I'm sure I'm not the only one who's noticed how things have changed. From the way in which we watch TV and consume news and information, to our purchasing habits and keeping up with our online presence and "brand", while chasing down ideas and checking out the latest product from those influencers we admire so much with the filtered skin and hair tones.
While everything around us has gone through some form of change, movies for me will always remain that constant of providing a genuine escape from the outside world, and while most theaters are temporarily closed, going to the movies, an event in and of itself; whether you're going on a date, bringing the entire family, or just sneaking in a little alone time to relive Mia's final audition and reveling in the character's bravery of taking control of her life despite the outcome, and not caring about what anyone else thinks, by jumping in with both feet and succumbing to a nasty cold for an entire month, only to have zero regrets and affirm that she'd do it all again.
Growing up I spent Christmas morning with my dad and then my mom would pick me up and we'd always go to the movies. The theater was that place where she and I had the most amazing time together and found our bond during those often strained teen years where my bratty and self-absorbed moods found themselves to be problematic. I have so many wonderful memories of the two of us laughing during a funny scene and then as the scene finished we would continue laughing even after the rest of the audience had stopped.
Do you remember watching a movie and there'd be a scene at a local dive bar with three people just sitting in this dark and lonely place chain smoking, and it's only like 11:45 in the morning on a Tuesday? Those local dive bar scenes have become a thing of poetry otherwise these famous directors wouldn't keep putting them in their movies.
During my life, I've encountered many of these places full of mystery and have poked my head into a few and always feel that nostalgia every time I walk down a street that has the tell-tale wood paneling on the outside. As soon as you walk into the door the smell of stale beer and cigarette smoke hits you but it's not necessarily unpleasant. On the contrary, it's a memory. As you enter through the door and turn the corner, the Christmas lights illuminate the way while adding a hint of festivity even though it's June, but you know those scenes have their place in the reality of life and have served as an inspiration because when you look back on the times you've encountered those very scenes you've inadvertently stumbled upon, you think this is what it feels like to have an adventure, even if it's not the Indiana Jones running from a boulder the size of a truck type.
To say that 2020 has been a harrowing adventure would be an understatement. It played out in true form like a #quentintarantino movie where you're sitting at the edge of your seat, heart pounding out of your chest because you know the next few moments aren't going to end well but then just when you think it's going to get REALLY UGLY, the script flips on its ass and the events that follow change a monumental, historical event much like Tarantino's revisionism in his films.
It goes without saying, that one of the best things to close out the year was that, #wevotedhimthefuckout! It was also the year that really #woke us up as a result of forcing change in a society and uniting with people all over the country to stop a dictatorial bully whose only purpose was to take us down in an effort to be exalted to a more kingly status. We should however also be grateful that it reminded us and introduced a new generation that LOVE is LOVE and hate and racism, have no place in our society and that some traditions need to be tucked away on a lower back shelf to serve as a reminder of how far we've come.
Cheers to 2021 Everyone!
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