Remember when Bon Jovi was the biggest band on the planet? Selling millions of albums, and doing stadium shows, etc.? Well, it’s now 2010 and this is their typical fan. Woooooo!! <sideways devil horns, pursed lips> Greatest. County Fair. Evar! …Oh, my hip!
Just thought you should know.
There’s a large grocery store near our house that recently expanded their hours to 24 hours a day/7 days a week. I think they closed at 10 pm until just a few days ago, and not too many people realize the change.
And I was driving home from work last night, around 2:15 am, and got a sudden craving for corn flakes. Yeah, and what of it? I like the simple cereals, especially late at night. I’m not a morning cereal guy, but it often hits the spot in the dark of night.
So, I went to that store, grabbed a big box of Kellogg’s corn flakes (on sale for $2.50), paid for it, and walked out — without seeing another human.
I’m not kidding, there was nobody around. I thought I heard two people talking way off in the distance, but never laid eyes on anyone. I went to the cereal aisle, made my selection, and paid via self-checkout without encountering a single employee or customer.
It was weird. And seemed to be operating on the honor-system… Oh, I predict they’ll have to make a few changes in the near future. Right after someone walks out of there with a shopping cart full of Yuengling and Kobe beef. Ya know?
The cereal was fantastic, in case you were wondering. I like it simple, and slightly soggy. Rice Krispies, corn flakes, Honey Nut Cheerios… That’s the way I roll.
Tomorrow I will be ordering my new Motorola Droid phone. I reach some sort of new threshold today with Verizon, and will have an additional $100 credit (on top of the first $100), starting on Wednesday.
So, I’ve been waiting patiently (ha!), and will pull the trigger tomorrow before leaving for work. My nipples are exploding with delight.
But, of course, the mobile phone gods are taunting me with this news. I’ve decided to ignore it, though, and pretend I never read it. That sometimes works, ya know. Aggressive ignorance is highly recommended.
I watched Adventureland on Saturday, and enjoyed it. It was completely predictable, but fun anyway. Great soundtrack. And tomorrow I’ll be receiving Inglourious Basterds from Netflix. Have you seen it? Any good? Will it be worth the time invested?
And that leads me to the Question of the Day.
This one is from the Stealing Clive Bull‘s Topics desk, which hasn’t been very active over the past few months. There’s a general election coming up in England, and that’s been the main topic for a while. I doubt Surf Reporters are too interested…
Anyway, on last night’s show he was asking callers if they’ve ever walked out of a movie or concert, and the answers were pretty interesting.
So, I’d like to know the same thing from you guys. Use the comments section below, to give us all the details.
I don’t think I’ve ever walked out of a movie. I should’ve abandoned Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me, but stuck it out all the way to the end. Wotta fantastic, fully-realized turd of a film.
And I used to date a woman who was into incredibly pretentious arthouse/foreign crapola. Some were OK, a few were good, but many were walkoutable. Yet, I never did. What about you?
As for concerts, I walked out of a Moody Blues show in Charleston, WV once. On account of dullness.
And a few times I’ve gone to see the opening act, with no interest in the headliner. I saw Joe Walsh open for Stevie Nicks, and made my escape before the sheep bleating could commence. And in Atlanta I watched Squeeze open for Sting, and got the hell out of there.
So, there’s your question. Do with it what you will.
And I’ll see you guys again tomorrow.
Have a great Tuesday!
Boo Yaa
2nd!!!!!!!
I walked out of the original Friday the 13th. I was 12 and I was scared, there I said it “I was scared”. I didn’t sleep for a week. To this day I don’t watch horror flicks. Got nuttin’ on concerts.
Inglourious Basterds – too much yakking, not enough wacking.
I walked out of Trainspotting. I thought it was going to make me faint. I was on a first (and last) date too. I got up to go to the bathroom, then sat outside on the patio til the movie was over. He came out, said he thought I left him. End of date. 😉
I have a bad needle phobia, which I am sure is what had me to the point of passing out. That movie was full of needles!
I was pleasantly surprised by Inglorious Basterds. Christoph Walz (the main Nazi) steals the show.
