What do you remember about going to the movies? I’m not referring to what rom-com or action blockbuster you recently went to see. I’m referring to first times and memories made.
Reflecting on it I remember many firsts. I don’t remember the first time I went to the movies but I’m told that it was with my grandmother to see Bambi. However, I remember going to see Baby’s Day Out, just the two of us, years later. It was when I went to stay a week with her and just her.
I remember going to the Ram’s Plaza, back when there was such a movie theater, to see my first R rated movie. The flick was Air Force One and to this day I remember how excited I was to finally get to see a grown up movie. To this day it still remains one of my favorites. While reminiscing about the Ram’s Plaza I greatly patroning their auditoriums seeing my first 007 mission,Tomorrow Never Dies, on the big screen. This changed my movie world forever. I will forever hold seeing each additional bond entry to date with friends and family. In fact, I am eagerly awaiting the release of the next Bond adventure, Spectre, later this year. More importantly I look forward to seeing it with friends and family.
I fondly remember a rainy weekend afternoon going to the Timberlyne movie theater to see Gattaca, with a friend who grew up with me. After almost twenty years this still remains my favorite movie. A few years prior, with the same friend, I remember going to see Batman Forever, my first movie I saw without my parents.
I remember falling in love with science fiction movies while watching Contact, with my family. Also I remember why I love science fiction movies many years later while attending a double feature with two of my dearest friends. The double feature was the original Planet of the Apes, staring Charlton Heston, and was followed by Stanley Kubrick’s beautiful genre defining 2001: A Space Odyssey. In fact, for Christmas, they dedicated the Planet of the Apes screening for me. I still have the pamphlet telling me that on display by my television. It’s an extension of my Planet of the Apes memorabilia I have at home,
But there is more then firsts to remember. At a screening of The Incredibles, over the Thanksgiving holiday, was the first time I kissed a girl. Hell rewinding the clock back to the summer before when King Arthur opened. I went on my very first date. Two separate girls, just in case you where curious dear reader. I’m smiling remembering both times with a smile on my face.
Friendships have been made and others made stronger at the movies. People have come and gone from my life intertwined with a visit to the local multiplex.
After my sister passed I remember going to see Zoolander at the Varsity on Franklin St. I remember how good it felt to laugh.
For years my great uncle and I would go to the movies. I learned a lot from our trips to the movies and a lot more about life. I really loved getting to know great uncle. I still treasure these little moments, watching images move across the screen. If it wasn’t for him I wouldn’t be as a big fan as I am of the Academy Awards. Our big thing to do together was watch the movies gaining traction for the nominations and after the nominations were announced seeing the movies we had not seen. Nomination morning was always a favorite for us both.
After his passing I mourned by going to a double feature. I started by going to see Charlie Bartlett and wasn’t anywhere ready to be home. I wanted, needed to come to terms with his passing in my own way. Of course that way was going to our favorite theater and seeing In Bruges. Of course picking up a sandwich on the way back, like we did many times, also helped me. Looking back at that day I continue to realize how much I miss him and want to rewatch both those movies in his honor.
Reflecting back on the opening of the entry it’s about life. What moments, whether its a first time, a good time, or something else, do you relate to the movies?
