Was Mr. Smith the Bad Guy in Ghost Rider?

Russel Smith, why are you so angry? Is the experience of engaging in social interaction really that distressing?  Is there any hope for the human race?

After reading Russel Smith’s article “Why Movie Going Sucks” I was shocked at this man’s level of negativity and his outlook on people. Relax man. So much you’re saying just don’t resonate with me. Why knock down a theater for having no windows. Well shit buddy, outdoor lighting affects the quality of the image on screen. Why would you want to watch a movie where you can see whats outside in the parking lot. Another thing, why do you care so much what people are eating in the theatre. Healthy choices? Nope, but why concern yourself and let it rattle you so much. You know what though Mr.Russel Smith, I’ll attend a movie, something I rarely ever do, and see if perhaps your despondant feelings about people and the movie going experience has some truth to it.

To get the fullest experience of the hustle and bustle of the movie theater experience I attended the Feb. 16 opening night of the movie “Ghost Rider” at the most popular theater in Calgary, Paramount Chinook. The story is based on the Marvel character Johnny Blaze, (Nicholas Cage) a motorcycle stuntman who becomes the host of a “spirit of vengeance” in exchange for the safety of his true love (Eva Mendes). At night he’s transformed into a fiery demon with superpowers who chases bad guys. Here is the trailer.

I dragged my girlfriend kicking and screaming to the theater an hour early to make sure we could get opening night seats. Good thing we did as there was already a line up for tickets. This was a little annoying but something I can deal with on an opening night of a much hyped movie. Now the experience of waiting in line was actually quite entertaining. People were buzzing around everywhere, playing video games, greeting their friends as well as watching the impressive pyrotechnic and light show on display above the snack counters. After we waited about four minutes to get our tickets we proceeded to the snack counter. Might as well get the full movie experience so we got the Jumbo popcorn, the Large pop and the big bag of twizzlers. Feeling fully prepared except one thing we hit our seperate restrooms and meet up again in the line that is now building up waiting for the theater doors to open so we can select our seats. I will admit at this point before we are allowed entrance to the theater that we have spent approximately 15 minutes just standing around in line. I guess it’s abit of a strange activity to pay good money to engage in but I’m also a realist and honestly, what else can the theaters do differently. As the theater doors open it’s abit of an uncomfortable pace to get the premium seats in the theater. Kinda funny though as the “premium seats” is totally a matter of personal preference. Some rushed right to the front and center, many right to the back row, but mostly right to the middle of the theater.  We were able to get seats basically right in the middle and just a little to the left. Not bad at all and the seats were actually quite comfortable. My ancient, student budget furniture at my appartment serving as a favorable tool for comparison, I guess. Unfortunately a fairly tall dude proceeded to walk in a minute or so later and seat himself right in front of my petite girlfriend. I could tell by the look on her face that she was a little rattled but she’d be fine. I mean honestly missing out on the bottom few feet of the 50 foot screen is a little annoying but you really don’t notice as the film progresses. 

We sat around waiting for the ads and previews to start amidst a buzzing theater. This was not so bad an experience. I mean the smell of popcorn is not that bad and I truly could not hear anyone chewing food just conversating. Being a fairly social person I had no problem with this and really did not bother straining to hear others conversations so I could judge and allow them them to annoy me. (Something Russel Smith should try.)

I was getting a little bored with the onscreen trivia and thinking how it’s kind of a shame you have to arrive so early to get decent seats to the show, but hey, REALITY.  The advertisements started next and man is that annoying. I’m the guy that holds the remote in hand at all times when at home so as to not have to sit through commercials so this was a little bit of torture. Although I will admit the commercials at the theatre were quite a bit more visually stimulating than those you see at home on the TV. All in all I think it’s a bit of bullshit this new trend in increased advertising. I had a concerned thought or two about why this was all of a sudden allowed in movies and where does it end.

These were followed by the previews. Alot of people hate on the previews but I must admit I find them quite a good form of entertainment. They are quite often the funniest and most intense scenes from other movies. Sometimes rendering actually watching these movies at a later date a bit of a waste of time and money.

Finally the movie started. Now I’ve given at least an hour of my time and not received much return save a couple chuckles in the preview and a stomach full of tasty though guilt inducing junk food. So far not so good but at least we’ve come to the point where the ultimate conclusion is going to be reached. Was this movie worth seeing.

Well I actually thought the movie was pretty bad. Mind you I was not expecting anything too inspiring. Decent visual effects and action. The love story quite predictable and Cheesy. (Although Eva Mendes is very attractive.) http://www.cherylshuman.com/film/images/Eva%20Mendes.jpgHumor was pretty lame and the acting was pretty much the same. As the show ended i decided I had to make my final conclusion and rating on the film. I gave it a not terrible but would never recommend to a good friend out of three hours of my time and money. My other complaints about the whole experience were the advertisements at the start of the show and the ammount of time we had spent in line that night. Still, it was a fairly pleasant and reasonnably satisfying social outing.

All in all Mr. Russel Smith I think you have serious issues. You need to take another look at what you are accomplishing by looking at things through shit colored glasses. People around you are not that disgusting, going to the theater has it’s ups and downs but it’s not that awful. If you can’t do this well then just stay at home. We don’t need your antisocial thoughts or presence.