Pajiba

We just saw Ponyo on Saturday. Am I bad mother for smuggling in our own snacks?

* a bad mother

the ONE time this posts quickly... grumble grumble

Not so much any of the above apply in my case. It's more a dearth of theater-going quality in what is getting shoveled out of Hollywood these days. 2005 was the last year in which I spent significant time in a theater seat; it just hasn't been worth it to me since.

Anyway, the last film I saw was Drag Me to Hell, which was only the second film I've seen in the theater this year (the other was Star Trek). Tomorrow will be number three: District 9.

So, does the drive-in count?

The last movie I saw in the walk-in theater was Monsters vs. Aliens - 3D.

The last movies I saw at the drive-in were Transformers: Montezuma's Revenge and Night at the Museum 2: Wacky Accents and Thin Plot at the Smithsonian.

As you can see, I'd rather Monkey gets to see some movies that she likes on the big theater screen and save Mommy's movies for the big screen at home where there is beer and cheaper popcorn.

Inglourious Basterds. I enjoyed it quite a bit. The audience was o.k.; they reacted strongly to all the key scenes one might expect. It was a little distracting in this case, but it was tolerable and fun at times.

In general I love the theater experience, and I try to make a point of attending showings that will either be lightly populated or densely populated with the sort of crowd that I know will be respectful and/or appreciates the material. I also love going to movies by myself on occasion, so that the outing is more about the film alone with me in the theater. I don't have to worry about the person next to me and whether or not they are having a good time. It frequently makes for a more personal, memorable experience and renders deeper film contemplation. (There is fun to be had in discussing a movie afterward, of course, but the internet more than fulfills that need.) A lot of my friends seem to find this practice of mine unusual; some of them declare they would never go to a movie theater alone.

A more telling question to determine how often people go to the theater might be to name the last three or four films attended as opposed to just the last one. Mine would be Basterds, District 9, Thirst, and Julie & Julia, so I guess my attendance is on the higher end of the spectrum. Trips to the theater account for a very large portion of my disposable income.

Beeswax - it was great. Struggled a bit in the first few scenes, but was ultimately one of the better installations in the mumblecore genre (though not quite as good as the recently released Humpday). It's playing at the Nuart in L.A., which I have and will always love. I also bought my tickets for Big Fan feature a Q&A with Patton and Robert Seigel

I always want to see movies in the theater, but I have to convince The Husband to see the one that I want to see. Also, he has to be able to stay awake, a rare feat when you work nights. We also need to find someone to stay with Monkey.

Even if I can complete all of those tasks, it is always highly probable that I will just say screw it because of the possibility of jackasses in the theater. I'm like a magnet for Echo Talkers, Teens Who've Never Seen a Boob Before, and People That Take Small Children to Inappropriate Movies every single time I go to the walk-in.

But the drive-in? Oh, the drive-in is wonderful. I can lay down in the back of the Explorer, eat cheeseburgers, and enjoy an intermission with footage that hasn't been changed since the 70s. It is bliss.

The last movie I saw in a theater was--wait for it--The Dark Knight. What! It costs me TWENTY DOLLARS for a movie ticket. I have to be pretty damn sure I'm going to like it, and even then, some of the movies I want to see don't get released here (Tokyo).

Even so, this realization makes me pretty sad.

The most recent one? The Hangover, but that was a gathering with friends; otherwise we'd have waited for the DVD.

The one before that? Star Trek. I enjoyed it MUCH more than I expected to, and probably more than it really deserved.

Before that? The Dark Knight. I don't have to tell you people.

And before that--I honestly don't remember, but I expect it was loud and 'splodey and colorful.

We have a 56"-screen teevee with Surround Sound, so there's rarely very much incentive to put our shoes on and get in the car and shell out money, etc. to see a film we know we can see in four to six months' time on our own couch.

I'm glad I'm not a theater owner in this day and age.

I think I just remembered--before TDK it was Pan's Labyrinth because I did not want to wait the four to six months.

District 9. I saw it at about noon on opening day, so a lot of dudes in the fairly sparse audience.

