Remember when you were a kid and you ran to the theater and saw Star Wars twenty times in a week? It was amazing, and without the promise of an eventual home video release, it was essential - you needed to memorize every line so you could act them out with your Kenner figures. That kind of obsessiveness is endearing in a child, even when it gets irritating, like the kid who wants to watch nothing but The Little Mermaid on DVD again and again and again and again.
For adults it's less endearing. In fact, it's sad. I've been hearing reports of people seeing The Dark Knight this past weekend a multitude of times - a couple of people seeing it five times, in fact - and this makes me sad. First of all, and most frank of all, I think it's a touch pathetic to be a grown person and see a movie more than twice in a weekend* since that not only indicates a serious lack of other things in your life, it's the kind of behavior that other people find weird. When you go to the office on Monday and say that you saw The Dark Knight four times since Thursday's midnight show, everybody pegs you as the weird guy. Maybe you're the nice weird guy, but you're the weird guy nonetheless, the guy who is possibly jockeying for second place in the 'Who will shoot up the office?' pool. It's childish behavior**, the kind of thing you should be ashamed of, like how you're ashamed that you jerk off to Thundercats slashfic***. It's likely that if you're the kind of guy who sees a Batman movie more than twice in a weekend you're also the kind of guy who wonders why women don't like you. Seeing a Batman movie more than twice in a weekend is the reason why.
It's also sort of sad from a moviegoing point of view. There's no movie ever made that benefits from such intense repeat viewings. You're not doing yourself, or the movie you obviously love, any favors by gorging on it. It's like eating a good meal - just because it's good doesn't mean you should go back for fifths or sixths. You're numbing yourself to what you liked in the first place, and you're also likely to make yourself sick. In the case of the movie, you'll burn out on it. This is another reflection of childish behavior, the need to have it all right now and in impossible amounts.
There's another moviegoing point of view on this that makes me sad, especially since many of the people who have seen the movie an insane number of times are self-professed film lovers, or run movie websites, and it's that you're ignoring the other great movies out there. It's unlikely that you've seen every movie playing in your local area, or that you've rented all of the movies that you need to see. There are so many options out there for film lovers and yet you're seeing the same film five times, dropping a bunch of money on the same movie again and again. This especially goes for people who live in bigger cities; when the urge to see The Dark Knight for the fifth time hits, go to your local paper and find an indie or documentary that's playing and go see that instead. Expand your horizons instead of acting like an obsessive freak.
This last point is the one that bums me out the most. People who see a movie more than twice in theaters have a lot of expendable income, but I also suspect they're the people on internet message boards most likely to chime in that they haven't seen this critically acclaimed small film or that awards nominated documentary. On some level I understand the people who have limited abilities or means to get to movies and who choose the blockbusters - they need the bang for their buck and they want to be in the main conversation around them. Everybody's talking about The Dark Knight, but who's talking about The Visitor or Baghead?**** - but if you have the time and money to see a movie more than twice in a weekend, surely you should be using at least some of that time and money to be a better movie lover instead of a better Batman movie lover?
Some people will think that I'm ragging on the folks who saw The Dark Knight multiple times because I don't like the Batman movies. Let's get one thing out of the way: I liked this film. If people start going to see Pineapple Express five times in a weekend, I will be just as creeped out by them*****. It's not healthy. The urge to see a movie again and again in a short period of time is not a healthy one, no matter how you're escaping reality.
So my plea to you is this: stop seeing The Dark Knight. Don't turn this into some kind of competition to see who has the most hollow existence; simply be happy that you've seen it and wait contentedly for the DVD/Blu-Ray, surely coming this Christmas. And you know what? Having some time between your viewings may help you appreciate the movie more, instead of mindlessly sinking into the comforting womb of Christopher Nolan's movie.
Wake up. Grow up. Go see something else. Anything else.
* twice in a weekend is still a lot, but sometimes you see a movie on Friday and then a broad wants to see it on Sunday or something, so you go again. It happens, but you shouldn't make a habit out of it.
