I went back to the cinema the other night too. It was amazing. I'd forgotten what it felt like to have no distractions when watching a film and being able to watch one in a big dark room.
I feel that way about a lot of things now that the world is opening up again. It's funny what you miss and what you don't.
It's made an introvert like me realise that even I need time out in the big wide world. This whole situation must've been rough for the very extroverted types.
Me, I was able to catch up on my reading and rid myself of doomscrolling. Again, priorities.
I might just check out Nobody. I heard RZA is in it too.
Thank you for sharing your experience, Tom! It's been too long for us without cinema and it's great they are open again.
I'm really happy that there are still many cinemas that show classical or just great non-mainstream modern films. And I'm glad there are people who watch them and write about it.
I also watched Taxi Driver on a big screen 2 years ago (it wasn't the first time, though). My experience was quite similar to yours in a positive way. Nobody was chatting, no phones, eating sounds, etc. It was great, one of the most memorable cinema visits.
I've been to many cinema theatres, from small cosy old screens with 20 seats and the largest IMAX screens. And I think what matters is the film and the audience it attracts. My best cinema experience is related to some classical films or some rarely shown films. I was on Sidney Lumet's retrospective, 4-5 films in 2 weeks; marathons of silent films; A Space Oddysey (the best I've seen I think), and many others. Every time – amazing experience and warm memories, silence, darkness, appreciation of the ritual. But the average audience on blockbusters I usually meet doesn't value those things (but you can't expect silence going on some kids cartoon, right?). And, to be honest, I sometimes join them with popcorn and snacks, but only when I watch a blockbuster. It also has a special atmosphere, special attitude, and I also love that experience.
So I think it's the piece of culture that defines the cinema experience. Some films are just attractions and they are perceived as attractions that should be experienced as attractions. But some films are not like that, they even more than a piece of cinematography, they go beyond the screen, turn into events, rituals, and require a special attitude, which I'm glad many people understand and appreciate.
I agree with every word of this. Lumet retrospective sounds amazing. This conversation is one of the rare occasions when I miss living in the Big Smoke with all of its arthouse screenings. Might have to make a pilgrimage to the Prince Charles in Leicester Square some time soon.
The Prince Charles is a great place. In fact, I was thinking of writing about one of my recent (very unusual) visits but you nudged me to actually do it :D
I went back to the cinema the other night too. It was amazing. I'd forgotten what it felt like to have no distractions when watching a film and being able to watch one in a big dark room.
I'm going again tonight.
It is something special isn't it. If they keep reissuing old stuff I might well become a regular again.
What did you go and see? And what have you got lined up for tonight?
Nothing like Taxi Driver. I went to see Cruella and it was surprisingly good.
I’m off to see Bob Odenkirk as a John Wick type character tonight in Nobody. Can’t wait for this.
I’d not realised how much I’d missed it.
I feel that way about a lot of things now that the world is opening up again. It's funny what you miss and what you don't.
It's made an introvert like me realise that even I need time out in the big wide world. This whole situation must've been rough for the very extroverted types.
Me, I was able to catch up on my reading and rid myself of doomscrolling. Again, priorities.
I might just check out Nobody. I heard RZA is in it too.
Thank you for sharing your experience, Tom! It's been too long for us without cinema and it's great they are open again.
I'm really happy that there are still many cinemas that show classical or just great non-mainstream modern films. And I'm glad there are people who watch them and write about it.
I also watched Taxi Driver on a big screen 2 years ago (it wasn't the first time, though). My experience was quite similar to yours in a positive way. Nobody was chatting, no phones, eating sounds, etc. It was great, one of the most memorable cinema visits.
I've been to many cinema theatres, from small cosy old screens with 20 seats and the largest IMAX screens. And I think what matters is the film and the audience it attracts. My best cinema experience is related to some classical films or some rarely shown films. I was on Sidney Lumet's retrospective, 4-5 films in 2 weeks; marathons of silent films; A Space Oddysey (the best I've seen I think), and many others. Every time – amazing experience and warm memories, silence, darkness, appreciation of the ritual. But the average audience on blockbusters I usually meet doesn't value those things (but you can't expect silence going on some kids cartoon, right?). And, to be honest, I sometimes join them with popcorn and snacks, but only when I watch a blockbuster. It also has a special atmosphere, special attitude, and I also love that experience.
So I think it's the piece of culture that defines the cinema experience. Some films are just attractions and they are perceived as attractions that should be experienced as attractions. But some films are not like that, they even more than a piece of cinematography, they go beyond the screen, turn into events, rituals, and require a special attitude, which I'm glad many people understand and appreciate.
Thanks for the great essay again!
Cheers,
John
I agree with every word of this. Lumet retrospective sounds amazing. This conversation is one of the rare occasions when I miss living in the Big Smoke with all of its arthouse screenings. Might have to make a pilgrimage to the Prince Charles in Leicester Square some time soon.
Thanks as always for reading, John.
The Prince Charles is a great place. In fact, I was thinking of writing about one of my recent (very unusual) visits but you nudged me to actually do it :D
Look forward to it John. As long as you aren't writing about mindless self-improvement it is fine by me!
You have a really good grasp of your audience.
- an urbane and worldly reader
Ha ha. I like to think so. Thanks for stopping by, Sid.