WHEN DID GOING TO THE MOVIES STOP BEING FUN?

This past weekend my boyfriend and I decided to go see Jurassic world, and when I say decided, I mean I begged him to suck it up and just go watch a movie about dinosaurs with me. I have enough thoughts on the film to write an entire series on the subject, but today I want to talk about something else entirely.

When did going to the movies stop being fun?

Growing up in a small town with not much to do, going to the movie theater as a teenager was the highlight of my weekend. Back when it only cost six dollars to see the latest movie and sneaking candy into the theater was scarier than what was on the screen. Nowadays, you have to spend 15 dollars to see a movie you aren't even sure is that good, plus the cost of hideous glasses if you want to enjoy it in 3D.

My trip to the theater yesterday made me realize that seeing a movie just isn't as fun as it used to be, whether it's the changing prices times or my growing desire to just sit at home and watch something in the comfort of my bed.

As I sat and watched people get terrorized by dinosaurs, I made a mental note of all the things that make going to a theater less enjoyable than just waiting for the movie to come out on DVD.

If you live in the city, plan on arriving no less than 20 minutes early. Unless you like sitting in the second row. (I had to watch Mad Max from row 2, it was not any better from that close up.)

Also plan to make a quick pit stop at the drugstore, because no one should have to pay 8 dollars for Sour Patch Kids. Quick tip, I've never had anyone dig through my purse when I sprinkle a few tampons through the bag.

Let's say you arrive early and want to get the best seats in the house, middle row, middle of the theater. The row is empty, there's only one guy sitting on the end of the aisle. Oh what's that? He's reserving the entire row!!

When did this become socially acceptable? One or two seats, okay. Three is pushing it. But an entire row?? I watched a woman claim 11 seats yesterday. Eleven! It's a movie, you sit there quietly and just stare. Do all eleven of you really need to sit together??

The lights go down, the trailers start playing, all is well. The now normalized 'silence your cellphone' ad pops up, and the 'please don't pirate this movie' warning too. Latecomers are scrambling around trying to find seats. (Hint: try the second row.) You're excited to see the movie you just dropped 30 dollars on. And then it happens, someone with a stroller walks in.

I get it okay. People with babies deserve to have lives. I'm totally pro babies! But don't bring a baby, no, don't bring anyone under 12 to watch Paranormal Activity 4. It's awkward, they're going to start crying and social norms will prevent me from telling you what a terrible parenting decision you've just made. Just don't bring kids to movies that are not for kids! Sitting through a sex scene is weird enough, don't make it weirder by having your kids there with their hands over their eyes. (True story, I think we were all equally traumatized that night.)

By now you're probably thinking I just like to fuss about things, and while that is true, I'm not terrible. Cell phones ringing don't bother me. I get it, it happens, no big deal. As long as you don't start talking during the movie, just do that awkward dance while you try to turn it off. I won't remember in a few minutes anyways.

But! People who like to add their own commentary throughout the movie like this is the director's cut, don't do that. Are you happy that person got eaten by the t-rex? Me too! Let's just not scream, "hell yeah she had it coming!" Maybe some of us we're rooting for the administrative assistant to find love and maybe make it off the island.

Maybe the reason movies have been so blah to me lately is because I've seen very few movies that leave me feeling amazed, like when you were a kid and you couldn't believe how they could have pulled that off. Movies today just feel like constant remakes, filled with CGI and plot lines that all blend into one another. And when I'm dropping the price of a Sunday brunch on two hours time, I want to leave feeling like I need to tell everyone about the movie. Or maybe I'm just bitter that Bryce Dallas Howard can spend an entire film running around in heels while I cant make it out of my building without tripping.


What do you all think, is seeing a movie now as exciting as it was when you were younger? And what was the last great movie you saw, the kind that make you tell everyone they have to see it?

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