Opening Night

I should just call this what it really is, the first edition of “you know you’re fucking old when…”, but for now I’ll pretend this isn’t going to happen again in the near future and I’ll treat it as a one shot.  For any of you who may have missed it, tickets for the new Star Wars film went on sale this past Monday, caused ticket site Fandango to crash in moments, and has already generated over 6 MILLION dollars in IMAX purchases alone, which is 6 times the previous record. So what’s the problem? Let’s start with the first problem, however minute you may find it to be.

The Release Date

The film’s release date is Friday December 18th. This has been known for months and marked on calendars around the globe. So why does the first showing happen to be 7pm Thursday December 17th. Weird, I thought those were two different days, maybe that’s just me. Nope, just checked, two different days. This leads us to problem two and the reason for this article.

Where have the Midnight Screenings gone?

The real ones. When the movie played at midnight. There was a time when I would have actually had to drive to the destination theater to purchase tickets at the box office for the 12:01 a.m. showing on December 18th for Star Wars The Force Awakens. That’s not all. I would then, the day of, have to get to the theater to stand in line no later than 9 p.m. for a good seat. You think that’s early? I would bet a million internet dollars that I wouldn’t be the first one there. Not anymore, now you can grab your phone, load an app, buy your ticket, and now, even pick your seat. There isn’t even just one showing. Here is a list of times at the theater we are attending.

28. Twenty eight available times to see Star Wars The Force Awakens between 7pm and 1am. Starting December 17th, the day before it is released. There used to be only one, and it would have been on the day it was released, at Midnight. I would get home at 3 a.m. only to wake at 6:30 in order to make a coffee run for the day’s fuel. Work, oh I would hurt so bad at work that day, but goddamnit it was worth it. Because a few short hours ago I was in line sitting with other rabid fans who have been drooling over the film since it was announced. We traded stories, admired costumes, talked about hopes and fears for the movie, it was something very special. Now, fuck, now I can catch the 7, be in bed by 11, and get a good night’s sleep to be super productive at work the next day. I ask you, where’s the fun in that?

So it is after this realization and acceptance that with this article I bid farewell to the Opening Day Midnight Screening. You were a very important part of my growing up as a film fan and I’m going to miss the fuck out of you. Thanks for the memories.

That’ll do it for this week. Be sure to tune in next week for another Binge GameCast and as always you can follow me on Twitter @jekupka. Until next time, I leave you with this…