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How to cheapen and enrich moviegoing
Since I so strongly endorsed seeing movies in a theater, some of you might be wondering how I put up with the prices, the talkers, the commercials and all those things that can make a night at the movies a real hazard.
Some of you might guess it’s because I’ve gone to a lot of free preview screenings, but that’s not the case. Long before I was reviewing for the Middletown Journal, I was seeing more than 100 films a year in theaters.
But since I have gone that often, I’ve developed a few tips and tricks that have made frequent moviegoing fun.
Eat before or after the movie, NOT during it: I know that for some people, popcorn and the movies go together like peanut butter and jelly, Tom and Jerry or Ben and Jerry. But the prices! As Doctor McCoy always said on Star Trek, “My god, man!” A plain hot dog $3.25? SMALL popcorn $3.75?? I refuse to pay it on principle, even if I’m starving. Besides, too much of that artificial butter-flavored grease will kill you.
Don’t be afraid of the sun: Fridays and Saturdays will always be big date nights, but you’ll save a lot of money if you go to the last matinee and then do dinner afterwards, thereby avoiding concessions and that butter-flavored grease. Crowds are usually a little thinner around 4 or 5 p.m. as well.
Don’t be afraid to run a little late: This way, you’ll miss at least a few of the annoying big-screen commercials, but to their credit, some area theaters have had their advertised start times reflect when the previews start, as opposed to the TV ads.
Get closer: I don’t understand why so many people like to sit so far back. That defeats one of the main benefits of theaters: the big picture. Here’s a tip I picked up in film class. Sit close enough so that the movie screen occupies the majority of your field of vision and you see as little of the sides as possible. In most places with stadium seating, this no longer means craning your neck really high. As an added bonus, it becomes easier to tune out gabbers, cell phones, unruly kids and the like.
Stay later: So many people make a mad dash for the doors when the credits roll that it becomes a pain to leave the theater, to say nothing of navigating the parking lot. I always stay until the credits are finished. Yes, it takes a little extra time, but you never know what you might catch. I bet most people don’t know about the joke tacked on to the very end of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.
The End.
No projectionists were harmed in the typing of this post. They’re usually not up in the booth anyway.
Anyone else have any advice to make modern moviegoing better?
Permalink | Comments (8) | Categories: Moviegoing
Comments
By SRCputt
March 30, 2006 12:18 PM | Link to this
Jonathan, I’ll go you one further. Your popcorn is not only a better deal, but it is fresher than the chains. Your place and The Bargain Box Office are the only Dayton concession stands I’ve patronized in at least the last five years. (and I’m not even one of your employees)By Derwood
March 30, 2006 2:52 AM | Link to this
While I agree with some of what you have to say about seeing movies in theaters, that only works for the single guy with buddies or on a date. It does not work for families with children. It is impossible to get into the theater without going near the concession stand. Even if I do manage to go through the gauntlet of bright lights, smells, etc.. I still pay more to take my family to a movie in the theater than I do by purchasing the DVD. And, with my 52” high definition TV, progrssive-scan DVD player, 5.1 surround sound, and comfy chairs and couches, my home is a far better place to watch the movie (multiple times if we are so inclined). No crowds to navigate.. And, our popcorn is much healthier and cheaper.By Jonathan
March 29, 2006 5:41 PM | Link to this
I’m so glad to read about the teachings of Charles Derry on this website. He was responsible for the best lectures I have ever heard regarding film history/criticism. Regarding other information in this blog, I must add (Beware of Shameless Plug)THE NEON’s concession prices are the best in Dayton…and you don’t have to worry hurdling children (unless we’re screening MARCH OF THE PENGUINS).By Mister G
March 29, 2006 5:10 PM | Link to this
Good point from Mike, although I hope all are aware that watching a video screen/monitor is qualitatively much different from watching a movie screen. They don’t call TV the glass teat for nothing. Eric, you forgot one other recommendation: wait for 2d run! Much cheaper and often just as good an experience.By Mike
March 29, 2006 4:29 PM | Link to this
If you’re not afraid of the sun, wouldn’t you be outdoors and not in a darkened movie theater?By Mike
March 29, 2006 3:48 PM | Link to this
I think many of us grew up being told “Doin’t sit so close to the TV!” that it subconsciously carried over to our moviegoing habits!By Barb Clark
March 29, 2006 11:28 AM | Link to this
LOL! That is exactly where I heard it too. I took the class in the mid-1980’s and I practice that rule to this day. And let’s warn folks now…”film appreciation” sounds like a cushy class, but it was hard. Half of my grade was based on a paper I had to write on Alfred Hitchcock (not an easy subject) and half was the final that covered all the films we watched plus the lectures. I did learn a lot about movies and that is also where I developed my great appreciation for Hitchcock films. Happy to say I still got an A!By SRCputt
March 29, 2006 10:30 AM | Link to this
Let’s give credit on the sitting close rule to where we heard it: Charles Derry, the film professor at Wright State. I remember going to a screening mostly attended by WSU film students. Everyone was in the first 7 rows. Once you sit close, you continue to sit close, because it sucks you right into the movie. It means experiencing the movie, rather than just watching it.