Movie Night Every Night
Sam Vansomphone, 137 TESS
Anyone who knows me knows that I love watching movies, so it should come as no surprise that I have spent a lot of time watching Netflix and adding to my Letterboxd since coming to Thailand. Once, during my longest binge, I watched seventeen movies in two weeks and wrote nine reviews in one day. If that sounds like a lot, that’s because it was. Luckily—or unluckily in my opinion—that is nowhere near what my typical week looks like now. Instead, I tend to watch a movie or two on the weekend and slowly chip away at my reviews in my downtime.
Despite my binging habits, I have recently come to miss movie theatres. I miss the giant popcorn and ICEE combos. I miss laying in the comfy recliners and watching 30 minutes of preview trailers. Replacing the recliners and previews has been difficult as they just don’t feel the same outside of the theatre, but who said you need to eat popcorn and nachos while at the movies?
During the past few months, I have substituted potato chips, cookies, ice creams, and other 7-Eleven treats in place of a bucket of buttery popcorn. Normally, I’m not much of a snacker, but it has been fun experimenting with foods I would never buy back in the US. So far, my most unique discovery was a cheddar cheese cake. Yes you read that correctly. It was not cheesecake, but rather a sponge cake topped with cheddar cheese. It was...an adventure, much saltier than I expected but still quite good. None of these new finds are able to fill the hole in my heart left behind by a lack of movie theatre popcorn, but they have all been very delicious and I will be buying more in the future.
Snacks aside, the movies themselves also feel different. There is something special about sitting behind the big screen and getting absorbed into the movie. As much as I try, there is no way to truly replace the experience of going to a movie theatre. Instead, I must struggle to find the time and satiate my desires.
As a volunteer, I have had a few opportunities to travel to Bangkok, either for training or vacation. Early into service, I decided that I would watch at least one movie in theatres during every trip. During my most recent visit, I went to see Supergirl and The Odyssey, two movies that I enjoyed greatly. Unfortunately, my opportunities are sparse and the theatres aren’t quite the same as they are back home. If I were to describe it simply, theatres in Thailand are not as indulgent. The popcorn isn’t drowning in butter, there are no self-service soda machines, and nothing is supersized to feed a small family. Yet, despite the differences, I loved every minute of it. While I do wish I could go more often, I am more than happy to squeeze in a quick stop any chance I get.
So, movie theatres, if you are reading this, I miss you dearly. But don’t worry about me, I’m doing pretty okay for myself out here. I will visit you again when I get the chance.
