I recently went to a movie at one of the local theaters here in Fargo, something I once did every week when I was married. Sunday night was a little alone time and I would hit the movie house, sometimes for a classic and sometimes some real “crap”. It was hit-and-miss but I made sure I caught one of the latest to have a little talk fodder for the next day’s show. I love going to the movies. But theaters, like everything in these changing times, have upgraded. Recliner seats, huge screens, more 3-D movies, more choices at the concession stands, sound enhancement and with all that, they’ve increased the price of a movie ticket.

Don’t get me wrong, things will always be changing in our lifetimes. But the first time I sat in one of those new dream loungers…I did just that. I nodded off and I prayed I hadn’t snored for the other patrons during the film. I fell asleep during “Godzilla” for crying out loud. The only other time I can remember falling asleep at a movie was at the Grand Theater in Crookston. My cousin was going with a couple of her friends and asked if I’d join them. (Sensing blind date here). I was still in high school and we went to see Barbra Streisand in “On a Clear Day You Can See Forever”. Nothing against Babs but please! I think I can still feel the punch in the arm I got from my cousin. Man but she had a good right! So next time in a dream lounger here’s the best tip! Don’t recline the entire way…or you’ll be taking your dream lounger into dream land. (Good line, Harris).

Also, you can now choose your seats before entering the show. This I think was a pretty cool idea. If you’re a little shy, or if you and your significant other want to sit apart from the rest, you can do so, providing the place isn’t packed. I remember a few years back I was the only one at this particular film and just when the previews of coming attractions was finished, in pops two guys and sat RIGHT BEHIND ME. 300 seats in the place and they picked two seats one row behind me. Apparently thinking that they were “Siskel & Ebert”, they were giving running commentary throughout the film. I finally got up and moved, not just because of the talking but they stunk to high heaven from what they had been smoking in the car. I’ve been to a few concerts during my radio career, I could feel it in my olfactory that it was far from the stuff Dad used to buy by the carton.

You’ll never find me at a 3-D movie! Nothing against them, but I wear glasses, and combine them with the 3-D glasses gives me headaches. Again, that’s just my personal situation.

The sound system is really something you have to experience, just like you’re on the soundstage. And we’ve moved in great strides at the concession stands. Besides the pop and popcorn, there’s the candy, nachos, sno-cones, juices, I swear I saw pizza a few weeks back too.

But of course with all this comes the increase in ticket prices and concessions. Hollywood box offices were showing a bit of a dip a couple years ago. Now with new technology, more and bigger screens, and some fresh new faces in filmmaking, things are starting to take a turn again. The only thing that hasn’t changed is movie sequels, prequels, or remakes. Depending on the website you look at it, the number of new releases between now and the end of 2015 will be in the neighborhood of 170 from those categories.

You can put huge flat screen on the wall with surround sound in your living room. But for me, nothing beats a theater for seeing a movie.