Movies in Bangkok

We went to see "9" a few days ago. The movie was meh, but the movie-going EXPERIENCE was something else.

The theater complex is huge -- there are 17 theaters, an IMAX theater, a bowling alley, a full bar, and a snack bar. The lobby is enormous and full of boards that blink and flash and tell you stuff, like what movie when and how much it costs for the deluxe "Enigma" seat.

After you have decoded the movie/time/theater/seating available matrix you proceed to the ticket line. Each counter is equipped with a computer screen that allows you to see what seats are still available for the movie of your choice, and you reserve a seat when you buy a ticket. We opted for the love seat, which had some fancy silly name that I've forgotten. From there you can avail yourself of the refreshments, but bear in mind that NONE of them are allowed INTO the theater. People go the movies and have drinks and popcorn before the show.

Our love seat selection was a good one -- a huge cushy sofa that came equipped with two blankets, because the AC is set at about 33 degrees F in the theater. We were right in the middle in the back -- perfect seats. And then the movie started.

Oh. My. GOD!!! It was the loudest thing next to a jet engine that I have heard lately. I actually moved to cover my ears. It HURT. I got used to it, but there was never a time during the movie when I was unaware of the fact that the sound was too goddamned loud. Where's Stew Dodge when you need him??

The trailers go on forever. Or at least it seems like it -- a good 30 minutes, anyway. Hey, doesn't "Sorority Row" look like a winner? Ew! But I do want to see "District 9."

After the movie we stood up feeling sort of stunned, and straggled out with the other dozen or so people who had watched the movie with us. We were a bit deaf and disoriented, and then we hit the lobby. Again I have to say: Oh. My. GOD!! When we bought our tickets there were 20 people in the lobby. When we got out of the theater there were HUNDREDS. It was packed. We managed to learn a lesson the easy way, for a change: go to movies in Bangkok before 7 pm unless you enjoy a good mobbing.

Still not sure what the "Enigma" is all about -- further research required, report to be filed at a later date.