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MOVIESMOVIES Film fan finds the real joy of movies is still in theaters

By ANICK JESDANUN Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) — Sure, it’s easy to and chill these days. Or Prime and recline. Or and ... well, whatever. But if you really want to savor a film, there’s still no substitute for a movie theater. Turns out that there are few better ways to rediscover the joy of heading to the theater than a year J® of free movie tickets, courtesy of MoviePass. Among the greatest attractions: no distractions from I , online chats, household chores and what not. 'm I was a regular moviegoer until ticket prices rocketed past $10 several years ago. In New York, $15 is now common; some theaters can charge $18 or $19, even before 3D and other surcharges. Streaming at home became far more affordable — and convenient. Who has time to go to the movies when you’re already behind on Netflix, Hulu, Amazon and everything else? But then came a too-good-to-be- true subscription deal from Mov- iePass, a promotion that offered a daily movie for a year for just $94. With ticket prices no longer an issue, I ended up seeing 181 movies — including most of the Oscars contenders. Those movies would JAKE MAY /THE FLINT JOURNALMLIVE.COM VIA AP, FILE have cost me $2,747 without Mov- In this Feb. 19, 2018, file photo, Mari Copeny, third from left, watches a free screening of the film “Black Panther” with more than 150 children, after she raised $16,000 to iePass. That’s 52 cents per film, a provide free tickets in Flint Township, Mich. Streaming services are starting to catch up on getting the latest movies quickly, yet they are no match for the main attraction 97 percent discount from $15. The of movie theaters: no distractions from Facebook, online chats, household chores and what not. deal was so good that MoviePass need discipline to put your phone to life on the theater’s big screen. far exceeds what I could get at movies and shows at home. I try no longer offers it. or laptop away. I’ve sometimes had Rock climber Alex Honnold’s home. That became clear watch- harder to pay attention; my phone’s That MoviePass subscription to consult Wikipedia for a plot nerve-wracking, rope-free ascent of ing — and hearing — “Bohemian screen-time controls, which block has expired, but I’ve already seen point I missed because I was re- the gigantic Yosemite rock for- Rhapsody,” about the rock band message notifications and the like, 42 movies on other subscriptions sponding to a text or reading about mation El Capitan in “Free Solo” Queen, and “A Star is Born,” a Lady help me focus. But it still takes will- this year — a mix of Sinemia, AMC the next movie to watch. Even wouldn’t have been the same on a Gaga-led drama on a singer’s rise power, like avoiding the chocolate A-List and memberships with in- folding laundry takes your eyes off phone. This documentary was even to fame. cake that’s right in front of you. dividual theaters. It’s costing about the screen. worth watching a second time, in True, theaters can still be a For that reason, I choose theaters $60 a month in all, far more than And while it’s convenient to the mega-size Imax format. hassle. You have to be there at when I can, even when streaming is the $8 a month with MoviePass — be able to stream movies in bits Then there was “Cold War,” a showtime — and then big theater available right away. Some movies but all worth it. and pieces, as time permits, that Polish drama on romance in the chains show nearly a half-hour of never make it to theaters outside I confess I have it easier than detracts from their rhythm and Eastern Bloc. It was filmed in black trailers. (I typically read an e-book big cities. I don’t have that problem many people. Having no kids pacing. Some movies, such as the and white in the boxy, 4-by-3 frame at low brightness or catch up on in New York, where several theaters means no worries about babysitters Netflix drama “Roma,” are meant used by TV screens of that era. podcasts.) Coordinating schedules show more than just the latest me- and bedtime. I can squeeze in a to feel slow and deliberate, but you That gives the movie a nostalgic with friends can also be complicat- ga-blockbuster sequels. 10 p.m. showing after a night out lose that feeling if you multitask on feel, even though it just came out. ed, though if you’re OK watching So instead of asking, “Who has with friends. Facebook. The Netflix thriller “Bird With streaming, video sometimes movies alone, that doesn’t have to time to go the movies?,” I ask my- Once the lights dim, it’s just the Box” just doesn’t feel right without gets squeezed or stretched to match be a problem. self, “Who has time for streaming?” movie and me. the proper buildup of suspense. the dimensions of the TV or phone. Spending all that time at the And Netflix just raised its prices yet When watching Netflix, you Costumes and landscapes come Sound quality at many theaters multiplex has changed how I watch again. Hmmm.

