What are your favorite movie going experiences/memories?

[joshsquash729]

Lost World Jurassic Park: I was a dinosaur fanatic as a kid, and this was the first movie my parents took me to see in theatres. The first time not only seeing my favorite creatures on the big screen, but learning about true movie magic and the wonder of movie theatres

Star Wars: I grew up as the prequels were coming out, so it was an event every time a new one was released. My dad wasn't a great person, but he and I shared a mutual love for SW, so the only time we ever really got along was when a new movie was coming out.

Mulan: My sister and I wanted to see this so badly in theatres, and my mom surprised us on a day off from school. This was before websites and apps were a thing, so we ended up getting to the ticket booth past the cutoff time, and they told us we couldn't see it. So my mom bought us tickets to Quest for Camelot instead, and we snuck into see Mulan (there were plenty of empty seats). My one and only time of sneaking into a movie- I had a blast, but I was convinced we were gonna go to jail if we got caught.

Midnight showings- There's truly no better viewing experience than a midnight showing. The first one I ever went to was for At World's End, and it ignited my love for it. The Dark Knight was a particularly memorable one, since it was so hyped, and it was truly like seeing a piece of cinematic history unfold with some of the biggest fans. The Sequel Trilogy and Infinity War/Endgame were the only other times that the energy came close to what happened in the room at the time.

[Mystic]

Superman (1978): This was one of the last of the big "event" films IMO of the 1970s. The sense of anticipation for this film was tremendous in the Fall of 1978. I remember when it was finally released in December, there was a line around the block to get tickets for it. I took my pretty girlfriend at the time, smoked some good grass before the movie, and looked forward to seeing the movie that everyone was waiting to see. I still remember that night seeing this movie for the first time in the theater. From the opening credits, there was a hush, and we all seemed to feel that we were about to see a very special film, and we weren't disappointed. They simply don't make films like this any more, in terms of films that feel like a true cinematic event, and one that captures the collective imagination of so many moviegoers as I remember this did back in December 1978.

[SuperFlyHighGuy]

Lots of great movie memories from when I was kid. The drive-in, theaters with balconies, Star Wars, Star Trek, Indy. Back when your parents could drop off their 8 year old at the theater, say "don't go with any strangers", then be waiting out front in the car when the movie was over and honk their horn (and me being embarrassed by that).

Or weekly kids movies at the Cooper theater which felt like being in some cool club. Getting to see cartoons like Pink Panther, Tom and Jerry or Looney Toons on a giant screen before the films...Sinbad, Herbie the Love Bug (ugh), The Cat From Outer Space. The movies were never as good as the cartoons.

[A Sith Lord?]

Originally Posted by SuperFlyHighGuy

Lots of great movie memories from when I was kid. The drive-in, theaters with balconies, Star Wars, Star Trek, Indy. Back when your parents could drop off their 8 year old at the theater, say "don't go with any strangers", then be waiting out front in the car when the movie was over and honk their horn (and me being embarrassed by that).

Or weekly kids movies at the Cooper theater which felt like being in some cool club. Getting to see cartoons like Pink Panther, Tom and Jerry or Looney Toons on a giant screen before the films...Sinbad, Herbie the Love Bug (ugh), The Cat From Outer Space. The movies were never as good as the cartoons.

I'm obviously a bit younger than you, but I was 10 when X-Men came out and my dad let me go by myself. It was opening weekend so it was PACKED, and it was the weekend showing too at like 4pm. Some nice military dudes let me join their group, and one dude took it upon himself to kinda be my guardian for that 2 hours.

I feel kinda bad because i was so excited during the movie I actually was talking to him during the movie whenever a mutant i recognized showed up.

Thank you military dude for taking it upon yourself to accompany a 10 year old that was by himself for the duration of the movie.

[TheSpruceMoose]

........
Coolidge Corner Theater in MA: these fine folks do a 6 hour horror marathon once a year for Halloween and if your in the New England area check it out cause they put up a great show, which included a costume contest, trivia game, etc.

Akira: When that first note of the soundtrack hits the floor you'll see why seeing this in a theater is an unmissable experience.

Terminator Salvation- decent movie, but in the opening segment before the movie begins we had the instructional ad that tells the audience to turn off phones and take crying babies out of the theater. This was when some guy in the far back yelled out, "shut that ****ing baby up." We all had a good chuckle about it.

Jay and Silent Bob Reboot Roadshow

The Toxic Avenger- Lloyd Kaufman was there to answer questions and sign physical copies

The Crow- with series creator James O'barr in person

Cowboy Bebop: The Movie, this was shown during a 20th anniversary anime con event with the entire cast present.

[Damon1281]

When I was a kid, we had a tree-house in the woods right next to the drive-in that would often show soft-porn. Oddly you could see it fairly well from the main street but with no sound, of course. I watched quite a few movies at that drive-in.


