Save Our Cinemas!
I’m sure I’m not the only one to appreciate the movie going experience - I’ve known a few amateur filmmakers who stood expectantly at the back of the theatre, waiting for their carefully choreographed moments to elicit a reaction, emotion or even a fright. They got such a buzz out of affecting people. I’ll never understand why directors don’t have cameras monitoring every cinema cos that high is *amazing*.
My major memories are full of excitement and anticipation for a good story or adventure when I was a child - something I only experienced when I went to watch ‘Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull’. The experience left me smelling the popcorn for the first time in forever and feeling the anticipation of something I vaguely remembered. There were no twists, manipulation, nothing over the top. Well, maybe one scene... and I know the issues fans had with it to be fair, a major one (I assume) was they wanted to suspend reality for a while and had to watch their hero accept he was older. It’s like tinging your childhood with the inevitable, something we paid our money not to have to acknowledge for a couple of hours at least.
But it wasn’t my favourite experience. I went to see two movies in the cinema more than seven times - Speed (1994). That was just for 14 year old me - what a movie!
The second was Stardust (2007). I loved that film, still do. But I realised once I saw it at home exactly why.
After the first time, I’d return and notice something (for me that’s impressive as I’m incredibly oblivious). Stardust is a ‘woman’s’ movie. I say that in the very stereotypical definition of the term. There were no groups of men compelled to have dinner and watch this movie in an attempted male bonding session. It wasn’t marketed that way - it’s a fantasy adventure.
All the men I’d see were literally dragged there for date night with their girlfriends/wives. I started to notice their expressions - more dejected and annoyed but trying to hide it. You could imagine them working out if their phone screen was too bright to attract attention and make sure it was on silent mode.
There were moments I started to watch for - I’d hear a slight titter or shocked reaction. I’d look around and they were transfixed. Maybe this wouldn’t be the hell they were imagining.
Characters kept them amused - Septimus’ bastardry, all the brothers thoroughly sarcastic and frustrated, stunning yet evil Michelle Pfeiffer, a logical and enthralling story, characters you could identify with - and I always knew the reaction when Robert De Niro turned up. I just waited. It was so perfectly done and such a surprise. They loved it - I would hear such throaty laughs and honest reactions, something you don’t often hear in the reserved UK. *Believe me*.
As far as I could tell, not one man came out of the showings without a huge grin. They enjoyed an unexpected experience. I felt so happy for them. You don’t get that very often.
We also don’t mass socialise in the same way but most everyone can enjoy the Movie Theatre/Cinema. I only know I will work hard for that to never disappear.