Last Sunday, I read a column in the NY Times with the provocative title We Aren’t Just Watching the Decline of the Oscars. We’re Watching the End of the Movies. As a film buff and low-key contrarian, I knew what I had to do. We skipped the Oscars and went to our local multiplex to see The Lost City, a cutesy action/comedy in the tradition of Romancing the Stone. Christina and I enjoyed the movie, and we rode that wave of enjoyment right on over to Chipotle, where we quoted our favorite Channing Tatum & Sandra Bullock moments over burrito bowls. Good times!
But enough about us and our movie-going. I want to hear about you and your movie-going.
Have you been to the movies lately?
What did you see?
Is there an upcoming film that you just have to see in theaters?
Is that film the new Top Gun?
What about the new Nicolas Cage film, The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, where Cage plays himself? Have you marked your calendars for that one?
Bonus question: what’s your best memory of seeing a film in the theater?
Finally getting around to binge reading the last few episodes of Situation Normal with my Sunday morning beverage. You never disappoint. As for my answer to the questions you posed here, I did happen to see The Batman last weekend in the theater at the insistence of my teenaged daughter. I will follow this up by relating the fact that I do not voluntarily go to the theater because I have difficulty navigating crowded situations (this is my updated description of an ongoing battle I have with social anxiety). So I agreed to said movie to prove to her that I was managing my mental health well. While I did enjoy the movie itself (my favorite of all the Batmen), the booming surround sound experience of an in-theater movie had me so pumped with adrenaline, my body shook like a junkie for the full 3 hour tour. So, as for my best memory, I'd have to say the seats in the theater were very comfy. I also saw the trailer for the Nick Cage movie and all I can think of to say is . . . did he get his hair back?
I haven’t been to a movie in two years, which is sad because I used to go all the time. Maybe when they finish the Alamo Drafthouse here in St. Louis I’ll start going again – I still miss those theaters in Austin. What I always enjoyed about the Drafthouse in particular were the movie marathons, where for a reasonably priced ticket I could hunker down for an afternoon and evening and watch a string of Marvel movies up to the newest release, or several Star Wars movies in a row, with themed snacks and silliness between films.
Haven’t gotten to go to an Alamo Drafthouse yet, but they sound lovely, especially those movie marathons! There’s one in Los Angeles, but it’s a little far from us. Gonna try and make it one of these days.
Still haven't seen The Batman, but eager to understand why there's an article in front of the character's name 🦇 I didn't even know about Everything Everywhere All At Once, but damn, that's on my list! Trailer looks amazing!
My favorite recent theater movie memory was going to see Uncut Gems bc I laughed like a maniac through the whole thing and was the only one laughing. I am a terrible person.
The Lost City sounds like fun. We loved Romancing the Stone way back when. Almost anything with Danny DeVito is worthwhile. Nicholas Cage is a cult favorite for me but tempted to stream them in a watch party to conquer geography. Dune in the theatre was great.
Mark, I agree almost anything with Danny DeVito is worthwhile! Ruthless People is a personal favorite. And you're right, Dune really was one of those movies that was theatre-worthy!
Best movie experience in a theater EVER? Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, 2003. I was not surprised it won the Oscar for Best Sound Editing (Dolby). As the cannon balls streaked and screamed across the deck of the ship from right to left -- right in front of my nose, I cannot tell you how many times I ducked! The entire theater vibrated and rolled with the explosions. I gripped the armrests, white knuckled, sweating , heart racing. I was ON THAT SHIP! ( It did not translate to the small screen.)
Wellll...when I was a senior in high school, the local $1 theater had a run of Dazed and Confused for a couple of months. And that was the absolute perfect cheap night out for my friends and I, who would get absolutely blazed on our way to the theater. So blazed that my friend Eileen used to practice buying her ticket.
OMG! Everything about this is amazing, from the $1 ticket (inflation!) to the fact that you and your friends basically turned a hang out movie into a hang out experience. Also, proud of Eileen for practicing and being so polite. As a former theater worker, I nothing warms my heart more than a polite stoner who has their shit together.
No to all of them. And seeing the movie "Tangled". It was the first movie I saw that was 3-D...
