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Popcorn: There for the Crowds or the Cash?


Popcorn: There for the Crowds or the Cash?

A Response to "Movie Theater Immersion"

Marjorie made a post about how she believes that food common at movie theaters is part of the immersive experience that draws people to the theaters today. While I agree on some points she makes, I would largely disagree in this more lighthearted dispute. 

In her post, Marjorie acknowledges that one can get many movie theater snacks at home. She counters that you just can't get the same experience from snacks at home. While it is true that you can't get the exact recipe of popcorn at home, you also have many more options at home. You can go to the grocery and get whatever type of snack you want, whereas you are limited to a select few options at the theater. 

The immersive experience of a movie theater refers to how one feels surrounded by a movie and focuses his or her attention exclusively on the film. Snacks do the opposite of that by focusing attention on taste and the movements required to eat them, taking away from the immersive experience. Still, I see that they could be an attraction if they were exclusive to theaters. The lack of choice of snacks in theaters and high prices would seemingly counterbalance any appeal of the snacks have in and of themselves. The things that draw you to theaters come with the price of a ticket. The snacks aren't there to draw crowds, they are there to make money.

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