LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Regarding the cinema snack-time interlude fiasco
Friday, September 16, 2005
Dear Sir,
I think this debate can be compared to the question of
‘salt or butter on your popcorn?’
I enjoy taking or watching pictures as much as anyone,
especially a big-screen production of any good ‘moving picture’.
And, I have no financial interest in the concession
stand, and both salt and butter have their plusses and minuses, so it’s really
neither here nor there for me. However, since it is a current issue, I’d like
to inject my West Bay truppence-worth of opinions:
This break in the movie can lead us to do three things
that we normally have not been able to in a public movie (or oftentimes even
at home, for that matter): It urges us to put down the popcorn and Think –
about the plotline, where’s the movie leading, the original classic cinematic
questions like: ‘who’s the real villain & hero of the story’… etc.
The timing of the break in the show is critical here,
however, and should coincide with the real climax of the picture for increased
effect. It could be a personal pop-quiz per say.
Secondly, the concession break forces us to focus on the
significant other. It’s the closest thing to the old drive-in movies I’ve ever
seen:
Either the solo movie-goer can catch up on any
missed-calls, or reflect on the issues of the day; a seasoned couple can enjoy
a respite from home & hearth, and share each other’s company undistracted by
toddlers and e-mail blogs, to catch-up on dwindling romance (perhaps they
could keep the lights down during this cinema break); or, it could be
teenagers on a date and this interlude allows the young progenitors a chance
to examine each other a bit closer, and to share a few words behind the safety
of the armrest barrier and with others seated nearby to hopefully negate the
chance of inappropriate advances (better forget about that ‘dimming the
lights’ idea).
By the way, it allows us to look around and see who’s
going out with who – prime Monday morning gossip material! Also, this new
practice allows a true insight into the trends of the day and the future of
Cayman – if you don’t believe this, just venture into the lobby and spend a
while listening and watching the scores of pre-pubescent youths parading in
largely inappropriate, skimpy attire, language and behaviour (and never mind
what goes on outside the cinema doors).
Of course there is much innocent coming-of-age fun, and
the wholesome and well-behaved youth are also there as shining beacons of
decency in the sea of I-don’t-know-what.
Alas, this culinary demur also allows those teens who
were dropped off, but never even enter the cinema, a bit more time with
whoever they’re with before being dropped back at the cinema by their older
boyfriend or girlfriend, just in time to be innocently picked up by mommy. Or
to come back over from the club.
So then, I think that – if approached positively – this
movie interlude could prove to be a real eye-opener, and possibly even more
hysterically funny, dramatic or tragic than the actual theatrical screening.
A minor sociological study, even.
Yes, I think the second movie runs a bit late into the
night, but have no fear – you’re safer if you get caught in a roadblock than
you would be if you had been out at a club – unless the officer detects the
smell of cheesy nachos and holds you in suspicion of consumption of a
delicious snack.
(Wait, is that a $5 bootleg video in the glove
compartment)?
For these reasons, not only do I support this break, but
I wish they would also bring back the newsreels at the cinema (instead of
dancing candy bars) to inject a bit of reality which so many are missing - or
maybe a closed-circuit camera showing the activities outside in the real world
might prove to be just as interesting. If only the cable company would also do
these pauses for the TV shows, then maybe families might start to talk more
and spend less time in a ‘brain freeze’ under the spell of the plasma-screen
hypnotist.
Yours for Better Cayman!
Mr Nicholas
(PS- Let’s try to make time for real issues like saying a
prayer for the ‘Katrina’ victims).
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