I walked out of Diva. I can’t even imagine what possessed me to think that I would enjoy it. Maybe it was because it was the dark ages of the early 80s before the days of megaplexes; choices were slim.
Left Lenny Kravitz show…wanted to see Black Crowes. It was during his album called 5. At least thats what I think it was. Big song from that was one single note for an eternity before he starts singing. Wasn’t sticking around for that crap.
I walked out on Conan the Barbarian. Just couldn’t sit that one out. I have left early from quite a number of concerts in my time, either because I was there for the opening band, or because of general suckiness. Live music is supposed to be enjoyable.
Recently I felt the pull of the lobby and its easy breezy exit door with an hour left to go on Shutter Island. But I stayed put. Even with a nearby patron whimpering at every plot point like Chamberlain from The Dark Crystal (which I’d totally pay big bucks to see in the theater again), I kept my butt parked in place. And that’s pretty much the same story for other stinkers. I think it’s more a money thing, though. I paid for my place in the theater and I’m going to make damn sure to milk it for all it’s worth. Even if it means engaging in a little Mystery Science Theater 3000 in my head just to get through the film.
Crap. Everything just got deleted. This netbook is sometimes unpredictable.
Never walked out of a movie, but I do recall putting “Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind” back in the red envelope after watching for about 10 minutes.
Walked out on Brian Setzer when he was playing a small theater here. I think they brought their arena set up. The bass was so loud it drown out the rest of the band and deafened me. No fun at all, even with earplugs in.
And just in case you’re wondering, I am taking a training class on Management of Acute Coronary Syndrome and it’s so dull I have my laptop on (it’s self paced and web based and it’s easier to use my computer for a bunch of reasons) and am listening to the 80’s channel on AOL radio. How awesome was Roxette, I ask you?
I miss the 80’s. Big hair, weird clothes, David Lee Roth and Ronald Regan.
Walked out on Schindler’s List. That list was too damned long.
I simply could not sit through Willow. The worst movie known to man. IMHO
Was that Joe Walsh & Stevie Nicks at Charleston? If so, I was at that show. Probably should have left before Stevie started as well. Got to see Joe again when he was touring with the Eagles on their “Hell Freezes Over” tour. Second row, left center. Got Joe’s guitar pick when he dropped it.
Good Afternoon Surf Reporters…
Never walked out of either movie / concert. Does walking out at a sporting event count, especially when your team is getting blown out? If that counts, then I’ve done that plenty of times.
I need to make a comment on cereal. Years ago, Kelloggs produced Frosted Rice Krispies. Better than all the others. Then inexplicably, it disappeared from the shelves. The hell?
Until the other night. I was rummaging for a late night snack in the pantry. Looked up on the top shelf and there they were. A brand new box of Frosted Rice Krispies. It’s almost as if the heavens opened up, a golden light shined down and a choir of angels began to sing. I think a single tear of joy may have trickled down my cheek.
Found the biggest bowl available, filled it with those crispy little kernels and saturated them all with ice cold milk. It was almost orgasmic.
Yes, late night cereal can be that good.
Inglourious Basterds is fucking fantastic.
The only times I’ve ever walked out of a movie was due to other viewers being annoying or actual operational problems with the film. I had a buddy who stood up about 30 minutes into the first Lord Of The Rings movie, proclaimed “this movie sucks” and walked out. There were four of us that came together (him being one) and he didn’t drive. He said he walked for a while and then had his brother come and pick him up. Your guess is as good as mine.
I don’t recall ever walking out on anything, but I was carried out of The Firm (Jimmy Page, Paul Rodgers, etc.) concert in 1985 due to excessive vodka shots prior to the show. Spent the concert throwing up in the backseat of my buddies car. I kicked myself in the ass for years for missing that until I went to see the Page and Plant tour (twice in one year). Only pot for me those times…
Saw Rockpile open for Blondie – watched Rockpile left before Blondie hit the stage.
Once walked out of a Hot Tuna concert that I thought would never end.
had I not fallen asleep I would have walked out on Star Wars…one of the newer shitty CGI bullshit ones. not the old awesome ones.
