However, a few things this year, while not changing my mind on my solo going, have at least opened me up to changing slightly.
FRIGHTFEST
FrightFest is one of the biggest events for fans of cult. horror, off-beat films. They have two major events each year, one in Glasgow and the main one in London. They have been running for a number of year with the London event turning 18 this year.
Despite being a big fan of the films they show, this year was the first time I was able to make it to both events, although for the London one, I didn't see everything I could as I had a few other things I wanted to do with my limited time in London. However, I enjoyed both for exactly the same reasons.
As I said, I'm a loner generally when it comes to cinema going. The friends I have, generally they might be interested in seeing some films, often the bigger ones of the year. Ask them to go see a film like Mother! for example, the answer is usually, 'hell no!' But I don't mind that in truth. As someone who loves films I try and see everything I can. Sometimes I miss some but I will do my best to see it if it interests me in some capacity.
FrightFest, both in Glasgow and London, were different. Not due to me going on my own, I'd do that anyway, but it was the first time I'd met up with people I speak with via Twitter, often people that you might never meet otherwise unless at an event like this. I'm not really a social person generally, I'm happy sitting in the corner listening than speaking, but actually meeting some of them, be it before the event or during it was a welcome change for me. It certainly made the events even more enjoyable than I perhaps anticipated and has certainly inspired me a little to hopefully be a bit more outgoing for film events in 2018.
Dundead
The Dundead event held at Dundead Contemporary Arts has been running for a few years now. It's not on the scale of FrightFest but is a similar type of event. As with FrightFest I go on my own for the same reasons as before. However, this year was different. But first a little backtrack.
My local Cineworld ran a film quiz for awhile and the team I was in tended to win quite a lot. When the quiz ended, I considered myself 'retired' from film quizzes. Flash forward to 2015. Dundead has a horror film quiz before the opening film. Against my better nature and more to pass the time, I decided for a bit of fun to have a go at the quiz. A team on one! And came third. They gave me as a prize a copy of Argento's Dracula. I'll forgive them one day for that!
Anyway...
In 2016, I did the quiz again, again on my own to pass the time and...well...I won. In truth I felt a little guilty at this, given all the prizes they had lined up for the team that won. In the end, I suggested giving out some of the film posters to other teams that were there.
So, 2017 comes round. In truth, while I was enjoying the quiz, I felt maybe it was time to be part of a team so basically became a team member for hire! Someone called Caley asked if I wanted to join theirs which I did.
We won.
I wonder if I should retire again!
But getting back to Dundead itself. One of the team, Helen, ended up by accident being my Dundead film buddy as we watched most of the films together. It was fun experience, which also resulted in me talking film with other people there too. As I said, I'm not a social, out-going person generally, but I was actually enjoying myself.
While most of my cinema going in 2018 will be solo outings, it's good to know if I push myself a bit, I can have film discussions with people without sounding too weird...hopefully.
Cineworld
I know what you are thinking, how can going to a mainstream multiplex cinema be a highlight? Well, as I said, this is more a reflection on my cinema going highlights than the films themselves.
Although they have returned of late, perhaps only on a temporary basis, my local Cineworld in Dundee used to do late screenings of films. By late I mean after 10 P.M. at night. For me this is perfect. As mentioned above, I'm not a social person, so going to the cinema late when few people are there is ideal. Less people, less risk of disruption, from talking, phone screens and such.
However, I have a big weakness when it comes to my cinema going. If a film is due to start at, for example, 10 P.M. then I'm usually there for 9! Even though it's around a 20 minute or so drive to my nearest cinema, I want to be there early. I have used many, many excuses over the years to justify this; I want to make sure it's not sold out, I worry about traffic, weather, in case the film starts at 10 and not around 25 minutes after that due to ads and trailers. All perfectly valid reasons in my book!
So of course, being there early I do what I always do and get a coffee. As a result over the years, I've gotten to know some of the staff at my local Cineworld over the years. Well when I say know, I've probably bored them to death talking film for so long, they dreaded working in the cafe bar in case I showed up! I'd like to thank them all for their polite nodding and understanding as I when on and on about film..
But what makes it even more humorous is when you forget how old you are in relation to the staff. I've been going steady to the cinema since 1987. Most of the cinema staff weren't even born then, often not for another 10 or so years! So, I'm going on about a film, like Lethal Weapon and can't understand why they haven't seen it....when most have only just gotten old enough to see it legally (though I think these days it's now classed as a 15 rated film, when before it was 18). I wonder if, after reading this, they decide to cancel the late screenings again...as well as bar me from the cafe bar area, if only for their staff's sake!
So, what point am I making here? Do I miss having someone to talk film with after a film? On occasions, yes. But will I stop going on my own because no-one else wants to go? Of course not. Meeting and talking with like minded people at FrightFest and Dundead certainly was fun (and I plan on being atFrightFest Glasgow and Dundead certainly in 2018). Using Twitter and Facebook to talk film with film fans is also great. Debating, discussing film with others online without resorting to trolling or shouting or online shouting has been refreshing. It would appear I chose my online followers and friends well in that regard...well apart from Martin and The Force Awakens. I still can't resist taunting him about that!
Of course having an outlet like my Blog helps too, in letting me praise or rant about films and other film related issues allows me release my passion for film for anyone brave or foolhardy to read. I may not be the best writer but I don't care, it's not why I Blog. I do it because I love film.
I guess what I'm saying in a round about way is that while I enjoy going to the cinema with people or on my own, it's always good to have people to bounce thoughts and opinions off after, be it in person or online.
To that end, I feel blessed to know so many film fans online who share my passion for film.
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