We don’t get out to the movies much anymore. Arranging for a babysitter and paying some astronomical amount to see a bad TV show retread isn’t high on my to-do list. However, there has been some serious buzz about some of the movies out this winter. While we were in San Diego, my mom bribed us with movies passes in exchange for alone time with Ellie. You would have thought we were jurors on a double murder trial as long as we deliberated over which movie to see. We settled on “No Country For Old Men” and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Another finalist was Tim Burton’s “Sweeney Todd,” a film I wouldn’t mind catching while it’s still in the theaters. But it is from Burton’s 1989 franchise rejuvenating “Batman” film that Jack Nicholson uttered the catchy phrase I used for my title today. I remember enjoying the movie, and I am sure I would enjoy it if I watched it again. However, it still leaves a bitter taste in my mouth because it spiraled out of control, and eventually spawned the debacles that were “Batman Forever” and “Batman & Robin.”
Around the same time (19 years ago!!) I spent a tremendous amount of time avoiding homework while tapping the buttons on my Nintendo gaming system. I had a barrage of games and was deft at them all. Most red-blooded males can still recall the “99 lives” code to Contra (quiz your husbands, and post if they know what I’m talking about.) Eventually, the Nintendo wore out and I had to move on, much like I moved on from those Batman movies.
Alas in 2005, Batman was resuscitated thanks to Christian Bale’s performance as Bruce Wayne in Christopher Nolan’s “Batman Begins.” I love every second of this movie and have watched it countless times. I find it fascinating that Nolan essentially went back to the drawing board, ignoring the fact that any previous Batman movies even existed. He takes another swing at the franchise with “The Dark Knight” later this year.
So while Batman has been revamped, the Nintendo has been completely re-born. Yes my friends, I speak of the Nintendo Wii.
(pause for spotlight and a chorus of ‘aaaahhhhhh’)
When I first started seeing commercials, and otherwise hearing about the Wii, I had no interest. I already had a PS2 collecting dust (in Jen’s stamp room no less) so there wasn’t a burning desire to drop a few hundy on another paperweight. But it took just one night in Wii-land for Jen and I; hook, line & sinker. We had so much fun, Jen was as enthused about it as I was - I knew we had to get one.
Being the lunatic that I am, it was less than a week later that I tracked one down and we now have it proudly installed in our living room. We had friends over tonight, and those that didn’t already have a system themselves vow to have one within days. Wii-itis is spreading, and it is borderline ridiculous.
We won’t be seeing Sweeney Todd until it hits Blockbuster. We have a permanent date night waiting for us in our living room. I could continue to sing the praises of this miracle of molded circuits, but I’d rather get my Wii-ness on. See you in Mario’s Galaxy.
