Weck’s World
There are so many great ways to watch a movie today: the sit-down theater, the drive-in theater, the house, the dorm room- even the laptop! But nothing quite compares to taking in a flick at Cullen Auditorium.
Call me crazy, but last Friday’s showing of The Rookie reminded me that I’ll take one of these CAT-sponsored events over the other options any day. Let’s take a look at all the factors:
Price-Honestly, who’s gonna drive across town to Century Theaters and spend $7-8 ($10-12 after popcorn and drink) on a movie when they can drop by Cullen and see one for free? Plus, you’ve got all the essentials of a full-course meal for 25 cents apiece: popcorn, candy and drinks. Get one of each and you’re only out 75 cents for the whole shebang, leaving you with a quarter to pick up a pack of Doublemint-something your date will surely appreciate later.
Atmosphere – If I get told to be quiet at one more movie theater, I swear…The beauty about Cullen movies is that everyone talks at one point or another, making for some interesting shouts and a steady murmur that is usually drowned out by the film. Generally, no one’s afraid to say anything because the audience is composed of peers who will laugh at most comments. The environment is so much better with 800 ACU people as opposed to 300 strangers you don’t feel comfortable around.
Movie quality – O.K., so Unbreakable and A Knight’s Tale weren’t the brightest spots in Cullen’s history, but all the other films I’ve seen there have been a blast to watch: Goonies, Shrek, The Count of Monte Cristo, The Others, U-571 and Monsters, Inc., to name a few.
The Unexpected – No one really knows what could happen at a Cullen movie. It’s not uncommon to see people run across the stage in their boxers or give random raptor impersonations for the onlookers. There were even the guys who attempted to dub over each swear word in Goonies with their own goofy substitute expletives. Still, the funniest thing I ever witnessed there was during freshman year. Some buddies of mine kidnapped a goose from Nelson Park and brought it back to campus, where they proceeded to release it in Cullen during a showing of Unbreakable. The outcome was hysterical; the white figure waddled through the pitch black and started honking loudly during a serious part of the movie, causing everyone to bust out laughing and one guy to grab the goose and take it outside.
For me, Cullen has been the center for several good times throughout the past couple of years at ACU. Each of the above reasons has drawn me there again and again, and I don’t anticipate missing too many more of CAT’s movies-that is, unless they’re during Sadies Week.
