documentary: 56 UP (playing at the Film Bar).

have you heard this documentary? 56 UP?

The UP Series started in 1964 when one director interviewed 14 children from all over England with diverse backgrounds, to ask them about their lives and their dreams for the future. And then, every seven years, the director went back to talk to the same 14 children and examining the progression of their lives... until they were 56 years old.


The film gets rave reviews, even Roger Ebert ranking it as one of the top 10 films of all time.

Both D and I have been looking forward to seeing it. Sounds so interesting. Makes you think about what factors really steer the course of your life.

I'm super excited to see 56 UP is playing at the beloved Film Bar in downtown Phoenix. We're going this week. Click here to check out the very limited Film Bar dates and showtimes.

a chilly saturday afternoon in phoenix.

   husband.

 
  wife.

^^^^^

saturday lunch at the main ingredient (danny's favorite spot) before an afternoon flick.

we saw "This is 40" and really enjoyed it and could totally relate. 

before you go (or even if you're don't), check out this 60 Minutes segment on director Judd Apatow. 

really interesting. did you know that's his actual wife and kids? we didn't.

triple feature weekend.

we were quite the movie goers this weekend. 

i love being able to reserve our seats online (more about that here).

we saw 21 Jump Street on friday night

The Hunger Games on sunday afternoon

and rented The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo for sunday night couch and pizza. 

did you read and/or see The Hunger Games? what'd you think? 

i've read books #1 and #2 and really liked the movie. ting did too.

{quail. always our parking level}

we could get used to this.

our local neighborhood movie theater was recently renovated to become a "dine-in" theater experience (here). since we loved our theater and it's sweatpants-welcome vibe, we've been annoyed by the whole upgrade.

but last friday night we were in the mood to chill and decided to see 50/50 (great movie) and give the new theater a try. well, despite our bad attitudes - we're sold. in fact, we ended up purchasing a rewards card.

here's the scoop via photos...

1. you reserve your seats online before you go. you actually select which seats you want so they're reserved. (i thought this was annoying until i got there and had seats saved).

2. there's a full bar and cocktail table area when you get inside...

3. you can grab a drink or just head into your cinema...

4. your reserved seats are ready and waiting for you. no saving seats or people climbing over you. row G/2&3...

5. review the full-service menu. food, appetizers, drinks, cocktails plus all the regular movie options...

6. get settled into your recliner seat...

7. a server takes your order and makes sure you have everything you need...

8. your order comes right to your seat. a pull out table? multiple cup holders. absolutely.

9. add-your-own-butter style. yes folks, that's butter. no dry bottom half of the bag...

10. all situated and ready to watch the movie - aka lady (me) put your camera and flash away...

11. out of popcorn (it's bottomless!) or drinks? just ring the little bell during the movie for more...

and the prices? totally reasonable. in fact, not that much more at all. $12/ticket. $7.50 bottomless popcorn.

next time, we're going to upgrade to the "cinema suites" theater. 21+ over, no kids, leather recliners, popcorn sampler, hot towel & mint as you exit? yes please.

date night: change of plans.

the concert we were supposed to see last night was cancelled last minute. lame. allegedly due to an ill band member but we wouldn't be surprised if they didn't sell enough tickets and drove right through Phoenix to LA where they have a show tonight.

oh well. we'd been wanting to check out FilmBar in downtown phoenix for a while, so we looked up movie times and did dinner at hula's & a movie at FilmBar instead. FilmBar is a beer/wine bar with over 30 different craft beers, wines and a separate 70-seat microcinema that shows new, classic, cult and local independent films. we loved it - a super eclectic crowd and an interesting/entertaining movie (we saw Tabloid, a documentary about a crazy call girl who kidnapped a mormon guy she was in love with in the 1970's).

matchy matchy.

today we went to see The Help (loved it!) and since our neighborhood movie theater is still undergoing renovations, we've been forced to mix up our traditions and watch movies at Scottsdale Fashion Square's theater this summer. so before the flick, we split up to do a lil shopping - Forever21 for me and H&M for him. 

we each bought two things... check out our bags. no joke. what are the chances? we're way too in sync.

girly reads & movies.

{image from emily giffin}

I love to read. So do a lot of my girlfriends, which is nice. We're usually swapping books and suggesting reads.

