Psyched to go see Spider-Man 3 when it finally opens next week, huh? Me too! Then again, I haven’t bought my tickets yet, so maybe I’m not as big a fan as you are. But I’m wondering: Have you already purchased seats for one of the first screenings next Friday? If so, why? Are you worried that the showing you want to go to will sell out? Do you want to see it on an IMAX screen and you know that tickets to those shows are particularly hard to come by? Or is it merely that you’re a big fan and, well, you know, just because?
It’s a simple query, really, but it speaks to a larger issue that has been on my mind: Hasn’t the whole advance ticket sales and Internet thing ruined that time-honored movie-geek tradition of camping out in line for days on end, dolled up to the nines in your best Doc Ock garb, drooling over the chance to get a prime seat at the first show? Is nothing sacred anymore? What does your spider sense tell you, PopWatchers?
Josh, the fanboy-line tradition is FAR from gone. We may be able to purchase our tickets weeks in advance, but it only saves us from waiting in ONE line. Uber fans still have to wait in line for hours before the first screening so as to guarantee good seats. Who wants to watch a midnight screening of Spidey 3 from the front row, a broken seat or from behind a group of talkers?
I personally spent 2 hours in line for Star Wars Ep 3′s opening night a few years ago. Even bad movies have fanboy lines. There was a huge line for Elektra’s midnight opened screening.
Us fanboys usually have no lives outside of pop culture, so it doesn’t cost us a thing to stand in line. Precious time? Please. Tivo’s recording all the favorite shows.
I haven’t fandangoed the tickets yet, but will on Friday morning (payday). See you all at the movies (midnight next Thursday)!
Usually I stay away from openings, not only are movies too expensive, but the crowds and getting there hours before it starts…I can wait. However, I’m going to be in Germany the next two weeks, and just found out it will open there on May 1…I may have to go see it just to say I did before everyone else back home…chances are it will already be in German though…
Heck no! I never go to premieres…. I’m not that crazy (last one I went to was Grease back in the 70′s and hated the congested crowds and crappy seat selection.)
I’m waiting a week or so when the excitement dies down, then I’ll actually enjoy the experience.
I already bought my wife and myself tix for opening day at the Arclight Cinerama Dome in Hollywood. Reserved seats, baby! I work too much to stand in line like in the old days. It warms my heart to see the youngsters doing it, though.
I agree, big event pictures get my third weekend viewing. I wait it out.
When I tried going to see Spider-Man 2, it was already sold out for the day. I had to drive to the nearest theatre in another town to see it when I had time. Purchasing my ticket now is the best way to guarantee I’ll have a seat when the movie opens.
TI, the Archlight RULES! I love going there to see my movies – reserved seating! And every once in a while you get a funny intro from the workers. Funny depends on how many drinks you’ve had at the bar before going into the actual theater.
LOVE IT!
I can’t believe some of you guys are complaining about going to a movie opening night?
Personally, I LOVE being in a packed theatre for a big movie premiere…there’s a buzz in the crowd and i can be pretty electrifying.
Then again, I can totally understand how some people generally don’t like going to the movies anymore because of the rudeness of some moviegoers, but for me, and for a big movie like Spidey, the more the merrier.
I mean, the “crowds” at a movie theatre aren’t bad…it’s not like you’re going to a concert or a baseball game or anything where it takes you 45 minutes to get out of a parking garage.
As for “waiting it out”…that’s unacceptable. It’s inevitable that some fool’s going to ruin the movie by telling me what happens.
i bought my tickets 2 weeks ago….im stoked
Already bought my tickets. Before advance purchasing, I probably would have waited, but knowing that I’m going to get in, I can’t wait any extra days to see this movie. I’ve been waiting for 2 1/2 years already.
no…but thanks for the picture of Toby in spandex
no…but thanks for the picture of Toby in spandex
I’m flying to France just to be able to catch its opening on Tuesday, 3 days before the US. I’ll be in line early morning to catch the first screening! (ok, fine, it’s not the reason why I’m flying, but it won’t stop me).
I agree with Ceballos- it’s not just a movie, it’s an EVENT! Wouldn’t you rather be in a full house of equally excited fan-nuts than a semi-empty, quiet theater? Personally, I prefer the former.
Even if the movie sucks, it’s all about the experience.
This past August I had the (mis?)fortune of seeing the anticipated “Snakes on a Plane” at a midnight showing. Yes, yes, we all know how the movie turned out. But the vibe in the place was incredible! None of us showed up expecting “Citizen Kane” or “Raging Bull” (or what the hell, not even “Showgirls”)- we wanted a semi-contrived plot starring the most bad@ss motherf*cker on the planet (Samuel L. Jackson). But it was truly wild to be in a packed theater of excited college kids who cheered and clapped even when the TITLE CARD flashed onscreen, and provided a standing ovation for “the line”.
My point is, midnight showings are probably the quintessential example of the movie community coming alive. And yes, I have my tickets.
Well said, Evita.