Friday was when things stopped feeling like a race to catch up.
For the first few days we caught up on chores and sleep and then settled into life with a “stay-at-home” order -which means we can leave our residence, but only if necessary for things like food, medicine, & walks.
We own a lot of movies that have not been watch over the years, mainly because Katie has sensory issues, so depending on what’s happening with her neurologically she’ll either have no problem, react to any noises or lights with convulsions, or fall asleep. However, her not working at all is making her much more tolerant of such things (but not completely, at which point we know it’s time to take a break).
So, what better time to share each other’s movie collection.
BTW, we’re old school and mainly have a DVD/VHS collection, whose longevity we worry about daily -on our list of “should do”: digitize them all.
“I felt this was a good place to start because it’s filled with action, unintentional comedy, and Arnold (last name not needed, for there is only one Arnold) has always held a special place in my heart. Plus, I hadn’t seen it in …20 years?” -Tim
Fun fact: We acquired this movie when a co-worker of Katie’s father was giving away his DVD collection. Our CD collection is quite random for the same reason.
Katie’s Reaction:
“You can’t watch this film without commenting on how ridiculous it is, in the most admirable of ways. It really just made me want to Mystery Science Theater 3000 it.
It made me think of Stephan on SNL:
‘If you want a movie filled with hair-don’ts, not the guy from Veep, horrible yet revolutionary for the time special effects, and a reminder of the days of car phones…'”
Superlatives:
Favorite Scene:
“It starts with a classic Arnold “Nyaaa” as he launches himself across an airplane and ends with him landing on a car, while 2 kids on bikes welcome him to Earth. Seriously, you need to watch this.”
I kept thinking every time he was injured, with say shrapnel going through his hand, that he’d be fine because he’s a “cybernetic organism living tissue over metal endoskeleton.”
Turns out that’s only in Terminator. He’s not always the Terminator, sometimes he’s just a dude. Not cool, Arnold. Not Cool.
Also, he’s not always a time traveler. I don’t even know why we watched this.”
Most Eye-opening Moment:
“This film begs the question: How many priests are in the witness protection program?
Is my dad in the witness protection program?
Is Tim’s?”
Of note:
“In classic Katie-fashion, I kept forgetting the plot while we were watching the movie, but I blame that more on the fact that it’s more than a bit over the top.”
“Vanessa Williams’ character is refreshingly ahead of her time aka not always a damsel in distress.”
“After being filled with 90’s nostalgia, I chose this because I longed for its release during the summer between my 5th and 6th grade year.
I loved it, but not so much for the actors, plot, or anything else that comprises an excellent movie, rather because the Babysitters Club book series was a huge part of my childhood. I’d check them out 5 books at a time (not an exaggeration), from my local castle of a library (also not an exaggeration- Kingston, NH knows how to make a library), and drink them all in (after skipping the intro because: redundent), just to return them a week later and repeat the process.
I could not recall if the movie was good. I just knew it need to be viewed if Tim were to ever understand me as a person. Yes, I say this 12.5 years into our marriage.
Also, it has Alex Mac -enough said.” -Katie
Tim’s Reaction:
“The movie itself felt like a TV show where the dialogue sounded more like a play script, being preformed by a high school. If it were made today it could easily be made a higher caliber.”
(Katie would like to note that Netflix has chosen to take on this challenge. Also, he had yet to experience the early 90’s series that aired on HBO, catch the easily-stuck-in-your-head intro here.)
Continuing on with Tim’s reaction…
Superlatives:
Most Disturbing Scene:
“When the 17-year-old love interest, after coming to terms with the fact that he had unknowingly been dating a 13-year-old, professes his love for her, stating that he’ll be back next year.
To which she [Stacey] says excitedly: “I’ll be 14!”
To which I say: “and he’ll be 18 and that’s illegal.”
…and then they kiss.”
Of note:
“I spotted a lot of actors that I recognized.”
Movie #3, Tim’s Choice:
Die Another Day (2002) AKA Pierce Brosnan’s final repraisal of James Bond
“I picked this one because I felt it was a nice follow up to Eraser with action, special effects, more unintentional comedy, and an all around fun film.
Katie’s Reaction:
“Right off the bat, I’ll let you know I kept confusing this with Mission Impossible,
especially during scenes like when Bond belays down the ice dome. Also, my only other Bond film experience has been with Daniel Craig’s Casino Royale.
(Fun Fact: We saw it in the theater the day after we got engaged)
This movie had me not only preferring Daniel Craig’s rendition of Bond, but caused me to realize that I all around just don’t care for Pierce Brosnan as an actor.
Oh, and the lair in Iceland I kept thinking was the Sydney Opera House on the outside (which I’ve only seen in photos) and on the inside was Superman’s Fortress of Solitude (which I’ve only visited twice). Not to mention the moments it sprinkled in bits of Star Wars vibes with its wide open spaces and futuristic vehicles.”
“When this came out there was an obsession with Halle Barry, but clearly it wasn’t due to her acting ability. This came out 5 years after Eraser, yet the woman’s roles were a huge step back. Which is especially sad given how cool they could have made 2 side-kick spies. In the end they were essentially sex objects. Miranda Frost’s Character at one point must have been fresh off the shooting of Aaliya’s ‘Are you that somebody’ music video“ (apologies for getting that baby noise stuck in you head).
“The invisible car, the watch that can brake the ice, and the hang glider plane. All of these I could see being useful in my everyday life.
All around, I like how much Bond is ultimately a totally different take on Inspector Gadget. (I grew up with the cartoon and longed to be Penny, no apologies for getting that song stuck in your head)
Final Summation:
“The acting was meh, the plot was ok, but the inventions and visuals were entertaining and the Mystery Science Theater 3000 level was great.
Around Town
Walks are always a part of our life, usually twice a day. The difference now is that when you come across someone on the sidewalk, they act like ant who has had a leaf dropped in their path -they have no idea where to go and sometimes spin in circles.
Shopping trips are dangerous, mostly because people are so set on their mission to acquire toilet paper that they nearly plow into you with their shopping carts.
(we had 2 near misses)
Photo Roundup
Wordless signs amuse us. This one was found in Valley Forge.
The Sorting Hydrant
Rory Living her best life
Rory mid-eating
Rory helping with laundry
Pie Cake Pre-Bake: An attempt at Tim’s childhood food
Pie Cake Post-Bake: Good, but not what it should be, mainly the issue is with the texture of the crust
The Petals are staying on much longer this year
Neighbors doing their part
Lava Lamp Shenanigans
Post-cloroxing the area, we found a way to do pull ups without our gym
A Penny for your Farthing 
