I think a part of me has died…
the part of me that enjoys going to the movie theatre.
And I don’t understand how or when it happened. And this is NOT about sticky floors or bad sound. The kids and I went to see the latest Harry Potter flick yesterday. It was a very pleasant experience for a theatre. Floors were clean enough (my flip flops came with me when I got up to leave), no gummy bears stuck to the screen or rips or holes for that matter, not a lot of people in the theatre with us and no crying babies or rudely talking adults, surround sound was working and was synced (that word SO doesn’t look right) up the video, and the movie was in focus. So what’s the problem?
I DON’T KNOW! We do the home theatre thing because we like the theatre experience – big and loud! This was as good as it is going to get. And yet, I kept looking at my watch. It was a good movie, one that I enjoyed thoroughly. I don’t go to the theatre often, but when I do it is always the same. I feel antsy. Trapped. WHY? I can later see the very same movie in the comfort of my own home and feel relaxed and happy. What has happened to me?
the bottom line is, you can pause and pee at home….
I’m the same way. I used to love going to the movies. Now, I can wait six months for the DVD to be mailed to my home. The picture isn’t as big, but the sound is better. Plus I can pause and take a leak or grab something to drink from my fridge. The last movie I saw in the theater was Grindhouse, and that had been the only I’ve seen in a couple of years. Movies like Transformers or Die Hard “must be seen on the big screen”, but I just don’t buy it. I’m sure I’ll get a Blu-ray or HD DVD player for Christmas, and I’ll just watch those blockbusters then.
That’s right… turn to the dark side… I’ll have you reading comics and playing RPGs yet! 😉
For me, only impatience drags me to the theater. It typically happens about 3-4 times per year now. Last time was for Transformers…. hardly worth it.
the kids and i went to see transformers and the theater experience may be dead after that for me, here is a recap…
#1 they serve a candy called “muddy buddies”. it is chocolate covered bummy bears. after seeing that combo, i could barely eat my popcorn because my stomach was churning…
#2 they showed the SCARIEST previews and my youngest child had to sit in my lap for the whole movie (who really shouldn’t have been seeing transformers, so my “mom af the year” award is NEVER going to arrive anyway, so i didn’t care too much).
now i will only watch movies at dina’s house with her. it will be quite a drive for us, but i think it will be worth it… unless she serves muddy buddies and then i don’t know what we will do!
I’m the same way, I don’t think a part of me has died though. After spending time, energy, and money of my theatre; the “wow” threshold has been moved higher. Most of the time, the multi-plex doesn’t meet that. And in those few times that the multiplex meets the threshold, then the product that Hollywood is pushing isn’t worth the drive, hassle, and price of going out.
The last wow experiences I can recall were 300 and Harry Potter 5, both in IMAX.
“they serve a candy called ‘muddy buddies’.”
So they just came by and served it to your kids, huh? lol
“So they just came by and served it to your kids, huh? lol”
now THAT is funny!!!!
OK, they OFFER for purchase that item (“serve” was the wrong word). i DID NOT purchase it, the mere sight of the box was enough to make me throw up in my mouth a little bit…