Had it not been for IMAX 3D I also would have walked out on Avatar.
I wish they still made mini-wheats with strawberry jelly in them…mmmm, anyone remember those?
I went to see Amos Lee, Elvis Costello, and Bob Dylan. Amos Lee was very good, Elvis Costello did a 45 minute solo acoustic set which was amazing. Then Mr. Dylan came on. I’m a big fan and know all the songs. Couldn’t understand a word coming out of his mouth, I left 2 songs into Dylan’s set.
I wanted to walk out on a movie about 1980 or so…woman I was seeing at the time wasn’t having any of it though. Had something to do with football in Texas I think. It was so bad I don’t even remember the name of it. Used to be the local movie theater would show old movies at midnight on Friday and Saturday, but that was years and years ago. Haven’t been to the movie theater in decades. You fuckin kids get off my lawn.
Saw some really great concerts in the late 60’s early 70’s in Charleston, WV. Emerson, Lake and Palmer…Zeppelin…Cactus…Grand Funk (yeh…I know)…Black Oak Arkansas at Parkersburg High (yeh, I know but they were really good live.) Don’t remember walking out on any though.
Walked out of a Fleetwood Mac concert because it took Steveie Nicks 30 friggin’ minutes to go from one side of the stage to the other collecting flowers and shit from fans. Then, she had to go in the opposite direction and we high tailed it out of there. She never even offered a freaking stem to christy McVie.
Oh, an dthrough her entire waltz up and down the stage, Mick Fleetwood was banging out some ear shattering shit on the drums.
I’ve walked out on Poison more times than I care to count.
Inglorius Basterds – good, some parts great. Some acting was outstanding.
“Team” cereal…. where did you go? I miss your crunchy goodness.
Lee Harvey? Conan? It had James Earl Jones!!! it had lines like “To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of their women.” It had Arnold …. doing swordplay…It had an awesome soundtrack. No? Yeah maybe it was a little too much Arnold…
WB – I did the same thing but at 17 (what a wuss I was……am…..) during AmityVille Horror.
JDL – I think your friend was in the theater when I saw Cloverfield. I wish I had joined him.
Gretchen – MST3K – Anyone who enjoys that exhibits superior intelligence and taste! Awesome!
@ Toby, saw the same tour and was deeply terrified by Dylan. Legend, yes. Listenable, no. I had to leave as well.
And I walked clear out of the movie Powder. I highly recommend renting it and walking out of your house. Best hour and a half for your money.
Chuck, the Texas football movies were probably either North Dallas Forty (Nick Nolte) or Semi-Tough (Burt Fucking Reynolds).
GOOD AFTERNOON SURF REPORTERS!!!
it is a beautiful day in northern Indiana and I got a raise today. it is shaping up to be a fantastic day indeed.
i walked out on a movie once but cannot remember what it was now. i have church friends who frequently leave movies on the count of ungodly behavior in them. i don’t see how that is possible there are a pluthera of websites that break that shit down for you.
Just recently Biff and I walked out on Tim Reynolds doing a solo show. The venue was odd, but intimate enough that if 20 people in the back of the room were able to keep their big YAPS SHUT we would have stayed.
Seriously folks – what’s so damned important you MUST talk about it at the top of your lungs right then and there? 60 bucks, completely wasted, IMHO.
Only walkout was “Snow White” when I was 7 years old. The forest scene scared the sh– out of me. That was the original first theater release of it.
Never seen it since, even when my daughter was little, or now with grandchildren.
Change in times, my 7-year old grand-daughter has seen, and loves, all the Texas Chainsaw movies.
I agree with your recommendation for aggressive ignorance. Often, it is the only answer.
There has only been one moment when I was literally on the edge of my theater seat, on the verge of walking out of a movie. I think it was called “Good Luck, Chuck” or “Good Night, Chuck,” something along those lines. It was a few years ago, starring Jessica Alba and Dane Cook. Possibly the very worst movie I have ever paid to sit through, and I have never been able to forgive myself for continuing to sit through that garbage to the end.
