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How to go to the movies by yourself

There appears to be a social convention in western society that dictates that one does not simply go to the movies by themselves. Despite always following said convention I was always one to question it. To me, sitting in a dark room focusing on a screen always seemed like an inherently anti social activity.

Anyway, a couple of weeks ago my editor requested I review a movie. I decided to go at the last minute on a Monday night at the end of a long day at uni, and figured that it would have been too difficult to invite anyone who lived outside a five kilometre radius from the cinema. My roommate nolvadex 20mg dosage was unwilling to go because he reckoned the movie in question, the Silver Linings Playbook, was a girl’s film, so ultimately I went by myself (shock horror!).

Upon reflection, there are some definite advantages to going to the movies by yourself. Logistically, things are much easier. You don’t need to make arrangements to meet anyone, you can generally leave the house whenever you want and you don’t have to wait around of the inevitable latecomer.

Similarly, at the box office, buying tickets and concessions becomes a far more simple experience, not only are you spared from shelling out your hard earned pay for another person’s food or drink, you also don’t have to go through that tiresome debate about where you’re going to sit in a cinema. Plus, if the cinema’s not full you can shift the armrests and make a spacious couch.

By now you’re probably thinking “Man, this is a serious no brainer, why don’t I just go the movies by myself all time?”, however, a warning friends, there are some downsides that generally don’t become apparent until the movie begins.

Now, If you’re someone like me (i.e. someone with a sense of humour), you generally feel compelled to make obnoxious yet witty remarks during the film (Ok, I’m beginning to see people sometimes decline my movie invitations). Obviously, when you go to the cinema alone there’s nobody to make these remarks to and that perfectly timed zinger relating to an especially stupid piece of dialogue or a weak plot point dies a solitary death in the recesses of your brain.

Similarly if you’re a bit slow on the uptake (Not that I am…), a companion is particularly useful during a film with an intricate plotline as generally they can help clarify certain points so that you don’t feel lost for the last 40 minutes of that government conspiracy thriller.

I also feel that having a companion is good at the conclusion of the movie. Generally at the end of a film I like to go through what I call a post game analysis, where I debate with a friend about the movies merits, or lack thereof, including the quality of the acting, plot or soundtrack. I’ve found that the best discussions are those held immediately after the movie as the information you’ve taken in is still fresh.

After assessing the pros and cons of the solo movie experience I’ve come to a definitive conclusion. While there are certain advantages going to a film by yourself, ultimately the experience is probably more enjoyable if you have company.  I’m beginning to think that taking a companion to the movies is not such a strange social convention after all.

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