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http://www.sbj.net/weekly_article.asp?aID=65196075.5334436.1062386.53606702.9368337.358&aID2=81713
After 5: Movie Mania: The big screen is just better, movie buffs say
By Jennie Hart
Springfield Business Journal Contributor
7/14/2008
Even with DVDs, high-definition TV, digital on demand and TiVo, many diehard
movie fans still prefer going to the theater.
"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."