Fresh Question #72: Incredible Movie Experience!

[Nightwing]

Greetings ladies and gentlemen of....the world. Or something, I'm sorry I'm too goofy to pull off drama. The important thing is, it's new Fresh Question time! Let's do it.

Ya know the past few years has made me realize how amazing the movie experience can be. I'm talking explosive movie-going experience! So think long and hard, check your ticket stubs, and tell me:

What was your most significant movie experience?? Explain.


My own personal gems are The Fellowship of The Ring, and Spiderman 2.

[Tapout]

I'd have to say Kill Bill Volume 1. I've only gone to the movies and been severely disappointed four times, but rarely do I go in expecting excellence and then have the movie deliver. KBv1 is probably the only movie to give me everything I was looking for when I went to see it.

[Marvel_Knight]

Both of my times at Spider-Man 2, but I like my 1st time better. Dang near perfect.

[Daredevil_2003]

Spider-Man 2, LOTR: ROTK, We Were Soldiers, Shrek 2, Star Wars trilogy SE (twas the first time for me to see them in all their glory up on the big screen)...I've had plenty of great movie experiences, but those are the ones that feel special still.

[volks73]

My best movie experience was Matrix: Reloaded on the IMax screen. It completely changed my opinion of that movie. Seeing a ten story tall Neo fight 100 Smiths is completely mind blowing.

[sun]

The exact date escapes me..It was a Saturday morning, early show, first time I heard that deep dolby sound,(just been invented) single large screen, Esquire Theater, near North of Chicago's loop...I went with a 3 year old girl,, 6 year old boy,( my girl friend's children at the time), and my girlfriend; to see a movie from a book I had read, before the movie was released..The book had just been put on the rack, at Chicago Public Library main building (now called the Cultural Center). On some plastic stand that I had never seen before.(they also were new) .One book caught my eye. The caption of the book stated, "about a galaxy far far away, a new movie, soon to be in theaters." STAR WARS." I read that book in two days and vowed to see the film as soon as I could..I walked out of that theater with a feeling so great, happy and high, that I do not think I have ever felt that way at a movie again..I really cannot describe it, we all felt that way. It might have been the second day of release, or possibly the 2nd or third weekend...Yes, it was anIncredible Movie Experience that day, one that I will never forget.

[screw on head]

Gosh, most significant movie going experience. I can honestly say that only recent superhero movies have really made me go wow in awe of their greatness.

I remember being in complete amazement watching X-Men 2 in the theatres. It was so beautifully done overall: the writing was so well structured and intelligent that the story really took some awesome twists and turns but still handled the whole group dynamic masterfully, and the direction/editting was fantastic. It was the first superhero movie I was completely satisfied with all the way through. No quibbles at all, and that's very strange for me while watching a film for the first time. It had all I wanted to see for a great movie experience: spectacle, solid direction, and well crafted story. I remember walking out of the theatre and beng shocked, eagerly awaiting to see it again, and again...

[Good Ol' Batmanuel!]

Some moments that stand out to me as especially memorable:

- in Spider-Man when Peter first crawls up a wall. I thought they did that so well, what with the way the camera was going around him and such!

- in Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country when they first take the Enterprise out of starbase. Would've been amazing on IMAX!

- in Star Trek: First Contact when they're working outside of the ship. They did a good job of making you feel like they would be hopelessly lost if something broke.

- in X2 when that girl started screaming...and screaming...and screaming. The sheer volume and length of it gave me goosebumps. :p

- pretty much all of Ben Burtt's IMAX movie Special Effects: Anything Can Happen. Watching King Kong plummet to the street was amazing! The preview for a nature film before it was incredible, too. It was my first (and so far, only) time in an IMAX theater and it was pretty impressive. :)

[Classic Speedy]

I went to see Austin Powers in Goldmember in a Chicago, IL suburb theater. It was one of the best movie crowds I've ever been in theaters with- the surrounding laughter was infectious and everyone had a really good time. Too many times in a comedy, I've been with a crowd that hardly laughs at all and I feel like a giddy moron laughing so much. ;)

Second would be a tie between Star Wars Episode II (didn't see it at midnight, but close enough- opening morning) and any IMAX film.

[Lord Dalek]

There have been a couple.

Lion King (first show, the place was packed tight), Jurassic Park (saw that in 70mm, It blew my mind), Batman (it's my earliest memory of a movie), Star Wars: Episode IV SE, Phantom Menace, ROTK.

