Friday evening provided a new and old experience for me. Buctainment offered ETSU students and staff with a free showing of the hit comedy Anchorman staring Will Ferrell, Christina Applegate and Steve Carell.
I decided to go check it out considering I missed Spiderman 2 three weeks ago. Part of me wasn’t expecting much. Like I said, I’ve never been to one of the free showings, so I didn’t know what the experience was going to be like.
After going, however, I was shocked and surprise at the turnout, the experience and more. Being a freshman, I guess I’m a little skeptical about events going on around school. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for having a good time.
But something inside me wasn’t expecting a turnout like this. Maybe it was the movie, maybe not. It really didn’t matter to me. What shocked me was the size of the crowd. I would estimate that the crowd was at least, if not over, 100 people.
It was nice, especially since I wasn’t expecting much. Buctainment added to the experience by giving away prizes, something I wasn’t expecting at all.
The audience was a lively one that helped amplify an already surprising experience. Usually, now more than ever, the audience of theaters don’t participate in the movies they watch.
As a kid I remember audiences cheering or laughing out loud or even screaming during a movie. Now, however, it seems audiences just sit there like a lump of coal brainlessly watching the movie. It kills me.
Friday was a different story. The audience got into the movie at every chance they could. They laughed when I laughed. They cheered when I cheered. Hell, they even awed when I awed.
When the movie was done the audience cheered and left. Buctainment provided the crowd with a card that tells the movies they will be playing next month.
I walked out with a smile on my face not because of the movie. I walked out with a smile because of the experience that I just had. Not only did Buctainment provide a great movie, but the audience provided an atmosphere I had not experienced in a long time. It made for a fine Friday evening.
Buctainment seems to be headlining a Quentin Tarantino month in November. Starting on Nov. 5 Buctainment will show Kill Bill Volume 1. On the 9th, they will be showing Reservoir Dogs. Ten days later, on the 19th, Kill Bill Volume 2 will be the main attraction. Finally, on the 23rd the cult classic, Pulp Fiction will grace the screen of the Auditorium.
All movies are shown in the Culp Auditorium and the best part is they are free.

Author