Douglas Phillips4 said:Look, I’ll be honest... if someone starts calling people fools without actually backing it up with a solid argument, I just can't take them seriously. 😉
The main reason I still hunt down DivX files every now and then is simply because I live a bit too far from a decent AMC Theatres. 62 milesI work through the week, and my weekend mornings are pretty much tied up with lectures. Between that and my budget, I rarely have the time or the cash to treat myself to the cinema—maybe once a month if there’s a major premiere I absolutely can't miss. For everything else, I’m picky. I refuse to deal with low-quality pirated rips, but I might consider a big blockbuster if the quality is decent enough for home viewing. Honestly, I don't see myself heading to a theater anytime soon. Usually, I just pick out a comedy to watch with my partner. She’s a huge Jennifer Aniston fan, for instance. But is it actually worth it to drive an hour and a half each way just to catch a movie? I'm not so sure. $33 On top of that? Honestly, if we're talking about a DVD rip, those extra details are perfectly fine. To me, playback time and being "first to see it" are pretty low on my list of priorities.
To be honest, watching DivX feels just like watching a DVD to me. My setup is pretty solid: the computer is digitally hooked up to a receiver and massive speakers that make the windows and doors rattle. I’ve got a decent Sony Way TV (though I'll probably upgrade to a larger LCD soon), a cold beer in my hand, and a bowl of buttered popcorn. It’s basically like being at the movie theater. No one's ever complained about the experience. ☕
A fool and an idiot are basically the same thing...
So, you’re saying you can't swing a trip to AMC Theatres right now... It's funny how there's always enough cash on hand to grab a pirated copy instead. I can just picture it: sitting at your computer, hooked up to a receiver and those massive speakers that shake the windows and doors, all while staring at a decent Sony Way TV—which, let's be honest, you'll probably swap out for an LCD soon enough anyway.
Ten years ago, it never even crossed anyone's mind to complain about going to the movies. Nobody was ever talking about some grandma reading subtitles to her kid, people being distracted by their popcorn, or someone sitting way too tall in the seat in front of you. You just didn't think about that stuff because you were actually there, immersed in the experience. Back then, hitting up an AMC Theatres was pretty much the only way to see a movie before everything moved to home video.
With all this new technology supposedly "improving" our lives, people have just gotten lazy. Honestly, nobody wants to put in the actual work anymore. $10 Movie ticket prices? Honestly, it feels like they're sky-high mainly because of all the pirates out there. It’s the same old story: people looking for an easy way to make a quick buck off lazy fools who won't pay full price. And unfortunately, it actually works.
Every single movie theater in Washington, D.C. has gone belly up, and honestly, I think it’s because of people like my tenant. He comes up to me and asks, "Hey, redowl90, you got any new movies?" And there I am, feeling pretty proud of myself, telling him, "Yeah, I just picked up the special edition of Walk the Line—you can't even find this in stores or rental shops yet!" Then he just looks at me, totally disappointed, and goes, "Right, but I meant do you have anything new on DVD?" What am I even supposed to say to that fool?
Sure, the local cinema scene in Washington, D.C. took a hit once AMC Theatres moved in, but that really just points back to a certain mindset. People around here tend to flock to wherever they can be seen—basically, they want to go where the crowd is most glamorous. Naturally, they also head toward the places with the biggest selection, so you actually have some decent options when picking a movie.
So, I hit up an AMC Theatres this past Sunday for that free movie day T-Mobile was running. I went to catch *The Grudge*. To be honest, the theater was packed with these posers—people who only showed up to flaunt their gear and act tough just to feel more secure in their own skin. But amidst that parade of complete fools, one guy totally stole the show right at the start. He was a slightly heavyset guy, sitting all by himself, clutching a massive deli sandwich he’d picked up at a convenience store, wearing a "Freddy vs. Jason" t-shirt. I found his whole vibe pretty refreshing. In a weird way, he was the only person who actually fit the mood of a horror movie, yet at the same time, he was the only one who didn't fit in with the rest of the crowd at all. He was probably the only person in the room truly enjoying the film because he’s an actual fan. And honestly, you have to be a real fan to actually enjoy what you're watching. Everything else? Just a bunch of acting.
Well, that's it for now... I've been trying to finish this post for an hour because I keep getting interrupted, so I'll call it here, even though there's still plenty more I want to get out. I'll probably pick this back up once someone clears out what I've already posted... 😉
