no magic, just illusion

Well, that was mostly true for this week's A*List collection, even that last one.

That may sound strange considering the identity of the "Screen Unseen", but it's still true.

Given that "Gladiator II" started this week anyway, drawing in a crowd for a special screening of an 'unknown' movie seemed a bit of a ruse.

At least it was only $6 for anyone without an A*List to take the dance.

Those other two movies were actually viewed for free by me.

I saw "Anora" on Tuesday, and watched "Wicked" Wednesday (i.e. tonight).

Somehow, my A*List was not working on those two days!

So, Alicia gave me the free pass on Tuesday, and Jackson did tonight.

I suspect the issue is this: they were entering me in as a "Senior", as they should.

However, AMC currently has my order status listed as "Adult", having inexplicable changed it from the correct "Senior" earlier this year.

I'll test that theory the next time I buy a ticket at the cinema.

I had not problem placing orders online for those two movies a few minutes ago, as is evident in the photo above of my trio.

How to know those are scheduled for tomorrow?

No check marks to denote they have been viewed.

Illusion, plain and simple.

So, just why was "Anora" not magical, just illusion?

That was the name of the dancer-escort at Club HQ who fancied herself as having won the romance lottery when she married a wealthy Russian's RPG-addicted son.

Ah, but she was no "Pretty Woman", and he was no Richard Gere-type businessman.

Lots of sex, lots of money flashed around... but all illusion, not real.

It certainly was not the "romantic comedy drama" it was billed as.

 

Then there's "Wicked: Part 1", seen at its "Early Access Fan Event".

So many fans turned out that they had to move it into the Big-D screening room!

The cinema also ran out of the LEGO kits, so I missed out on that.

Still, I'd watched "Defying Gravity" on CBS last night, so I was totally pumped for the movie!

Based on the 2003 Broadway musical, I was very excited to hear Cynthia Erivo sing!

Such a voice she has!

However, the beginning of the movie was dark, starting with 'Dorothy' having already accidentally killed the Wicked Witch of the West with water and 'Glinda' bringing the official word to Munchkin Town.

Very dark scene.

It just felt wrong to me, longtime fan of "The Wizard Of Oz" that I am.

I'll be sure to tell my first niece about that off-step.

I'll also tell her that this is -NOT- appropriate for her girls or the twins.

They already seem to believe that mean-spirited is okay as long as one is seen as pretty on the outside... which describes 'Galinda' throughout much of the movie.

Yikes.

Plus, the character is blonde, which certainly wouldn't help the four great-nieces to dissociate their identities from hers.

That said, the movie musical was very good, having several touch points from the 1939 movie classic for those of us who know that by heart.

I loved every scene with 'Elphaba', and I loved the Prince, too.

And Jeff Goldblum... he was magnificent as the magician who knew only illusions.

In fact, of everyone who inhabited Oz, 'Elphaba' was the only true magician, as it turned out.

Say what?

It's true.

But see for yourself.

Again, I very much enjoyed the movie, though it certainly cast a different light on some of the key characters.

Nonetheless, I plan to see it again.

In fact, as I already have reservations for it and the Russian movie tomorrow, I'm planning to stay for at least part of the 2 PM "Wicked"...

but I will certainly not see the other one again.

 

This WSAV weather song is no illusion, though.

Just a pure and simple indicator that Savannah is transitioning from fall to winter.

Just look at that nasty little dip... ack.

Down, down, down into the low forties for the next three mornings.

I am so blessed to be retired and not expected to be out in that cold!

Plus, according to the Farmers Almanac, the weather on November 21 sets the tone for the coming winter.

Does that mean the temperatures will be able to struggle up from those lows at dawn to reach the mid-60's for mid-afternoon?

I just may be okay with that.

We'll see how it goes.

(smile!)