On a Netflix note, we just received and watched “Paranormal Activity” last night. Uh, overrated anyone?! What a disappointment!
Oh yeah, just remembered the last movie that I counldn’t watch to the end. I took Adventureland out of the DVD player and put it back in its plastic case about 2/3 of the way through. It became painfully apparent that this movie was going absolutely nowhere at that point.
I have walked out on ONE movie, ever. My friend and I were SO EXCITED!! to see the new Highlander movie back in the day. We talked about it for days, finalyl got there, saw about 10 minutes of it, looked at each other, started laughing, and walked out with discussion! It was pretty bad.
I really enjoyed “Inglouriious Basterds”, but then again, I am a Tarantino fan.
I’ve fallen asleep during a couple of sucky movies, but the only one I ever walked out on was “Beverly Hills Ninja”. I left my boyfriend and his brother to enjoy it while I sat in the car and waited for it to be over, No amount of MST-type riffing could get me through that piece of crap.
I’ve left a couple of concerts early when I was there just to see the opening band. Early 1980’s, I saw Red Hot Chili Peppers and left during the headliners Run-DMC. Same thing happened when Sparks opened for Rick Springfield.
the wife & I walked out halfway through a Black Crowes concert at 1st Ave in Mpls Dec of 08 – not because of the band; we have travelled all over the country to see them; but because of the oversold & overserved drunken asshats that took over our spot on the floor about 2 deep from the stage & proceeded to dance around like something from a Frankie Goes to Hollywood concert & spill their GIANT tumblers of straight whiskey all over us – we searched for another vantage point in the balcony, but the dickheads up there were yakking away in groups with their fucking BACKS to the stage as Gary Louris joined for a guest spot -would not let us get even close to the railing – we’ve seen some bad crowds, but walked out in utter disgust at this one – missed some good jams later on too, I found out, as I snagged an audience recording a few weeks later – still makes my blood boil
We had a neighborhood theater, when I was a kid, that would let you stay and watch the movie again, if you wanted to. All for one admission price, which was real cheap back in those days! My brother and I saw the original ‘Planet of the Apes’ movie and stayed and watched it over and over and over again…until our mom finally called the theater manager to tell him to send us home.
So my comment is on the other extreme of walking out of a movie…they had to kick us out!!
I recently saw Alice in Wonderland…so excited and we almost walked out. What can I say?? If Johnny Depp aint hot, don’t waste your money. We thought it horrible..another laughable one is Twilight…I didn’t pay money to see it, but were they serious?? Way to butcher a good book.
Inglourious Basterds is great, but get your reading glasses on…subtitles!! My hubby, whom can barely read, couldn’t keep up. I had to narrate. 🙂
We loved Avatar…maybe we are crazy.
When The Exorcist first came out and was in the theater’s my girlfriend and I went….when movies were $1.75. Showing my age? We were scared shitless. She walks out crying (!) and I toughed it out with my knees to my chest and hands over my face. It’s still the most bone-chilling movie I have ever seen to this day.
I have really never walked out of a movie or concert. But many times we’d rent an “On Demand” movie from our theiving cable company and stopped the movie becaused it sucked. I guess it’s better to flush $4.99 than the ridiculous $17 movie ticket.
Inglourious Basterds: I guess I need to watch it again. We weren’t crazy about it. But I must say I absolutely loved Brad Pitt.
Went to see Tom Petty in concert once….He came out stoned out of his gourd. He only sang about one out of 4 words, he’d just point the mike to the crowd for the other three, and the crowd didn’t much sing back. You could hear the crickets. We had seats in the nose-bleeds and after about 3 songs like this I stood up and screamed at the top of my lungs…”Play some Skynerd dude!!!” just to be a smartass, and he heard me and looked up where we were sitting, that’s how bad it sucked. Needless to say we got up and left, feeling totally ripped off.
So this “woman who was into incredibly pretentious arthouse/foreign crapola”… I assume she was really hot. Otherwise, I don’t understand why you’d keep going back for more of that artsy fartsy crap.
