Dinner and a Movie -- Ingenious

Saturday, roommate and I planned another outing to Sundance Square in Fort Worth. The weather, however, had other plans. Since its July in Texas and typically hot, dry and things start to get crispy, the rain was welcomed with open arms and the following sauna was ignored.

We altered our plans and took in a movie, with dinner to boot. For the past couple of years something wonderful has been gaining ground in metropolitan areas across the nation. Movie theaters that serve food while you watch the movie. Now, I don't mean the traditional soda, giant popcorn and JuJu Bees. Bring on the burgers, salads, pizza and chicken tenders baskets. Inside the theater, for those of you who have not had the experience, rather than the typical rows of seats, are office style desk chairs with either tables or bars. When you get your ticket you get a menu and a "coaster light". It is an electronic device similar to the buzzer you get an most restaurants. This, however, lights up when you push the button on the side and attracts your server. Before the movie begins you order and either before the movie or during the previews your order is brought to your table. You eat your meal while you watch your movie. Which brings us to the theatrical portion of the evening.

HAIRSPRAY

Alright, let me just say this up front. No, I typically don't like musicals. Just like my dad, when I feel a song coming on, I either change the channel or leave. But on this particular day I intentionally subjected myself to a musical.

The plot

I didn't know much about the show other than it was a musical. I knew from commercials, previews, talk shows, etc, that John Travolta dressed in drag to play the mother of the main character. I did not realize the plot was about integration and equality. Scenes from the movie caused laughter, applause and praise to erupt in the theater.

The main character stands up to the local TV station, in 1962, to allow the Corny Collins dance show, a cross between American Bandstand and the Mickey Mouse Club, to be integrated. The Corny Collins Show once a month has "Negro" day. The main character Tracy wants every day to be "Negro" day. "Just because you are different doesn't mean you should be left out", I am paraphrasing so the quotes really should not be there. It was a feel good movie because at some time every one feels like they are different and discriminated against. With Tracy, she is a big girl, a very large girl and so is her mother. The upcoming star of the Corny Collins show, Link Larkin, falls in love with Tracy because she can dance and she stands up for everybody. Tracy's best friend, Penny -- whose mother is a religious fanatic -- falls in love with Seaweed. He is the son of the host of "Negro" day. In the end, the antagonist gets exposed as a fraud and bigot, and is consequently fired; all young people are paired up with the one they love; stars are discovered by talent agents at the "Miss Hairspray" contest; the Corny Collins Show is "now and forever integrated" and everybody wins. You leave the theater feeling like you can dance, sing and do anything. You are on top of the world. Was it the movie or the serge of sugar from the food you just ate.

If you decide to attend the Studio Movie Grill, the food portions are large but the quality is only OK. If you want a refill on your drink, ask for it way before you need it because it takes a while to receive one. In this particular theater, the restroom was bottlenecked because of the design and the floor near the entrance was wet because the sinks are right there and the paper towel dispensers are across the entry way from the sinks.

I don't have any new pictures to post. I am looking at obtaining a web site to post all of my photos. I hope to sell some one day. I did stick my camera in my purse yesterday in case I saw something photo worthy, but with the rain it just was not feasible.

Until next time.