So, some brief thoughts as we decompress:
This was my 44th Movie Marathon experience, between the various Drexel-related/inspired marathons and the few I've made it up to CWRU for. And by virtue of bringing my daughter, it was probably one of my favorites.
But before I get into a film-by-film breakdown, I would like to thank Joe Neff and Bruce Bartoo for making this gathering possible all these years. Bruce, enjoy your retirement. It is well-deserved, and I cannot thank you enough for the enjoyment of film you have brought into my life. I hope that we still see you at the events, even as you step away as Host Organism. And Joe, thank you for keeping the flame alive.
Back to the Future: It's been a long time since I've watched this. I forgot how tightly put together it is, and how fun. Watching it with the Marathoid Crowd, and having Mira see it for the first time? A fantastic way to kick off the event.
Aaron's Ranking: 3rd
Mira's Ranking: 3rd
Beneath the Planet of the Apes: Slow. Bleak. With a notable downgrade in SFX make-up from the first one. Glad I revisited it - so I can know not to any time again soon.
Aaron's Ranking: 8th
Mira's Ranking: 7th
Predestination: This is everything a time-travel film should be. Tightly paced. Compelling performances. And a timeline that is consistent even as it leaves you scratching your head. I wish I'd seen it before. I'm glad I've seen it now.
Aaron's Ranking: 1st
Mira's Ranking: 1st
Costume Contest: I need to accept that having great costumes isn't enough, because I lack the ability to play the crowd. But apparently my daughter does.
12 Monkeys: We took a dinner break here, because Mira thought it looked too creepy.
La Jetee: My head was nodding a lot on this one, which unfortunately affects how I feel about it. I think it's probably fascinating to see when you're more awake. Mira liked it more than I did.
Aaron's Ranking: 7th
Mira's Ranking: 6th
The Time Machine, The Navigator: A Medieval Odyseey, Donnie Darko: I took Mira home during these movies. I originally planned to drop her off and come back, but the lure of a comfy couch won out, and I stayed here with her, waking her up in time to make sure she'd be back for
Looper, and thank goodness we did since the order got swapped.
World Without End: I had just seen this at CWRU, so didn't care much to see it again (and we did miss half of it). I ended up being less bored with it this time around then I was when I saw it in January. Mira didn't care much one way or the other.
Aaron's Ranking: 6th
Mira's Ranking: 8th
Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure: In some ways, for me, the polar opposite of
BTTF, in that I found myself enjoying it less than I expected based on my memories. It was still fun, and I'm glad it aired, but it doesn't hold up as well as I thought it would. Mira got a huge kick out of it however.
Aaron's Ranking: 5th
Mira's Ranking: 4th
Looper: I missed this the first time around, and it was (and still is) age-inappropriate for Mira to see, but this was a neat little film. A little less tightly put together than
Predestination, but still an enjoyable flick. Glad I finally caught it.
Aaron's Ranking: 4th
Mira's Ranking: 5th
Time After Time: I first saw this a few years ago at CWRU, and I remembered loving it, but thinking it was a tad slow. And I was right. But the strength of the performances overrides any bit of slowness, IMO. A great film to end the Marathon with.
Aaron's Ranking: 2nd
Mira's Ranking: 2nd
We had a great, great, great time. Thanks so much to everyone involved, and everyone who made Mira feel like a part of this family. Our desire to return next year (or possibly sooner)? Mira: 110% Aaron 100%