Meet Nadia Abdelrhman, a Stranger reader who has vowed to do everything The Stranger suggests for the entire month of March. Look for her reports daily on Slog and Line Out. —Eds.
- It is not possible to improve upon this.
Last night, I visited Central Cinema for the third (and final) time this month for a showing of Purple Rain. I’m a little embarrassed to admit it, but Purple Rain was the most fun I’ve had at Central Cinema so far. Conceived within the glitter-drenched pomp of early ’80s excess, Purple Rain bursts wide open with motorcycles, rock-n-roll rivalries, abused young women in dangerously low-cut lingerie, violent family dysfunction, and the demigod that is The Kid. During the finale, Central Cinema lit up the disco ball and the well-lubed crowd cheered and clapped in ecstasy along to the beat of the Revolution. The last shot of the film: a literal guitargasm. Suggests approved.
Purple Rain was the first VHS video I ever bought myself.
Too bad most of the stars in it later became religious freaks.
So glad you captured the puppet moment. That may be my favorite moment of 80s cinema!
“The Kid is in RARE form tonight!”
For Stranger readers, it might be better to use other adjectives other than “well-lubed.”