My recent experience of seeing a few movies in the theater is one not easily forgotten.

Movie #1.

We saw this one opening weekend. It was one of the newest Super Hero movies. Just watching some of the people walking in was a treat. The theater was sill fairly light and we could see the excitement and expectation on their faces.

These serious Super Hero movie buffs walked up and down the aisles scanning available seating for the optimal spot to view the movie. Having selected the perfect seat, carrying HUGE soft drink cups along with a bucket of popcorn and or other snack, said movie attendees sidled through the row and sat down.

Further observations were the men who came in with kids. After settling into their seats, the men doled out the drinks and snacks. They could also be heard explaining characters who would be in the movie, who were his favorites and how much Dad liked them.

The group of men who choose sit behind us were not too dissimilar from the ‘Big Bang Theory’ cast sans the women. This was a men only group. Their anticipation was palpable as the movie began.

When Stan Lee made his Cameo appearance, the audience cheered, clapped, whooped and hollered and the men behind yelled out ‘We LOVE you Stan’. Other comments and various outbursts continued during the course of the movie.

After a pivotal scene we heard . . .
“Watch Out”
“OUCH”
and then
“Ahhh, That’s how he loses his eye!”

Over all, I would say, that it was one of our better decisions to go that movie on Opening weekend. Never underestimate hardcore Comic Book fans.

Movie #2

Oh my. Where do I begin …

A ladies group planned to meet for lunch prior to the movie. This was a disaster waiting to happen. 16 women with 2 hours to eat and then walk over to the movie. I’m not sure if the restaurant was short staffed or disorganized but, it did not go well.

Parts of meals were missing, wrong, and drink glasses remained empty waiting for a refill and a few entire meal never even arrived. Mine was burnt to a crisp despite asking for a medium rare burger. I couldn’t eat it. The waitstaff offered to have it remade so I requested that it be ‘made to go’ please.

We dashed off for the theater where one of our group had already staked out an entire row for us. Surprisingly, for a Sunday afternoon, the theater was a little over half filled. And there were a number of older couples. Interesting, as the movie is about a single middle aged divorcee.

The make up of this audience was much different from movie #1. Mostly women, in pairs or small groups and an older crowd. The couple behind us were much older and talked through most of the movie.

When the first nude scene started the gentleman behind us said loudly …
“Here we go.”

I don’t know what he was expecting but there were more gratuitous nude scenes to come. It’s rather fascinating that we never saw the male character nude. Only partially; a chest or back, a leg shot here or there, not that I’m complaining now. Just an observation.

At one point the characters go to Las Vegas. The woman behind us said “Where are they? Are they at a party?”

My friend answered:

“Las Vegas, they’re in Las Vegas”

“Oh thank you dear” she replied.

“I wonder why they’re in Las Vegas?” the lady said to her companion.

We couldn’t stop chuckling to ourselves. At one point another man was snoring. Guess the nude scenes didn’t keep him awake. This audience was more entertaining than the movie.

When it was finally over, the consensus was that none of the women liked the movie. The most often heard comment was, “If that cute, skinny woman couldn’t get a decent guy, what chance is there for any of us?”

Another point to ponder…

Have fun at the next movie you attend. Remember to watch the audience too!

Frances Graziano Copyright 2019 All Rights Reserved