The Show Goes On

Harkins sitting humbly in its place on a beautiful Flagstaff morning

            It’s a lovely Flagstaff Friday night and you aren’t quite old enough to go to a bar, but are sick of the mostly unfulfilling house-party scene. As you sit on your hand-me-down loveseat, graciously gifted to you by your favorite aunt, you become disappointed as every single show on television seems as dry as your 75 year-old professor’s (whom by the way is only a few months away from retirement) two hour long lectures. While most of the festivities occurring seem unattractive, you desperately wish to make the most out of your well-deserved weekend. Here is a grand idea; on the corner of University Drive and Woodlands Village Boulevard in the middle of numerous college student filled apartments lives a entity capable of ending all of your birthed out of boredom woes. You guessed it, Harkins Movie Theatre.

         
           Now, before you jump all over me with your excuses and reasons as to why you shouldn’t waste your time and what little money college students claim to own on a flick at the local theatre, here me out. I understand that you are very well capable of watching a movie in the comfort of your own house, eating your own popcorn, drinking your own Coke out of your favorite glass and please know that I agree in some cases this is the best plan of action for the evening.  However, watching a mainstream movie at a credible theatre is an experience that simply cannot be replicated. A movie theatre is an adventure. The vast projection screen, the surround sound, the comfortable seating, the red vines. RED VINES! In my humble opinion, red vines always taste better at the movies. Plus, few combinations in this world are better than Dr. Pepper with a red vine as your straw. Like I said, that’s just my opinion though.  

You may also dislike the idea of gathering with strangers in order to watch a production that, once again, you can view on your own. This is my answer to those who feel that way. If you will, compare going to a movie to a professional basketball game. Both are capable of being viewed in the safety provided by television, but yet no one ever looks down upon going to a professional sport contest. And let’s not get started on the ticket price difference between the two. The fact is both involve a joining of strangers spending their hard-earned cash in order to be entertained by the works of professionals. Opinions of a movie will differ just as those of opposing fans will, but just as you feel elated when the crowd goes wild as the home team makes a crucial play, the same is said for the feeling one gets when everyone in a theater laughs at an evidently funny portion in a movie. Part of the beauty lies in that momentary joining with someone whom you probably never see again.

Let us move on to a more practical section and everyone’s favorite topic, money. A highly attractive aspect of the Harkins Theatre is the discount it offers for students of both Northern Arizona University and Coconino Community College. With a valid school picture ID, students may purchase tickets for a price of $6.50, the same price for a matinee ticket. Is that not a great deal? If you don’t agree try this next one; a one-time purchase of a Harkins Theatre Loyalty Cup, costing $4.50, will entitle you to $1 refills for the remainder of the year. If you are an avid moviegoer such as myself, this is basically a steal. I personally classify popcorn and candy as luxuries, however if you want to know more about how I feel on that subject, check out the sub-section titled “A Few Hints For the Uneducated Moviegoer.”

Harkins loyalty cup designed
                     with cartoons of popular movies.
            Can you spot your favorite?

Flagstaff has many local treasures that make this community unique. However, at times we need a taste of mainstream entertainment that reminds us that while Flagstaff prides itself on its independence and unique culture, it isn’t lost in the dark ages. We need the bit of nostalgia presented by the movie theatre. (Don’t act like you didn’t view going to the theatre as an adventure when you were a child. We all did. I still do.) Guys, spend $13 to take your girlfriend out to the new Pirates of The Caribbean movie coming out in a few weeks. Sure she secretly thinks Johnny Depp is cuter than you but 2 hours of Penelope Cruz? Fair trade I’d say. Girls, invite your closest friends to see the latest chick flick so that you all can receive more false hope about how love should be. Yea, I went there. Anyways the moral of the story is even in lovely, nature filled, independently owned, culturally rich Flagstaff, one of the best forms of public entertainment lies in the shape of Harkins Movie Theatre.