The 7 Commandments Of Going To Movie Theaters
Where to sit, what the premium formats mean, and more details from a guy who goes to the movies all the time
If you’re someone who regularly reads my Friday movie newsletters, I have to assume you have at least some passing interest in going to movie theaters. Moviegoing is about as American as apple pie, and as much as people love to complain about the quality of the experience in recent years (these complaints are not entirely without merit, which I’ll get to) I think most of us can remember at least one magical theatrical experience that had that almost religious quality of cinematic communion — the giant screen, the loud audio, the laughs/gasps/oo’s and ah’s.
You’d be amazed how often and how significantly your environment and experience can impact your enjoyment of a film, even after the fact. The two times I’ve gone to fancy premieres at the Chinese Theater in Los Angeles? No surprise I thought those movies were great (to this day!). The electric opening night showing of The Northman with a sold-out crowd hooping and hollering? Better believe it made me think the movie was more fun.
Putting two and two together here…if you maximize your experience, you’ll maximize your enjoyment of movies.
That’s what I’m here to help you with today. Moviegoing is one of my favorite pastimes. And quite frankly, there is maybe no subject in the world with which I have more first-hand expertise, considering I’ve been going to the movies one or more times per week for going on…I don’t know, eight years now?
Despite it becoming increasingly a part of my day job, I very rarely go to industry or advance screenings in tiny rooms with professionals. Every week I’m rolling down to the local AMC with my A-List proudly in hand, coming to Nicole Kidman’s place for magic.
During that time, I’ve developed some very strong opinions about theater-going — where to sit, which formats to see, how to act, etc. I believed I’ve maximized the experience, and for your sake, I’ve boiled them down to 7 Commandments.
I’ve boiled those down to 7 Commandments (why not 10, you ask? shut up, I reply). Follow them and you may just experience moviegoing salvation.
1. Thou Shalt Not Get To The Theater Exactly At Showtime
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