Category Archive
The following is a list of all entries from the movies category.
and now for my next trick, how a free movie cost me $11
I managed to get my hands on a free advance screening pass of “Now you see me” last night at Studio Movie Grill, formerly Mez.(Is it weird that I think it smells like MGM Grand up in there? Yes, yes it is weird). I had never been to see a movie there but I like the idea of combining my two favorite activities, dining and watching free movies. My first experience dining at a cinema was with my college roommate and “Wedding Date” and a chocolate dessert when I visited her in Wilmington, NC.
To reach my destination I had to spend $4 on a round trip light rail pass. In a few months, I’ll be able to walk to SMG from work. I opted for a quick dinner at Moe’s, even though I don’t like Moe’s because it’s not as good as Chipotle and with every bite I’m thinking about how much better Chipotle is. A $7 “personal trainer” salad. A personal trainer would never endorse this. There are no redeeming qualities about a salad that is served in a fried tortilla shell. Plus, you get a side of tortilla chips. Plus, you can request more dressing.
Next time, I’ll try something from SMG’s menu. The concept is convenient for people who queue in line as early as 6:30. Once seated, guests can request service at the simple press of a button. The menu provides more than just popcorn and soda. The servers dashing up and down the aisles are dishing out pizzas, quesadillas, chicken fingers, and slabs of chocolate cake. And booze, don’t forget the booze! With such commotion, it can be distracting at times, but it’s a great option for a one stop shop for a night out on the town. Just don’t make the mistake I made when trying to eat dinner while watching “Inglourious Basterds”. There are some movies that no one should ever eat in front of.
“Now you see me” was good, so good that I would have paid to see it. My only complaint is that Mélanie Laurent’s French accent was so thick at times I wished for subtitles.
500 days of porn
Joseph Gordon-Levitt proves he’s no longer the child actor we fell in love with as Tommy Solomon on “3rd Rock from the Sun”. At 32, he’s an adult making adult themed movies. He’s written and directed his first film, “Don Jon”, due out in October.
Go here to view the trailer.
staying up past my bedtime to see star trek…i can’t do it, captain
Sweet readers, in three months when the “Star Trek” DVD comes out, invite me over so I can watch the last thirty minutes of the film. You see, I just cannot possibly stay up past 10:30 p.m. for anything. Whether it’s Melissa McCarthy hosting SNL or seeing the new “Star Trek” before it hits theatres, I just cannot.do.it!
I scored an advanced screening for a 9:00 showtime last night but had to leave before the movie was over. It was a school night and I just had dinner on carbs at Whole Foods (jalapeno mac n’ cheese and chicken fried tofu if you must know) and I willingly admit that I love my bed more than anything in the world. So I went home to my bed to dream about touring with the Avett Brothers.
I would trek anywhere with those guys.
frugal in the city: freebies this weekend
Bring 2 cans of food or other non-perishable items to Epicentre’s Studio Movie Grill this weekend and receive a free movie ticket.
On Saturday, IKEA is hosting a BYOF (Bring Your Own Friends) event. This means free breakfast, free blue tote bag, discounts at the Swedish Food Market, free seminars and other fun giveaways.
Click here to print your coupons!
Krispy Kreme is softening the blow of losing an hour of sleep to Daylight Savings Time with a free glazed doughnut on Sunday.
weekending
Saturday
Ray LaMontagne’s seranade in the produce section of Publix as the snow fell on a Saturday morning. The ritual of selecting a bag of celery never sounded so good. Celery to serve as a vessel for the creative peanut butter I keep making. Currently, there are no less than 5 plastic containers of nut butter in my fridge. My latest concoction is banana peanut butter. Banana. Peanut butter.
Die Hard 5 aka A Good Day to Die Hard, the first time I’ve paid money to see a movie since June when I paid to see Magic Mike. Twice. Got a little Die Hard On for the actor who plays McClane’s son. My fascination with the Die Hard series cannot be explained.
Ray got into it with something with claws when I let him outside to the backyard.(When I called home for help, my dad suggested if it wasn’t a mean housecat, it was a raccoon or a bobcat. I had to explain to him that the only bobcats we have around here are those that don’t put up a fight. I’m talking to you, worst team in the NBA.) I did the best at being a nurse until the Nyquiltini kicked in and I was out cold by 10 pm.
Sunday
Sam’s for two pounds of salmon. Who am I? A baby Grizzly bear.
Rented Celeste and Jesse Forever. I had such hopes for this movie with Rashida Jones and Andy Samberg.
Monday
An hour and a half until a staff meeting and I’m half tempted to still be sick just so I can get out of it.
mean girls and naked boys
Over the weekend at the gym I was watching “Mean Girls” while ellipticalling. And remembering how hilarious it is. Where are all the cute guys from the show now? Wonder no more. Buzzfeed.com has them all!
I watched the Fey comedy until I realized that it was too nice of a day to be stuck inside a gym. I left to walk the outdoor track for two reasons. One, to work on my tan. Two, to see if I could ask out the flasher. He failed to make an appearance while I was there.
frugal in the city: movies
Movies. Everyone loves them, but hates spending an arm and a leg to see them. I’ve kept my limbs in tact in the past month or so because I have seen 5 movies without paying a dime. Almost every Friday in the CLT insert of the Charlotte Observer will be a blurb about emailing the publication for a chance to win advance screening passes. If selected, you will be emailed a reservation code and asked to set up an account with gofobo.com. Print passes, arrive at appointed movie theatre at least 30 minutes early to ensure a good seat and enjoy the show! (Other screening passes opportunities involve actually going to the security desk at the Charlotte Observer to collect them. Not the most convenient way, but if you work close enough to uptown and can get there within the one hour window it’s doable.)
If you’re lucky, Gofobo.com will email you exclusive invites to screenings. CHUD.com is another website to try to score free advance screening passes.
While not free, Moviepass.com is a subscription service that allows users unlimited movies in the theatre for as low as $34 a month. After three visits, it pays for itself.
If staying in to watch a flick is more your thing, you can hit up a RedBox kiosk for $1.29 nightly movie rentals. Sometimes you can find promo codes posted online for free/discounted rentals. Just yesterday, I enterted the promo code “BIRTHDAY” for a free rental.
The public library has $2 movie rentals with loan times that extend beyond 24 hours. The public library also has plenty of other movies to check out for free.
Netflix offers a free month trial before charging $8-15 a month for their delivery and instant streaming.
Make it a blockbuster night with frugal in the city!
