A Modern Guide To Movie Going (Holiday Season 2015 & Beyond)!


We’re falling into the Holiday Movie Season, kicked off  last weekend by the mediocre SPECTRE and The Peanuts Movie. Things will start to get crazy with the release of Mocking Jay Part 2 and Pixar’s The Good Dinosaur, all culminating with the biggest movie release of all time: Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

Whether Star Wars is pulling you out of your Netflix hole, or you’ve been going to the movies all year long enjoying hits like Mad Max: Fury Road, Jurassic World, and Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation, you will find this Guide To Movie Going in the 21st Century! extremely useful.

Trust me. I work at a Movie Theater. And I got to a lot of Movies!

Don’t use Fandango!

I have worked at two of the three major theater chains in the United States and there is one constant: DON’T USE FANDANGO!Fandango Bag Puppets

It’s almost a dirty little secret, especially since the “Pre-Show” at my chain has a Fandango commercial! But we (theater chains) don’t want you to use it! It’s not always accurate, for whatever reason, so you’ll get stuck with tickets to a showtime that doesn’t exist!

Always use the theater chains’ direct website, where tickets are on sale, the surcharge is no larger than Fandango’s, and the times are actually accurate! I’m talking www.cinemark.com or www.amctheatres.com. I don’t know Regal’s website…

I guess it’s not too hard to tell which of the three chains I didn’t work for!

Make sure you check Movie Times for the day you are going!!!

We no longer live in an era where Movie Showtimes are the same from Friday through Thursday. Theaters have events now. And almost all movies get an early evening release on Thursdays (gone are the days when only movies like Star Wars got midnight releases). Showtimes change day to day.

Sherlock The Abdominable Bride Christmas SpecialWe’ve got Live Concerts, Classic Series Films, Live Sporting Events (including Video Game tournaments…), and Special Screenings like the Dr. Who and Sherlock Christmas Specials coming up in late December/early January. Very, very rarely will all three Weekend Days have the same showtimes, even more rare on weekdays!  

Don’t look up today’s times if you’re going to a movie tomorrow! Check the day you are going, otherwise you may show up for a showtime that doesn’t exist.

And NEVER look up said showtimes on Fandango!!!

Double Check Movie Times the day you are going!!!

Unless you have tickets in hand, double check the showtime the day of the movie. Sometimes theaters will “Wild Cat” a showtime, meaning we may cancel a showtime of The Intern to make room for another showing of SPECTRE. It’s very, very rare, but it does happen!

Know your Theater Chains and the Brands that fall under their Umbrella. amc theatres logo

Let’s break this down fast so you don’t try to use a Gift Card at the wrong Chain:

AMC is AMC Theatres. As the company has acquired other companies like Kerasotes, they rename the theaters so it’s simple. AMC Gift Cards work at all AMC locations, NOT at any theater lacking the AMC name.

Cinemark and Regal keep most the names of the theater chains they have purchased. So…

Regal LogoRegal is also known as United Artists Theatres and Edwards Theatres.

Cinemark LogoCinemark also has locations called Century Theatres, Rave, Tinseltown, & CineArts.

Know where your gift cards will work by understanding the above hierarchy!

IMAX is no longer the only Big, Loud Screen in Town.

You’re going to want to see Star Wars: The Force Awakens on something big!

A few years ago Regal, AMC, and Cinemark decided to make their own, “Premium Format” to compete with IMAX, which had begun incensing it’s name to Theater Chains without actually delivering the full “IMAX Experience.” IMAX Screens of old were 70mm format, taller than they were wide, but now IMAX is just a name plastered on screens that run floor to ceiling with incredibly large speakers. I noticed the change seeing The Dark Knight 1st on a real IMAX Screen, with the image Christopher Nolan intended, and then seeing it on one of the “fake” Digital IMAX Screens that cut most of Nolan’s superior image.IMAX Comparison

Well, the three chains succeeded… partially… instead each creating their own “Premium Format” to save on IMAX licencing fees. AMC called theirs ETX, Regal went with RTX, and Cinemark features X D (have to space the letters or WordPress makes a XD face. 😦 ). All are just as good as Digital IMAX… unless it is one of the dozen or so “True” IMAX Screens left in the US.

