1. Lord of the Rings, Carmike 10, Huntsville, 2002/01/02 (the longest movie I've seen in a long time)

2. Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius, Regal Madison Square 12, 2001/12/28 (didn't get to see end of movie due to problem -- someone who has seen this please go to movie review forum, read my notes, and fill me in if I missed anything of significance)

2. Not Another Teen Movie, Regal River Oaks Cinema 8, Decatur, 2001/12/14 (short, dumb, and funny)

3. Monsters, Inc., Carmike 10, Huntsville, 2001/12/07 (saw it again to see the new outtakes and bloopers in the credits)

4. Shallow Hal, Regal Hollywood 18, Huntsville, 2001/11/28 (saw it mainly out of morbid curiosity)

5. Out Cold, Regal River Oaks Cinema 8, Decatur, 2001/11/24 (funny, dumb comedy)

6. Harry Potter and the Sorceror's Stone, Regal River Oaks Cinema 8, Decatur, 2001/11/23 (long but enjoyable)

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The last movie (I much prefer the term motion picture, but use the word movie a lot too) I saw was on Dec. 31. And I had to see and hear a movie on that day so I could reach my goal for the year. I try to see at least 100 movies a year, in a theater of course. And I saw two that night. Jimmy Neutron and the stupid Not Another Teen Movie (but I did laugh), of which brought me to exactly 100 movies for 2001. Prior to JN and NATM I saw I Am Sam and Vanilla Sky. This weekend I plan on seeing Lord Of The Rings, again.

The 100 a year goal includes seeing/hearing movies more than once, but always in their entirety and always in the theater. In 2000, I did not quite make it, only saw about 85. Of the 100 I saw in 2001, included 8 shorts, a movie is a movie regardless of the running time. And of the 100, 99.5 of them were all presented via film. The .5 was a special screening of Space Cowboys where it was film and DLP (first reel DLP, second reel film, third reel DLP, and so on).

Along with seeing movies, I also try to see and hear motion pictures in formats besides 35mm, such as 70mm. Of the 100 motion pictures last year, saw of course 35mm, but also 70mm and even 16mm--though finding 16mm screenings is difficult. And hopefully I will make the 70mm screening of Spartacus, which is coming up on the 12th of this month.

And for some of my previous movie going experiences, here are some other numbers of note: My all time record is 204 motion pictures in one year. My record for movies in one day, of feature length (meaning no shorts), would be 5 movies. And those 5 were in five different theaters. Nowadays, I try and limit it to no more than 2 movies a day, or better yet, split it to 2 days. The furthest I went to see a movie—which would also be my costliest as well—was about 2200 miles (Los Angeles to Dayton Ohio to see two Cinerama movies), and that trips main purpose was to see the 2 movies. I used to drive 200 miles one-way on movie trips, about once a month, for the sole purpose of "going to the movies." Today, the closest theater I attend is the local neighborhood theater 5 miles from my house, but the better theaters I go to are about 50 miles away.

When going to the movies, my first and foremost requirements are good picture and sound presentation. I do not expect to see a 100% accurate presentation (of which I ask, can a 100% accurate presentation be achieved?), but damn close should be strived for. I understand there can be problems with equipment and such. And I will complain and walk out of movies when warranted. But when I return, I expect the problem(s) to have been fixed. And of the few problems I ran into last year, when I had returned, I am happy to say the problems were fixed. I am lucky in one respect in that I see and hear a share of movies at studio screening facilities, which have always been great presentations. The presentation of Lord Of The Rings at the Academy Theatre (Motion Picture Academy) was most excellent. But I am also happy to say, and amazed, that at my local neighborhood theater I have yet to see a movie where a print has been damaged—and I do not usually go on opening weekends. And I saw at least 40 movies there last year. Now, I guess its off to the movies!

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John Gordon
Cinema Applications Engineer
QSC Audio Products, Inc.
1675 MacArthur Blvd.
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(714) 957-7100
john_gordon@qscaudio.com http://www.qscaudio.com

quote:

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The 100 a year goal includes seeing/hearing movies more than once, but always in their entirety and always in the theater. In 2000, I did not quite make it, only saw about 85. Of the 100 I saw in 2001, included 8 shorts, a movie is a movie regardless of the running time. And of the 100, 99.5 of them were all presented via film. The .5 was a special screening of Space Cowboys where it was film and DLP (first reel DLP, second reel film, third reel DLP, and so on).

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Wow! You've definitely got me beat. I only saw 47 movies in theatres last year. There were definitely some "dry periods" where there were no movies I wanted to see. I saw 66 in 2000, 53 in 1999, and 80 in 1998!

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Something that has always been funny to me is the fact I know many people in this industry, both exhibition and production side, who's life blood is the movies, but never go to the movies. But many will watch videos.

As you can tell from my previous post, I much much prefer to see and hear motion pictures in a theater, as intended. And watching a complete movie through the port window, for me is not watching a movie (of which I have never done, even when I was a projectionist).

One thing I have learned when I go to the movies is to remember film is not a perfect medium. Problems can occur, and will. But when it comes to opperator error, that is a different story.

As for 2002, went to see and hear 2 movie this past weekend. Only 98 more to go.

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I like to watch movies when the cinema is fairly empty. I can get in there after all the advertsing crap has ended and still get a seat in the sweet spot. Also while things like scratches annoy me, there is nothing worse than some one-ton-dumbo crunching crips, rustling his crisp packet and slurping coke in the seat just behind me. If I ever buy into a cinema, the candy bar will only sell icecream (with soggy cones!!).

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Ray Derrick
President
Panalogic Corporation Pty Limited
44 Carrington Road
Castle Hill NSW 2154 Australia
Phone: 61 (0)2 9894 6655 Fax: 61 (0)2 9894 6935