Ten ways movies and television have warped my reality
Thursday, September 6, 2012 Yesterday morning as I walked my dogs, the route was eerily quiet and desolate. Not a single deer, car, or neighbor crossed my path. Planes usually criss-crossing the sky were absent. As I walked, I couldn't help but think that maybe the apocalypse had occurred and somehow I'd not been informed.
Crazy, I know, but that's the way my mind works, thanks to watching too many movies and too much television during my formative years. Heck, during all my years, if truth be told. Not a day passes by that cinematic moments don't creep into my thoughts. To wit:
(Clicking the arrows by each movie title shows that clip on this page.)
1. Something akin to yesterday's apocalyptic fears happened once while undergoing an MRI. I hate the procedure—the closed-in space, the loud noises. But because I have MS, I've had a few done on my brain over the years. Gah! The machine clangs and bangs while I'm stuck deep within, unable to move for fear I'll screw up the expensive test. Once, the long and loud banging and clanging became so disconcerting that I reached near panic, fearing a scene from a disaster film (think Earthquake, Independence Day, Armageddon) occurred while I was in the machine, and the medical staff had dashed from the building, leaving me alone. At just the moment I planned my escape and exit, the attendant called through the intercom, "You're just about done, Lisa, just a few more minutes." Sweet relief!
2. When I first started my job at the newspaper, I envisioned my workdays would be similar to scenes from Lou Grant or Mary Tyler Moore. So not the case. I knew I wasn't alone in my illusions of newsrooms and the impact of cinema, though, when a goofy deejay from a local radio station whom I escorted through the department after an interview turned to the sea of reporters' desks and faux cried out, "You gotta tell 'em! Soylent green is people!!"
3. Meeting new acquaintances can be awkward when I'm introduced to someone named Ben, as I immediately think of the boy and his rat buddy in Ben. Or when the person is named Charlie and I can't help but imagine Eric Roberts crying to Mickey Rourke about his thumb being nabbed in The Pope of Greenwich Village. At least I never forget the name of Ben or Charlie, though, even long after meeting them.
4. My first thought when my sister told me there is a (perfectly legal) family burial ground on her property was of Pet Sematary.
5. I can't hear Beethoven's Fifth without thinking of Saturday Night Fever.
6. Used to be when I'd consider tightie-whities—which I assure you isn't often!—Tom Cruise in Risky Business would come to mind. Now I can't shake the image of Bryan Cranston in Breaking Bad.
7. Similarly, pea soup makes me think of Linda Blair and The Exorcist; excessive flies on a window elicit visions of James Brolin and Amityville Horror; and wax museums remind me of Vincent Price and House of Wax.
8. I've never looked out a plane window at the wing without thinking of gremlins upon it, á la The Twilight Zone. Nor have I ever not considered Fearless with Jeff Bridges when unexpected turbulence mid-flight elicits exclamations of various sorts from fellow passengers (and myself, I admit).
9. I try not to, but I can't help but think of Madonna in Desperately Seeking Susan each time I use an air dryer in a public restroom.
10. I also can't help but think of The Waltons every single time we have overnight house guests and everyone heads off to bed. I just wait for the "Goodnight, John Boy"...which usually comes by way of Jim, for he's warped in much the same fashion as I.
There are more—far more—I promise you. I'll stop there, though, lest you think of Sally Field from Sybil each time you consider Lisa from Grandma's Briefs.
photo: stock.xchng
Today's question:
What movies or television shows have warped your reality?
Reader Comments (13)
haha. Yep, I despise brain MRIs. No help Jason mask & Anthony Hopkins headgear in Silence of the Lambs. I'm so with you on Earthquake there...my husband goes in with me. He'll pull me out even if Armageddon!
Tried not to think of Poseidon Adventure while on our cruise. I prefer pools vs. ocean...thank you very much, Jaws. While I'm at it I'm not that fond of birds or showering behind a curtain.
On the plus side, I think of Beaches when my BFF comes for a visit and thoughts of Sandlot & my old neighborhood friends go hand in hand.
I hope I never have an MRI. Just reading about it made my heart race and my skin crawl.
As to the question, I constantly think of movie and TV scenes. The Simpsons are probably the most (worst) because it's been on so long. Also zombie movies, of course.
