Home for Bullet Sunday... isn't that nice?
• Eartha Kitt. I was very sad to learn that Earth Kitt had died. I may not have seen her in much, but she sure left a big impression where I did see her. To me, Julie Newmar is the Catwoman from the campy 1960's Batman series, because she was the first I saw in the role, and played it far more often than Lee Meriwether or Earth Kitt ever did. That being said, there's no denying that Eartha Kitt was the most perfect for the role. She was a cat-woman in real life, and was able to slink herself into the character perfectly... errr... purrrrfectly...
I am (surprisingly) too young to remember Eartha in her earlier work as a sultry songstress, but caught her from time to time in movies like Boomerang with Eddie Murphy. She may have only had a small role, but was easily the most memorable part of a forgettable movie (I can still hear her calling "Maaaaarrrrrrcuuuuussss!")...
But my favorite Eartha Kitt character would have to be Yzma from Disney's The Emperor's New Groove, which was a match made in heaven. She could have easily just sleep-walked through this role but, as anybody who's seen the film can attest, she put in 110% into the character and totally killed...
When Disney made a cartoon series spin-off The Emperor's New School Eartha continued playing her character, which was really cool of her (considering lead David Spade was not so accommodating). And don't think that the story-writers and animators of the series didn't know how to take advantage of Eartha's talents. They knew exactly who the star of the show really is. In the episode "Yzmopolis" from the iTunes Store, you can see Eartha Kitt making Yzma totally her own (the title song might also be on YouTube for a while)...
I believe the cartoon was still in production when she died, so I have no idea what Disney is going to do. If they're smart, they'll just count themselves lucky that they got two seasons from Eartha Kitt, and shut down the show. Or, if they're intent on continuing the show without her, they should find a new villain. Nobody can replace Eartha as Yzma.
• The Wilderness. Last night I got my third email and second comment asking where I stayed when I was in Walt Disney World. Well, I stayed where I usually stay... Disney's Wilderness Lodge...
I have stayed in many of the Disney properties, and The Wilderness Lodge is my most favorite from my top five...
Despite it's popularity, I am not a fan of the upscale Grand Floridian Resort (it's nice, but the decor and eateries just aren't for me). For the budget-conscious, I like the two Port Orleans hotels quite a lot. For the really budget-conscious, the new Pop Century hotel is pretty cool. But, then again, any of the "Disney All-Star" value hotels are a good bet (you can choose from Sports, Movies, Music). They're fairly inexpensive and frills-free, but you get all the perks you'd get at even the most expensive Disney hotel... including free transportation between the parks, purchases shipped to your room, and Disney's "Extra Magic Hours" which allow you to get in early or stay late at one of the parks each day. Sure you can stay outside of Disney World and save money, but the added expense of staying on-site is well worth the cost when you consider all you get in return. In all honesty, I consider the resort-stay to be just as important to the Walt Disney World experience as visiting the actual parks! If you're planning a trip, postponing a visit so you can save enough money to stay at a Disney World property is about the best advice I can give.
• No Talking. I have pretty much given up on going to movies because the audience is always filled with COMPLETE AND TOTAL DUMBASSES who ruin the experience by talking. And, thanks to mobile phones, it's gotten far worse. Every time I've gone to a movie lately, I've been distracted by a sea of glowing phones from idiots TXTing the entire time. Or fucktards who don't silence their mobile, and then it goes off during the film. And, of course, they ANSWER it. Why would I want to pay $8.00 plus another $10.00 for overpriced snacks to be tortured like that? Well, it was only a matter of time, but somebody in Philadelphia finally got himself shot because he wouldn't shut the fuck up during a movie. Naturally, I'm horrified at such a display of violence... but secretly I'm wondering why it took this long to happen. I'm also relieved that it wasn't me doing the shooting, because heaven only knows I've felt like it enough times. Guess it's a good thing I don't own a gun?
Now I suppose I should be getting ready for work in the morning. Bleh.
Yzma was definitely my favorite Eartha Kitt roll. A classy Disney villain who I would want over for dinner.
