As for me, I have found that unless I take in a movie at 11pm on a weekday, that wont be the case. But then again, who actually has the luxury of attending a 2-3hr movie at a 11pm showing?Much less be able to afford the ever rising cost of tickets ranging from 7-9 dollars per person now. Having discovered that Tinseltown in Grapevine charges $4 for a Sunday matinee ticket, my boyfriend and I decided to take in Harry Potter at a 3:20pm showing.
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We stopped to get snacks, and after my boyfriend bought a soda, beef jerky, and candy, $10 dollars later we were on our way. Now, let me preface something. My boyfriend is the junk food King of the World. He used buy a $7 tub of popcorn, 5 bag of m&m's, two $5 hot dogs, complete with a $ 6 soda, all without batting an eye at spending $20-30 at a concession stand. Adding up the cost of tickets and food, your looking at spending at least $50.00 each times! That was until I pointed out to him, that $20 could buy a bar tab, a t-shirt, or even dinner somewhere. Being a man, of course he didn't listen, until he too started feeling the pinch of the economy and realized that he would rather drink his money away rather that give it to the movie theaters. Now, hes on board for filling my bag with stuff to snack on without breaking the bank. Sure, some people might even compare this social faux pas to bringing your own food to a restaurant. However, if your on a budget, you tend to worry about the practical things in life, rather than the superficial.
At first, it took us a while not to feel guilty and cheap as we walked in the movie theater with a bag stuffed to capacity. I will admit, there were a couple of times when I thought I was surely busted, and was certain I was going to get kicked out. Of course you stop to wonder who actually decided it was socially unacceptable to bring your own snacks to a movie theater. Is there some social police who is going to stop and ticket you for exercising your right to BYOS? (Bring Your Own Snacks) Chances are, no. The pimply faced teenager is already overwhelmed with taking tickets from screaming children, annoying adolescents, and pestilent soccer moms, that chances are: they don't care. Plus, what do they gain from being a movie theater Gestapo? Certainly not an increase on their paycheck.
At first, it took us a while not to feel guilty and cheap as we walked in the movie theater with a bag stuffed to capacity. I will admit, there were a couple of times when I thought I was surely busted, and was certain I was going to get kicked out. Of course you stop to wonder who actually decided it was socially unacceptable to bring your own snacks to a movie theater. Is there some social police who is going to stop and ticket you for exercising your right to BYOS? (Bring Your Own Snacks) Chances are, no. The pimply faced teenager is already overwhelmed with taking tickets from screaming children, annoying adolescents, and pestilent soccer moms, that chances are: they don't care. Plus, what do they gain from being a movie theater Gestapo? Certainly not an increase on their paycheck.
Having arrived to the movie theater an hour early for whatever unknown reason, we got decent seats at the top in the middle rows. Jay, having inhaled his snacks in the first 10 minutes; while we sat in boredom watching stupid commercials on the screen, decided he wanted to check out the concession stand. He must have been thinking really hard about his choices because the movie theater filled up by the time he came back. And then to my horror, I realized why, it is a bad idea to see a movie theater in the middle of a Sunday afternoon. Families with children and babies; screaming ones that sound like banshees. Wails at such high pitches only dogs should be able to hear those shrills cries. Oh good lord. You and your children are ruining my much anticipated Harry Potter experience. I cannot get into my Hogwarts mindset because you are ruining my zen. I swallowed it, remembering our tickets only cost $4.00. I waited patiently for Jay to come back, when a man and his son threaten to take Jays seat. Being the Americans that we are, we had chosen to isolate ourselves by leaving one seat open next to me, and one next to him. Everyone does it. Its like choosing a urinal; heaven forbid you get stuck next to someone, forced to make eye contact, or even awkward small talk. I politely pointed out that seat was taken. He then asked me who was seated on the right of me. No one was sitting next to me, duh! W e purposely got here on time, in order to strategically choose our seats. He then proceeded to stare me down for 5 minutes, thinking he was going to intimidate me into letting him have those two seats. Being the stubborn girl that I am, he didn't get his way and he retreated angrily back into the top row. I would like to point something out now: we got to the movie theater on time in order to avoid situations like having to find seats. Had he simply asked nicely I would have graciously moved Jay's soda into the other seat. It was his narcissistic behavior where he was self-entitled to take whatever he wanted was what offended me in the first place. Of course I kicked myself later because as soon as he sat down this rather fat teenager sat in Jay's seat. I politely moved the soda. There, I am not such a bitch after all.
Which leads me to this, despite my confrontation, not every movie experience has to be a bad one. Through trial and error I have found the following survival tips are helpful if you are going to survive watching a movie with a bunch of idiots surrounding you. Remember, the average cost of a movie ticket is around $9.00, so you want to insure you get the maximum experience for your moneys worth.