Weird pre-movie happening: some middle aged woman fell on her way to her seat and started swearing profusely. She left the theatre for a while before coming in a few minutes into the movie--her arm full of bracelets assuring me it was her. I hope she didn't break something.

District 9 last Thursday and Inglourious Basterds Friday. My in-laws had the kids for a long weekend, we made the most of being able to get out together alone. Both movies were pretty damned good.

Went with one of my sisters to Julie and Julia. Fine by me, I wasn't paying. Streep and Tucci were so sweet but not obnoxious, and I have a very low threshold for such things.

It was a Saturday matinee, I picked the seats while my sister was buying Disappointment Popcorn. I walked in, and even though the audience was packed there no missing me, it wasn't because I was wearing a hot pink blouse. It was full of 'wisdom', sensible shoes, and if THAT audience were the movie, it would have been called A FISTFUL OF ECRU.

Before my sister got back (yes, she saw me instantly), I thought to myself, 'I'm the onnnnllly one here with a waist.' And thus, I won at waists.

Did anyone else who saw that movie get really uncomfortable when Amy Adams began 'the business' with her husband character? She liked she was eleven! If it isn't real, does that still make me complicit?

Record? My mother and I have only ever seen one movie together. I've gone to the movies since then, but she hasn't yet. This was in 1987.

Ponyo!!! Ponyo!! Ponyo!

Ham!!! Ham!! Ham!

D9, but the one before that (Thirst) was more fun as an experience. I met some friends up in SF for the early screening, and the theater it was showing at was one of those ones papered with cult movie posters that probably shows midnight screenings of the Rocky Horror Picture Show. It was a lot of fun- everyone else in the audience shared our sick sense of humor :D

GI Joooooe

Aw crap, I forgot about Transformers 2. I had to see it on a date. At least he won me a Capt. Kirk doll while he was waiting for my late ass, so something good came out of it.

Time Traveler's Wife last Monday. Prior to that, last I saw was Adventureland.

Ha! Sabrina, my date to The Hangover was supposed to be for Transformers. Luckily I got deathly ill after Pajibacon and had to postpone.

Star Trek with ex-girlfriend, worst day ever.

Inglorious Bastards. Saturday night at the Cinemark. Ugh...the Cinemark.

If you can, go to an Alamo Drafthouse. They spoil you.

Where's figgy, my fellow not girly girl? This one's for you.

About the sneaking in snacks thing - I don't own a purse. Or I guess I should say I didn't own a purse before my last two trips to the theater. I just don't carry purses - never really have. I just carry a wallet. So I'm at Target, and I knew I was going to be able to go to the movies with my husband. I think, "Oh, why don't I grab some cheap candy here instead of paying seven bucks for a box of Raisinettes?" And then I'm all - but what will I put them in? So I look through the purse section - twice - desperately trying to find something I think looks "me". Turns out there is no such thing. I wound up with this big, soft bag with a chain strap. I don't know what I was thinking because every time I picked the thing up I felt like I was carrying my mother's pocketbook. And I felt stupid, because in this big bag, I had a box of Raisinettes and a dark chocolate candy bar.

last weekend was the hurt locker. weekend before was district 9, which i actually wasn't excited about (prefer zombies to aliens any day...) but ended up really, really liking. and i always sneak in snacks and beverages. feel dirty all over when i am in too much of a hurry and get arse-raped with those concession stand prices.

Public Enemies. I was very impressed, with both the film and the experience itself.

I've come to really enjoy the film-going experience, now that I actually see the films that I have a real desire to watch.

Whether or not the films are good or bad, and whether they are foreign indies or Hollywood blockbusters (both of which I have a love for), I just really like the atmosphere of movie theaters. I like it all; the dimming lights, the previews, the escapism associated with the being enveloped by the darkness of the theater and the surround sound.

Of course, there is always potential for things to go awry (cell phones going off during the movie drive me to the very edge of sanity), but few things can actually ruin the event for me.