DEARDEARABBY ABBY

marriage as much as he does. Any DEAR ABBY: May I educate The gum-chewing continues. you to try it before requesting a By ABIGAIL VAN BUREN advice? — MY LIPS ARE SEALED your readers about a little-known Do you agree it is unprofessional private office. DEAR MY LIPS: Issues that are disorder called misophonia? It to chew gum in the workplace? DEAR ABBY: My husband and I not discussed often grow greater means “hatred of sound,” and it can How do I make people understand DEAR ABBY: Is it selfish for a have problems communicating be- until they erode relationships. If cause rage or panic. Misophonia is this is a real disorder that causes 62-year-old recently widowed cause I don’t talk enough, but that’s you value your marriage, use this triggered by sounds such as breath- me physical pain and duress? — grandmother to want more in her the way I was raised. My family just issue as a jumping-off point to start ing, eating, yawning, chewing or SUFFERING IN THE WEST life besides her one daughter and didn’t talk about serious things. I’m talking with a psychologist or other whistling. It can also be caused by DEAR SUFFERING: I have to three grandchildren? — WANTS not saying avoidance is right, but I licensed mental health professional. a repetitive motion, such as when agree that chewing gum in the MORE IN THE EAST have a hard time talking seriously. The way you were raised was un- someone is fidgeting, jostles you or workplace is both unsightly and DEAR WANTS MORE: Of course it When I feel put on the spot, I healthy. It is destructive to building taps their foot continuously. unprofessional. In the interest of isn’t selfish! If “someone” is trying find it difficult to form my words relationships as well as self-esteem, I suffer from this disorder. I work full disclosure, I confess I’m guilty to sell you that nonsensical idea, correctly, and I shut down. My and can have lifelong consequenc- in the health care field and am of the crime. Before I condemn my advice is not to buy it. You husband doesn’t understand why es, as you are finding out. Please often surrounded by people who anyone for eating, chewing, yawn- deserve happiness and fulfillment, I don’t talk when it comes so easy don’t put it off, because your com- chew and/or pop/crack their gum. ing, foot-tapping, etc., allow me and you should not allow anyone to for him. This gives him the impres- munication problem won’t resolve I have had the difficult, often em- to point out that the solution to prevent you from seeking it. sion that I don’t “want” to talk, and until you do something proactive barrassing, conversation about my your problem may be as simple as (Could it be the “someone” wants therefore, I don’t care about our about it. disorder many times to no avail. noise-canceling headphones. I urge a free baby sitter?) © 2019 King Features Features Syn Syndicatedicate Inc. Inc.

BRIDGE SUDOKU

Desperate measures Concept¡s SudoKu By Dave Green 1 7 2 9 5 4 3 8 6 East dealer. four notrump easily. But West prop­ Neither side vulnerable. erly ducked the queen, leaving South 8 5 9 1 6 3 7 2 4 NORTH with only eight sure tricks and no 9 7 ♦ A 10 7 obvious way to utilize dummy’s 3 4 6 8 2 7 59 1 ▼ J 73 J-10-9 of clubs. Although dummy 9 2 7 5 8 6 4 1 3 ♦ 84 could be entered with the ace of ♦ J 10952 spades in order to establish the club 8 7 6 5 3 4 7 1 9 8 6 2 WEST EAST suit, there would then be no way to ♦ J 6 5 2 4983 reach the other two club winners. 6 1 8 4 3 2 9 5 7 VQ8 VK1094 Declarer gave some thought to 2 9 1 3 4 5 6 7 8 ♦ J 10 7 2 ♦ K 9 5 attempting to establish his fourth 4 ♦K63 4874 heart, but quickly dismissed the idea. 9 5 4 6 5 2 7 8 1 3 9 SOUTH Even if the opposing hearts were C/3 ♦ K.Q4 divided 3-3 —just a bit better than a 1> 7 8 3 6 9 1 2 4 5 ¥ A 6 5 2 1 -in-3 possibility — he would very 3 Difficulty Level * ★ * ★ ♦ AQ63 likely wind up losing two diamonds, 7 6 73 U ♦AQ two hearts and a club before he could U- The bidding: score nine tricks. East South West North And so, South instead took what How to play Pass 2 NT Pass 3 NT looked like his only chance for the 6 9 1 4 Opening lead — two of diamonds. contract. After the club queen held, he led a low spade and finessed Sudoku is a number-plac- There are times when declarer dummy’sis 10! When the ten won the ing puzzle based on a 9x9 forced to attempt a play that wouldtrick, he conceded a club to the king, 3 8 make him look very foolish if it didand, with the spade ace still in dummy grid with several numbers. not succeed. Even so, if that playas an entry, he had no difficulty col­ The object is to place the actually offers the best chancelecting to 10 tricks. bring the contract home, declarerInterestingly, even this line of play 1 2 7 numbers 1-9 in the empty should screw up his courage andcould have been thwarted if West had squares so each row, each back his convictions to the hilt. played his jack on the first spade CL Consider the accompanying deallead. This would have restricted 1> column and each 3x3 box where South got to three notrumpdummy to only one entry and ren­ contains the same num- 9 8 2 o and West led the diamond deuce.dered the contract hopeless. How­ U After taking East’s king with the ace,ever, the jack play was certainly not ber once. The difficulty South played the A-Q of clubs. an easy one for West to make, and increases from Tuesday Had West taken the queen withmight have worked out badly had 4 to Sunday. Answers to the the king, declarer would have madeSouth held a different hand. 5 last day’s puzzle are above. Tomorrow: Famous Hand. 2/24 ©2019 King Features Syndicate Inc. Difficulty Level ★ ★ ★ ★ ★