YOUR BUSINESS AUTHORITY
Springfield, MO
YOUR BUSINESS AUTHORITY
Springfield, MO
“It’s the escapism, getting swept away to a different setting. Being in the theater helps that,” says Nathan Williams, creative lead at ADSmith Communications. “When you’re at home, you’re still just on your couch.”
Williams used to head to the movie theater weekly, but now as a father of young children, he settles for seeing just the blockbusters about once a month.
Gaylene Anderson, who works in the marketing department at Conco Cos., estimates she spends about $25 per month on her cinema experiences.
“I have a big screen TV at home, but I like the previews, being in a crowd, and it’s just better there,” Anderson explains.
Her favorite genres are action and romantic comedies. Anderson says she doesn’t like horror movies or even creepy ones like “The Happening,” since she lives alone. A favorite indulgence is period movies such as “Pride & Prejudice” or “The Other Boleyn Girl.” Her favorite movie so far this year is “Iron Man.”
David Rowden, night manager at University Plaza Hotel and Convention Center, agrees that “Iron Man” is his favorite movie this summer. He’s seen it three times.
After seeing the July 4th blockbuster, “Hancock,” Rowden admits he was more excited about the new James Bond trailer, “Quantum of Solace,” shown on the previews.
Rowden developed his movie-going passion while working at a theater in high school and college. He says his pet peeve during movies is talking.
“I once kicked out two rows of kids at one time. They were throwing Mike & Ikes,” Rowden remembers from his job. “The rest of the crowd was applauding as I escorted them out.”
Anderson thinks people behave better than they used to at movies. Her favorite venue is the Dickinson Springfield 8 Theatre because she says it’s usually not as busy, though that could change when an IMAX arrives there as part of $3 million in renovations planned by owners Dickinson Theatre Inc.
Rowden and Williams prefer Wehrenberg’s Campbell 16 Ciné, but all three fans also like an occasional Palace Theater visit when they haven’t seen a movie in its first run.
Rowden, who even occasionally heads to Branson for the IMAX theater, adds, “I’m looking forward to the College Station theater downtown. I’m interested to see if it will have a 3D screen.”
As for concessions, Anderson declares she doesn’t like to eat or drink during a show to avoid missing part of the movie, and after working in theaters for so many years, Rowden has no desire for popcorn.
Williams, who asserts the greatest action adventure film of all time is “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” says it depends on the type of movie or situation whether he’ll indulge.
“I’m not a big movie snacker. I might buy a bag of Twizzlers on my way to the theater and save 200 percent of the cost, though,” Williams quips.
Williams says he tried taking his 3-year-old son to see “Ratatouille” on the big screen, but the previews were so loud they had to leave early. He plans to try again with his son this summer and looks forward to increasing his theater visits when his children are older.
Rowden and Anderson both recently caught a showing of “Wanted” and look forward to the next big movie releases: the latest Batman adventure, “The Dark Knight,” and the new James Bond film.
Local Venues
• Dickinson Springfield 8 Theatre, 3200 E. Montclair St., (417) 882-7469, www.dtmovies.com, Adult ticket: $8.50
• The Moxie Cinema, 408 W. Walnut St., (417) 429-0800, www.moxiecinema.com, Adult ticket: $8
• Palace Theatre, 2220 W. Chesterfield Blvd., (417) 875-6200, www.palacemovies.com, Adult ticket: $2.50
• Wehrenberg Campbell 16 Ciné, 4005 South Ave., (417) 890-7800, www.wehrenberg.com, Adult ticket: $8.75
Worth Your Time?
Check out critic and user reviews at:
• Or read local critic Jim Wunderle’s weekly movie reviews at sbj.net.[[In-content Ad]]
A relocation to Nixa from Republic and a rebranding occurred for Aspen Elevated Health; Kuick Noodles LLC opened; and Phelps County Bank launched a new southwest Springfield branch.