Harry Potter, the last one. Before that, the Star Trek movie. I usually see maybe three a year in the theater, that's it.

Movie visits were infrequent in early summer but recently there has been a lot drawing us to the show:

Inglorious Basterds - yesterday. Mixed feelings.

Time Traveler's Wife - My girlfriend's favorite book, which I read for her but really enjoyed. The movie? Not so much.

Funny People - I was bored and nothing on TV

Julie & Julia - Amy Adams is so cute but Streep stole the spotlight, ran it the length of the field, and did a hell of an end zone dance.

(500) Days of Summer - This was such a tremendous movie. Great acting and dialogue. I'm sad to say that I have known and was heart-broken by a Summer-like girl once, however.

The most recent thing I sat in a movie theater for was The Goods, but I don't think that really counts as "seeing a movie" - more of a train wreck onscreen. So I'm going with 500 Days of Summer.

For both, the viewing experience was pretty good. Come to think of it, I've been to the movies a lot this summer and have had a string of good audiences - it's been a while since I felt the urge to climb over a few rows and throttle someone at the theater. Well, someone who wasn't onscreen.

I love going to the movies, and would do it more often all the time (instead of just during the summer, which is movie-going season in my house) if it weren't for the cost. And I almost always bring my own snacks these days. Movie popcorn, in addition is both expensive and nasty. The faux-butter is gross and the plain is always sort of stale and too salty. Sometimes it's ok if it's kettle corn.

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

And before that it was Star Trek. And before that....The Dark Knight. Last year.

It's a real pain in the ass to go to the theater here, so I really have to be interested to go. Most of the time I just don't bother, and I've found that I REALLY hate to go to the theater. It takes a lot.

Cindy: That's one of the very few things I'm very girly about--my purse. BUT! it's a very practical, no-nonsense, no-girly purse that holds EVERYTHING I could possily carry. EVERYTHING. I've been the only one around who has tissues, or scissors, or a pen or wet wipes or batteries or whatever. It weighs a ton but dammit I'm gonna be ready for all--including carrying gigantic amounts of snacks and sodas to the movies. Bwaha. I love my purses. They're all huge and floppy and hold everything. I'm like Mary Freakin' Poppins.

So far this year I've seen Watchmen and Star Trek - both IMAX. Nothing else has pulled me enough to the siren call of the theatre.

What can I say? Mrs. Lantern and I really get our money's worth out of our movie channels.

district 9, but it's a very random weekend i don't go to the movies.
as i've stated before, without the expense of children, i have an ungodly entertainment budget. it's probably my fault that half this shit gets greenlighted in the first place.

i know, i know. i send hollywood all the wrong signals.
i mean, i *demand* quality. i saw and praised Moon to anyone who would listen. i paid the extra money and saw Up in 3D. i stayed AWAKE during Watchmen!
but then a Transformers sequel sidles up and startes rubbing the growing bulge in my jeans and the next thing you know, i'm elbows deep in Land of the Lost with Dance Flick on my face.

Hmmm... I think Star Trek? Which some woman brought her kids to? Me & pseudo-Mr. were like, "really, lady?" and then pseudo-Mr. ANSWERED his CELL PHONE and I had to BEAT him to DEATH with his own box of Mike & Ike's. It was a sad day.

Tomorrow I'm going to see District 9, I think. I've got free movie day Tuesdays from the whole cable company promotion thing, so I might even go to 2. 500 Days of Summer is still playing, albeit at a different theater. I may also go for Inglourious Basterds. I'm on vacation, you see, so I can go in the daytime when nobody's in the theaters!

Oh, and I'm in the camp that carries a large purse with candy and bottled water, because I refuse to pay $4 for a $1 bottle of water. Though sometimes I'll sneak in airplane bottles of the Cap'n and purchase a cola beverage. (Did that for Grindhouse. Best time I had at the movies in years.)

I was lucky enough to see This Is Spinal Tap--a sing-a-long version--in the theater last week. They gave everyone inflatable guitars, which we were to be outrageous with whenever Nigel had a solo. A packed theater with everyone singing along to "Tonight I'm Going to Rock You Tonight" and flinging their flame guitars against the other patrons is a wonderful experience to have.

