The Movie Theater Experience

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

Begin forwarded message:

From: Lauren Weinstein <lauren () vortex com>
Date: October 2, 2005 11:24:35 AM EDT
To: dave () farber net
Cc: lauren () vortex com
Subject: The Movie Theater Experience



Dave,

Yes, the chain theater "experience" is a major part of the problem.

The difference between watching a movie at the typical chain, vs. a
screening in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences main
theater (arguably the technically finest theater on the planet) is
orders of magnitude.

Obviously, not everyone has an opportunity to attend the AMPAS
theater, but it *is* possible to have quality public facilities.  Here
in L.A., the nonprofit American Cinematheque (
http://www.americancinematheque.com ) operates two venues, the
beautifully restored historic Egyptian in Hollywood (built in 1922),
and now the smaller but still classic Aero in Santa Monica, both with
extraordinary film programs and series.  The Aero, by the way, was
originally built by the Donald Douglas Co. (Douglas Aircraft) in
1939, as a 24-hour viewing venue for around-the-clock shift aircraft
workers.

Seeing classic films in their original form, often even 70mm,
reveals the vast difference between home and quality theater
viewing.  While the Cinematheque programs are heavily oriented
toward the classics genre, they also have all manner of speciality
screenings of old and new fare.  The only commercials might be a
quick promotion for a local public radio station or some such.

There are some significant perks to being in L.A. in this respect, of
course.  In-front and behind the camera film notables frequently
attend Cinematheque screenings for after-film discussions (Malcolm
McDowell was at a recent screening I attended of "A Clockwork
Orange" -- ever wonder what it was like to film the "eyelid locks"
straitjacket treatment sequences?  Short answer: Seriously awful.)

Anyway, if they don't treat patrons like total idiots and/or cattle,
theaters can be a positive experience superior to even the most
elaborate video-based home setups.

And showing good movies also helps, to say the least!

--Lauren--
Lauren Weinstein
lauren () pfir org or lauren () vortex com or lauren () eepi org
Tel: +1 (818) 225-2800
http://www.pfir.org/lauren
Co-Founder, PFIR
  - People For Internet Responsibility - http://www.pfir.org
Co-Founder, EEPI
  - Electronic Entertainment Policy Initiative - http://www.eepi.org
Moderator, PRIVACY Forum - http://www.vortex.com
Member, ACM Committee on Computers and Public Policy
Lauren's Blog: http://lauren.vortex.com
DayThink: http://daythink.vortex.com



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