Why do people still go to movie theaters? That question has been on my mind for a while.
Is it an affinity for over-priced junk food? Crying babies or yakking teens? Air condition overload or floors glazed over by cola and fake butter?
As an occasional movie-goer, I'm unsure of the appeal. Not since Joaquin Phoenix had me rocking to "Get Rhythm" in "Walk the Line" have I been wowed by a theater visit.
But there is something appealing since people keep going to see movies in theaters despite the fact that thousands of films are available at home through cable and satellite television and video distributors like Netflix and Blockbuster.
In a New York Times article dated Feb. 28, 2009, Martin Kaplan, director of the Norman Lear Center for the study of entertainment and society at Southern Cal, described the experience as something akin to communal escapism.
“It’s not rocket science,” he said. “People want to forget their troubles, and they want to be with other people.”
Is there something to the experience beyond simple entertainment that cannot be found in the front of a large-screen, hi-def TV at home? Is it the even bigger screen and louder sound? Or a sense of community? A shared narrative?
My friend Kyle Matthews (a singer, songwriter and minister in Greenville, S.C.) and I touched on this topic following an interview about worship for the February issue of Baptists Today that is en route to subscribers now.
We wondered about, but didn't explore deeply, the continued appeal of the shared movie experience. But I would like to know more.
Another intriguing question to me is what church leaders might learn from the movie theater experience. Does the church have something to offer those seeking a place to deal with "their troubles" and "be with other people?"
It would be easy to label one as entertainment and the other as a higher purpose. But that would end the digging too soon.
More dynamics seem to at work here. But, then, I often have more questions than answers.
[IMAGE: The Majestic 12, that opened in downtown Chattanooga in November, is the nation's first certified "green" theater. It also features plush lounge chairs and gourmet food.]
4 comments:
JP:
I found my first entry here a little overwrought, but I am looking forward to your and Kyle's conversation in the print issue.
Somehow all this has sparked some connection in my mind to the upcoming movie most worthy of the new Chattanooga Palace, since it is set in Tn and writter by a fellow from Alabama.
Lucas Black stars with Bill Murray and Robert Duvall; What a line up. Movie is Get Low, about the Duvall character who wants to have his funeral before he dies; notion common to a great scene in my friend Ron Rash's Serena.
Somehow or another, knowing enough of Matthews to know he appreciates a good lyric got me to this.
Were what I imagine was a serendipitous conversation between you and Matthews; were that to become a scene in a movie here is my suggestion for the soundtrack; Lyle Lovett from his Grand CD Joshua, Judges Ruth in the Song I went to a Funeral:
Two little imps
and they were black as tar
TRying to get to Heaven
in an electric car
Car wheel slipped on
Down the Hill
And stead of goin to Heaven
Went to Jacksonville
Singing, Hallelujah
I can say these things cause I am the founder and President of the Collinsville,Al Film Society now disbanded.
There were only five of us and two coupled up and went to work in Americus, Ga so we threw in the towel.
10 years ago, I was paying $5 to go see movies at either the Brice Cinema or the crusty Pal Theatre in Vidalia (both are closed now, I'm pretty sure).
Weekend before last, I paid $5.50 in Waco to see The Book of Eli - taking advantage of that student discount. I had a buddy in south Atlanta tell me he paid $10.50 to see Eli. Now, if I had to pay $10.50, I rarely, if ever, would go see a movie.
I can rent a variety of movies in HD via my Apple TV for $4.99. I can rent from my cable company for $3.99 or $4.99 (the latter price is for HD). I can go to Holllywood Video and rent a DVD for 4.50-something. Or, I can go to a nearby McDonalds and rent a movie (usually not the best selection though) from a RedBox for $1 per night.
I generally do all of the above. But seeing a movie at the theater still isn't too expensive. I try to eat dinner right before the movie - so I'm not tempted to spend $5 for a bag of skittles and another $5 to wash it down. And, going to the theater is a good opportunity to get out-and-about after a long week sitting behind a desk working and reading somewhere.
I generally prefer the free entertainment that is Baylor athletics, right now basketball.
Most people I am told go to the movies to "escape". I go to a movie to "arrive". I enjoy my life just fine and don't need to escape it. But a movie experience such as Avatar 3D allows me to enter another realm, another world. I found the combined effect of the visuals and the music to be absolutely stunning. I enjoyed the company I was with both times I saw it, but I think I would enjoy it just as well alone. I don't have to be completely blown away to enjoy a movie, but it's sure nice when it happens.
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