Going to the movies
The WGA strike is over! The writers were on strike for 148 days, fighting for fair pay and treatment from studios. Congrats to the writers who fearlessly fought for what they rightfully deserve. Next up – SAG!
This month, as we hear news of productions starting up again, we’re taking some time to reflect on the best way to enjoy the hard work of filmmakers– by going to the movies.
Livia
My mom has always preferred to see movies early and during the week. She purposely avoids the night showing of a premiere because of how crowded and loud people tend to be. I, on the other hand, love to see premieres, especially for horror movies. I love the excitement in the air and have always preferred it to an empty 2 PM showing on a Monday. That’s why my fiancee, Sebastian, and I went to the Thursday night premiere for Scream 6 this past year. I wish I could tell you about how much fun it was, but… it wasn’t.
We were seated in a pretty crowded theater when the person next to Sebastian was loudly talking, even through the previews. And honestly, this didn’t bother me at first. Some people like to show off when they’re in a group of friends. They think their thoughts are so funny and so imperative to the viewing experience of not only the people they dragged to their unwanted performance, but of the entire theater. They shouted their thoughts and jokes at the screen and we all sat and listened, hoping this would end as soon as the lights dimmed.
It did not.
At the Alamo Drafthouse, you have access to waiters throughout the movie by writing your order on a piece of paper and placing it upright to get their attention. You can also use this paper to complain about a loud, annoying guest, like the person seated next to Sebastian.
Sebastian very much wanted to complain but I told him to leave it. It would be obvious to the person next to us who complained and I didn’t want to deal with it, so we just got through the movie.
That was a mistake.
Near the end of the movie, something major happened that caused this person to jokingly leave the theater out of their performative anger. They rushed back saying they were joking and in the process of recklessly sitting in their seat, they spilled their drink all over Sebastian.
If you know Sebastian, you know how gentle and quiet he is. So, you can imagine him saying “Jesus fucking Christ” meant he was very pissed. The loud person offered napkins to Sebastian, but he told him firmly, “I’m good.”
They were silent the rest of the movie at the expense of Sebastian having soda all over his pants and shoes.
Here are a couple of lessons you can take from our bad luck:
Sit down and shut the fuck up. Nobody wants to hear how funny you think you are.
No matter what time you go to the movies, you deserve to have a great experience. Complain about loud people, buy that hot dog at your 11 AM showing – movies are made to be enjoyed!
Anthony
I spent one weekend during the summer of 2019 apartment sitting for Livia. For the first time in my life, I was able to experience what it’s like living on your own. In theory, I should have been thriving. I had no job, no responsibilities, and time to do whatever I wanted. Instead, I was paralyzed with the limitless possibilities one faces when confronted with nothing but themselves. As a result, I indulged in my inner child. I binged TV, ate like shit, made unnecessary trips to Target, and worked on starting a podcast. The only healthy and new thing I did that weekend was going to see a movie in the theater by myself, and it changed my life.
This was before I was tuned into what movies were coming out so I just picked at random. I landed on a zombie film with Bill Murray and Adam Driver, called The Dead Don’t Die. Even though I don’t remember a single thing about the movie besides the title (I had to look up who was even in it), I remember exactly how I felt when I left the theater. It’s like the movie doesn't even exist outside of my experience with it that Saturday night. Maybe I made it up? Maybe it was all a fever dream? Does it even matter? For those couple of hours, I was alone in the universe with nothing but a weird ass movie keeping me out of my reality. It was one of the nicest things I’ve done for myself.
Also, pretty much any movie gets better whenever you watch it by yourself. I challenge you to think of a genre that wouldn’t be enhanced by watching it alone in a theater. Horror? Easy–that shit gets terrifying the more alone you are. Drama? Nothing is more dramatic than a solo cry in an empty theater; it’s also just cheap therapy. Romance? A tough one but I argue that a good romance movie can make you more of a hopeless romantic.
Now go out there and treat yourself to going to the movies by yourself, I promise you deserve it.
Recommendations
Anthony recommends Green Room
Available on Max
A punk rock band becomes trapped in a secluded venue after finding a scene of violence. For what they saw, the band themselves become targets of violence from a gang of white power skinheads, who want to eliminate all evidence of the crime.
The thing I love most about Seattle is that you actually get to experience the seasons throughout the year. Starting around September, the leaves gradually change colors. It’s a nice, slow welcome to fall. In Texas, it’s not until late November that the leaves quickly go from green to brown to dead, in what seems like days. Shit gets very real, very fast – just like this movie. You’re thrown into this impossible situation with the main characters and have to anxiously watch as they figure their way out. I love this film’s style, cast, writing, and can’t wait to give it a rewatch.
Livia recommends The Blair Witch Project
Available on Paramount +
In October of 1994 three student filmmakers disappeared in the woods near Burkittsville, Maryland, while shooting a documentary. A year later their footage was found.
This is the ultimate Halloween pick for me. So much so, that I wait until Halloween day to watch it. Among the many things I love about this movie, the most relevant to my life now is the simplicity. Who knew such a simple plot and film style could be so terrifying? I also am obsessed with the marketing of this movie. I could go on and on about this, but casting unknown actors(notably a non-union production) as the leads and making the public believe they were actually missing was genius.