I got to see Blazing Saddles in a movie theater tonight!

[thewayne]

I didn't see it during its original run in 1974 as I was all of 12 years old or so, and my parents weren't huge movie goers, but I have managed to see it on big screens on a couple of occasions. And tonight was great. They were showing a double-feature of BS and Willy Wonka, so clearly some sort of Gene Wilder tribute. This particular theater chain, Harkins, is a reliable source of foreign and art house films. I remember seeing Akira Kurosawa's Dreams at it when it was first released. I also got to see The Big Lebowski a few years ago at one of their theaters, that was quite a treat.

Blazing Saddles is such an amazing movie with so many wonderful stories behind it, it was a genuine treat to see it again on a big screen. It was sad that the house wasn't packed, but I guess that's to be expected for a 40 year old movie that isn't something like Casablanca. It did an amazing job of ridiculing many forms of racism, and there is no way a film like this could ever be made today.

But we don't need a film like this to be made today: we have Blazing Saddles, and its message is perfectly clear.

Comments

[porsupah.livejournal.com]

Oh, cool beans! Gods, it's been ages since I last saw either production.

I'd love to have a "real" cinema around. In SF, of course, there's no shortage, even with the loss of the Red Vic a few years back - there remain the Roxie and the magnificent Castro Theatre, amongst others. Bath has the rather charming Little Theatre, where I finally got to see Hot Fuzz, courtesy of Volkswagen, who made the screening free, and laid on wine and popcorn for everyone. ^_^

Oddly, I still remember clearly where I saw The Big Lebowski - it was a rental DVD I watched on my PowerBook, in a room above a pub in Byron Bay, easternmost point of Australia.

BTW, have you seen Studio Laika's latest yet? I'm hoping to get to do so - looks every bit as good as Paranorman. ^_^

[thewayne.livejournal.com]

You are referring to Kubo and the Two Strings? Awesome movie, saw it with my wife two weeks ago. I thought it was an excellent story, and it is an end credit that you MUST sit through as they show the physical construction of the puppet of a key monster. It was really cool.

I was an absolute movie slut when I lived in Phoenix, it would not be uncommon for me to see two or more movies a week. Two major theater chains ensured that every major movie made it through, I reveled in it. Now I'm stuck with one podunk chain that has two big theaters in the next biggest town that show 95% the same movies between the two rather than bringing in some diversity. I was gobsmacked when they brought in Florence Foster Jenkins, my wife and I doubted that we would get to see it together.

I caught Hot Fuzz in Las Cruces at this podunk chain, it screened for only one or two weeks. Such an excellent movie, especially considering it was one of Edward Woodward's last roles before his death. Definitely one of my favorite Pegg movies.

Big Lebowski is so good on a big screen. I don't like watching movies on laptops, but it is my current state: I'm re-watching Firefly right now and while I've been in Phoenix I've also been watching Doc Martin and Thunderbirds.

Doc Martin on Thunderbirds -- that would be something!

[artkouros.livejournal.com]

I saw it at the movie theater in high school. On a date. With a girl. I recently bought it again. I love it. It and Young Frankenstein.