Off To the Movies By Yourself

[Neon Noodle]

I've never had a problem seeing movies by myself in the theater. This may point out my teen years as a loner, but I typically wanted to see movies that my friends didn't want to.

I never felt awkward in the least - and I never cared much about what other people thought of me sitting by myself. I only cared about what the silver screen had to show me.

Going solo means you don't have to:
-answer questions during the movie
-share your snack items
-explain what happens when your companion has to go to the bathroom halfway thru the movie
-spend an additional $8.50
-quibble over where to sit in the theater (near the speakers, away from the stoned teenagers, etc...)

I've never gotten the reaction from coworkers that it's "wierd" to see a movie by oneself - most of them do it too.

[Vermin Boy]

Personally, I prefer going with a friend, not because I give a damn about what anyone thinks of me, but because I enjoy having someone to share my reactions with. If it's a bad movie, it's fun to start up a quiet commentary, and if it's a good movie, it's nice to have someone to discuss it with afterwards. Still, I don't have a problem with going alone, and have done so many times. The most interesting time for me was a midnight screening of Blood Feast; It was extremely sparsely attended (the same theater was also screening Wet Hot American Summer, which drew the majority of the midnight crowd), and, apart from one couple and one group of three, every single person (myself included) was there alone. Somehow, this added to the experience; it felt like I was at an actual grindhouse! (Afterwards, I had to walk alone all the way across Boston back to my dorm at 2am, which was fairly interesting as well).

[BeyondTheGrave]

most of the time i see movies by myself. not because i dont have friends but i like seeing movies at thier premiers and my friend either see them weeks later or never or dont have money. i do get werid looks but i dont care i want to see a movie not  eat  your children.

"I know I know ive been exposed permeant psychoses..
at least the colors are nice"- Aeon Flux

[Yaddo42]

I usually go alone for the usual reasons:

I want to see stuff others don't, no one I kew had the least bit of interest in seeing "Confessions of a Dangerous MInd" or the remake.of "Solaris" but me. I have no intereset in seeing "Day After Tomorrow" between my loathing of disaster films and hatred for all things made by Roland Emmerich and Dean Devlin (who I think wasn't part of this film). They've gotten my money too many times before and given me garbage in return, no more.
 
I hate answering questions (I also have my 20 minute rule: no one asks questions especially "Why'd they do that?" for the first 20 minutes. This gives the director time to set up the story and often the question will be answered by the film if the person will just wait a little longer anyway).

I work nights and tend to go to matinees when friends are working, or late shows on my nights off when friends are winding down their day, getting ready for bed and such.

I settle on what film I want to see ahead of time, but make up my mind to go at the last minute.

I like to sit about four or five rows from the front so the screen fills my line of sight, nost of my friends don't.  Also people at half empty late shows tend to not sit so close to the front (YMMV), so I'm less likely to have people sitting near me talking or whatever.

[Jeany]

I'm not sure that I've ever been to a theatre alone, but if I had a car I know I would go again and again.  I forget who said it, but they were right about seing dvds n tv alone all the time. I just couldn't watch x-files with someone else.
Now eating at a restaaurant alone? I don't think I'd enjoy that. Meal time has always been a time of talking in my life and in the life of those around me. Which I find ironic as you're constantly ingesting material. But perhaps that's why there aren't many who eat at a restaurant alone.
Mofo Rising- there are actually observant ppl out there. Others just don't  notice them as much because they can't look others in the eye or they think they're scary cause they're silent and watching you.  I look at everyone around me, everywhere. You'd be amazed at what you can see and learn.

[Derf]

I often went to movies alone when I was in grad school; I didn't know anyone with similar tastes in movies, so I just went by myself. Heck, once I literally saw a movie by myself: It was a matinee, and I was the only one in the theater. Unfortunately, the movie was boring, so I entertained myself fantasizing about dancing on the little stage in front of the screen (I was too inhibited then; I might actually do something like that now) and going through a stewardess-like presentation of pointing out all the exits in the theater (planning my escape route). I did learn from that experience that, at least in that theater, the projectionist WILL start the movie even if no one is there (I showed up a couple of minutes late and the previews had already started).

[The Burgomaster]

I have no problem going to the movies alone.  Why do you need someone sitting beside you?  I am there to watch the movie . . . I can socialize afterward.  Of course, I also enjoy going to the movies with my wife or with friends, but it isn't a necessity.  There have been many movies that my wife didn't want to see, so I went alone while she went shopping or something.

I have been a proud "solo" film attendee since I was about 12 years old.  If no one else wants to see what I want to see, I think it is foolish to deprive myself of the movie-going experience.  In fact, I prefer to go alone rather than go with someone who likes to talk throughout the movie.

[Susan]

I went to see Riddick tonite, alone, and I have to ask. The majority of attendee's were male "buddies". They'd walk in together, find an aisle and sit down, with a chair inbetween them. The entire theater was filled with buffer zones. What's the point of even taking someone if you aren't going to sit by them? Just go alone!

[Eirik]

Back before I had kids I did sometimes.  Usually during the day when I was off work for whatever reason and there was a movie I wanted to see but nobody else could go or was interested.   Now I can't imagine having the time.

[Fearless Freep]

The entire theater was filled with buffer zones

Ah..apparently you've never seen a handful of men at the urinals in a men's room

[I luv dolma]

I went to Passion of the Christ by myself, cause I knew I was going to cry during the film, and I didn't  want anyone that I knew to see me cry.

I also saw Spotless Mind by myself, cause I didn't know anyone that would want to see a film like that. People today only want to see action film that require no thinking of any kind. Sad really.

[Gerry]

I go to the movies by myself all the time.  If it's a choice between that or not seeing it, I'll go myself in a second.

My wife and I go together when it's a movie she will enjoy.  If it's one only I will like I usually go by myself.  I usually go to a late show after we've already got the kids to bed and she can just crash on the couch.

[Carla]

I can't say i like much going to the movies by myself, but a time came when i got fed up on having to wait (or beg) to friends to go with me. And the trade is always "next time we'll see something you like". So lately i've started going alone and it's not that bad (i even went to a goth concert alone and yeah, i'm still alive :-)  It's bad when your friends don't like the same things you do but you shouldn't have to "suffer" for it. Of course alone i mainly go to matines and stuff but i find that it's not that bad, and hell, i'm there to see the film after all so, why not?
And yes, lots of people go alone also, i've been noticing that.

[Chopper]

hehe, allow me to introduce you to the concept of the "straight seat." yes, we are the most homophobic society in the world.

[Susan]

Yeah, clearly two men sitting next to eachother implies they're gay. Where do you guys come up with this stuff? lol
It's one thing if you're at a chick flick....