** which must be noted is different from childlike, which is marked by an innocence and sense of play and wonder. Being childish means you're a loser who makes death threats on Rotten Tomatoes against critics who didn't like a movie you liked, among other creepy behaviors.
*** yes, this is a shameful thing to do. Ponder this while waiting on line for your sixth viewing of The Dark Knight.
**** snobby movie critics, that's who. feggits, the lot of them. They're not real men like Batman. They're not real men with chiseled abs and handsome features. They're not real men of action who would come in and throw you down and... guess it's time for a sixth viewing of The Dark Knight!
***** full disclosure: I saw Hellboy II: The Golden Army three times. The first time was a couple of months ago at a very early screening when most of the effects were temp. The second time was a junket screening where the finished film was shown; I was asked to attend as a prerequisite for writing a review that would run the day of the premiere. I also attended the premiere because how cool an opportunity is that? While I liked Hellboy II, I would never have seen it three times if it wasn't for work.
yeah, he's kinda forgetting the whole "theatre experience" thing which is a big deal for some folks. not me; i fuckin' hate theatres. they're hot, loud, smelly, and full of hooting teenagers and freaks. but for some folks, those first two weeks of a big open is the ONLY time they'll be able to get that experience they love.
people generate heat
of course a late-night showing of syriana will be frigid
He uses The Dark Knight as a catalyst to talk about repeat viewings in general and I'd be interested to hear back from Solo, TVC, etc. on this issue...Quote from: Devin, CHUDSTOP ENJOYING YOURSELVES!
I only want to see The Dark Knight again so this time maybe I can tell what the fuck is going on during action scenes.
Devin probably watches every movie by himself :(
it's pretty easy to watch the same movie multiple times in the same weekend. especially as big as TDK.
Devin probably watches every movie by himself :(
it's pretty easy to watch the same movie multiple times in the same weekend. especially as big as TDK.
It was kinda hard, considering it was SOLD OUT FUCKING EVERYWHERE.
This article makes me want to see The Dark Knight again - out of spite. Maybe one more time in IMAX too, because I haven't seen it in glorious IMAX. Then maybe again in a budget theatre. Take that, Devin!:bow
Devin probably watches every movie by himself :(
it's pretty easy to watch the same movie multiple times in the same weekend. especially as big as TDK.
It was kinda hard, considering it was SOLD OUT FUCKING EVERYWHERE.
haha true. my imax is sold out until next monday. seriously, wtf.
The only reason to see a movie 5 times in a weekend is basically to be able to brag about seeing a movie 5 times in a weekend.
The only reason to see a movie 5 times in a weekend is basically to be able to brag about seeing a movie 5 times in a weekend.
and the only reason to watch Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire twice is because this girl asked you to watch with her. and you think it's just going to be you and her, but then it turns out to be you, her, and three of her other friends (one of them a guy).
:(
I saw Batman Begins twice. Spider-Man four times. I think Disposable White Guy and I saw X2: X-Men United like five or six times within a 21-day span.
First time I saw Batman Begins was in a downloaded cam copy that had a large section cut out. Basically at one point you see Bruce talking to Ra's, then you see him flying out of the building. I liked it so much I went to the theater to watch it.
My friend bought a fucking bootleg that had the same section cut out! I went over to his house to watch (and I had already seen it), and when that happened I was crying from laughing so hard. :lol
First time I saw Batman Begins was in a downloaded cam copy that had a large section cut out. Basically at one point you see Bruce talking to Ra's, then you see him flying out of the building. I liked it so much I went to the theater to watch it.
My friend bought a fucking bootleg that had the same section cut out! I went over to his house to watch (and I had already seen it), and when that happened I was crying from laughing so hard. :lol
First time I saw Batman Begins was in a downloaded cam copy that had a large section cut out. Basically at one point you see Bruce talking to Ra's, then you see him flying out of the building. I liked it so much I went to the theater to watch it.
