Thank you, Portable-DVD-Toting Stranger
Wednesday, April 11th, 2007 at 3:30 pmI was on my way to work this morning on the bus at an early hour. Much earlier than usual, so the bus was very crowded.
I forgot my book at home, so I had nothing to read. I did have my iPod, but I really wasn’t in the mood to listen to music.
So, there I was, bored with nothing to do when a guy sits next to me and busts out a portable DVD player. I couldn’t see what movie he put into the player, but I knew one thing: Someone sits next to me with a portable DVD player, then I hope they want some company, cuz I’m watching what they’re watching.
Eventually, I saw that the movie was the Jamie Fox/Colin Farrell Miami Vice remake. Normally, on something of this nature, I’d say, “No, thanks” cuz I can’t imagine this film is any good at all. I didn’t even watch the TV show when it was on (too much hype back then; too much of those hideous clothes). But for some reason, I can’t resist watching movies on someone else’s player.
I contemplated asking this DVD-toting total stranger if there was an extra headphone jack on the player and if so, would he mind if I totally plugged my ‘phones right in it?
Turns out, I didn’t have to ask because after a minute or two, I realized that total stranger dude had the closed captioning turned on. I wondered, did he turn them on just for me? I mean, he had his headphones on, it’s not like he couldn’t hear the movie?
Either way, I’m the closed-captioning-reading master. In my house, that’s how we roll, so I was quite grateful.
The only problem with only reading the dialogue and not actually hearing it being delivered is that you realize just how bad the script is on a movie like Miami Vice. Ack! Yet, I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the free movie-watching experience.
I got to see about an hour of the movie til I came to my stop. I’m sure I’ll be able to get through the rest of my life without every knowing how this masterpiece ends. But, hey, maybe DVD guy will be on the commute home and I can catch the rest of it!
Listen to this podcast
I think everyone shoots each other and everything gets blown up…but I’m just guessing on that ending.
You? Not in the mood for music? I don’t know you anymore.
AWK: I didn’t see too much blowing up, but tons of shooting. And lots of Colin doing that “I’m sexy” pout.
Kapgar: No, no, you do know me, you do! I wasn’t in the mood to listen to headphones, I kind of just wanted silence. It was SO early in the morning, I was still half asleep. I think the only reason I made it an hour into Miami Vice is because I couldn’t hear it! Actually, I forgot to mention, but I DID have my iPod on. I was listening to Voi Vod while watching the movie.
I think Voi Vod matches Miami Vice, somehow.
I love this story. Also? I saw Voivod a billion years ago, at First Avenue, playing with Soundgarden and Corrosion of Conformity. I was still in high school so it must have been like 1990.
Sharyn, I need to adopt you. Seriously. Where have you been all my life?
*teehee*
Hello!
I use closed captioning [or subtitling here] all the time, [due to my mother being half-deaf] which just adds to the fun!
It does mean seeing the jokes before they are said, makes watching ‘friends’ much more funnier [and easier to remember the lines!]
Peace! For now…
Sam.