Which reminds me of a time when they had a dusk to dawn showing of Hang-em High, Fistful of Dollars, For a Few Dollars More, and The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.

[Damon1281]

I am again reminded of another drive-in experience. Seeing Dawn of the Dead for the first time. It looks pedestrian today but at the time, was stunningly violent and gory.

[Dubstar]

Originally Posted by BluRayTim

When and where were the unaltered cuts of Episodes IV through VI of Star Wars rereleased in movie theaters? I would love to see those on the big screen!

This was back in the late 1980's - there was a triple feature 70mm release done nationally, but since the AFI was at the Kennedy Center at the time, and they didn't have a 70mm projector, Fox allowed them 35mm prints of the three films

[Star Lord]

The Avengers- Opening day, April 26th 2012. Awesome crowd and seeing this many heroes team up for the first time on screen was unforgettable. The audience went crazy at the now iconic circle shot.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens- This was the first Star Wars movie I watched in theaters. From the opening crawl to Han Solo sayng "Chewie we're home!" it was amazing.

Thor Ragnarok- Opening day, 3rd November 2017. It was a blast!

Avengers: Infinity War- Opening day, 26th April 2018. Felt like watching a live concert with the audience clapping and cheering at various scenes through out the movie.

Avengers: Endgame- Opening day, 26th April 2019. Nothing will ever top the experience of watching this first day, first show.

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood- Watched it with my elder brother and we had the entire theater to ourselves.

[Dubstar]

Originally Posted by Mystic

Superman (1978): This was one of the last of the big "event" films IMO of the 1970s. The sense of anticipation for this film was tremendous in the Fall of 1978. I remember when it was finally released in December, there was a line around the block to get tickets for it. I took my pretty girlfriend at the time, smoked some good grass before the movie, and looked forward to seeing the movie that everyone was waiting to see. I still remember that night seeing this movie for the first time in the theater. From the opening credits, there was a hush, and we all seemed to feel that we were about to see a very special film, and we weren't disappointed. They simply don't make films like this any more, in terms of films that feel like a true cinematic event, and one that captures the collective imagination of so many moviegoers as I remember this did back in December 1978.

In this day and age when super hero movies are the norm the first Superman movie was a huge deal - I remember seeing this on the big mega Uptown screen and the crowd was just electric. Warner's pre-release buzz worked because when you saw the "flying" and special effects, this, Star Wars, and Close Encounters was the genesis of a new wave of movie techniques was meant to dazzle, and they did just that!

[notops]

Originally Posted by Shawn Elestren

Wait, was that the one last year?

No it was a few years back. The one last year, which I also attended, had the amazing cast and crew reunion, but couldn't show it in 35mm as the last known print was gone by then. It looked like they projected the Shout Blu-ray last year

[Dubstar]

oh and another one to throw out: the first time I saw Alien was on a teeny tiny 13 inch TV - I didn't really care for the movie ... some years later a 70mm print/presentation came along and it demonstrated why and how to properly experience this movie. Not only on a 70 x 32 screen, was it visually astounding but also: scary, the air duct 'jump scare' scene and the preceding tension and suspense (and sound mix) was how Ridley Scott intended it to be.

[Moviefan2k4]

My fave experiences usually involved the rare times my Mom would go with me; her tastes nd mine rarely matched. But I do remember her taking me to see Spider-Man 2 back in 2004, which was very cool. She also took me to see my first-ever R-rated movie in a theater, which was Escape From L.A. for my 16th birthday. To my surprise, she said she actually liked it afterward.

[Al_The_Strange]

I remember being 12 when Independence Day was released, summer of '96. I remember a packed theater that laughed at all the jokes and everybody cheered when the White House exploded.

Same thing happened with 2012's Avengers--there was a collective sense of fun and everybody had a blast.

On my 15th Birthday, my dad took me to see Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me on the big screen. I've never laughed so hard, in a theater or otherwise. I'm pretty sure dad and everyone else laughed a lot too--it seemed like everything was funny in the movie, despite how low-brow and silly it actually is.

Those are probably the biggest standouts I can think off--other theater trips, even with other folks, felt like business as usual.

[toliveanddie]

seeing Avatar in 3D.

also, laughing out loud with about 30 other people watching home alone in a tiny theater of about 30 people. then walking out of the theater to learn that George H. Bush launched the first bombing runs on Iraq forces near the border of Kuwait.

[dkelly26666]

Certainly my most memorable one was Martin Scorsese's "The Last Temptation of Christ". In 1988, that film drew enormous controversy and protests.

