I’ve decided to make the 1942 film Casablanca as my first
reviewed movie here on Take The Cannoli. But first, a little back story on Casablanca
and me.
Despite being released more than half a century ago,
Casablanca is still being revered as one of Hollywood’s defining romantic films
ever made. A score of 97% on Rotten Tomatoes will attest to that. Evidently, it
enters onto my list of ‘movies-I-will-watch-someday’. A list which includes the
likes of Apocalypse Now and A Clockwork Orange.
It was in the summer of 2011 that I found myself in LA on vacation
and despite staying in a hotel in Anaheim which would make a trip to Disneyland
a mere 10-minute drive, I instead took the option of taking the 40 minute route
to Universal Studios. And of course it was worth every minute and more. Fast forward
to the end of the day and I was standing outside the park even though it was
only 6 PM because it was closing time. Bummer, right? Yes, you’re tired from
all the walking and waiting in line all day but also still buzzing from all the
excitement you just had because the sun had only just set. You’re not getting
back to the hotel just yet. You’re not twelve. The night is young. Thankfully,
the folks at Universal realize this too, so they came up with City Walk. Defined
as a three-block entertainment, dining and shopping promenade. Basically, an al
fresco shopping mall. And truthfully, after a whole day of kid-friendly
environment, a more adult setting with food and music was a welcome change. Not
to mention a great place for a proper meal too.
Normally, I would love to try the Brazilian steakhouse for
dinner but you know how it is, so we settled on Bubba Gump, where seafood is a
given. Now here’s the interesting part (finally!). Since the place was packed
(the whole City Walk was), you have to be on the waiting list. At other places the
custom is you leave your name and the number of people in your party to the
host for them to call out later when a table becomes available. But since we
were at Universal Studios, instead of leaving your name, you get to leave the
name of your favorite movie on the waiting list. Now, isn’t that cool? Something so small yet have a way to
significantly improve the dining experience.
Naturally, my inner ponce-ness emerged and the need to
out-do the other patrons became my little personal objective. However, my task
was made easy since they either had poor movie taste or just too starving to be
bothered with coming up with a swanky movie. There were mentions of The Matrix,
Shrek (probably inspired by the 4D attraction in the park earlier), Harry
Potter and (it just had to happen) multiple Twilights.
As for myself, I didn’t give that much thought when I approached
the host but somehow I blurted out the words “Casablanca, for two”. Funny, I wanted
to say Jurassic Park. That would have definitely been the right choice at the
steakhouse.
“One of my favorite movies” replied the host as he wrote
down ‘Casablanca’ onto the waiting list and nodding approvingly.
Suddenly, I felt a little smug about myself.
And ever since that moment Casablanca has reserved a little
place in my heart despite never having seen it. But I’m about too. This could
really be the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
P/S: If any of you wondered, the dinner at Bubba Gump was
satisfying enough. And we get to take home a flickering tall glass as souvenir.
Very nifty.