Reserved Seating is on the way… and here to stay!

If you don’t have it already, the Industry is moving toward “Reserved Seating,” meaning you pick your seats when you buy your ticket. Don’t fight it, don’t whine, Reserved Seating will be the standard by the end of 2016, and it ain’t going anywhere!

Reserved Seating is the perfect tool to buy tickets in advance. If you bought Star Wars tickets the minute they went online after that Monday Night Football trailer for my theater, then you also picked your seats, which means you can show up minutes before showtime, no waiting in a looooong line for hours, and still have the best seat in the house.Star Wars The Force Awakens Final Trailer #3 Han Solo and Chewbacca

And it doesn’t really change the movie going experience on a day-to-day basis. What’s the difference between picking a seat at Box Office vs. when you walk into the auditorium? You’re going to pick the same seats… unless they are already sold… which is no different than walking in and seeing another guest already sitting where you like to sit. In fact, picking seats at Box Office let’s you see what’s left in a nearly Sold Out show! Don’t walk in blind, caught with only the front row. Know what’s left before dropping a dime.

Don’t be a Dummy. No Masks or Fake Weapons, Dummy!

Star Wars fans are whining about not being able to wear their Chewbacca, Stormtrooper, or Darth Vader (or Kylo Ren!) masks. And they can’t bring in fake guns. Or Lightsabers.Star Wars The Force Awakens Final Trailer #3 Finn Removes Stormtrooper Helmet

Look, I’m a Fanboy who dressed as Captain America for the entirety of the 1st Avengers opening weekend as a theater manager. I was dressed like Batman the night a theater not 30 miles from my own theater was shot up. Your sadness over losing masks and Lighsabers is not nearly as severe as the sadness of losing a loved one.

Stop being a Goddamn Baby and welcome to the 21st Century!

And that’s all you need to know! Here’s your handy-dandy guide to movie going, still good in 2016!

STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS Trailer #3 HD Screengrabs Vol. 3


As I’ve done with past epic movie trailers, here is the 3rd set of original screengrabs from the final trailer #3 for STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS! Vol. 3: The Rest Of the Best.

Check Out Vol. 1: The New Kids on the Block HERE!

Or, Vol. 2: Old School Ships: New Combat… And A Classic Face! 