When it opened in my city, I went down on opening Friday afternoon, and the entire city block was completely encircled twice around by two picket lines. Dozens of protesters with signs shouting and stuff. I had to break through the picket lines to get up to the theater, there were cops everywhere, and there was a lot of media (radio and TV). There was a massive line for the box office, too. In line, people were being interviewed by the press. Once I bought my ticket, I got to the doorway and was greeted by police, who proceeded to give my brother and I a light pat down. A lady had to open her bag. Once inside the cinema itself, there were armed pivate security guards there. A guard instructed everyone on etiquette before the film began. The lights went down, the film played, and I thought it was an awesome, poetic, visually and aurally striking experience. I loved it.

When it was over, we came back out into the hot August sun, and there were reporters waiting at the exits to get comments and reactions from people. And there were even MORE protesters surrounding the place and chanting. It was insane. As my brother and I broke thru the lines to leave, we got just a little down the street and then looked back at the chaos from a distance. It's still surreal.


To this day, I've never again seen a film, before or since, cause THAT level of controversy.

I have loved the film ever since, and have seen it dozens of times over the years.


Another great one was going with a group of people to a giant, elegant theater in 1982 and seeing "E.T." there for the first time. People crying and cheering and applauding when it was over. Such a unifying, communal experience that was back in 1982.

As a young child, I saw "Psycho" in a theater with my mom. It terrified me, yet I knew even then it was brilliant.

Seeing "An American Werewolf in London" in a packed Friday night cinema with a bunch of rather enthusiastic college kids was an uproarious experience.

I remember seeing "GoodFellas" for the first time on opening night, even while watching it I knew this was going to be one of my favorite films of all time, before it was even over. When it was over, a man behind me said to a guy with him, as we all got up, "That's the best one I've seen in a long time." Amen, brother.

[Moviefan2k4]

Originally Posted by joshsquash729

Lost World Jurassic Park: I was a dinosaur fanatic as a kid, and this was the first movie my parents took me to see in theatres. The first time not only seeing my favorite creatures on the big screen, but learning about true movie magic and the wonder of movie theatres

I'm not sure who took me to see this as a teenager, or if I went on my own, but it was quite a blast. I still think its better than the original in some ways, too.

Star Wars: I grew up as the prequels were coming out, so it was an event every time a new one was released. My dad wasn't a great person, but he and I shared a mutual love for SW, so the only time we ever really got along was when a new movie was coming out.

Sorry to hear about your Dad; mine and I never got along very well either. Although, he did take me to see Tomorrow Never Dies in theaters once, which was cool.

Mulan: My sister and I wanted to see this so badly in theatres, and my mom surprised us on a day off from school. This was before websites and apps were a thing, so we ended up getting to the ticket booth past the cutoff time, and they told us we couldn't see it. So my mom bought us tickets to Quest for Camelot instead, and we snuck into see Mulan (there were plenty of empty seats). My one and only time of sneaking into a movie- I had a blast, but I was convinced we were gonna go to jail if we got caught.

I don't recall ever sneaking into a movie, but I enjoy Mulan a great deal too. Eddie Murphy was great as Mushu: "I llliiivvveee!"

Midnight showings- There's truly no better viewing experience than a midnight showing. The first one I ever went to was for At World's End, and it ignited my love for it. The Dark Knight was a particularly memorable one, since it was so hyped, and it was truly like seeing a piece of cinematic history unfold with some of the biggest fans. The Sequel Trilogy and Infinity War/Endgame were the only other times that the energy came close to what happened in the room at the time.

Now this I can relate to, because my uncle, a college friend, and I all attended a midnight showing of The Dark Knight when I still lived in Dallas. It was huge, with the theater even adding a 12:20 AM showing just to handle the crowds. But what I remember most about that experience, was my uncle cracking everyone up when the Joker's semi truck flipped over. He had perfect timing too, saying in a mock sympathy tone, "Aww, poor Joker"...and we all just lost it.

[dkelly26666]

Oh, yes, I'd forgotten some of the crazy midnight shows I'd been to back in the day, LOL.

I saw "Rocky Horror" a few times with large, participating audiences.

Other things, too, like I once saw a late screening of three of Romero's zombie movies, "Night/Dawn/Day". I'd seen them all before, but then attended a special screening that started at like 10pm and went on until like 4am, LOL.


I also saw, on a college campus at a screening hall, an all-night Mel Brooks festival once. "The Producers", "Young Frankenstein", "Blazing Saddles", and "High Anxiety". All with a rowdy, giggly, pot-feuled crowd of late 70s college kids.

[Chaotic]

The Dark Knight (painted my face as the joker for the midnight showing and lot of other people did too)
The Dark Knight Rises (huge cheers when Batman returns during the chase in the parking garage)
The Ring (only time where the audience screamed)

[CreasyBear]

Midnight screenings were so special. It was a certain type of moviegoer that would come out at Midnight on a Thursday night as well. It wasn't just your average joe like they do now at the 7PM shows. It was a very different time and audiences were much more enthusiastic and engaged in the films. I miss them.