Matt Damon is Jean Valjean
I thought I would never see the movie until I saw Facebook advertisement saying that it the film would be shown all through the month of March in the Air and Space Museum. When I read this, I bought a ticket right away for the first showing. It sounded like the coolest thing; To actually watch a movie about space and Mars in a building dedicated to the subject. The Air and Space Museum is the perfect place to see this film.
So, the night before the film, I planned my route and also thought of leaving one hour early. Even though the Air and Space Museum is about a 15 minute Metro ride from my house, I want to get there early to look around and make sure I had good seats. I also knew that the DC Metro can be horrible on Sundays.
This morning, I woke up late and got ready for the movie. Things were going well, mood wise. I even had a visit from two lovely Jehovah's Witnesses ("Can you open the door?" "No." "We want to give you an invitation on how we celebrate the real Easter." "Just put it through the mail slot" the Woman gets glove stuck in my mail slot, as she pulls her glove out she yells at me: "My the Lord Bless you!" "Thanks.") and one of my books that I ordered being thrown at my door ("Get your package!" I then hear a BANG as the package is thrown at my door. I was just confused because it was Sunday. "No Post on Sunday.").
I left my apartment at 2:20 and walked to the Metro. When I got down on to the platform, I was disappointed by the 23 minute wait for the next train. I started to read a new book that I had bought a few night ago to pass the time. This was a habit that I had picked up while living in England: always carry a book and your IPod with you just in case you had to wait. After getting lost in my book, I heard the sounds of the train coming and I boarded the carriage.
I got off at Metro Center and raced to the other tracks to transfer trains, but thanks to people not picking up the London Underground custom of standing on the right (EVERY Underground system in the world needs to apply this) and a little girl with her Mother walking too slow, I missed the train by one second. I looked up to see when the next one was coming and the sign was clear. This usually means that there is work or problems on the line and there isn't a time for trains to come yet. This frustrated me. I knew I was going to be late for the film. On top of that, street dancers began to take up a big chunk of the platform.
I moved to the end of the platform and started to read my book. I kept looking at the screen to see how long until the next train, but it still was not coming up. I kept looking at my phone and started to panic when I saw it go from 3:00 to 3:15 to 3:20. The movie as at 3:30. I hated being late. Finally, a train arrived. I got on it and tried to remember the fastest way to get to Air and Space from the Metro.
When the train stopped at L'Enfant Plaza, I jump out and rushed up the stairs and to the street. I saw the museum... and saw two long lines coming out of the doors. I always forget about security. It was taking a longer time than usual to get in. I knew the film had already started and I was upset. After being checked by security, I ran to the theatre, picked up my ticket, grabbed a pair of 3D glasses and ran inside. That was a dumb mistake because I was greeted by pitch darkness. I looked up and saw the screen above me. It was huge! I had not seen an IMAX film in a long time and had forgotten the size of the screens. I quickly made my way up the stairs and sat in one of the first empty seats that I saw.
Air and Space
The movie was fantastic. I really enjoyed everything about it. The 3D and IMAX actually worked in this film's favor. I actually liked how they adapted the book to the movie. It was also very funny, just like the book. I felt the same way during the climax as I had when reading the book. Did anyone else want to eat a potato after seeing the movie because I did make a jacket potato when I got because Matt Damon kept eating them throughout the film.
After the movie, we were told to go upstairs and leave. I looked around at the exhibits in the lobby and tried to match the ones that were inspired for the film, but I was beaten over the head with a loud message from all of the staff; The museum was close. It was nearly 6 pm and the museum staff really wanted to get home. I understood, but became upset when I went to use the restroom and saw many angry theatre-goers telling me that we were not allowed to use the bathrooms because of the museum closing. I thought this was ridicules. The movie was two and a half hours long. The staff was even saying 'No' to elderly people. I just thought it was mean. I could not think of another bathroom that would be open around the museum. In fact, I did not think it would be a problem until I had to wait 25 minutes for the next train back to Metro Center. By the time the train came, I had to go. BADLY.
When I got off at Metro Center, I asked a woman who worked there were the nearest public bathroom was. Luckily, there was one in the Metro that she had to open with key. It was actually very clean and was thankful to know that Metro Center has a bathroom (the more you know...). I then waited another 20 minutes for my train to come.
That was my Sunday. No Brunch. No Church. No rest. Just a lot of waiting for trains, a good movie and a full bladder. All in all, it was actually a really fun day. I hope you all had a Happy Sunday.
Defy Gravity
Melanie Zehner
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