Now for the new stuff! The Rest of the Best.Star Wars The Force Awakens Final Trailer #3 Finn and Rey Run From ExplosionStar Wars The Force Awakens Final Trailer #3 Rey and Finn ExplosionStar Wars The Force Awakens Final Trailer #3 Finn and Rey ReactStar Wars The Force Awakens Final Trailer #3 Han Solo and Finn and DroidsStar Wars The Force Awakens Final Trailer #3 R2-D2 and Luke Skywalker Metal HandStar Wars The Force Awakens Final Trailer #3 Imperial ShipStar Wars The Force Awakens Final Trailer #3 Imperial Ship LandsStar Wars The Force Awakens Final Trailer #3 Stormtroopers and Captain PhasmaStar Wars The Force Awakens Final Trailer #3 Kylo Ren Lifts LightsaberStar Wars The Force Awakens Final Trailer #3 Kylo Ren Lifts Lightsaber 2Star Wars The Force Awakens Final Trailer #3 Kylo Ren Lightsaber SwingStar Wars The Force Awakens Final Trailer #3 Rey Cries Over Dead Han SoloStar Wars The Force Awakens Final Trailer #3 Han Solo Chewbacca Finn CapturedStar Wars The Force Awakens Final Trailer #3 Han Solo and ChewbaccaStar Wars The Force Awakens Final Trailer #3 B-88 In X-Wing Starkiller BaseStar Wars The Force Awakens Final Trailer #3 B-88 In X-Wing Sees Tie FightersStar Wars The Force Awakens Final Trailer #3 Poe Oscar Isaac in X-WingStar Wars The Force Awakens Final Trailer #3 X-Wing Tie Fighter Dogfight Over Starkiller BaseStar Wars The Force Awakens Final Trailer #3 X-Wing Tie Fighter Dogfight Starkiller Base 2Star Wars The Force Awakens Final Trailer #3 Starkiller Base DogfightStar Wars The Force Awakens Final Trailer #3 Starkiller Base DogfightStar Wars The Force Awakens Final Trailer #3 Stormtrooper assaultStar Wars The Force Awakens Final Trailer #3 Angry Rey Fires BlasterStar Wars The Force Awakens Final Trailer #3 Stormtrooper vs X-WingsStar Wars The Force Awakens Final Trailer #3 X-Wing Blasts StormtrooperStar Wars The Force Awakens Final Trailer #3 Kylo Rey Uses The ForceStar Wars The Force Awakens Final Trailer #3 Tie Fighter ExplosionStar Wars The Force Awakens Final Trailer #3 Flaming FalconStar Wars The Force Awakens Final Trailer #3 Imperial ExplosionStar Wars The Force Awakens Final Trailer #3 Carrie Fisher Leia Han SoloStar Wars The Force Awakens Final Trailer #3 Finn with LighsaberStar Wars The Force Awakens Final Trailer #3 Kylo Ren vs Finn Lightsaber ForrestStar Wars The Force Awakens Final Trailer #3 Finn vs Kylo Ren Lightsaber Battle
Star Wars: The Force Awakens hits Movie Screens on December 18th!

STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS Trailer #3 HD Screengrabs Vol. 2


As I’ve done with past epic movie trailers, here is the 2nd set of original screengrabs from the final trailer #3 for STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS! Vol. 2: Old School Ships: New Combat… And A Classic Face!

Check Out Vol. 1: The New Kids on the Block, First!

Now for the new stuff.

Star Wars The Force Awakens Final Trailer #3 Forest Explodes RedStar Wars The Force Awakens Final Trailer #3 Millenium Falcon Close UpStar Wars The Force Awakens Final Trailer #3 Tie Fighter Chases Millenium FalconStar Wars The Force Awakens Final Trailer #3 Tie Fighter Over Crashed Star DestroyerStar Wars The Force Awakens Final Trailer #3 Finn's Tie Fighter Chases Millenium Falcon Over JakkuStar Wars The Force Awakens Final Trailer #3 Finn's 2 Tie Fighters Chase Millenium Falcon Over JakkuStar Wars The Force Awakens Final Trailer #3 Tie Fighters Chases Millenium Falcon Towards ScreenStar Wars The Force Awakens Final Trailer #3 Finn's Tie Fighters Chases Millenium Falcon 2Star Wars The Force Awakens Final Trailer #3 Tie Fighter Fires ClearStar Wars The Force Awakens Final Trailer #3 Millenium Falcon VeerticalStar Wars The Force Awakens Final Trailer #3 Millenium Falcon RunsStar Wars The Force Awakens Final Trailer #3 Rey and Finn on Millenium FalconStar Wars The Force Awakens Final Trailer #3 Han Solo Harisson Ford Star MapStar Wars The Force Awakens Final Trailer #3 Lightspeed Jump 1Star Wars The Force Awakens Final Trailer #3 Lightspeed Jump 2Star Wars The Force Awakens Final Trailer #3 Lightspeed Jump 3Star Wars The Force Awakens Final Trailer Millenium Falcon New Lightspeed WarpspeedStar Wars The Force Awakens Final Trailer Millenium Falcon New Lightspeed Warpspeed 2Star Wars The Force Awakens Final Trailer #3 Kylo Ren Lightsaber in RainStar Wars The Force Awakens Final Trailer #3 Kylo Ren Lightsaber in Rain 3Star Wars The Force Awakens Final Trailer #3 Kylo Ren Lightsaber in Rain 2Star Wars The Force Awakens Final Trailer #3 X-Wing Black SquadrenStar Wars The Force Awakens Final Trailer #3 Stormtroopers On BattlefieldStar Wars The Force Awakens Final Trailer #3 Stormtroopers On Battlefield 2Star Wars The Force Awakens Final Trailer #3 DogfightStar Wars The Force Awakens Final Trailer #3 Dogfight 2Star Wars The Force Awakens Final Trailer #3 Finn and X-Wing Pilot PoeStar Wars The Force Awakens Final Trailer #3 Finn and X-Wing Pilot Poe 2Star Wars The Force Awakens Final Trailer #3 Finn and X-Wing Pilot Poe 3Star Wars The Force Awakens Final Trailer #3 X-WingStar Wars The Force Awakens Final Trailer #3 X-Wing Chases Tie FighterStar Wars The Force Awakens Final Trailer #3 X-Wing Chases Tie FightersStar Wars The Force Awakens Final Trailer #3 X-Wing and Tie Fighter ExplosionStar Wars The Force Awakens Final Trailer #3 X-Wing and Tie Fighter Explosion 2