And I walked out on the movie Alexander. So much gratuitous gayness. I would have stuck it out if the plot wasn’t so horrible… I think the screenwriter tried to satisfy his man-crush for Colin Farrell by adding in as many man-love scenes as possible.
No, I get it… Alexander The Great was gay… yeah, I got that point an hour ago.
I walked out on a Psychedelic Furs concert in 1987. The Furs had been a fave of mine for a number of years — I had seen them three times before — in ’83, ’84, and ’86, and they were always great. But in 1986 they had reached some level of popularity from a re-recording of the song “Pretty in Pink,” thanks to its inclusion in the movie soundtrack of the same name. And in ’87 they had released the album “Midnight to Midnight,” in which it’s apparent that they were trying to capitalize on their newfound popularity, and hence the album had none of the gritty punkiness of their past albums. But even though I didn’t like the album, I figured they’d still be good live, right? Wrong. Within the span of a year their brush with the pop charts transformed them from dark post-punkers into happy-go-lucky pop stars with all the edge and grittiness buffed away into shiny, happy tunes. Richard Butler even smiled through most of the songs, which was totally out of character. I was aghast, and walked out of the show (at Radio City in NYC) after maybe a half-dozen songs. I was with two friends, and they remained inside, while I hung out on the sidewalk outside until it was over. It’s so disheartening when one of your favorite bands sells out and suddenly becomes irrelevant.
I remember thinking that “To Die For”, with Nicole Kidman was really “To Die To Get Out Of” and my friends and I got up and walked out. Suck City! The other movie that I SHOULD’VE walked out of was “I Heart Huckabees”. It’s an “existential comedy”, which is code for “suck” in this case. At least I didn’t pay to see that one!
The one concert I remember walking out on was Steve Miller. This was early 00’s at Music Midtown in Atlanta. All the Steve Miller stuff I knew was from classic rock stations and his greatest hits album from the ’70s. He played exactly one song from his old material the whole set. I got up and wandered to another stage… SOOO disappointing.
2 movies I would have walked out on had I drove:
“Drop Dead Fred” – this was “Beetlejuice” as a chick flick. I went based on how great Rik Mayall was on “The Young Ones”, but this stunk and in my video clerkin’ days I can’t tell you how many women said ” I looove this movie !”, but never one guy.
“Postcards from The Edge”- My date’s pick. ( Sorry, Diane ) While I liked the book quite a bit, this is another chick flick that dudes should avoid.
walked out of Ted Nugent once a long time ago…. and am a fan of his
been to a few shows where I wanted to leave but stayed in hopes of making the beast with 2 backs…. Jackal being one
Alice in 3D was awesome!
Inglourious Basterds was worth the trip.
love 24 hr places. never know when you might need some stuff you don’t have….
love live music! hate the assholes that can’t keep their mouths shut… stfu
Way to go TIlly!
Dune. What a turd of a movie. I’m not a big sci-fi fan anyway, and went with some friends. I was miserable through most of what I saw, and then when they got to the point when they were talking about a tooth that, when bitten down on, would produce poison gas, I was done. Ridiculous.
Happy Tuesday, Surfers!
Never walked out of a concert, but walked out of “The Grateful Dead Movie.” Holy mother of God.
In college, also walked out on some foreign films with the narrative drive of a credit card privacy statement. Thinking of “Dersu Uzala” and “Spirit of the Beehive.”
Saw four-fifths of “The Blind Side” on DVD before saying, “Screw it!”
Never been to a concert or a movie….
OK – I am lying.
The only movie I ever walked out on was Gremlins – that because I had 2 crying kids on my hands. It was not a kid movie.
do not buy a droid
buy any HTC phone that is not the droid phone
have trust in me kind sir
Inglourious Basterds = 2 thumbs up!
I walked out on Lyle Lovett last summer.
I’ve been on the other side of the walkout. A buddy and I went to see Abdullah Ibrahim (aka Dollar Brand) at a nightclub in DC. The opening act was Ladysmith Black Mombazo, those African singers who backed Paul Simon on the Graceland album. The place was packed, but once Ladysmith was done it emptied out and we got a table! Good times.