My friend bought a fucking bootleg that had the same section cut out! I went over to his house to watch (and I had already seen it), and when that happened I was crying from laughing so hard. :lol
whoa whoa. he bought a bootleg? smh
Last weekend, some black family got split up because the screening was sold out. So the couple sat next to me and their kids on the other side of the theatre. Right during the climax at the hospital, one of their kids walks up to the lady and goes, "Hey, your cell phone is ringing!" She answers it and begins a discussion that lasts for minutes! Then she plays with her dumb phone so you can see its bright LCD screen illuminating everything and being totally obnoxious.
I was flabbergasted.
Then the woman across from my brother answered the loudest cell phone ring just a few minutes later and had a discussion about the fucking movie.
Save for sure-thing events like The Dark Knight, I probably will avoid theatres after this year.
Last weekend, some black family got split up because the screening was sold out. So the couple sat next to me and their kids on the other side of the theatre. Right during the climax at the hospital, one of their kids walks up to the lady and goes, "Hey, your cell phone is ringing!" She answers it and begins a discussion that lasts for minutes! Then she plays with her dumb phone so you can see its bright LCD screen illuminating everything and being totally obnoxious.
I was flabbergasted.
Then the woman across from my brother answered the loudest cell phone ring just a few minutes later and had a discussion about the fucking movie.
Save for sure-thing events like The Dark Knight, I probably will avoid theatres after this year.
The answer to that is that women should not be allowed to see movies. I think Mr. Bale Would agree with that. Maybe he could do a PSA where he's beating and yelling at a grandma.
Last weekend, some black family got split up because the screening was sold out. So the couple sat next to me and their kids on the other side of the theatre. Right during the climax at the hospital, one of their kids walks up to the lady and goes, "Hey, your cell phone is ringing!" She answers it and begins a discussion that lasts for minutes! Then she plays with her dumb phone so you can see its bright LCD screen illuminating everything and being totally obnoxious.
his year.
NO CELL PHONES (BLOCK SIGNAL INSIDE AUDITORIUM)
We need adults only theatres that serve alcohol.
racist. what does them being black have to do with your anecdote
We need adults only theatres that serve alcohol.
We have those in Austin.
http://www.drafthouse.com/ (http://www.drafthouse.com/)
Q: What is the age policy and can you explain it?
A: The Alamo Drafthouse Cinema is an 18- and up establishment. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by their parent or legal guardian.
I would be for that. I'd like theatres to have bouncers to enforce proper decency during screenings. Talking and cell phone usage would get you booted and/or sodomized.
We need adults only theatres that serve alcohol.
We have those in Austin.
http://www.drafthouse.com/ (http://www.drafthouse.com/)
We need adults only theatres that serve alcohol.
We have those in Austin.
http://www.drafthouse.com/ (http://www.drafthouse.com/)QuoteQ: What is the age policy and can you explain it?
A: The Alamo Drafthouse Cinema is an 18- and up establishment. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by their parent or legal guardian.
That's not mother fuckin' good enough.
We need adults only theatres that serve alcohol.
We have those in Austin.
http://www.drafthouse.com/ (http://www.drafthouse.com/)
Thats the same thing dude.
here's the REAL alamo drafthouse: http://www.originalalamo.com/Default.aspx?l=2
there was a place here called the hollywood grille which showed second-run movies (once in a whle they would get a first-run flick) and also served beer and hot wings
racist. what does them being black have to do with your anecdote
Don't be cute with me. As someone with black family members, they'll be the first ones to tell you that they yell, "OH NO!" and "DON'T OPEN THAT DOOR!" during a movie. It's a cultural thing. And it's obnoxious.
They had these in Maryland. I remember seeing House Arrest there with my mom and she got totally hammered. They shut down, though.
there was a place here called the hollywood grille which showed second-run movies (once in a whle they would get a first-run flick) and also served beer and hot wings
They had these in Maryland. I remember seeing House Arrest there with my mom and she got totally hammered. They shut down, though.
do you and foc share hoods at your klan rallies
They had these in Maryland. I remember seeing House Arrest there with my mom and she got totally hammered. They shut down, though.
