Movie viewing in Phily

Eden has challanged me to blog about my experience watching "The Firm" in Center City Philadelphia in 1993. This is the most bizzare movie viewing adventure I have ever had. And one of the scariest times of the four years living in Philadelphia as a med student.

It was a Friday night and my friends and I didn't want to keep studying or go to the bars too early. So we decided to go see the movie "The Firm". Now, in Center City Philadelphia, there are only so many theaters. The fancy theaters in the safer area showed artier movies. These theaters are near Independence Hall. Most of the popular films played in areas that were less safe. Of course, safe is a relative term living in any big city. So we went to a theater at 19th and Locust (which was demolished not long afterward; it was a dump).

There were four of us who went. R and S were Asian Americans. E and I were white guys. The rest of the audience were African American. No big deal. Except, several people were acting like gangsta's. And in all honesty, they probably were gang members. In fact, several auguments occured across the theater prior to the film starting and we all commented later how we all thought bullets were going to fly.

Anyway, the gang like persons would shout out comments as the movie ran. Some of these were like the play by play in a sporting event. During the chase scene toward the end of the film, the Tom Cruise character beats up the Wilford Brimley character using his foot and briefcase. But the play by play was given by an audience members as this: "Damm, he ( the TC Character) fucked him up with his bag and his boot!" Fortunately, no bullets flew in the theater that night. And, I have that comment always occuring in my mind when I watch that movie.

I have't had a more ominous movie experience since then.

Observations From a Grocery Store

I hate going to the grocery store. It's not that I dislike buying food. I've gotten over the shock of what things cost long ago. It's the interaction with some of the most stupid, idiotic, self-centered people in existence.

People seem to have the worst time pushing a shopping cart. Well, they push it ok, they just don't look where they are going. I have to practice defensive shopping, so as not to be run into during the entire shopping experience. People stop in the middle of aisles without any regard for other shoppers.

I encountered a very old lady today while shopping. I estimate that she would be in her early 80's. She really did not have any clue what was going on around her. When she nearly ran into me when I was trying to go around her, she commented that she doesn't see too well. I can only imagine what it would be like in traffic with her. I'm sure she's still driving. I certainly would favor mandatory road driving tests at certain ages.

People talking on cell phones while shopping is annoying as well, particularly people using a headset. Seeing someone walking along and talking in a normal or extra loud voice just makes me think that they are schizophrenic or psychotic.

Kids have no manners. They just walk anywhere they want. Of course, the parents are just as bad.

And this shopping event was not as bad as most. I'll see how the next event goes.