cinema at night

Apparently, it is the 10-year anniversary of La La Land this year. I can’t believe it. I remember watching it in uni (when I say uni, it always means pharmacy school, because that’s the real uni to me, the one you went to for the first time) in 2017 when I was a third-year. I watched it in a friend’s living room. We both got bored and never finished the movie.

Then I watched it at my parents’ house with my mum for the first time in full in 2022. I was so moved and really enjoyed the movie. Among other things, it was hockingly sad to me. Of course, the scenery and colours of the movie were unforgettable as well.

Now fast-forward to 2026, 10 years later, I watched it again tonight with a friend at the Academy Cinemas. I really like that cinema. It’s a quaint little place. The seats were pretty packed. I always enjoy a movie more when there are lots of people. The communal experience somehow makes the movie more alive.

We came out, and it was lightly raining. The weather has warmed up a lot over the past few days, but it was still chilly at night. As we were walking to the car park, I looked at the windows of an old building lit with orange lights (I think it was an apartment). For some reason, it comforts me to peek into lit windows from the outside at night. I have been really enjoying the CBD lately. Late-night movies are one of my favourite things to do lately. There is something really special about watching movies at night.

Each cinema has a different vibe. Even the big franchise ones. Event Cinema on Queen Street makes me feel like I’m in a cyberpunk movie. Rialto New Market kind of has a homely vibe. I love rocking up there on a weekday night and seeing middle-aged people, be it couples or friends, who are determined to enjoy the night, rather than mindlessly consuming. As for Academy Cinemas, it makes me feel like I stumbled into a movie theatre in a small, rural US town (for some reason), as a stopover on a long road trip.

I just wanted to have a record of today – a pretty quiet, normal day. I drove up from Taumarunui, unpacked, finished my assignment, had dinner and headed out to the movies, and now I am back at my apartment. The days are blurring together lately. Things are changing. Maybe I just don’t want this night to end. But I don’t know what I am clinging onto. Surely there is tomorrow, and even if not, I really don’t understand what I could possibly want more out of this passing day. This passing life.

Anyways, I would say it was a pretty good day (I almost said a ‘productive’ day. I really dislike idolising productivity.). Goodnight goodnight.