By coincidence, I just got back not two hours ago from seeing "Moon" at the local indie, which was also showing "Up" and "The Hurt Locker," both of which I saw in theaters this year. I've also seen "District 9" and Mrs. , and I saw "I Love You, Man" and "The Hangover" and "Adventureland" within the past 9-10 months.

So I'm artificially inflating the average, low as it is.

Damn, Rykker reminds me I've seen "Drag Me To Hell" and "Star Trek" in theaters too, and Mrs. , and I saw "Gran Torino."

I/we almost always go to matinees, which minimizes the price and distrations. "Moon" and "Star Trek" and "Adventureland" cost us $5 each. The most I've paid to see a movie possibly ever is $8.25, for the midnight "District 9." It was worth it.

I saw Slumdog Millionaire at the McMennamin's theater pub in St Johns, (in Portland OR). It is a $3 second run theater in a fantastic old building. I would rather see movies for cheap in an interesting neighborhood venue than in the big theaters. Plus, I am poor. There is no need to smuggle in treats at a McMennamin's, full restaurant service including beverages at your table in the theater.

When I was in High School my friends and I used to hit the local Taco Bell before the show and load up the inside pockets of out trench coats and biker jackets (yes, we were THOSE kids) with all of the $0.99 burritos and tacos we could carry. Worked like a charm as long as we were quiet.
Later we brought beer and booze in the same way.
We were BAAAD kids.

I saw Bruno, to take a break from writing my thesis that I am still writing. I laughed, since it wasn't at all related to my thesis. If I had a moment of spare time, I would go see Julia and Julia because I heart Amy Adams and food.

Ponyo last Wednesday. How I love Miyazaki.

I saw Harry Potter on the IMAX screen. It was tradition that we went and saw HP in the theater. Lately when we go to the theater the other guests have ruined the experience. Before that I think I saw UP!

Last one was District 9, last week.
I've said this a lot (and hey admin I'm not trying to rub it in) but I've NEVER gone to the movies as much as I have since moving to Austin. Sometimes it's as much as once a week. Last month I went 4 times in 7 days.
I don't know if it's the food novelty or movie selection, but I'm addicted.

District 9, with shots of Jager in the parking lot beforehand.
(Not because I thought I was going to hate it, but because I so love Jager)

Dustin, if it makes you feel any better, the glowing reviews here get either me, or a bunch of my good buddies out of their child-infested houses, spending their daiper/back to school/beer and popcorn (haha, Canada inside joke) money on the stuff you guys swear by.

I've had a pretty hot year, amazingly - last night was District9 (fantastic for reals, thanks SLW!). I saw Public Enemies with the super hottie LordHelmut in a mini-CanadianBacon North. (We exchanged the toques-of-affection, as is our custom. In a theatre, as the Godtopus wills.)

Before that, Star Trek with a kick ass naval base commanding officer, and Watchmen (twice! 'cause I'm a double geek) and Slumdog Millionaire (that one solely on the merit of Dan's review). And Dark Knight, but that was almost mandatory many moons ago.

And je ne regrette rien. You are doing good work, son.

Taking of Pelham 123 on a Friday night because I had nothing else to do and felt like getting out of the house.
It was a pretty crappy movie but with a little help from my good friend alcohol before the show I was at least able to get a good laugh out of Travolta's gay biker 'stash. And his horrible overacting. But mostly his stash.

I've actually been going to the movies quite a lot lately. Just last night I went to see The Proposal--yes, it's STILL playing in theaters here in Belgium, and there were even more people than I had thought. I rather enjoyed it. Over the weekend I saw Brüno (which I thought was entertaining, but obviously completely over the top), and earlier that week I saw G.I. Joe (which sucked big time, but a friend of mine really wanted to see it).

If District 9 was already out here, I'd go see it immediately, but Belgians have to wait until September 30. And for 500 Days of Summer we have to wait until friggin' November. Makes you wonder why people download, huh?

