Grab That $3.50 Icee and A Seat

Although current weather conditions in The Bean would indicate we're having a chilly monsoon season, I hear there's actually SUN in other parts of the country...which means that the time is almost here for summer movies(!) You know, when the sweltering heat drives you into an air-conditioned theater, smuggled candy in pocket, to watch a big-budget blockbuster.

Trailers are up on Apple's site for "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" and the new Harry Potter ("Goblet of Fire"). Of course, the Tom/Katie romance, as well as the overwhelming amount of testosterone in the Red States, will give War of the Worlds big numbers. And Mr. and Mrs. Smith will generate revenues through the roof because of a little demographic called "Women Who Read US Weeky," or as I fondly refer to them, "my sisters."

But my #1 movie to see this summer isn't any of the above, in fact, it's a documentary. March of The Penguins follows a group of penguins as they make their yearly migration to find mates and start families. From the synopsis, I almost thought they were describing my life as a singleton in The Bean:

"In the Antarctic, every March since the beginning of time, the quest begins to find the perfect mate and start a family. This courtship will begin a long journey - a journey that will take them hundreds of miles across the continent by foot, in freezing cold temperatures, in brittle, icy winds and through deep, trecherous waters. They will risk starvation and attack by dangerous predators, under the harshest conditions on earth, all to find true love."

Well, except for the Antarctic, starting a family, and starvation parts! Seriously, watch the trailer and there's NO WAY you will miss this movie.

Granted, they managed to jam Morgan Freedman in there (narration), but doesn't that make you feel comforted somehow? Because what story could be truly heart-warming yet teach a moral leson without at least a cameo by Morgan Freedman?

To summarize, I once saw a news clip about a family in Japan who adopted a penguin. They made him a little sort of "freezer" to live in, complete with small wading pool. Every morning, the mom strapped a little backpack onto him, and he slowly waddled through town to the fish market, where the owner put a fish in his backpack. Then he made his way home, where he got to eat the fish and relax in his chilled room. The site of that little, backpacked penguin's body cresting over the horizon as he happily waddled home, well, I've never forgotten it.

See "March of the Penguins." Unlike music by The Shins, it might actually change your life. Well, at least you'll want to hug a pet penguin!

Comments

[Shins fan]

Sounds like I need to see The Garden State.
It could "change my life".

[Someone, etc.]

Also, p-natty betrays his boreocentrism. Summer is full of snow & ice for antipodeans; hence a penguin movie is just the thing for a summer movie (Will Smith notwithstanding).

But he's right on about Cho Cho & the squeezing.

[Someone Who Really Understands Indie Films]

I think you have completely missed the point on the "it'll change your life" line, Blogorelli. That girl was supposed to be dumb and irritating. Why else would Natalie Portman have been cast in the part?

[p-natty]

Sure, I love penguins and I am certain Cho Cho can barely contain her desire to see the movie and "squeeze" a penguin.

But "March of the Penguins" as a SUMMER movie? Wrong.

Summer movies are about explosions and Will Smith. Maybe if the penguins were playing murderball against diabolical, mutant seals we would have a summer hit. Otherwise, play it in the Spring when you're all desperate for love. Summer is for vanquishing aliens/terrorists/nature.

[blogorelli]

Ok, ok...no more jokes about the "change your life" line. I get it.

And Jeffé, seriously, no need to use a fakey comment name when everyone (well, me at least) knows that "Outside Observer" is you and that you are anything but.

Finally, I like the Shins. I really, truly do. Honestly.

And I'm totally glad that Braff used them in his movie. I hope they made a lot of dough in royalties. The lead singer of the the Shins also was paid by McDonald's to write a song for one of their commercials, which I never mentioned, which I think is FINE to pay the bills.

Shins=good. Totally cheesy line like "It'll change your life" uttered by an archetype of the "starry-eyed girl-next-door-needs-rescuing"=cheesy.

Unless...wait...can anyone use that line? Wait, let me give it a try: "Date me...it'll change your life."
heh heh

Yeah, on second thought, I kinda like it...