issue 12// vol 46 opinions // no. 15 Watching movies In a theatre is better » Save the laptop watching for YouTube The best way to watch movies is at home » Going to the theatre is not worth the time or the money were to close down, what else can you do in Coquitlam on a typical Friday night? Outside of going to the bowling alley across the street and the Hard Yo: ago, the movie theatre was my Rock Casino—which definitely can’t sanctuary. I would go as often as I watching is the cost. I don’t have to remind you how expensive the movie theatre can be, but damn, is it expensive! One general movie admission at Cineplex costs $14, not considering the cost of the extra features like Ultra AVX—which can Craig Allan Staff Writer Jessica Berget Editor-in-Chief lhe movie theatre experience is far better than a solo experience on a be an every week thing—there is not phone, laptop, or television screen. Yes, the theatre floors can be sticky, and the seats damaged from thousands of asses plopping down onto them, but there are far more advantages to seeing a movie in theatres. For one, it gives us an excuse to turn off our devices for two hours and let the world and its issues melt away. It’s escapism at its best. Along with that, it gives us a communal experience. Yes, streaming movies at home can have that too, but there is just something special about being in the same place as other people when they are experiencing the same thing for the first time too. For instance, in the movie Joker there is a scene where (spoiler alert upcoming) Arthur Fleck smothers his mother to death with a pillow. I work at a movie theatre, and when this scene comes on, I love looking at the audience. Their mouths wide open, gobsmacked at what they are seeing. That is a moment you cannot get watching that scene ona phone. Another reason movie theatres are better for enjoying the movie in is the quality of the movies themselves. The surround sound speakers and the big screen dimensions are not just like that because they make the movie better. They are like that because movies are specifically built to be screened in those dimensions. Films are designed for audiences to watch at the theatre. Sure, that could change with streaming, but why do we want that? Why would we ever want a toned-down quality to our movies just to fulfill the goal of watching John Wick while sitting on our couch? Many people may look at the demise of the movie theatre in the same way as the demise of the video store, but this is not a one-versus-one comparison. Think about the video store; it was just the place you went to pick up the movie. It wasn’t a place for hanging out—the movie theatre is though. It’s an excuse for a night out; it’s a reason to get out of the house fora while. Without it, many communities would lose a reason to go out, especially at night. Sure, in Vancouver there are many entertainment options, but sometimes getting out to Vancouver is too far and you have to find entertainment options in your own area. Take Coquitlam for example. If the Cineplex SilverCity Coquitlam much else. The movie theatre gives us an excuse to leave our ever-shrinking hovels for a night of fun that doesn’t break the bank. The answer is no. The food is far too Is the movie theatre perfect? expensive, and there will always be that one monster that has to scroll through their social media to see how many likes their cat tongue bathing themselves has gotten, shining that bright phone screen in your face. But— when it comes to watching a movie, and I mean really watching a movie, nothing can beat the immersive, escapist glory that is the modern-day multiplex. 6¢ It’s escapism at its best. could to see the latest and greatest films on the big screen. After not experiencing the theatre for a while, I decided to go to satisfy my cinema nostalgia. Initially, I was excited to go again for the first time ina long time. After about an hour into my movie though, I remembered why I stopped going to the theatre—and why Iso much prefer streaming movies at home. Some film purists would argue that going to the theatre is the best way to experience movies because of the immersive atmosphere, and sound quality, but I call bullshit on that. Sure, going to the theatre has its charms. It’s an immersive experience sharing a movie with a group of strangers ona giant screen in a dark room. But what if I told you can get just as good as an experience—if not better, watching the same movie in the safety and comfort of your own home. The first thing that made me realize how much I prefer at home movie rack up the price to to $17. Considering most movie theatres make most of their profit on concession, the prices for food are even worse. A bag of large popcorn costs almost $8 and a large drink can cost up to $6. For one person, that’s almost $30 for one night out, and for two people it can be almost $60! On the other hand, streaming a movie online is free and buying some candy or microwavable popcorn from a store is at most $5. Another thing I prefer about watching movies at home is that you can pause the movie for whatever you want and however long you want. Bathroom breaks, getting snacks, or a small intermission are real options. These are the luxuries you don’t get when seeing a movie in the theatre. Watching movies at home is also better is because you can get more comfortable. Sitting in those cinema seats for three or even two hours can be extremely unpleasant. Those cold, sticky plastic seats are nothing compared to sprawling out on a couch with a blanket or getting cozy on a nice warm bed. Another important reason to watch movies at home: Subtitles. I don't know about everyone else, but I have trouble hearing or understanding some things while watching movies, so I need subtitles to comprehensively follow along. They never have subtitles on in movies theatres and that can make it extra frustrating when you've spent $14 on a movie you can’t understand. There is also the danger of not liking the movie you paid money to see. As someone who used to work in atheatre, I know the rule for ticket refunds is generally only 30 mins after the movie starts. But 30 mins is nowhere near enough time to decide if you enjoy a movie. At home, you can decide you hate the movie at any point and just turn it off, no money sacrificed. By paying to see a movie in theatres, not only are you wasting your precious time, but also your precious money! Finally, I love to talk over movies and mock them sometimes—it’s how | enjoy movies. Since talking during a film is frowned upon in theatres, | have to bite my tongue when I want to make a comment. Maybe I won't be able to catch the latest movies at home, but I can wait for it to be available online. The theatre has its perks, but you won't catch me ina cinema anytime soon.