As much as I love movies, I haven't been to a movie theater in over 10 years. Last movie I saw in a…read moretheater was "Black Mass" with Johnny Depp as Whitey Bulger in South Orange with my oldest friend and a relative (who is a former San Quentin inmate and looked like he should have been up on the screen performing instead of in a seat, watching).
Why the long gap? Partly because of the movies they make nowadays, which seem designed to appeal to children, childish teenagers still in love with comic books and anime, and the addle-brained. Other reasons? I dunno...maybe just because. I'm older now and watch old and new movies on my blu-ray from the comfort of my dilapidated couch.
Have I been tempted to go back? Yeah (especially back to the bygone days when I'd see a movie in the Hudson Valley whacked out on Vicodin or Percocet. I had long since stopped drinking in situations where I had to drive, but I figured the opiates were medicinal and wouldn't impair me. I stopped after 1 trip where I became sick during a viewing of "Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines." The pill hit me badly and instead of staring in mezmerized adoration at Kristinna Loken on the screen, I broke out in a cold sweat, was nauseous, and had to use every fiber of my being to keep from vomiting on the floor. The sick feeling eventually receded, and, in my stupidity, I figured if I popped another pill after the movie, I'd be ok to drive home. Instead, I was confused by the darkened, unlighted streets leading off from Rt. 9, and as I approached the Bear Mountain Bridge, a torrential downpour descended on me, making the drive even more perilous. I said aloud, "If there is a God or a Heaven, get me home in 1 piece, without killing myself or someone else, and I'll never do this again." I still don't know if there's a God or a Heaven, but I got home in 1 piece, and I never did it again. Anyway...back to the review...)
I took off July 4 (last year, getting out of Hoboken where I work was a nightmare and I vowed never again). I hadn't seen my old narcissistic friend in a while, and since he was off on Saturdays, we got together. He suggested a movie. Given we were in the middle of a fierce heat wave, I figured an air-conditioned movie theater might be just the thing, and I wasn't all that interested in what we'd be seeing. In all honesty, I was "jones-ing" for movie theater popcorn, along with a box of cookie dough candy, and a large Coke. My friend mentioned Reading Theater in Manville, and I was game. We had once talked about going there when they were showing "The Exorcist" (a favorite for both of us), but it was only for 1 night, and we couldn't make it.
I drove. Even though I'm not all that familiar with Manville, the drive was not too far from where I live. We pulled into a large parking lot and entered the theater hastily to escape the soul-shredding heat. Inside, the theater was enormous. My friend had ordered tickets on-line, a procedure I'm not familiar with, but I was told you can pay for your tickets the old-fashioned way if so inclined.
I ended up ordering a large vat of popcorn with butter (I remember being told that the next vat was free, but I responded that if I return for another vat, call 911). Cookie dough candy. A large Coke. I was in pig heaven.
Prices for everything seemed fair.
There are 6 theaters, if I remember right. Someone had recommended the movie we were to see to my friend, and I believe it was in Theater 6. A large room, with many empty seats. We went to seats that weren't assigned to us (at my friend's suggestion) only to be displaced by the people who had actually reserved them (we were all polite to each other, but...seriously...in a huge empty theater, you HAD to have those particular seats!?! Anyway...)
The movie was "Obsession" which I took to be a "cute" Rom-Com film for whatever they're calling young people these days, and I made an exit for the bathroom, which was clean and spacious. When I got back, the Rom-Com had transformed into a horror movie. (My verdict on the film? Ambivalence. The plot seemed a steal from the old E.C. comics or an episode of Twilight Zone, but it was pretty effective, and special kudos to Inde Navarrette for making a very difficult, implausible part plausible and frightening. Anyway...)
There was a built-in tray by each seat for foodstuffs, which I appreciated. Previews for movies I have no interest in seeing. Then the movie itself. Any downsides? I don't know if it was just for this particular movie, but anytime there was a "got-cha!" moment designed to startle or frighten the viewer, the sound system let loose what I can only describe as a sudden, booming explosion that left my nerves frayed, but probably not for the reason the film-makers intended.
Overall? I enjoyed myself. I'd like to see another movie here in the not-too-distant future.
Recommended. I hope in future they show more old movies like "The Exorcist," or maybe even "High Sierra."
