Going to Movies Alone

[Stevie Rave On]

I am a real movie buff, and I really prefer seeing movies at the theater than watching them on TV when they come out on video. There are a bunch of movies I want to see, but most of my friends have either seen them or don't really like movies. I recently went and saw Blair Witch by myself cause none of my friends wanted to see it. I don't know why, but I felt really embarrassed when I got to the theater and bought a ticket for one and sat down by myself. Does anyone else go by themselves, and do you feel awkward at all?

[bernard]

Since the birth of our baby girl my wife and I usually go to the movies alone since we like going to the movies, and don't want to pay for a babysitter all the time (it can get expensive). Also, we are smart enough not to bring our baby to the theatre to disturb everybody else and likely damage her hearing.

I don't find it too awkward, but my wife does.

[Mr Thin Skin]

Stevie,

You saw "The Lonely Guy" didn't you? Take a small notebook with you when you go.

[pricciar]

I go to the movies by myself all the time! I don't see why it would really matter, I mean, what are you going to have deep conversation with your friend during the movie? I hope not, cuz you would be bugging everyone around you.
I the movie as a social even is the weirdest thing. You go out meet your friend, sit in a dark room for 2 hours saying nothing to each other, leave and go home.. haha, ok usually its not like that, but I don't see any reason you should be embarassed because you are by yourself.

pat

[Athena]

After I split up with my ex, I saw a ton of movies alone. The first couple were a little weird, then I got used to it. Eventually, it became a "rainy day" sort of thing - if I was at home on a Sunday afternoon with nothing to do, I'd take in the newest movie I wanted to see. I don't see as many movies now that I have more of a social life because those dull afternoons are few and far between. I sometimes miss it!

[Guy Propski]

There is nothing better than seeing a movie by yourself. In fact, the experience is even better when the theatre is almost empty. I once saw a re-release of "2001" completely alone. It was an afternoon show and I was the sole attendee. WOW!!! For one afternoon, I was a Hollywood bigshot in the screening room. No distractions from other patrons, no worrying if people were looking at you funny, just smooth movie satisfaction.

Now I have to become a billionaire so I can build my own private screening room.

Back when I went to movies regularly, especially in my teens, I would always go alone. Being a movie buff and wanting to see every movie that ever came out, I would actually ride my bicycle up and down steep hills at 12:00 midnight just to catch the midnight show.

I see nothing at all wrong with going to a movie alone. In fact, I prefer it that way, as I like to preserve my "personal space" and get nervous when it's too crowded, even if the crowd consists of people I know.

[Neobican]

The first time I went to a movie alone I did feel awkward, like I could not get a date or a friend to go with me, but as I went more often alone I got to enjoy it actually. All you have to worry about is yourself, and I find I can concentrate more on the film than if I had someone along. I still will go with friends, but if there is a film I want to see I am going to go with or without someone.

[Jimpy]

And remember, prior to the movie starting, if you hold animated conversations with invisible beings from another dimmention, you can usually get a seat with no one around.

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Jim Petty
An oak tree is just a nut that stood it's ground
Don't click here (http://hometown.aol.com/jimpetty/page/index.htm)

[Manda JO]

Another Advantage to going alone is that if you hate the movie, you can get up and leave, so that you don't have to wast six bucks AND an afternoon.

[voguevixen]

I've been going to the movies alone forever, and can't understand it when I go and see a group of like 20 teenagers together trying to find seats. Can't they do anything alone or think for themselves? The coolest adventure I ever had was the time I couldn't find anyone who had time or money to go to Great America with me on my day off, so I went by myself. Terriying at first, exhilirating after. YOu have no idea how great that was. You could get on the rides almost right away because they'd need to fill a single seat; there was none of the "What do you want to do next?" timewasting; I did everything I wanted in my own sweet time, and left when I was tired and ready to go. SWEET! I miss that sort of thing now that I'm married. Hubby can't understand why I'd actually want to do something without him. Brother!

[BunnyGirl]

Yah, when I was single, I used to go all the time. My desperate-to-be-married roommate couldn't figure out how I could do it. I enjoyed it. No one to make me late for the previews (my favorite part), only one person to buy candy for, easy to find a seat. However, I did find that most comedies are more enjoyable when you go with someone.

