Going to the movies

I used to go to the movies a lot. When I worked in Jacksonville back in the 1980s, I would go at least once a week to Orange Park, just south of Jacksonville, and go to the movies. There were theaters in Jacksonville, of course, but at Orange Park, there were three theaters, and around 15 different movies playing, within a couple of blocks of each other, meaning I could find something to watch.

Over the years, I stopped doing that, and now rarely go out to the movies. The last couple of years haven't really had that much of an impact on me, as the movie experience isn't what it used to be. I can watch a movie on my big screen TV in the comfort of my own home. If I have to step to the bathroom, I can pause the movie and miss not one minute. Watching movies at home is a more comfortable experience.

However, I do miss going to the movies. Locally, there's a theater with a very nice setup, where I can sit in a recliner and have snacks and drinks brought to me. It's nice. And, being in Georgia, we've been acting normal for some time. Going to the movies is, and has been, a thing nearly the whole time. I haven't gone, but that's only because there's not been anything I wanted to watch.

There are areas where theaters haven't been open, or local ordinances or decrees have made going to the movies difficult. That's true in Georgia as well, though normally in larger cities. But that's changing. And, not just here, but everywhere it seems.

Fandango released a survey recently that shows 19 out of 20 people in the USA plan to see multiple movies in theaters this summer, according to USA Today.

Now that moviegoers are returning, it doesn’t seem like they’re going anywhere: According to the survey, 96% of ticket buyers plan to see multiple movies in theaters this summer (64% specify they will see five or more). And even though some major movies, like this weekend's "Cruella," are releasing theatrically and on streaming services the same day, 87% say the moviegoing experience can’t be duplicated at home.

None of the top ten movies in the report are movies I have any interest in seeing, but lots of people will want to see them. I'm glad they'll have the opportunity. I've had the opportunity for some time, but haven't gone just to go. There's nothing I want to see.

But, if something I want to see does hit theaters, I'll be there. Until then, I'll be sitting at home, enjoying my Streaming Life.