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<center>*Price is what you pay. Value is what you get.*</center>

<center>**- Warren Buffett -**</center>
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Years ago, I used to go to the cinema all the time, almost weekly. I'd grab a meal, lunch or dinner either before or after the movie, and feel like I had a good night out. I recall tickets being $5AUD when I was much younger, but it's increased dramatically as has the cost of snacks and drinks; I used to feel I got value for what I paid, but now...not so much.

As ticket prices, and the price of snacks became higher and higher I went less and less. It wasn't that I couldn't afford it, more that I didn't see value. A typical movie outing would cost $120-$140AUD for two people including lunch or dinner, movie tickets and snacks. I persisted for a while but when tickets started creeping up into the high $20AUD range I called *enough.* 

I ended up getting pay TV several years ago which puts almost any movie I want to see plus a multitude of sports and documentaries on my very large television screen at home. Sure, I pay $150 a month for it but it's better value and more flexible than going out to the movies. 

Having said that, there's still some movies I want to see on the big screen. 

On Sunday I saw, *Top Gun: Maverick*, at the cinema and thoroughly enjoyed it. I remember seeing the first Top Gun movie back in 1986, at the cinema, and it felt right to do so with this latest version no matter the cost.

It was a 2:30pm session I was seeing so grabbed the tickets first and then was going for lunch. Getting tickets is different now; there used to be a ticket booth with people in it, now there's a row of machines. A good example of technology creating jobs...*Not*. ($44 for two tickets)

I went for lunch at a Vietnamese place in the entertainment complex where the cinema is and had lunch. A couple of spring roll entrees, chicken satay curry and rice, a salt and pepper calamari and a couple of beverages. ($76 for lunch.)

After a wander about for a half our it was time to head up into the movie theatre but first...*Snacks!* I bought a single ice cream, small popcorn box and a regular Pepsi Max...all self serve with no one in sight. Another good example of technology creating jobs...*Not*. ($24 for snacks.) 

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From there I walked through into the foyer area and could hardly believe my eyes...in there I saw...wait for it...*a person.* Just one. 

I paid for my snacks, with cash, which earned me a disdainful and loathing look from the lone human at the counter; it was as if I'd vomited in his hand. 

I smiled my, *fuck you I don't care about your disdain and dislike for legal tender,* smile and proceeded into the cinema complex to find cinema seven. No one had checked my ticket to this point; I guess I just look very trustworthy...or maybe the thirty people *who used to work at this cinema before technology lost them their jobs*, are all standing in a room somewhere looking at screens showing CCTV feeds ready to catch out those who didn't buy a ticket? Nah, they're probably all getting unemployment benefits from the government.

The movie was really great. It was a predictable storyline and ending, great visual effects, acting that is no better or worse than any other movie, and the way Tom Cruise dies in the end was really plausible. <sub><sup>Or does he?</sub></sup>

Jennifer Connelly is in the movie too and I really like her as an actress, not just because she's sexy. She gets her gear off too, *full frontal nudity for minutes on end*. An Oscar winning performance indeed. <sub><sup>Or does she?</sub></sup>

This isn't a movie review because movie reviews are the most useless things on the planet; what one person thinks of a movie is totally irrelevant to the next. If you want to find out what it's all about pay the money and see for yourself, make up your own mind...you know, think for yourself. I liked the movie and that's all that really matters to me. 

What I didn't like was the cinema experience. 

It was very clinical, impersonal and unfriendly; the last because there was no one around, no greeting, no, *enjoy the movie,* comment and no warmth to the experience. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy to avoid people mostly, but it's also nice to interact sometimes. I get it though, we're in this new-age digital world and all, but...*connected?* Nope, I disagree with that - We've never been more disconnected and anti-social.
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On Sunday I paid $144AUD for the outing you see above and I wonder was it worth it? I'd say yes, although many would probably say no. Would I do it again next week? Next month? Maybe, but the movie would have to be worth the effort.

The cinema is a sometimes thing for me and this movie was only the second I've seen at the cinema this year, the first being the latest James Bond movie released. Both cinema events were enjoyable from an outing perspective although the lack of warmth was present at both events. Do I see $144 of value though? 

Being an outdoors sort of man I'm happy to limit my cinema events to a few per year and find my enjoyment and entertainment in the wilderness. When I want to watch a movie or documentary I'm content to watch PayTV or Netflix or any number of the other streaming services I can access and actually find better value for money in it. Sure, it's not an *outing* per se, but I can make it seem that way easily enough I guess; a movie event at home.

How about you? Do you go to the movies a lot; if so what do you like about it and if not, what don't you like? Is it expensive in your area? Do you have other options? Feel free to answer in the comments and tell me about your cinema experiences. 
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Design and create your ideal life, don't live it by default - *Tomorrow isn't promised so be humble and kind*

<sub><sub>Any images in this post are my own</sub></sub>