In a world without the coronavirus pandemic, film buffs would head to their local movie theaters on Friday nights to meet with friends and get the moviegoing experience. At the theater they’d buy a movie ticket, get some popcorn and claim a seat.
Of course, that’s all ancient history now.
Because of the pandemic, movie-goers have become couch potatoes with a limited screen to watch all the new releases. There’s no social aspect to watching a movie anymore. The thrill has been diminished for so many.
The primal experience of being in a movie theater is like no other—searching for the perfect seats, anticipating a movie to come on after 20 commercials, putting on 3D glasses when a movie was about to start, hearing people shout or laugh at a movie scene, witnessing that annoying couple make-out throughout the whole movie, and clapping with a whole sea of strangers after the movie finishes because of how good it was.
I still love movies more than anything; the idea of a dead theater sends a crack straight to my heart.
A personal hobby of mine when I was in New York was spending off days alone at the theater watching whatever movie was available.
Will the moviegoing experience ever feel the same?
AMC theaters are slowly reopening as local guidelines allow with safety protocols such as cashless transactions, reducing theater capacity to 40% or less, social distancing and requiring visitors to use masks at all times except when having a snack or drink.
However, select theatres have state mandates which require masks to be worn at all times, meaning no food or beverages are allowed.
Warner Brothers announced that its entire 2021 slate will be released immediately on HBO.
Yes, this absolutely makes the art form more accessible while some theaters remain closed, but it seems like a slap in the face to the minds behind the magic.
Filmmaker Christopher Nolan took offense to this announcement. He believes the decision makes zero economic sense and is the worst move a huge movie studio could make. Perhaps Nolan is right, this may be doomsday for giant productions.
Or maybe it’s the beginning of an era—the era of accessible entertainment.
The Sundance Film Festival made this year’s event fully virtual. It allowed for a wider array of audiences, including myself, to enjoy the festival for $15 a ticket.
Another plus is the eligibility of movies released on streaming platforms such as Netflix that are up for big awards such as Oscars.
I don’t believe theaters will die out. Everyone is craving movie nights again. The moviegoing experience is timeless and has always been part of our culture.
