With the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic still lingering in our lives, it’s fair to say that the movie and entertainment industry has taken a large leap away from physical viewings and into at-home virtual screenings. But are you really ready to say goodbye to the bittersweet feelings of finding your seat in a dark auditorium, paying $10 for a soda, or shushing the chatty couple above you? The answer is simple:
yes.
We’ve listed out the top movie theatre pros and cons to put this debate to an end once and for all. Let’s get right into it!
Movie theatre PROS:
Buttery movie-theatre-style popcorn, baby!
Ravioli ravioli give me the formuoli… alright, we’ll give it to them this time, but it’s fair to say that the irreplaceable, irrefutable theatre popcorn is what keeps 90% of movie-goers coming back for more. While the taste of this magical concoction is undeniably loved by all, let’s admit it… the dreaded price tag is not!
AVX, IMAX, 3D, 4D, and D-BOX:
Okay, so it might be a little difficult to recreate the 57 by 72-foot screen IMAX experience on your 13-inch MacBook Pro…
Movie theatre CONS:
The dreaded bathroom break…
Picture this: you’re half an hour into a two-and-a-half-hour movie when mother nature decides that it’s time to go. Caught between missing the tragic backstory of the movie’s heroine and a potentially tragic accident of your own, you begin to panic. We’ve all been there. Whether it’s reading the synopsis ahead of the show and strategically planning your 30-second bathroom break, or begging your friends to fill you in on the last two minutes of the grand fight, our inability to control the playback of movies definitely deserves number 1 on the movie theatre cons list.
Unruly neighbors…
Be it Suzie Seatkicker, Harvey Hogger, Tammy Texter, or Sally Soundtrack, we’ve all experienced our fair share of movie-theatre annoyances.
Non-gourmet foods at gourmet price points…
I love my movie snacks as much as the next person but $10 for a bag of m&ms and $20 for a regular popcorn and drink combo? Something’s not right here… While some decide to bite the expensive bullet and splurge on their bi-weekly movie theatre trips, sneaking snacks into movie theatres should qualify as an official Olympic sport if you ask me.
Unwarranted trailers…
We get it, movie trailers are a great way to get audiences excited for their films and upcoming releases, but is it really necessary to play a trailer of
The Nun right before my Saturday afternoon viewing of
Peter Rabbit?
The Verdict:
As much as we loved our time at the theatres as kids, growing up has helped us realize two things: 1) technology has evolved like crazy, and 2) our tolerance for others has probably decreased collectively throughout the years. While COVID-19 created a push away from movie theatres, virtual online viewing platforms have taken the world by storm. With higher quality resolution and top films available at our fingertips, the demand for movie theatres has undeniably gone down. Watch parties have gone virtual, allowing friends and family to get together and enjoy content without leaving their own homes. Homebodies can remain homebodies, movie lovers can continue to indulge in the latest films, and meaningful connections can continue to be made.
Let’s admit it: COVID-19 has made homebodies of us all. Whether it be school, work, or even entertainment, the world has shifted online and we’ve moved with it. Sure, there are things we all miss about hanging out with our besties in the ancient pre-COVID era, but this virtual shift doesn’t mean we have to sacrifice real-life connections and real-life fun. Thanks to technology, getting together and keeping in touch with loved ones from around the world has never been easier.
Here are 6 activities to spice up your next virtual event!
1) Cook-off
Who says you need to be a chef to experiment with new flavors? Thanks to the millions of online resources we have access to today, cooking a hearty meal or a yummy dessert has never been this easy! Whether it’s a live cooking demo from your grandma, a cooking party with your friends, or a private virtual cooking class with a local chef, food has never failed to bring people together.
Check out some of these quick and easy recipes we found online:
Brownies galore
Creamy baked mac and cheese
Easy chicken fajitas
No-bake cheesecake
2) Cocktail Night
Adults can have fun too! Invite your friends for a virtual cocktail hour with DIY drinks! Search for some of your favorite cocktail (or mocktail) recipes online and recreate them together. Feeling fancy? Invite a guest bartender to teach your guests some tips and tricks on creating the perfect, boozy drink! PS: fancy dress codes are encouraged!
3) Paint Night
Channel your inner artist and invite your friends and family online for a virtual paint night! Start by selecting a trustworthy platform and set up a date and time for your event. (We recommend Cya Live!) Provide a list of materials for your guests to purchase ahead of time. If you’re feeling extra thoughtful, create paint kits to personally mail/deliver to guests before your event! Follow along to your favorite painting tutorials online or create some free-style canvas masterpieces. End the night off with a virtual art gallery and show off your beautiful creations!
Looking to impress with minimal art experience? Check out these paint by numbers kits!
4) Makeup Parties
While makeup and glam may seem foreign to us in the pandemic era marked by extensive mask use, it’s time to take your beloved makeup brushes out of retirement! Host your very own makeup tutorial night with your closest friends and create fun, new looks together! Take virtual group selfies and post to social media to let others in on the fun. #cheese!
5) Watch Parties
A classic, fool-proof event both in person and virtually! Host awesome, movie-themed watch parties with your friends—be it a cult classic or a spooky horror night, movies are better when enjoyed together.
BONUS: End the night off with a fun trivia quiz to keep guests on their toes throughout the movie!
6) Games Night
Charades, anyone? With the amazing power of technology, anything is possible nowadays—including virtual, interactive games nights with friends! From Cards Against Humanity to Bingo to Pictionary, the virtual possibilities are endless. Create funky team names and themes to make the night even more memorable for everybody! As always, don’t forget to snap some photos to share!
