Saturday, August 29, 2009

Day 14 - Let's all go to the movies

Ah, the weekend. Time to indulge in one of my favorite parts of college town life. As the weekend marked the end of the first full week of classes, a time honored campus institution started again - MSU's Cinema International.

Woody Allen's acclaimed "Vicky Cristina Barcelona" was playing tonight at the student center theater as part of the program. Sponsored in part by the modern languages department and the study abroad office, Cinema International offers free films for three nights (Thurs - Sat) every weekend throughout the semester. It's open to local residents and MSU students, and the films are always excellent.

Murray has only one actual movie theater - the Cheri - and while we love it, they don't show foreign or art house films. This makes campus movie nights extra special. Over the years since I moved to Murray, I've really missed the luxury of multiple multi-plexes. Tonight, I had the chance to see a wonderful film I've heard about for nearly two years, and I was not at all disappointed. Vicky Christina Barcelona stars Penelope Cruz, Victor Bardem and Scarlett Johannsen, and is the capricious tale of two beautiful yet vastly different young women trying to find themselves. They meet a fiery, fascinating local artist (Bardem) during one summer abroad in Barcelona...and fun ensues.

Set against the beautiful backdrops of Spain (and so reminiscent of my time there last summer), the film gives its audience glimpses of the arts and artistic community, historic architecture ...and is accompanied by outstanding acoustic guitar. In his pre-film speech, Cinema International's director, Mike Waag, told the audience we were about to enjoy some real "eye candy" and he was right. How refreshing to have applause at the end of a film once again. In three weeks, I'll be back to see "The Kite Runner."

I just love Saturdays.... a leisurely morning of reading and studying, housecleaning and research in the afternoon, all topped off by a good movie. I needed that.

Peace.

Elizabeth


No comments:

Post a Comment