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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.

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founding

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

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You have a really good grasp of your audience.

- an urbane and worldly reader

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