On the edge of my seat

My memory is playing tricks on me.

Here’s what I know. It was the early 70s. We were at the beach and I was very young. We didn’t go on a lot of vacations, which makes the memory stick out even more in my thoughts. On one of the vacation days, I remember being a grumpy mess. It was extremely hot and rainy and all I wanted to do was play on the beach.

My mom must have decided to try to make the most of a tough situation and take my brothers and I to the movies. I was excited about walking into the air conditioned movie theater. I suspect it was my first real movie. I was still grouchy though because I had no say in what we were going to see. My brothers chose and I was left out of the discussion. I’m sure I was a spoiled brat about the whole thing. Poor, poor bratty Brian!

Here’s where my memory gets fuzzy. I think we saw Paul Newman’s classic racing movie, Winning. In the movie, a race car driver pursues his dream of winning the Indianapolis 500, while his obsession threatens both his marriage and relationship with his stepson.

However, I can’t help but wonder if my memory is playing tricks on me. The years don’t work out. Winning was released in 1969. I’m thinking our trip was in the early 70s. I remember Paul Newman, but he was everywhere back then. Whatever the movie, I’m 90 percent sure that I fell asleep within minutes of the movie starting.

Back to the movies

I hope my memory is true. If nothing else, I love the karma. My wife and I went last week to our first movie in a long time. What did we see? We saw Brad Pitt’s new movie F1. In the movie, retired driver Sonny Hayes (Pitt) returns to Formula 1 racing after a 30-year absence. He’s lured back by a former teammate, who owns a struggling team and needs him to mentor a hotshot rookie. The team’s fate rests on Hayes’ shoulders.

As I mentioned, we haven’t been to a movie theater in a long time. Like most people we took a pause from the theater during the pandemic. We saw Top Gun: Maverick when it came out in 2022, but that’s been it. It hasn’t been for the lack of trying. Every time I check out the picks at our local theater, it feels like the movies have been Marvel or DC Superhero ones. Buzzer #1. Or lots and lots of horror movies. Buzzer #2.

I love a superhero movie as much as the next guy, but I love a wonderfully written story and acting too. Plus, I can stream any one of a dozen superhero movies from the comforts of my couch.

No “Here’s looking at you, kid” moments

F1 reminded me though why I love going to the movies. It’s the big movie theater sound and screen. It’s the soda and butter-filled popcorn. (Yes, it cost an arm and a leg.) It’s getting out of the heat and enjoying the best razzle-dazzle that Hollywood can provide.

Oh, F1 will never be on anyone’s list of greatest movies. I won’t be quoting from the movie for months into the future. The sound bites are interesting, but we’re not talking Godfather, Casablanca, or even The Wizard of Oz. How’s this for dialogue:

–“Hope is not a strategy,” Sonny Hayes says to the rest of the team.

–“Sometimes when you lose, you win,” team owner Rueben to Pitt.

–“He’s driving angry. That’s not good,” female engineer and technical director Kate McKenna commenting on Hayes’ driving.

Fun while it lasts

There are no “I’m gonna make him an offer he can’t refuse” or “I’m king of the world!” or even “Nobody puts Baby in a corner” moments in the movie. The movie was still entertaining. If nothing else, it took me back in time to my first movie theater experience.

And trust me, I didn’t pout, kick or scream, or fall asleep this time. I was eyes wide open!