The Phantom of the Opera

I went and saw The Phantom of the Opera tonight (the movie). I think when it came out, I saw it like, 3 times in the theater. I love that movie. I was also fortunate enough last summer to see the stage play at the Orpheum, but had seats that inhibited my view. I also didn't really get the cemetary scene. But man, I think the movie is one of my favorite movies ever. I think it is just beautifully shot, in that the sets and costumes are just awesome. I've always had a love of formalwear, and the formalwear just rocks my world in that movie. I wish I could dress like the Phantom. I always thought, that if I was Christine, if you could just get rid of the whole killing thing and rabid obsession thing, I would pick the Phantom over Raoul. I mean, we have to face it, Raoul is kind of boring. The Phantom seems so much more full of life. That's what I think, at least. And of course, I just love the music. It's so good, crap. I really want to sing "All I Ask of You" to my future wife, to aid in wooing her. There's just something about romantic songs that gets me. In high school, I memorized a large catalog of Chicago love songs, most notably, "Hard to Say I'm Sorry," and used to sing them to my female friends. They would usually feel flattered. I liked making them feel a little better, I guess. If I could do that by singing some corny songs in my terrible voice, hey, why not? I remember distinctly, in 11th grade, Bryan Adam's song "Everything I Do" came on at prom, and I sang it in my date's ear as we danced. I sang absolutely terribly, and forgot a bunch of lyrics, but you know, I'd like to think it made her feel a little more special. There's just something awesome about expressing love through song, something that comes through that I don't think necessarily comes through in plain prose. I wish I could sing to the girl I sit next to in jazz band, or the girl back home, or to the aforementioned one, or whoever is out there for me. In reality, I should probably stick to trombone, but you're not being very discreet if you carry around a trombone. She'll know what's up. Voice, usually, has the element of surprise. I suppose you could hide a trombone somewhere, and pull it out, but that is a titch complicated. Plus, your lips tend to be occupied with a mouthpiece, and as we all know in romantic songs, the lips usually play a part at the end. Anyways, for your reading pleasure, I am going to present to you Aaron's all time mack daddy ultimate romantic songs, in no particular order.

1- Hard to Say I'm Sorry - Chicago
2- All I Ask of You - from The Phantom of the Opera
3- Fly Me to the Moon - Frank Sinatra
4- Everything I Do - Bryan Adams
5- If I Were a Bell- from Guys and Dolls
6- Your Song - Elton John

Awesome songs, and I'm sure I forgot some of my favorites. In other music news, everyone go out and buy the Episode III soundtrack. It is awesome, to put in bluntly. The music is just so emotional, I can't handle it. Just listen to the Main Title (the Star Wars theme for all you non-geeks), and if you don't get feelings of hope stirred in you, I don't know what's up. I used to just listen to the opening chord on that song for like, 10 consecutive times, because I thought it was so inspiring. Anyways, the soundtrack is exceptional. I haven't listened to it closely enough to judge it against others, but I'm guessing it's near the top of my list. I especially like the last song on the disc, which has Princess Leia's theme. It is very moving, I think. It really shows that even in the midst of such terrible evil, hope remains, and will not be blotted out. Simply phenomenal. Anyways, you all have a good night, and MTFBWY.