6 minute read
Behind the Screens
A sneak-peak into Austin’s movies
By Lasya Sangana
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Even with the growing variety of ways to entertain oneselves, fi lms continue to be a widely renowned option that many people go to. According to an article on Movies Guide only 26% of the people they interviewed had never been to the movie theater before to watch a fi lm. This illustrates the wide reach of the population that shifts towards watching fi lms—whether it might happen on a rainy cozy or just playing them as background noise when you’re doing work late at night. In Austin we have multiple theater’s that provide fun and entertainment anyone might be craving. From the more popular ones, like the Alamo Drafthouse, and the AMC, to the less widely known ones, like Galaxy Theaters or Violet crown, Austin’s movie theaters serve you a variety of experiences. Jeannette McGowan, an Austin Community College employee and avid movie fan, agrees that watching movies in the theater versus at home offers a different experience. “But in the theater you get to observe
if others react to the movie as you do. Does a scene move the audience like it moves you?” McGowan states that enjoys observing people’s reactions during fi lms in the theater and emphasizes how it pulls you into the movie even more. Similarly, she comments on how fi lms can provide a quick escape that allows you to get completely immersed in the story. Richard Dahms, general manager of Galaxy Theaters, agrees. “It [movies] is a total escape from daily life and responsibilities. For 2-3 hours you are immersed in another world, or a peek into the characters’ life and it stirs emotions that are outside the normal routine.” Dahms said. Dahms emphasizes that this is the key importance that differentiates watching fi lms at home versus watching it in a theater—when you watch it at the theater, it’s a complete and total escape from your daily life and the stress that comes with it. Along with this, Dahms also mentions how different movie theaters offer various amounts of satisfaction. For example, Galaxy Theaters has a very developed team and quality products to suit the customers needs.
Two people watching a movie in Galaxy Theatres. Photo Courtesy of Lasya Sangana.
Dahms said. “And we even have the comfi est chairs in Austin. Our nachos especially make us special, people go crazy for them.” Dahms also said another thing that makes Galaxy Theaters special is that they offer regular shows of Spanish fi lms along with Spanish dubs. With about 33%of Austin’s population being Hispanic, according to KVUE, this has more inclusive fi lms rather than just playing the same couple of popular fi lms in every theater. Dahms remarked that another thing that makes Galaxy Theaters special is, historically, Galaxy Theaters was the fi rst theater in Austin to have DBox motion chairs. Along with that, in a
wider scale, their theater can still play 70mm fi lms and there are only a handful of theaters in the United States that can still do that, and one of them is in Austin! Sara Denny, owner of Doc’s Drive-in Theater and Mama Marlowe’s Speakeasy, boasts of a similar thing, saying there are less than 300 drive-in theaters in the whole state of Texas, and that they are one of the remaining few. When asked what makes drive-in theaters special, Denny replied that it’s a different feeling. “I feel like it defi nitely creates a more nostalgic experience,” Denny said. “You can kind of create your own experience like some people will bring data or sit in the back of their truck and bring, you know all their friends and family so it’s more of a nostalgic experience rather than sitting inside of theaters.” She certainly hopes that even if the numbers seem to be dwindling, that drive-in theaters stick around. Denny also adds that she loves the outdoor nature that drive-in theaters have—something you can’t get from regular indoor movie theaters. Outdoor theaters allow you to talk through and discuss the movie while it’s happening, whereas indoor movie theaters don’t have the luxury of having that privilege. “It depends on the person, and what type of experience you’re looking for.” Denny said.
It might not be a complete immersion as going to the movie theater might be, but it has other advantages. You can sit outside, watch the sunset, and then start your fi lm. Drive-ins are more spacious, so you won’t really bother others by making conversation with your peers. Like Galaxy Theaters, you can order really amazing food instead of just popcorn and soda. “We also have, you know, a staycation so if you want to stay in the tiny houses,” Denny said. “Some people will make a weekend out of it, which is different from theater.” Denny concludes by saying it’s a totally different vibe; very chill and relaxing with a sunset being like a cherry on top. Dahms, however, offers another view on it. “The guests that come in are excited for
A women sitting alone with her popcorn. Photo Courtesy of Lasya Sangana.
the big screen experience,”
Dahms said. Dahm tries to emphasize that perhaps the reason people enjoy watching fi lms, especially in theaters, is due to the feeling of being enclosed with just you and the screen. McGowan provides yet another way of looking at how the different forms of fi lm-watching differ. “Watching movies in the comfort of your home provides a different feeling,” McGowan said. “You have more fl exibility with the whole experience.” McGowan suggests that
even if a movie theater, drivein or not, might provide a sort of excitement of the feeling of going somewhere, simply staying at home curled up under a pile of blankets while watching a fi lm can have a completely different but equally nice feeling of comfort. “For me, I love to pop my popcorn just before the movie starts. That way it’s hot when the movie begins,” McGowan said. “I might not get to do that in movie theaters.” Whether it’s watching a fi lm in a theater or at home, they inherently provide a unique experience of entertainment by being such
a quick, rapid escape from reality. Even if you don’t drive around Austin to fi nd the stellar and unique theaters that are located here, simply just watching a fi lm at home can be an inherently fun experience. Next time you fi nd yourself wanting to watch a fi lm, (if not at home), be sure to check out Galaxy Theaters or maybe even try and experience a beautiful sunset at Doc’s Drive-in.
