With a very low turn out for class and a promo poster so near, who wouldn't be tempted to send their students down to the movie lounge for a little Frost/Nixon? The poster for the following week's offering of Yes Man hung right next to it. And although I had never even seen a preview of Yes Man, I knew the premise was all about being open to new experiences. So it's like I had to. In my defense, I did tell students they could write their comparison essays about the flick.
Sure, I liked it and figured anyone could get a few pages out of the contrasts between the president and host. But during the brief discussion afterward, it became quite clear that my students didn't really get much out of it. "I wondered why they called that thing with Clinton 'Monica-Gate." Since they had never heard of Watergate, it can be safely assumed they missed the Checkers joke completely.
The next night I found myself at a stranger's airplane hanger and later driving the back home alone in a '77 Pontiac Sunbird. Squishy brakes, no tail lights, and just the red glow of the check engine light to guide me the seventy miles. All because I had seen the poster for Yes Man. I had agreed to do this only if I would be allowed to smoke in the bird on the way home. I knew it would be a long stressful drive. Worst case scenario: I was too stressed to smoke.
The following week, the other half of the class showed up. At first I thought "how can I justify another visit to the movie lounge?" Mind you, this class meets just once a week. But then I remembered Yes Man was about to start on a continuous reel. The answer to the could I really get away with this two weeks in a row issue was a clear yes.
Having now actually seen the film, don't call me to go pick up a car or eat something weird. I don't have to. But I've since gotten Daisy to watch it and she subsequently agreed to go with me on a bus trip to see The Counting Crowes. So watch it at least once.
Found yourself at a stranger's airplane hangar? You make me miss you.
Are the Counting Crowes a cover band? Russell's, or Cameron's?
Posted by: Sweet | 2009.04.30 at 14:47