It’s been over 4 months in this, our new reality. There’s been changes we’ve had to get used to, like masking up when we’re out and making sure we socially distance from people, and staying close to home and going with the slow.
Some people miss eating at their favourite restaurants, while others miss sporting events. The activity that we miss the most is going to the theatre to watch movies.
Vancouver is now in phase 3 which means theatres have opened, but with the dearth of new releases, the theatres are playing classic, throwback movies instead. Even though capacity is limited and tickets are priced at $5 per person, as well as all the added safety protocols, our comfort level is not quite there yet.
So what’s a movie lover to do?
Hit up the drive-in! I haven’t been to the drive-in since I was a kid. I have such fond memories of going to the drive in with my family. Plus it’s an activity Sean and I haven’t done in all our time together. Wha?!?
Twilight Drive-In is Vancouver’s only drive-in theatre and no surprise, has been experiencing a resurgence of late. Our pick for our inaugural drive-in movie was Wonder Woman (of course!) Since then, we’ve also went there to watch The Lost Boys, and Nightmare on Elm Street. Sure, we have all of these movies on blu-ray, but it’s the experience of going out and watching it on the big screen. Bonus points: being in the comfort of our car and not having to put up with annoying people.
Although there are no new movies to screen, Twilight Drive-In is playing favourites like the Marvel, Star Wars and Star Trek movies, and 80s movies (John Hughes everything, Dirty Dancing, The Goonies etc). They hold themed nights with fun pairings like Mad Max: Fury Road and Mad Max 2: Road Warrior, or Bohemian Rhapsody and Purple Rain, Transformers and Bumblebee, John Wick and John Wick 2.
Too bad Vancouver is not London. And by that, I mean having something as awesome as Secret Cinema. I had the best time at their Empire Strikes Back event in 2015. They really know how to celebrate movies. And they really know how to re-think lockdown.
During the pandemic, they teamed up with Häagen-Dazs ice cream to facilitate Secret Sofa from Secret Cinema – a virtual film club. Every Friday, thousands of fans would hit play at the same time and watch some of the greatest films together. And because of the participatory nature of Secret Cinema, fans are sent costume and prop ideas, music playlists, and instructions to learn dance routines to help them create the immersive, in-home screening environment. And after the movie, an after party via Zoom. What a great way to enjoy the experience with like-minded people.
The movies for the 8 week event including The Grand Budapest Hotel, Groundhog Day, Moulin Rouge, Casino Royale, Romeo and Juliet, Shawshank Redemption, Dead Poet’s Society, and Ghostbusters.
And now they’re pivoting to a Secret Cinema drive-in experience at Goodwood Motor Circuit in West Sussex, where fans will be treated to song, dance, confetti cannons, in-car Twister game, and Häagen-Dazs ice cream against the backdrop of the big screen.
Now normally, I’d be all ‘no city can out-do London or New York when it comes to cultural activities or events’ (it’s true), but at this time, I’m just so happy that Vancouver has the Twilight Drive-In. We have missed the movie experience so much.
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