Finally getting around to binge reading the last few episodes of Situation Normal with my Sunday morning beverage. You never disappoint. As for my answer to the questions you posed here, I did happen to see The Batman last weekend in the theater at the insistence of my teenaged daughter. I will follow this up by relating the fact that I do not voluntarily go to the theater because I have difficulty navigating crowded situations (this is my updated description of an ongoing battle I have with social anxiety). So I agreed to said movie to prove to her that I was managing my mental health well. While I did enjoy the movie itself (my favorite of all the Batmen), the booming surround sound experience of an in-theater movie had me so pumped with adrenaline, my body shook like a junkie for the full 3 hour tour. So, as for my best memory, I'd have to say the seats in the theater were very comfy. I also saw the trailer for the Nick Cage movie and all I can think of to say is . . . did he get his hair back?
Wow, your experience with The Batman sounds intense! Glad you made it through.
I haven’t been to a movie in two years, which is sad because I used to go all the time. Maybe when they finish the Alamo Drafthouse here in St. Louis I’ll start going again – I still miss those theaters in Austin. What I always enjoyed about the Drafthouse in particular were the movie marathons, where for a reasonably priced ticket I could hunker down for an afternoon and evening and watch a string of Marvel movies up to the newest release, or several Star Wars movies in a row, with themed snacks and silliness between films.
Haven’t gotten to go to an Alamo Drafthouse yet, but they sound lovely, especially those movie marathons! There’s one in Los Angeles, but it’s a little far from us. Gonna try and make it one of these days.
Dying to see this one! Maybe I’ll go this weekend. I saw Death on the Nile recently, which was very fun!
It was between Death on the Nile and The Lost City. I think The Lost City won because Channing Tatum. Probably gonna see Death on the Nile soon.
The Batman was the first movie my partner and I saw in theaters since the start of the pandemic. Very happy to return to our beloved Alamo Drafthouse.
This weekend we have tickets to see Everything Everywhere All At Once, which has a great trailer and 96% on Rotten Tomatoes. Can’t wait!
Still haven't seen The Batman, but eager to understand why there's an article in front of the character's name 🦇 I didn't even know about Everything Everywhere All At Once, but damn, that's on my list! Trailer looks amazing!
My favorite recent theater movie memory was going to see Uncut Gems bc I laughed like a maniac through the whole thing and was the only one laughing. I am a terrible person.
You’re not a terrible person. But have you seen the Uncut Gems meme? I thinks it’s Josh Safdie’s ex and it was all over TikTok about a month ago.
The Lost City sounds like fun. We loved Romancing the Stone way back when. Almost anything with Danny DeVito is worthwhile. Nicholas Cage is a cult favorite for me but tempted to stream them in a watch party to conquer geography. Dune in the theatre was great.
Mark, I agree almost anything with Danny DeVito is worthwhile! Ruthless People is a personal favorite. And you're right, Dune really was one of those movies that was theatre-worthy!
Ruthless People was great. The War of the Roses & Matilda. He made Always Sunny great
Best movie experience in a theater EVER? Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, 2003. I was not surprised it won the Oscar for Best Sound Editing (Dolby). As the cannon balls streaked and screamed across the deck of the ship from right to left -- right in front of my nose, I cannot tell you how many times I ducked! The entire theater vibrated and rolled with the explosions. I gripped the armrests, white knuckled, sweating , heart racing. I was ON THAT SHIP! ( It did not translate to the small screen.)
I love Master and Commander. I watch it whenever I see it on TV, but you're right, it's MUCH better on the big screen!
Wellll...when I was a senior in high school, the local $1 theater had a run of Dazed and Confused for a couple of months. And that was the absolute perfect cheap night out for my friends and I, who would get absolutely blazed on our way to the theater. So blazed that my friend Eileen used to practice buying her ticket.
"One for Dazed and Confused, please."
"One for Dazed and Confused, please."
"One for Dazed and Confused, please."
I'll never forget those words.
OMG! Everything about this is amazing, from the $1 ticket (inflation!) to the fact that you and your friends basically turned a hang out movie into a hang out experience. Also, proud of Eileen for practicing and being so polite. As a former theater worker, I nothing warms my heart more than a polite stoner who has their shit together.
Lol. We just didn't want to cause any trouble!