SONGS AND SCRIPTS AND DUNKING BISCUITS

A couple of years ago I signed up for a cinema pass which for the cost of £16.99 a month allows me to go to a certain cinema chain and watch as many films as I like for as many times that I choose. Given that it costs at least £9.99 to watch a film I only need to go twice a month and -as the advertising blurb points out – it pays for itself.

Given that I love films but had been put off by the cost, this card was a ticket to cinematic heaven, and I embraced it with relish.

I chose not to read reviews and instead make my own mind up on a films merits or otherwise, and apart from the much vaunted and ridiculous views on Barbie which I found hard to avoid, this has worked really well (I thoroughly enjoyed the Barbie film by the way) and I have seen many gems that I’m sure the nick-picking reviewers would have succeeded in putting me off watching.

Just 15 minutes from leaving my house I am in a world of; for the most part, wonderful imagining and escape. My local cinema is probably in need of some updating and general refurbishment but the chairs are comfortable and I can choose my seat online before I leave the house, so I simply show the ticket from my phone and I’m in.

I’ve now become a dab-hand at knowing exactly when to leave the house so I avoid the adverts but am able to see the trailers, helping me to choose future viewings. I don’t buy the popcorn and the drinks, no matter how many discounts I’m offered, otherwise I’d be about two stone heavier and a lot less healthy.

And apart from one large feral family which ruined for everyone the Spielberg film The Fabelmans  even before they were escorted out of the building, I’ve not had any negative experiences with any fellow cinema participant. Indeed I find it quite nice that a collection of strangers enjoy (hopefully) a cinematic experience together.

But there are two things I notice now from my regular cinema visits and I’m worried both of them may been down to getting old/older. One is how loud every film is. And I mean really loud. I don’t watch many action blockbusters because whilst I appreciate their technical mastery, they kind of leave me emotionally detached, but also it’s because of their brain searing noise level. It’s not just the action films however, every film seems to have increased volume as a pre-requisite.

In the last year or so my hearing has deteriorated slightly and while some may say that’s an age thing, I have chosen to ignore that in favour of the less ego-destroying explanation that I go to the movies more often!

Another thing are the violence levels. It’s no longer enough that someone is murdered, it has to be gratuitously. Organs have to tumble out, knives have to sever deeply into someone’s throat, daggers have to pierce a victims eyes. And that’s just the queue for the toilets…

How the films ratings are decided I have no idea, but young people must be a lot more accustomed to seeing hard-core violence than I was when in my teens. Texas Chainsaw Massacre would probably now be listed as family holiday viewing.

Overall seeing a film still has a magic quality that is enjoyed best on a big screen in a comfy dark room that exists separately from the rest of the world. I just wish they’d turn the volume down just a little…please? Some of us aren’t deaf just yet. Are we?

Roll credits..

(Images from Unsplash)