[typertrphy]

I work in the film industry, and see films every chance I get. When I am on the road, as I am right now ( on an ancient Toshiba B&W laptop), I go when I can. I saw "Eyes Wide Shut" last night, enjoyed it totally.
Sitting in a theatre is, at the end of it, a singular experience. While I do enjoy a packed house, especially at a comedy, the film is not responding to the audience as actors are in a live theatre event. Therefore, there is no difference if I go alone or not. Either way, I am sitting there, alone, enjoying a movie :)
Typer

[DougC]

- - - My guy friends have families and most are police officers working rotating shifts - they hardly have time to breathe. I rarely go for lack of time, but I work 6 nights per week and take college classes during the day. Add to that the fact that I moved back in with mom so I would only have to work one job and could take 3 or 4 classes per semester, instead of living on my own in poverty with 2 jobs and taking 1 or 2 classes per semester. I can't find too many interested women right now! - MC :-P
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- (not that I blame them)

[Shirley Ujest]

B.C. -Before child, when my husband was a work a holic (20 work days) I use to hit alot of movies by myself. Even before I met him, I hit a lot of flicks by myself. When you go by yourself there is no haggling or negotiating of " I'll see Blair Witch with you if you watch Muppets in Space with me"

[Jodi]

Well, I do go to movies alone if I can't find someone to go with me, but I admit that it does make me feel kinda uncomfortable (at least until the lights go down) so I don't do it often. And I never would go alone to an evening show, where it seems it's all couples or groups of people; I go to matinees alone, though. The bottom line for me is that I would never allow the fact that I couldn't find someone to go with me stop me from seeing a movie I really wanted to see -- but I'd rather go with someone else.

[BobT]

I don't see why people don't like to go to the movies alone. It's sort of like going on vacation alone. You just need to be ready to amuse yourself during the deadtimes.

For example, if I get to the movies early, I try to bring the newspaper with me to read while I wait for the movie to start.

Sometimes I'll go with somebody, but sometimes by myself. But I'm not going to let the availability of someone else determine what movies I can go see.

[Bluepony]

I had to go to South Park all by myself because my wife thinks the cartoon is moronic. She wouldn't even let me take my 2-yr old son. (sniff) :(

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"...send lawyers, guns, and money..."

Warren Zevon

[MrKnowItAll]

If I'm going for pure escapism, I prefer going with someone. Star Wars: Episode 1, for instance. Some movies don't really lose anything if you turn to someone and make a comment.

OTOH, if I'm going to see something more artistic, Eyes Wide Shut for instance, I vastly prefer going by myself. Going with someone would be like reading a novel with a group of people. A great film is best savored without distractions.

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Carpe hoc!

[Felinecare]

Not only do I go to movies alone, but quite a few other people do too, looking at the audience. I am a bit paranoid about being at the late show alone, but will see the 7:00 PM one (and of course, matinees) no problem.

Way back when, a now defunct movie theater had a month-long Alfred Hitchcock film festival. I got in the habit of going to the late afternoon matinee, and was fascinated to see the majority of the audience was alone, night after night.

[Contestant #3]

My wife isn't very "into" movies and my kids are too old to hang out with dad...so...I do sometimes go to the movies alone. Sometimes I get an odd look or two (especially at the drive-in), but be being me, I just ignore them. About half the time I find myself wishing that I had someone with me so that we could talk about what we'd watched afterward.

The nice thing about going alone though is that you can go see what YOU want to see with no compromising.

From time to time, I run across a married female that says "I like to go to movies but my husband doesn't". I sometimes think "hmmmm...if I could be sure that the woman or our respective spouses wouldn't take it the wrong way I'd ask her to go with me"...but then I wake up and realize that it probably wouldn't be a good idea...



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Contestant #3

[Contestant #3]

...along the same lines...I enjoy chinese food, but until a year or two ago, NOBODY in my family would eat it. So I missed out because I didn't want to go to eat at the restuarant by myself.