I saw The Time Traveler's Wife last week. I liked the film, but I think that's because of how much I liked the book, and it was an ok adaptation that made me remember how much the book moved me.

I've actually been going to the cinema a lot more recently. Maybe it's the summer films. It's quite expensive here in London, for ones in the centre it's almost £10, to go in the West End it's £12+. And for the experience you get it's often not worth it - people talking, answering phones and having conversations, phones ringing - it's all very annoying and it does mean I'll often wait for the dvd so I can watch it in peace.

Coraline.

It was quite an awkward date...

It's good to know I'm not the only one who sneaks food into theaters. It's much easier in the winter season, you can fit a lot of good stuff in your pockets.

Suck it, theaters everywhere, you'll never get me to pay 10 bucks for popcorn and drinks again!

Star Trek. I wanted to see Harry Potter and The Hangover, but didn't make the time. I am within walking distance of a Blockbuster. Hmm. $10 for the theater, or $1 per night for my 50" HDTV? That's not even a choice.

Saving Private Ryan was the last movie I saw in a theatre....It was execellent and even my wife enjoyed it...however, I really dislike sitting in the dark, surrounded by a bunch of dillholes, a sticky floor and I had to smuggle in my own snacks because of the stupid prices.

Easy enough: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, just this last Sunday.

Before that, though... Slumdog Millionaire, maybe? I don't know, it had been a while.

Oh don't get me started on parents bringing young children to adult movies. One not so recent movie I experienced that in was the first Narnia movie. The mom was dragging an approx 4 year old kid back into the movie while he was screaming, "No, No!!" How scarred will he be from that experience?

I really wanted to go over and slap that mom upside the head and yell, "I GOT A BABYSITTER FOR MY KIDS, WHY DIDN'T YOU??"

fredo, I hear they show new episodes of LOST at the Alamo Drafthouse, so come January, I am SO there!

Mr. Snuggiepants, on the rare occasions we go to the theater, yells "MOMMA! GET YOUR BIG PURSE!" He's such a loon. But I go get one of my big purses and we hit the drug store for three for a buck candy and cheaper sodies before we go to the picture show.

God, what happened to me just there?

Anyway, I offer no apologies.

District 9, last Friday. True, renting and viewing movies on a TV don't compare to the experience of seeing it on the big screen. But then, you aren't subjected to idiots who feel that the "turn off your cell phones" warning doesn't apply to them. Or that the "off" part is open to interpretation, leaving the guy next to me free to dial what was apparently an automated system that required frequent inputs, so there was this blazing square of light going up and down, up and down, to my left, completely distracting me from the awesomeness on screen.

I'm waiting for the technology that will stop the movie dead, put a spotlight on the dickweed using his cell, and call for ushers who will strip the offender naked, restrain him in front of the screen, and pass out dirty diapers for the rest of us to hurl at him. If it's his second offense, we get to use knives.

The 1/2 Blood Prince in IMAX at Navy Pier in Chicago and can I just say I will NEVER do that again. Ever. I think I can learn to enjoy HP without the 10 minutes of 3D effects if it means never having to deal with that train wreck of a tourist trap ever, ever again.

"District 9" and "Julie and Julia" within a couple of days of each other. Both were quite good for what they were.

(I did wonder how Julia Child would prepare the Prawns...)

Also, a side note for you, Rowles: I've been to the theatre 26 times this year.

The last three were:

1. Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince
2. The Hangover
3. Terminator Salvation

The Hangover with the mister, Up with the rats before that. I got out of seeing the Ice Age nonsense as someone else dragged them to it when I was away.

The major issue with Up was not the fault of the movie, the theater, or the patrons (believe it or not). The theater nearest me is literally right next to the NASCAR track, and it was race weekend. Holy fuck. Getting there and finding parking was a nightmare. The theater itself was rather empty and calm. Yeah rednecks!

(whispering from the corner) Ice Age III: Dawn of the Dinosaurs.

What?!? My daughter is 7, okay????

