Talk to your parents and grandparents about going to the movies. You'll be reminded of just how many things have changed through the decades. Used to be, people went to movies for the air conditioning, and the motion picture was an added bonus. Today things are different, for sure. But some things have cycled back around. It's an interesting evolution.
It sounds funny to say, but everyone used to buy their tickets at the theater. Now when we go, even on Fridays, we hardly see a line at the ticket booth.
Some theaters barely staff the booth anymore because people order online and print the tickets at home. Or else they just carry them on their phones. Scan. Beep. Go get your popcorn.
Imagine all the thousands of people who wanted to see The Empire Strikes Back in 1980. What did they have to do? They had to pitch a tent outside the movie theater a day or two before tickets went on sale. Through rain, through snow, through whatever conditions, those diehard fans had to work for it.
And it's amazing how some movie traditions come full circle. Avengers: Endgame will run for three hours and two minutes. Those whining about the running time might want to take a look at 1993's Gettysburg. It clocks in at four hours, 30 minutes. So intermissions are becoming a thing again.
Movies used to have an intermissions with frequency. Some readers may recall that's actually how many cartoons got their start, as shorts shown during intermissions. Well, with long movies making a comeback, some have been discussing inserting intermissions again. For a bathroom visit or maybe to the concession stand.
What cinema tradition should be brought back next? Grindhouse? People dressing up when they go to the movies? Sneaking in dollar-store candy in purses?
One long-ago tradition we'd wish would come back in style: Being quiet as the movie plays. But just call us old school.
Editorial on 04/07/2019