THAT’S ALL, FOLKS!

The delay of the next JAMES BOND release and the poor US domestic outing for Christopher Nolan’s TENET have resulted in the suspension of operations for yet another cinema chain. My question is, pandemic or no, was this inevitable?

The same advancements in technology touted by the film industry have resulted in a movie theatre experience within the home. A decade of television programmes that deliver a cinematic outing from one’s smartphone have conditioned a generation to enjoy the perks of ‘staying in tonight’.

What would you choose? Traffic, inflated food prices, $15+ a ticket… or a $30 rental fee to watch a new blockbuster release on your 70″ 6K flatscreen from the comfort of your lazy boy? You can invite a group of friends around, whip up some cocktails and canapes, and not worry about remembering to validate the parking ticket.

The Pandemic will be blamed for many things after the fact, and rightfully so! But, society is undergoing so many transitions at the moment… from fossil fuels to green energy and shopping malls to online stores. Wasn’t filmed entertainment destined to transform because of its own watershed moment?

Four hundred years after the Bard of Stratford’s death, I predict we will still prefer to show up in person to watch Shakespearean actors tread the boards. Yet, it is telling that Netflix has won eight Oscars. The end is nigh for movie picture palaces. I for one am looking forward to my next journey to Middle Earth via Amazon Prime with a gin and tonic in my hand.