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The Movie Theater Experience
From: David Farber <dave () farber net>
Date: Sun, 2 Oct 2005 11:57:51 -0400
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 ------------------------------------- You are subscribed as lists-ip () insecure org To manage your subscription, go to http://v2.listbox.com/member/?listname=ip Archives at: http://www.interesting-people.org/archives/interesting-people/
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- The Movie Theater Experience David Farber (Oct 02)