[DarkAngel]

- in Star Trek: First Contact when they're working outside of the ship. They did a good job of making you feel like they would be hopelessly lost if something broke.FC was the first movie that came to mind. Great experience for me. I was so psyched to see it and it didn't disappoint. "Phantom Menace" was another high point for me. Getting the chance to see a new SW movie on the big screen after waiting so long was incredible. It lived up to any expectations I had.

[Nick K.]

I saw Halloween:H20 in theaters. I'ma big horror movie fan and had been anticipating this. Let me tell you, the movie was great, my seat was great, the snacks were great and the people I went with were great.

Another thing I love when I go to the movies happened when I went to see LOTR:TT. I don't know if this happens in any of the theaters that people here go to, but everytime someone we liked appeared on screen or something cool happened we would all clap. Like when Legolas slid down that staircase we all clapped. I even got to start a clap and me and my friends had fun so that is what was important.

[Elven Moon]

Jetsons: the Movie and Nightmare Before Christmas - Simply because I can still remember sitting in the theater watching them even after 10+ years ;)

Shrek 2 - Everyone in the theater was having a grand old time, it was great! You didn't feel dumb for laughing loud because everyone was.

LOTR: ROTK: Wow... this blew everyone away. Everyone in the theater was so involved, we were all connected in the experience, I don't know if I've ever had that happen before.

[David the Joker]

For me, I would have to say both Spider-Man films, but more the first one. I was a senior in highschool when the first one came out and I got dismissed from school to see it. The amazing had me totally entranced by the acting and action. I love watching the relatable Peter Parker and how he got his powers and the look on his face, when he got them. The second film was great too, especially Dr. Ock and the scene in the hospital. I also love watching Spidey swing through the city and going on the journey with him.

[purplehairedwonder]

I've definately got to say Return of the King. It was such an amazing film to start with and the audience was really sucked into it. Around the last bit of the movie you just knew there wasn't a dry eye in the theater. It wasn't that you heard people crying, you could just feel everyone around you being pulled into it. All the many emotional moments brought great reactions from everyone that made it that much more fun. The Shelob stalking Frodo scene brought gasps from everyone. People cheered at the end when Arwen and Aragorn kissed. Everyone laughed at Gimli's "That still only counts as one!" and everyone was easily on the edges of their seats for the whole thing. It was just one of those things where you knew you weren't the only one being changed by this movie. It made it that much more memorable.

[TimTwoFace]

I've seen plenty of great movies, too many to list here. But, the most interesting external movie experience was probably my viewing of BATMAN & ROBIN in a second-run discount theatre.

Yes, the movie sucked, but it was the first movie I followed from its inception and studied all the rumors and such as time carried on, for two years. From pre-production to in the can, it was my first real "behind the scenes", full-blown, movie-studying experience. So in that sense, it was special...in a way. (The movie was also "special" in that other way...you know...absolutely retarded.)

When I saw the movie at the discount theatre, I thought it was kinda cool how the theatre was so hot and sweaty for the majority of the movie. But at that one crucial moment where Mr. Freeze unexpectantly freezes Gotham City (who saw THAT coming? Not I, not with this terrific script!), the people at the theatre finally turned on the AC and the entire theatre - all six of us - was absolutely freezing! Say what you will about the movie, but that theatre had a funny sense of timing. :D

Another, more recent experience was when I saw FAHRENHEIT 9/11 in the theatres about a month ago. I don't go to many movies that people actually wholeheartedly CHEER for at the end, but this one was different. I guess what Michael Moore said was right - in the US this movie would be considered a tragedy, in Canada, it's a comedy.

-Tim

[Classic Speedy]

I've definately got to say Return of the King. It was such an amazing film to start with and the audience was really sucked into it. Around the last bit of the movie you just knew there wasn't a dry eye in the theater. It wasn't that you heard people crying, you could just feel everyone around you being pulled into it. All the many emotional moments brought great reactions from everyone that made it that much more fun. The Shelob stalking Frodo scene brought gasps from everyone. People cheered at the end when Arwen and Aragorn kissed. Everyone laughed at Gimli's "That still only counts as one!" and everyone was easily on the edges of their seats for the whole thing. It was just one of those things where you knew you weren't the only one being changed by this movie. It made it that much more memorable. Yeah, Return of the King was a good movie experience for me, too. The only problem was me and the 2 people with me sat in the VERY FRONT ROW for 3 1/2 hours. Talk about a stiff neck....

