Stuff I Love: Coraline in 3D

Coraline in 3D was amazing. My “little” Victoria and I saw it today at the AMC theater (at the Times Square location because I had to drop by work afterwards to handle some stuff for MTV Detox).

$14.50 per ticket is a little pricey, but if you can swing it I highly recommend it. I heard it was $10 in the Bronx.

The trailers by Pixar that led up to the film were also in 3D and I found myself cracking up along with the audience at the rascally little squirrel’s antics.

I had been eagery anticipating this film since I read The Knights’ Tale, a feature on Laika (formerly Vinton Studios) in Fast Company. Travis Knight, son of Nike founder Phil Knight, is working with his father to make the next great animation studio.  Coraline‘s development and the making of Laika is almost more interesting than the film itself.

But before I lose track and geek out further on Laika, I want to get back to why I started this post in the first place – Coraline reminded me that the wide screen, real life theater experience can never be replaced mobile and home entertainment devices.

As more people consume movies via On-Demand, download and streaming, the exhibitor/distribution market will need to continue adapting to an increasingly distracted audience. The good news is that people are always going to want to see films with other people, in a shared space, on a large screen – just in a different way.

There may be less major theater chains in the near future and ticket prices may continue to go up to compensate for less patrons, but as long as these changes  include a better theater experience for audiences, “going to the movies” will always include going to a theater – plus extras. You may be able to buy film while buying tickets,  submit movie reviews from your seat that display on a screen outside the theater and participate in other (new) theater rituals beyond buying popcorn.

I can’t imagine parting with the chance to escape the world for a while in a dark, chilly theater, lost in a story with a room full of strangers who are seeking the same thing.