Do you remember it too? The smell of buttered popcorn. The sticky floors. The overwhelming volume. The overpriced snacks. Do you remember movie theatres? Because I certainly do, and I miss them immensely.
I have always, always, always loved movie theatres. Some of my favorite memories are going to see a highly-anticipated movie with a group of friends. If I was REALLY excited for a movie, I’d go see it on the midnight release because I could not wait any longer, and I hate spoilers. My friend Abbey and I did this for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2 because we literally could not wait, and the second tickets were available we were on the phone coordinating what theatre to go to and what seats we wanted.
That’s another thing I miss: the process of going to see a movie. You’d have to pick a showtime, a theatre and seats. Streaming makes everything easier, and I like it, but you just click play on whatever streaming service and watch it in the same chair you watch everything else in. Movie theatre seats were special, and if I couldn’t get a good one, I’d pick a different showtime.
I also miss the previews. Yes, I am the guy that shows up for the previews. I like to know what’s coming out, and even if it’s a trailer I’ve already seen, I like seeing it on the big screen. If the movie was based on a book or a reboot of something else, I’d always like to try and guess what the movie was before they said the title. I miss leaning over to my dad or a friend and saying “that looks awful” or “I’d be interested in that.”
I even went to the movie theatre alone sometimes. Again, I hate to see movies more than a day or two after they come out, and one time none of my friends were able to see Captain America: Civil War the day it came out, so I went by myself. We really need to normalize going to see movies by ourselves because I still had a great time. Sure, you may look weird sitting by yourself, but who cares? I love the shared experience of seeing a movie with friends, but it can be just as fun solo.
I think how HBO Max is releasing movies both in theatres and through their service is cool. It’s been controversial with some actors and directors, but this is the way of the world now. I wish we could go see movies like we used to, but HBO’s formula is innovative and a compromise for people who want to go to theatres and those who want to watch in the safety of their homes.
Back in middle school, I started saving tickets to the movies I saw. I have dozens of them now, and I think the oldest one I have is for 2012’s The Hunger Games. They serve as nice mementos, and just by looking at the ticket, I can remember who I saw the movie with. Now Apple Wallet saves your digital movie ticket, and I like that too, especially because they usually include the movie poster with them.
I haven’t been to a movie theatre in over a year, and I miss them dearly. I may make my return to the big screen for Godzilla vs. Kong, but my roommate just realized his family has HBO Max, so the verdict is still out on that one. Here’s to hoping things become a little more normal, and paying $12 for a movie ticket is in the near future again. Until then, you can find me in my living room watching The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Zack Snyder’s Justice League or Coming 2 America.