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Since the birth of VHS and subsequently DVD - the actual event of going to the cinema or multiplex to catch the latest blockbuster movie-event of the year has somewhat lessened as the years go by. DVD releases can, in some cases, be only three-months after a theatrical release; considering movie-going prices, a DVD copy of the same movie - that is yours to own forever - is a more attractive proposition.

It seems that with technology speeding up the transfer of films from theatre to home DVD-versions - going to the cinema isn't perceived as the definitive experience to see the latest summer "hot-ticket" show it used to be. In direct relation to that - respect for communal viewing has seen a visible decline.

The power of film - to captivate and build any lasting sense of awe has been diminished - too many movies play with fewer and fewer ideas - attention spans becoming addicted to the quick-fix type of viewing. Going to the movies is not treated as anything along the lines of being special or a privilege anymore; some people go there and think its an extension of their own home.

Therein lies the fundamental problem - you're not at home when in the darkened cinema "room" and anything you do impacts on the other fellow-viewers in there with you. In an effort to cash in on the film-goer though, many establishments are glorified fast-food outlets, with a large selection of food and drink available to the customers, this creates the feeling that you're at a restaurant during the first 30 minutes of the movie.

With the meal over with, some patrons will inevitably have to go and relive themselves for a good portion of the film - the never-ending procession of dark figures going downstairs, across the screen or walking eerily behind you on the way to the toilets. The bright glow at the doorway as they enter, the indication they've successfully made their trip through the darkness.

Some films struggle to keep its audiences entranced for long - those restless individuals feel it necessary to play with their phones, the fluorescent beam exposes their crafty phone-play to the distracted majority - dare they attempt to make or receive a call on it.

The fidgets amongst the masses always find the squeaky chairs in a seating area of 200-plus, quite what satisfaction is to be gained by the endless to-and-fro of the noise is a mystery; these people exist the world over - a strange species indeed.

Not all negatives can be solely placed on the viewers - cinema presentation isn't always of the highest quality it should or could be. Sit too far back and you may just be unfortunate enough to hear the projector spinning away over the main audio-track of the movie - thankfully, only in the smaller venues does this odd anomaly present itself.

Often overlooked is the actual screen condition - there can be nothing worse than spotting an aberration during the film (like a gash in the screen ) - no matter how often you try and forget it's there, your visual senses will pick it up every single time. Holding onto hope that the rest of the movie will be a dark and broody affair (to compensate for the screen-tear) doesn't induce relaxation and lessens any sense of enjoyment to be had.

There was a time when seeing a film on premiere-day meant something - the screen-size, the expansive audio thundering around you - but the distractions are slowly becoming the star of the silver-screen and not the movies themselves.

Learn more about this author, Wayne Reeves.
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