1. Of all movie opening scenes, what one sold the entire film the most?
The opening scene of M*A*S*H. by Roger Altman. Most of the film doesn’t hold up in the #metoo world – it is a misogynistic and racist mess. But the opening scene all taken in one shot from the choppers landing to the triage and beginning of surgery really sets the tone.
2. What’s the one horror movie that genuinely terrified you while watching it?
I am not a big fan of the genre, but I did see the Blair Witch Project in a theater with knowing absolutely nothing about it and it scared me shitless!
3. What was your weirdest movie theatre experience?
In the army, on the base in Germany, we had a movie theater and this family almost always showed up with a picnic basket featuring full meals – brisket and potatoes and salad – the whole deal. It was always so odd to observe their obliviousness or, dare I say, genius at their approach to movie watching.
4. What’s the most ridiculous thing you’ve brought into the movie theater?
Bourbon to put in the Cokes in order to enjoy sipping through a Red Vines® straw.
5. What used to be extra common in movie theaters that you just don’t see anymore?
The crying baby room (bring that back) and the smoking section (no need for a return).
1) Saving Private Ryan. There was a WWII vet in the theater that just started weeping and had to step out it’s so fucking well done.
2) When I was About 4, I snuck downstairs and caught the shower scene from psycho and it gave me nightmares. As an adult I have seen horrors that make me laugh at how dumb horror movies are.
3) Small theater in a mountain town let’s say, Salisa. Blockbuster movie and some weird guy yells at the post credit peek scene. Very odd.
4) Smuggled in Total gas station burritos and beers into the Flick in college. Thank god cargo shorts were in.
5) People clapping.
1. Of all movie opening scenes, what one sold the entire film the most?
The Star Trek reboot.
2. What’s the one horror movie that genuinely terrified you while watching it?
Chilren of the Corn. And it’s a terrible movie.
3. What was your weirdest movie theatre experience?
In Mumbai there was in-seat snack service like at a baseball game and an intermission halfway through for people to go to the restroom.
4. What’s the most ridiculous thing you’ve brought into the movie theater?
A trash bag full of popcorn. I worked at a theatre in Denver and later in the evening we went to Rocky Horror at the Boulder theatre where they didn’t serve snacks, so I brought the last of what was left in the popper to share.
5. What used to be extra common in movie theaters that you just don’t see anymore?
The pre-movie cartoon!