Movies and the Art of the Double Dip!

Well it was a rainy Sunday so it seemed like the perfect day to go see a movie. Thing is for me the cost to see a movie (10 bucks a ticket) seems just way to high. So, when I go I try to get the most for my money. I have this little theory about going to the movies. When you buy a ticket to a movie you are actually just buying a ticket to enter the theater. Granted the money from the purchase price of the ticket goes to the film which is printed on your ticket, but the overall cost grants you admission not just to that film but to the entire theater. For example if I purchase a ticket to see The Godfather, and Dirty Harry and The Wizard of Oz are also playing at the same theater you are more than welcome to see any of those three films once you have completed your viewing of The Godfather. Heck, you don't even have to go see The Godfather you can walk in and see the other two films instead. While Christine tells me "it's my way of sticking it to the man." I look at as more of a loop hole in the system. I call this the Art of The Double Dip (and when I'm feeling extra special I may take in a third film, and as you might have guessed it the Art of the Triple Dip).

So, back to my story of it was rainy and it was Sunday so we went to the movies. Ian is a pro at the Double Dip, being a veteran of multiple Double Dip missions. Christine on the other hand is new to it, but was up for the challenge. We wanted to check out Transfomers and The Simpsons movie, but due to some unforeseen traffic we ended up getting to the theater a little late and missed the start of Transformers. To fill in some time we went over to Trader Joe's, picked up some drinks, popcorn, some other snacks, and made some sandwiches and headed back to the theater. We went in and picked up some tickets to see The Simpsons Movie (so this film will see our funds, as opposed to any other film we might catch that day). Thankfully we walked in just as the previews were ending.

The Simpsons Movie sorta felt like I was home on a Sunday night. It felt like I was watching an episode of the Simpsons on television, except it was just a little more edgy then television (not to mention that it runs a full hour longer then a TV episode). What to say? It was a blast of a film; as funny as the best Simpsons episode, and without the commercials. It was also nice to see that Arnold becomes President. We all loved it.

Right when that movie ended we walked right into the next theater and caught the very start of Rescue Dawn. Now this wasn't a movie on our watch list - especially since it appeared that it might be too violent (which by the way, I asked Christine why Transfomers, which appeared to be very violent was okay, and Rescue Dawn wasn't. Her reply was that Transformers violence was fake violence, and Rescue Dawn was real violence. These are movies.....right? The violence is all fake.....) Rescue Dawn also seemed like a rather adult film since it dealt with the Vietnam War. That said, Ian loved it. It was a fantastic film. The acting was amazing. Christian Bale is bound to win an Oscar some day. He is just such a damn good actor.


In all we were at the theater a solid three and a half hours. Not bad, two films in the same amount of time that it would take to watch one of the Lord of the Rings movies. Christine was feeling pretty good afterwards. I think she is now a Double Dip convert, and up for future missions. Ian on the other hand wanted to stick around to watch Transfomers (I could have hung with him too, but Christine has not worked up her skills for the Triple Dip). I think we have our game plan down for next time we go too. Bringing the sandwiches, popcorn, drinks, and snacks. All toll we probably spent 30 bucks for the three of us to see two movies and have lunch. Heck the week before when we went to see Harry Potter we dropped almost 50 bucks and that was for two kids and two adults, a couple drinks and a large popcorn. Clearly a savings.

All in all it was an exciting adventure (albeit low key) for a Sunday afternoon!