To every yin there is a yang, yes?
I was out of high school and vaguely kind of discovering what it was like to not be there. A good friend of mine had run off to Los Angeles for a while to try his hand at acting and had come home to Texas with a handful of interesting stories and a good-natured shrug at having tried his hand at Hollywood.
We saw quite a few movies together on a pretty regular basis and I got a call one night: “Hey, what are you doing tonight? I got tickets to a sneak preview of some English zombie movie.”
Very seldom do I find movies laugh out loud funny, but Shaun of the Dead is an exception. Even more seldom is finding an audience in tune with the humor. While a different friend and I laughed ourselves silly at Team America: World Police, the few moviegoers in our theater gradually shuffled out during the movie, disgusted and unamused. From the moment the very first scene rolled, it was freaky – like the audience was perfectly in mental sync with the movie and other patrons around them, giggling and smirking at all the right parts.
It was pretty much the most involved movie showing I’ve ever attended. Everyone was polite, quiet and no screaming children were causing a ruckus anywhere; attendees sipped on Cokes and munched Twizzlers with aplomb while totally getting IT, whatever IT may be. I don’t think I’ve ever attended a movie showing where the people in the theater were so good-natured, polite and had a fantastic sense of humor.
I have often thought that this effortlessly contributed to the warm, fuzzy feelings I have for Shaun of the Dead, but walking out of that theater was like walking out of a good version of the Twilight Zone.
Often, when I find myself in packed late showings of films where I’m squeezed in next to Mr. Wide Stance on one side and the guy behind me is slobbering popcorn kernels into my hair and the lady in the front row brought her two year old to an R-rated movie, I wish it were possible to go back. They really should just have a “cool people” movie theater.
1416 and Counting 
Good stuff. Those occasions are rare, and should be treasured.
I had a very similar experience on opening night for Clerks 2. Just a packed house…a room full of people who were totally in sync and loving every minute of the movie playing in front of them.
Actually also happened to me at the opening for the 2004 Dawn of the Dead. Which was weird, because I think at least half of the people who went into that theater were expecting to hate the movie. Watching 100 people come together and either change their proconceived notions or just shout and cheer for the gore was a cool experience.
Actually also happened to me at the opening for the 2004 Dawn of the Dead.
Aww, man, lucky! I had a guy in front of me screaming his head off about how LAME it was to have Johnny Cash going as the credits rolled. Whatever, Frat Boy In Front Of Me – shut up!
Watching 100 people come together and either change their proconceived notions or just shout and cheer for the gore was a cool experience.
I always love that!
The best part, I think, was that everyone got the little throwaway jokes, like when everyone giggled that Shaun worked at Foree Electronics or when Ed says, “We’re coming to get you, Barbara!” Big laughs on that one.
The best part, I think, was that everyone got the little throwaway jokes, like when everyone giggled that Shaun worked at Foree Electronics or when Ed says, “We’re coming to get you, Barbara!” Big laughs on that one.
Oh for sure.
I missed the opening for Shaun of the Dead, but my brother went. He’s not a huge movie nerd like me, so you can imagine my dismay when he called me a week later, sharing his revelation that the title Shaun of the Dead was a play on words from Dawn of the Dead. I’ve never been more ashamed.
sharing his revelation that the title Shaun of the Dead was a play on words from Dawn of the Dead. I’ve never been more ashamed.
Did you like, go through the seven stages of grief?? I certainly would’ve. That’s awful. :( (Has your brother SEEN Dawn of the Dead?)
(Has your brother SEEN Dawn of the Dead?)
Dude, he’s the one who introduced me to it! When I was, like 12 years old! (He’s since gotten out of movies, while I have increasingly gotten in to them.)
Midnight movies. MIDNIGHT MOVIES!
I love those shows, the crowds are devoted, into the movie, and showed up for a reason, to have a great time. Once in a while someone will take things too far but overall my experiences have been positive. I recently saw Aliens (for my first time) at a midnight show and it knocked me on my ass. So much fun.
I recently saw Aliens (for my first time) at a midnight show
WHAT. I hope you enjoyed the magic that is Aliens! One of my favorites of all time.
I haven’t had much luck, myself with midnight movies but I think that could be because Dallas isn’t really a great place for that. :(
I’ve always wanted an elite showing time where kids and cell phones and morons are not allowed. One where people don’t hoot and holler when nothing onscreen warrants it and you have all agreed to come and actually be attentive to the film.
Unlike last night, I saw a sneak peek of Soul Men only to have the lady and her mother next to me rehash and dicuss the story and the tragedy of Bernie Mac’s premature demise for the bulk of the film while the woman behind me repeats every funny remark or say ‘That’s funny’ as if to instruct others as to what comedy is. Argh!
Reel Whore, that’s awful! I’m so sorry. I can’t think of anything recently where I’ve had to sit through total amounts of bullshit, but I’m so sorry you were subjected to that.
I’ve always wanted an elite showing time where kids and cell phones and morons are not allowed. One where people don’t hoot and holler when nothing onscreen warrants it and you have all agreed to come and actually be attentive to the film.
Hear, hear!