Sharing the love of a thing
Just a little ways away from our house sits a tiny movie theater, a cozy spot with just three screens showing both modern releases and beloved classics. Recently, I've seen "Stand By Me", "Being John Malkovich", and "Halloween" there. Last night the line for "Nosferatu" stretched nearly out the door, the busiest I've ever seen the place.
The theater's history stretches back to 1948, its bright neon marquee still illuminating the neighborhood. Inside, the concession stand offers hot dogs, candy, popcorn, beer, soda - and even pizza from the neighboring restaurant that's been there since the mid 80s.
During a packed showing of the original "Halloween," on Halloween night, one of the staff members stepped up to share some behind-the-scenes tidbits about the movie before it started. At first I was skeptical whenever someone unexpected gets up to address a croud that didn't gather to see them - who was this guy? But his brief speich was genuinely sweet: just an enthusiastic sharing of love for a thing.
That kind of enthusiasm for film, and for watching it together, for spending time together in real life, is so much easier to sympathize with at a little three-theater movie house than most anywhere else.
I love it.
Lets go see a movie.
