A Walk Down Memory Lane: My Cinematic Misadventures By Thomas Giblin (he/him) CULTURE & LIFESTYLE WRITER
There's an innate value attached to the shared screen experience, that isn't talked about enough. There’s something special about watching a film as part of an audience, rather than at home. Cinema chains can wax lyrical about how "extra-comfy recliners are just the beginning" and why you should gorge on their overpriced food and drink combos, but the magic of cinema is its shared experiences. Cinema is a piece of entertainment and escapism. But more importantly, it’s a thought-provoking communal experience that will stay with you, transforming into a cherished memory. Unlike the monotony of content streamed straight to your viewing device, this communal experience highlights the beautiful, often hilarious impermanence of inperson human connection. Netflix, Amazon Prime and Disney+ have homogenised the shared screen experience. A dimly lit lounge or the comforting swaddle of a stained duvet has replaced fading fluorescent lights and the familiar scent of salted popcorn. You can now freely choose what to watch, when and where, all for $15.99 a month, but everything blurs into one. Films like Red Notice, The Midnight Sky, Triple Frontier and The Gray Man are uninspired and trite - produced to attract subscribers. The communal experience, exacerbated by Covid-19, has shifted online to Twitter replies, Reddit comment sections and Instagram DMs. In becoming the predominant way people experience cinema, the magic of hushed voices, overpriced snacks, and hyperbolic trailers is slowly fading. There's plenty to love about these streaming services, but let us remember those cherished memories at the cinema. In paying homage to sitting side-by-side with strangers bathing in the flicker of a taut thriller or ravishing romance, I've curated some musings from my favourite cinematic communal experiences. From the Cannes Film Festival to Academy Cinemas, I've witnessed it all. I've even seen a man devouring a roast chicken while waiting for a Marvel flick to begin. 24