What are your favorite movie going experiences/memories?

[co-villain]

Hey Everyone!

Apologies if a thread like this already exists. I was curious to hear what some other members favorite movie going experiences are? With most cinemas around the world being shuttered at the moment. I've become very nostalgic already of the movie going experience. Here are some of mine.

New Beverly All Night Horrorthon (2019) - Hands down best experience I've ever had the privilege to attend. The lineup that night included 35mm prints of Edge of the Axe, Quartermass and the Pit, The Mad Ghoul, Cherry Falls, Demon Witch Child and Abel Ferrara's Body Snatchers.

The Thing 70mm @ Seattle Cinerama (2018) - Print was faded but that didn't even matter, Crowd was super into it and as well very respectful. I will never forget how awesome the sound as well, brought down the house.

Dawn of the Dead @ Alamo Drafthouse Kansas City (2017) - Rare screening since it's never screened much...at least not in 3D. First time seeing it since I was a kid and never appreciated how great of a film it is until then.

[Damon1281]

My favorite was when I saw Us and the guy in front of me starting using his cell phone so I snatched it out of his hand and threw up against the wall and then ran over and stomped on it some more. Then I left.

[Doctor Jack]

Originally Posted by Damon1281

My favorite was when I saw Us and the guy in front of me starting using his cell phone so I snatched it out of his hand and threw up against the wall and then ran over and stomped on it some more. Then I left.

I think the OP was asking about things that actually happened. This would not qualify.

[DJR662]

Return Of The Jedi (1983)

I was just a little kid back then and this was only the second time for me visiting the theater. Also my first introduction to Star Wars, that's probably why this is my fav SW movie. I immediately fell in love with it, everything was completely overwhelming and I was mesmerized by it all. Best movie experience ever!

Desperado (1995)

Incidentally, I was high as a kite when I went to watch this. But I was just blown away by the stylish action and shoot outs. The introduction scene at the beginning when Banderas is shooting up that bar was unreal.

Cloverfield (2008)

Somehow I managed to practically have not heard or read anything about this movie beforehand, so I basically went in blank not knowing what to expect. Watching it with no background info and with this being a found footage movie, it was like actually living the events that happened on screen for myself.

[HotTastyChili]

Seeing Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me in theaters was a treat. The scene in the bar where you can't quite hear what they're saying because the music's so loud (but there's subtitles) is a favorite of mine in any movie. Seeing it in the theater was a special experience because that scene came in so loud! It was truly hypnotic and overwhelming, like you were in the bar with them.

[co-villain]

Originally Posted by DJR662

Cloverfield (2008)

Somehow I managed to practically have not heard or read anything about this movie beforehand, so I basically went in blank not knowing what to expect. Watching it with no background info and with this being a found footage movie, it was like actually living the events that happened on screen for myself.

I remember seeing Cloverfield among it initial release as well, Still a found footage favorite to this day. I remember my friend leaving the theater multiple times since he was having terrible motion sickness.

[Cremildo]

The Green Mile - still the most powerful experience in a movie theater. I was 13 at the time and really impressed. Delacroix's execution shook me to the core.

Scream 3 and Mission: Impossible III - just pure unadulterated fun.

Interstellar and Arrival - surprisingly respectful audiences, utterly transfixing sci-fi.

[Shawn Elestren]

Plenty of special screenings at the Egyptian, Arclights, New Beverly, and Aero. Met loads of actors and directors and such.

But if you want specifics.

Independence Day (1996) Opening night to a full house. Everyone was 1000% hooked from the first shot.

Independence Day 2 (2016) My first premiere at the Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. Got my picture taken on the red carpet.

Waterworld (1995) The perfect movie in the middle of my most important summer as I was growing up.

Eraser (1996) I'll never forget the audience sucking the air out of the auditorium when Kruger's reserve chute launched just in time before he hit the ground. We all leapt out of our seats.

Executive Decision (1996) For the final 45 minutes I was so on the edge of my seat I wasn't even sitting on it.

Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) Obviously revival screenings, but the house was packed each time and it never ceases to be exciting and the ending is awe-inspiring to this day.

Temple of Doom (1984) During the mine car chase I got so excited I accidently kicked the guy sitting next to me.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990) When Partners in Krhyme blasted over the end credits...MIND! BLOWN!

[co-villain]

Originally Posted by HotTastyChili

Seeing Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me in theaters was a treat. The scene in the bar where you can't quite hear what they're saying because the music's so loud (but there's subtitles) is a favorite of mine in any movie. Seeing it in the theater was a special experience because that scene came in so loud! It was truly hypnotic and overwhelming, like you were in the bar with them.

Man, that would have been awesome to see on the big screen back then. At the time I was too young to see it. Always been one I've wanted to see a screening of but nowhere around where I live has played it to my knowledge.

[DJR662]

Originally Posted by co-villain

I remember seeing Cloverfield among it initial release as well, Still a found footage favorite to this day. I remember my friend leaving the theater multiple times since he was having terrible motion sickness.

Yeah, the bit at the beginning with Lily and Jason arguing is the worst. That was the only moment during the whole movie I had trouble with regarding the shaky cam style.

This still remains one of my favorite movies ever and the only post 2000 movie in my personal top 10 favorites of all time.

