With the recent lack of widespread cinematic releases (only four across the nation the past three weeks combined), I have felt a little movie deprived, so far as the big releases go. That being the case, I made my way out to the theater to see something — I needed something. I walked up to the ticket counter and when the girl asked me what I was going to see today, I replied, "Don't make me say it out loud." She smiled, laughed and handed me a ticket for Sex and the City.
Smart girl. I went and bought overpriced popcorn and soda, then walked down the ramp, down the long hallway, and into the theater. I sat there determined to make the best of it; however, fate was not going to make it easy for me.
The trailers had already begun by the time I sat down, but something was off. The screen was set to the 1.85:1 ratio of the film and they were showing 2.35:1 trailers. Now this happens often and isn't a problem; the problem is that they were being projected at the top as opposed to the usual middle. Okay, no problem so long as the film is correct, right? Well, that wasn't right either; it was projected too high and the heads were being cut off, not to mention the bottom of the screen was still blank.
I went out and told on of the ushers. The matte was then opened to use the full screen, but the framing was still off. So, I went out a second time, and this did the trick — the framing was corrected and the experience began to settle down.
The secondary problem brought on by this whole framing business is that I missed the first few minutes of the film, where the Sarah Jessica Parker voiceover filled us in on what the characters have been up to since the end of the series. This probably would have been helpful since I have never watched the series before.
Article comments
1 - lexia
Having watched the tv episodes, I am familiar with the series. But, I would have to agree with you Christopher, the movie was not that good.
Prior to watching it, I saw the publicity and the press surrounding the movie and I was expecting suprises and twists and turns. I found myself wondering several times during the movie, why was it so long? That is not the kind of question a viewer should be asking if it's a good movie.
Predictable.