I love movies. But because I very much dislike watching movies in theaters with people who talk and rustle candy wrappers, I’ve missed many films I wanted to see. (Some I’ve seen at home on our little screen, and while that’s not ideal, it is better than nothing.)
When I found out the Coen brothers not only had a new movie, but that it was about the early Greenwich Village folk scene, I knew it was one I had to experience on a big screen with big sound. It wasn’t until last Friday that Zippy and I finally got our butts to a matinee showing of Inside Llewyn Davis. And it was wonderful. More people in the audience than I would’ve liked, but we were strategic about our seat selection and people were well-behaved. I enjoyed the movie very much and frequently thought about it in the following days. I highly recommend it.
Because last Friday was such a success, we did the same thing today. Zippy took time off from work and we went to see Nebraska, another film we knew needed to be seen on a big screen. (Here’s the premise that hooked me from the moment I read it: After receiving a sweepstakes letter in the mail, a cantankerous father (Bruce Dern) thinks he’s struck it rich, and wrangles his son (Will Forte) into taking a road trip to claim the fortune. Shot in black and white across four states, Nebraska tells the stories of family life in the heartland of America.) I laughed and cried, and Bruce Dern’s wild, white hair alone is worth the price of admission. (There was a bit of talking today in the audience which temporarily rattled my focus, but I was able to block it out and the guilty parties soon shut the hell up without me having to give them that instruction. Whew.)
One of the coolest parts of the afternoon was that we met a woman in the ticket line who was there to see another movie that had already started, and she wondered what we were seeing. When I told her, she said she hadn’t heard of it so I gave her the blurb and she decided to try out Nebraska. Well, as the credits rolled she stopped by our seats (where I was wiping away tears) to say, “Thank you. That was great.”
Word of mouth, baby. Which is why I’ll say it again: Inside Llewyn Davis and Nebraska are two excellent films worth seeing.
Next Friday? I’m thinking maybe Dallas Buyers Club.
Tracy Abell 
Same reasons as you. Movie theater people can suck. But lucky you!
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Hey Kevin! nice to hear from you. By the way, I love the cover you created for Antique Pianos and Other Sour Notes! How cool you guys collaborated on that.
I wish you non-sucky movie people so you, too, can go to the theater and enjoy a film of your choice!
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Thanks about the cover. It was fun!
I occasionally go to movies with my son as he likes movies with things that blow up. And if someone’s talking, it usually doesn’t matter, the dialogue’s never that heavy.
My TV’s OK for my kinda films. And I enjoy a drink, too.
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I agree that the theater is easier to take when it’s an explosion-filled movie, which is probably one of the reasons my two sons like seeing movies in public.
And yes, a beverage is often nice while watching a film.
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Yeah, I’m with you on the crowds at movies. We often catch up on things with Netflix. Although if it’s SF, there’s more chance of forcing ourselves to go to a movie. 🙂
I figured that Inside Llewyn Davis would be your sort of thing!
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Yes, the movies with big effects are best appreciated on a large screen. I’d love a big screen at home for movies and college basketball, but then I’d want it to disappear so it wouldn’t take over the room. My sons tease me about this and tell me I could drape it with some fabric or something, which is not at all the same as having the screen hidden behind a wall.
Re Inside Llewyn Davis, you know me well. 🙂
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