DREAM VACATION BLOGATHON - VACATIONING IN 'FANTASIA,' THE MATRIX, AND VATICAN CITY Y'ALL

This is my entry for Katy's Dream Vacation Blogfest. The blogfest is ongoing so if you want to be a part of it, visit Katy and let her know. "If you could travel to any place in the film universe with any of your favorite characters or love-to-hate villains, what kind of a vacation would you take? Post your choice(s) of a destination(s), and at least three characters who would tag along." I have to say this has been my favorite blogfest in a long time because it allowed me to be incredibly imaginative!

If you were a child or young person in the 1980s then you've likely seen 'The Neverending Story.' A classic tale about overcoming adversity and embracing the idea of being "different." This is why 'The Neverending Story' has a special place in the heart of every geek and nerd. Bullying isn't a recent invention, so before the popularity of computers, bullying was still bullying. People just couldn't bully you on Facebook or Twitter and there was no such thing as texting. I should note that cell phones were the size of a small duffle bag. That said, there was no such thing as Caller ID either, so prank calls were truly anonymous back then.

In 'The Neverending Story' Bastian (Barrett Oliver) attempts to escape his bullies through books. Alone and afraid, Bastian finds a magical place where he could feel powerful, fearless, and important. Bastian's belief in the story was the most important part of the movie. It was more important than Atreyu's (Noah Hathaway) quest or the child empress's (Tami Stronach) orders.

TRAVEL COMPANIONS

I'm not sure if I'm supposed to choose characters from the same movie I chose, or different movies, but here is who I would choose to join me on my quest through Fantasia. I would bring Mikey (Sean Astin) from the 'Goonies' because he was a natural explorer; Westley (Cary Elwes) from 'The Princess Bride would be my protector and temporary boyfriend; and Muriel (Toni Collette) from 'Muriel's Wedding' would be my bestie and dancing partner.

After I finished my quest in Fantasia, Falcor the flying dragon would drop me off to Neo's (Keanu Reeve's) world, where I would enter the Matrix. I remember when I first saw 'The Matrix' in 1999. The Matrix computer program picked the year 1999 to be its virtual reality setting for its human occupants, because 1999 was "the height of American society." At the time, I remember thinking that 1999 was not the height of American society. Now...in 2015...I think 1999 was the height of American society. This was before the great recession, before 9/11, before the housing crash, before the wars, before so many other terrible things. I can't speak for any other culture, but 1999 was a great year to be American.

From a non-cultural perspective, I was still in college in 1999, watching the 'X-Files' every week, and eating cereal at night. Oh what a glorious ride college is. I didn't have a 9 to 5 job, no major responsibilities, lots of friends, fun, and parties. Then you graduate, get a job, pay taxes, get a mortgage, and become an adult. It all goes down hill from there. So yes, if I can vacation in 1999 America, that would be a great vacation indeed.

TRAVEL COMPANIONS

Once I entered the Matrix, I would bring along a different iteration of Keanu Reeves...not Neo, but John Wick, from the movie 'John Wick.' I hope I wouldn't have to fight the program or too many Agent Smiths (Hugo Weaving) since I would only be vacationing. Either way, John Wick could hold his own. Just in case, I would want Steve Montgomery (Michael B. Jordan) from 'Chronicle' there to fly me away at a moment's notice with his telekinesis. Stevie would be my second temporary boyfriend during my travels. Ryan Stone (Sandra Bullock) from 'Gravity,' would be my bestie and someone who could help me escape the Matrix if need be. Ryan has an incredible will to survive so she would be a great traveling companion in the Matrix.

After I escaped the Matrix, Falcor would then take me to Vatican City in Rome, where Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks) from 'Angels and Demons' would give me a romantic tour of the city's most notable landmarks, while the Illuminati chase us through beautiful murky streets. Gamora (Zoe Saldana) from 'Guardians of the Galaxy' would tag along just in case assassins make attempts on our lives. I would invite Blink (Bing Bing Fan) from 'X-Men: Days of Future Past' to teleport Robert and I to all of the different sites so we don't have to find parking. Robert would then read ancient books to me in medieval Italian as I ate strawberry gelato with my feet dangling in the Piazza Novana fountain. Hey, this is a fantasy vacation. Geez, I hope my husband doesn't read this post.

TRAVEL COMPANIONS

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