DELETE THE DOWNLOADED MOVIES

By Truth or Derrick

 

The other day, I sat through the strangest and dumbest movie I ever saw. It had a weird plot, bad supporting cast and stupid jokes. And it was worth every penny I spent.

 

That's because this guy behind me was hysterically laughing throughout the entire thing. He thought his movie was great. I don't think I actually saw him, but his laugh told me this guy was huge, and he probably watches bass fishing shows for fun on weekends. Did I miss something?

 

The fact is, there's more to a movie than the film. It's the whole experience that makes it worth it. I, being the movie nut that I am, wouldn't find any joy at all in, say, downloading movies rather than going to them. But I have recently discovered that many people do just that. In fact, statistically speaking, if you're reading this article, you gave been infecting by the idea that downloading movies is a great plan.

 

I say infected by it because the story of this hideous practice is parallel to the way viruses are spread. It starts with a few people, who infect a few more people, who infect a few more people, who infect a few more people, and now nearly every person I discuss movies with has seen as many movies as I have - on the screen of their computer.

 

Before I begin to tell you why you shouldn't be part of this mess, let me tell you why I am not. Even when the movie stinks, I still have fun because I am in the theater with all the movie posters around, a huge screen, previews, per-movie trivia, and of course Jabba the Hutt behind me.

 

Going to the theater is, and always has been, a social event. On opening night of a hit movie, it's just a fun atmosphere. When the movie is simply downloaded, where are all the posters? Where are the previews? Where is the trivia? Where is the delicious aroma of over-priced buttered popcorn? Where's Jabba?

 

They're not there. To me, that's reason enough to spend $5 or even $8 to see a movie. That may seem like it has nothing to do with your choices, but it unfortunately does. If most people see movies on the Internet, then fewer people will see movies at the theater. What will that do? Well, the way our economy works, ticket prices will increase as more and more theaters close down. What does this do for people like me? Well, I'll pay more because of you. But there's a much larger reason.

 

Movies are little more than a product, and the marked to them is a competitive one. If filmmakers are going to stop making money, what is going to entice them to make quality films? Fun, or art, perhaps? I doubt it; filmmakers have to pay the bills too. The choice is yours. Before you click "download" next time, think of me alone in a cold, empty theater, violently crying because the movie is so horrible and I paid $14.50 to see it..

 

And I don't even have Jabba the Hutt behind me.