The Movie Marathon Survival Guide - East Idaho News
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The Movie Marathon Survival Guide

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Everyone remembers their first time.

My first time was when my buddy Erik and I settled in with copious amounts of Doritos and Mountain Dew to watch the original “Star Wars” Trilogy in one continuous installment of Force-­flavored goodness. We laughed. We cheered. There may or may not have been a few tears shed when Darth Vader was reclaimed from the dark side. At the time, I sucked at sports, but making it through this challenge gave me what I imagined to be a similar sense of achievement. I was hooked.

For my money, there are few things more enjoyable than getting together with a bunch of movie fans and taking a pilgrimage through a beloved film series. Be it “Star Wars”, “Evil Dead” or the “Alien” flicks, a movie marathon is a rite of passage for fans, not mention a fun way to kill a few hours.

That said, getting through a movie marathon can be a trial of the soul. It requires energy, enthusiasm and the proper social skills. It may test your endurance for sitting and can stretch your love of film to its very limit. But, you CAN make it through, and I’ve got a few hints that can help you live to be a movie marathon survivor. Check it:

  • 1. Be Well ­Rested: One of the roughest aspects of movie marathons is the fact that it’s surprisingly tiring to sit around all day watching movies. You may be dragging a couple movies in. The best way to combat the fatigue is to make sure you get plenty of rest the night before the marathon. In fact, you may want to get extra sleep for a couple of nights preceding the marathon. You may even take a day or two off from work to get rested up. Tell your boss I said it’s alright.
  • 2. Have Awesome Snacks: Movies and food go together like 1.21 gigawatts and time travel. The right snacks can greatly enhance the joy of your movie marathon, whereas the wrong snacks will suck the life from the proceedings faster than you can say “Mothra’s mighty wings”. When applicable, you can go with snacks that tie in with your movie selections, like blue milk for a “Star Wars” festival or ice cream for Edgar Wright’s Cornetto Trilogy.
  • 3. Invite the Right People: You want to make sure your guests are people who share your enthusiasm for the films you’re watching. Nothing sours the mood of a movie marathon like someone who isn’t into the movies you’re watching. Some people enjoy going to the kind of gatherings just so they can nit­pick and criticize. Kick those chumps to the curb. And don’t be one of those chumps yourself.
  • 4. Take Breaks: It can be tempting to power your way through your movie selections without stopping. Resist this urge or, I promise, you’ll burn out. Take a few moments between each feature to hit the bathroom or go outside for some air. You’ll be surprised how much it helps.
  • 5. Talk It Up: One of the simple joys of movie marathons is providing a commentary for your movies, “Mystery Science Theater 3000” style. So, get involved. It may take a few minutes for your guests to get used to your sense of humor, but sooner or later, you’ll all be busting a gut together. Unless you’re not very funny. Then, everyone will be laughing at you, not with you. That’s alright. Every movie marathon needs that guest who’s not nearly as funny as they think they are. That’s why I get invited to so many movie marathons.
  • 6. HAVE FUN: Get loose. Talk smack. Be yourself. Remember, you’re all there for the same reason: to have a good time. So, throw caution to the wind and have fun!

Well, there you have it. If you follow these tips, you’ll not only make it through your next movie marathon unscathed, but you might even enjoy yourself in the process.

(Note: If you’ve never done a movie marathon, here are a few suggestions for your initial attempt: the original “Star Wars” trilogy (classic), the Indiana Jones movies (minus “Kingdom of the Crystal Skull”), “Lord of the Rings” (if you want to test your endurance) and “Back to the Future” (those movies are just fun.))

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