I begin this (controlled) rant with a disclaimer: I do not really consider myself a movie snob. Accepted holds an exalted place in my DVD collection, and I did sob my way through The Time Traveler’s Wife this summer (though, in case you were wondering, the book is way better. Read it.).
However, I will not deny that my heart truly lies with the quirky, reflective, and dramatic worlds of independent film. That movie you’ve never heard of? Chances are I have been following its production for a year…or at least anticipating its arrival for a few months.
As awards season begins, with its onslaught of prestigious cinema, I ready myself for four wonderful months of awesome movies. However, I always overlook one detail; fall also means a return to my car-less Connecticut existence.
The obvious solution would be the Camel Van, ushering Conn students to popular New London and Waterford locations four days a week. Naturally, one of these stops is a movie theater, the local Regal Waterford. Problem solved, right?
Anyone who has gone to Waterford via the Camel Van knows this is not the case, finding themselves staring up at the dismal selections forty minutes later after misjudging travel time and thus missing their planned showing. Hmmm, what campy thriller do they want to pay money for instead?
Waterford works for the occasional dime-a-dozen romantic comedy, but in these cases, I have a friend drive.
See, if Waterford were my only option, I would be bitter but resigned. However, there are four other theaters within a fifteen-mile range of 270 Mohegan Avenue, all of which tend to have an indie film or two in their repertoire. Thus, my dream is not impossible, just out of reach, making the situation all the more maddening. The theaters in Groton, Niantic and Stonington are all pretty typical, showing a mix of family films, thrillers, romances, and indies… not too shabby.
However, only ten miles away is the Mystic Village 3, which has sadly become an idealized vision in my indie-deprived head. It shouldn’t surprise me that this three-screen theater has such a great listing; the cutesy tourist towns somehow always have a small art house.
Yet, nine out of ten times, Mystic tends to be the only theater showing whatever movie I want to see, even if only for a few weeks. I normally end up not getting to go, watching anxiously as the screening times dwindled down to nothing.
Over the last year, I have become trained in the art of asking for a ride without really asking for a ride.
“Oh, are you going to Target/Shop Rite/the mall anytime soon? Really? Let me know when!”
The journey needs to be the driver’s idea – you are just along for the ride (ouch, no pun intended, I swear!).
I have tried this same technique with movies to no avail, targeting friends who I feel would actually enjoy said random film. I plant the bait (“OMG have you seen the trailer for Bright Star? You need to, especially with your love of the BBC!”) and wait. Most of the time, no one bites.
I have yet to beg, but I will admit, I have gotten close to doing so. However, I do have some priorities in whack, enough to know that not scaring off my friends is more important that my movie obsessions.
At least…I think I do. I really should look into the Zip Cars next year. Or a therapist.
