Midnight Premeire -- The Dark Knight

[la_samtyr]

I'm not going to be discussing the movie in any depth -- that will be in a later post -- so this is essentially spoiler-free. Most of this is about what I was doing while I was waiting in line, etc. before it started. I'm using a cut for length, because I tend to ramble (i.e., natter) on and on. But if you've read this at all, you already know that. Anyway, here goes.

Thurday, I had to go in super-early anyway (6 am) in order to stay with my auntie and see that she had lunch because my uncle had to go to the VA in Omaha for his yearly physical. This turned out to be a good thing since I got to nap nearly all day and thus I was well-rested for the night ahead. By the time my uncle got home (around 6 pm), the weather was getting nasty. I decided that I had better eat, and eat well, so that I did not get suddenly hungry in the middle of either waiting or the movie itself. So I went to the Blue Moon coffee shop (which is less than a half-block away) in order to wait. It was a good thing too because it decided to rain, and rain *hard*, just after I got there. So I spent about 2 hrs. watching it rain and hoping that there would not be any spectacularly weird weather phenomenom. Luckily the rain eased up about 8:30 pm, so I walked down to start standing in line, which had already formed.

I was in the first twenty so even better, I was able to stand under the awning. The young pups there were full of energy and really, the whole atmosphere reminded me of the good ol' days when I used to go to the midight showings of 'Rocky Horror' -- and if you need that explained any further, then I am just very sorry for you. It was probably about 10 pm when more people began to show up, and then all at once, *they came*. There was a line forming to either side of the building, with most of us huddling under the awning because while the rain was no longer *pouring* down, it was still heavier than a light drizzle and we were being treated to a thunder and lightning show, courtesy of Mother Nature -- I guess to help set the mood for the movie. Luckily I managed to find someone to talk to, despite the fact that we were packed like sardines and as I said before, everyone was just in a great mood. ::happy sigh:: So very nice, you know.

They opened the door about 10:30, which was earlier than they intended, I think but between the weather and the crowd, they probably figured it would be a little easier. They let people in the door by groups of twenty so as to keep some semblance of control -- but then everyone hit the concession stand while waiting in the lobby for the other movie to let out. Can we say barely controlled chaos? Yup, that's what it was. Since I was one of the first in, I was able to see just how many people were *still* outside waiting to get in. Oh, my. And it was *loud*. Not that anyone was being obnoxious or anything, just that when you have a lot of people talking in a normal tone of voice in a very small area... loud. The guy working at the concession stand couldn't hear me and I couldn't hear him but I managed to get popcorn and soda anyway. Go to a movie and not have popcorn and a soda? Oh the horror! Even I am not that much of a Philistine.

One of the staff guys really went all out in dressing up for the premeire as the Joker -- not sure if he was the only one into it that much or what. His costume/make-up was spot on and he got a lot of photos. Alas, my cell phone does not have a camera or I would have taken one as well. ::le sigh:: Hopefully I can discover someone who was there and is willing to share their pic.

Eventually, the other movie (Hancock) was over and everyone packed inside. I don't think it took more than ten minutes for it to fill over 95% up, so they opened up the balcony seats as well. Now *that* was unusual! The balcony has been closed for years, I can't remember the last time it was open. Then again, it's been *ahem* a very long time since I went to a midnight showing of *any* movie. I thought I was all settled in my favorite back row seat when a very large gentleman (who must make his living as a double for Shaquille O'Neal) decided to sit in front of me. Erm, yes. I was able to seat-jump though, so all was well.

And then, the movie. Well. I already posted a mini-review in the post prior to this one, and I stand by it. I fully intend to go back and see it again. And again, and again and as many times as I possibly can. I know there are some on my list who haven't seen it yet and all I can say is -- if you see only one movie this summer, this is the one to see.

Ok, so enough of my rambling on. I am off now and fix lunch and then maybe even go see a movie... ya think? ;) Later!