SAN ANTONIO – GMSA @ 9 is now home to a cinematically-inept movie reviewer.
If you caught our show last week or read our article last week, you'll know that it was brought to light that I have not seen most classic movies anyone in their right mind has seen.
As the producer of GMSA @ 9, Mark and Leslie actually tasked me with homework. My news director was in on this, too (KSAT is a great place to work, y'all).
My first assignment was "The Shawshank Redemption". I had high hopes, based on how people raved about it. I was not let down. In fact, I was comforted because I, for some reason, expected a thriller, maybe even something a bit scary. It was none of that. It was definitely intense, but perfectly so.
I had a particular liking for the conversations about prison ethics and maybe even prison reform. The idea that a movie in 1994 A) sent a social message suggesting a problem with how our prison system operates and B) shed light on the challenges former inmates face after getting out, is fascinating to me.
I had a few favorite quotes, but many of them are NSFW. Here is one that won't get you called into your boss's office:
"Some birds aren't meant to be caged, their feathers are too bright. And when they fly away, the part of you that knows it was a sin to lock them up does rejoice. But still, that place you live in is just that more drab and empty now that they are gone. I guess I just miss my friend."
I think it is a special quote and one a lot of folks can carry with them when feeling a sense of loss, other than death.
For the record — I took notes and I wrote that by hand. I didn't Google that.
In fact, I took two-and-a-half pages of notes which could easily be longer and far more detailed than half the notes I took in college. Mostly, they were running notes about what was happening to help keep me on track. I get a little scatter brained.
Throughout the notes are certain ones in big letters:
"BROOKS!!!!!! :( :(" — This one speaks for its unfortunate self.
"GORGEOUS LIBRARY!" — This is when Andy's incessant letters actually got him a better library, books and money. PS: Write your elected officials!
"WHOA PLOT TWIST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" — when Tommy makes his big ol' revelation that ultimately costs him his life (I won't spoil that one, it's too good)
"HAHAH SASSY" — My reaction to Red's final response when, during yet another early release hearing, prison staff asks if he is rehabilitated. Goodness, I love Morgan Freeman.
"YAY!!!' — The ending!
All in all, I loved Shawshank. I'd re-watch it in a heartbeat and recommend it just as fast.
"Wonder Woman"
Going to see Wonder Woman was an impromptu decision after an invite from a friend. It was the first inclination for us both, to suggest the movie.
As you already know, I don't watch a ton of movies, so I have not seen most superhero movies. I could not tell you who is Marvel and who is Justice League (I could, however, tell you who raps for Free World and who raps for 313). That, luckily, didn't put me at too much of a disadvantage. I think I only asked once or twice about a detail, mostly the Bruce Wayne tie-in. I remembered he was Batman but didn't know how they were connected. I was told it is from another movie I have yet to see. Go figure!
Wonder Woman was packed with action, great effects and great acting. Gal Gadot was spectacular and so was her character. I loved every bit of the female empowerment message this movie sends, along with the ending that love is one of the greatest powers on this earth.
The movie was also quite funny — and at all the right times. I laughed out loud quite a bit, along with much of the theater.
I definitely wanted to go jump along a few rooftops and fight some bad guys!
I didn't take notes during this one, seeing as it was in a theater and not my couch.
If there is a classic, amazing, "everyone-has-seen-this-movie" movie that you recommend, send me a tweet (@ellierosetx) or Facebook post/message! I'd love your recommendations.
Read more on how #RookieReviews was started here.