One of the things that I most look forward to when life starts to more resemble normalcy is my almost-weekly trip to the movie theater. I love sitting in the reclining chair with one leg draped off the side and a small tub of popcorn sitting on the swing-over table.
Apparently after the success Universal Studios had when they released Trolls World Tour for people to stream to their homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, making the studio more money in three weeks than the first film did in its five-month theatrical run, the company will be releasing their movies in both formats.
As always, it comes down to money. The theaters want their piece of it. AMC and Regal cinema companies have issued statements saying they will refuse to have Universal movies on their screens. It always comes down to money. Universal realizes they might be able to make more, and the theater companies realize their share of the pie is diminished.
For $20, my wife and I watched the newly-released movie Bloodshot on a streaming format. We have a decent 50-inch television, but it just wasn’t the same. I don’t mind watching series or movies the second time on the smaller screen, but some movies are just made for the big screen.
As an example, I loved Avengers: Endgame and the Star Wars films. But I have not ever been able to watch them on my television. They were made for the big sweeping screens, possibly even IMAX.
If it comes down to money, the $20 we spent on Bloodshot ended up being less expensive than going out to the theater, with popcorn, gas, parking, etc. But the “experience” was different. I hope they resolve their issues, because I don’t want to miss the big films and big stories on the big screens in my big reclining seat.
