Let's go to the movies!

Welcome to The Concessions Stand! We're a blog dedicated to anything and everything about movies!

Today, let's talk about the simple action of going to the movie theater.  Along with watching baseball, eating apple pie, and filing frivolous lawsuits, going to the movies is definitely high up on the list of America's favorite pastimes.  What is it that fascinates us so much about the cinema? After all, you could just as easily sit at home and watch Avatar on your couch for free instead of paying $14 for a ticket. 

Besides the fact that seeing a movie in an IMAX theater allows me to see Chris Pine's bare chest in hugely magnified glory, I think that a lot of the allure of the movie theater lies in its cultural implications.  Every middle school romantic knows that going to the movies is perfect first date fodder.  And besides Texas county fairs, where else can you devour a trough-sized tub of butter-drenched popcorn and not be judged?

Still though, movie theater attendance is steadily declining, both due to rising ticket prices and advanced home viewing systems.  Personally, I still love the whole movie-going experience: the dimmed lights, the previews, the plush seats, the booming surround sound, even the loud nacho-crunching from neighboring viewers.  What do you think? Is it worth it to go the movies or is the dough better spent on a Netflix account?

~S