I did it.  I went to see “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2” at midnight.  I have to tell you I am not going to talk about the actual movie but about the movie watching experience.  I know that, while the theatre I was in was sold out, not everyone is as crazy as my daughter and I – and the rest of the theatre full of people – are to go see a movie at that hour.

First, I will say that movie seats are not as comfortable as I remember them being.  This could be due to the fact that we went to see a double feature – Part 1 at 9 pm and Part 2 at 12:01 am.  There was approximately 50 minutes between the two movies for additional refreshments and bathroom visits or just standing, as opposed to sitting.

I know that the area I live in, upstate NY, has been rather warm lately.  Yesterday was not a hot and humid day.  I ran mid-afternoon and was not overheated during running.  Still, the weather forecast called for cool – in the mid 50’s – temperatures overnight.  I thought I had dressed accordingly.  I had on a skort and a tee shirt.  I froze.  The temperatures in the theatre were unbearable.  The air conditioning was running so high, it took quite some time under the covers when I got home for my toes to warm up.

Thankfully, there was more than the estimated 35 minutes between the two features.  The line at the bathroom was amazing.  My daughter left immediately upon the end of the first part.  She didn’t have any wait.  I went when she came back.  The line was quite a ways into the lobby area.  In the theatre’s defense, there are plenty of stalls and the line moved quickly.

We got our tickets to the double feature on Monday or Tuesday of this week.  Yes, as I mentioned, it was sold out.  Just how early, how far in advance, do you have to get to a movie that you have a ticket for?  When does a theatre allow patrons in?  My daughter and I got to the theatre about 8:30, so 30 minutes prior to the start, and the only seats together we could find were 5 rows from the front.  At least, the seats were on the end.

Now, 3D.  Back in the day – yes, I am old enough that I can use those words – I never went to the rudimentary 3D movies that came out.  I could not see in 3D and those silly cardboard glasses with one red and one green or blue lens annoyed me.  We got 3D glasses that were plastic – in the classic Harry Potter shape.  I actually had to wear them.  The experience without them would have just been horrible.  They did work somewhat but.  I was nauseous most of the movie.  My daughter felt nauseous and dizzy until well after we returned home.  I would really rather not see 3D movies.

Anyway, I guess I need to realize that the sleep I lose is not worth most movies.  That said, go see the movie.  It is amazing.