polerberr wrote:Zitrone, you've nicely summed up my thoughts of The Hobbit.
Shadedrifter, you're so luck to have been in a near empty showing! I always watch films at my local Pathe cinema. It's a popular cinema, and it's in a city. It's almost impossible to catch a quiet showing. I'd go to the smaller cinemas, but I just can't afford it. Pathe offers a deal where if you pay 20 euro a month, you get unlimited access to the cinema. Tickets here are pretty expensive, so you only need to catch two or three showings a month to be saving money. The only exception is a small extra fee for whenever you want to watch a 3D or IMAX film. I also get a discount on food and drink. ^^
I can't stand hearing noise that's not from the film when I'm watching one. So my biggest problem with cinemas in general is the sale of popcorn. Like, really? That's one of the loudest freaking foods out there, along with chips! It makes people crunch and smack, and it lasts almost the entire movie for the people that buy a large portion (usually for themselves, and then leave it only half finished on the cinema floor when they leave instead of just bringing it to the bins which are right outside...). I totally understand that some films are so mind-numbing, having something to eat really helps. Mostly talking about those summer action flicks or mediocre YA fictions. The ones you forget about after a year. Other than that, I actually think it's rude. When I went to see 12 Years a Slave, a few people had bought popcorn. I guess nobody was expecting it to be an intense but often quiet film. Everybody left the cinema with full boxes of popcorn. The only person that did decide to crunch during the film was actually asked to shush by someone sitting next to him... That should happen more often. I think some showings should not be allowed to have popcorn or chips. I know I might be being extreme here, but you know there was actually a ban on purchasing any snacks for the original showings of Schindler's List (I feel like I bring that movie up too much P:). For some movies it's just outright disrespectful... Just have something to eat before you go out...
I barely have problems with people being loud in movie theaters. Perks of growing up in a rural area. But every once in a while there's that loud group of kids (usually) who you just want to walk up to their seats and slap. Have some respect for the film, especially ones about important and often hard-to-watch historic times in our world's history such as slavery and World War II as mentioned.
Even then, I don't really like going to movie theaters. If I do, I rarely get snacks either. Just not my cup of tea. The seats are, more often than not, extremely uncomfortable, and I prefer to watch movies alone. It even bugs me to watch movies with my family sometimes.
Shadedrifter wrote:That was what didn't make Star Wars Episode VII feel near as amazing, the cinema was practically full and not only that the movie was delayed by 20 minutes... but you could just hear the audience the whole time and see it of course. Especially at the Han scene, oh and of course the constant laughter every time a joke was shown. After the movie ended there was also popcorn everywhere, like how hard is it to actually eat it instead of throwing it around!
When I went to it, there was like, 10 people in the theater total. And I went on the opening weekend too! It was all the rage for two months. I'd hear it get mentioned on the radio, TV, in stores, Star Wars this, and Star Wars that. Posters of Kylo Ren were (and still are) hung up everywhere! I just walked in Wal-Mart today and there was a whole section on Star Wars themed games and books. Like, jeez!, Frozen all over again.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens had that distinctive aura that we've all come to love. A classic lounge scene with diverse aliens playing an upbeat theme on their unusual instruments? Check. A new and improved planet-sized weapon which can destroy an entire planet(s)? Check. An underdog that emerges from a desert planet with a strong association with the Force that is to be revealed? Check. An epic showdown as the finale between a hero and their newfound archenemy that includes your favorite crystal-powered plasma blades? Check! This new installment of the Star Wars Saga brings you all of the qualities that the old ones became famous for, yet I felt it lacked in bringing much of anything else. True, it drew the fans crazy and obsessed. But anyone who dared to look past the layer of "Star Wars esteem" would see that there is nothing more than your average movie. No great classic was made here. Without the Star Wars name, it would be nothing more than a B movie.
I admit, the more serious reviews have been a bit harsh considering the high expectations set by the original films. Star Wars: Episode VII passed, but not with flying colors. Rey and Finn's relationship was not developed nearly enough. Their encounters were awkward and left critics cringing. If you took away the story of finding the missing and mysterious Luke Skywalker, you're left with the basic plot of A New Hope. It's nice to see J.J. Abrams bringing back some old elements, but I wish he could've made up a few to call his own. Poe felt like the only strong character to really shine through, but his character seems to have little potential for the next two movies. Kylo Ren's story unfolds after we learn of his disastrous training as a Jedi under Skywalker. He chooses the ultimate decision to kill his father, Han Solo, in a shocking, though a little expected, twist towards the end of this two hour and sixteen minute-long fantasy. This shows his growing alliance to the Dark Side, and proves himself to be a likely contender for the antagonist role of the films that are to follow.
Overall, I was pleased with what I watched, and decided to go back for another viewing. Note: You pick up a lot more the second time around. Anyone who's looking for some good-humored fun, with a little bit of action thrown in should be satisfied. On the other hand, someone who is expecting another dramatic and breakthrough success that the world witnessed in 1977 may be disappointed.
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