Movie Theaters?
Interactions on the internet can be impactful and create life long bonds. But, you still always get more out of meeting someone in person if it really means something to you. If you spent your most important times with your best friend in person, then they moved away suddenly, and you could only see them over your TV or phone you would make the best of it. Finding the best times to hang out virtually and digitally. There would be highs, less than before. And lows or just okay times that seem to be happening more. Life happens and things change and now you don’t have time for it anymore because the experience was communal. Being near someone and experiencing the same thing they are was a small but important part of that relationship. You’d be counting down the days to see them in person again. Share a meal, listen to what they had to say right there. Not trying to force an interaction at home. Yes, you guessed it. Movies are one of my best friends.
I spent roughly 300-400 hours in movie theaters in late 2017-2018. It was the height of my moviegoing in my life no doubt. I was watching everything I could. Living in Chicago and getting to make my own schedule was about as convenient as living in a large city can get. I was also not eating healthy, and obviously sitting all the time. I gained around 60-70 pounds throughout my time in Chicago. I was doing acting classes, and then improv classes and eventually performing. I drove for Lyft for a while, and once I had enough money saved up I just kind of did what I wanted. It was middle class privilege to the highest degree. I didn’t have enough money to really do what I wanted but I made sure I never ran out. Eating cheap fast food meals, occasionally paying for parking, gas, and bills/rent was all I had. Now, you might be asking, “but you wrote this thing with the impetus of telling us about movie theaters, soooooooo, you spent a ton of money on movies right!?”
1. I should have
2. I didn’t
3. Good use of the word impetus.
4. You didn’t ask, but I’m healthier now and I lost that weight ;-)
I only spent about $120 on films themselves. Thanks to the beloved and tragic Moviepass. They offered one film a day for 9.95 a month! I don’t think they counted on all the cinephiles out there actually taking them up on that. They helped a lot of people save money by doing what they love. I got to see dozens of theaters in the surrounding areas of Chicago. Going to movie theaters was my version of going to restaurants for some people. Maybe taking a hike on a new trail. I love going into the theater and seeing how they have their lobby set up. Is it AMC/Regal/Marcus/Cinemark/Showplace corporate feeling. Like someone went to Buffalo Wild Wings and thought “they should show movies here!” Or maybe it’s a big corporate movie theater but they want it to feel low key and calm. Landmark is in the business of marketing to the older more sophisticated crowd. The only loud noises will be the glasses at their attempt to be fancy cocktail bar. And of course the actual elderly talking so loud during the movie you wonder how they even hear it. I love the senior citizens but I have found myself being ageist in movie theaters more than once! Don’t call me a hero for admitting that.
My personal favorite are the small theaters just trying to make it an okay experience because they know you are just here for a movie and not to be entertained by anything that isn’t in a quiet dark room projected onto a screen. Facets, Music Box, Wilmette, Docs Films, Pickwick, and more. Music Box has the advantage of being in a historically gorgeous venue. But these places are just vessels for you to come in and take in an experience. I always start to sound like I blew a humungo vape cloud when I talk earnestly about movies but they did fill something in my life I had lost. I grew up a pastor’s kid in a church, but did not continue that. My dad left, and my mom passed away. I was never close to my family outside of a very select few. Friends used to be my number one thing, but going off to college, getting a career, and finding their partners will stifle any relationships for awhile. I already loved movies through all of this, but when other things fell by the wayside I did not retreat, but embraced the movies completely.
Because of capitalism manifesting more instinctual human greed every second that will eventually destroy every genuine thing in our existence + a response to a pandemic, I feel confident describing as sociopathic with a lean towards making money over saving human life, movie theaters are in trouble. And bringing them back will be hard because although people need to work, they maybe won’t come out in droves to sweep up trash and clean bathrooms and deal with the assholes I encountered quite a bit in my time. People go to a theater and expect comfort. That may happen, but it also may be frustrating at times. When I say theatergoing is an experience I don’t always mean it will be comforting. There will be all kinds of small problems depending on the time you go and who you are around. Comfort has won the day. Staying home with streaming services is the future. That is decided. But, theaters are something you can’t replicate. I want to stress this is not how I think everyone should feel. But I do hope everyone has their own personal movie theater. I hope everyone has something that fulfills them in ways the medium itself isn’t even trying to do all the time. I hope you bring so much of yourself into something that the experience can shape you, or at least get you thinking afterwards.
I am fully vaccinated and am still fearful to go to a movie theater because of where I live and how little the virus is taken seriously by the public. I went to a theater recently for the first time since March 2020. I was anxious. But, I loved it. I missed you, movies. You didn’t technically go anywhere. But it is nice to see you in person again. I will be the best listener.
See you soon, theaters.
XOXO