I have been perfecting this movie going thing for a while. There are a couple of reasons for my intent focus in this area. The primary reason is that I, personally, really love to go to movies, to watch movies. I would be so happy if they'd make a movie theater with lazy boy style chairs -- or better yet, comfy beds and the movie on the ceiling (have that going on in the boys room) -- though the thought of going to a chick flick and having some couple making out next to me is enough to let me know that it's a bad idea for the general public. For those of you who have taken younger children to the movies, you know that the experience is not quite a joyful as it could be. Not all the kids movies are really that good -- I am not, for example, eagerly anticipating seeing G4 about the hamster things -- but I am looking forward to hearing the boys laugh out loud when they find something funny. But even if it's a bad movie, I would like to have an enjoyable movie experience. I don't want to get up and take anyone to the bathroom. I don't want to have to pass food or drinks during the entire movie. I don't want to be bothered at all once the movie begins. If you don't get me during the previews, expect to get me grumpy and pissy.
In order to faciliate this movie experience, I have developed a few techniques that I will share with you here.
1. Always choose a matinee - preferably a middle of the week day. Today we went to see Night at the Museum and we were the only people in the theater. The advantage here is that when you have a little kid who gets bored - he can run around a section of the theater and won't bother anyone.
2. Stop at the dollar tree, dollar store, any cheap store and buy a few different types of snacks for cheap. Kids never eat all of anything and they prefer a little of many different things.
3. Bring a cup for everyone (ones with lids for the little ones)
4. Bring an extra large plastic bowl or a couple of small plastic bowls.
5. Order the family special - large popcorn and large drink (you get one free refill) -- then during that down time when you are waiting for the previews, give everyone a bowl with popcorn, and a cup with drink (little kids can have cups with lids and straws). If it's not enough to share - then go get the refill at the beginning of the movie instead of the end.
6. Establish the snack chair, that is easily accessible to all - and put the already opened snacks in it. Kids come and graze and return items as needed.
7. During the first preview - force all small children to go to the restroom - for that last minute attempt. By then they'll have had a couple drinks of soda and be able to produce a small stream - enough to hold that bladder for another hour and 30 minutes.
8. Enjoy the movie.
Now, you have to be able to ignore wierd looks from people who don't know why you are travelling into the movie theater with a walmart bag full of plastic ware (candy is of course contraband and hidden safely in the purse). But when you make it through a whole movie with nothing more than normal movie chatter, you will be wondering why you didn't do this before.
I would also recommend allowing your children to sit a row away from you - which is easier to do when the theater is particularly empty. They feel all grown up because they are sitting on their own; and you don't hear them be silly and giggle and feel compelled to shush them. Then when you leave the theater, everyone has enjoyed the movie as much as it can be enjoyed (did I mention the hamster movie - no way I'm going to really enjoy that). And on the way out, if you haven't gotten that popcorn refill, you can get the refill and put it in the walmart bag that you have brought with you - tying off the top to prevent spillage. That popcorn you eat at home later, when you're in bed watching a really good movie (like Live Free and Die Hard or Pride and Prejudice).
Let me know if you try it and how it goes.