[co-villain]

Originally Posted by Shawn Elestren

Plenty of special screenings at the Egyptian, Arclights, New Beverly, and Aero. Met loads of actors and directors and such.

I'm able to travel to LA for work sometimes which is always a treat because on my off days it's just going to cinemas. In Feburary at the New Bev I was able to catch The Velvet Vampire, Trouble Every Day, Cat People and the Uncut Gems 35 screening with the Safdie Bros q&a afterwards.

I would never get anything done if I lived there haha

[HotTastyChili]

Originally Posted by co-villain

Man, that would have been awesome to see on the big screen back then. At the time I was too young to see it. Always been one I've wanted to see a screening of but nowhere around where I live has played it to my knowledge.

Alamo Drafthouse has been screening it recently. By recently I mean they played it around my turf in October 2018. Might be a while now before they open up again, but you should keep your eye out if you're anywhere near one of their theaters.

[Himmel]

Best memories.... Getting to see SW OT in Theaters during it's re-release back in '97. Packed theater everyone cheering when fanfare blasted through the speakers. The same for Alien, Pred films love a packed theater when those come out. Just a bunch of geeky fans getting together.

As for childhood, Going to the drive-in once I went with my bff, and his family to see Batman '89. Ended up being a two for that night... Gremlins was playing on the screen on the other end. Wish those would make a comeback.

[blipsycat]

My absolute favorite movie going experience, and to be perfectly honest, probably my happiest moment in life, was November 21, 2004. That was the day I dragged my grandma to see The Spongebob Squarepants Movie. I was 11 at the time, and was absolutely obsessed with Spongebob. I had been watching the show basically since it premiered, and had been eagerly anticipating the movie ever since I heard of it. The movie didn't disappoint me at all, and I remember enjoying every moment of it. Apart from the movie itself, I mainly remember being so transfixed that I forced my grandma to let us stay through the entire end credits (thankfully, she didn't seem to mind). And we were even treated to a post-credits scene, long before those became a staple of comic book movies, and that caused me to start sitting through all the credits for most movies I saw.

[Monterey Jack]

Seeing the 40th anniversary reissue of Jaws in the summer of 2015 (on my birthday, no less ) in a crowded Sunday matinee screening. Seeing that film with an audience -- all laughing and screaming in the right spots -- was an all-timer experience for me.

[PipesDonatello]

The one that comes to mind immediately is seeing Dredd in 3D. Those Slo Mo scenes were amazing, and probably the best utilization of the format during the 3D resurgence of the 21st century.

I also remember 28 Days Later very fondly, and how everyone in the theater was very vocal about how awesome that movie was when we were all walking towards the lobby afterwards. Granted this was a 2003 audience, and many audiences today would search for things to complain about, but people back then weren't so picky. This is one of the last times I experienced something like this, and I cherish it.

And No Country For Old Men. The way it was directed, it was unlike any other film I'd seen at that point. And the sound was amazing, especially during the transponder scenes.

[Phillip c. Niethe]

Batman 89, Blade Runner 2049, the first Matrix, L.O.T.R., the first 2 Harry Potter films, Oblivion, the Revenant,the Boy in the striped pajamas, and the Passion. All of these films moved me or blew me away either due to it's archetypes, Visual artistry, sound, or messages. ( List doesn't include first viewings at home. Only theatrical experiences)

[nightwolf2369]

Jurassic Park - saw this at the drive-in when I was young. What I believe to be my earliest movie going experience. Seeing "real" dinosaurs on the screen was jaw dropping. Fueled my obsession with dinos and probably my favorite film of all time.

The Lost World: Jurrasic Park - Remember running out of school when the bell rang to the theater down the road with my 6th grade classmates so we could see this together.

Cinderella Man - Great Father's Day with late dad. Took him to lunch and we saw this. Became one of my favorite films. Probably would've never given it the time of day had he not suggested it.

Rob Zombie's Halloween - Memorable only because I'm pretty sure it's the only film I've ever walked out during. I can't think of another time I've done that.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 - Excellent ending to a saga I spent 10 years watching and reading.

The Dark Knight Rises - Was on the edge of my seat and could hear a pin drop during the Bane v. Batman fight. Such a great and chilling scene.

Interstellar - Saw by myself, the first time, and was emotionally drained by the end of it. Was hooked and took family and friends to subsequent viewings. One of my top 3 favorites.

Arrival - First date with my current girlfriend. Haunting and emotional Sci-Fi at its best.

Captain America: Civil War - Last mother's day I got to spend with my mom and last film we watched together before she passed away.

Blade Runner 2049: the original Blade Runner was my late father's favorite film by a mile. He was so excited for the sequel. He passed away 2 weeks before it released. Was a tough viewing but very cathartic.

Avengers: Endgame - Never been so hyped or anxious for a movie. It lived up to all expectations and then some. Tremendous "ending" to the current MCU.

[A Sith Lord?]

I was like 3 when Mortal Kombat came out. My brothers,whom were much older than me, took me with them to the midnight viewing. That theme song was awesome and everyone in the theater was marking everytime the video game Easter eggs were thrown in.

[drb999]

When I saw Star Wars in 1977. I remember that they had a couple of theater employees having a mock light saber fight just before the movie. It was goofy but everyone was so excited for the movie to start so no one was really paying it much attention.