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Cinematic Yearning, or, a seasonal lament for the films I won't be seeing in theaters



The trailer for I, Tonya is absolutely bonkers, both heartbreaking and hilarious, and I want to give Margot Robbie all the awards based on this small sampling of her work in the film.


To me, and again based on these few minutes of scenes, it has a similar vibe to Gus Van Sant's To Die For, which featured a jaw-dropping Nicole Kidman performance. Both films seem to be about mentally unstable women obsessed with fame or fortune who resort to some form of illegality—murder in To Die For, clubbing Nancy Kerrigan in the knees in I, Tonya—to further their careers.


Kidman's work in To Die For is, pardon the pun, to die for. I may be reading too much into a trailer, but it's looking like Robbie could turn in a similarly exceptional performance in a similarly challenging role.

For that and other reasons, I'm chomping at the bit to see this movie. It opens Friday.

Unfortunately, I'll probably have to wait several months to see it on-demand, or via streaming or Blu-ray/DVD. Why? Because I rarely get out to the theater these days—small kids at home, bills to pay, no free time, the world is in a daily state of chaotic unrest and who can get out to movies at a time like this, blah blah blah. The usual reasons.

Even though I've seen few films in theaters this year—including Logan and Wonder Woman (saw that one twice!)—it's been a banner year for me considering the ones I did see. Fortunately, I was also able to see Michelle Pfeiffer's brilliant performance in Darren Aronofsky's fabulously anxiety-inducing Mother! in theaters, back in September. Unfortunately, that's probably the last film I'll see at the cinema in 2017.


Because I'm a Pfeiffer completist, it pains me to know that another critically acclaimed Michelle performance (in Murder on the Orient Express) is happening in theaters as I type these words, yet I have no concrete plans to get away and see it. "Argh" isn't a sufficient enough expression of my disappointment in this turn of events.

Then there are more fall releases I'm itching to see, and see now: Justice League, Thor: Ragnorak, Blade Runner 2049, and It.

I can hear you now: "Get a sitter! Cut out of work early!" Good ideas, all, but holiday season is also in full-tilt boogie and there's simply no time for setting aside two or three hours for the cinema.


I can also hear you telling me to quit complaining and to appreciate my damn kids while I have them at home! Hey, settle down. I love the rugrats more than words can ever express. I'm just a cinephile trying to reconcile all that entails with responsibilities like parenthood, work, and everything else #adulting.

For now, I'll have be content with watching films at home, regularly (when the kiddos are asleep). After all, the rate at which movies quickly exit theaters and become available to rent, buy, or stream is blindingly fast these days. This reminds me, another flick I missed at the cinema is out now—the crazy sexy cool Atomic Blonde. I need a jolt of action, so I'm moving that one to the top of the watch list.

See? With ever-narrowing periods of time between theatrical releases and VOD, waiting is now a little easier than in decades past. I do miss seeing movies more frequently in theaters, though. There's something special about it. But I suppose now that I'm only seeing two, three, maybe four movies a year in theaters, I appreciate the experience even more.

Plus, while missing a film in its theatrical release can make me feel late to the party, to paraphrase Marc Maron, there is no "late to the party" anymore. Constant digital access has made the party ongoing. When it comes to consuming pop culture, the party is perpetual. It never ends, and you can stop by any time you like and find someone to talk to about whatever aspect of it you're into.

So, enjoy I, Tonya if you're able to see it this December. Check back with me in a few months and we'll discuss.


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Comments

  1. Paul SDecember 8, 2017 at 2:01 AM

    How have you managed to shoehorn Charlize, Margot, Michelle and Nicole into the same post? So much talent in close proximity could cause me to spontaneously combust!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Words Seem Out of PlaceDecember 8, 2017 at 4:51 AM

      Wow, now that you mention it, I’m actually kind of impressed with myself!

      Delete

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