For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic shut everything down, I went to a movie last night.
Actually, I went to two movies.
Both were at the Cineplex Scotiabank Theatre in Toronto. Here's what I experienced...
Actually, I went to two movies.
Both were at the Cineplex Scotiabank Theatre in Toronto. Here's what I experienced...
For context, it was cheap Tuesday so I made a night of it. I saw a second-run title ("Bloodshot") on Imax for a total of $2.69, an extra discounted price.
And then I watched "Peninsula," the new sequel to South Korean zombie movie "Train to Busan" for the usual Tues discount.
And then I watched "Peninsula," the new sequel to South Korean zombie movie "Train to Busan" for the usual Tues discount.
When I arrived at the Cineplex I was greeted by an employee who asked me to use their hand sanitizer. Masks were on offer, but I was already wearing one.
The lobby was roped to direct traffic and encourage distancing.
The lobby was roped to direct traffic and encourage distancing.
It took several minutes of standing in the lobby before I encountered my first fellow moviegoer.
Cineplex says they've staggered showtimes to cut down on people crossing paths. A significantly smaller crowd interested in watching movies certainly helps.
Cineplex says they've staggered showtimes to cut down on people crossing paths. A significantly smaller crowd interested in watching movies certainly helps.
Concession prices are the same, but the selection was smaller. For whatever reason, they didn't have my usual go-to pick, orange Vitamin Water, so I went with a fountain soda.
A masked employee was behind a table at the Coke fountains (behind Plexiglas) to serve drinks.
A masked employee was behind a table at the Coke fountains (behind Plexiglas) to serve drinks.
Cineplex washrooms have distancing markings outside. Inside there was much signage. Every 2nd sink is marked as closed ("Unavailable due to physical distancing measures"), some stalls were closed.
I encountered one person leaving the washroom, masked. Not easy to keep distance.
I encountered one person leaving the washroom, masked. Not easy to keep distance.
The Cineplex lobby floors are marked with distancing labels that weren't necessary on this night, but will come in handy as Hollywood beings to roll out more new movies.
This weekend will be a test: new Spongebob hits theatres in Canada in the leadup to "Tenet" later this month.
This weekend will be a test: new Spongebob hits theatres in Canada in the leadup to "Tenet" later this month.
Inside the massive Cineplex Imax theatre for "Bloodshot" there were four empty seats to my right and another four to my left. The row in front of me was empty.
From what I saw, people wore their masks until they were seated.
From what I saw, people wore their masks until they were seated.
I crossed paths with people twice at the "Bloodshot" screening. It happened once on the way to my seats when the people already seated moved their legs for me to get by.
After the movie started, two kids came in and walked right in front of me without masks.
After the movie started, two kids came in and walked right in front of me without masks.
Aside from the two encounters, my impression of the experience at "Bloodshot" is that I generally felt safe and distanced and people were respectful.
Cineplex has cranked up the airflow in the theatres and at times you can feel it.
Cineplex has cranked up the airflow in the theatres and at times you can feel it.
My 2nd screening was "Peninsula" on the ScreenX immersive screen where parts of the film project on the sides of the theatre.
I picked seats at the very back of the theatre. Before the movie started @BogochIsaac appeared in a Cineplex-produced video with COVID-19 safety tips.
I picked seats at the very back of the theatre. Before the movie started @BogochIsaac appeared in a Cineplex-produced video with COVID-19 safety tips.
A promo for the new Spongebob movie did away with the usual "silence your phones" routine in favour of encouraging cleanliness.
Both movies I saw trailered "Black Widow," one of the big fall hopefuls. Disney says they don't plan to pull a "Mulan" and move it to streaming.
Both movies I saw trailered "Black Widow," one of the big fall hopefuls. Disney says they don't plan to pull a "Mulan" and move it to streaming.
Cineplex has reserved seating plans to meet COVID-19 guidelines, but when "Peninsula" started two guys (sitting with a seat between them) decided to move to the middle of their row.
No more than 2 mins later a group of four walked in discovered they had taken their seats...
No more than 2 mins later a group of four walked in discovered they had taken their seats...
...A short conversation between the groups led the two guys to move back to their original spots.
The group of four paused briefly before taking their assigned seats, even though the others had sat in them for a minute.
The group of four paused briefly before taking their assigned seats, even though the others had sat in them for a minute.
Overall, the attendance of the movies was larger than I anticipated.
"Bloodshot" had roughly 20 people spread out in a massive Imax theatre, but that movie came out in March and has been on demand for months.
The newer "Peninsula" had about 20 people in a smaller theatre.
"Bloodshot" had roughly 20 people spread out in a massive Imax theatre, but that movie came out in March and has been on demand for months.
The newer "Peninsula" had about 20 people in a smaller theatre.
Cineplex will soon pull many second-run titles to make room for new movies. Under distancing measures, a film will need more screens to be a hit.
Family movies rarely get major screen counts in downtown Toronto, so Spongebob is a sign of what's to come.
Family movies rarely get major screen counts in downtown Toronto, so Spongebob is a sign of what's to come.
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