And as for the audience enjoyment thing, the audience I was with ALSO enjoyed the Gimli line. But I wouldn't say the majority of the audience was close to tears. Since it seemed like the movie would end multiple times, by the time they got to Frodo sailing away, one audience member said, "Oh come ON!" in a joking fashion. You know, is it over yet? :D

[sun]

This ranks with the other one I mentioned before, different in scope and quality, but equally as important..It was l979,or 89,in November. I attended a world premere as part of the Chicicago Film Festival, which at that time was being held in two or three locations about town. My friend and I, both toon fans, went to an auditorium on the Campus of IIT near where the Chicago White Sox Play. The film, a full length Bugs Bunny compiliation with new footage intersperced to make it look continuous..(If I was at home, it is on tape, I'd give you the exact name, I should instantly recall it, maybe (Looney,Looney Looney Toons or something like that) contained some great toons.. Each time Sam would try to defeat Bugs, he Sam would land back in hell, and the devil would send him up again.This went on thru the film, kind of a take off on a Tweety toon, with the same idea .Anyway, standing at the podium, at the end of the film, which he directed and put togeather, was Fritz Freeling. He spent about 45 minutes answering questions, and discussing animation. (there were about 500 in attendance) The hall was booked for something else,so time was limited, and afterwards Fritz and about a dozen of us stood outside the lecture hall/auditorium and talked toons..then we walked with him out of the building with a friend, and they walked to a waiting car..That two hours, had to rank as some of the best time ever with a film, meeting its creater,( a true great) and being part of a group having some dialogue with Fritz , and getting his autograph, and just being there. In looking back that was a truely "incredible movie experience!" Stuart

[Ruffian]

The Little Mermaid - I was 9 years old when this opened in Oct. of 1989. At that age I usually don't anticipate for movies to open, but I remember being very excited for this release. When I did see it, I wasn't disappointed and probably had the best movie going experience of my childhood. I loved the songs, the animation, and the characters. The main titles are also one of my favorite movie moments. King Triton's palace is the most beautiful palace the Disney animators have come up with so far. Stunning.

The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring - I knew I was gonna like the movie based on the previews, but I didn't expect the actual film to exceed my expectations and my imagination. The productions values were just incredible. And TT and ROTK went on to push that further, especially the battle scenes.

Spider-Man - As an entire package, I thought this was the best comic book adaptation to film. It had the story and the visuals, really looked like a comic book that jumped onto a screen.

Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl - I grew up with Disneyland, and this movie was a wonderful surprise. I really had no expectations going in. It's just based on the ride, how good could it be? Pretty damn good. I love how it had its own story with elements of the ride added in. This was the most fun and entertaining movie experience for me.

[James]

Empire Strikes Back - it was 1980 and I was 4 or 5. I remember being taken into Manchester to see this movie. I don't remember much. I THINK I had the comic adaption before I saw it. I recall looking at the diecast toys after in a toy shop so I must have had some aquaintance with the story. I'm proud this is my first cinema experience.

Dusk Till Dawn - I remember going to see this with no idea of the plot and being in tears of laughter when all hell broke loose. Such a smart idea, the swing around in the plot is just great.

Back To The Future/Raiders Of The Lost Ark/Ghostbusters - We went to see this lot on a reshowing a few years back. Man it was the original reels with the old certificates.. the quality was dubious on occasions for Raiders, but Back To The Future was a riot. The audience was laughing (some were ever so slightly drunk) and it was a hoot. You don't get massive audience feedback in the UK (eg laughter etc) so this was a great showing.

The Sixth Sense - First film I saw in the US with my then girlfriend. Again, we had no idea what was going to happen. A good film in a different country was just a cool experience. We followed up a few days with Inspector Gadget so that promptly killed the novelty of both the cinema and a good film.

Lord Of The Rings - FOTR. Just a beautiful experience. Enjoyed every minute of it. Visually and aurally masterful.

X-Men - Just for the excitement of finally feeling a true Superhero on the screen. Yeah, Batman was, but he felt like a movie "version". It didn't feel like comic action, more like... fantasy action with Batman in it. X-Men didn't reinvent the X-Men universe as Batman did and actually felt more comicesque. The first fling of Wolverine into a tree by Wolverine and I was thinking "yes, comics have finally made it truely to the screen." It was the first really true comic moment for me.