Now, read Vol 3. The Rest of the Best!

STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS Trailer #3 HD Screengrabs Vol. 1


As I’ve done with past epic movie trailers, here is the 1st set of original screengrabs from the final trailer #3 for STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS! Vol. 1: The New Kids on the Block.

 

If you missed the trailer, Watch It 1st! Photos can’t explain how cool this trailer looks in action.Star Wars The Force Awakens Final Trailer #3 Daisy Riley as ReyStar Wars The Force Awakens Final Trailer #3 Daisy Riley Junkyard Star DestroyerStar Wars The Force Awakens Final Trailer #3 Daisy Riley Rey and B-88Star Wars The Force Awakens Final Trailer #3 Daisy Riley Rey Looks to the StarsStar Wars The Force Awakens Final Trailer #3 The New Order Stormtroopers and General HuxStar Wars The Force Awakens Final Trailer #3 Finn Wearing Stormtrooper HelmetStar Wars The Force Awakens Final Trailer #3 Finn Removes Stormtrooper HelmetStar Wars The Force Awakens Final Trailer #3 Finn's Exploding Tie Fighter 1Star Wars The Force Awakens Final Trailer #3 Finn's Exploding Tie Fighter 2Star Wars The Force Awakens Final Trailer #3 Finn's Exploding Tie Fighter 3Star Wars The Force Awakens Final Trailer #3 Finn's Tie Fighter Crashes Towars JakkuStar Wars The Force Awakens Final Trailer #3 Finn's Crashed On JakkuStar Wars The Force Awakens Final Trailer #3 Finn's Crashed On Jakku 2Star Wars The Force Awakens Final Trailer #3 Kylo Ren Looks At Space Red LightStar Wars The Force Awakens Final Trailer #3 Kylo Ren Looks At Space Red Light zoomedStar Wars The Force Awakens Final Trailer #3 Kylo Ren Looks At Space Red Light CloseStar Wars The Force Awakens Final Trailer #3 Kylo Ren Mask Close UpStar Wars The Force Awakens Final Trailer #3 Kylo Ren In Possession of Darth Vader HelmetStar Wars The Force Awakens Final Trailer #3 Kylo Ren Mask Close Up ReachingStar Wars The Force Awakens Final Trailer #3 Kylo Ren Uses Force on Man

Read Vol. 2: Old School Ships: New Combat… And A Classic Face!

Or Vol. 3: The Rest Of the Best! 

May the Force be with you!

The Final Trailer #3 For STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS Is Here!!!