One early Friday evening I had another "chinese food urge"...I went through the drill of trying to convince my wife or any of my children to try it out, but as usual, I was rebuffed. I then boldly asked my wife if it was OK if I called a mutual recently divorced female friend of ours and asked her to dine chinese with me. My wife said "OK", "That would be nice of you". I called and the lady was tentative and asked if my wife knew about this...I explained that she was OK with it and she accepted the "date". We drove separately and met in the parking lot of a local chinese restaurant. We fely only mildly uncomfortable, but we quickly got over it and had a nice meal. Thing is though, that I saw soemone that knew me at the restaurant and I got the funniest look from them. I guess they thought I was sneaking around...

We finished the meal, she thanked me and we drove off our separate ways...

If only society and relationships could handle more of this sort of thing...

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Contestant #3

[pricciar]

Oh, how I miss the Drive-In they used to have down in Ventura. I used to love to go down there and get a feast, like stop at dominoes and get a pizza, plus some popcorn. and eat it during the span of the two movies, always plenty of friend. Sometimes I would go with a friend, sometimes not.
It closed down though. Oh, well, atleast I got to go to a drive in, there was none in Philadelphia while I grew up.
Its funny, I went thre 5 or 6 times, each and every time I went, one of the movies was good, and the other one was really bad. I thought that was such a crazy coincedence! Its not like they paired a bad movie with a good movie, it was always an old movie with a good movie.
Oh well, I will miss the drive in.

pat

[Contestant #3]

Pat,

Not to rub your face in it, but this month alone I've been to the drive in and watched:

Big Daddy/Blair Witch

and just last weekend

Bowfinger/American Pie

I have a choice of 3 drive-ins with 30 minutes of where I live and one of them has two screens and plays 4 different movies!

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Contestant #3

[pricciar]

oops, in my post, I meant to say they always paired an old movie with a new movie. When I said an old movie, they were like a few weeks old.

Anyway.

Wow, 3 drive ins? so close? thats cool. What part of the country are you in?
That was the cool thing about the drive in in Ventura, they had 3 screens and had 6 movies. Lots of choices. Plus the popcorn wasn't too expensive. Damn, I wish they hadn't closed it!

Ok, lets see if my theory held up at your drive ins.
Big Daddy must have been good. (Since, I didn't like Blair Witch)
American Pie must have been bad. (Since, I liked Bowfinger)

pat

[Contestant #3]

I liked all four, but your theory is correct a great deal of the time...

I live in Ohio.

At the drive-ins with multiple screens if they replay the first movie after the second one (usually done only on the weekend) you can actually catch 3 movies...cool huh!?

I saw Blair Witch at the drive-in and it was a replay that started at 1:15 a.m. By then, most of the patrons had cleared out and let me tell ya...it was kinda creepy...

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Contestant #3

[timmar68]

I've gone to the movies alone and not alone. The first time I went alone I thought that everyone would stare at me but when I got past that I realized that I liked it.
I also like to go with someone, if it is a date, 'cause then (usually) I don't have to pay. ;)

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MaryAnn
Sometimes life is so great you just gotta muss up your hair and quack like a duck!

[Keeves]

Couples at a movie theater are often not silent for the entire length of the film, but will whisper comments and questions to each other, or poke each other in some manner to communcate which parts they find to be funny, sad, or whatever. This can be an important factor in their relationship. A long extensive conversation is not likely, but something like "Hey, this reminds me about when XYZ. Let's talk about it later." This can easily be done without bothering other people, if care is taken to talk in a low whisper.

Even when the movie is purely for escapist entertainment, the type of audience makes a big difference in how the movie is viewed. In high school, I worked as an usher in a movie theater, and I was often struck by the difference between the very same movie showing at 10 pm Saturday night to a packed house, vs. 1 pm Sunday afternoon to twenty people. Hearing the laughter, shrieks, or sobbing, of the people in the audience does make a difference in how the individual perceives the movie. And if that feedback comes from a person one is emotionally close to, so much the better.

I'm not saying there's anything wrong with going by oneself. But the expeience is very different.

[Fretful Porpentine]

I do it all the time, too -- mostly because I like weird art films nobody else will see. Ditto for plays. I've never felt awkward at all, in fact I almost prefer going alone.