MRIs are deadly procedures in my book, hate 'em.
About the only situation or character that shows up in my mind during my real life is Freddy Krueger (Robert Englund), with his scary face and long slashing fingernails popping into my head anytime I'm outside in the dark with the moon shining through black tree limbs. Any other awful character can be "fake" if I visualize cameras, director and others viewing the scene as it's being filmed. Not Freddy...he's always waiting to jump out at me! And any dogs I'm taking out to go potty!
Looking at the question a completely different way -- I was convinced when I was growing up that "my reality" was warped. Why wasn't my family anything like the Nelsons or the Cleavers on TV?
Sure hope I never have to have an MRI -- as it just doesn't sound like fun to me! You would think they would talk to you more during the procedure just to help keep you come and to alleviate your fears. This was an awesome post!
Oh my, I can related to a whole lot of your list! Especially the MRI one. Oy.
Another movie that comes to mind each time I take to the road for some fun and adventure is the theme song from National Lampoon's Vacation. "Holiday Road". LOL Also in the same movie, Clark's son makes a remark to his Dad that my boys have repeated for years (and admittedly, so have I)..."Is that made up? That sounds made up!"
So interesting how movies are such a part of us.
NonnieKelly: I almost mentioned The Poseidon Adventure (the original, of course) as I think of that one often...but never when on a cruise. Mostly just when "There's Got To Be A Morning After" gets stuck in my head.
Pammeey: See! THAT is exactly why I've not watched The Simpsons. I just know they'd take over my mind. PS: Zombies were included in my fear of yesterday's apocalypse, as were my thoughts that I'd need YOU and the TBD gang to help me survive.
Ann: We had similar scares taking Moses potty when we first got him and watched the original Scream that night. Our entire family took our puppy out to potty in the dark.
Grandma Kc: Love your twist on the question. So true. I know my family never EVER seemed like those on TV. Well, unless you counted Jerry Springer's program.
Terri Love the happy movie mention. Most of those I mention seem dark, but National Lampoon ANYTHING is always one that makes me chuckle when my life comes even a smidgen close to scenes from it.
♥ ♥ ♥ the movies! So glad you all do, too!
MRI's don't bother me, its the dye that they have to inject which gives me the greatest fear. When I have mine done I can take my MP3 Player which the nurses plug in I can then listen to my music which is hard to hear above the clanging of the machine.
Not sure if there are any movies that warp my reality, one I could watch over and over again is "To Sir With Love," if only I had a teacher like him - his understanding of the students gain him so much respect, yet he doesn't take any of their nonsense.
The other I will never ever watch, nor can I listen to the music that is "Dirty Dancing." It was my daughter's favourite film, it brings back to many memories of her.
So...I am often finding myself checking in to see what YOU have had to say before I check Comcast on Demand. Generally you are more entertaining lol! FAR more on this one by a long shot! :) But now I have a SERIOUS case of craving Waltons episodes...:(
Good Grief wasn't the mama just perfect ? They were ALL perfect. They were my generations Leave it to Beaver..
Which I'd also love to watch right now
However fall is coming and the birds will be flocking....I HOPE THAT THE BIRDS don't get you on one of your eerie nightly walks muhahahaha...
We clearly have the same taste in TV/movies - funny!
When frustrating stuff happens, I think of Planes, Traines and Automobiles. Such a hysterical movie. Or if somebody's trying to scam me, Dirty Rotten Scoundrals. Guess I've been watching more comedy.
LOL! Too funny! I would have to say that I have seen most that you mentioned....LOL, can't eat a green cookie ever because of Soylent Green! They really should remake that movie. Love your blog....found it today on SITS. Following you on Twitter too!
I can definitely relate to this post. I've had my movie moments (see my Cautionary Tales section). Those are truly the moments that have left an irreversible impression on me. Thanks for sharing yours.
Stopping by from SITS : )
Pricilla
Holding still in the MRI machine is the worst! I'm with you there. And I have many of these same thoughts in my regular day.
I think the biggest way Hollywood has messed me up is through science fiction. Whenever I do something stupid that could have been easily avoided, I think of time travel and all the devices that allowed people to turn back time just a bit to fix that one stupid thing. Oh, how I long for a functional rewind button for life!
Happy Sharefest. Have a great weekend.