by T. Lynn Wright

Created on: March 29, 2010

A trip to the multiplex, or, if you're lucky, to the old downtown movie house is a worthy endeavor. While it is noisier than choosing from the on-demand cable schedule and much more costly than renting a DVD, it is a social and cultural activity that remains one of the last draws to get us out of our increasingly isolated nests and into the world. It's very comfortable to watch a movie at home. It's more fun to splurge on a movie, on the ridiculously overpriced snacks, shiver in the too-chilly theater and endure the rude buffoon who kicks the back of your seat. The sound of the opening score, the brilliant color, the effects that induce collective gasps-you can't get that at home. One of the greatest opening shots is "Moonstruck", when the mellow tones of "That's Amore" by Dean Martin accompanies panoramic shots of busy Manhattan. That remains an indelible cinematic moment for me, and it wouldn't have been so memorable had I watched it at home.

When the rebooted "Star Trek" was shown on IMAX, it was as if I could, at one moment, reach out and touch the Enterprise on the screen. I delighted in the shared laughter and exclamations during the premiere of "Transformers". There is still a generation who appreciates the technology that makes it possible to watch major motion pictures in the comfort of home. There are still generations who acknowledge the shared social satisfaction of the way that only the movie theater can screen a film.  Americans have become more solitary, with computer interaction, telecommuting, on-line shopping, and still losing the mass transit fight. It isn't always fun to share space and tolerate crowds. But being around people reminds us that there are other like-minded beings in our world, it gives us chances to use the manners that mom taught us, and it reinforces our compassion when we watch a particularly heart-rending scene with a few hundred other souls.

My cousins, siblings and I used to go to the movies every weekend, It was twenty-five cents, half a week's allowance. It was well worth the six block walk to see Godzilla or Tarzan. Today it may be an occasional outing or a bonafide date night, given the prices of tickets and concessions. Theaters struggle to remain in business, but considering the crowds I've seen on opening nights of major releases, going to the movie is still the understandable choice of many.

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