Last movie I saw was D9 awesome) on sunday...two days before it was The Time Traveler's Wife (meh) and before that I saw (500) Days...twice. I like going to the movies and hardly ever buy DVDs. I'm also a republican so I'm not sure why I read this site daily. Clearly, I don't belong.

ed newman, how old are your kids and were they interested in Star Trek? I'm sure it would have been fine if the kids in my theater weren't in the 7-9 age range and, more importantly, bored out of their heads. They clearly had zero interest in the movie, as evidenced by the talking loudly about not the movie. And also talking loudly about the movie ("why is blah blah blah?"). I don't expect silence, but I do expect to not be dragged out of my suspension of disbelief and of the outside world by a shrill voice suddenly shrieking in a quiet moment. (Which, to be fair, also happens with adults, and is equally annoying.) They were, to be sure, not the worst behaved kids I've ever seen in a theater, which is why I gave it a simple "really, lady?" and not a full-blown railing (at least they weren't running around the theater, which I've seen kids do); nonetheless, why take them to a show they're not interested in and allow them to disrupt other people's moviegoing experience?

For example, I had forgotten that I also saw Coraline. As the opening credits began, a small boy a couple of rows behind me said to his dad, "Okay, dad, be ready for anything!" (hee!) He also spoke to his dad to ask questions several times throughout the film, but his dad made sure he kept it to a whisper and it didn't bother me in the least. The difference: he was interested in the movie and mostly quiet.

Another experience: saw My Bloody Valentine 3D. As the credits began, a gaggle of teenage girls walked in, stood directly behind my seat, and started talking loudly about "where [they] gonna sit?" (sic). I turned around and asked them if they could please discuss it somewhere other than right behind me as I was trying to hear the movie. They gave me dirty looks and attitude, and then an usher came over and told them they'd have to find seats and be quiet, or leave. "We already paid!" was their retort; the usher told them they'd get their money back if they didn't sit down. They wandered off somewhere, and the 60 year old woman who sat down next to me with her cane and I proceeded to yell and laugh our fool heads off, along with everyone else, for the rest of the movie. Again, I expect talking during the movie. Sometimes it even makes it fun (when I saw The Grudge years ago, I started out annoyed and ended up having probably a better time than I would have if the theater wasn't full of teenagers making noise.) It kind of depends on the movie, my mood at the time, and the kids in question. But to keep too-young kids in a theater who are not interested in the movie and who are annoying other patrons just seems selfish.

District 9, baby. District. 9.

Economy bad. Must be Guuuud movie to see in theater.

In the Loop but the most recent Batman was the one I saw before that. I don't go nearly as often as I used to.

'What was the last movie you saw in a theater? What did you think of it? And how was the experience? '

Before i answer your questions; i just wanted to say that i don't go to the cinema very often because:

-the expense. In London if you go in the evenings or weekends it costs about £8 to £15 depending on where you go.

-I've become much more fussier about what i will and won't see (over the last few years).

-By the time most films come out i have kind of lost interest and then i think...oh i'll wait for the DVD.

Last movie - The Fast and The Furious. Which was utter cr*p and a complete waste of time and money. As for the experience it was pretty good. No one talked too loudly during the film; the surround sound was not too loud.

My son and his friend were 5, but they were very interested in the movie. Unfortunately asking a 5 year old to hold his water for 2+ hours is impossible but we managed to only make one bathroom run. The hardest thing about taking a 5 year old to the movies is keeping him from kicking the seat in front.

I guess the point is it is impossible to know beforehand if your kid will be bored with a movie. You make your best guess but you're not always right. So I try to keep the kids away from anything but matinees, unless it is something specifically for kids like Crystal Skull (wait...you're saying Crystal Skull was supposed to appeal to adults?? I'll be damned.)

'Inglourious Basterds'.

I.... enjoyed it? I'm still processing.

The experience was fine. It was the BFI's National Film Theatre, a film club with no popcorn and a 'better' class of audience. Talkers will be unceremoniously ejected, if not burned at the stake. They take movies seriously at the NFT....