They shut down because your mom got hammered? ???
do you and foc share hoods at your klan rallies
Just because I don't want to see movies with my sister and the rest of my extended family, doesn't mean I don't love them or want them to be turned into lampshades!
And furthermore, I don't like shopping with my Jewish family members because they're stereotypically frugal and will hassle store associates for discounts. DOES THIS MAKE ME TEH RACISTS?
I don't like going to the bookstore with polish family members, they just run to the coloring books. :(
I don't like going to the bookstore with polish family members, they just run to the coloring books. :(
:lol
I don't drinking with my midwestern Baptist family members because all they buy is Budweiser. :(
I've got some Phillipino cousins too - there's lots of opporunity there.opportunity to use them as slave laborers? Gamestop will not approve.
PS Transformers would have been a lot better if the black people in the crowd talked smack throughout the movie, but they consistently failed to live up to stereotype, the jerks.
Shorter rant quoted in the OP: "Why do people have different tastes and priorities than me? It's just not right!"
As always it includes the assumption that if the plebes weren't wasting time/money on whatever they'd be spending it on something the author considers worthy, in this case indie cinema.
PS Transformers would have been a lot better if the black people in the crowd talked smack throughout the movie, but they consistently failed to live up to stereotype, the jerks.
Do they even have black folks Bellevue?
:lol :lol :lol WTF?Do they even have black folks Bellevue?
True story: I was just out getting my sleeping "pill" of choice (Hurricane, bitches), and I saw what I thought was a herd of black kids crossing the road. I got closer and it turns out they were just BIG ASS raccoons. Like 3 of them. They could have killed me.
people generate heat
of course a late-night showing of syriana will be frigid
NO CELL PHONES (BLOCK SIGNAL INSIDE AUDITORIUM)
No one was getting service inside the IMAX theater. :rock
that not only indicates a serious lack of other things in your life,
I rather enjoy people talking at the screen during movies, because most movies are kinda shitty. If someone talks during batman i'll be overjoyed, because it's an overserious fan-wank comic book movie, and lord knows it could use some lightening up. Plus I don't want dead time where I can hear some neckbeard being asphyxiated by his comic-con tee-shirt masturbating with popcorn butter.
I rather enjoy people talking at the screen during movies, because most movies are kinda shitty. If someone talks during batman i'll be overjoyed, because it's an overserious fan-wank comic book movie, and lord knows it could use some lightening up. Plus I don't want dead time where I can hear some neckbeard being asphyxiated by his comic-con tee-shirt masturbating with popcorn butter.the worst thing at the premiere was seeing all the manbabies with their asian girlfriends. and this guy went around asking people if they would trade seats so he could sit on the back aisle with his girlfriend and shit. why the fuck would anyone do that for a random fagbag? goddamn, i hate them. the girl i went with saw a bunch of manbabies with glitter shirts and shit and we were discussing the masculinity of the apparent target audience.
You seriously wouldn't move over one seat so that a guy could sit with his girlfriend? That's kinda fucked up, man.
NO CELL PHONES (BLOCK SIGNAL INSIDE AUDITORIUM)
No one was getting service inside the IMAX theater. :rock
Where did you go, the Cradle of Aviation? Or is there another IMAX theater out here?
I rather enjoy people talking at the screen during movies, because most movies are kinda shitty. If someone talks during batman i'll be overjoyed, because it's an overserious fan-wank comic book movie, and lord knows it could use some lightening up. Plus I don't want dead time where I can hear some neckbeard being asphyxiated by his comic-con tee-shirt masturbating with popcorn butter.the worst thing at the premiere was seeing all the manbabies with their asian girlfriends. and this guy went around asking people if they would trade seats so he could sit on the back aisle with his girlfriend and shit. why the fuck would anyone do that for a random fagbag? goddamn, i hate them. the girl i went with saw a bunch of manbabies with glitter shirts and shit and we were discussing the masculinity of the apparent target audience.
i think the article's on point. obsessively repeating a pleasurable activity is weird and childish, and the pleasure of watching a movie that fucking often has got to be extracinematic
obsessively repeating a pleasurable activity is weird and childish