Category: movies

Posted in movies

Superman!

Posted on by William Douthwaite

Yesterday we took two of our grandsons to see the latest “Superman” movie at our local theater which now features XTS: “laser-projected, wall-to-wall screen, thunderous 24-channel audio system, and zero-gravity recliners with imbedded shaker-seat audio, that lets you feel every scene.” It was just as comfortable, large, and “thunderous” as advertised.

At least I thought so. The couple sitting to my right made comments throughout the movie expressing their dissatisfaction. They spoke in hushed tones, but I could hear every word. They were about my age, but apparently hadn’t been to a movie in a while.

  • “How are I supposed to know how to make this seat recline?” (Lol, my six-year-old popcorn-munching grandson can explain it to you.)
  • “How many of these previews are they going to show?” (I like the previews. I wanted to lean over and say, “They’re just getting started!”)
  • “Why is it so loud?” (Before the lights went down, I noticed twelve large speakers running the length of each wall. I was pretty excited to experience the state-of-the-art sound system.)
  • “I don’t like this. There’s too much violence.” (Yes, there was a lot of fighting, a lot of robots got blown to bits, and building after building collapsed, but Superman saved a lot of lives. This was nothing compared to some of the gruesome scenes I’ve seen on streaming TV.)
  • “Why is it so cold in here?” (Welcome to Florida, folks. Bring a sweater, because our AC works just fine!)

I liked this movie. I laughed out loud numerous times, especially when Krypto (Superdog) made his appearance. Spoiler: Lex Luthor, with all his knowledge and technology, loses again. A new crop of actors does a great job playing Superman and Lois Lane.

Go see this movie.

Posted in Life, movies

A whole different movie experience

Posted on by William Douthwaite

My wife and I had a chance to go see a movie the other night. For a few weeks we had wanted to see “Mission Impossible: Final Reckoning”, the eighth and final chapter of the series.

When I went to buy our tickets online, I was surprised to find only three rows of seats to choose from. I thought, “Maybe the rest of the theater is sold out.” I nabbed a couple of good seats. (More on that later.) I knew we would buy popcorn, so when I was offered the chance to buy some along with our tickets, I added it to our checkout total.

I saw very few people as we walked into the movie complex. An attendant scanned my online tickets, and we headed towards the concessions. When I arrived, a young person handed me a large bag of popcorn. When my tickets were scanned, the concessions got a notification, bagged up my popcorn, and met me at the counter. Impressive.

I forgot to put a drink into my wife’s purse, so we had to buy one there. You don’t order from a live person. You poke a finger at a kiosk, scan a credit card, and someone brings a bottle of water to you. Again, impressive.

The reason I only had three rows from which to choose seats is our theater only had three rows of comfy reclining seats. We were in the back row, but we had great seats. I’ll bet the whole theater only had forty comfy reclining seats. Nice.

What a different moviegoing experience. Assigned seats, comfy reclining seats, and no wait prepaid concessions. Going to the theater is a much different experience from buying a ticket at a window, waiting in line for popcorn, and finding an unoccupied seat.

I think I like it.

Posted in movies

A lonely night at the movies

Posted on by William Douthwaite

“Are you sure their open tonight?”

After parking in front of the local movie theater, we walked towards the darkened ticket office sitting between two entrances. There was no line of people buying tickets and no one was selling tickets behind the window either.

“They better be open. I already bought our tickets online.”

When we walked inside, all the lights were on but no one was home. There wasn’t a single person in the lobby. No one was collecting tickets and directing people to their theater.

We were the only ones there.

I was prepared for this. You see, we had come a few weeks before. On that occasion, I didn’t buy my tickets in advance. So when we arrived, I had to negotiate a five by three foot touch screen kiosk. It wasn’t hard to find my movie, pick my seats, and pay with credit card. But the printer was out of paper, so I had to track down a human to print out my tickets on another machine. Then that same human ran back and scooped up a bag of popcorn for me. I kidded her, “You must be the only one working here!” Now I always buy my tickets online before I leave to go see a movie.

So, with my cell phone in hand, with my ticket bar code on the screen, I walked right in. At least there was no line at the unattended snack bar. No, we didn’t just help ourselves. We could have. But then a teenager appeared from the back and got my small popcorn for me. I wondered, “Is he running the whole place by himself?”

When we got to the theater showing our film, we were the only people there. Even though we had picked our seats in advance, I could have sat anywhere I wanted. In a younger life, I might have moved around and watched the movie from many different vantage points. But on this night I behaved and stayed in my assigned seat.

I’ll bet it doesn’t take more than one person to run the whole theater on a weeknight. From what I’ve read, projectors are now run by computer, so no humans are needed. A single person could unlock the doors, turn on the lights, pop some popcorn, sell snacks, and then lock up after everyone has gone home. Maybe there’s someone else around, napping in the back room. Who knows?

Posted in grandfather, movies

Movie day: “The Star”

Posted on by William Douthwaite

img_8139.jpgToday was movie day. My wife and I took our two oldest grandchildren to see “The Star,” an animated and creatively adventurous telling of the Christmas story, involving the experience and help of assorted animals.

Since the movie was released about six weeks ago, so we had to search for a theater still showing it. One about a half an hour from our home still had showings today and tomorrow, so the four of us headed out for the noon show. Both the three and two year old had sat through movies in a theater before, so both had popcorn on their minds when we arrived. The lady at the counter told us we could save a lot of money just getting a large popcorn and drink to split between them, but we knew better. Each grandchild had to have their own and they had to have the same, even if it meant a larger investment. It worked like a charm. The snacks lasted them the whole 90 minute show!

I thought “The Star” was well done. Yes, it is a wild departure from the biblical account, with a large cast of talking animals. But from the annunciation to the birth in Bethlehem, I believe that the plans and miracles of God along with the faith and struggles of Mary and Joseph were well presented. I enjoyed it, laughed out loud a lot, and especially liked a camel’s mishearing of Herod’s concern about a “king of the shoes.”26168646_10155353178098460_213610419848755604_n