THREW Mikes EyEz

Original Writings, Images, Video and Artworks of Mike Hartley

Tag Archives: movies


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Let’s Do It

What’s a moment in your life that felt like it was straight out of a movie? – Asks the daily prompt.

We were nearing the end of a wild vacation trip that ended in Daytona Beach Florida. We were debating whether to stay another day or two. That morning we were speaking with some friends back home and they told us about a party that evening. We said we’d be back the next day or the day after that.

But after having breakfast we joked about showing up and surprising them. We continued to joke about it but let some time lapse and then looked at each other and said “Let’s Do It.” That became our moto because the movie Animal House had just been released and we saw it on the 2nd day of a 9-day trip.

That drive was like a Smokey and the Bandit or Cannonball run movie.

We had my nice old Camaro and broke a few speed limits, we’ll all of them on the way back in record time and showed up and surprised the crew. We took turns driving, each tank of gas, which that V8 ate like candy.

One of those stupid things you do as a youth. It was the most fun I’ve ever had driving though. And one of the best vacations ever outside of family ones.

I don’t have a good shot of my old favorite, but it looked like this but in maroon color.

Classic orange muscle car driving on a street with buildings and greenery in the background.
Photo by Mike Hartley


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Movie question

What’s a movie you expected to hate but ended up loving? – Asks the daily prompt.

The Shawshank Redemption is the movie that comes to mind. Never expected a prison movie to be so compelling.

I’m not much of an action movie fan but, the movie Venom surprised me and I liked it.

A decorative golden booth with a ghostly figure wearing a white top hat and long white hair, surrounded by two carved pumpkins, inside a building with intricate architectural details and a chandelier overhead.
Tickets please. Photo by Mike Hartley


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Get your popcorn

What movies or TV series have you watched more than 5 times? – Ah, the daily writing prompt wants to know about my idiot box viewing habits.

In my childhood in the 50s and 60s, I had the golden era of Looney Tunes characters that were created between 1944 and 1964. I still enjoy an occasional cartoon of the Wile E Coyote trying to catch the Road Runner.

In my teens and 20s I used to watch the series MASH a lot. Also in my younger days, Movies I’ve watched over 5x would include Clint Eastwood’s westerns, The Great Escape, The Dirty Dozen, The Train, The Godfather, Jaws and Patton.

As I grew up and had children, I became familiar with the Disney movies and other children’s programming. Sometimes I miss that stuff.

I like comedies like Animal House, Blues Brothers, Caddyshack, Stripes and Beverly Hills Cop. Even the first Ghostbusters movie.

I’ve really tried to cut viewing the same movies and series over and over as I’ve gotten older. There is one movie that I’ve watched a good bit in recent years. A WWII flick called Fury.

I know I’m going to think about this a bit more later today and say to myself “how could I have forgot that”, well at this age you forget.

I see some rain predicted for early next week so maybe I will grab some popcorn and catch a movie.

Fishers Caramel Corn Photo by Mike Hartley

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Movie thoughts

What are your top ten favorite movies? – The Daily writing prompt inquiries this Monday.

I’m a little hazy from the weekend and don’t want to think about prioritizing a list that changes from time to time and mood to mood.

For instance, if it’s around Christmas time you might hear this old man laughing at Home Alone. When I was younger with kids I don’t know who enjoyed animated children’s movies more, from the old classics to Toy Stories and Shrek.

I have a hard time passing the tube if The Blues Brothers, Caddyshack, or Animal House are on.

I like action movies like the Bond series or anything with Clint Eastwood. The Matrix or Raiders series are fun.

The first 2 Godfathers, Shawshank Redemption, Pulp Fiction, Heat and Goodfellas are ones I can watch again and again.

Some old classic war movies I like watching like The Great Escape or The Dirty Dozen. The Train, Patton, or more current ones like Apocalypse Now, Fury, Hacksaw Ridge and Inglorious Bastards

I’m not a horror movie fan but I think The Shining is a great movie. Christine is pretty strange.

Oh yeah, can’t forget great car movies. Bullet with Steve McQueen and the car chase. The Transporter series and Gone in 60 Seconds, Mad Max and Ford vs Ferrari.

I might have to go back and look at my last answer because I think this might be another repeat question. Then again, I’m getting old and everything is on repeat.

The Embassy. Photo by Mike Hartley


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Watched

What movies or TV series have you watched more than 5x? So asks the nosey Daily Writing prompt.

Not many TV series except for MASH.

Movies I’ve probably watched more than 5x.

Animal House, Blues Brothers, The Godfather, Goodfellas, Jaws, Heat, The Good, Bad and Ugly, The Matrix, Scarface, The Great Escape, Home Alone, Platoon, Trading Places, John Wick, Stripes, The Shawshank Redemption, The Doors, Pulp Fiction, The Outlaw Josey Wales, Freebird, Top Gun, The Terminator and probably one or two of the Bond Movies.

Oh and many children’s movies. Many many children’s movies. Not complaining, I probably enjoyed them as much as the kids.

Good old Kodak Film and GE flashbulbs. Photo by Mike Hartley