Making someone's day

The last time I volunteered at Ford's Theater, I was working the outside line, meaning that I answer questions ("Where's the Spy Museum?") and make sure that everyone has the correct ticket. I noticed a guy's t-shirt as he walked into the lobby--"Rogue Demon Hunter." I looked at him and asked, "You hunt rogue demons?" He and his girlfriend stopped and looked at me. I was like, "Angel, right?" They grinned and said that I was the first person to get the reference. It was awesome.

So glad my brain retains this stuff

I was at work the other day when a guy walked by. I asked a coworker who it was, and she said, "Oh, that's Gordon." And out of nowhere, my mind went here:




I cannot remember the last time I thought of Mother Goose Rock 'n' Rhyme, a Disney movie that first aired in 1990. I recorded it and watched it approximately a million times. Depite it being at least, oh, 15 years since I've seen that, I can sing along to that song. And I totally had a crush on Dan Gilroy, who played Gordon. (Though I liked him in the outfit he wears through most of the movie; less so the new jacket and hat from the end of the movie.)

Naturally, I immediately had to see whether there were any clips on YouTube. And the whole thing is on there! I have never been so happy!* And at some point, I'm going to rewatch. Because I'm sure it'll hold up! It's only been 20 years. I'm sure I'll still like everything I liked when I was 11.

* This may be an exaggeration.

A is for awesome

I saw Easy A yesterday. If you've managed to avoid the trailer (which is apparently possible; when I suggested it, Steve had to pull up the trailer online), it's about a girl, Olive, who pretends to have sex with guys after a rumor spreads around school that she had sex with a college boy. She becomes ostracized and basically says "Screw it!" and wears a red A on sexy corsets.

I'd put it up there with Bring It On and 10 Things I Hate About You in the category of teen movies. It references 80s teen movies and the need for random musical numbers (Yesss!!!), which I totally appreciate. And though I like (as in, compulsively watch every time I see it on tv) She's All That, Easy A has a lot more intelligence in it. The writing's great, the main characters are relatable, and the acting is fab. Amanda Bynes's character, the uptight Christian chick, is a total stereotype, but she's the exception to the rule.

Olive's parents are a lot of fun--the whole quirky, caring type. It could've gotten old if they were in more of the movie than they were. I kind of wished they took a bit more of an interest in what was going on with their daughter. In that way, I compare them to Mr. Bennett from Pride & Prejudice. (And you know who appreciates that analogy? Boys.)

What I really appreciated was how realistic Olive's journey was. I didn't feel like any of her actions felt wrong. The only thing that felt particularly off to me was how the rumor of Olive's devirginization spread. Do kids really care that much? Particularly about someone who's on the edges of the crowd?

I was suprised to find that it was only rated PG-13--there was a lot of swearing. But I don't remember any F-bombs, which probably explains that. I only hope that this means it'll do well. It's a lot of fun and a very well-made movie.