Going to the Movies (And Why I Have a Love/Hate Relationship With It)

Going out to a movie is fun right? It is an exuberant outing, loftily characterized by the timeless symbols of popped corn and ticket stubs. Theaters often imitate the grandeur of 19th century stage theaters. Velvety cushioned seats dressed in deep crimson sit row after row facing the grand screen. Relationships thrive in the dark, flickering light of a movie screen. From young love, to old love, to a grandmother and her grandchildren, to a lone soul, spending time with themselves in the intimate seclusion of a story. So why have I never quite enjoyed the movies as much as other people? Well, here’s why. 

  1. The Leaving-the-Theater Effect Since I was young, it was always difficult for me to exit a movie theatre. I would be so completely immersed in the picture that going back to reality was a transition. It is still sometimes difficult for me to emerge from the darkened corners of a theater to the outside world of highways and harsher lights. There is something about the magic wearing off that makes the movie a titch less enjoyable. It makes reality seem dull, if even for a few moments. 
  2. The Price Movies are affordable to the public. It was one of the reasons that the movie industry has grown into what it is today. Anyone could spare some change for a movie, whether they were a schoolboy or a gentleman. And movies are still affordable, but the industry has latched onto people’s willingness and used it. It is known that people will buy movie tickets even if the price is raised. And so it has been. The average price of a movie ticket was $7.89 in 2010. In 1950, it was around $0.50. Even adjusted for inflation, the cost of a movie ticket has risen drastically. And the traditional concessions that go hand in hand with a movie, well, those are often more than the ticket! 

I still believe in the magnificent outing of going to the theatre, but it has never been completely fulfilling for me. Maybe some will disagree, but I know that I will always limit my movie goings.