Roots
Relax, enjoy a movie
By Marifi Jara
QUELIMANE, Mozambique–I so miss the movies.
It’s one of life’s little luxuries that we don’t get here.
There are two movie houses in town, but these have seen better days. And they don’t really show films regularly and on those occasions that they do, it’s usually a Bollywood flick. Er, not really my cup of tea.
Watching a movie on DVD at home would never be quite the same as going to a cinema, even if perhaps you own a huge flat screen TV and got those ultra comfy lazy-boy seats and a popcorn maker in the house (though those would be quite nice to have too for reruns). It’s the whole mood in and around the movie house, especially if it’s a new release (which you definitely won’t get for home viewing just yet in good quality DVD), that gives the thrill.
And thanks to modern and cheaper movie-production technology, new movies can now be released simultaneously in many places around the world. The Philippines, for example, including areas outside the capital like Pangasinan, are up-to-date with the latest films.
I miss feeling all giddy while in line and taking in the excitement of the other people around. And then feeling all the positive energy as people flow out of the cinema after watching a good one.
Of course some movies prove to be a big disappointment after so much marketing hype, but hey, you still get to be among the first to throw a bashing, and even that can sometimes be fun.
And good or bad, it’s always entertaining to watch, hear and remember what would later become unforgettable lines.
“You are nothing but a second rate, trying hard, copycat!” – Bituing Walang NingNing (I watched this with my mother and I think we never missed a Sharon Cuneta movie in the 1980s.)
“Great power comes with great responsibility.” – Spiderman
“You complete me.” – Jerry Maguire (or perhaps others would remember more the “Show me the money!”)
“World peace.” – Miss Congeniality
I’ve been on a sentimental mood about movies recently because of all the cyber chitchat among my friends about Toy Story 3, and my niece and her friends who are crazy about Eclipse.
My heart aches for a chance to watch. And so I soothe myself with memories of some of my all-time favorites.
Timon (the meerkat): Hakuna Matata!
Simba (the lion king to-be): Hakuna Matata?
Pumbaa (the warthog): Yeah, that’s our motto.
Simba: What’s a motto?
Timon: Nothing. What’s the motto with you? Ahahahahaha
Then the singing. Who couldn’t love that Hakuna Matata number.
During game drives on safari trips here in Africa, everytime I see a warthog, I’d be shouting, “Oooh, Pumbaa!” Warthogs are one of the more common animals around and definitely not among the pretty ones so nobody really gets too excited over them. But me, I find them to be such cute filthy buggers and my opinion is of course radically and romantically influenced by my love for the movie character. Pumbaa and Timon were such a riot.
(Singing) Hakuna Matata! What a wonderful phrase. Hakuna Matata! Ain’t no passing craze. It means no worries for the rest of your days. It’s our problem-free philosophy. Hakuna Matata!
Now I don’t feel so sad anymore about missing the movies.
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