Checking the online museum schedule, I noticed a new listing - a showing of "Michael Clayton" Saturday at 7, for members only. This is still playing in regular theaters, and I have AMC passes (from MyPoints) that I could use. I do want to see Oscar nominees, but there was no real urgency to go to Astoria. I was ready to stay in when I noticed the listing had an RSVP phone number. Well, maybe I'd call and if it's closed out, so be it. It was already 5 pm and I had just showered and could still make it. I called, was transferred, and got a live person who took my reservation. OK, I guess I was going.
I looked up the directions again, hoped the subways were running their normal routes, and headed out around 6. Once out of the subway, I had momentary confusion about which direction to go down Steinway (but if I was wrong I'd know pretty soon), but was correct and soon saw the museum.
There was a sign saying all coats and bags must be checked, and a diagram of how big your bag needed to be to be checked (mine is bigger). I asked if I should check my stuff, and they said, only if you want to. The museum was closed except for the screening, so maybe that's a good sign that MoMA won't make me check my pocketbook.
I found a good middle seat, tried to read my magazine (too dark), looked through the museum's upcoming events (nothing caught my eye), and then the movie started. I liked it a lot. It was an engrossing tale of corporate evil and lawyers that reminded me of "The Verdict." It's probably also like "The Insider" but I haven't seen that. George Clooney is such a MAN! I'll reserve judgment on Oscar chances until I see more of the nominees. Whether it wins or not, it was definitely worth seeing.