For my two trips to Disneyworld, I stayed at the Port Orleans Riverside (though the first time, it was the Dixie Landings). I like the non-Disney feel of it. And the price was right. Next time, though, I would love to try the Animal Kingdom Lodge. And there will be a next time despite what my partner thinks.
I, too, was devastated to hear about Eartha Kitt's passing. Ain't It Cool had a really good YouTube compilation of her stuff. *Sniff*
And people talking during the movie? I once broke out the F word on some unruly teenagers. Brats...
Posted by Coal Miner's Granddaughter on December 29, 2008 | Reply
You just need to start going to theaters that are away from tourist areas. Our theater is pretty quiet as long as you don't go on Friday or Saturday nights.
I've found that the theaters at CityWalk and near Disney are horrible, though, because the tourists are some of the rudest, worst people to be with at a movie.
Figures that shooting took place in Philly. The people are crazy around here.
Totally unrelated...I stayed at the All Star Sports resort when I went to Disney a few years ago and it was torture as I am NOT a sports person in any way, shape or form. We stayed at the Coronado Springs in May and that was really nice.
Yzma was the bomb! I still threaten my kids with... "I'm gonna put your(any toy) in a box, put that box in another box, mail it to myself, and when it arrives...I'M GONNA SMACK IT WITH A HAMMER!!!!!"
They usually get the point after that!
Posted by Blondefabulous on December 29, 2008 | Reply
We went to the movies on Friday night and the arsewipe behind us decided to put his legs through the gap in between our seats. That didn't last long ;-)
I also can't figure out why people text and answer their phone. What can be so bloody important that you can't possibly be "away" for a couple of hours. And like you, they also paid to be there, so if you paid to be there, BLOODY BE THERE.
Posted by Kevin Spencer on December 29, 2008 | Reply
She was definitely the best Catwoman. All these 60s era hotties kicking the bucket lately.
I've only stayed at Dixie Landings and All Star Music (on my son's band trip) which has a very cool pool with the Three Caballeros as a water feature.
I have only been to 1 movie in the last few years because the crowds are so rude where I live. The theaters are tiny so you can't get away from the assholes even if you tried to.
At Disney, my family has stayed at Old Key West many times. It is a nice, quiet property with a great laid back vibe. The food sucks on property with only 1 restaurant, so we don't eat there. We mainly stay there because of the large group we travel with; you can't beat the 1200 square foot 2 bedroom villa when you have kids along for the ride! It's definitely good advice to stay on Disney property!
It's funny, when I first heard that story about the guy shooting someone for not shutting up in the movie theater, I immediately thought of you! (not in a bad way, it's just you and I share that same intolerance.) Good thing I don't own a gun either.
Posted by Karen Sugarpants on December 29, 2008 | Reply
I agree Eartha Kitt is fabulousness personified... I love her rendition of "Santa Baby" :)
Also - I've never been so glad to be living in Australia where we fortunately don't have your proliferation of firearms. Getting shot in the cinema? Holy shit! We have our fair share of annoying cinema patrons too... but thankfully the populace is rarely armed.
RMB
Posted by borysSNORC ™ on December 29, 2008 | Reply
At the movie theater near my apartment they make a big point of having some poor theater employee come in and make an announcement about turning the cell phones off and not texting during the movie and so far we haven't had a problem. Of course, I have absolutely NO problem kicking the seat of the person who decides to talk or text during a movie. I had a pretty good rhythm going on this one guy's seat and he finally turned around and said "stop fucking kicking my seat" and I replied very calmly "I will when you shut the fuck up." He was pretty quiet after that. :)
What do you think of Saratoga Springs? I'm a Disney Vacation Club member and I own interest in Broadwalk and Saratoga, two of my favorite Disney World Resorts. From Broadway, you can walk to Epcot (some people even walk on the path to MGM-Disney Studios from there); at Saratoga, you can walk to Downtown Disney, which was a big selling point to me. I also enjoy the moderate resorts like Caribbean Beach.
I almost got into it over talking the movie theater. I paid for my friend and I to go for her birthday and this guy answered his phone and talked the entire time! Wtf?
It got pretty heated and I almost cut him. Almost.
With this story and how get about my job. I'm starting to think I have an anger problem.
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