1. If you don't care to consume 400 calories in one sitting with one soft drink, you do have options. Personally, I have found that a movie is more tolerable when I with pack my own bag with two bottles of wine or beer, and two bottles of water, just in case. I saved $10 dollars right off the bat, and you also make nice with the people sitting next to you if you offer up some. Please remember to be discrete and clean up after yourselves, so as to not ruin it for everyone else.
Tip for Wine: Many gas stations have started carrying wine, and the latest rage is screw top. It is easy and convenient. We usually also take plastic cups from the gas station where we buys the beverages from. There is a great variety of screw top wine under $10 that taste great.
Tips for Beer: I have found that individually placing beer in cloth bags or grocery recycle bags are durable enough to carry glass. Seeing as how you live in 2009, man bags are quite fashionable and most importantly acceptable. Take advantage and stuff the crap out of it.
2. BYOS- If you are like me and don't care for all that sodium and sugar, pack your own snack in a bag. You'll find that your wallet will be quite grateful in the long run. Plus how many of you have shown up to a movie on mind altering substances? Chances are, you will get the munchies. Avoid the paranoia about everyone looking at you while it takes you ten minutes to figure out exactly how much butter is enough on your popcorn and bring your own pre-made.
3. Pick a Proper arrival time- Use common sense when it comes to choosing movie times. i.e. don't go watch Harry Potter on a Sunday afternoon if you don't want to be stuck in the middle of a day care, but also don't go watch a pothead movie on weekend nights when douche bag teenagers are going to be constantly talking throughout the movie. Arrive with proper time to stake your claim on your seats. If you are rich enough to do so: pay a proxy to save your seats. If your like me and hate commercials, you will be able to skip right through them. Or you can just opt to watch a movie at off- peak times and spare yourself the previews.
4. Do not be afraid to confront a cell phone talker, loud eater, and crying babies. I know I found it very hard to get in my Hogwarts mind set with all those screaming kids. If you are like me and trying to get in your serious watching zone, you'll want to prevent any one from ruining your movie watching experience. Be warned: pick your battles. Some situations will be out your hands, however, you will find that if you voice your opinion in a courteous manner some people are likely to oblige. I call it movie karma, and sooner or later it will reciprocate.
Which leads me to this, despite my confrontation, not every movie experience has to be a bad one. Through trial and error I have found the following survival tips are helpful if you are going to survive watching a movie with a bunch of idiots surrounding you. Remember, the average cost of a movie ticket is around $9.00, so you want to insure you get the maximum experience for your moneys worth.
1. If you don't care to consume 400 calories in one sitting with one soft drink, you do have options. Personally, I have found that a movie is more tolerable when I with pack my own bag with two bottles of wine or beer, and two bottles of water, just in case. I saved $10 dollars right off the bat, and you also make nice with the people sitting next to you if you offer up some. Please remember to be discrete and clean up after yourselves, so as to not ruin it for everyone else.
Tip for Wine: Many gas stations have started carrying wine, and the latest rage is screw top. It is easy and convenient. We usually also take plastic cups from the gas station where we buys the beverages from. There is a great variety of screw top wine under $10 that taste great.
Tips for Beer: I have found that individually placing beer in cloth bags or grocery recycle bags are durable enough to carry glass. Seeing as how you live in 2009, man bags are quite fashionable and most importantly acceptable. Take advantage and stuff the crap out of it.
2. BYOS- If you are like me and don't care for all that sodium and sugar, pack your own snack in a bag. You'll find that your wallet will be quite grateful in the long run. Plus how many of you have shown up to a movie on mind altering substances? Chances are, you will get the munchies. Avoid the paranoia about everyone looking at you while it takes you ten minutes to figure out exactly how much butter is enough on your popcorn and bring your own pre-made.
3. Pick a Proper arrival time- Use common sense when it comes to choosing movie times. i.e. don't go watch Harry Potter on a Sunday afternoon if you don't want to be stuck in the middle of a day care, but also don't go watch a pothead movie on weekend nights when douche bag teenagers are going to be constantly talking throughout the movie. Arrive with proper time to stake your claim on your seats. If you are rich enough to do so: pay a proxy to save your seats. If your like me and hate commercials, you will be able to skip right through them. Or you can just opt to watch a movie at off- peak times and spare yourself the previews.
4. Do not be afraid to confront a cell phone talker, loud eater, and crying babies. I know I found it very hard to get in my Hogwarts mind set with all those screaming kids. If you are like me and trying to get in your serious watching zone, you'll want to prevent any one from ruining your movie watching experience. Be warned: pick your battles. Some situations will be out your hands, however, you will find that if you voice your opinion in a courteous manner some people are likely to oblige. I call it movie karma, and sooner or later it will reciprocate.
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