Do you have a favourite book or TV show or film that is the essence of film-flam, that doesn’t reflect the intellectual rigour with which you apply yourself to your cultural appreciation of all mediums? In short, is there something that drags you away from the daily grind of adulting, to indulge your memory of childhood or silly teenage nonsenses, but which you try hard to conceal from those who think they know you as a grownup?
I have many and mostly I can sneak in a fix – a page of Paddington or Pooh, a YouTube of Monty Python, a podcast of THHGTTG – without being found out. My family knows but there are others who think me serious – fun, maybe, but essentially wise and grounded and not prone to undiluted nonsense.
Last week, I snuck off to the cinema. The Textiliste was at the ballet – frankly I’d prefer to have my nose plucked than that – and the kids deep-diving the specification for their home refurbishment, seeking hidden savings that had yet to make themselves apparent.
My goal wasn’t Shakespeare or Jane Austen. It wasn’t Steve Martin or even Chevy Chase. Not even a piece of Marvel Monotony.
Nope, it was Dungeons and Dragons. I liked the premise, the trailer and… sod it, the humour. It was the same with Toy Story and Monster, Inc. The premise was childish, the story trite but the characters and their interactions perfectly pitched, in so far as such nonsense could be described thus.
I laughed uproariously on several occasions.
Then the lights went up. And along the row from me sat a couple I’ve known for a long time. A serious, slightly worthy pair. With their grandkids. Patently they were suffering in the name of family support. They were being noble.
I met their gaze. I grinned. They looked incredulous. Clearly I’ve become so mentally unstable that I’m no longer capable of finding the right screen. I glanced at the two grandchildren. They too grinned. They had probably enjoyed the film on a totally different level to me, but we’d both got something out of it.
Which was more than their carers. I think their only take away was a sense of martyrdom well spent. I can’t wait for the next time we meet.
And is Dungeons and Dragons worth it? That, dear reader is for you to decide. Frankly it’s a one-watch of a film, but it served it’s hoped-for purpose. And if you prefer to sit through bodices and bonnets well, bully for you. I’m very happy being a philistine.
TanGental 
I’d have to choose the spaghetti western ‘Once Upon a Time in the West’. Fabulous music and tear jerking emotion. And the single-minded revenge is … wonderful. And that harmonica!
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There’s one in all of us
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I have always found that adulting is much overrated!
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Oh yes. Big kidding is much more fun
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Not sure that anyone would think of me as particularly mature so have no hesitation in mentioning either Planes, Trains, and Automobiles (apart from over-sentimental ending), or Tremors.
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Don’t know Tremors… does that make me lacking? TP&A is genius though.
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I’ve been de-maturing as I age, so this film appeals to me on many levels. I hope to see it soon! (The secret film that I’ve watched maybe four times is Grease.)
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Get you! Brilliant choice. We had a bellyful of the wholesome Olivia NJ on TV in the early 70s so to see her in spray on trousers was something delightfully disturbing to the 18year old me
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I featured her on my blog Monday last. Part of a post of three down-under stars. I think she enjoyed being a bad girl!
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Priceless. I laughed out loud, imagining the scene. It’s funny that human nature allows us to judge others for what movies they attend. Screw it! I say do what makes you happy.
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You’re very right but some do like to sow their opprobrium far and wide!
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I am a philistine too roll it on ….I love anything childish ….take me back 😊👍👍
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Now why am I not surprised…
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I wonder 🤔
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Good for you! Too much intellectual snobbery about (and maybe that pair had some of it).
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Indeed. My mother gave me a good grounding in snobbery so I can put it on if the need arises, but generally I manage to sink below it…
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I was with the grandkids and saw Madagascar. Thought I was going to die laughing. The little ones enjoyed the slapstick, but I enjoyed the stuff that was slipped between the lines.
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Exactly how I felt with Monsters, Inc. Mind you it doesn’t always work, does it. I would easily have chosen having my prostate widened with a carrot than see Pokémon the Movie again.
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Have not seen it but can agree that sometimes it doesn’t work.
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I had a friend who adored the Muppet movies – she would go with her kids and laugh a lot more than they did. At the time I didn’t get it but after she passed I began to really love them as well.
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Once you get sucked in. I’ve spent the last ten years channelling my inner Waldorf and Stadler…
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We are on Telly Tubbies at the moment
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Poor you. I hope they find a vaccine soon. Try Pingu…
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Give me some Gerry Anderson any day, Geoff… That said, although I scoffed at the idea of Dungeons and Dragons the movie, like you, I’ve been tempted by the trailer. As has Ess, though I suspect she won’t be fit for the cinema before D&Ds is consigned to your favourite subscription service… Might have to sneak out myself
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Hope she’s up and swinging from the chandelier soon.
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Not so much Dungeons and Dragons, it was Shrek the movie that had me in fits of laughter so much so the nieces refused to be seen leaving with us. Children’s movies I am sure are made more for adults to enjoy. People with grandchildren having the martyr look annoy me.
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I can understand. Yes Shrek had some terrific sections.
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Haven’t seen it yet, but I’m going to, for the same reason as you – fun! 😀
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Yep. Purely escapist
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Your description of the grandparents and grandkids cracked me up. I’d be like grandma, while my husband would definitely enjoy the movie (since he’s ten).
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Splendid man. May he retain his preteenageship for a long time.
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