How long has it been since you’ve seen a movie in the actual theater?
APR 10, 2025
Dear Reader,
How long has it been since you’ve gone to the movies? I mean actually went out to a place that serves up moving pictures for your feasting eyeballs, usually in a room surrounded by strangers?
Mr. Melinda and I went out last night to see Black Bag, which Wikipedia calls an American Spy Thriller, but it’s not. It’s a British (as in, it takes place in Britain and the characters are British) spy…something. It’s not a thriller. I didn’t exactly get a ticking clock feeling though they obviously thought they’d put one in there. It was more…psychologically interesting than physically thrilling. More Spy Game, less Eagle Eye or Jason Bourne.
We saw Black Bag at the iPic theater. It’s two blocks away, so we were able to stroll sedately over there. I can’t tell you how nice that was! No need to fight traffic. No need to go super early in case there was traffic. No need to battle traffic on the way home.
Traffic. The one thing Tallahassee didn’t have that was actually very nice to, er, not have.
I don’t think we’ve ever been to an iPic before, so I don’t know if they’re all the same. This one feels very swanky when you walk in, because they have this fancy schmancy art on the wall by the escalators:
Look close…that’s made of books! See?
How cool is that? My little author heart practically melted. I wonder how long it took to create? Would that work on my own walls? Would I be able to part with enough books to make that happen?
Probably not.
At any rate, with that pleasant surprise behind us we took our seats in what turned out to be a pod. They’ve set up their viewing rooms in partitions that contain two reclining chairs each. It felt cozy and private, which wasn’t something I expected. They give you blankets AND they bring food to you (or not, as you wish), like Studio Movie Grill in Dallas (or some AMC dine-in theaters).
We had dinner while we watched the show. We felt pampered and spoiled as we walked home, discussing the movie like we used to do when we were first dating. Awww!
We both tried to remember the last time we’d been out to a movie, and couldn’t. It’s been way too long. I’ve missed it. It’s such a simple pleasure, and it almost didn’t matter how good the movie was or wasn’t. The act of going out, and spending time doing something together, is what made me happy.
The movie wasn’t bad either! It started a little slow, but ended with a bang that I quite enjoyed. It gave Mr. and Mrs. Smith vibes, kinda, if Mr. and Mrs. Smith were British and more reserved in their displays of affection. It was cerebral and twisty and by the time we left I’d forgotten about the slow start. Overall I’d give it 4/5. It sticks the landing, which to me is everything. It’s how you feel when you leave the movie or finish the book that matters most.
Have you seen it? Did you like it?
Until next time,
**Book News**
GaG — Current Word Count: 6,227. Favorite Line of the Week: He had a face that she supposed other women found attractive. She found it punchable.
I’m making writing progress but I have to admit it’s sloooow.