As I mentioned earlier this morning, I plopped my $10 down and watched the movie “Red” this weekend (Remember with us HERE). We gladly review movie after movie, blowing off “work” to gleefully sit through 2 hours of darkened ecstasy for your betterment. Well, I’m not sure if you’ve noticed, but the movie theater landscape has changed pretty dramatically recently. Here’s a few of the changes we’ve noticed… for starters, the lobby of my favorite local cinema was adorned with its typical barrage of coming-soon titles. A life-size poster of Dewayne “The Rock” Johnson… and Alien spaceship blasting LA… etc, etc,… but wait, there was also one for a local car dealership… an area dentist… and a nude pic of your mom! (yes… your Mom). That was a bit odd… but okay.
Next I grabbed my usual popcorn, hot tamales & a soda… ready to drop $15-20, the little girlie behind the counter told me about a special “Large Popcorn & a Candy for $4”. $4!!!! I haven’t been able to buy a napkin in a movie theater for $4 in 10 yrs… now I’m getting a LARGE popcorn and candy for that (and Yes, Hot Tamales was one of the candy options). That’s fan-freakin-tastic!
Then I mosey on into the theater, set to a comfortable 42°… to clearly keep all of the AARP attendees happy. Mind you it is Fall, so I understand keeping it a little cool… but Jeezus people!!! I even turned into one of “those” people and asked the manager to make it warmer. Swear to god it was 30° when we left (dick!). Oh, and did I forget to mention the 15 minutes of local TV ads before the previews?
All-in-all it was your typical movie going experience… the snack-bar was a nice treat (especially for a weekend), but the rest of it kind of left a bad taste in my mouth.
My recommendation (and one that I will very likely start adhering to)… wait a few months and rent the movie on Blu-Ray where you can sit at home, in your most comfortable environment, eating whatever your heart desires, cracking a beer (or other tasty libation) and watching that movie in glorious Hi-Definition. If you miss the “movie experience” then go… but be prepared for an explosion of ad-gluttony in your face. Oh, and take your big jacket.
