Tear Jerker?

The typical movie theatre – over-padded seats reclining either too much or not far enough, the feeling of someone’s gum sticking to the sole of your shoe, and the diffuse cones of light coming from the projection booth. Gee, I think it’s been over a year since I was in one.

Our normal movie experience has changed over the past two decades from one where we gather together in the dark with strangers to the family sitting in the living room in front of the screen, streaming a movie or playing a DVD. The experience is different. I don’t go to the refreshment stand for stale popcorn and overly sugared drinks – we pause the movie and grab some fresh cookies and a cup of tea. Then there is the byplay of the dog taking an opportunity to bark at the neighbors’ dogs, who have started a chorus across the street. Also, getting up to go to the bathroom does not involve disturbing an entire row of people to get up to let you by.

Indeed, the experience has changed. I, for one, will not be an advocate for returning to the dark recesses and overpadded thrones anytime soon. Yes, I might miss the initial run of some title that won’t be on the smaller screen for a while. But with enough material being released directly to streaming, that’s not the issue it was a few years ago.

Time. At home we can watch whenever we wish. If it’s snowing and we are waiting for snowplows to clear the street we can sit down with breakfast and watch something that is located in a warmer climate, in the warm comfort of out home. You can’t beat the convenience.

As to tears shed over a movie? It was probably at that theater that was playing a blockbuster space feature a few years ago. The person in front of me had some nose-searing concoction he was eating that made us get up and relocate. As we were leaving, we could almost sense the plume of spices, garlic, and some undefinable scent rising like a miasma.

No thanks, I like my living room.

Daily writing prompt

What’s the last movie that made you cry?

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