Let's Go To The Movies
Movie theaters are the best place to watch movies, let's stop pretending otherwise.
I've talked about how movies playing in theaters is the best way for movies to make money. I could also spend some time expounding on the fact that movies are important for diplomatic reasons as they demonstrate our “soft power” on the global stage. I mean, okay case in point, China spent the early 2010’s learning how we make movies and now are letting less “western films” into the country because they have their industry up and running. Now we are competing with them on a global stage. The United States government and the Chinese government are incredibly different in very significant ways. Our respective films reflect our ethos and I know which one I want to see “win out.” Tying the two things together, we need movies to make money in the theater so we can keep producing movies for a global audience.
Anyway, I don’t want to go into that anymore in this post. Instead, I want to set aside the pragmatic reasons and just focus on the heart.
There is nothing like experiencing a movie in a theater with an audience. Rather than tell you why this is the case, I can just show you.
This was the audience reaction to the “Portals” scene in Avengers Endgame on opening night. I wasn’t in this specific theater, but my theater had the exact same reaction. It was like game 7 of the NBA finals. It was awesome.
The last two years have been incredible difficult for movie theaters. However, between 2021, and now 2022, it’s clear that people have been eager to return to movie theaters.
This past week CinemaCon, the annual gathering of theater owners, was held in Las Vegas. Attendees got sneak peaks at Lightyear, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Top Gun: Maverick, Jurassic World: Dominion, Halloween Kills, and Avatar: The Way of Water.
Yes, it looks like the first of three Avatar sequels is finally coming to theaters. Don’t pretend like you aren’t curious.
All in all, there will be no shortage of films this year and I truly hope you treat yourself to seeing a few of them in a theater. It’ll be a better experience than watching it in your living room while scrolling on your phone.
PS: As much as I love seeing movies with friends, there is nothing like going to see a movie in a theater by yourself.
What I Watched:
It’s been said that Atlanta is Twin Peaks for millennials. This season really leans into that comparison.
What I Read:
Spider-Man is 20 years old! Read about Sam Raimi and company finally brought Spidey to the big screen.
‘Spider-Man’ at 20: How Sam Raimi and Sony Pictures Rescued the Superhero Genre and Changed Hollywood Forever
I remember before Titanic came out people were saying that director James Cameron made the biggest bomb of all time. Spoiler: Titanic didn’t bomb. Before Avatar came out people were expecting it to flop, then it became the one of the highest grossing films of all time.
My guess is that Avatar: The Way of Water will do pretty well.
It’s Time to Stop Pretending We’re Not Excited for a New Avatar
What I Heard:
Movies have been on my mind this week, more so than usual. Here’s a good conversation about how people are getting interested in going to the theaters again.
Are Casual Filmgoers Finally Coming Back?