A series that I think most of us have read is Emily Giffin's Something Borrowed. Well, it's kind of a series. They're fun, easy, girly books all about engagements, weddings, babies, married life and friendship. I'm excited to see that there's a new book out, Heart of the Matter. Anyone read it yet?

Last weekend, I was in a pouty mood and really wanted to see Something Borrowed - the movie. I was running errands and texted Danny to see if he'd be up for it. A good sport (and awesome husband) he met me at the theater.

Because we didn't arrive together, I was telling him how weird and embarrassing it was to be solo ordering a large popcorn with butter, tons of jalepenos and a huge cherry coke (seen here). (Yes, the guy was totally judging me). Danny's immediate response...

"Um, are you serious? What about me rolling up alone... "One ticket for Something Borrowed, please." 

He wins.



and the oscar goes to...

I love the Academy Awards. I love awards shows in general but the Oscars take the cake for me with the Grammys a close second. I that these shows are always on a Sunday... it's the perfect day to make snacks, lounge on the couch, watch E!'s red carpet special and battle with Ting as we guess in each category. It should be extra fun this year since we've seen a lot of the movies - 8/10 for Best Picture along with a handful of other nominees (we added Exit Through The Gift Shop to our list last night). We def have our favorites (King's Speech, True Grit, Social Network, Black Swan & The Kids Are All Right) and least favorite (Animal Kingdom - sorry Aussie friends).

This year, I organized my company's Oscar Pool. Here's the nifty guessing sheet... I have everyone's guesses and will be scoring throughout the show to see who will take home the $50 pot. An extra bit of fun for tonight.

happy sunday & happy academy awards watching.

rituals.

Danny is currently at the movies with Alex watching The Mechanic. Seemed like the perfect flick for the boys. The movie poster is a giant gun made out of a bunch of little guns. Eh, yeah.

I wonder if he misses me just a little bit right now. Why? Well because we were at the movies last weekend and realized how many little rituals are involved in our simple outings to the theater... the parking, the snacks, the seats, the preview thumb ratings. I smile thinking about all the times we've done this exact same routine over the past eight years. Funny to think that movie dates used to be a little awkward... now it almost feels awkward to go without each other. It's just one of our things and we have it down pat.

...we always...

park on Quail at the Esplanade. 

divide and conquer snacks & seats. 

popcorn, jalapenos & a large cherry coke. 

break right entering the theater.

sit top middle.*

thumb rate each preview. 

thumb rate at the end of the movie.

*Isn't it funny how everyone has such a personal preference on theater seats? It's kinda funny to go with different people and see where they like to sit.

We recently saw The King's Speech and loved it. Other top movies on our list right now include The Kids Are All Right, The Fighter, True Grit and Black Swan. I guess we've seen quite a few movies lately. In fact, we've seen 8/10 nominees for Best Picture at the Academy Awards... what are your recent picks?

apricot.

Jared shared this short film with us and we love it. The lighting in it is so pretty and way it was shot is beautiful. The girl is mezmerizing. The story makes you smile. Enjoy.

APRICOT — A Short Film by Ben Briand from Moonwalk Films on Vimeo.



dinner + movie.

friday night's date night was a good old fashioned dinner + movie. 

Dinner at Blanco Gallo

a downtown restaurant we've been meaning to try

(we weren't that impressed... 3 out of 5 stars}

Followed by cocktails at Merc Bar before a late showing of The Town.

we were having so much fun that i forgot to take the camera out. 

guess that's a good thing, right? 

jalapenos & popcorn.

Yup, that's right. We loooove jalapenos on our popcorn (thanks Angela)! We said the same thing you're thinking right now - ew, gross. But don't knock it until you try it... it's delicious. 

Last night we enjoyed our usual #1 theater combo, popcorn, jalapenos & an ice cold cherry coke, while we watched The Switch. Clearly my pick, but we both thought it was really cute. Disclaimer: this is my favorite genre and there isn't a romantic comedy I've met that I didn't love (but seriously, it was good). 

Have you seen Eat Pray Love, yet? Worth seeing?

{do yourself a favor and give it a try next time you're at the theater}

Check out this movie poster! Not only a blonde frenchie... the cone? the arm wrap? We were cracking up - it's our lil Syd!

An evening stormed rolled in and out which made for a beautiful sky from the theater. That's Camelback Mountain in the distance.