So, earlier today I decided to watch “American Sniper” at the Carmike 10 on Millertown Pike. This was one of the last theaters in Knoxville that I had not watched a movie at, so I decided to cross this one off my list.

Boy, was that a bad decision.

The showing I decided to attend was a 1:30pm show. Granted, it’s a little busier than usual because of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday and I gather a lot of people were off of work for the day. When I stepped inside the theater, I was surprised to find four long lines. Now, I must explain here that Carmike theaters are notorious for having combined ticket lines and concession lines into one line. This, in my opinion, is very inefficient. Case in point: I got there at 1:05pm. I stood in that line until 1:25pm before I finally bought just my ticket. Just a ticket, not any overpriced concessions… just a ticket.

So, then I hustle back to my seat because, well, I do like to see the previews. I count it as part of the experience. I get in my seat on the back row just as the before feature content is done. Then they get to where the program is supposed to roll. And then, nothing. It sits on this graphic and then some pop music comes on. So, not only did I have to stand in line for 20 minutes to get my ticket, but now me and about a hundred other people are having to wait additional time for the movie to even start? Geez. As Daffy Duck always said, “What a way to run a railroad.”

So, I gather at least someone, or maybe multiple individuals, or maybe nobody at all, cared to inform to poor, beleaguered workers know about the problem of no film playing before a captive audience. Then, about 10 minutes later, the screen finally goes dark and then we see two commercials and the film begins. Aha, finally. Well, fortunately, there were no problems from there on out…

Until I smelled something funny.

I couldn’t put my finger on what it was at first, but then I saw a puff of something about two rows down. And then another. Aha, it was one of those douchebags who thinks they can “vape” anywhere they please. As Greg loves to say, “Oh brother.”

After the film is over, of course the hired help loves to run people off so they can’t stay and watch the credits. I wanted to get out of there anyway.

I have never in my life had such a bad experience in a movie theater. This is one for the record books.

I should say for the record, there’s a reason I go to Regal theaters. They get things right, they treat you with courtesy, and they at least properly staff the damn cinema!

Case closed.

By the way, I recommend the film highly, but I won’t be reviewing it on Nick’s Flix.

I guess I have some explaining to do.

I kinda didn’t get all of the films nominated for Best Picture quite watched before the big event, nor did I post reviews of all of them.  Work demands so much of my time and other stuff in life is a little more important, yada yada yada, you know the drill.

I’ll just put it this way.  I did, with all honestly, nail all of the big awards and agreed with the choices.  12 Years a Slave was the clear best film of the year.  I was glad that it came out today on Blu-ray and it is already in my library to be watched again.  McConaughey and Leto were dynamite in Dallas Buyers Club.  The film was very moving and very well written and directed.  Like I said in my review of Blue Jasmine, Cate Blanchett just blew everyone out of the water with that performance and I would have given it to her with no further debate.  Lupita Nyong’o as Patsey in 12 Years a Slave is probably one of the greatest breakout supporting role performances of all time, her acting in this film is so spot on and you feel for the struggle of her and everyone else in this film.

The only surprise of the night was the Best Director Oscar, which went to Spike Jonze for Her.  I loved the film, but totally didn’t expect it to win, I so thought that Steve McQueen was going to win that one.  But, you know, that’s the great thing about awards, sometimes people actually get it right and impress others with the decisions.

Of course, there are always naysayers out there, and I’ve disagreed with the Academy in the past <coughTheSocialNetworkcough>, but at least I can agree with them this year.

This year.

In my quest to see all nine of the Best Picture nominees for 2013, this film is very high on my list of the ones that I think have the gusto to win the coveted prize.

Ashton Kutcher had a tough task to play the founder of Apple.  He delivered.  Here’s my take.

Woody doesn’t travel far out of his zone with this film, but Cate Blanchett steals the show.  Here is the review.

Tom Hanks has turned in another outstanding performance in this film, and so has newcomer Barkhad Abdi.  Here is Nick’s Flix with the review.

Last Friday, I went down to my favorite theater, the Regal Riviera 8 in downtown.  I watched Scorsese’s latest film “The Wolf of Wall Street.”  Here is an installment of Nick’s Flix with the review.

So, this morning before I take the other half to work, I decide to turn on “Dude, Where’s My Car” on Encore. This movie is no less confusing now than it was in 2000. I remember saying at the time I first saw it that “You have to be high to understand this film.” While that’s still probably true, at least someone had the gall to make a film that speaks to a certain sect that is less ignored in mainstream cinema now than in 2000. Is it funny? Of course it is, but people older than my generation probably would still not get it.

“Annnnnnnnd thennnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn?”

A film that is more real than you might think. It really hits home if you’re one who has experienced what Pim goes through. I don’t think the lack of emotions hurt the film at all, it serves its purpose here and has meaning. Recommended.