No Netflix, movies are more fun at cinemas
Along weekend spells relaxation. So, the husband and I decided to catch up on movies. It has been on our list for a while, to go out and watch a movie. So we visited the movies portal to do the needful. But the website was down. We visited it a few times more during the day, but that didn’t help. The app wasn’t responding. The show timings were quite close and the only option left was to drive down to the multiplex and take a chance. And we decided not to take that chance. Strangely enough, the thought of picking up the phone to make a reservation or check on the availability of tickets didn’t cross our minds. Do these choices, exist? I need to find out. But we did watch a movie ... at home. It was a good evening, nevertheless. But, it got me thinking of the era when stepping out of our homes for movie outings was both a process and an experience.
Do you recall that time? It required planning. One of us, family or friend, would point out that a good movie was running in a theatre in the neighbourhood. Soon, we’d all put our heads together on the movie listings page of the newspaper and choose the theatre and show time. This was phase one. Phase two was on the day of the actual outing. We’d call the theatre and wait for someone to answer the phone, often making multiple attempts before getting connected. This very important person would then share with us a vague number on the number of tickets left suggesting it was time for one of us to volunteer and reach the theatre a few hours before the show to secure the tickets. The rest would follow in time for the show. The next queue was to get the cola and popcorn. Once inside, we would wait for the movie trailers.
Today we don’t step out to watch movies, at least not that often. Sad. Theatre has now come home.
Today we don’t step out to watch movies, at least not that often. Sad. Theatre has now come home. Films can be downloaded or watched on YouTube — good and bad prints. DVDs and Blue Ray are becoming passé, too. Netflix and Amazon Prime Video have added another dimension to movie watching. For those who still watch television — ‘just released’ films appear soon enough on the platform.
Of course, when we do step out there are no queues. Apps and websites not only give information on the number of seats available in the theatre but also allow us to select the ones we like. You can choose to print your ticket at home, or save paper and scan the QR code when stepping in the multiplex. If you wish, the old school option of collecting tickets from a counter with a real person behind it exists, too. As for movie food, popcorn is still available, but so is a range of other food items from nachos to crêpe and nuggets to casseroles. Some platinum experience promises seat-delivery of your food, as well.
The experience has comfort and ease written all over. But does it carry the same charm as half a ‘village’ planning a movie outing? Not for me. For even now, each time I walk into the theatre I miss the ticket of back then — poor quality and mostly pink coloured. It was not printed then and there but came out of a ticket book with perforation. I also miss letting the man with the flashlight in his hand guide me to my seat. Also, popcorns continue to be my favourite movie food. I choose not to exercise other options on the menu. But that’s just me.
Irrespective of what you look forward to through a movie experience, I still suggest that you step out when you can. You never know , multiplexes may soon give way to a new element.