At The Movies
This essay was originally posted to Twitter between July 1, 2021 and July 2, 2021. It was composed of 291 words across six tweets.
Back in 2013, I was working an evening shift at an old job. An ex-girlfriend (and still good friend) messaged me to let me know that SUPERMAN (1978) was showing that night at the Main Art Theatre, which was about an hour and fifteen minutes away.
She let me know that she would have told me sooner, but hadn't realized I'd be interested. (What?!) Needless to say, I did the math, figured that I could make it just in time if I left the moment my shift was done, and booked it straight to Royal Oak as soon as I could.
I'd never seen it on the big screen before. (Regrettably, it was the extended edition with the weird digital sound effects, but beggars can't be choosers). I can't count how many times I've seen this movie in my lifetime, but a theatrical experience gives you fresh eyes.
I'll always turn up for this movie, except in the direst of circumstances.
Regrettably, that's exactly what happened this spring, when Alamo Drafthouse (my pre-pandemic theater of choice) announced a theatrical screening of SUPERMAN. It broke my heart to turn it down.
I know theaters are hurting, and, like most of America's people and businesses, have been left with the meagerest of safety nets during these times. They have to soldier on. But I felt, and still feel, that we have a shared duty to keep each other safe that supersedes all else.
One day, I'll have a chance to see this movie on the big screen again. Perhaps at Alamo, perhaps someplace else.
In June, the Main Art Theatre posted the following notice on their marquee:
"LANDLORD KICKED US OUT. IT'S BEEN A FUN RIDE MAIN ART CREW. RIP 1941-2021."
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Published 3/9/2024
"365 Days of SUPERMAN"
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