How could someone not like going to a movie?  It’s dark so you can stuff your face and who will see you?  If you are on a date it could mean less time struggling to find conversation.  And for most going to a movie fits into their comfort zone.  Generally we know what to expect when we go to a movie.  You buy the tickets, maybe get some snacks, then head into the theatre to find the perfect seat.  I know I’m not the only one who enjoys the movie trivia before the movie starts!  Although I have to admit the seats are a turn off for me.  If all theaters were made like the ones you see on cribs I would be an avid moviegoer. 

 My movie night started like most others by going online, looking up movies, and picking a time.  Well I have to admit I’m pretty cheap so I went to what my friends and I consider the cheap theatre aka Canyon Meadows in Calgary.  We went to see the 9:35 showing of The Vacation with Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet.  My thinking was the theatre would be busy because it was a later showing on the weekend, when most people go out.  Wow was I wrong!  Pulling into the parking lot there was maybe 10 cars, nothing like I thought it would be.  We got our tickets, not having to stand in line for once, and proceeded to get snacks.  The employees behind the snack counter stood there and starred at us as if we were the only people they had seen that night. 

After getting the necessay popcorn and coke we proceeded into the theatre.  To my suprise there were 6 other people in the theatre.  We sat in the last row so I had a clear view of the people around us.  About three rows infront of us sat a group of 4 girls who appeared to be around the same age as me.  And to the left of them sat a couple I would consider to be my parents age.

For some reason there were no trivia questions or anything on the screen before the movie started.  The 4 girls talked and one chatted on a cell phone before the movie started.  They seemed to be very comfortable with each-other, leaning in close or around each-other to talk to one another.  The couple almost seemed awkward, rarely talking and starring at the black screen until the movie started.  About five minutes into the movie the man from the couple got up and came back with drinks and popcorn. I’m not sure why he waited until the movie started.  Throughout the rest of the movie the popcorn they shared seemed to allow them to be more comfortable with eachother.  They did not seem to be awkward anymore, laughing at the same parts during the movie and whispering comments to eachother and then laughing at eachother. 

The girls that sat infront of us seemed to be having a great time.  As Smith put it in his acticle, “no one seems remotely uncomfortable or bored.”  The girl at the end would whisper something to the girl next to them and then share with with the person next to them and then giggle.  It reminded me of  a game we played in elementary, telephone. 

At the end of the movie when everyone got up to leave you could not help but listen into other peoples conversations.  The girls were talking about their favorite parts of the movie and how much they enjoyed the movie.  The couple talked about how going to a movie was a good idea.  It is sad to admit but I had my friend follow the couple so she could hear what they were saying while I listened into the girls conversation. 

During the movie I was not thinking about people snacking on their popcorn and what annoying noises they made or how buttery their hands must be.  So I have to completely disagree with what Smith says in his article.  What is he talking about when he says “sensory stressfest?”  I don’t feel stressed when I come out of a movie.  I don’t care if we sit in a “windowless room.”  There is nothing more annoying then the glare of the window on the television screen at home.  I go to the movies for the pure entertainment value, for the rush of emotions, and to hang out with friends(obviously something Smith does not have).  It is nice to escape reality and laugh, be scared, or cry with friends.  And what girl hasn’t wished she could be the character in a romantic movie who is swept away by her prince charming.  Going to the movies does this for us! I don’t think this hurts us in anyway because I know the difference between fantasy and reality.

To me it does not matter where these movies are made.  Who cares if they are produced at some lot in California.  When I go into a movie I am not focusing on the lot the movie was made on. 

I think it is kind of entertaining to listen into other people’s conversations.  Yes it can be considered rude but everyone does it even if they don’t admit to it.  And where else can you get the perfect buttery popcorn??