If you’re anything like me, you love a good movie. All my life, movies and the theaters themselves have offered laughter, action, drama, and countless other experiences to audiences. With so many genres to choose from, everyone has some kind of story to look forward to on the big screen. Over the years, I’ve spent more than my fair share of time at the multiplex, seeing firsthand how movies and the theater experience itself have evolved from what I’ve seen. Let me tell you just how far movies have come from my perspective.
My Early Days at the Movies
I’ve been around since the late ’80’s, so I can honestly say movies have come a long way since then. Thankfully, I wasn’t born into the age of silent movies, I’m not sure I could handle black and white on the big screen. Growing up, theaters didn’t have the kinds of gimmicks we see today, they were simply nice places to sit back and enjoy a flick on a larger screen than the ones at home.
Even without all the theater gimmicks, the movies themselves were always a blast to watch. Sure, there were some flops along the way, but most offered exciting experiences that left lasting impressions. I may not remember every title now, but I do remember how much fun those early trips to the pictures were and how they helped shape my love for cinema.
Theater Upgrades
As time moves on, the movie business continues to see more than its share of progress. That progress has made the viewer experience all the more memorable. When 3D glasses first came out, I personally found them too flimsy and couldn’t quite get the hang of them. Modern 3D glasses have been a major improvement over those early versions. I don’t remember exactly when it happened, but after my first major 3D movie, I couldn’t get enough. I wanted to see every big film in 3D whenever possible.
Another upgrade theaters have introduced is the Regal Premium Experience, or RPX. The RPX theaters offer the most immersive surround sound I’ve ever experienced. The sound and vibrations make you feel like you’re right inside the movies. Another new kind of cinema option is the dine-in movie, where a meal can be brought to your seat during the movie. It’s nice but can be a bit distracting depending on when they bring your food. And of course, who could forget the IMAX, the biggest theater screens ever. The IMAX offers the biggest movie experiences, especially in 3D. I remember seeing Jurassic Park in the IMAX as a kid, that was a time to live for.
The Stories Movies Tell
One thing you really get into at the movies is the stories they tell. Many franchises like Star Wars, Harry Potter, and the MCU have built such massive worlds that they’ve spawned numerous prequels, sequels, spin-offs, reboots, and parodies. I remember when The Phantom Menace was first coming out. Fans actually camped out by the theaters waiting to get in, and it was all over the news. Movie continuities have become so expansive that new content is often shown through books and TV spin-offs, adding to the lore.
The Year Without Theaters
Back in 2020, during the Covid pandemic, a lot of things were shut down, including movie theaters. However, even with a global virus spreading, people still needed movies, and cinema companies found ways to provide them. Many films were delayed during the pandemic. Some premiered that year as on-demand releases and streaming exclusives. 2020 was a major adjustment for cinema corporations, and some even considered releasing films primarily through streaming services indefinitely. I can’t express how thankful I am that movie theaters are still around today.
The Downside to Movies
Sadly, not everything about going to the movies is great. First off, there’s timing. If you’re going to a movie, you need to decide which theater to go to, when the film starts, and how long it will take to get there. The worst problem with the movies these days is the prices. I’ve been to theaters a lot, and I swear I once saw a medium popcorn priced at fourteen dollars. Why the heck is stuff at the theater so darn expensive? I’ve read there was a time you could see a film for a quarter. What happened to those days?
Another problem is seating. Sure, some theaters let you choose your seats nowadays, but there’s never a guarantee they’re good ones. For all you know, the last group in those seats left fallen popcorn and spilled soda everywhere. Thank goodness for the janitors. Then there’s the other people around you while you’re trying to watch the movie. Someone might have a loud baby, or somebody else forgets to turn their phone off. To top everything off, you don’t even know if what you see will actually be any good. Fortunately, most of these problems are easy enough to manage.
Future of The Movies
Yeah, movies have come a really long way since I was a kid, and I’m sure they’ll go even further in the future. Maybe if inflation settles down, going to the theaters will be cheaper. That would be a relief. These days we can stream movies on our TV and other devices, maybe they’ll find a way to stream them into our brains while we sleep. Nah, that’s just sci-fi talk. Whatever the reason, as long as there are fans of cinema and films keep telling great stories, movies will always be around. I always look forward to the movies in the summer, and I know there are plenty of amazing stories to come. I think I’ll go check the theater times.