Mike Fournier Tulsa
On July 17th, 1998, Pam and I went to see the opening of "The Mask of Zorro", at the then brand new 20 screen AMC Theatre. At the time, it was the very first stadium seating theatre in Tulsa, and also featured THX sound. It was an amazing experience; now passe, surpassed by the Cinemark, then Starworld, and most recently by the Warren Theatre in BA, which (s.f. wise) is the largest theatre in the world.
As Pam and I were walking in the parking lot that afternoon, a grandfather and his 5 year old g'son were walking into the theatre to see the movie too. The young boy was decked out to the 9's in his Zorro costume, complete with mask and sword. It truly was an adorable sight.
Pam made a comment to me, something like "One day that will be you Mike", and I remember thinking at the time, at the ripe old age of 40 (not 41 until October), that that would be really cool when it did happen. Neither of our daughter's were yet married or out of school (Jackie was 19, and Angela was 17); but I did think about what it would be like.
Fast-forward 17 years, and it finally happened! And . . ., it was fast . . ., mercy, 17 years is a whisper.
Owen Michael Kueny (aka Iron Man) and I took in a movie and saw Avengers: Age of Ultron, at the new Warren Theatre (a spectacle of a theatre worthy of its own blog). Also in attendance was Dad Steven (in red), and a long time family friend (Chris in pink).
For this movie, Iron Man decided not to wear his mask inside. But man oh man, was he pumped!
We could barely get through the trailers as the excitement was building so heavily.
FINALLY, the the movie opens with a cold-open (more movies ought to do that!) and with an action sequence that was one for the record books. It went on for 12 minutes, and was accentuated by Caveman's (and myself) repeated hooting, hollering, screaming, laughing, kicking, screaming, jumping, throwing popcorn, and general all around cajoling. I was worried that the Management was going to escort me away from the action; but it seemed like the whole theatre audience was rocking right along with us!
I loved the movie. It was incredible. And I loved most that Iron Man / Hulk / Wolverine / Spider Man / Hawk all went to the movie with me. Because you see, o'Mike is all of those, (he LOVES super hero's) rolled into one little 5 year old boy (well OK, he will be 6 next month), and he is far from little, as he is taller than every 2nd grader in school, and he just 'graduated' pre-K......
I love you Owen Michael, and I cherish the thought of many-many more 'guy' movies with you over the forth coming decades ~ what a blast we will have!
I am a blessed man.
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