[the first supraliminal]

I remember watching "Saving Private Ryan" on a first date. I heard about the movie but she suggested it so I went anyway, even though I knew it wasn't a good idea. And it wasn't. It was just too much emotion to handle on a first date. I really couldn't appreciate the movie because I was constantly wondering what she was thinking.

Anyway, I went to see the movie again by myself, a few months later, and it was so much the better.

Watching movies alone is good. Watching them with someone you know very well is better. It is so much the easier to enjoy something when you are comfortable.

The same can be said for dining. I don't like to dine alone (in some fancy restaurant, that is) because it is simply uncomfortable and I wouldn't enjoy the meal anyway. And dining on the first date is also the same, although enjoying the meal is not the top priority.

The best is eating with family or good friends where you can pig out and be yourself. :::burp:::



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¾È ³ç, ÁÖ µ¿ ÀÏ

Mark me down as "bi" on this one.
Yes, I enjoy going to movies alone, especially ones that require close attention. No, I don't feel the least bit uncomfortable about it.
Yes, I enjoy going with somebody, too. I like to talk about the movie afterwards. Don't like going to movies with more than 3 others, though. Ideally 1 other, preferably female.

P.S. Thanks to all of you who understand that infants do not need to be in theaters! Also, adults with the attention spans of infants do not need to be there, either.

[CFQWEST]

Obviously, it's much better to go to a movie alone than to go with someone who hates the movie--makes it hard to enjoy yourself when you know it's at the expense of your date/girlfriend/wife/etc.

In my single days, I went to movies alone many times, and it didn't bother me (as long as the film was good). I sometimes still go alone, when it's sometime my wife doesn't want to see.

If you feel awkward, it's perhaps from a sense of envy...seeing all those happy couples toether on dates? Maybe you should go to matinees or second run theatres, which are likely to be less crowded. You'll probably find yourself in a theatre with several other people like you, who are there just to see a film out of curiosity or interest, not because they're on a date.

[ChrisCTP]

If only society and relationships could handle more of this sort of thing...

Not to veer off-topic, of course, just wanted to let you know that situations like the one you described happen often in our circle of friends. It should go without saying that, for the most part, when Byron goes out without me or vice versa, we are with people of our same gender. On occasion (actually a little more often than that) each of us has been known to hang out, sans the other, with each other's friends. For instance, I went to a home show with his best friend, Jeff, not too long ago and Byron has been known to take a few of my girlfriends for motorcycle rides. It's never been a big deal for us, our friends or their spouses/SOs... just wanted to let you know that somewhere, someone is hanging out with person of the opposite sex who just happens to NOT be their SO... just so you don't feel like you're the ONLY ONE.

BTW, to get back on topic, I like going to movies alone, too. Often, it's the only way I'll get to see something I really want to see, rather than something we've "agreed" on.



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Veni, Vidi, Visa ... I came, I saw, I bought.

[matt_mcl]

I haven't done this, but mainly because I don't watch many movies. However, one time I went to a theatre with my friends who wanted to see "There's Something About Mary". I didn't, so I plopped down by myself in "The Opposite of Sex", which I vastly preferred to the ten minutes of "Mary" that I saw at the end when I went to join them.

[Tony]

I also like going alone. But who cares? I was a little ashamed at first. Aside from bringing a date to a romantic movie, I prefer going alone. I wouldn't mind going with one or two, or more, people but only so we could hang out later and talk about the film. Yesterday I went to see *The Sixth Sense*. I was all snug in my corner, munching on popcorn and everything was fine. I only felt a little uncomfortable at the conclusion of the movie, when all the groups filing out talked about this or that, on and on, and I had noone to talk to.

[Enright3]

However, I did find that most comedies are more enjoyable when you go with someone. Time for a little psychology lesson here. Have you ever watched other people at a comedy club or any other place where you're supposed to be laughing at something? People rarely laugh alone. They'll laugh and look at their partner. Almost as if looking for verification that something was funny. Why do you laugh tracks were put to use in commercial t.v.?

Personally I love going to movies alone. Usually under two curcumstances. One, when work is really stressful, and I need to escape for a couple of hours and 'turn off my brain'. The other is on the rare occasion when my wife and I have an argument. I find it to be a good method of cooling down.

Enright3