On Web Culture

Dear Late-to-the-Cinema couple,

Emergencies and unforeseen circumstances aside, what went wrong for you? Was the queue for Film Festival tickets longer than you expected? Was it hard finding a park?

Perhaps I am mistaken. Somehow arriving late to the theater, stumbling over people’s legs and belongings and missing part of the film is how you prefer to see your films? I mean, who needs to read the first 5% of a book? It is not like the author wanted you to read the whole thing right?

But, you have paid your money and those tickets grant you access to the cinema at any time of the allocated showing. It is strange however how the rest of the audience do not seem to share your preference. Indeed, early seems more popular to late, with most people choosing to arrive before the film starts. This could suggest this is preferred way of viewing a film and you brave Late-to-the-Cinema couple are bucking the trend. Like driving on the wrong side of the road. Or breathing through your eyes.

Must it continue Late-to-the-Cinema couple? Has this process changed since motion and talking pictures were available for public screenings and its flux has caught you unawares? I’ll grant you that Film Festival screenings are deceptive because they do not have previews or advertisements for the Candy Bar that can be your late-to-the-cinema buffer. But for the most part the concept has not changed: pay to see a film. The whole film. If you embrace this then we all win. I may not cheer the film but if you can do this thing Late-to-the-Cinema couple I will cheer you.

Sincerely…

Dave.