Dark Theaters
I went to see Michael Moore's movie "Sicko" last night (which was excellent, by the way), but that's my last trip to that theater, or any other in this county. From now on any movies I watch will be in the comfort of my own living room, or not at all. It’s not the movies that are the problem: I avoid 9 out of 10 of them already, since there are only so many fights, murders, explosions and breasts I’m willing to pay $13 to see ($8.50 plus $4.50 for a small popcorn). Nor does “product placement” (read subliminal advertising. . .when the stars smoke the audience smokes, which is why tobacco companies invest in movies) bother me. Bruce Willis is not my role model.
No, the thing that guaranteed I’ll never darken their doors again was the 15 minutes of VERY LOUD advertisements that preceded the movie. I haven’t watched commercial television for decades because I know that advertising has become so sophisticated that viewers are programmed without even knowing it. If I don’t watch, I don’t have to buy SUVs, Viagra or Hillary Clinton. But the notion of paying to be turned into a deaf billboard for Pfizer just doesn’t do it for me.
Besides, that level of noise hurts my ears. Generally when I want to pay for pain, I go to the dentist.
The fact that all the theaters in the county are now owned by the same company does bother me, as does the fact that almost all gasoline sold here comes from Chevron, who I understand sets the prices. So even though I can't avoid paying Chevron, I can and will avoid paying Coming Attractions Theaters.
Ultimately, of course, Borders will drive the last bookstore in the area out of business, Pets R Us will drive the local pet stores under, and if we want hardware or building supplies, we'll shop at Home Depot or do without. Exxon will choose the next president, too, and the next congressman. But they'll have to do it without my $13.