as no surprise because it is delivered by a very soulful woman who is known for singing about love and all it encompasses. Romance aside, this tune reminds me of angels who are oftentimes under-appreciated for all that they do for loved ones and strangers alike.

These angels may also be referred to as heroes because they save lives by donating, facilitating or funding organ transplants, offering help in times of tragedy such as environmental disasters, house fires or everyday challenges including motor vehicle accidents, abuse or other types of violence. The contributions of people who are in this group extend beyond heroic acts, to include simple acts of kindness that tranform lives.

I’m sure that many of you can think of at least on angel who has served you, someone you know or someone that you don’t know. There are many in our lives that we can be thankful for every day because they are also people who lift us up, those that encourage us or bring out the best in us by either intentionally or unintentionally causing us to hone in on our best qualities that we have to offer the world.

It’s kind of like what Morgan Freeman’s character did in “Lean on Me” by challenging his peers and students to do better; what Sean Connery’s character did in “Finding Forrester” by forcing his teenage prodigy to channel anger and curiosity into literary work; what Julia Roberts’ character did in “Erin Brockovich” by helping a group of total strangers get justice for medical ailments caused by pollution; what Liam Neeson’s character did in “Taken” by risking his life to find and save his kidnapped daughter by any means necessary and what Denzel Washington and Chris Pine’s characters did in “Unstoppable” by putting themselves in danger to prevent a disaster for innocent people in nearby towns.

Here is a little trivia game based on film plots involving superheroes and everyday heroes; that you could play during a movie night.

The following tunes were on the soundtrack or appeared as a theme song for which film?

1. "I Believe I Can Fly" by R. Kelly - Film: _____________________

2. "Gotham City" by R. Kelly - Film: _________________________

3. "Hero" by Chad Kroeger - Film: __________________________

4. "Iris" by The Goo Goo Dolls - Film: _______________________

5. "Shake Ya Tailfeather" by Nelly - Film: _____________________

6. "Impossible" by Kanye West - Film: ______________________

7. "Welcome to the Jungle" by Guns N’ Roses - Film: ____________

8. "Gangsta’s Paradise" by Coolio - Film: ____________________

9. "He Got Game" by Public Enemy - Film: ____________________

10. "Don’t Want to Miss a Thing" by Aerosmith - Film: ___________

You can print out this list and play this trivia game at the dinner table with family and friends -OR- You can play it right now by answering the questions yourself. The only catch is that you have 5 minutes. Ready? Set. Go!

What does the word Angel and/or Hero mean to YOU?

Have YOU ever been touched by any Angels or Heroes?

Who were these people and what kind of impact did they have on YOUR life?