Just watch it! Bask in it’s glory! As Han Solo says, the stories were true!

Wow! From the swelling musical themes of the original movies, STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS does feel a lot like the original trilogy, but there are definite J.J. Star Trek inspirations from the visual tweak on Lightspeed to the game-changing look at X-Wing dogfights, and some aliens in between. It totally has a J.J. Abrams look. But that ain’t bad at all!

And questions are answered! Kylo Ren does in fact take fashion device from Darth Vader as he seems to be obsessed with him. Finn is instead a former Stormtrooper way out of his league, not simply wearing the suit as a disguise a la the OG Star Wars. There’s ALL the original cast, finally… except for Luke who remains simply a hand. Plus, Lightsabers work in the rain!Star Wars The Force Awakens Final Trailer #3 Rey Cries Over Dead Han Solo

And did we see Han Solo die in that that trailer? Look again, but I think it’s there around 1:45 mark! Is Rey crying over her father’s body?!?! (Through which I also surmise she is the spawn of Solo…).

Questions will be answered December 18th, 2015. Good luck getting tickets.

Check Out Original Screen Grabs Now!

Vol. 1: The New Kids on the Block.

Vol. 2: Old School Ships: New Combat… And A Classic Face!

Vol. 3: The Rest Of the Best.

Final STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS Poster Debuts Before Trailer


It’s here! The final poster for J.J. Abram’s trip to a galaxy far, far away has hit the internet by storm! The Star Wars: The Force Awakens poster even includes the 1st image of some fan favorites from the classic trilogy!

Waste no time and take a gander. Then we’ll talk about what you see!Star Wars The Force Awakens Final PosterFirst off, who’s missing?

Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) of course! Luke is now the classic character most shrouded in mystery as the poster does offer our first look at Carrie Fisher as Leia (Solo?)! Why won’t they show us anymore than Luke’s metal “Winter Soldier” arm?

Front and center are the three new, younger cast members that will likely drive the movie forward (a character’s size on a poster can be very telling of their importance…), Daisy Ridley as Rey, John Boyega as the lightsaber weilding/possible Stormtrooper Finn, and the Darth Vader inspired Kylo Ren played by Adam Driver.Star Wars The Force Awakens Final Poster Rey Finn and Kylo Ren

Below that, the whole gang’s here from classic droids C-3PO & R2-D2 to the brand new rolly polly B-88. Han Solo (Harrison Ford), Leia, and Chewbacca share a small space next to the droids, as does Oscar Isaac’s hot-shot X-Wing Pilot Poe Dameron. There’s even a new, mysterious alien hanging with the old crew; an alien whose importance was never hinted at in any of the promotional material… including the toys!Star Wars The Force Awakens Final Poster Classic Heroes

You’ve got your baddies on the very bottom; a legion of Stormtroopers led by Captain Phasma (Gwendoline Christie). No sign of Domhnall Gleeson who we’ve already seen as General Hux in promotional images, and Andy Serkis’ CGI “New Order” (formally “The Empire”) Supreme Leader Snoke remains just as mysterious as Luke Skywalker’s face.star wars force awakens final poster logo and captain phasma

It’s hard to miss the classic X-Wings. Tie-Fighters, and, of course, the Millennium Falcon, but what is more interesting is the Death Star looking ship in the top right corner behind Finn. That isn’t a starship, or a small moon, it’s an Arctic planet, turned into the “Starkiller” base/weapon capable of wiping out a star system. (Fun fact: in early scripts Luke Skywalker was Luke Starkiller…)Star Wars The Force Akwakens Final Poster Starkiller Base Weapon

Death Star 5.0!

It needs to be mention, though the poster does recall Star Wars posters past, it is not drawn by the incomparable Drew Struzan.

With a trailer dropping tomorrow on ESPN during Monday Night Football, things are about to get really Star Warsy up in here!

Star Wars: The Force Awakens hits US screens on December 18th!