Going to the movies is a big waste o’ cash–not to mention, annoying

We used to go to the movies all the time. And then Hollywood quit making good movies.

I mean, the last movie I really enjoyed in the theatre was Gladiator. And that was like 10 years ago.

It's all been downhill since then. Well, OK, Lord of the Rings was pretty good. But that's it.

Still, my hubby keeps asking me to go to the movies with him. But here's the problem: I'm not a nice person at the movie theatre.

It all starts with me getting huffy for having to pay the equivalent of a month's worth of Starbucks for two cheesy tickets. Then, when we sit down, we inevitably sit in front of The Worst Mannered Teenagers on Earth who throw popcorn, laugh, talk, hit the back of my chair and burst into laughter at Inappropriate Moments because they just got a text that said something important like: Waddup widdat, suckah?

This is when I start embarrassing my husband because I am the hisser, the "SHHH"-er, the tapper of shoulders, the person who stalks out and informs the manger. Or better yet: just gets her money back.

We tried Netflix for awhile. But I got sick of that because I kept forgetting to update my queue. Plus, every time I wanted a movie, there was like some waiting list.

We used to live really close to a Blockbuster, so that worked for awhile. But I always got the heeby-jeebies in Blockbuster. Like WHY do they have to display the goriest, foulest movies right at kids' eye-level? Every time I went into a Blockbuster I felt like I had to rush, rush, rush and then I would end up renting a movie I didn't even want to watch because I was just trying to get out of there.

I realize I'm beginning to sound like a whiny, entitled you-know-what. I also realize there are BIGGER PROBLEMS in the world. Fine. 

But I think you'll be happy to know I've resolved my little problem. It's called: DVR.

Oh, my, my, my. Have you heard of this wonderful invention? I just pre-pick all my favorite shows and upcoming movies and hit RECORD. Then I pop my own popcorn (cheaper and healthier!), cuddle up on my own couch (comfier and cleaner!) and watch Dan in Real Life or Rachel Getting Married for like the 50th time.

I may never go to a movie theatre again.

And I'm just fine widdat, suckah.

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  • http://dubdynomite.com dubdynomite

    DVR was pretty life changing for me as well. But I took it up a notch with two things:

    Netflix streaming – I’ve got devices that stream to my TV, and the selection just gets better all the time. And they have a ton of family friendly movies for streaming, so it’s great for the kids too.

    On Demand. It’s not just for “adult” movies anymore. I can rent new release movies through my cable box for less than Blockbuster.

    I’m looking into this Redbox thing also, now that they have an iPhone app that let’s you reserve a movie at the closest box and pick it up whenever. At a dollar a night, that’s pretty cool too.

  • http://theresekay.blogspot.com Terry

    Iz so widdat, sista.

    i’ve been known to turn around and tell teens to stop mega making out, and it drives me nuts when people text or answer their phones during the movie.

    i do go out to the neighborhood movie theater ($5.00 presale tickets from my church) every now and then, but i’m like you and prefer to watch movies at home most of the time.

    i hear Netflix has movies on demand for the pc, which can be hooked up to the tv with a little techno geek.

  • Rhonda

    DVR is the best! No commercials! Well, actually, I don’t know if it is good or bad. Before we had DVR I just didn’t watch TV very much. :)
    Going to the theater is also a rare thing for me. I hate spending that much money on something like that!
    Dan In Real Life was GREAT! I LOVED that movie!

  • http://www.bayoubelles.com Mama Belle

    I’m not sure I could live without my DVR. Have you tried Hulu? It’s phenomenal! I watched the entire LOST series from start to finish without spending a dime.

    Yeah, I never understood the whole Blockbuster thing either. Even the previews they run on the screens are so not appropriate for my kids or any kids to see for that matter. My oldest had nightmares for months after seeing the cover to the “Saw” movie. We don’t go to Blockbuster anymore.

  • http://ifmeadowsspeak.blogspot.com/ Tammy@If Meadows Speak….

    I’m laughing! So hilarious.

  • http://twitter.com/thatguykc ThatGuyKC

    You may be too white (like me) to say “suckah”, but this posts literally made me laugh out loud.

    You are awesome and thanks for the Monday morning shuffle.

    Couldn’t help but notice that your perfect DVR scenario was missing one crucial character… your hubby?

  • http://twitter.com/thatguykc ThatGuyKC

    Apparently I haven’t had my coffee yet because I meant to say “chuckle” instead of “shuffle” above.

    Good thing there is a Starbucks close by.

  • http://bellwhistlemoon.blogspot.com/ mary bailey

    Oh, we love our Netflix! We get movies delivered but we also like to watch them directly on the computer. (My flat-screen computer is so much crisper and more vivid than my 14yo TV). Hubby and I have been enjoying watching BBC “Bleak House”.

    We have a DVR which I have yet to figure out how to operate. It’s a nice invention but there is nothing on TV I am really interested in.

    I SO agree with you about Blockbuster! That hellhole is what pushed me to try Netflix in the first place. I could not stand taking my child in there. I would tell him, “Look away when you see something scary” so he was having to walk around with his eyes shut!

  • http://reidklos.com Reid Klos

    I love the window into the mind of a married woman with children that you provide.

    I still do blockbuster, movie gallery & hollywood video for their preplayed movies. I get my favorite “faith-based” and indie movies for the low-low. Redbox is taking over (if you remember one of my tweets from like two weeks ago). That along with Netflix. I haven’t invested in DVR or TiVo, of course I haven’t invested in cable either. Like Mama Belle asked, “Have you tried Hulu?” Please do. That’s how I kept up with GLEE & also found “What About Brian.”

    I totally agree about the movies. It seems Hollywood is dumbing them down and sexing them up. I could say the last good one I saw was AVATAR but that was more visually stunning than just an all around good movie.

  • Debra

    You’ve watched Rachel Getting Married more than once?!? It’s a good movie, but I can’t handle all that drama! Lol….

  • http://papuagirlindallas.blogspot.com/ Kacie

    I use blockbuster.com, which is netflix except you can exchange movies in store (yay). I like it.

    But when we get theater cravings, there’s a $2 theater close to us. WOOOHOOO! cheap date, I tell you.

  • http://www.UsborneConnection.com Tressa

    I hear you, sister!

    We keep a running list of old movies that we’d like to see or see again. The library is our favorite place to get movies. It’s free!

    As for the pop corn, we LOVE our WhirlyPOP popcorn popper.

  • Pat

    You’ve got it! DVR rocks. I have a movie recommendation for you: The Winslow Boy, which is based on a true story. I think you may really like it.

  • Joanie

    That sounds about right on the money. Our once-in-five-years movie in the actual theater was “The Blind Side” and that was perfect. Otherwise, yay for the DVR!

  • Heather

    I love DVR and I am not a movie theater fan either. However, I have recently discovered the 21+ theater at the Garden Walk in Anaheim. A) you don’t have to listen to small children talking/crying or teenagers texting and being rude. B) you can have a glass of wine or a beer while lounging back in a nice big leather (probably pleather) chair (at least in the smaller theaters). This doesn’t solve the problem of the cost or the fact that many movies are not that good but, it’s worth it if there is a movie you really want to see on the “big screen.”

  • http://goodlifelane.blogspot.com/ DramaMama

    Do you have Redbox out there? We do that on occasion =) Just a suggestion!

  • http://www.momsinneedofmercy.com Cheryl @ Moms In Need of Mercy

    Have you tried Redbox? They’re only $1 and you can go online to reserve a certain movie if there’s a specific one you want. Then you can pick it up at the grocery store (or wherever). It works well for us, and they have all the new releases (usually!).